Meet Travis and Abby

 I am currently supposed to be working on a paper for my Evaluation Methodology class...but I would much rather write to you fine friends. Did you know Theo is almost 18 months old?! Seriously, this kid, is the best. He is the most precious, loveable, patient soul in the whole world. We just got pictures done with Marlo Brown Photography, so I will have to add a few pictures! And it is time to celebrate another milestone because HE IS ARMY CRAWLING. You heard right! This kid is starting to get mobile. His favorite thing to do right now is throw his bead necklace and crawl to it, and throw it and crawl to it. It is so funny because his therapists have been saying for months that he can do it, he just doesn't want to and our mission as parents is to find something he will crawl for. Well, after buying light up toys and musical toys, turns out all he wanted to crawl for was a bead necklace. Oh Theo. Also, this kid is getting his first 2 teeth. BOTH are MOLARS on the top. He is...

“Down syndrome isn’t a burden. How people react to it is.” – Stephanie Holland Ready to learn something new? Welcome to Conversations about Down Syndrome 101! Even the closest family members have been unsure how to bring up Down syndrome or what to ask.   AND THAT IS OKAY! Honestly, language is a big deal to me. Words can either create barriers and promote stereotypes, or words can put people first and show respect. Theo is much more than a label, and I know you all agree. So here is my break down of how to have a conversation about Down syndrome with me. Tip 1: It is important to put a person before a diagnosis. Example: You don’t say: “I have a cancer brother.” You say: “I have a brother with cancer.” So DON’T say: “He is a Downs baby.” Please say: “He is a baby with Down syndrome.” Tip 2: It is important to understand (and use the language) that a person is not the diagnosis. Example: You don’t say: “My brother is cancer.” You say: “My brother has cancer.” ...