Okay….that title is totally misleading. To be clear, I am NOT crafty. You would think I might be since I am a creative; however, when it comes to activities and sensory bins for my toddler, I strongly dislike this type of pursuit. However, desperate times call for desperate measures and I am guessing there are a lot of other parents like me…. you want to do the craft, but you can’t stand it. Well here is any easy one for YOU if you are like me. I’ve formally titled it…Hiding Animals with Rice in a Muffin Tin With a Scoop 🙂 You will need: Rice in a bin/storage container Scoop…
-
-
Hudson said MAMA
IT HAPPENED!! Hudson said, “MAMA” for the first time last night. I have been aching to hear those words. Hudson knows I’m mommy…I don’t need verbal words to confirm that….but oh man how sweet that moment was last night! The MMMMM sound is very hard for young children with Down syndrome to create….pursing your lips together and making the vibrating M noise takes a lot of work and coordination (versus DA, BA, GA, etc). I knew this would be a long time coming (Hudson is 3 years old)…and I treasure every time he signs “mommy” since I know that’s the best way he can communicate my…
-
9 Things You Need for Tonsil and Adenoid Recovery
WOWZA!! What a rollercoaster ride of 10 days from Hudson’s recovery. Recovery from what? Let me catch you up, friends. Since Hudson was born, he has struggled with congestion. This is not uncommon with a Down syndrome diagnosis. Since he is anatomically smaller, it’s harder for fluid to drain. In fact, in the hospital when Hudson was born, he failed his left hearing test due to fluid. So we’ve been working with Hudson’s Ear Nose Throat (ENT) doctor since he was born. It’s been a back and forth process…..let the fluid drain itself, put in an eustachian tube, etc. I could go into this a lot more (and if you…
-
Giving It a Shot: VLOGGING!
Hello Moonbeams! In case you don’t follow on social media, I wanted to share some exciting news about a new venture for Holding Moonbeams…. WE ARE VLOGGING! Since turning my social media focus toward blogging and intentional sharing about our lives as a special needs and blended family, I have really enjoyed connecting with our readers. Reading everyone’s comments makes the internet seem like a smaller place…and I love getting to know people (who I may never have otherwise met) through Instagram, Facebook, and through this blog! But one of my most favorite parts was using Instagram stories to give everyone a taste of life behind the scenes…life behind the…
-
Disneyland: Hudson Frozen Show Reaction
This video needs a place to live FOREVER. My sweet boy absolutely adores Frozen. We went to Disneyland over spring break and he got to see the live-action theater version. The sights, the sounds, the bubble snow – all of it was so beautifully overwhelming for him that he was practically moved to tears.
-
2019: World Down Syndrome Day – Gratitude
When I was first told about Hudson’s possible diagnosis (which was confirmed via blood test several days later) of Down syndrome….I remember the fear and uncertainty that crippled my heart as I held my newborn baby. What would his life be like? How would people treat him? Would he go to school? Will he have friends? Will he ever find love? ⠀👶🏼⠀And then he looked up at me with those big blue/green eyes, and his soul locked onto mine. God whispered gently in my heart that He had it all figured out and I just needed to obediently follow and expect big things from this little man. Those fears melted…
-
Find Your Voice Girl!
A few weeks ago, I had my first opportunity as a mother of a special needs son to step up and advocate in a childcare scenario. I started a Bible study group on January 8th. The main reason I chose this group was because they offered childcare! SCORE. I remember mentioning in an email to one of the childcare facilitators that Hudson has Down syndrome but did not think it was relevant to mention that he was a non-walker. The morning of my first time attending this bible study went smoothly. Hudson has struggled with separation anxiety but it improved over the holidays with family in town. I wasn’t worried! …
-
Sibling Love: Third & Final Video
Tomorrow is the last day of October, which means Down syndrome awareness month is coming to a close. Last year, I didn’t really do anything to celebrate the month. I remember seeing other people post about it but wasn’t sure where “my place” was in spreading awareness and encouraging acceptance. One year later, I have found my place and my voice advocating for our sweet little Huddy Buddy. I’ve had the chance to share so many wonderful accounts that celebrate Down syndrome through Instagram. I shared with other moms about the joy that siblings bring into a special needs family dynamic and created three videos. I designed and printed postcards…
-
Sibling Love Video – Part Two
As October is winding down, I am still going headstrong with Down syndrome awareness and acceptance month! Thank you to everyone for your love and support with the first video I released last week. I love reading comments and seeing people share the videos and posts. When you have a child with special needs, there is a looming thought in the back of your head….will the world accept and love my child? Or will they only see differences? Knowing that there are so many lovely people out there in the world that want to support not only our baby Huddy but all of his rockin’ friends – well that brings…
-
Down Syndrome Awareness Month
Hello hello friends! Happy Wednesday to you 🙂 We are over halfway through October which blows my mind. But I can tell as the leaves are starting to fall off the trees and the wind has turned bitter cold up here in Chicago. The other great part about October … it is also Down Syndrome Awareness Month! When thinking about this month, I came up with two separate campaigns I wanted to run from the blog, Facebook and Instagram to spread awareness and encourage acceptance. First Campaign I reached out to several Instagram accounts I follow that have and/or feature someone with Down syndrome and asked if I could have…
