It's a Wonderful Life!

Toots and Ws

2010-11-15T08:52:00.000-08:00

Amy had a visit from the speech therapist on Thursday this week, and Mrs. Morrison was showing Amy pictures of fruits and vegetables.
Apple...banana...carrot.... And then she showed Amy a picture of a green pepper. I'm thinking "She's not going to know this one, we don't really eat green peppers." When Mrs. Morrison asked her what it was, Amy said,"It's a W."

We were both puzzled--trying to figure out where Amy saw a "W" . Mrs. Morrison said, "No, it's a green pepper. It's a vegetable."
And Amy said, "YES! "W" while doing the ASL sign for vegetable.
Mrs. Morrison and I both realized Amy was trying to pronounce "vegetable" and it just came out sounding like "W". I think the best part was the expression on Amy's face! "Isn't that what I just said??"
Amy still has trouble pronouncing her "F"s, so the pictures we were looking at were "Toots and Ws"

Reflections

2010-02-02T09:57:00.000-08:00

I was asked to participate in a survey about being the parent of a child with Down Syndrome and as I was writing my comments, I realized that maybe I haven’t shared this experience with many people…

Before Amy was born, my OB/GYN gave me the option for prenatal testing but I declined because I wasn't going to terminate the pregnancy. He told me that they could look for markers of Down Syndrome in the next ultrasound which I agreed to. No markers were found and everything looked normal.

Less than 24 hours after Amy was born, someone I did not know came in my hospital room and told me that my daughter has Trisomy 21. I did not know the doctor that delivered the diagnosis. He was the pediatrician on call at the hospital. He didn't have a very good bedside manner. He told me the diagnosis and then left and I was all alone to absorb it all....I didn't want to believe it. It was a total surprise. I was heart broken. My perfect little girl wasn’t quite perfect…. My dear friend, Tricia whom I have known for many years, is a parent advocate for children with special needs and she was the one I turned to. She gave me hope. Bryan was very encouraging when I told him the diagnosis. He simply said, "Aren't we blessed to be the parents of this precious little spirit." and then I knew we could do anything that would be required of us!

Before Amy was born, I had many preconceived ideas about what a child with Down Syndrome was like--the limitations and the challenges. My first hand experience has been much different. Amy is a delightful child and I enjoy each day with her. The absolute joy she experiences when she learns something new is exciting to me. I appreciate each milestone more than with my other children. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything!

Here's a story I love that expresses my feelings beautifully:

"Welcome to Holland"
by Emily Perl Kingsley

"I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it. to imagine how it would feel. It's like this..."

"When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum, The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting."

"After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."

"Holland?!?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."

"But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay."

"The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine, and disease. It's just a different place."

"So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would have never met."

"It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around...and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills...and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts."

"But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy...and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."

"And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, go away...because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss."

"But...if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things....about Holland."

What sound does a pig make?

2010-01-12T09:08:00.000-08:00

Amy knows lots of animals and the sounds they make, but the sound a pig makes has been a challenge for her... She's been working on it and I had to write about it!

Mom to Amy: What does a pig say?

Amy says: Wo wo wo

Wonk wonk wonk

Oh-wonk Oh-wonk Oh-wonk

Oh-wink Oh-wink Oh-wink!!!

So cute!! Yeah for Amy!!!

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T19:34:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Everyone! I talked to my sister Tami today and she reminded me that I hadn't updated my blog since October....So here's a short entry. We had our family picture taken and here it is! We are very blessed to have so many wonderful friends and family! Our Christmas day was fairly quiet. Janet and Catherine both spent the night last night so they could be here first thing in the morning to watch Amy open presents. Amy loved each present so much that we had to coax her to open more gifts. After opening presents and eating the cereal from our Christmas stockings, Janet and Catherine went to Tony's house for the rest of the day. Bryan and Amy and I went to visit Kathy Jano, who was sick. (She was supposed to come over today and play games) Then we went over to the Clawsons for waffles. (I think they invited the whole ward...) Next we prepared a DELICIOUS Christmas dinner. Spiral sliced honey glazed ham, potatoes, green bean caserole. Bryan and Amy and I played the Wii until we were all too tired to keep our eyes open and then I decided I needed to write this new post. So as the day is ending, I am very tired, but very happy! Love to you all! Esther

Amy Clegg Can!

2009-10-09T18:31:00.001-07:00

What a week! We had another wonderful Buddy Walk for Down Syndrome Awareness at Kensington Metropark last Saturday. A cool new feature this year was called the Avenue of Achievement. Each family was asked to make a poster with their child's talents, accomplishments etc. and Annie, Janet and Catherine made a BEAUTIFUL poster for Amy! I wanted to share it here. It's not as cute and wonderful as the original poster, but you can get an idea of what it was like. Thanks Annie, Janet and Catherine! You guys are amazing!

