Sarah Pailin on 20/20

I just read Jen's post on Sarah Pailin on Oprah. While I did not see that one, I did see her last night being interviewed on 20/20 by Barbara Walters. I was surprised how much of the segment was about Trig and learning about the Ds when she was pregnant. Although Barbara used some improprt terminology, such as "Down baby," which is not preferred, overall I thought it was a good positive interview. I am glad they brought to light the statistics on abortion rates among women who receive a prenatal diagnosis of Ds. Maybe this will jump start some more discourse on the subject and generate some outrage (as it should). I think it is unfortunate that the tag line they chose on the video clip was somthing to the effect of "Sarah considered abortion when she learned...." That is not what I got from her interview. What she really said was that abortion was not an option for her. I also breathed a major sigh of relief when I saw that Trig Pailin was shown as a happy, overall, healthy baby. He is very very cute too!!! The Pailin family was shown treating him very lovingly and like a typical baby. I hope that opens some eyes out there for people who have misconceptions about children with Ds.

I have to admit, that despite her flaws, I have always been a huge fan of Sarah Pailin. I think that she has been treated incredibly unfairly and horribly by the media. This interview just made me connect with her even more. Here is a link to where you can find the segment. Sorry I could not link all the way to the story. You have to scroll down on the right and find it.

Anyway, we took Joey to the Stanford Down syndrome clinic for an appointment on Friday.... More to come on that hopefully tomorrow.

Joey's Pa Pa

My father, Joey's Pa Pa and namesake, was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. He just had a bone scan and we are happy to report that it came out normal. So I don't think it has spread. But he still has to have surgery and we are all a little scared. I love my father and I absolutely love watching him and Joey interact. Here they were on October 31, 2009 hanging out together.

We are praying that he has a speedy recovery and as easy of a time as possible getting through this. We love you dad!

Joey is 9 Months Old

Joey was nine months old yesterday. I cannot believe how fast time flys by when you have a baby! At nine months old he is, among other things:

• Rolling all over the place
• crawling backwards a little bit
• Drinking water from a cup with a straw
• leaping from his belly to being up on his hands and knees
• rocking back and forth on his hands and knees
• eating baby food or baby cereal twice a day
• laughing when you lift him into the air
• splashing like crazy in the bath tub
• blowing tons of raspberries
• babbling some (not a ton) but he has his moments when he babbles like crazy
• sleeping through the night (still)
• gives kisses (well he opens his mouth a little and pauses his raspberries for you to kiss him)

He is amazing and we are so very proud of all his accomplishments. Although we are saving his "i did it" shirt for when he sits on his own.

At Joey's nine month well baby check up this morning he was weighing in at 18 pounds 5 ounces and measuring 27 1/2 inches tall. He is in the 75th percentile on the Ds charts for boys. The doctor said his growth is perfect and he is doing pretty well. Joey started the RSV shots (Synagis) which he will have to do once a month until April. And... I almost forgot to report.. the results of the MRI were normal... THANK GOD! no tumor! We love this baby so much!

Here are some more pics from our recent trip down to San Diego. Here Joey is enjoying some play time with his Cousin Ellie.

Carving pumpkins on Halloween

Hanging out with his Auntie Cara and his Cousin Walker

Laughing at Uncle Mac with Auntie Cara

Playing with Grandma and Pa Pa

Getting a bath in Grandma's kitchen sink

Joey loves his Pa Pa

Laughing at Pa Pa

Going shopping at Nordstrom with Grandma for Joey's first pair of shoes

Halloween 2009 (better late than never)

We spent Joey's first Halloween in San Diego so that Joey could go trick-or-treating with his cousins Walker and Ellie.

Here Joey is helping carve his first pumpkin.

He dressed up as a bear. It was so hot in San Diego that we had to go without the leggings. Look at Joey checking out his big soft belly...

All ready to go...

As were Spider man and our little ballerina

Joey rode around in the stroller and clung to his candy bag like a real trooper.


Here he is checking out his loot.

We let him pick out a piece to taste.

Yummy!

Wordless Wednesday (Swinging)

Journey With Joey--Stepping Up For Down Syndrome Walk

Yesterday was the Sacramento Down Syndome Information Alliance's version of the Buddy Walk. The event was called Stepping Up For Down Syndrome and was a fundraiser for the DSIA. It was an absolutely gorgeous day--purfect for our first Walk and Joey had a great time.

Several of our friends came out to support us. Thank you Jo, Carrie, Megan, Conan, Mairi, Russel, Cameron, Robert and Holly (who joined us later). Unfortunately I do not have the picture of our team before the walk. I will post it when I get it from Jo. Ridiculous number of pictures to follow here.

Here Joey and I are with Megan and Conan... The boys are shaking chiquitas with the music therapy folks who where playing on stage.


Joey with Joaquin and Conan.


Mairi with Robert and Cameron. Cameron was a huge help during the walk. She held her little flag up to keep the sun out of Joey's eyes.



Joey and his buddy Joaquin.

Joey loves Joaquin. They are so cute together.

It was such a nice day I had to change Joey into something cooler for the walk. Here he is in his stroller ready to go!

He had a great time and the best seat in the house for the walk.

Joey was quite the ladies man. Here he is checking out Gracie... she is quite the cutie!

Joey has not seen many little girls. He is usually around boys. So he decides to move in a little closer and check her out.

And then he scared her when he tried to grab her face... oops! He'll learn.


Then Joey got to know Gabby.

She is so darn cute.

goin in for a kiss?

Who's next?

Joey, Grace, Joaquin and Gabby with their moms.

And last but not least the beautiful group of Sacramento babies. They all managed to stay still for a little bit while we snapped a hundred pictures.

They are so precious!

Gracie, Joaquin, Joey, Gabby and Sheridan all staying on the same blanket for quite a long time.


It was so much fun watching them check each other out.

Sheridan was making sure Joey did not get too close.

Joey nudging Gabby with his feet to get her attention.

Sheridan... who did really well...still keeping a watchful eye on Joey

Joey hugging Gabby's arm with his chubby little legs...so cute.

John Michael joins in the fun.

What a great day it was. Thanks again to those who joined us and to everyone else who helped team Journey with Joey meet our fundraising goal.

Joey had his MRI today. I will post somthing about it later this week. But in all... he did really well. He was so brave (braver than his mommy in fact) and I am so proud of him!