Our DS Family

I feel like I've said this before, but I LOVE the Down syndrome community.  I feel sorry for those who don't know this world exists.  I didn't know it existed until Etta arrived.  Before E, I didn't know anyone with Down syndrome (or anyone with special needs, for that matter).  I didn't know that along with this diagnosis, would come the most amazing community of families who would love my kid as much as I did (well, almost.  haha).  I tear up when I REALLY think about it.  About the other moms (some of whom have become my very best friends) and about their kids, because I love them too.  When any of our kids accomplishes something or meets a new milestone, everyone is as proud as if it had been their own child. 

So, it's not surprising that we try to get together pretty often.  About once a month we get together for Mom's Night Out and we get together for large group playdates (also about once a month), and more often for smaller, more intimate gatherings.  Last night we had our December Mom's Night/ornament exchange and today we got together with our kids for a large family playdate/book exchange at an indoor playground at Christ Church Nashville.

Mom's Night:

Suzy (Owen's mom) hosted our mom's night at her house this month.  She did a great job as our hostess.  Everyone brought a little something to eat and everyone brought an ornament to exchange in our Dirty Santa game.  Dirty Santa was awesome!  There were 12 of us playing and no one was shy about stealing, so the game was fun.  I ended up with a cute ornament that I can put a picture on one side and Etta's hand print on the other.  I stole it to get it.  ;) After Dirty Santa, we took a little tour of Owen's room and the guest room that will become Lyla's nursery. Suzy already has a ton of adorable outfits for little Lyla and we oohed and aahed over a few of them.  While we were upstairs, we ended up talking about our kids and our fears and concerns over school.  The idea of school and the world of IEP's (Individualized Education Plan) is so scary.  It seems huge!  To have others there, going through it, or having gone through it makes for a wonderful resource.  It's another reason we like to get together.  The party broke up around 10 and Erin and I headed home (Erin rode up with me).  We had a really great night.  Love you ladies!

(remember, to enlarge photos, just click on them)

Kim, Amy, Anara, and Emily

Angie, Lauren, and Suzy

Liz, Shauna, and Erin

Amy and Anara

Suzy and Elvis

Emily is opening the ornament that I will eventually steal.  :)

Group Photo!

Angie, Lauren, Liz, Shauna, Amy, (Elvis), Anara

Tiff, Amanda, Suzy, Kim, Erin, and Emily

Baby Boom!

Kim, Suzy, and Emily

DS Playdate:

Etta and her friends got together for a playdate today.  Eta was a little snotty, but acting mostly fine, so we decided to still go.  She had a great time running around climbing a little and playing with a big red ball.  We had a pretty big turn-out with about 13 families (I may be leaving someone out of my count, but I think it was 13- including us).  What I love about a few of the pictures I took today is that in some of them there is a mom holding a kid who isn't theirs.  We all love each other's littles so much!

Owen

                                               

Etta wearing her adorable new holiday shirt from Layne James Embroidery

Emma

Jude

Cameron and Carter

Danielle

Me and Emma

Cameron and Amy (Emma's Mom)

Lacey and her boys.  :)

Liz and Carter

Gabby

"big" Cooper

Jayme and Violet

Erin with her babies, Liam and Karis

Suzy and Owen

Amy and Emma

After some playing, we gathered around and put a pile of wrapped books in the middle and let each kid grab one to open.  Tearing paper is always fun! 

Lauren and "big" Cooper

Emily and "little' Cooper

Landon

Liz, Carter, Lauren, and Cooper

Cooper and Carter (best buds)

After the playdate, we met two other families over at Snappy Tomato for lunch.  It has become a sort of tradition to meet over there for lunch after our playdates.  Keith usually champions the event.  :)

We had a great day.  It has rained for the rest of the day and the news is calling for little snow tomorrow as a cold front dives in.   

Happy Weekend!