School Days, Parties, Pregnancy, and the Buddy Walk (Whew!)

Hello again,
I am yet again creating a gigantic post of the many events of the past month. I am sorry not to be able to devote more time to each event, but a three year old + an eight and a half month pregnancy = exhaustion. I will begin with the first day of school at one of Sarah's preschools. I volunteered on this day and was able to get some "behind the scenes" photos of the goings on in class. Unfortunately, due to road construction, we were too late to get a first day of school photo of just Sarah at school, so these will have to do.

During discovery class, students learned about their various body parts.

During free play, Maura spotted a sliding toy that kept her attention throughout the rest of the class.

Sarah spent most of her time building castles.

This was Sarah's favorite class...PLAYGROUND!

Maura and her friends chose the more stationary playground activity of playing in the sand.

The kids had a great time in Bible class. I was so pleased to see Sarah raise her hand to answer a question. We have been working on the idea of taking turns talking and having the teacher call on you. I am proud of my girl for listening to me (at least this once) :)

I know this is a scary photo, but it does capture the busy natures of these two three year olds.

At the end of school, we walked Sarah and Maura out front to take a first day of school photo. It was a bit distracting with all of the cars whizzing by, but we managed a pretty good photo.



On Saturday, Sarah geared up for class number 2 of her pee wee league sports class. Chris takes her (it is their special daddy/daughter time). He said she did a great job of listening to directions here as well. I must admit, I thought this class would not go well for Sarah, but she surprises me on a daily basis. She is now a sports fan. She even sat down to watch football with Daddy this weekend!

This day was the kickball introduction.

Chris said Sarah did a good job of kicking and running bases.

This turned out to be a pretty busy weekend. We were invited to not one, but two birthday parties in one weekend! Sarah was ecstatic to attend Caden's pirate party. She even hand drew and painted his birthday card.

Brandy had her best school teacher voice poised to direct the kids in the party games. Ashley was the pirate mascot for the party.

Although you can't see it so well, this was the hit of the party. Brandy created an outdoor scavenger hunt for pirate treasure. The kids were following her like little duckies. Too fun!

The highlight of Caden's night seemed to be the presents. Look at his cool new bike and helmet!

Brandy has become very proficient at cake decoration. Check out the pirate ship and pirates!

Here is the small boat as well.

Now for party number 2. We went from pirates to princesses! Although Sarah loves Caden so much, I think she was a little more in her element with the pink tiaras and the princess games and food. She is such a girl!

Many of the attendees got really dressed up for the party. I did not let Sarah wear her Snow White costume, because she is wearing it as her Halloween costume and we need to keep it in one piece!

Emma was the birthday girl and boy, did she rack up on toys and clothes!

Sarah had a blast trying to pop open the princess pinata.

Our next photo might be shocking for those of you who have not seen me in person lately. No, this is not a photo of a beached whale, this is me in my 8 and 1/2 month glory. I hate taking pregnancy photos of myself (which is why you see so few on this blog), but I know baby #2 will want to see these in the coming years. At least I am smiling, right?

Side view

Front view. This baby can't stay in much longer...can it?

Sarah got into the photo taking fun as well. Check out Daddy's spiky hair. He must not have been pleased with the look, because he got it cut pretty short the next day.

Now for the last event of the past month, the Buddy Walk. We are privileged to have a beautiful cousin Ava, who happens to have Downs Syndrome. Each year, the family walks in the Buddy Walk on Keeneland's campus to raise money to support those who have DS and need financial help. We absolutely love to help support this good work and Sarah has a blast each year, so we have made this an annual event.

Although I didn't go this year (walking long distances is out of my ability at this point). Chris, Aunt Amy, and Sarah went to represent Michael's side of the family. Amy is technically not related to Ava, but was more than happy to join in the fun. I really wish I could have attended.

I can't believe Sarah agreed to ride in the stroller during the walk. Usually she balks at the very mention of it. But I think since she saw cousin Ava doing the same, she was a little more willing.

Here is Ava's parade, over 50 strong!

Ava and Sarah sharing some "cousin time"

Isn't she cute? I am sure she was so happy to have her family and friends surrounding her.

After the walk, let the games begin! There are slides, bouncy castles, music, and food. Four of Sarah's favorite things!

The highlight of Sarah's day (I am sure of this), was chicken dancing with her daddy.
Michelle (Ava's mom) sent us an e-mail stating that Ava's parade raised over $2,000 for the cause. There were more participants this year than ever. This is awesome! I just wanted to add a couple of paragraphs from Michelle's e-mail to the blog, to encourage any of you who would like to get involved in this great day to see the results of the effort.

