New Beginnings

I have so much to talk about!  So much has happened!  First off, we just got back from a week long vacation to Sea Island Georgia.  We had such a good time, I was curious to see how Carter would like the beach considering he was 3 months old last year and all he did was sleep the whole time.  Well the first two days that we were there, Carter wanted nothing to do with the beach, he hated the sand, he hated the ocean to say the least he was not a happy camper.  So we hung out at the Beach Club (I am not complaining one bit) he loves the pool!  The third day we decided to try the beach again, and to my surprise Carter loved the sand, he crawled all around in it and really enjoyed eating it!  He loved the ocean he was laughing and bouncing every time a wave crashed.  Hooooooray he loves it...we even took his awesome Cadillac of a wagon and made it into a cozy beach bed when he was ready for a nap. 

Helping Uncle Keith and Cole build sandcastles

 Oh, I forgot to mention while at dinner one night on vacation, a sweet lady named Bunny and her daughter came up to us asking about Carter.  She asked if he had down syndrome, we responded with a smile and said why yes he does.  Well she has a little boy Michael with down syndrome.  We finally met him the last day we were there at the pool. Michael is 10 years old and so adorable.  He had 30 some surgeries in his first year of life, and just recently in the past year had his feeding tube removed.  Michael has an incredible little boy with an amazing personality and vocabulary and I could understand every word that he spoke.  He loved Carterbug!

So about two weeks ago, while giving Carterbug a bath he was standing and holding on to the side of the tub.  Poor lil' bug slipped and I caught him right as he was hitting the water.  THIS ABSOLUTELY TRAUMATIZED THE CHILD!  Since then you can not put him in the tub without him screaming his head off.  (Keep in mind this little boy used to love taking baths, he never wanted to get out of the tub).  I tried putting him in the bathtub with his cousins Cole and Caroline at the beach (Aunt Chrissie and I needed a photo op) no such luck, Cole and Caroline was trying to make Carter smile by doing kissy faces, but Carter just wanted to make frowny faces.  I have tried giving him a sink bath that doesn't work either.  If he takes a bath with me or a shower with Jeff that's the only way he feels okay.  I am hoping he forgets that horrible day in the bath really soon! 

This Monday was a big day, it was Jeff's birthday, I started my new job, and Carter started daycare.  Jeff and I both dropped Carter off at daycare on his first day.  I cried uncontrollably, seriously uncontrollably.  He did great, when I picked him up his teacher said how well he did and he had two buddies and that they were the three musketeers (they have stuck together all week!  How cute is that?)  He is adjusting so well and he is exhausted everyday when I pick up.  Excuse me when I walk next door to get him (did I mention he goes to daycare right next door to my work?)  :)

There are so many changes (all good) going on right now.  It's going to take a little while for the three of us to get used to this new schedule.  I am so happy with my new job, but even happier that I have Fridays off to spend with Carterbug.  Fridays are going to be our special day that we have together!  HOORAY FOR NEW BEGINNINGS!

Major blog neglect: Buggy update

So as usual I have excuses for being completely neglectful to this little blog of mine.  First off we didn't have internet for over a week, yes tell me about it I was literally going into DT's not being able to see what everyone was up to on facebook, catching up on blog posts, no email NOTHING! The next excuse was that I officially graduated from school last week.  No more tests, no more working for free, yay!  Our ceremony was held last Thursday, it was completely bittersweet.  We made lifelong friendships and I am going to miss everyone so much, but I was so ready to get a job and start working.  Speaking of that word, I have one of those J-O-B's now.  A wonderful orthodontic practice, who I actually did my rotation through and I fell inlove with everyone who worked there hired little ol' me!  I start August 1st after our week long beach trip.  That's also the day Carterbug will start daycare.....(insert break sound).....wait what?  Did I just say daycare????  That I did, I can't believe it myself!  I have always said from day one absolutely NO daycare!  I didn't want my kid to stay sick all the time, I didn't want strangers watching my children how awful!  Well momma got a reality check, daycare will be great for Carter, he is full of personality and he will love being around other children everyday, he will love his teachers, he will love having a day filled with activity, it's going to be good for him.  Oh yeah and did I mention his daycare is right next door to my work?  So, you know mommy will be sneaking over there on her lunch break to get a hug or two in!  Now for the Carter update: Carter is up to nine teeth, that's nine teeth that love to sink inside anything he can get his mouth on, a shoulder, leg, neck, face, you name it he has bitten it.  He is pulling up on everything and crusin' along ottomans and tables.  He has an amazing "kissy face" that his Aunt Itney taught him.  As of yesterday he is still at 20 lbs 2 oz and he is 30 3/4in. long.  He is eating many things these days, anything from soft foods like mac n cheese to steak and pork chops (they have to be teeny tiny pieces).  He is starting to look more like a little boy and less like a baby.  Carter has been discharged from physical therapy, but still gets developmental therapy once a week.  He knows what his cup is, he knows baba is a bottle that holds that yummy milk, he knows his paci, he can grab the ball when you ask him to get his ball, and he knows what a diaper is.  We give him choices, I will hold up a cup or a ball and tell him to get his cup and he grabs the cup! We have also been working on "putting in" after grabbing an object I will ask him to put in the bucket, we say ready, set, go and he drops it in!   He had an occupational therapy evaluation two weeks ago and she said she did not recommend OT for Carter!  Yay!