Amy can swim with her daddy!

Amy can go to school! This is a picture of Amy's first day of Preschool.

Amy can Sign! She knows over 130 ASL signs, and she loves the Signing Time DVDs.

This is the sign for "more"

This is the sign for "food" and "eat"

This is the sign for "ball"

This is the sign for "cracker"

And this is the sign for "train"

Here is the last picture. I think it's my favorite. (Okay, they are all my favorites!)

Amy can do the chicken dance! Janet taught her the chicken dance and it is so cute!!

More Amy Laughs

2009-07-30T09:23:00.001-07:00

Amy makes me laugh almost every day!! I've decided that I really need to keep track of all the cute and funny (and gross and funny) things she says and does. So here's another funny moment. I wrote about how Amy was drinking from the doggie water dish. She watches everyone including the dog. I found her in the kitchen again--this time eating Tux's dog food! YUCK! I picked her up and said, "Amy, we don't eat dog food! That's for the dog to eat..." And as she was listening to me, she was tilting her head back and forth like Tux does...HILARIOUS!!

Alvor was GREAT

2009-06-24T19:16:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to say that I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! It is a fun book, a fast read, and I couldn't put it down!! Buy this book! Read it! Tell all your friends!!

A New Book I'm SO EXCITED To Read!

2009-05-06T08:33:00.000-07:00

As you know, we are voracious readers at our house! We pass our favorite books around, and sometimes have to buy multiple copies of the same book because we all want to read it and can't wait until the first person has finished. My sister Gaylene told me about this new author, Laura Bingham, and I'm really excited to read her first book, "Alvor." I've read the first chapter and can't wait to get my hands on this book! It's available on Amazon.com! GO BUY THIS BOOK!

Look Mommy! I'm a BIG girl!

2009-03-30T10:51:00.000-07:00

Here's a funny story!! A few days ago I went into the kitchen and found Amy on her hands and knees trying to drink water from the dog's water dish. I picked her up and said "Amy, you're not a doggie, you're a big girl. Big girls don't drink water like a doggie." And then I gave her a drink of water in a sippy cup.

Yesterday, I went in the kitchen and I found Amy sitting by the dog's water dish again, only this time, she HAD A STRAW, and was drinking from Tux's water dish again. She was quite pleased with herself. The look on her face told me, "Look Mommy, I'm a BIG girl!!!"

Look Who's Talking!

2009-03-10T19:29:00.001-07:00

Amy has been babbling --talking nonstop for quite a while, but none of us could understand her....Now it's fun for us as we begin to recognize some of the things she's saying. Her first words were "Dad" and then Hi Dad" and "Bye" and "Soft" (when she's petting the dog and cat) That was all for a while, but now she's talking more and more. She says all kinds of cute things like: "Oh, Wow!", "Who is it?", (when she's pretending to talk on the phone) "Home", "NO!", "wha da?" (th)"is is ow" (this is owie) (pl)"eese" "more", "sss" (for cereal) and "Sis" and for some reason she says "Bob" we don't have anyone named bob....maybe it's "bub" for Bubba which is what Catherine called Richard. And finally finally she says "MOM!" I've been waiting for a LONG time for her to say that! She's trying to do a "k" sound but it comes out very guttural--as if she's German.....and tonight she said "pa" sound for the beginning of please! She's really working hard on her vocabulary and it's fun to see her progress. She uses quite a few Sign Language Signs--probably close to 70 different signs--including important words like, candy, cookie, milk, cracker, cereal, more, eat, finished, full, yes, and no, dog, cat, mommy, daddy, water, drink, and many more but it's very late.....I'll write more about Amy's adventures in talking tomorrow.

In Memorium

2009-02-14T05:08:00.000-08:00

Puffalump Morrow

March 1990-February 2009

We got our tiny little kitten from Tony's secretary, Pat Schade,
who found her in the middle of the road and rescued her.

We had been thinking of getting a cat and Richard was
so excited when Dad brought home a kitten!

She went through quite a few names

until we told Richard he needed to pick ONE name.

He decided to call her Puffalump

after those very soft stuffed animals

because she was the softest thing Richard had ever touched!

Janet was a newborn baby when Puff arrived

And we have taken Puff everywhere!

She was a world traveler!

She flew through Amsterdam on her way to the Philippines.

She lived with us in Manila and in Singapore.

