world down syndrome day

Today is the 6th anniversary of World Down Syndrome Day....each year this day gets a little bigger.  It's an important day for those of us with a connection to Down syndrome as we strive to create a single global voice for advocating for the rights, inclusion and well being of people with Down syndrome.

I must admit that before I had Beckett I really didn't know anyone with Down syndrome...I sure do now!  I have met some amazing parents, we meet online, through social media, in the mall, on the phone - it's wonderful. We have an instant connection.  I have laughed and cried with people I have just met.  We have shared our deepest fears.  We have grown together. We are connected.

Beckett came into our lives and changed it for the better.  Everyone who meets B falls in love, they can't help it.  Each day our little boy teaches us something new....we are lucky to have him hold our hearts. 

So, if you know someone with Down syndrome - lucky you.  If you don't,  I'd love it if you would take a small moment today to think of the 5.8 million people in the world with Down syndrome (35,000 in Canada)....and how they make our world a better place.

On a side note, the 2011 Canadian Down Syndrome Conference is May 20 - May 22 in Richmond, British Columbia. 

Miss Poppy

Poppy is 6 months old!  Oh where does the time go?  I took Poppy for her check-up and shots today, not a peep out of her.....I think it's because her thighs are nice and chubby - she didn't even feel the needle!  The girls is now 19 pounds 2 ounces and 28 inches long...you go girl!

Zoë is loving her little sister, it's quite cute to watch, I'm still waiting for Poppy's eyes to change - they're blue....huh?

Beckett is a lucky guy, he has two little sisters that love him...and he adores them.  As you can see, we like the laying down on the couch in the morning shots.

Beckett and Zoë were both great babies but Poppy takes it to a whole new level.  She's such a sweet soul, always happy....6 months....I'm savouring every minute.

5 years

                                       Happy Anniversary Dave......it's been 5 great years.

                                                                Best part of all?

                                                                          xx

a big, big day....

I'm going back to work tomorrow. Mat leave is over and I'm starting a brand new job. I'm excited, nervous and ready. Tomorrow Mike Killeen and I officially become the new anchors on CTV News at Six, it a big deal for both of us. The responsibility is huge, the challenge is great - I can't wait for this new chapter.

Leaving the littles to go to work will be tough, these past 5 months have been the best of my life. I love being a mom to three kids, exhausting but exhilarating. The funny thing is that they have no idea what I do for work, when they see me on the same TV that they see Barney....oh yeah! These past 5 months have also been huge in the development department for all three kids. Beckett is communicating well, Zoë is a girl with opinions (no idea where she gets this from) and Poppy is getting cuter  & stronger by the second.

So off I go tomorrow....and yes I'm nervous but here's the great part, even if I really mess this whole thing up, I still get to come home and have my three babes love me like nobody's business. Nothing beats that.

whip it up.....

Today was a rough day (more on that later) but it got a whole lot brighter when my friend Janis from Pinecone Camp came over.  She likes to bake on Mondays, so today we baked my Nan's whipped shortbread. Don't you just love this photo of my Nan baking some cupcakes in the 70's?  Good times. Check out Janis' blog here for all the fun. xx

portraits

I'm a super sentimental person, I save everything and love to reflect on my many memories.  I hold onto art projects and baby bracelets, photos of family members I have never met, old records and china.  The past fascinates me....I hope one of my kids shares my love of a good memory.

Lori Joy Smith is an artist who now lives in PEI (she use to live in BC)...I have always admired her work and dreamt of the piece I would own.  When reading her blog (which I love) I stumbled upon her fabric portraits.....I e-mailed Lori Joy right way!  After a few notes back and forth and a couple of photos of Beckett and Zoë, Lori Joy worked her magic and sent me the portraits.  Aren't they the sweetest?  I love them so much, I can't wait to order one for Poppy!  The portraits are perfect and I can't wait to pass them on to my babies when they are all grown up. xx

my new friend

Isn't he the sweetest?  I have always wanted an Elf on the Shelf - now I have one.  Here's the deal, the Elf works for Santa, he arrives at your house to watch your kids and report back to the big guy on whether the kids are good or bad.  The Elf is only allowed to talk to Santa and Mommy & Daddy, he perches himself on a shelf to watch the kids....they can talk to him but they can't touch him.  This is good stuff. Your kids are suppose to name the Elf and each night while your kids are sleeping you move the Elf to a new location in the house.  It's quite exciting for the kids to wake up and go in search of their new pal.

Beckett and Zoë haven't met the Elf yet, he'll arrive December 1st. Naming him should be interesting!  The Elf comes with a beautiful book which we have been reading every night. I love that this little guy was created by a mom for her kids. Our kids are super young, I'm not sure they will grasp the concept of the Elf quite yet but I hope this become a tradition for us.  I love the magic of it.  The Elf on the Shelf is available at EiO at 18th and Cambie in Vancouver.