Anyone Else Buried in Laundry?

How to Make Sure Your Toddler's Teeth are Really Getting Brushed

Maddie has hit that autonomous stage where she wants to do everything herself. 

You know, the "terrible twos." 

I'm actually happy about that, but the only problem is although toddlers at this stage want to do everything themselves, they may not be able to handle everything.

I was really struggling trying to figure out how I could allow her to brush her teeth all by herself, yet making sure that they really did get brushed well.  

It occurred to me that she also really wants to do everything I do.

So why not let her brush my teeth the way I wanted to brush hers.  

So now, we brush teeth together.  After I'm finished with mine, and she's finished with hers, we switch brushes.  She brushes my teeth and this allows me to make sure her teeth get brushed really good!!

Problem solved. : ) 

A Call To Action

I've been reading some shocking statistics lately.

  It's estimated that 80-90% of babies screened for Down Syndrome are aborted.  Three babies are aborted every day due to Down Syndrome according to an article written in 2009.

Maybe I'm a little sheltered living here in the heartland of America, but I just find this unbelievable. 

I cannot even express in words how my heart aches for all of those beautiful babies who were never given a chance in life.  

I find myself grieving the loss.

When Maddie was first born, I think I have shared how amazing the Down Syndrome Association was in welcoming her to the world and inviting us to be a part of "the club." 

Some wonderful families!  

I purposely distanced myself though.  

I didn't want our entire identity as a family to be just Down Syndrome. 

I knew there was so much more to Maddie than just her diagnosis, and I feared focusing too much on that diagnosis.

But now that we've found our normal, it's time to rethink our involvement with advocacy.

 I'm beginning to see that there is a lot of work to be done in educating other families faced with the decision to abort.  

I have a feeling there is a lot of misinformation out there being told to these families.  

I've heard doctors will often paint Down Syndrome in such a negative light, families feel its for the best to terminate the pregnancy.  

I'm not exactly sure where God will lead me in all this, but I know I've at least taken the first step.

I contacted the Hope Pregnancy Center and given our names and this blog as a reference to anyone given the diagnosis of Down Syndrome who might have questions.  

If you ever know anyone faced with the predicament of aborting a child with DS please tell them about Maddie!! Tell them how wonderfully healthy she is, and how she's capable of so many things.  Tell them what an absolute joy she is and how she's affecting so many people's lives in a positive way!  

I read that the country of Denmark is trying to create a country that is Down Syndrome-free. They abort the babies tested positive for the condition.

What a sad world without DS!!

I will add to my prayer list the gynecologist from Denmark who stated the number of newborns with Down Syndrome approaching zero is a "fantastic achievement."

I wish he could meet Maddie and I would show him a "fantastic achievement!!"
 

Outside Time!

The weather was so great yesterday!  We spent a lot of time outside.  Maddie played with these rubber ducks that have become outside toys by default.  : )  

lots of concentrating...lining them all up!

Next we opened up our sandbox.  Maddie worked on getting her shoes and socks off...

love this method!  ; )  

Today we have lots of things to plant in the garden.  Hopefully we can get it all done before the rain comes!

Happy Weekend Everyone!

Bubbles!!

Maddie LOVES bubbles.  

We found out Tenley does not love bubbles.  

Poor thing cried when we blew bubbles the other day, so while she was down for a nap, we blew bubbles!

There's one expression I still haven't been able to capture...it's the one right after the bubbles are blown and Maddie's face lights up with wonder and amazement and joy.  

I just can't seem to get the timing with blowing the bubbles, setting the bubble wand down, picking up the camera, focusing the shot, and clicking.  

Simple enough, right?  

I think I somehow managed to get a few good shots, even if I didn't get THE one.  

I've been having fun playing around with my new toy...

my new external flash!  

Can't wait to find out what all it's capable of : )  

Easter Mini Sessions!!

I'm so excited to offer Easter mini sessions!!

It's going to be a busy, busy, fun day!  

I can't wait!!!
Hope to see you then!

My Niche - Playtography

Lately I've been focusing on getting as much photography training as possible.  I'm in that mode that I just want to soak in all in like a sponge, and that's what I've been doing. 

When it comes to any art form, a recurring theme successful photographers will say is you have to find your own unique style.

I love this idea.  

 I think I've found something I can market as my own style.  I call it Playtography.  

It wouldn't be your typical photo session.  

There wouldn't be any posing!

There wouldn't be any pre-planned shots!

It would all be up to the kids.  

They would play and I would just happen to be hanging around with my camera. 

And I would get shots like these:  

I think families would like pictures like these.  

Real moments.  

Real laughter.

Real play.  

Real fun!!!!