Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Backpacks and Lunchboxes!
The day that I gave birth to Evelyn feels like just yesterday. I remember every second of it, her tiny little face, her little fingers and black hair that stuck straight up. Today I packed her backpack, made her lunch and dropped her off at Pine Spring Elementary for her first day of Preschool. She was so happy to be there that I barely shed a tear, surprisingly. I love this kid so much.
Friday, September 3, 2010
And the lifelong friendship begins...
I have dreams of my 2 girls being best friends. Sharing a room, sharing clothes, walking to school together, looking out for one another and loving every second of it. Well... okay, maybe not every second. I know, I have a sister, there is drama, tears and slamming doors. But there is still so much love.
Today was my first true glimpse of the reciprocal affection that Sarah now has for Evie. Evie has always LOVED Sarah. She follows her around, wants to hold her hand, and kisses and hugs her all day long. Unless she takes a toy from her, then that's another story. Anyways, for the past few months now that Sarah is walking, she has been almost running from Evie. She pushes her away when Evie tries to kiss her, she cries when Evie tries to hold her hand or dance with her, its so sad. But- today was the first time I have seen a glimpse into the future.
I took the girls to play at MoBu Kids during open play to wear them out before dinner. There were a lot of kids there and they were all running and screaming. Sarah got a little freaked out from time to time and kept scanning the room for me to save her. After she ran up to me and gave me a hug I said to her, "Go find Evie and give her a hug!" She turned around, scanned the room, ran over to Evie and then put her arms around her and hugged her tight. Evie in return put her arms around Sarah and it was the best thing I have ever seen. They hugged each other for an eternity it seemed and I LOVED IT.
I am so blessed.
Today was my first true glimpse of the reciprocal affection that Sarah now has for Evie. Evie has always LOVED Sarah. She follows her around, wants to hold her hand, and kisses and hugs her all day long. Unless she takes a toy from her, then that's another story. Anyways, for the past few months now that Sarah is walking, she has been almost running from Evie. She pushes her away when Evie tries to kiss her, she cries when Evie tries to hold her hand or dance with her, its so sad. But- today was the first time I have seen a glimpse into the future.
I took the girls to play at MoBu Kids during open play to wear them out before dinner. There were a lot of kids there and they were all running and screaming. Sarah got a little freaked out from time to time and kept scanning the room for me to save her. After she ran up to me and gave me a hug I said to her, "Go find Evie and give her a hug!" She turned around, scanned the room, ran over to Evie and then put her arms around her and hugged her tight. Evie in return put her arms around Sarah and it was the best thing I have ever seen. They hugged each other for an eternity it seemed and I LOVED IT.
I am so blessed.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
A Year Comes and Goes
A year seems like a long time, but when you have kids it really does FLY by. As I am both emotionally and logistically planning for Evelyn to move onto preschool in September, I cant stop myself from thinking about her still being such a baby in my eyes. I know she is 2 1/2 and that she is walking, talking and playing like a "little girl" but she is my baby and I want to do everything I can to protect her from the world. I cant believe she will be away from me for 4 hours a day and possibly even be getting on a big yellow school bus. I am not convinced I can put her on a bus, but maybe I will come around when September hits. Just a year ago Evie was only crawling for God's sake!!! I just cant imagine letting her out there in that world all alone without me by her side.
I recently saw a movie with some girlfriends that really helped to put things into perspective for me. Monica and David is a documentary about an adult couple that both have Down Syndrome... their life, their love, their family, and most importantly (at least to me) their independence. It is actually premiering on HBO coming in October, so please check it out. Anyways, I found myself really doing some soul searching after I saw this film, mostly about letting Evelyn experience life, the way she wants to do it. I know she is only 2 and that she still requires all my love and guidance and support at her age, but I really want to do my best to set her free when the time comes. I know she can do it, and as her Mom, its my duty to really let her live. I just need to keep reminding myself that she is a strong little girl and she knows what she wants- that will serve her well in this world and she will without a doubt reach her dreams.
