Confessions from a Thirty Something Momma

Tomorrow morning is March 21 st and my second World Down Syndrome Day. Last year on WDSD, my son Alvaro, who has an extra 21 st chromosome, was only 5 weeks old. It was the day that I “announced to Facebook” that my son had Down syndrome. I was still reeling from the shock of his diagnosis and trying to find out what that meant on the large scope of life. I wondered how his condition would affect him and our family. I was also reaching a place of acceptance and wanting to share with the world that I was proud and lucky to have him as my son, no matter what condition he did or didn’t have. Tonight I sat on the floor of my boys’ bedroom watching them play. Joel doesn’t know his little brother Alvaro has an extra chromosome. Joel doesn’t care. He doesn’t notice his brother has slanted eyes or lower muscle tone. He doesn’t realize his brother isn’t yet crawling while his peers have begun to walk. To Joel, Alvaro is just his brother. Fun and silly. Loving. Cute. And part of his...

It's no secret that I find staying at home with my kids a bigger task that I expected. I have been on both sides of the coin, having worked outside the home, and now staying home with my kids. Both have different challenges.  This blog post however isn't to compare the two. Or even to gripe about  how tired I am or how batty I get staying at home.  I've been thinking lately about all the blessings and perks that come with staying home with my kids. While I may feel like some days are endless and I rarely, if ever, get " a day off"... there are so many joys I am stumbling into.  I get to roll out of bed at 8 am.  All my previous working years, I was up at 5.45 or 6 am. That usually led into the big morning rush. Breakfast, diaper bags, food bags, lunches, and if I was lucky, a cup of coffee to drink on my way to work. These days, I get to roll out of bed at 8 am. Sometimes 8.30am. I shuffle to the boy's rooms. I get them bottles, diaper changes, and break...