wordless wednesday

birthday party

lilly had a wonderful third birthday, she picked out a my little pony decoration. on saturday the pingel family came over to celebrate, we all had a lot of fun:)

lilly pooped out from a day full of fun.

sunday we were going to have the elrick side over but max had a fever that saturday night so we move everything but max to grandma and grandpa elricks house for the party.

grandpa pingel came over to our house to stay with max(we found out now the temp was from an ear infection).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LILLY

lilly is three!

my little lilly is 3 today. it's crazy to think my oldest is three.

lilly is so sweet and so smart. she is kind to her brother and cousins. big things for lilly over this past year would have to be she is potty trained!!! and now is sleeping in her big girl bed:) she loves to sing, dance, play dress up and my little pony's. she is so very silly. listening to her play with her brother is adorable, she speaks to him in such a soft sweet voice(i'm hearing her say "aw little brothersister i love you"). you might have thought that was a strange typo but ever since we brought max home and told lilly they were brother and sister she has called him brothersister like its one word:) so cute:)

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY LILLY

OPEN lilly:)

lilly had her dental visit yesterday, we have been practicing for the past few days on opening her mouth really wide and letting me count her teeth. it's funny because i see three year olds all the time at work for their first visit and i always thought, my lilly she can do this. well yesterday she did sit great in the chair, and was very polite..... but had a tough time opening her mouth..... so we will be trying again in another 3 months:)

she really did a great job!!!! i'm just hoping next visit lilly will open her mouth:)

wordless wednesday

Go Pack Go!

while his sister sleeps, max is getting pumped up for the game!

his daddy is so proud:)

wordless wednesday

on a serious note

last night i was reading a blog that i follow call genetically enhanced, this blogging mom came across a facebook friend that was using a hurtful word... the "R" word. and decided to take action. she sent and email to this "friend" and let her know how that word affects her and her family.

i wished i would have the courage to approach people like that, i find it really difficult to say something to a stranger more so than to a friend or family member. lisa from genetically enhanced asked what would we say to someone... to make them more aware, well i have written to a my close friends back in oct. and until now have only shared this very personal email with my sisters and sister-in-laws. i wanted to share it with all of you now, since i notice how after i read lisa's blog.... it made me think... i can do that!... i could say something to a stranger to make them more aware. so thanks lisa:)
here was my email that i sent to my friends,

hi everyone,
i was hoping i could ask you all to try something for me. first if your not aware october is Down syndrome awareness month:) not sure if you all know but with the diagnosis of Ds the child will have mild to moderate retardation, so on behalf of that, well and the sake of my feeling and my sons,... i was hoping you all (not saying anyone does) could not use the word "retarded" or "retard" as slang.
i know that before max i wasn't really aware of what that word really means and how much it hurts loved ones and people with mental and physical retardation to hear. i don't mean to lecture or offend anyone, and i know it seems like now a days you have to be careful to say anything, but i was hoping for me (a friend) you all could just work on your awareness of how and when you use that word. and to say... please don't use that word around me and my son wouldn't have the full effect as to try to not say that word at all, to only do it half way kind of defeats the purpose, at least that's the way i look at it. i really hope people (you.. my friends) don't feel i am over doing "my child has a disability" but i really feel everything i do is for my kids, and sure i didn't plan on have a baby with Ds, but i do so that changes things for me and i guess for the people who love me (that's you) at least i feel it should. so if you all could just try this out for me i would greatly appreciate it.

oh one last thing is to not feel bad if you let the word slip at first to change a habit is hard especially one that your not fully aware of. the big thing is that you'll try, it would mean the world to me.
- your friend
sara

i feel my got my point across and i received wonderful heart felt feed back from my friends. to all you other moms and family members out there that have someone truly special in their lives... i hope this was of some help, i hope it inspired the strength it takes to approach a love one, friend or even stranger to STOP the inappropriate use of the "R" word.

found a way:)

this little man is up and moving:) nonstop.

there was a time where toys were to high and lilly or myself would need to help get them down for him.

but the other day i was shocked when nick said "come see where max is".

my little man found a way.

i think now... why was i so surprised?

GO MAX GO!

Happy New Year Everyone:)