Evelyn July 2008
Evelyn July 2009
Evelyn July 2010
I recently saw a movie with some girlfriends that really helped to put things into perspective for me. Monica and David is a documentary about an adult couple that both have Down Syndrome... their life, their love, their family, and most importantly (at least to me) their independence. It is actually premiering on HBO coming in October, so please check it out. Anyways, I found myself really doing some soul searching after I saw this film, mostly about letting Evelyn experience life, the way she wants to do it. I know she is only 2 and that she still requires all my love and guidance and support at her age, but I really want to do my best to set her free when the time comes. I know she can do it, and as her Mom, its my duty to really let her live. I just need to keep reminding myself that she is a strong little girl and she knows what she wants- that will serve her well in this world and she will without a doubt reach her dreams.
Evelyn July 2008
Evelyn July 2009
Evelyn July 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Lunch Date with the President
Yeah that's right, I ate lunch today with President Barack Obama and Russian President Dimitri Medvevev. Well, maybe I didn't eat with them, but I did get to shake both their hands. It was definitely a lunch I wont ever forget!!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
A Massive Update
Okay, so yeah... it's been quite a while since I posted anything on my blog. I don't know what it is- lack of time, lack of motivation or just a lack of clarity about the thoughts in my head. But I find it so hard to stay on top of this thing. Maybe its just working, raising two babies and everything else that goes along with it.
Anyways, in recent months there have been a lot of things going on in the Farhat home. Here is a quick little rundown...
April 2010: We bought a house!! From Georgetown D.C., to Arlington VA, to Jacksonville FL, to Falls Church VA, to Annandale VA. That's a lot of homes, a lot of boxes and a lot of packing for one family in a matter of 5 years. However, I will say that we are happy, getting settled and will be here for a l o n g time!
May 2010: Packing, packing and more packing
June 2010: Busy, Busy, Busy. First of all, We moved!! It was a lot easier than I had envisioned with 2 kids. Thank you to my amazing nanny for the girls who took them to her house the entire moving day so we were able to do it kid-free, which made all the difference. And, if you are in the market for a moving company recommendation, I can really say that I LOVE the guys that we used. Give My Truck Buddy a call!
Also in the month of June, my little peanut turned 1!! I really cant believe that the little tiny girl that I used to hold in my arms not that long ago... seems like yesterday... is already a toddler. Running around, stealing her sister's toys and talking and signing up a storm. Amazing.
Lastly in the month of June was my first trip away with girlfriends (since Mommyhood), leaving the family at home to fend for themselves. It was so much fun and desperately needed. Although I walked all over NYC in the heat, got little sleep, drank way too much and had to drive hours in traffic going through the Lincoln tunnel, it was SO RELAXING. Not to mention I got a hug and kiss from Donnie Wahlberg :) Sorry Bethany!!
Looking forward to the summertime now with the family... pool time, playdates, BBQs and a beach vacation. Bring it on!!!
Oh and I forgot to mention... Evie goes to preschool in just a little more than 2 months from now. Eeeekkkkkk! Are you KIDDING?? Where has the time gone?
Anyways, in recent months there have been a lot of things going on in the Farhat home. Here is a quick little rundown...
April 2010: We bought a house!! From Georgetown D.C., to Arlington VA, to Jacksonville FL, to Falls Church VA, to Annandale VA. That's a lot of homes, a lot of boxes and a lot of packing for one family in a matter of 5 years. However, I will say that we are happy, getting settled and will be here for a l o n g time!
May 2010: Packing, packing and more packing
June 2010: Busy, Busy, Busy. First of all, We moved!! It was a lot easier than I had envisioned with 2 kids. Thank you to my amazing nanny for the girls who took them to her house the entire moving day so we were able to do it kid-free, which made all the difference. And, if you are in the market for a moving company recommendation, I can really say that I LOVE the guys that we used. Give My Truck Buddy a call!
Also in the month of June, my little peanut turned 1!! I really cant believe that the little tiny girl that I used to hold in my arms not that long ago... seems like yesterday... is already a toddler. Running around, stealing her sister's toys and talking and signing up a storm. Amazing.
