Happy Birthday, Daddy

Happy birthday, Brad! The boys and I love you so much!

All photos by Anna Bryan Photography

Tyler - 15 Months

Weight: 21 lb, 15 oz

Length:  30.5"

Clothing size: 18 month shirts, 12 month pants

Shoe size: Size 3 or 4 (depending on the shoes)

Diaper size: Size 4

Eating: Tyler weaned from nursing at about 12.5 months and transitioned to drinking whole milk easily. As for food, he likes pizza, peanut butter and honey sandwiches, string cheese, chicken, raisins, dried blueberries, and peanut butter Cheerios. He also still likes baby food pouches... sometimes they're the easiest way for me to make sure he's getting his veggies. Most "real" veggies just get tossed on the floor these days.
Sleeping: Tyler goes to bed at about 8:00-8:30pm and wakes up around 7:00-7:30am. Up until about six weeks ago, he was still waking up several times each night. We tried some sleep coaching" and within a few nights, he was sleeping like a champ! And now we're all sleeping better! Tyler usually takes an afternoon nap at about 1:00 and sleeps for 1-2 hours. Sometimes, he takes a short morning or late afternoon nap... usually those happen in the car seat when we're driving somewhere. 

His days: Tyler goes to Mother's Day Out three days each week. When he's not there, he tags along with me to all of Caleb's activities (therapies, swim lessons, etc.). On Tuesday and Thursday mornings, Tyler and I have a few hours to ourselves while Caleb is at pre-k. We usually run errands or do something fun like go to the science museum or a playground.

Highlights of the last three months: Tyler is taking some steps now. I wouldn't quite consider him an "independent walker" but he is so close. 

Go Girl Run OKC

Last Thursday evening, I was looking ahead to the weekend and dreading the 11 mile run I had on my schedule. I'm in the middle of training for the OKC Memorial half marathon that'll be toward the end of April. I needed to get that run in, but it just sounded long, hard and boring. And then I remembered that I recently heard about a half marathon that was happening in OKC on Saturday... the Go Girl Run. Some sick running-obsessed part of me actually thought that running 13.1 miles with a bunch of other runners would be more fun than running 11 solo. So anyway, I got online and realized that I had until 11:59pm that night to register. I debated about it for about an hour and finally registered at 11:04pm... 30.5 hours before the race would begin. The longest I've run since early January was nine miles, but I figured it was worth a try.

The race started at 6:30am in downtown OKC and went through some fun neighbhorhoods (Deep Deuce, the Paseo District, Crown Heights, the Plaza District, etc.). I didn't go into the race expecting much, other than hoping I'd survive that last 2.1 miles I didn't feel totally prepared for. The run actually went better than expected. I finished in 2:20:46, and I missed my PR by only 76 seconds. Not too bad. The OKC Memorial half marathon is just a few weeks away, so the training continues on. Maybe I'll set a new PR at that race?!

3/21 - World Down Syndrome Day

March 21st. 3/21... representing Trisomy 21 (three copies of the 21st chromosome). World Down Syndrome Day!

Four years ago, I had no idea that this day existed. And this year, I found myself perfectly balancing our normal routine and taking some time to celebrate Caleb and this community of individuals my precious boy introduced me too.

Selfie with Mom before pre-k

The "so cute" pose - just for you Jaime!

Caleb spent the day as he does most Mondays... pre-k, a visit to Gigi's house and swim lessons.

For the last few months, I've been on a committee that was planning a luncheon for World Down Syndrome Day. Sean McElwee is a 22 year old self advocate from California and is on A&E's series, Born This Way. He was the keynote speaker at our luncheon! I was so excited to meet Sean and his mom, Sandra. I had so many questions to ask Sandra since she's 19 years ahead of me in this journey... but I totally forgot them all in that brief moment. Oh well. It was still great to meet them, and I can't wait for the second season of "Born This Way" to air this summer!

World Down Syndrome Day

March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day! We have a couple fun activities planned that day, and we would love for you to join us in celebrating Caleb and the rest of the Down syndrome community! If you are the proud owner of a Team Caleb shirt, please wear it on Monday! Take a photo and either send it to me or post it on your social media account! We'd love to see you celebrating our little guy!

OKC friends, head to 23rd Street for dinner Monday evening! Back Door BBQ and Big Truck Tacos will donate 10% to the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma! 

And while you're here reading this blog post, check out this beautiful video!

Happy Heart Day Caleb!

It's been three years since Caleb's open heart surgery! Our heart-shaped pancake breakfast celebration is one of my favorite family traditions. Caleb had an outstanding check-up with his cardiologist a few weeks ago, and his heart still looks great! We are forever thankful for God's provision and protection, the skillful hands of Caleb's surgeon, the expertise of the cardiac team at Childrens Med Center in Dallas and Children's Heart Center in OKC, and all the prayers lifted up by our family and friends. 

Tyler - Twelve Months

Weight: 19 lbs, 6 oz

Length: 30.5"

Clothing size: 12-18 month shirts, 12 month pants

Shoe size: Size 3

Diaper size: Size 3

Eating: For the past month, Tyler was still nursing when he was with me and taking bottles at MDO, but we're starting the weaning process now that he's one. He nurses a few times each day and drinks whole milk at other times. He refuses to eat any homemade baby foods now, except for his favorite avocado/banana. He loves yogurt and baby food pouches. His favorite bite-sized foods are peanut butter Cheerios, raisins, and cheese.

Sleeping: Tyler goes to bed at about 8:30pm and wakes up around 7:30am. He often wakes around 10:00pm and quickly falls back asleep if we rock him for a little bit. He also usually wakes up around 2:00-3:00am. (Brad and I are hoping that the night-waking comes to an end soon!) He usually takes a nap around around 11:00 and sleeps for 1-3 hours. Occasionally, he takes a short afternoon nap.

Highlights of the month: Tyler has switched from army crawler to hands/knees crawler. He pulls up to anything he can find, and he loves walking while holding our hands. He hasn't built up the courage to take independent steps yet, but I bet he will soon.