2013 - Page 7 of 18 - Forever In Mom Genes

The Post Where I Reveal The Absolute Best Toy Ever

Aug 19 2013

It’s not a board game. And it’s certainly not a video game or a motorized thing-a-ma-jig. You won’t it find in any store. It often comes in pairs and your children will treasure this endlessly stimulating source of joy and laughter for hopefully many years to come. If your children are lucky enough to have grandparents (or a special aunt or uncle) in their lives, you know how special it is. My kids light up whenever we tell them we’re heading over to see them. How lucky we are to have both sets near by — these people who are genetically programed to love my children; to look out for them and after them. Ahem, built in babysitters *parental fist pump* Not everyone is as fortunate. We know this and we appreciate having our parents in our lives every day. My kids don’t quite understand how blessed they are, but they sure enjoy spending time with and learning from their grandparents. So my number one pick for the toy that is sure to bring a smile to a child’s face is a loving grandparent — the kind that gets down on the floor to play and enjoys spending time with[…]

Aug 12 2013

Our son is fully aware that his little sister is different. He knows about her chromosomal disorder and her cognitive and medical challenges. He understands the implications of the R-Word and he’s aware of the range of physical disabilities that exist for so many people. He has been aptly schooled. We’ve shared Avery’s diagnosis and prognosis with him little by little. It’s like sex education that way — you want to provide enough information to prepare your child for what lies ahead, but you don’t want to bombard them with too much, too soon. He is basically up to speed when it comes to his sibling’s cognitive and physical challenges, or so we thought. I honestly assumed he already knew about her pinky fingers. Avery has a genetic condition called Clinodactyly. Clinodactyly is the sideways bending of a finger joint. It is often caused by an abnormally shaped bone within the finger. The pinky finger is most commonly affected. This condition is usually heredity, but in our daughter’s case it’s a result of her genetic abnormality. My best friend actually noticed Avery’s “shorter than average” pinky fingers before I did. That’s a story in itself which I’ll share another time. […]

Aug 06 2013

They say we Caps are stubborn and controlling. Wrong. I’m not stubborn, I’m simply resolved. And I’m not controlling. I’m merely helpful and like to organize my life and everyone else’s. This was my horoscope the other day: Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 20) “You carry such a weight on your shoulders yet you handle it with such poise and grace. Even if you complain, you only express a small fraction of the disgruntlement that you feel. You hold so much together, you are solid as a rock, you are splendid and you are strong. Or at least most of the time that’s what you are like. Once in a while, things aren’t so easy and the cracks start to show. Sometimes you can patch them over, sometimes you have to open them up a little and do a structural repair. But that’s nothing to fear now.” Here’s what I got from this: 1. I love the word disgruntlement and plan to use it as often as possible. 2. I try to hold it all together, but it’s freaking hard. Without the support of my CALM Sagittarian husband I’d surely dissolve into a puddle. 3. “Splendid and strong.” Well, that’s[…]

Aug 03 2013

Today, as though in a blink of an eye, our daughter is seven years old. Taller, hair longer, jumping higher, running faster. She has more words, more questions, more understanding. And of course, we love her even more than we did yesterday. We celebrated her birthday in June — so her visiting cousins could spend the day with her and so she could have her Popcorn Party while her favourite movie was still playing in theatres. Avery has achieved so many milestones this year. Some expected, some a complete surprise and indescribable thrill. She graduated up to full-time grade one, learned to swim without floaties, mastered printing her name and adding numbers and many other amazing big girl things. You’re seven today. You’re growing up so quickly; so fast in fact that it’s only a matter of time before THIS happens….

Archive - 2013

The Post Where I Reveal The Absolute Best Toy Ever

Clinodactyly

Capricorny

Good-Bye Six, Hello Seven