Seven Snippets Fridays, #1

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I love this blog, and most especially the friends I've made through it.  However, I haven't made the time taken the time to keep up with it like I really want to.  So, in an attempt to be a better blogger, I'm going to try some new things.  I'm not sure that adding features, like this post, will help, but a for a procrastinator like me a deadline is always a good thing!  I'm also going to try the 365 project this year.  A picture a day posted on my new blog.  I may be getting in over my head....

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If you are part of the Down syndrome/adoption community on Facebook, you've probably seen this video of Mia's story posted many times.  If you haven't seen it yet, please watch it.  This is a segment that ABC World News did on Mia's adoption from the Ukraine.

Hidden Angels: American Families Saving Children With Down Syndrome - ABC News

This link includes the video and the more in depth article.

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The end of the year always means 'best of' lists, and the highlight of these lists for me are the best books lists.  I'm not going to point you to the publishing world's best of list, but rather a blogger who has never let me down.  When I need any kind of book recommendation, especially audio, I look to Sandy.

The Best of 2011 - Books
The Best of 2011 - Audiobooks

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Last Christmas...

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Claire had a repeat swallow study and hearing test a few weeks ago that I neglected to blog about.  The Ped at the Ds Clinic wanted another swallow study as he thought she still might be aspirating, even though, as I understood, we were cleared for thin liquids with the study about 6 months prior.  They couldn't get her to drink very much (always the story for our swallow studies), but they didn't see any aspiration or penetration, so we are cleared again for thin liquids.

Claire also had another booth hearing test done, as she wasn't responding to some frequencies last time.  Maybe she just had a cold, because everything checked out perfectly with this test.

That means all of her two year appointments are finished except for her well checkup and her thyroid and iron blood work.

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My pregnancy is just flying by.   30 weeks tomorrow.  Once again I love being pregnant, but this time around has been such a different experience.  I know a good chunk of that is the lack of complications, some of it is also 'been there, done that'.  (There's a whole blog post in me on this subject...)  We have our 3D ultrasound later today and I can't wait to see our little one again.

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I hope that this new Friday feature will mean that I'm actually posting here at least twice a week.  A big thank you to Andi for hosting (the link to her awesome blog is below).  If you don't know Andi, definitely stop by for a visit.  One of my favorites is her Kelle Hampton post.

For more Seven Snippets, visit Bringing the Sunshine!

Christmas

I was afraid that Christmas morning was going to be too rushed.  We had breakfast, presents, church, and cooking to get in before we left the house at noon.

It worked out perfectly though.  Everything got done, and we had some time just to relax and play a bit too.

When Claire headed into the living room she made a beeline for her new chair, just like I knew she would.

After rocking a few minutes she was ready for presents.

This year opening presents went much smoother.  The wrapping paper stayed out of her mouth, and she would hand off each scrap of paper from the present without being asked.

One of my goals with presents this year was to find things that she needed to be standing to play with.  While she can use this tower while sitting, I hope it's easier while standing.

Just being silly...

And the aftermath

When we finished at our house, we packed up and headed to my sisters.  My brother and his family was in town from California.  It was the first time they'd been home in two years.  The house was filled with people and lots of good food.

But Claire only had eyes for her newest cousin.

From there we headed to Darren's parents.  More food, family and a few games of cards.

Darren's mom talked us into letting Claire stay with her for a few extra days, so little miss will finally be home again tonight.

Except for undecorating, another wonderful Christmas is behind us.

Merry Christmas

Wishing you a very blessed Christmas, from our home to yours.

Blue Santa

On Saturday we took Claire to see Blue Santa.  I knew this event was sponsored by the police department, but was unsure if anything else was different about this Santa.  Turns out, he was in a blue suit.

Claire wasn't terribly thrilled with Santa.  Though I'm sure it wouldn't have mattered if he'd been in a red suit...

The visit started with tears and a desperate hug around dad's neck.

It ended with her sitting on Santa's lap, but she was never thrilled about the situation.

Actually, looking at these pictures, Santa doesn't look all that thrilled either.  Must have been an off day for everybody!

WW: My girl and her Daddy....

Six

Yesterday Danila turned six.

Nobody celebrated her birthday.  Nobody gave her gifts, or even stopped to give her a hug.

The reason nobody celebrated this sweet girl's special day is because she has Down syndrome, and because she was born in Eastern Europe.  A place where people with disabilities are written off, discarded, hidden away, orphaned.

Danila has been waiting for a family for far too long.  And unfortunately there are many things working against her being adopted.

First is her age.  Six.  Hardly old, but old enough that some people won't want to take a chance on her.  Maybe she'll have too many orphanage behaviors, maybe she won't bond with her new family, maybe she'll be too delayed.

Sure, it's possible.  But it's also possible that she is wishing day in and day out for a family.  For someone to love her.  To celebrate with her.  To wipe away her tears when she cries. She deserves a family.

The other thing working against Danila is money.

International adoption is expensive in the best situation, and Danila's region is far from ideal.  Her region requires 4 trips and costs on average $40,000.

$40,000 to save one little girl.

Even if a family is willing and financially able to care for her when she gets home, not many people have $40,000 sitting around.

Danila has over $12,500 in her grant fund.  A huge grant, but still a long way from her $40,000 ransom.

Please help me celebrate Danila's birthday.

My friend Julia is holding a giveaway for children who have been passed over too long, and Danila is among them.  Please click here....look at these faces.  Donate a minimum of $5 to 2 or more children and you will be entered into a giveaway with over $600 in prizes.  If you donate $35 or more, you will also get an ornament with Danila's picture on it.

But that's not all.  My friend Patti is also holding a Pure Love giveaway (click here).  When you donate on Julia's blog, you also get an entry into Patti's giveaway, with over $1000 in prizes.

$5 doesn't seem like much, but trust me, it all adds up.  The Angel Tree is Reece's Rainbow biggest fundraiser, and this is the last year Danila will get to be a part of it.  Please help her grant fund grow, as this is her best chance at finding a family.