"Shotgun"

As the month of Down syndrome awareness draws to a close I am once again astounded by the changes in Cora.  she has added a consistency in signing two and three word sentences along with a lessoning of random verbal words.  she has become quite adequate at saying "Brother", "Sister", "All done" and several other words.

I delight in knowing that she is able to be understood by others and not just myself and her siblings.  This month of Down syndrome awareness had me giving a speech at a book signing for the book that I wrote.  I found that while I was talking about the book, I was also sharing some heartfelt memories that Cora has offered me along this journey.

In the talk I could feel myself slipping into the role of Life Coach and Mother.  The two blending perfectly as I talked on and on for a half hour.  I met new people who share this journey with their own children who were born with Down syndrome, and I met people who had no idea what this journey is like.  After the talk I was given countless praises and compliments on my ability to engage a crowd and lift those that attended into a new degree of awareness.

Earlier in this month I spoke of a challenge for you to advocate for Cora and others that might be walking this path paved by Down syndrome.  I found myself again thrown into an arena of onlookers who were crying with me, laughing with me and enthralled at the healing that Cora was granted from our Creator.  While I have experience in public speaking and it does not bother me, I understand this is not for everyone.

As this month draws to a close and the Down syndrome awareness takes a backseat for other causes, I encourage you to keep in the front seat and riding shotgun with you until this time next year.  In the smallest of ways, or the biggest or ways, continue to advocate for Cora's growth and others too.  Try not to hide your support under a cloak of fear, share this journey with pride.  Grab the keys and rev the motor....

You just might hear a little voice shout "shotgun" as she signs "outside"!

 

October Awareness

Being that October is Down syndrome awareness month I thought this would be a great way of advocating for Cora.  I came across this little banner on pinterest and it held my interest.  LOL.

I was going to write a wonderful, heartfelt blog that would hopefully leave you with a hidden message and blessing for the day.  Then, when I found this little banner I thought to myself, this truly says everything I wanted to write today.  So with that I leave you with this...

Have a great weekend and know that you are supporting others with Down syndrome simply by reading the blog and smiling when you read the banner. 

Ever the advocate

In this journey with Cora I was thrown into the role of advocate before I felt ready for it.  I fought that role.  I held tight to the comfort of my child and my home and hid within the walls of protection I felt they gave. Then in one sudden movement I was shifted into the advocate role as though I had been wearing it all along.  My walls of protection soon became the foundation for writing the book, advocating for not only my child, but perhaps yours as well.

October is Down syndrome awareness month and I challenge you to ask yourself ,"I am sharing this journey with Cora, what have I done this month to advocate for her?"  or maybe the question is "I am sharing the journey with my child who has Down syndrome, what have I done this month to advocate for my child?"

We are all different and with that comes the reality of having different comfort zones.  I understand that and I respect that, I even cherish that gift of individuality that Creator bestowed upon us all.  Thinking of your own comfort zone, how will you advocate for Cora this month?  How will you advocate for your child if they have Down syndrome?

For me the greatest fear that the word advocate held was the social belief that comes with it. I believed it meant I had to take on the world, become extremely vocal about everything pro Down syndrome and fight like a lioness against everything negatively said or displayed about Down syndrome.  In truth, advocating can be done in small steps or huge leaps.  It can be done in stealth mode or over a PA system.  It can be something as silent as changing your facebook picture to a Down syndrome support picture for the month, or as visible as walking in a Buddy Walk to show your support.

I again challenge you to answer the question I have posed earlier in this post, "What have you done to show your support for Cora and her journey during this month of awareness?" For me, its changing my personal facebook photo to one that says I am a proud mama of a child with Down syndrome.  It was becoming a National Down Syndrome Society Ambassador for Michigan.  It was walking in the Buddy Walk that was three hours away. It was starting the facebook page - The Gifted Choice - to not only promote the book but more importantly to help empower the moms/parents of our beautiful children instead of just focusing on how our children look.  That's my comfort zone.  What is yours?

The beauty of summer

The beauty of this summer has been added to by the many milestones that Cora has succeeded in achieving.  While the days have simply flown by, there have been moments when she has encouraged everyone around her to slow down.

Some of those moments were seen in her ability to randomly say three, four and five word sentences.  Some of those moments happened when she let go of the couch and walked across the living room as though this was an everyday occurrence.  One of the especially heart stealing moments was when she grabbed my face, gave me a kiss and then hugged me while saying "wuv eww".

