Living in Georgia

While we had a fantastic holiday season, I am happy to see it come to an end so that we can get back to our regular routine. And that should include me posting more often. Jason left today for Ft. Benning so I'm going to have to stay up-to-date on my blog so that he can see what we're doing each day too! For New Year's Eve, we had some friends come over for an early party with the kids. Lisa and Bob have an almost 3 year old, McKenna, who also has Down syndrome. We've gotten to know them over the past several months and have really enjoyed their company. It was nice to share the holiday with them and watch the kids play. It was an early party (5 - 8:30p) so the kids were in bed by 9:30p and Jason and I were curled up on the couch in our PJ's to ring in the New Year. While not very exciting, with little kids, it's the easiest and most relaxing way for us. We did sip some champagne at the stroke of midnight though.... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I know it's been almost a week since Christmas, but better late than never, right? It's been a crazy couple of weeks and I'm still living in Christmas mess. We spent our Christmas Eve next door with our Georgia family, like we do every year. It just wouldn't be Christmas without it! The kids exchanged gifts and had a blast playing and keeping their eye on Santa via the internet! Ellen and Maddy The kids helping Ethan open his gift. Kim cooking us her lasagna ... yummy! Maddy, Ethan and Chelsea. After the party we scurried home to get ready for Santa. Jack got into his pj's and then got the milk and cookies ready for Santa. Ethan fell asleep before we even got him home, I think! Just before 8am Jack crept into the bedroom to let us know that Santa came and delivered all his presents. It's so much fun to experience Christmas through the eyes of little ones. Santa brought Jack a Big Wheel and Ethan a little driving toy. Jack had a blast opening up all the pres...

Friday Jack had his first dentist appointment to make sure his teeth didn't get too messed up when he busted open his lip. He did fantastic there, even with them putting tools into his mouth. I think it was because Daddy was with him and not Mommy! They said everything looked good but to keep our eye on things. He'll go back in January for a cleaning and another check. Sunday was our neighbor's annual Turkey Fry! There were about eight families there from the neighborhood and we had a very late night partying with everyone. Jack had the best time playing with all the kids. Ethan enjoyed all the cuddling and loving he got from all the gals, while all the men enjoyed the football and the turkey! There were more kids than chairs at the table - plus two little ones under the age of one! Ethan made fast friends with the twins, Elizabeth and Coleen, from the front of the neighborhood. In fact, when we left, Ethan reached out for Coleen and gave her a big love! I now know ...

It's been quite the week around here. Jason's been up at Ft. Bragg, NC to do his in-processing for his military training that starts at the first of the year. Luckily he got home tonight. I only wish it was last night... As I was getting dinner ready last night I heard a big thunk and turned to see Jack crying over the leather ottoman in front of the couch. His legs were on the couch, leading me to believe he either jumped or was trying to climb over to it. Either way, his lip was split wide open. I normally don't have any issues with blood and stuff, but this was enough to make me lightheaded! Anyway, I grabbed both boys and headed to the ER. What could have been a 4-5 hour event, was only a 2+ hour event, thanks to the wonderful nurse that worked on Jack. Because of his strength, they had to knock Jack out (which freaked me out) to get the stitches in. They stitched inside his lip and underneath his lip. Jack fell asleep during the procedure (they paralyze the b...

We finished up most of our Christmas shopping on Friday but made the mistake of taking the boys with us. We can get by with Ethan, but you can't sneak anything past Jack. It was tricky, but we finally got it all done. But, boy, was it exhausting. Granny Annie sent the boys some clothes and the cutest thing was this little Santa outfit that made Ethan look just like a little Elf! We couldn't resist taking a few pictures. Saturday we went into Atlanta for the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta's Holiday Party and had the best time! We met so many great kids and their families. The boys made jingle bell necklaces and Jack did lots of art projects. Ethan spent most of his time on the floor playing with, shaking and basically trying to figure out his jingle bell necklace. He only stopped to eat and to meet ... SANTA CLAUS!! We actually got Jack to sit on Santa's lap finally. And then he didn't want to get off. He was happily talking about the Space Shuttle toy h...