We started this blog nearly two years ago when Addison was born. We initially began writing to keep everyone informed of her progress during our hospital stay, but continued updating it as she grew. It is our hope that this look at our first two years may help new parents who are in those same scary shoes we filled not so long ago. If I have one piece of advice that I would give to new parents of a child with Down Syndrome, it is that life is so much more normal than I ever thought it would be. I know the devastation and fear that can come with an initial diagnosis, but I also know the incredible joy and wonder you will experience as well. Congratulations and have fun!

New Additions

We have a new son & a new blog! Please visit us at www.twofortwicetheprice.blogspot.com. (There is a link to the right you can click on).

First Day of School

Today was a big day at the Taylor household. It was Addison’s first day of preschool. One of us might have cried a little bit when I dropped her off (and it wasn’t her!), but I guess that’s to be expected? I don’t know why I cried. It’s not like it’s the first time I’ve left her somewhere, and I wasn’t at all sad about it. I guess I can blame it on pregnancy for now. We weren’t sure how she’d do with napping and eating away from home and away from us, since this is a new experience for her. But, apparently she did great and had a wonderful time. They said she really enjoyed reading books and music time- neither of which surprised us much- and she was a happy camper when we picked her up. My family has a tradition of taking a picture by the front door on the first day of school, so here they are.

She’s getting better and better at walking with minimal assistance, and yesterday she actually took one step on her own, but she just hasn’t pulled the trigger on walking on her own yet. We think she has the ability to do it, she’s just holding out. Maybe when that new baby comes along getting lots of attention she’ll decide it’s time for the big guns and take off.

For now, we’ll just continue to douse the right leg of everything she owns in Shout Advanced at the end of the day.

Saturday, August 29

We officially have a climber. Addison has now figured out how to climb up onto the couch, ottoman, kitchen island and coffee table. She has also discovered that she can turn the light off & on with just the touch of a finger. Very fascinating. She now wants to flip every light switch we walk by.

She’s going through a picky-eater phase right now, which includes throwing the foods she doesn’t want to eat. There’s no consistency to what she will or won’t eat. We can, however, always count on mac & cheese to be a success.

Addison loves her Bearfoot! I just thought this was the cutest picture. Doesn't she look like such a big girl?!

I just have to brag on Wes for a minute. He is the best daddy ever! He loves hanging out with Addison and never complains about watching her when I have to work. Last night I was making dinner and listening to him giving her a bath. I had to laugh as I heard her giggling and him explaining to her the physics of water dispersement as she placed her hand against the opening of the faucet and water sprayed out the sides and the top. He’s been wanting a bike trailer for a while now so that he can take her biking with him. Well, yesterday we finally got one.

Addison wasn’t quite sure what to think of her helmet at first, but as you can see, she warmed up to it quickly and even thought she’d try it out a bit, slapping it with her hands.

Thursday, Aug 20

Grans came to stay with Addison and me last week while Wes was fly fishing in New Mexico. We had a great time, and she helped us get LOTS done around the house and in the baby ‘s room. I can’t believe he’s due in just 5 short weeks!

Addison had a great time playing with Grans and dancing with her singing bear.

Sunday, Aug 8

Grammy came into town last week to watch Addison and give Wes and me a weekend away. We went to Branson and stayed in a beautiful cabin overlooking Table Rock Lake. It was great to have a couple days to sleep in and not have to plan our day around naps and bedtime! This is a picture of the view from the cabin.

Addison has been talking up a storm lately. We think she knows exactly what she’s saying, the rest of us just can’t understand it yet. She is getting more adventurous and always keeps us laughing. Here are a couple pictures of positions I’ve found her in over the last couple days.

Belly Pics & Brotherly Love

So some of you out-of-towners have been asking for pics of the growing belly. While I don’t know anyone who likes taking pictures by themselves, much less posting them online, here goes.

In other news, we took Addison to Philadelphia this weekend to meet our friends who still live there. She had a great time meeting everyone and loved having playmates around at all times. She’s always been a good judge of character and warmed up to everyone pretty quickly.

Matt, Kim, Rach, Wes, Nicolas, Jackson, Addison, Grantham, Bennett & Maxwell

Wes, Rach, Addison, Gianna, Lindsey, Gabe & Ella

Our last day in Philly, we had a little time to kill before our flight, so we took Addison to the park. Our little thrill-seeker loved it! I don’t think she stopped giggling the whole time we were there.

We had one flight on the way home that I was dreading because it was a 3 ½ hour flight, and Addison is more mobile and active than she used to be (and my lap is smaller than it used to be). Little did I know, our flight would turn into a 7 hour flight including weather delays, closed airports, holding patterns and an additional stop for refueling. It was a miserable evening, but Addison, true to form, made the best of it! She made lots of new friends on the plane and wooed the flight attendants. It’s always fun to overhear the people around you talking about how cute she is.