Yes, this life with Cora continues to offer many opportunities to slow down, relax and just take a breath.  A lesson that I am aware of, but usually the first one to forget.  Full of energy and with a mind that seems to be always be thinking of ways to make things work better I often need that reminder to slow down.

I continue to be blessed with Cora's ability to teach me more life lessons.  Even then I don't know if she is teaching me them or merely adding to what I know and just haven't put into practice.  Either way, I prefer to see the glass partially full and will continue to give the sermon that Cora has taught me many life lessons.

Were you able to slow down this week and have moment where you sipped your coffee and enjoyed the simplicity of the moment?  Were you comfortable in the quietness that enveloped you in that moment or did it make you uneasy? 

Take time for yourself and just breathe.  Take a moment to slow down and listen to what your heart whispers. You could very well be rewarded with a heart fell whisper that says "wuv eww"

 Cora blowing me a kiss as she walks with her stroller.

Sometimes only the fingers work...

Small achievements lead to great victories! 

That is the statement for today.  Cora has struggled with using a fork for a few weeks now, and finally, achieved success.  She was so happy with herself that she waved the fork in the air after getting her piece of scrambled egg on it.  The egg immediately flew off the fork and Cora learned an important lesson.  Swinging a fork makes you loose the food you just put on it!  LOL.

Not to be undone by the fork, she went right back to trying again and was successful at getting another piece on her fork and fed herself.  This is  a wonderful milestone for Cora and I spent the greater part of a half hour clapping and encouraging her whenever she was successful.

She now spends most of her mealtime alternating between fork use and hand use.  It is a great victory for Cora as she was tenacious and kept trying until she succeeded. 

Remember its not how fast you run the race, its finishing it that really brings on the feeling of accomplishment.

Advocate with Love

Its not "get -downs- with that"
It is "get down with that"

 Its not " get -downs- from there"
It is "get down from there"

 Its not "turn that frown upside- downs-"
It is "turn that frown upside down"

Its not " a downs child"

It is " a child with Down syndrome"

 

Its not "Downs, Downs syndrome, or even Downsy"
It is not an opportunity for anger when you hear these words.   However, it is an opportunity for education and awareness. 

 When someone repeats a term they have heard about our children with Down syndrome, instead of getting defensive and angry, use that moment for your own personal growth and the other person's growth.

 Educate them on how your child is a child first and foremost. Advocate for them to see your child as a human first and to see the Down syndrome second. Help them too understand.   Remember this: understanding, awareness, compassion, acceptance and listening cannot be heard over anger, but it will be heard through love.

 

 

Been a long road

Since publishing the book, Cora and I have been very busy.  The positive response to the book, via emails and letters, continues to flow everyday.  For this I am thankful and grateful.  My biggest hope with the book is that is will help educate people and open their eyes.

When looking at Cora I truly don't want someone to focus on Cora's Down syndrome.  I would like them to see her for what she is...a beautiful and delightful little girl.

I continue to strive to educate people.  It is my belief that ignorance breeds hate while education paves the road for acceptance and understanding.  I have become an ambassador for Michigan for the National Down Syndrome Society and I am learning how to do this to the best of my abilities.  In continuing to educate myself I can continue to educate others.  I didn't know over two years ago where my path would lead, but today I am a willing advocate for my daughter and if you are reading this and you have a child with Down syndrome, than I am willingly advocating for you child as well.

Today marks the day of the national press releases for the book.  With that knowledge I sent prayers for positive minds and open hearts in all who are touched by that press release.  When I received a list of everyone that was receiving a notice today, I was astounded by the number of contacts.  It took up 22 pages on my word program!  Yes, that is a great deal of people who will now be aware of the book.  Yet, that is also a great deal of people who are being offered the gift of sharing this book with everyone they know, but media, newspapers, radio stations, ect.

If, in that sharing, one mother gains the courage she needs for raising a child with Down syndrome than the book is serving its purpose.

So today, while this has been a long road for Cora and I , it marks a new part of our journey.  One that is filled with continual blessings.

A book giveaway for The Gifted Choice

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Gifted Choice

by Katrina Head

Released April 17 2013

Giveaway ends in 29 days (June 27, 2013)
2 copies available, 81 people requesting

Motor skill development

I have decided I would allow Cora the pleasure of crawling around outside.  She has outgrown her ankle braces and I was looking for ways to strengthen her hip muscles.  I figured, if her hips were stronger this strength would travel down her legs to her ankles and feet.  It surely couldn't hurt to try my theory.