Puff didn't like company--she would hiss at visitors

when they tried to talk to her, or pet her,

but she was really very patient and tolerant with her family--especially

with each child when they were small

and learning how to be soft and gentle with animals.

Puff never scratched or bit the babies,

even when Amy would do her WWF smackdown body hugs!

Amy would grab Puff around the neck and then lay down on top of her

and give her a HUGE hug!

Puff would just lay there and flick her tail and wait.

Puff was a wonderful pet and

We all miss her very much.

Richard and Krysten

2009-02-07T09:27:00.000-08:00

This is a cute picture of Richard and his girlfriend Krysten wearing 3-D glasses when they went to the movie Bolt. I think it's a good picture of Richard. Krysten is a cutie and we think she's cool because she loves Harry Potter! I like Krysten because she brings out the best in Richard. We hope to see more of Richard and Krysten!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

2009-01-02T07:55:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year Everyone!! Janet is back in Utah. We are enjoying one more play day before we get back to our regular school schedule for Catherine and Amy. Amy got some Sure Step orthotics (ankle braces) that will help support her ankles. She is a typical 2 year old who loves to say NO! Catherine has really enjoyed Christmas break--especially having Janet home to play the Wii. Bryan is working hard. Every time it snows, he's awake early doing snow removal for 8-10 Dependable Gardener customers. Have a great day!! Love, Esther

CHRISTMAS SURVEY

2008-12-10T18:21:00.000-08:00

I’d love to hear about your Holiday traditions, too.
Here are the answers for our family:

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper

2. Real tree or Artificial? REAL! We like to go and cut it ourselves!

3. When do you put up the tree? Hopefully early December--or when we get around to it....We just went and cut down our tree for Family Home Evening this week. It's up but not decorated yet.

4. When do you take the tree down? New Year's Day....or when we get around to it.....one year it was up until almost Valentine's day--but it was okay because it was a small artificial tree with red ornaments and bows...LOL

5. Do you like eggnog? YES!!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Esther--Easy Bake Oven, Bryan--???, Catherine--my first bicycle, Amy--last year she loved boxes and wrapping paper!

7. Hardest person to buy for? Bryan because he buys the stuff he wants for himself and doesn't leave anything on his list for us to buy for him...

8. Easiest person to buy for? Anyone under the age of 3 or AMY

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, several 1- Avon Porcelain collectible Nativity @- Avon Children's plastic Nativity set, and 3- Fisher Price Children's Nativity set

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail (in January)

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Can't think of a single one!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Mr. Krueger's Christmas with Jimmy Stewart

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Day after Thanksgiving

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? yes... usually for Uncle Itu's present game on Christmas day--it's Hilarious!!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Cookies and chocolate

16. Lights, clear, all one color, or multi on the tree? Usually white or multi, but I think this year we will do all blue!

17. Favorite Christmas song? Anything by Harry Connick Jr. or Johnny Mathis

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay at home except the year when Amy was born. We traveled to Utah for her baby blessing so that more family could attend.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Absolutely! Dasher Dancer Prancer Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph!!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? On Christmas Eve, everyone gets new pajamas, (Esther's tradition) and opens one gift (Bryan's tradition). Christmas morning look in our Christmas stockings first, eat the cereal and juice from the stocking and then open all the rest of the presents!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Children who say they want something for months and months and then change their mind at the last minute when talking to Santa on Christmas Eve at Henry Ford Museum!?!?!

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Patriotic--Red, White and Blue ornaments with iridescent stars on the lights

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Ham with all the fixin's

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? New Plasma HDTV!! (We've been saving for this one!!)

BUDDY WALK 2008

2008-10-11T18:53:00.000-07:00

A Beautiful Day at Kensington MetroPark
October 4, 2008

These wonderful pictures were taken by Scott Langdorf

Annie and Chris with the Tiger Mascot, Paws

Esther and Amy

Amanda Kunz and Heather Leslie

Walking the Walk!

Esther and Amy again....Amy didn't want to walk. Mommy carried her the whole way except for the last few hundred feet when Linda Wilson and Mommy held Amy's hands and she walked to the finish line...

Team Amy 2008:

Annie Langdorf, Chris Prevost, Sandy Langdorf, Scott Langdorf, Linda Wilson, Steve Wilson, Courtney Wilson, Amy Leslie, Ben Leslie, Emily Leslie, Katie Leslie, Heather Leslie, Amanda and Kevin Kunz, Mary Mendez,

THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR WALKING WITH US!!

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!!