Bug had his first boat ride ever this past Sunday.  We went to visit my Uncle Chuck and Aunt Florette (now uncle choo choo and aunt mimi).  Both very special people in my life and who love Carter so much.  Carter got to sit on Choo Choos lap and help drive the boat, in his over sized life jacket, he so loved it!  The ride was so relaxing it put him right to sleep. 

Here lately Carter has become a huge daddy's boy, he wants to love on his daddy all the time.  It doesn't get any better than seeing the two people you love more than anything have such a strong bond.  Jeff is such a great daddy and I know I don't tell him enough.  Carter is so lucky to have him and Jeff is so lucky to have Carter, they are so cute together and it makes me happy!



Soapbox

I have been wanting to write about this topic for a little while now.  It's the issue of saying down syndrome rather than down's, or those other awful words that I have actually heard quite a bit that makes me stop in my tracks and cringe.  One starts with a 'M' you know that terrible word you have probably heard your grandparents say?  The one that makes someone with down syndrome sound like a monster rather than a human?  I hate that word, that word is definitely not okay to say ever!  Oh yeah and that other word the infamous 'R' word, who to this day I still have people saying it to me!  Yes this words cuts like a knife, it makes my ears ring and makes me want to jerk someone up by the neck of their shirts, but instead I ask them kindly to watch their language.  I usually get an apology, but sometimes I get shutup or it's a free country.  They are right about one thing, it is a free country, but why do you want to be hurtful?  Nowhere in the constitution does it say it's ok to be cruel, I think sometimes as Americans we take advantage of this right, and take it a little too far.  The other thing that bothers me is when someone says, I know someone who has down's.  Hmmm...what's down's?  Oh okay, you know SOMEONE who has DOWN SYNDROME?...Gotcha!  I do let this one slide from time to time in a conversation, because I know that everyone doesn't go out and research down syndrome.  Just try and remember the person who has down syndrome is a person first just like you and I, they just happen to have down syndrome.  National Down Syndrome Preferred Language Guide.  I know that it is difficult to break bad habits, but lets all try!

My friend Erin says it so much better than I do, she has a way with words that is indescribable:  What language do you speak? 

Great add for the 'R' word campaign

Animal pancakes and blanket tents

All we did today was play, eat, and nap!  Carterbug is getting his top molars and they are no fun!  We got teeth marks all over the crib to prove it.  His nose is stuffy then runny, he is fussy, and he is putting everything in his mouth to soothe the pain. The good thing about it is that he wants to cuddle like crazy! I make him pancakes every Saturday, but I thought maybe it would make him feel better if we had them today.  So, during Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (Carterbug's favorite!) I made him a Mickey Mouse pancake and blueberries for breakfast.  One of my favorite things growing up was when my dad made me animal pancakes so I thought I would carry on the tradition.  He would always ask what animal do you want, and my sister and I would usually respond with Mickey or Minnie Mouse.  Every now and then we would test his artistic ability and ask for a elephant or a dog and to our surprise there it would be the perfect elephant trunk and all swimming in maple syrup on our plate.

Thanks Mommy!!

We made a tent today from my white comforter it was so cute watching Carter explore all the little nooks in the homemade tent, then he would giggle when it would fall down!  He makes my day, EVERYDAY!

Happy Friday!

Country boy at heart...

