This morning, Brynn helped her big sister label the drawing of the house with only spelling help.
Yesterday, Cale went outside with his notebook and came back in a few minutes later. On his paper, he had clearly written: Dodge Durango V8 Magnum. ha!
Followed by "Nathan and Cale West".
Of course, they are amazing, but we are both surprised that it is clicking so quickly! Just thrilled to see them succeeding!
Friday was not the time!
We did not close on the house.
Bah humbug.
Long story, short- there are just a lot of variables that go into owning two homes at once, especially when you are getting a VA loan. Short story, long- Satan really does not want this to happen. This week, Nathan was sick and then I was sick. Both vehicles gave out on us. I dislocated my finger. There were some communication issues with the powers that be. Our appraiser didn't turn in the appraisal.
So... we close tomorrow.
I won't pretend we weren't deflated. We had no idea we might not close until the last minute and it really threw us for a loop! But then it's done and you move on. We've had a nice, relaxing, anticipatory weekend.
We're ready. Nathan even drew out a blueprint of the new house by hand and we sat and planned out where everything was going and little special plans we have, just to get everyone excited again. (It worked.) We haven't even moved in yet, and Nathan already has plans to change the downstairs later so Anna Gray can live independently when she's old enough. Sweet, sweet boy.
We had our check in at the Down Syndrome Clinic last week.
Most of the team was thrilled with AG's progress. She even had new signs during her appointment: "sleep", "bird', and possibly "no". That puts her at about six or seven consistently now, and we are 99% sure she is saying "out" when she's in her highchair ;)
She stood like this for about 20 minutes last night while we sang songs.
We were doing Itsy Bitsy Spider and when we finished, she would sign "more bird". Close enough ;)
In seven months, she has gained one pound and grown one inch! I really thought she was taller, but I guess that's just because her posture is so much better because she's so much stronger!
(Don't forget to sign up for the Buddy Walk! We are team Annie Sunshine! Three weeks :)
Physically, it's time to get more aggressive now that she's closer to two.
^Proof that she's closer to two ;)
No, she's not a zombie. We just let her feed herself raspberries for breakfast.
SO BIG!
We are adding some ideas for PT and starting OT twice a week. I think she will have more opportunities when we move as well, with more space and more options for play/work. She'll get there!
In case you missed it (and so it's documented for her), she was featured last week during adoption week at IDSC for Life- International Down Syndrome Coalition.
A couple of weeks ago, we were able to join our friends- Team McAutism - at the walk for Autism Speaks to raise awareness.
We had other plans and didn't think we were going to make it (which is why we didn't establish on our own team on Cale's behalf), but the rain changed that! So, we walked... in the rain... for Cale and Noah!
^Caleb and Cale^
Sure, we were soggy- but they're worth it.
And it was FUN!!
C was slightly over-stimulated at first. People EVERYWHERE, loud noises (ha), colors, superheroes, snacks, bouncy houses... but he finally decided it was worth a little anxiety ;)
Free jumping, free (healthy, gluten-free) snacks, friends, and slinkies make him/them/us happy!
And we love us some McAughtys!
We DO have a team for the upcoming Buddy Walk to raise awareness for Down Syndrome and we would love love love it if you would register to walk with us on behalf of Anna Gray.
Joining our team and walking is FREE! And it will be another fun day, for sure.
This will be our first Buddy Walk and we can't wait. We will be making tee shirts for our team (yellow, of course!)! Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, random strangers- we would love for you to join team Annie Sunshine! You need to register as a walker by Oct 1st :)
From sunshine to shadows (see what I did there?)...
The same day I took the above photos, Anna Gray (and her post-nap hair) discovered her shadow- PRECIOUS.
She had no idea I was there for a while. She just talked and waved and squealed with her new gray friend.
Once she saw me, she kept looking at me with so much delight in this very special thing she had come upon.
Now, if that doesn't make you slow down and enjoy life on a Sunday afternoon, I don't know what will!
Here are a million things you may or may not want to know:
11 Days until we move into our new house!! Whoop!
I cannot tell you how excited we are. It feels so much like Christmas that we may actually go ahead and decorate for Christmas. We are that excited.