Grand Canyon August 2008

2008-10-11T18:32:00.001-07:00

This is a great picture of Catherine at the Grand Canyon. Janet had fun with her camera and took tons of pictures!

Amy is one of Janet's favorite subjects for photos! Amy loves Janet's camera and tries to get it whenever she can! She is still a good natured girl and we take her everywhere!!

I love this close up of Amy! She was really having fun when Janet was taking her picture!

She's such a little clown. Amy makes us laugh every day!

This is a good picture of us at the Grand Canyon!

Janet having her picture taken....She would much rather be the one taking the pictures!

This is just one of the MANY MANY pictures that Janet

took when we went to the Grand Canyon.

It was a great adventure and we are so glad that we made the trip.

2008-08-20T09:10:00.000-07:00

UTAH!!

Finally we are in Utah. We are bringing Janet to BYU and enjoying a vacation at the same time! I will post pics soon. Love, Esther

2008-08-06T07:54:00.000-07:00

Today I'm working on a project I'm excited about! I'm on the planning committee for the Fourth Annual Southeast Michigan Down Syndrome Guild Buddy Walk on October 4th, 2008. The Buddy Walk will be at Kensington Metropark. I'm on the Food Committee and we're hoping that 1000+ people will come this year! If you're reading this and you are interested in walking with us, please e-mail me! We would love to have you come. You can even be a virtual walker--sign up for free and be on our team. I'll post more information here as soon as I figure out how to post a link to the Buddy Walk Site.

THE NEED FOR SPEED!!

2008-07-22T13:28:00.000-07:00

Janet had the thrill of a lifetime on Saturday! Dad's (Tony's) graduation gift to Janet was a Richard Petty Driving Experience. She drove 8 laps in a race car at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet Illinois! She followed an instructor around the track and had to stay right behind the lead car. Her top speed was 133 MPH! Yikes!! We picked up Richard in Chicago and all of us watched Janet as she drove around the track. Richard and Tony did the "ride along" experience. They were in the front passenger seat while a professional driver raced around the track. Both Richard and Tony said they couldn't/wouldn't drive like Janet did!

I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

2008-07-20T15:32:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite pictures of Jesus and the children. I remember this picture from when I was very young. Right now I am working with the children in Primary and I love it! I was worried about being the Primary President. I didn't know if I could do it, but I've found that I really enjoy the time I spend with the children each week! I learn from my teachers; I learn from the children, and I feel my Savior's love for them and for ME! I am happy to say that I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints! Esther

2008-07-11T11:58:00.000-07:00

This is a more recent picture of my Mom and Dad.

I'm so glad to be your daughter. Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to my Mom and Dad!

2008-07-11T11:55:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of my Mom and Dad on the day they were married in the St. George LDS Temple.
They have been married for 48 years!!

Tux

2008-07-09T05:28:00.000-07:00

the best dog ever!

Another great picture of Richard

2008-07-09T05:19:00.001-07:00

Richard's graduation

2008-07-09T05:19:00.000-07:00

And finally I found a picture of Richard's graduation! It was fun to go to Chicago for the big event. The weather was picture perfect and Richard looked GREAT! We went out to lunch afterwards at a Greek Restaurant and tried lots of new foods. CONGRATULATIONS Richard!

Janet's Graduation

2008-07-08T19:22:00.000-07:00

Janet graduated from Royal Oak High School on May 31st, 2008.We are so proud of Janet! She is an amazing young woman!

Our quick trip to Utah

2008-07-08T19:11:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of Bryan, Amy, and me in front of the Manti LDS Temple. We were there to see Jordan and Kylee Clegg sealed!

They were married a year ago, and now they have been to the temple to be sealed together for all eternity!

Welcome to my Wonderful Life!

2008-07-08T13:45:00.000-07:00

I'm finally taking the plunge into a new forum of self expression--I've created my first Blog! I have many things to be thankful for! Today I am thankful for my computer and for the time I can spend creating something meaningful here. And I'm thankful for a sleepy baby on my lap--Amy is growing up so fast. I'm thankful for Janet who needs to use this computer to do some online banking. (I can't believe she's leaving for BYU in 2 months) I'm thankful for Catherine who loves to play the piano, and I'm thankful for Richard, living in Chicago, who just graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business and Finance, and is looking for a job. (I'm very proud that you've finished your degree!) I'm thankful for Bryan and for the time and effort he spends to provide for me and our family. I know he would rather be at home than at work. We miss him when he spends such long hours working. (I have a new appreciation for thunderstorms. It means that Bryan gets to be home! ) I am thankful for the gospel and for the strong foundation it is in my life. I could go on and on, but Janet really does need to use this computer....Esther