Devin Brooke, Our amazing daughter!!!

Yesterday we spent the afternoon in Tucson with our daughter, Devin.

She is now a Junior at the University of Arizona.

Yesterday she was being honored for Academic Distinction at the College of Science Honors Convocation. (This is an incredible honor where she had to maintain a 3.5-3.9 GPA for 30+ units)!

Jacques, Noah and I drove the two hours down to Tucson, picked up Devin at her house and went to the college for the Convocation, which we thought began at 4:00 pm. As we are trying to find a parking space, Devin reads that it actually began at 3:00 pm and refreshments were at 4:00! Poor baby, I felt so badly for her, missing the recognition in front of all her peers to receive her cords that she has worked so diligently to receive!
Ahhh, typical Barbey moment! ;-)

Needless to say, by the end of the day, everyone was a little grumpy... I love spending time with my kids, attitudes and all!!!




We were still able to get her cords and have our own celebration which ended in a wonderful dinner with her girlfriends at a delicious Italian restaurant with the ambiance of a true cafe in Italy :-) Yum!

Happy 4th Birthday Noah Bryce!!!

September 29, 2010 - Noah turned 4 years old!!!

Our little man is growing up! Part of the day's celebration was to share with his friends at school.

Noah attends Community Montessori School, which has children from ages 3-6. (preschool thru kindergarten).
The birthday celebration at school consists of sharing what makes you special and defines you since you were born on this earth.

This year we choose to share something that makes Noah special... being born with Down syndrome. We talked about how it may take Noah a little longer to learn how to play soccer or maneuver across the playground equipment, but that Noah will learn and he is just like his friends. We also talked about the fact of Noah learning to talk and use his words and that sign language is a bridge to help him to communicate his wants and needs right now as he is learning speech, but that he is just like his friends. We shared that even though Noah may not speak right now, he understands all that is being said to him, just like his friends.

The morning went really well and at the end of the school day we gave to all of the parents some informational coloring books (idea originated from Amanda Bell) that we put together talking about Down syndrome and how Noah may take longer to learn some things, but actually, he is just like his friends.

We have received such positive feedback from our message sent home to the parents that I am so very grateful!!! It is so nice to have my little man be accepted, regardless of the challenges that he may face.

Enclosed are some photos from that morning... Happy Birthday little man - we love you with all of our hearts!!!

My little Libra, enjoying his birthday morning with the rising of the sun


Noah is greeting all his friends as they enter the classroom...


Everyone "shake your silly's out" before sitting down on the line...


Birthday Boy wears the crown; well sort of...



4 years ago today...


A hand made card from Miss Ella... :-)



Happy Birthday my little man. In the past four years you have brought me more joy in experiencing the most beautiful, yet simple things of life. You have brought me closer to God and the understanding that life, our life, is in the hands of the Lord. You have taught me patience... oh, the patience to wait, learn and accept things as they are right here and now. However, along with that patience, you have taught me the definition of hard work and tenacity - true tenacity... that of never giving up and never accepting anything but what you believe is your best!!! Yes Mr Noah, I have learned this precious lesson from you!

The four short years that we have shared together on this earth feel like a lifetime... I could never imagine my life without my little man. I am so eager to experience and learn all that you have in store for us in the years to come.

Thank you for choosing me to be your mommy - for choosing us to be your family!
With all of my heart and soul I write to you my son Noah. Lots of love, Mommy.

The Longest Summer

I know that it has been forever since I have taken the time to log and blog. For this I apologize, the time has just run away...

This was a summer of work; very hard, consistent, determined work. All with one goal in mind... SPEECH!

Noah, my little man with more tenacity in his little toe than I and most people possess in our entire being, worked his little body and mind non-stop this summer. He was having speech therapy 7 times a week! 7 times! I'm surprised CPS didn't show up at our door! ;-)

Although not "officially" diagnosed, it is presumed that Noah has Apraxia of speech. Therefore, he knows what he wants to say, but it gets lost somewhere from his thoughts to his mouth. With Apraxia, it is very important to have constant repetition. Constant. The sounds, vowels and words need to become like a reflex. Something that is innate without thought or effort.

We began this intensive (and very expensive, thank you Grandma J9 for helping) approach to help his speech in mid-June and are still going strong with weekly sessions of 5x each week.

The goal - to talk, to communicate his desires, wants and needs. The results... as of today, after 3 1/2 months of intensive therapy, we have made progress. The definition of that progress may be defined by many expectations, but progress has been made.

Noah is speaking, mostly when prompted, in elementary word approximations. Ex: More = mo, Milk = mi, Ball = ba...
We are working on the bi-labial sounds, P,B,M and the vowels. So, the word Book will sound like "bbu, uuh" Blue sounds like "bbu, ooh" ect. Is the process long and excruciating? Yes! However, imagine yourself as Noah. How frustrating! To know what you want to say but as you attempt to express yourself, it doesn't come out as intended. So then, why bother? Why not just scream, yell, point and pull someone to show them what it is you are wanting?

What I wouldn't give to spend a day in his little body and mind... perhaps someday :-)

We did manage one escape early in the summer down to a family home in LaJolla.

Here are a few photos of our little local on the shore...

Busy month, relaxing day!!!

This past month has been such a crazy time... my work has been more than all consuming, leaving little time for relaxed laughter and family fun.
Thank goodness for a quiet weekend with my boy filled with fun and play in our backyard.

A kiss from my little man...


Hi Daddy!


I am the king of the swing...


Love nap time...


Ready, set, lets go again...

A Day at the Zoo!

We spent this Saturday afternoon at the Phoenix Zoo with my mom who is visiting from Idaho. We have had an annual pass since Noah was born, but this year it was completely different. He is so interested in all the animals, all the people, everything happening around him. He is also trying to say the names of the animals! It was so much fun!

Noah looking at the ostrich and the antelope.


Seeing the orangutan up close... Noah was trying to say "orangutan", look at those lovely lips!


Noah fed the giraffe and was such a brave little guy, even when the giraffe licked him with that long, long tongue!!!


Taking a break and acting like a cheetah!


Can't leave the zoo without a ride on the carousel.


I love this age.. I wish I could bottle him up and keep him just as he is right now!!! Although I seem to say that at every stage!

Wordless Wednesday...

Spring Fling

Last weekend was the big Easter egg hunt for one of our local Down syndrome groups. When we arrived, the music was very loud with people running all over, dancing, playing, etc. It was a little overwhelming at first for Noah. He choose to sit back and observe everyone for a while.
There was a group egg hunt which was so much fun - Pictures with the easter bunny (which he decided was a little too scary) - and lots of bubbles floating around just waiting to be popped!
Once he realized that the bunny ears everyone was wearing were to celebrate Easter, he was ok, and had a lot of fun.
By the end of the event, he was dancing with the best of them!!!