Dawn@cedarsstory.com, Author at Cedars Story

Cedar’s latest Milestones 8 months

September 2, 2017 by Dawn@cedarsstory.com Leave a Comment

This blog is more often than not dominated by the stories of so many of the beautiful children and families that I have had the privilege of crossing paths with, all as a result of just a little extra genetic material. It is amazing really that this whole family of others I didn’t even know existed until a diagnosis brought us all together. Time to time though I try to remember to pop in and share a bit about Cedar since not all of the blog readers follow us on Instagram or Facebook where I share daily pictures and antics of this sweet guy.

As for Cedar, he is doing so well in many areas, and taking his sweet time in others. In the past month we have increased our physical therapy to in-home appointments weekly. I love our therapist whose high voltage and super charged personality leave my little guy in awe most times. She is innovative and encouraging and really pushes Cedar to work towards some of the goals we have set for him.

What goals you ask? Sitting independently is our biggest goal at this point. I know it will come (because seriously have you ever seen a child with Down Syndrome that wasn’t able to sit independently? Me either) but Cedar is taking his sweet time about it because he is so busy smiling at his siblings and I, as well as the camera. This kid can seriously tell when I pull the camera out because he starts cheesing it up, I joke with him that his fans are waiting for more pictures so he has to smile, and he never leaves me hanging.

Cedar is eating well and likes just about everything I feed him, even the prunes that accompany most meals to ensure his regularity (our kiddos sometimes have trouble in this department). I make his baby food and have been playing with texture but he isn’t overly fond of too many chunks.

We recently had a check up with the cardiologist and at this point Cedar’s two holes (he has an ASD and PDA) are still present and require us to see cardiology every 6 months.

The area that Cedar is advancing in his speech and social interaction. He can say MaMa and knows who he is talking about and he said DaDa for the first time just today (Daddy was pretty excited). He makes other vowel and consonant babbles as well as noises we call his dinosaur noises as they crack us all up.

I have noticed that Cedar has an acutely keen emotional sense as he can pick up on happy and sad faces and immediately his face will mirror what he is seeing, if his brother is crying he is the first to look genuinely concerned.

So new things this month…

Cedar tried a slide for the first time (on his brother’s lap of course- he wasn’t a fan)

Cedar tried a floatie in our pool (he loved it)

Cedar got his 4th haircut since birth (yes you read that right- and his Instagram followers nearly threw a fit)

Cedar is trying to scoot (but face plants often)

Cedar really likes Bananas and Mangos (especially from a straw when its mom’s smoothie)

Cedar left the state of Ohio for the first time when we traveled for a funeral

Cedar joined other children in our area for a photo shoot and he will be featured in a calendar this year

Cedar loves to dance and hear music.

Life is better with you in it.

T21 Blog Hop #11

August 29, 2017 by Dawn@cedarsstory.com Leave a Comment

Welcome to the Tuesday T21 blog hop!

We are so glad that you have stopped by for a visit! We encourage you to look through some of the great posts shared by our readers and then take the time to read those that interest you. If you are adding to our list, thank you for sharing your Down Syndrome- or Early Intervention (Speech/Physical therapy) related posts with us. It’s so much fun to read your hints, tips, and happenings. We hope you have fun exploring all the great posts everyone has shared with us.

Please note that only posts related to this topic are allowed to keep the content relevant to interested readers.

Here’s how it works… Each week the Hop will open on Tuesday mornings every week and run until Thursday evenings when it will close. Once closed the hop can no longer be added to for that week (you will have to wait to add till the following week). You are STRONGLY encouraged to visit the posts of others and connect, comment and share any content you feel is fitting. Do follow along here so you can be made aware when the blog hop goes live.

Each week the most popular post will earn a featured spot for the following week for all to see.

Okay, so with the technicalities out of the way…let’s get hopping!

A Daddy Post (Value in Life)

I remember shortly after my wife and I adopted our daughter I was asked by a Dr. “If her mother knew that she had down syndrome, why not just terminate the pregnancy instead of putting her up for adoption?” I can honestly say that I had to walk away because I was afraid of how I would respond. This question also made me stop and think. (read more)

Please Join us this week, just click the button and add in your URL.

