Don't take it away...

Well, last week was a long one. We were notified that Louisiana's Early Steps program may get cut.
When I received the call with this information I was FURIOUS.... This program has given us so much to believe in and so much to look forward to. Sawyer has been enrolled in this program since she was 3 months old. It is a state funded program for children who are in need. Sawyer's diagnosis allows her to have different therapists work with her in the comforts of home.  She is currently receiving Physical and Speech Therapy once a week. Next month she will start Occupational Therapy once a week as well. I truly feel that Early Steps is helping Sawyer so much.  


So, we were told that the state has to make budget cuts and this program is going to be the one cut.  Okay, lets think about this... REALLY... I work, Cody works, we PAY our taxes.... So in all actuality I PAY for this service and they want to take it away. Why not make LEGITIMATE cuts... Like for instance, stop giving away things to those who don't want the help... Stop helping those we won't help themselves.  We are trying to help the growth and development of our child and they think it is moral to take this away. It will be such a big let down for our State if this program were to get cut. 
It is such a let down for this sweet little girl. 

Her jaw is dropped on this idea as well!


So we needed a weekend of "FUN IN THE SUN"!
We decided to stay by the pool all weekend... Friday, Saturday, and Sunday... Cohen is going to be a complete Beach Bum like his momma! and I LOVE IT!!!

And Miss Priss put on a swimsuit for the FIRST TIME... And how cute she looked!

Sawyer was not as impressed with the pool as I expected. She loves her baths (unlike her brother did when he was a baby) so I thought she would LOVE the pool but it really didn't seem to faze her one way or the other. As for Cohen he swam ALL day long ALL weekend.  

And when Cody got back from fishing he was so proud to show Cohen the fish he caught.... And I think Cohen was just as proud of his daddy! 

So after a very long week, we relaxed and enjoyed our weekend to the fullest.  Thanks to the sun and water... 

"The best thing to hold onto in this life is each other"    - Unknown

Cohen's first "Graduation Day"

Well this past Friday, Cohen "graduated" from Miss Martha's.

When we pulled up to her house, the girls (there are only 3...) were calling Cohen's name... It was hilarious! One of the mom's said, "Cohen must be the big man on campus... LOL". Oh Lord if this is any indication of our future.... My little guy is going to have girls chasing after him... Oh goodness Oh gracious!!!
Miss Martha puts on a graduation at the end of every school year for the kids (class includes 6 kids, so nice and small) to sing songs for their parents and extended family. Every night for the past 2 weeks, Cohen would tell us that he had to do his "homework". He said he had to sing his songs and practice for us.... Well after much practice this little one sang his heart out.

She has everyone gather at her house for their presentation then to the Children's Museum for their party.
Cody and I took off of work Friday to spend the day with the kids.

We had such a great day...
First graduation, then the Children's Museum, then to Deano's for lunch, then to Toys R Us for Cohen to pick out a toy he wanted (he picked out Bongo's and drum sticks), then to Nonnie's for a full day of swimming.

Oh my little boy is getting so big.  It was such a fun day but had so much emotion. Before we know it Cohen is going to be in "real school". How do I stop time?

"Know how to live the time that is given to you"
                -Dario Fo

Hard Work - Pays off

Hello Physical Therapy!
Well, Sawyer recently started doing physical therapy every Friday. She loves Jennifer her PT and so do I.  When she first evaluated Sawyer she was completely amazed with Sawyer's tone. Everyone has always said that Sawyer's tone is great but the moment Jennifer told me it was "great" I wanted to cry with happiness.  She expects her do to everything "on time".  Oh my sweet girl!

We are really learning that Every Moment Counts....
Since the day she was born statistics were far from on our side... But now! We are proving that Statistics are all wrong in our eyes!  Sawyer has beaten all odds so far...

Well after a few weeks of working we are now sitting up with little help at times. 

