Happy 7th Birthday Erin!

You are a such a blessing to you, Erin.  We love you!

Catching up!

You know it's been a very long time since you've updated the blog when you cannot remember your login name and password!  It's true!

It has been almost 11 months since my last blog post!

Here is my motivation for adding oodles of pictures (coming soon) and updating the blog...these little cheesehead hooligans.....

They fill our days with countless entertainment and laughs.  I want to remember the memories and I want them to be able to look back and see pictures of  themselves, and their antics, as they grow up.

Hopefully Bridget and Teresa will help me keep up with some blogging!  (Hint hint hint... )

Easter {2013}

Happy 6th birthday, Erin! We love you!

We enjoyed celebrating your special day with your Godparents, Erin and Juan, and of course Ana Maria!

My Sweet Little Christmas Tree Skirt Princess

Halloween 2012

Two Reasons Why the House is So Quiet

Best Buddies

Smiiiiillllleee!

This is the typical response I get when I take a picture of Erin and Seamus.  Erin grins and says cheeeeeese (this is new for her) and Seamus turns his back.

Ha!  Caught ya!

When you suddenly realize the house is just too quiet....

......you know you're in trouble.

And so were these naughty little ones! All that was in the carton (maybe 12?) were cracked and slathered all over the floor...And just in case you thought they were all sweet and innocent, I have proof to the contrary!

My Little Irish Hooligans

World Down Syndrome Day (2012)

The International Down Syndrome Coalition for Life (IDSC) put out a beautiful video this WDS day. Erin and I were thrilled to be a small part of this message, and we pray that many hearts were moved. There is a disconnect between what the world thinks our lives are like when we have a child with Down syndrome (quite evident from the 90% abortion rate after a prenatal diagnosis) and what our lives are really like. It is my hope that many will understand that parenting a child with Ds is just as amazing as parenting a typical child. Erin brings us so much joy and fills our hearts with pride. I am thankful to have been a part of the IDSC for Life from the beginning. Check out our website: http://www.idscforlife.org/



Here's our picture...

Stick em up!

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Erin's Birthday Celebration

Erin turned FIVE on March 1st. We are so thankful for this little girl. I wish I could convey what a privilege it is to know and love her. Her little soul is so filled with sweetness.

I was recently reading an article about Down syndrome. Near the end of the article, the author captured something about loving a child with Down syndrome that spoke to my heart. He said, "Caring for and living with children with Down syndrome humanizes us: it teaches us to love selflessly, the way Christ loves us. And it teaches us to love ourselves: even those parts of ourselves we'd prefer others not see, those parts that we ourselves would rather not look at....we need such children among us." Yep, I believe that is so true!

So, just how does a five year old spend her birthday?

The day actually began the night before, with two older sisters bickering over who Erin got to sleep with on the eve of her birthday. Molly grace won the flip of the coin, so Erin snuggled in with her for the night.

In the morning, after "pantay" (pancakes) for breakfast, Erin spent a little time at the Delaney Day-Spa.  Fingernails were painted....

Hair was braided.  A flower barrette finished the look.

Next, we were off to the store to pick out a birthday cake.  But first she had to find the only mini puddle in the driveway to stomp in.

Since they didn't have Mr. Bean cakes (LOL) at the store, she opted for the readily available Sesame Street theme.


Lunch included a main-course side-dish of Cheetos, her favorite.

When Seamus took his nap, Erin had the iPad all to herself.

After dinner it was time to open presents.  ALL day, whenever someone mentioned her birthday, she'd look you in the eyes and ask, "presents??"  We'd say, "Yes, Erin, later after dinner".  She'd say, "Otay", and go about her merry way. 

(Yeah, just look past the Christmas wrapping paper...)

Finally, it was time for the cake....

....but she was more interested in the little Elmo rings which were on top of the cupcakes.

Happy birthday sweet girl!!!  We love you!!!