Michelle writes:
"In just the last 3 months, there have been about 10 babies(maybe more!) born in Central KY with Down syndrome. We are able to provide new families with a tote bag full of educational, medical and inspirational information and books. We follow-up with phone calls, emails and visits. This past year, we have been able to provide assistance to many DSACK families in crisis. Some examples include several infants having heart surgery,a family involved in a serious car accident, a mother of 2 young children (one with DS) undergoing chemotherapy and the death of 2 precious, much-loved babies. DSACK has a fund for these situations and is able to provide catered meals, gift cards, cash, hotel rooms, memorial gifts, etc., depending on what the individual situation calls for. We have also been able to expand our programs and now have monthly educational meetings for new parents (child care included),and monthly social groups for elementary aged children with Ds and teens/young adults with Ds. We have a fabulous bimonthly newsletter, scholarships for camps and conferences, quarterly social events for our entire DSACK community (which is named for Central Ky.but reaches all the way to Pike Co.), and a lending library. We reach out to educate the community about Down syndrome (specifically, medical professionals, educational professionals and school-age students). We currently have 3 graduate students working on their disability practicums with us. We have established a strategic plan, revised our bylaws and established roles and responsibilities for board members. We are a non-profit 501C3 organization with no paid staff. Most of the board officers volunteer atleast 20 hours/week to DSACK……..usually even more than that. All donations go to support the above programs, as well as some I have likely left out. We would love to have our own space, and that is something we will look at in the future. We will be able to offer so much more to DSACK families and the community when we have a space!! "

If anyone is interested in joining us next year, please let me know!

Now, the drums are rolling, the fat lady is beginning to sing, we are officially on "Baby Watch" 2009. I will keep you posted. Please keep our family in your prayers.

Bye!

The Good, The Bad, and the Downright Ugly

Hello gang,
I know it has been some time since my last post, but I promise, I have a very good reason. I know that most of my posts chronicle the happy happenings of the Coleman clan, but I feel that to accurately create a record of our lives for me to keep, I need to include the good, the bad, and the downright ugly as well. I can honestly say that this has been the most difficult two weeks in my 33 years on planet earth so far! I am now 33 going on 34 weeks pregnant and have spent no less than 5 days at the doctors office in the last 10! It all started two weeks ago with chest pain, Headache, and a 101 plus degree fever that lasted for 4 days. The doctor put me on tamiflu and zithromax just to cover all bases, even though my flu test came back negative. My fever broke, but the chest problems have persisted for over two weeks. I am coughing so much even now that I have developed pleurisy! I am currently on a steroid that will hopefully relieve my swelling in my chest (which will help me breathe) and also resolve the RASH I have developed in the past few days on my chest and limbs (can you believe this????). Oh, and I haven't even mentioned the most traumatic event of the two week period, so hold on....

Sarah and I had a car accident last Wednesday here within a mile of our home. We are physically fine (thank you God). Our new van was heavily damaged and is in the shop for a few weeks getting repaired. My OB insisted that I spend some time on baby monitors at the hospital, and I am glad she did because it set my mind at ease in terms of the health of the baby. Can you believe all of this can happen in a two week period? I am praying for a reprieve from the coughing so that I can have just a precious few weeks to physically and mentally prepare myself, my home, and my family for the arrival of the newest Coleman!

I guess it would now be a good time to back up and look at the healthy days which I am entitling "The Good".
Sarah and I have had lots of fun getting together this year with good friends and neighbors and having some of the best play dates so far (I guess 3 is the magic number when it comes to the right age to truly play with other kids). Here are the "three amigos hanging out on Sarah's mini-trampoline. Haven't they grown?
We have also enjoyed being able to go out with "family" (sort of). Brandy, Caden, and Cohen are honorary members of my family, since Brandy's sister Ashley is now my sister-in-law. Sarah is Caden crazy right now. I hear his name every day! When she is not with him, she wants to be near. When she is near him, she doesn't want to leave. Won't it be interesting to see if she still considers him so "swoon worthy" as they get older?

Here is the love struck look Sarah gets when getting to sit next to her beloved Caden to eat lunch.

We have also been spending more time in the backyard this summer. Daddy got a "fire pit" for a Christmas gift last year. We have enjoyed many nights of smores and family fun in the backyard thanks to this gift. Thank you Charles and JoAnn!

We were also able to spend the last couple of our summer weeks visiting the library for story and song time. She really enjoyed herself as you can see.