I feel so much peace and kind of like we will be settled for the first time in nine years. Not living in a "temporary" home, not waiting on something to happen, not anxious about the future... just... peace. Although I am thrilled to have a home with space we need and room to play, and there are some painful memories attached to this house I'm ready to leave behind... It's also the only home Brynn, Cale, and Annie have ever known and the only one Layla really remembers. First steps were taken here. First words were spoken. Treasure hunts in the yard and dance parties in the living room. I know a million more memories will be made, but I will be (a little) sad to move on. A little.
The kids can't wait, although I'm not completely sure they get that they won't be living her anymore. We have little surprises planned for each of them to help make the transition go smoothly ;)
Besides showing our house seven thousand times and preparing paperwork and boxes for the new house, life is continuing all around us as usual.
The kids are fairly well adjusted to school. Brynn has a little more adjusting to do, but she'll get there!
I got video last night of Brynn singing her version of "Witch Doctor" loudly (is there any other way?) while everyone else is eating, unphased, because that's just a typical meal in our house. Hilarious.
Love her!
She made it into the shoe-tying club on the 2nd week of school! She can also read all her sight words already :)
Cale is doing WONDERFULLY. Check out his behavior chart!!
(Green is good! Blue is a warning.)
He can also read all his sight words!
Proud doesn't even begin to describe it.
If you missed the earlier announcement- AG is signing now :)
This was a couple of weeks ago:
She doesn't need prompting now, and she is also signing "eat" and "Mama"!
It just makes me swell to see her really and truly communicating her needs/wants. She also scoots on her bottom and turns in circles to get where she's going. Hard to believe she is 19 months old now!
Developmentally she may be a little behind, but socially- she is EVERY bit toddler! She knows exactly what she wants/doesn't want and makes sure you know it too. Love it.
UPDATE: Layla got a part in The Nutcracker! She's going to be angel and she is stoked. She's growing up so fast.
Most stylish person in Home Depot, maybe?
She asked for "more liberty in 3rd grade clothes". So, she's been asserting her own ideas into her wardrobe, which is... fun.
In addition to everything else, Nathan will be headed to CATM Supervisor school soon. I'm working like crazy right now (Josh Turner and Blake Shelton last week- whoop!), but it's a nice stress reliever and good timing on the paychecks. Our calendar is packed as usual, with lots more exciting stuff on the horizon for the whole family. And just FYI- I'm going to post obnoxiously today so I feel caught up =)
We did a LOT of chocolate, strawberry, white chocolate combos...
(If it ain't broke...)
and one very challenging Wizard of Oz cake (unfinished in the photo).
Lucky we love you, Traci ;)
We covered three baby showers, two bridal showers, birthdays, wedding celebrations- all kinds of fun!
All in all, we were able to donate $150 to the Wiehl family to bring home Lily!
We are really proud of what we've been able to do in the last few months.
That being said, we have decided not to take any more orders for the month of September. (No worries, we will honor any orders already placed!)
We both have a lot going on right now. In my case, buying a home, moving, and renting our's mostly. And Sara is very busy growing a human :)
We are just going to take a little break, re-group, and catch our breath. We hope to return to BabyCakes when things settle down a little!
Now that being said, I want you to SEE what you have helped do over the last few months.
Those cupcakes you ordered?
They helped V's Mama and Papa get to her!
They are there now! Is she not precious??
They are awaiting a court date, but are moving closer and closer to having V home forever!
In July, we focused on getting Charity home for the Sader family...
Look how big she's gotten! Her Mama is there now too! She has a Mama and Papa and sisters and a whole great big life ahead of her!!
Remember our friends, Alan and Renee, who went back for three??
They are now a family of SIX and in just 24 hours, will be on a flight HOME... forever!!
You helped do that! All those sugary sweets you forced yourself to consume on behalf of orphans... actually helped changed their lives. These littles have a home. A future! A hope. They have LOVE.
Congratulations to our friends, and welcome home little ones!!