With that in mind, I took Cora outside and allowed her to wander to her hearts content around the yard.  This  involved many stops to explore a fallen leaf, a rock, a sand pile, a clod of clay, a clump of dropped hay, a growing pin tree and following a slow moving cat down the driveway to the barn.

My idea seemed to be working and Cora loved the new found freedom of being allowed to roam non-stop with just a little direction from Mama.  As Cora continued to explore I watched her climbing over things, around things and under things.  It gave me opportunities to show her new signs/ new words and enabled me to see the change in her leg strength and development of her motor skills right in front of me.

Within an hours time Cora's legs that were being used in a side crawling motion, were now directly under hips with toes pointing to the ground instead of to the sides.  She has always been a strong crawler and can scoot along on her booty with the best of them, but the obstacles and change in terrain offered her body some quiet signals that it needed to fix what has been weak.

Today my life lesson was agreeing that the braces help Cora, but mother nature was able to provide her the exercise that was also needed.  While I continue to look at the resources offered for Cora, I also continue to find that my mother's instincts are still working in her favor.  My life lesson?  Keep following my mama intuition because it offers Cora growth as well as a fun time!

Wow....Cora

Cora is at a point in her short life where everything is an adventure.  She explores and points and asks questions.  She wants to know what things are and how they work.  After being shown a few times, she will try to work whatever the gadget is herself.  Her language skills keep improving and she has started to walk behind her little bike that her Papa and GG got her for her birthday.  Yes, she is certainly mobile and determined.

As read that, I hope the first thought in your mind was similar to mine as I typed it.  Wow, I am listing regular kids stuff!  What an amazing feeling.  Still, this late in the game, I often hear about what Cora can't do, isn't doing, or should be doing.  Still, this late in the game, I often respond with "Let's focus on what she IS doing, CAN do and WILL do.".

Is this walk with Cora on her journey a challenging one?  Absolutely!  But in all things, if you stand back and look at it with a solid faith, it becomes ever doable, ever loving and ever rewarding.

The latest accomplishment was a review that was done for Early On.  A test to see how far Cora has progressed, and of course, where she is lagging.  The one part of the test asked about her language skills.  It asked if she was saying three or four word sentences.  I said, "Yes, she signs a three word sentence."  I was told that didn't count, that it had to be verbal responses.  Didn't count?  How does that not count?  It requires cognitive reasoning and developmental understanding to speak or formulate a three word sentence.  I again grew frustrated with the system of testing that we have available for our children with certain needs.

How would that test qualify a deaf child who cannot speak other than through sign?  Or a mute child that cannot speak with the use of her hands?  To me, it only focused on what Cora wasn't doing, according to someone's requirements.  It did not take into consideration that Cora can , and does, often speak in two, three and rarely four word sentences.  While the words are spoken through sign language, they are spoken in a way that is understood by another person.  Is the use of hand language not a form of speaking?

While the Early On team was impressed with Cora's ability to sign and even "talk" with them, the paper form did not allow the reward for Cora. Did not allow for the recognition of the work it takes for Cora to have learned the signs and talk with others.

So again, while others focus on what Cora isn't doing....I will focus on what she is doing and continue to share in her WOW moments!  You can do the same for yourself.  Instead of focusing on what you aren't doing, or haven't achieved, look at what you have done and are doing.  You will probably have a WOW moment of your own.

Cora's story is published

Todays blog brings great news!  The book that everyone kept encouraging me to write, to share Cora's story and the faith it took to get where we are today, has been published.

As you read this blog, the book is officially LIVE!  That means, it is ready for people to purchase the book and read our story.

Click on the link below and it will take you to the book.  Once you reach the page, scroll down a little and you will see the cover of the book.

I want to thank you for your continued support during Cora's journey.  I look forward to continuing to share our journey with you. 

Blessings,
Katrina Head

http://bookstore.westbowpress.com/AdvancedSearch/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=katrina+head

Cora's typical...YEAH

Cora spiked a fever over the weekend and by Monday morning I had her in the local clinic to see what was wrong.  I had spent the greater part of the weekend fighting panic, and cuddling with a very sick baby girl.  The panic is fast to rise from the pit of my stomach after all the scares Cora and I have been through.