 I recently read a journal entry someone wrote pertaining to Kelle Hampton and her sweet girls.... When I was finished reading the article I proceeded to read the comments people left... OH THE COMMENTS. I can not believe some people are so hateful, or rather Ignorant!
People need to realize that someone's happiness does not need to be interrupted with others unhappiness. I could not get over how selfish people are.... and of course that word... that horrible word "Abortion" was mentioned. Really why do people think they can play God! I would not have terminated my pregnancy if I would have known Sawyer had DS. I Love this little girl and all I know is she is ours... Our baby girl! And how lucky we are to have her! SO what! She has DS! Woop Woop! There are many people in this world who would do anything to have children... There are also many others who would do anything to have the children they lost! Luckily we HAVE our 2 miracles and blessings!

Jennifer paints a wood stool for all of the kids she works with. It is for them to grow with. Right now we are learning how to sit at it and use our hands. It is amazing how much I am learning.  The more she puts pressure on her arms the closer we are to crawling.  It makes me laugh because she look like she is at school. 

And while Sawyer works on her Therapy. Cohen plays baseball. He is completely equipped... Batting Gloves, Cleats, Bat, Baseball hat... 

Cohen plays baseball like a pro! and Sawyer is laughing and talking away.  If only we all still had the innocence of a baby!  How could you not fall in love with this sweet smile?

And after a lot of hard work at "practice" Cohen takes a break.  

I wonder what else our crazy life holds. Tomorrow is our future but I am sure ENJOYING TODAY!

Little Bits

Cohen has been asking for a catchers mask...
The other morning on our way to Miss Martha's he said, "Mom, can I ask you something?... Can you buy me a catcher's mask?" I couldn't say no, so after much searching during the day I quickly discovered that Academy was my only hope. I called Cody and asked him to please stop on his way home and get Cohen a catchers mask...
When Cody got back and gave him that ridiculously big catcher's mask his face lit up!!
He immediately put it on and did this...

He was so proud!  His smile under that mask was priceless! 

Cohen has been singing his songs that he is learning at Miss Martha's.  Sawyer was a little fussy in her swing so he decided to go and sing her a little tune! Sawyer immediately stopped fussing and stared right at him! 

Sawyer just turned 7 months. I still can't believe she is 7 months old already!  I took a few pictures of them before we went to Rhythms on the River on her "7  month birthday".

Oh how he is growing.... I now know what my parents meant when they said we grew up too fast!

Cohen got the giggles as Sawyer was all serious! For our Brother / Sister picture. 

I know that Cohen will be the best big brother to Sawyer... He already is, so I am sure it can only get better from here.  And it is so sweet how Sawyer looks at him as if he hung the moon. 

And her smile...

"Happiness is your choice. Your circumstances can affect it, but you are still the one who decides your happiness"

Play Date Madness

Play dates are always fun!
Sawyer and John Talbott had so much fun playing together the other night....  Sawyer obviously agreed and thinks it was so much fun!  They are going to be the Best little Friends! Here are a few pics from our play time.

And... Their serious sides....

Move over boy! Because this girl will kick you out of the way!  Personality trait... In Control! LOL!

Then, Ainsley came in from Austin with Beckham and we had another fun filled night with friends... Angela and Josh came over with Georgie as well!
Here are a few from our fun time with them...

Cohen waited patiently for his friends to show up...  With a noonie in his mouth... I have got to figure out how to get rid of this thing!!!!!

Sawyer had to show off her new moves for her friends. She is starting to sit up really well! I was only helping a little! Sha baby girl.... Nothing will stop this little one!

Beckham loved on his mommy for a while until I grabbed him and rocked that baby to sleep... He was in Heaven... Ainsley may need to start rocking him to sleep because I did and he slept very soundly that night from what I hear!!!

Then 7:30 rolled around and Sawyer let it known that it was bath time. So before we could finish our photo shoot with every one, madame had to take a bath and get into her jammies!

Then we put all the little ones on the couch and had a VERY interesting Photo Shoot. (It was definitely not as easy as last time)...

And Cohen is just hanging out...Sawyer's eyes are closed, Georgie is the ONLY one smiling big big, Beckham doesn't know if he should smile or cry... 

So until next time...