An InLinkz Link-up

Hello from Sweden

August 26, 2017 by Dawn@cedarsstory.com 2 Comments

A lovely young lady named Moa reached out to me and asked if I only shared stories of babies, though that has been the focus, to serve as a source of encouragement, I love hearing from individuals of all ages who happen to have Down Syndrome.

Moa lives in Sweden with her mother, Lotta. Lotta shares that in Sweden, Down syndrome is accepted in many ways.

Since 1968 People with a disability go to school and don’t go to an institution. The special schools in Sweden are good, according to Moa’s mother.

There are also a lot of different groups such as the Swedish Down syndrome group along with a theater group called Glada Hudik that has come a long way. This theater group wants to tell the world that everybody is perfect, just the way they are. They have a musical they tour with, The wizard of Oz. However, they changed the story so it’s about disability.

According to Moa’s mother, Lotta,

“it’s too bad that the research and prenatal testing may make People with Down syndrome disappear. We need them to teach us about life. Who decides what’s normal or not? Moa came just to me jus because it was meant to be. Maybe it was for me to work on my patience. Hard work and many doctors appointments later she is just amazing.

Still, I have to prepare her for some more things in life. I always have to be one step ahead of her, but she knows now that I have control and she trusts me.

If someone asks me if it’s more work with her, I can’t really say anymore because it’s my daily life. She has a temper, but perhaps she got it from me. She brings so much joy and happiness into my life. She is my warrior Princess

To all you new parents

In the beginning, you have so many questions and reflections.

Let everything take it’s time and grow with it. Everything is going to be great.

Moa answered a few questions that I had here in her video:

Thank you Moa and Lotta for your time in answering our questions! You can follow Moa on Instagram @krigarenmoa

T21 Blog Hop #10

August 22, 2017 by Dawn@cedarsstory.com Leave a Comment

Welcome to the Tuesday T21 blog hop!

Please note that only posts related to this topic are allowed to keep the content relevant to interested readers.

Each week the most popular post will earn a featured spot for the following week for all to see.

Okay, so with the technicalities out of the way…let’s get hopping!

Down Syndrome in Iceland

August 19, 2017 by Dawn@cedarsstory.com 2 Comments

A recent documentary on CBS touts Iceland’s pride in almost having eradicated Down Syndrome in their country. To Iceland, I say…

Dear Iceland,

There are some things you should know. I have a heartfelt concern for your citizens who feel so much pressure to conform to your view of perfection, a world without Down Syndrome. I feel saddened for the mother who receives a prenatal diagnosis, and all you tell her is that her child is not worthy of life. I feel anguished that she feels there is no support, there is no tribe, there is no compassion for her and her child. I feel genuine empathy that she is led to believe that the life she would be about to embark on is not one you will celebrate. I actually don’t hate that mother at all, I hate what you have told her.

You see, when a mother receives a prenatal diagnosis, she is confused, she is sad, she is shocked and you tell her that your country is no place for her child. Here where I live, there are the same emotions, but the difference is… there is support. There are doctors who suggest termination, sure, but there are also groups, non-profits, and parents who want everyone to know that children with Down Syndrome are worth every moment of fear, doubt, and confusion that comes with a diagnosis. This rings true even if there are any subsequent health issues to be overcome. The information here has a long way to go, but it is far better than what you are presenting and there are individuals, like myself and a number of other bloggers as well as groups like 21_Connect, Global Down Syndrome Foundation and DSDN who are working hard for a change.

Iceland, what you don’t know is that the ripples that are caused by the birth of a child with Down Syndrome are far-reaching and they tickle the souls of those who were once ignorant. They are not ripples that drown and maim those they touch, they are ripples of compassion, love, and kindness. The ripples that affect the distant Facebook friends from times past, the ripples that affect the friend’s mom’s sister’s child who also has Down Syndrome and now knows of someone else because a picture was shared on social media.

God doesn’t make mistakes, he didn’t make a mistake when he created a child with an extra gene, he gave a gift. This is a gift that will bring out the best in most people. This gift will cause ignorance to be erased in circles that touch each child born. This is the gift of a child who will change people if they allow it. This gift is not a burden but a window into how sweet, loving and innocent a soul can be.

Iceland, you may be beautiful, but you are unkind and uninformed at best. Just see the little boy in this video to know that is true. Thank you, Colden, and family (on Instagram @21_Connect) for sharing your letter to Iceland too. Cedar and I wholeheartedly agree!