This weekend Carter had his pictures taken by sweet Kendall.  She contacted me about taking pictures of Carter with haystacks and watermelons, of course the country girl that I am jumped right on this opportunity and dressed my little cutie in his overalls and I brought my cowboy boots and hat for props!  It was so much fun, he did such a good job and Kendall took some great pictures!  She also had some amazing things to say that I thought that I would share...
"As I am sitting here I am trying not to short out the keyboard with tears of happiness. I Had the opportunity to photography Carter Eli Montgomery today. Carter is special in more ways than one. It is hard for me to think that someone could have denied this precious gift from God the joy's of life, love and laughter. In case you could... not see past all of the smiles and watermelon, Carter was one of God's chosen angels that was blessed with Down Syndrome. It is not a disease but a gift to me and you. Some people might look at Carter and say poor little boy. I personally have never had a child with Down Syndrome but what is there to be sorry about? I am so moved by all of the wonderful facts and precious life that Kristin Melton Montgomery and Jeff Montgomery brought to in this community with Carter.  I am sure they can't imagine their life without Carter. As I was talking with Kristin while capturing some of Carter's most precious moments I ask her if her and Jeff were ready for another baby. That is such a loaded question that I am sure they get asked often. She told me that Jeff told her the most wonderful thing that other day and that was " he wishes they could have another children with DS". I am can not think of a more heart warming comment from a father with one special needs child. If we all could think like this and not say poor me or poor child I don't think we would not have as many problems as we do now. Within the last year I have become more familiar with DS and I follow Kristin's blog and also Erin Witkowski's blog Ski'ing Through Life. These are 2 of the most touching blog's that I have ever read. The families have taken this and handled it better that anyone else I know could have. Kristin has recently finished school, Jeff works full time and Carter is always getting therapy and learning new things each and everyday. Some people would look as Carter as being a burden. Those people don't know the real meaning of life or have never been touched by God's love. Kristin and Jeff have a very supporting family. Aunt Whitney Melton is one of Carter's biggest fan and Tara Thoburn Melton is one of the proudest Nana's. As David and I face the future of adoption I am not going to lie to you and say that I would say "no" to a child with Down Syndrome after experiencing Carter and his love for each and ever blade of grass and all of the watermelon seeds in his tummy tonight.Thank you Kristin and Jeff for Sharing your wonderful gift!" Captured by Kendall


that was some sweet watermelon!



Now I forgot to mention we took the pictures at Hagan Stone park in my wonderful hometown of Pleasant Garden.  After we left the park I decided to take Carter by the place where I grew up.  It's a humble cozy little place that holds so many happy memories.  So many Christmases and birthdays, so many laughs with my sister (after all we did share a room for 22 years), memories of playing barbies until 2 in the morning, the big yard where we played shot in the dark or "friends" or sometimes we for some reason wanted to pretend we were the boxcar children...ahhhh the imagination of little girls so much different than a little boys!  We made clubhouses out of blankets and trees.  It looks so different then it did when we left. I have to admit I got a little teary eyed driving by and telling Carter this is where mommy grew up (not that he has any idea what I'm talking about) I was just happy to be sharing that with him.   Now living in the big ol city of Greensboro my heart does ache to live in the country again.  One day maybe, but I do know with me as a mama (that girl who wore her cowboy boots with her wedding dress, oh and that girl who has a cowboy boot tattooed on her ankle, oh yeah and that girl who everytime she gets around her bff that country accent just flows right out, yeah that girl), and a daddy who is a baseball playin Georgia boy has to have a little country running through his blood right?



yeah I thought so!



Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful husband Jeff!  We celebrate you not only on father's day, but everyday.  Thank you for all the many wonderful things you do for us.  Thank you for all your support through this past year.  You're such a great daddy and we love you so much!  There is something to be said about a father's relationship with his son...

I remember sayin' I don't care either way

Just as long as he or she is healthy, I'm okay

And then the doctor pointed to the corner of the screen

And said, "You see that thing right there? Well, you know what that means"

I started wondering who he was going to be

And I thought heaven help us if he's anything like me

He'll probably climb a tree too tall and ride his bike too fast

End up every summer wearin' something in a cast

He's gonna throw a ball and break some glass

In a window down the street

He's gonna get in trouble, oh, he's gonna get in fights

I'm gonna lose my temper and some sleep

It's safe to say that I'm gonna get my payback

If he's anything like me

I can see him right now, knees all skinned up

With a magnifying glass tryin' to melt a Tonka truck

Won't he be a sight with his football helmet on?

That'll be his first love 'til his first love comes along

He'll get his heart broke by the time he's in his teens

And heaven help him if he's anything like me

He'll probably stay out too late and drive his car too fast

Get a speeding ticket, he'll pay for mowing grass

He's gonna get caught skippin' class

And be grounded for a week

He's gonna get into trouble, we're gonna get in fights

I'm gonna lose my temper and some sleep

It's safe to say that I'm gonna get my payback

If he's anything like me

He's gonna love me

And hate me along the way

The years are gonna fly by

And I already dread the day

He's gonna hug his mama, he's gonna shake my hand

He's gonna act like he can't wait to leave

But as he drives out he'll cry his eyes out

If he's anything like me

There's worst folks to be like, oh, he'll be alright

If he's anything like me

~Brad Paisley



New haircut

Yep, mommy gave me a buzz cut for the summer...