While she remains pretty healthy, and her heart is still doing the work it is suppose to do, when she becomes sick my first instinct is panic.  The second is to tell myself to breathe and remember that her heart is okay.

Monday morning, like I said, found me in the clinic with Cora.  Her fever still slightly high despite alternating the tyenol and motrin, she was smiling at the help and willing to have her weight taken.  She is still silent with her signing we are in public, but at home she kept telling me she was "cold" and "hurt" and "tummy" and saying "ouch".  The doctor examined her and found the culprit.  An ear infection.

Yep, an ear infection.  I felt the tension leave my body and I broke out into a huge smile.  "An ear infection!  Isn't that great!!".  The doctor looked at me and laughed.  "Katrina," she said, "coming from any other mama that comment would have me concerned.  But coming from you, I totally understand!"

For not the first time lately, Cora has done something typical.  While I am not at all happy that it was causing her pain and discomfort, I was happy that it wasn't anything severe or anything to do with her heart.

Today finds her finally feeling better, the amoxicillan seems to be doing its job and her fever is finally gone.  She is playing with her over sized legos and looking at books.  She talks to her favorite stuffed monkey and tries to share her crackers with him as she gives him hugs and kisses. 

Yes, typical is something to celebrate in this household.  Because today, Cora is a typical toddler in both play and illness.  Creator is truly wonderful!!

mama, are you really taking another picture?

Reinvent yourself

Cora continues to grow.  She crawls faster than you can catch her, and she is finger walking with the stability that comes with practice.  Her leg braces help her with keeping her ankles where they should be, but she can move just as fast with them, as without them.

Speedy seems to be Cora's new nickname lately.  That and "official greeter".  Cora has learned that if she says "Hi", it will usually inspire other people to stop what they are doing and say "Hi" back to her and have a short conversation with her.  This also means that no one is immune to the greeting of Miss Cora, where ever we may be. 

For example, Cora and I were waiting in the truck yesterday for her brother to get done in the library and an older gentlemen and his wife pulled up in a car next to us.  As the man stood up and closed his car door, Cora starting waving and saying "hi".  This man didn't hear Cora as we were inside the truck and he was outside walking into the library.  Cora looked at me and said "OH" and made the sign for crying.  Apparently, to Cora's understanding, if you don't say hello you are sad.

So right!  I totally agreed with Cora's reasoning.  If you cannot stop and say "Hi" to a happy baby, then perhaps its time to reinvent yourself, possibly time to reinvent your day.  Take a quick look at the day and how you've been greeting it, greeting others, or handling the issues that have come up.  Have you handled them as they are, or have you made them worse?  When someone greeted you, did you take the time to feel the sincerity behind their greeting, or did you brush if off with the standard "I'm fine" and keep on walking while swallowed up in your own thoughts?

Maybe Cora was right, maybe that older gentleman was sad yesterday.  If he was he probably could have used a dose of Cora's heartfelt "hi" to help him reinvent the remainder of his day.  In either case, I am proud to be a sponsor of the Miss Cora official greeting, because it often enables me to reinvent my whole day.

Cora turns TWO

That's right. Cora hit her second birthday and she did it with grace, love and smiling the whole day.  Despite a fever from teething another front tooth, she played with her knew toy and ate her cupcake like a pro.

At one point, during eating her cupcake, the frosting was stuck to all of her fingers.  She looked at her sticky hands and said "What's that?".  I told her it was yummy frosting and she just kept looking at her fingers and trying to pull cupcake pieces off of them.   She ate the whole cupcake this year and it was a beautiful sight watching her have such joy and happiness, without concern for anything.

Later she was given her birthday gift that Papa and GG found for her.  It was a sit and push toy that was actually short enough for her to sit on and reach the ground with her feet.  She absolutely loved the noises it made, and was soon trying to push it with her feet.  She only goes backwards right now, but we all know the forward motion will be soon to follow.

This morning she conquered climbing onto the couch all by herself!  And very proudly turned around, and said "Hi" with a big smile.

Yes, Cora Jean continues to grow.  Both in health and IQ.  The biggest encouragement I could give any new parent of an infant with Down syndrome, or a soon to be parent is this....don't let society dictate to you what your baby will or won't do.  Instead teach them right from the beginning.  Learn sign language and use it with your baby, pretty soon they too will be signing with you and talking with you.  Read to your baby as often as possible and point to the pictures and sign the word.

