The Simple Things I Miss

I love how Nalah is playing footsie with the paper here. She was always exploring the world, somehow. Often with her feet. Also, Nalah would focus on whatever we were reading and seemed to enjoy the visual stimulation. We had no doubt that her eyesight was good. She startled at a young age to changes in light, and would track us with her eyes and show awareness of her surroundings. As she grew older she enjoyed her Tropical Mobile (went through about four of them, as toys would 'seize up' after about six months of constant motion) and dozen balloons tied to her crib. We both look tired here, and given how little sleep we often had that was sometimes our normal. Still, I do not regret a second and I miss these simple things....doing any daily activity with Nalah was a blessing. I miss having her physically near my heart. Nalah is a little over a year old in these photos.

Morning Coffee with my Girl

Talking to the Sky

 Nalah often had these little conversations with the ceiling, or when outside, with the Sky. I was always amused by these conversations, and more often intrigued. I got the impression Nalah could see and sense more than we, as adults, were aware of around us. I do believe children may be more receptive to the spirit world that way. This is one of my many favourite memories. Sitting on our second floor deck with Nalah in the summertime. At home.  The play therapy toys spread out around us. Having time to talk, explore, play and simply be together. 

My girls enjoying mealtime together...

Nalah was always entertaining at the dinner table. Before she obtained her custom high chair, Mommy would hold her through every meal. Nalah would follow my fork with her eyes, rolling her head back and forth depending on where I would reach. I do believe she loved food, although all she could 'eat' was Neocate (a pre-digested formula). Nalah always joined in the conversation somehow. When she was older Nalah would swing her whole upper body toward whoever she wanted to be with for a cuddle. At first I was puzzled, since she was sitting so well. Why was she falling over? We learned by asking her questions that she was using her upper body to 'point' to the answer. She was smart, but not in any conventional ways. This photograph always makes me smile. Karis is three here, and was well past using her high chair. Karis insisted to use her high chair this mealtime to be just like Nalah, and sit side by side. The two had such fun being home together. I miss Nalah banging on her GRIP chair when she was excited about something and playing footsie with everyone under the table. Nalah enjoyed mealtime. She was very sociable and we enjoyed mealtimes with her. I would give anything to have my whole family around a dinner table again. As Karis says, those were the 'good old days'.

The medical community will tell you trisomy siblings suffer. A picture tells a thousand words.  I cherish the memories I have of my girls. Ordinary daily things took on a whole new significance when we could do them together. 

Bedtime Hugs...

Sweet dreams Princess. I treasure all those bedtimes where we could cuddle, read stories, tickle, giggle, share some love. This is one of my favourite photos of my girls. Nalah was catching up with Karis in size, and wearing recent hand me downs. Peas in a pod. The two embraced often. I think they were both happiest in each others arms. The little legs were usually intertwined, like here, and Nalah was often playing footsie. They were drawn to each other. I am so grateful we got to know each other, and that my girls are so close. 

Love does not count Chromosones

This is a bit of a ramble. Came here to upload a photo, and ended up blogging about the value of human life. Started with memories of teething, and it always seems to lead to larger issues.   Here is the ramble :

Nalah loved her little Sophie teething toy. Nalah teethed from six months of age till two years. A good chew toy was essential. We had about four Sophies at any given time, keeping them sterile as possible for her immune system. This photo brings back such good memories of cuddles. I love how Nalah snuggled with her Momma, always touching me gently and resting close to my heart. This little dress is one of the many she had matching her sister. Just this morning Karis asked to wear one of the dresses that remind her of Nalah. Having family time together was such a blessing for us. Nalah is a sweet sweet child and it makes me incredibly sad that society, in general, considers lives of those who are genetically different to be less worthy of living. I wish we lived in a world where difference was accepted and people were valued for who they are, regardless of labels. As any parent knows,  loving a child is an incredibly rewarding experience. And as a dear trisomy mommy friend (Katie Weaver) so aptly says "Love does not count Chromosomes".

As an aside, there are wonderful trisomy awareness logos on various items for sale at cafepress.ca or cafepress.com. A 30% off sale is on this weekend. My family is wearing trisomy awareness t-shirts lately. A way to bring awareness to a condition that is often mis-represented and misunderstood. 

Coffee Buddies - Summer 2010

Nalah hanging out with her Momma in our kitchen at home, summer of 2010. We loved the GRIP (custom) supported sitting chair Nalah received from the Glenrose Hospital in Edmonton. Nalah could now sit at the dinner table with the rest of us, rather than being held during meals. She gained independence to some degree, and could play with toys on the tray in front of her. We had some great times hanging out with Nalah in her GRIP chair. On this particular morning, Momma was enjoying a coffee and Nalah's excellent company.

Nalah, Spring 2010, 18 months old.