From this point on, my life got much more difficult. My beloved husband has definitely been my rock in the past two weeks, playing nurse, house cleaner, as well as soccer dad. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful man in my life. He gave me Saturday morning to rest and took Sarah to her first Pee Wee League practice. She is taking classes through the YMCA. She is learning the basics of kickball, soccer, tee ball, and flag football. The class is so large that she is also learning how to wait and stand in lines (I guess this skill will come in handy in life as well).

Here she is waiting for the games to begin!

Line up and wait everyone!

This weeks lesson is flag football. Does she have the Coleman skill? Check out the video below....



She made her Dad so proud! You can hear him yelping on the video. What a move!

She really enjoyed herself. I am so glad! I really worried she would be a "girly girl" only. Chris won't have a chance at a son (based upon my last ultrasound). At least we know he has one girl who shares his love of the game!

We are also blessed to have wonderful neighbors who love us and help us during our times of need. Shelley gave me a few minutes to work in the house while she and Sarah sat outside playing with her IPhone. Sarah adores Shelley. Penny even went to Kroger to drop off one of my many prescriptions to give me more time to just "be" at home. God has truly blessed us with great neighbors.

Sarah definitely had a rough spell during my feverish period. She has since come back to be the wonderful caring daughter I know and love. We have spent more time at home in the last two weeks, thanks to my energy levels. She has found ways to pass the time. Here is one of my favorite. She looooves Taylor Swift. I have the joy of listening to her croon alongside Taylor on a weekly basis. I have more video to post, but will save this for another day. The countdown to baby Coleman continues! Stay tuned...

Strike a Pose!

Has my girl been secretly watching "America's Next Top Model" or what? Suddenly, she has turned into a camera hog! She has been "striking a pose" every time I ask her to take a photo. It makes my life a little easier, because I don't have to chase down a 3 year old (I am not exactly limber these days). She is cracking me up with her facial expression and physical poses. Here are some examples from recent weeks.

We met Ashley, Jason, Alena and Amy out for Alena's first trip to Midway with the family. As you know the pizza place in Midway is one of our favorite stops. Sarah was so excited, she begged to sit next to her new cousin. Here are some giddy poses.

Gotta love the pizza stain. I think it adds a little character to the shot.

Ashley is also getting into the poses as well.

Ah, the new parents. Do they look the least bit sleep deprived? I just don't see it. Lucky dogs!

Chris relaxing and taking in the sounds of the musician on a perfectly beautiful day. Are we in Kentucky or California? Not a cloud in the sky, 70 degree temps and no humidity!

All I need to say is Sarah, scoot over and take a photo with Amy and, out comes the Tyra Banks!

Snapping a shot with cousin Alena. Alena is obviously not amused by Sarah's contortions

.
On Saturday, we spontaneously (I know this is shocking...) decided to go to the state fair. I would only agree to go because I knew it was in the 70's all day. The idea of a hot stinky fair is not fun for a lady who is 30 weeks pregnant, but I can handle the 70's... Amy wanted to go as well, so we loaded up the van for a road trip!

Chris was (how shall I put this) less than thrilled to go to the fair. I just had to get this photo of him next to the cow. I cannot believe he is smiling here. I did not see this smile very often on this trip. Crowds and cow poop are just not his thing!

Amy, on the other hand, is up for anything. Look out Amy, a giant cow is coming our way! What expression!

Where does she get these poses? Seriously! (This is a really cute one) :)

Growling for the camera (partially because it is starting to sprinkle at the fair).

After the fair fun was over, we headed home. Brandy gave us a call and invited us to roast marshmallows. How could we turn this down on an unseasonably cool August night?

Sarah posing (pointed toe and all) with the soccer ball. She is gearing up for a little pee wee introductory league this fall. Pray for her patience (and mine) as she learns some team sports!

While Chris and Caden worked on the marshmallows, Sarah tested her skills on the field. She has the "Coleman" talent for sports, don't you think?

Jason, Ashley and baby Alena joined in the fun.

She is finally waking up! I am able to capture some expressions on camera.

A father daughter moment. How cute!

Meanwhile new mommy Ashley (less than two months postpartum) rough housing with the preschoolers! How does she do it?

Due to Daddy's long work hours this week, Sarah and I opted to take one last trip to the mountains to visit the grandparents before the new one arrives (doc won't let me travel much longer). Here is yet another pose from the little one. As I am writing this, I am noticing the Clorox on the ground in the garage behind Sarah. Time for some added baby proofing Mom and Dad! You have three little ones to worry about!

A short yet fun trip with the grandparents comes to an end. I thought I would grab one last pose before hitting the road.