Our children have the capability of gaining a good IQ if we believe it is possible and we give them every opportunity for that growth.  While Cora faces challenges everyday, she is surrounded with love.  She didn't need or have to have two parents ( I am still a single parent) to reach her milestones, she just needed the love and support of people who are around her each and every day.

Love your child and just as Cora has done, they will mature into a wonderful, beautiful, mindful and stubborn two year old child.  Just like all the other two year olds in your neighborhood.

Remember this, god doesn't make junk!  He creates us in his image...so with that in mind, every time you look at Cora or your own child, you are looking at a part of his image.  You are only held back by your own limitations, not the belief of others!

Happy Birthday baby girl!  Mama is so proud of you....

Getting ready for birthday cupcakes

loving her cupcake and licking the frosting first

a successful couch climb

Triumphant first steps

I wanted to share a picture of Cora walking.  She still uses the assistance of someones fingers, but is getting braver by the day.  I look forward to nap times as it gives my back a break from all the walking with Cora.  I don't mind though, this is huge growth for her and I don't want to diminish that in any way.

I thought of a quote for today's blog and wanted to share it with you.  On Thursday, March 21, it will be World Down Syndrome day and with that and Cora's way of changing the lives of those she touches I wanted to close this post with a quote. 

"If I am not for others, who am I?  If not now, when?"

If people with Down syndrome

For today's post is am going ot paste an attachment.  I recently read this article and found it uplifting, thought provoking and special.

It is my hope that as you take time out of your day to read my blog, you will also take time to copy and paste this address and read the article it takes you too.

http://nads.org/pages_new/news/ruletheworld.html

Life, with Cora, continues to be interesting. She teaches me willingly and I remain her ever vigilant student.  Life is good and after reading the above article, maybe it will help you to better understand why I am honestly admitting that I continue to be Cora's student.

As always, we both wish you blessings and continued happiness as you continue this journey with us.

 Cora combing her hair after bathtime. 

Cora and toys

As always, the days fly by me and I find myself wondering where the time went.  gone are the days of nervously watching Cora for struggles with breathing or signs of heart failure.  With that, gone are the days of sitting around the house with only household chores and Cora to attend too.

In recent days we were gifted with two snow storms and lots of outside work that needed to be done.  Both for the animals in my care and the house that we live in.  Cora, stayed snugly in the house with one of her siblings, while I trudged through the daily outside work and errands/appointments that couldn't be missed.

During this time I discovered that Cora had lost interest in many of her toys.  Gathering up the ones she outgrew, or could out think, I packed them away for the grandbaby that will be born in May of this year.  I relished in the fact that toys were being outgrown as fast as her clothes are being outgrown.  I also loved the fact that it gave me opportunity for a little toy shopping.

Away my oldest daughter and I went to the store and we could be seen scouring the aisle for the right kind of toys.  Pushing buttons and listening to songs and watching the bleeps, beeps and flashing lights.  I must admit I grew frustrated at one point because I really wanted toys that would challenge Cora and not make the learning easy for her.  She needs to gain understanding and reasoning, as well as increase her eye - hand coordination.   Many of the toys we found would do the reasoning for her at the mere push of a button, with little reasoning required from Cora.

Finally , I spotted the perfect toy.  I remembered the hours of play that it offered my older kids and I was sure Cora would like it too.  We grabbed a big bag of them, walked to the register and drove the twenty two miles homes, anxious to see how Cora liked her new toys.

Cora was looking at a book when I walked into the house.  Her eyes lit up when I signed "toy" and "play" and then told her all about the new toys.  Emily took the bag and opened it and that was the end of any conversation.  I lost the both of my children in the play of the new toys.

Then Kelsey joined in and as soon as Phoenix got home from school, he too joined in with the toys.  Each one building and showing Cora how to put them together, pull them apart and play.  Before long Cora was building her own designs, and knocking them down without any help from the others.  She would watch them play with her, pick up one of her peices and hand them to a sibling for their project.  She was demonstrating sharing and participation.  I loved every minute of it!

Cora continues on with facing new challenges as if they are everyday occurrences.  She looks at a problem just as it is and doesn't make it any worse than what it is.  She bends her head this way and that, studies and watches, and then gets her hands dirty and goes to work.  I like the lesson that she continues to teach to me and her siblings.  A problem is only as difficult as we make it.But is there beauty in a problem?  Absolutely! Dont' make it worse than it truly is and learn the lesson it offers you.  A problem is merely an opportunity for growth. 

Cora continues to grow....are you?

  The new toys?  Megablocks!

Cora continues to blossom

Sickness has seemed to fill our house lately.  First one sibling, then another and finally Cora had a little bug.  Not much, just seemed to be off her feeding schedule and wanted to be snuggled more than usual.

My days have been filled with this little girl.   She has lost a little weight, but continues to grow.  She is now a whopping 31 1/2 inches long and outgrowing clothes.  I love this new development in  Cora, because it is refreshing and rewarding to have to purchase new clothes for a growing baby.

A few days ago Cora shared lunch with her Auntie Lee and her Auntie Val.  She kept us all entertained with the idea that she needed to feed Auntie Lee salad, one leaf at a time.  Laughter and tears of happiness filled my eyes as I watched Cora interacting with both of these lovely women.

Then, the little bug found our house and has been lingering its hold of upset tummies and headaches.  Kept me away from the blog, but it also offered another gift.  With the extra snuggles, came extra reading time and that gave me the opportunity to keep showing Cora the sign for "book". 

As is her usual mode of learning Cora has watched me sign this word for her for almost two years now, and then she just up and starts using it two days ago.  Simple as punch and like she has been doing the sign all along, she grabbed her book, put it down and then signed "book" "mama" to get me to read it to her.

The fear of losing this beautiful Cora eases as each day passes, and it is starting to become a lost thought in the many thoughts that fill my mind everyday.  And with each passing day, Cora continues to blow so many ideas of what she could be, or would be, out of the water. 

Forgive me, I must leave this blog posting today and be with Cora.  She has just signed "book mama" to me and I don't want to miss this beautiful moment in her signing growth.

 

As always, we cherish sharing our moments with you and continue to send you blessings as you travel this journey with us.

Yoga, Cora style

Since Cora's health has improved a great deal, and I am finally able to get back into some of the things that took a backseat to Cora's care, I started back into the power yoga and the elliptical.

This morning, heavy into the workout and concentrating on balance and the instructor, I hear this little voice penetrate my thoughts.  "Mama, mama, mama" it was saying over and over.  I looked over to see Cora in the downward facing dog position and looking at me to get my attention.  I was so shocked, I fell out of my pose which led to much laughter from Cora and me.

I sometimes forget how Cora is a great mimic of everything.  Sounds, signs and movements.  She watches us and tries to do the same things, and today she was doing advanced power yoga movements, like it was nothing.

An absolute blessing for her is the hyper-extension the third chromosome allows her.  That which Early on has been telling me will be a burden for her ankles, knees and hips was today a blessing in disguise. 

So here is my thought, if she can do yoga it will actually strengthen those tendons and ligaments that are super stretchy.  What a beautiful interaction it offered me and Cora... her in her play yard and me right next to her. 

I love the blessings in disguise that this journey continues to deliver me.  With those blessings I find that thinking out of the box is definitely the way to go, and Yoga for a almost two year old is where the journey took us today.

Shifting the perspective

I see Cora coming up with new ways of achieving some of the simplest goal. For instance, standing up. She extends her one leg out straight, bends her other knee, draws her other leg in and then stands up while pulling herself up, with every ounce of strength she can muster, with her hands and arms.

Its not the usual way of standing up for a toddler, and it comes at a later time for her than most babies, but she is successful every time she tries to stand up. I think back to my other children and remember trying to help them, over and over again, on standing up. Instead of letting them find their own way, I would interfere and help them. I wonder how often I ended up hindering my children, instead of helping them?

Cora has taught me that she can achieve the goals I set for her, if I allow her the ability to try it her way. She has taught me to not interfere,but rather stand back and watch and encourage. I wait for her to sign "help" before I physically get involved and help her.

How often, I wonder, have I done that in my own life. Instead of taking a step back, waiting and allowing a change to happen, I forced the outcome.

I am so blessed that through a child's perspective, the Creator is opening my eyes to new ways of achieving goals. Cora continues to teach me life lessons and I remain her ever vigilant student.

Are you learning from her as well? Are you becoming a better student of life, rather than a person who forces the outcomes? Today's blog is focused on this question...and as always, Cora and I continue to thank you for following our journey.

 Cora has her own way of falling asleep, and it often happens while she plays with her feet. 

Cora stands up

Finally, Cora is able to stand without help.  She crawl to the couches and has learned to bend her knee underneath herself and pull up to a standing position.  This also means that she has become more mobile, which means that we have put more things out of reach and up higher! haha.

Its a good change for this household though.  Having to move things, reinforce the word "NO" and make things even more baby safe is a blessing.  For a little girl that was struggling this time last year, she continues to bring in the new year with strength and happiness.

Add a few new teeth to the equation and Cora is quickly losing her baby looks and turning into a toddler.  Well, growth is definitely a grand thing for Cora and if that means losing the baby look , I am okay with that.

Are you changing and growing for the better?  Are you standing up for yourself, and setting boundaries?  As we continue to slide into this new year, Stand up with Cora and learn from her continual blessings...



-- still trying to figure out how to post pictures.  the blog is experiencing some problems...sorry--

Maintaining hope

A few days ago, I had a woman ask me how I was handling Cora's new growth.  I answered her, "I am maintaining faith and hope."

Blending my faith, into Cora's recovery, has seemed like a pretty good mixture so far.  It has given me strength, perseverance and persistence.  My belief, and my "we're gonna do this until we get it right" attitude, has definitely been a god send on this journey with Cora.

I see Cora, everyday, show me what faith and perseverance can do for an individual.  She stays focused and keeps trying until she accomplishes the task at hand.  If its playing the same song on a toy over and over until she figures out which button, pushed at a certain time, will change the sound of the music, she sticks with it.  If its placing her feet so she get her knees under her to lift herself up into the standing position, she will move those legs until everything is lined up and then stand.

Cora is a great teacher for me.  I think, at this point in my life, it is such a blessing that I can recognize I am still willing to be a student , as well as her teacher.  What an amazing gift that is, to receive from your child...  Life lessons interchanging between the two of us.

So, yes, I continue to walk this journey in faith and hope...and in the process Cora is teaching me a whole new way of approaching life.


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Happy New Year

Can you believe that it is already 2013?  I am looking forward to this year and the possibilities it opens up for Cora.

Last year was full of many heartaches, but also many triumphs for Cora.  She has overcome setbacks, cognitive difficulties, lack of strength, with a mindset that teaches me everyday.  Cora doesn't hold onto the past hurts, habits, or hangups.  She lets go of yesterday and thrives in today, no matter how the day approaches her.

Lack of skill doesn't stop her.  She keeps trying until she achieves  her goal.  I'd like to believe that spirit, that not taking your eye off the prize attitude, comes from me.  The difference with Cora?  She is willing to ask for help.  Cora has taught me that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but rather, a sign of strength.  It takes a confident person to ask for help, learn the lesson, than take off on their own with what has been taught. 

Recently, Cora asked for help to stand up on her feet.  She has been working toward this goal, everyday, with her exercises that we were taught.  The little trooper works her way through those exercises, even when she is breathing hard and want to give up.  She doesn't quit until we ask her if she is all done.  She will smile, sign "all done" and that's the end of the session.

After working at it with her, she decided that she would try the same thing on her own, in her play yard.  The play yard is a portable fence that gives her play space and allows her a greater freedom of movement that a traditional play pen.  I love this as it allows her to crawl and use the muscles that need to be built up.  She was working on standing up but didn't run her fingers and hands up the side of the fencing.  This didn't allow her enough tension or angle with her arms to be able to pull herself up. 

She tried and tried, several times, only getting half way up before her little arms and legs would be to tired from the strain, resulting in her falling onto her diaper padded bottom.  Cora looked over at me and asked for help.  She signed "mama" and pointed to the play yard fence.  I showed her how to stand up, move her hands up the sides and then achieve the standing position.  The look of pride on her face was priceless.  We worked at this until she was too tired.  Later her sisters would work at it a few times and then walk away.

On January first, of this new year, Cora watched her brother walk by her play yard.  She signed "brother" and tried to get his attention.  He didn't see her.  She pulled herself up to the side of her play yard and got on her knees, he didn't see her  again signing "brother" .  Frustrated with her brother she grabbed hold of that fence and stood herself up.  Then let out a yell and a stream of other baby talk.

It was a wonderful sight to see and a great beginning to this new year.  True to her fashion and way of doing things, Cora welcomed the new year with an upright stance and a look of pure happiness on her face, and some much wanted attention from her big brother.

We hope your new year holds just as much success for you...