Lastly in the month of June was my first trip away with girlfriends (since Mommyhood), leaving the family at home to fend for themselves. It was so much fun and desperately needed. Although I walked all over NYC in the heat, got little sleep, drank way too much and had to drive hours in traffic going through the Lincoln tunnel, it was SO RELAXING. Not to mention I got a hug and kiss from Donnie Wahlberg :) Sorry Bethany!!
Looking forward to the summertime now with the family... pool time, playdates, BBQs and a beach vacation. Bring it on!!!
Oh and I forgot to mention... Evie goes to preschool in just a little more than 2 months from now. Eeeekkkkkk! Are you KIDDING?? Where has the time gone?
Friday, March 19, 2010
"Oh No!!"
Dont worry, nothing's wrong. Its just Evie's new favorite saying...
She throws something and says "Oh No!"
She spits her food out on the floor for the dog and says "Oh No!"
She pushes her sister over onto the floor and says "Oh No!"
Apparently if you are really cute and say "Oh No" after everything bad you do, you can get away with anything! :)
She throws something and says "Oh No!"
She spits her food out on the floor for the dog and says "Oh No!"
She pushes her sister over onto the floor and says "Oh No!"
Apparently if you are really cute and say "Oh No" after everything bad you do, you can get away with anything! :)
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The Sun Shines On
I feel like this winter has lasted for an entire year!! Sarah was born in June of last year and I barely can remember enjoying the summer at all. I guess that's just it- I was inside the house most of the time with a toddler and a newborn for the summer months. Well... after a long cold winter filled with record breaking snow storms, I am thrilled that we are finally seeing the Sun Shine On!!!
What is going to make this Spring and Summer so special for me is that Evie is really going to be able to enjoy it. It was so tough to take the kids outside last year given that Evie would just want to crawl all over the place (dirt, gravel, the street, etc.) and Sarah couldn't even sit up on her own. This year I am so excited to spend quality time outside with the kids and let Evelyn truly explore her world - ON HER OWN!!!
Yesterday I took the kids to the park to enjoy the 70 degree weather and I was almost in tears (of joy) when I could walk from the car to the park holding Sarah in my arms and holding Evie's hand.... yes, just holding her hand! It was so amazing. What makes it even greater is that she is so proud of herself. She laughs and giggles and smiles the entire time she is walking. Now of course we had a few episodes of her getting down on hands and knees and taking off crawling in the sand and on the grass because it was too uneven for her to keep her balance - but who could blame her, I can barely walk in sand! Lol. Nevertheless, she amazes me everyday and I am really looking forward to her getting stronger and faster over these next few months.
Now I know I'm really going to be in trouble when both of these girls take off on foot and I am left to chase them all over god's green earth. But I just cant wait :)
What is going to make this Spring and Summer so special for me is that Evie is really going to be able to enjoy it. It was so tough to take the kids outside last year given that Evie would just want to crawl all over the place (dirt, gravel, the street, etc.) and Sarah couldn't even sit up on her own. This year I am so excited to spend quality time outside with the kids and let Evelyn truly explore her world - ON HER OWN!!!
Yesterday I took the kids to the park to enjoy the 70 degree weather and I was almost in tears (of joy) when I could walk from the car to the park holding Sarah in my arms and holding Evie's hand.... yes, just holding her hand! It was so amazing. What makes it even greater is that she is so proud of herself. She laughs and giggles and smiles the entire time she is walking. Now of course we had a few episodes of her getting down on hands and knees and taking off crawling in the sand and on the grass because it was too uneven for her to keep her balance - but who could blame her, I can barely walk in sand! Lol. Nevertheless, she amazes me everyday and I am really looking forward to her getting stronger and faster over these next few months.
Now I know I'm really going to be in trouble when both of these girls take off on foot and I am left to chase them all over god's green earth. But I just cant wait :)
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
A Weekend Well Spent
This weekend some girlfriends and I headed down to Roanoke, VA to attend their local Down Syndrome Conference. Its the first DS conference I have been to, and to be honest I didn't have very high expectations. Actually, I just didn't really know what to expect. To say I was pleasantly surprised would be an understatement!
Some of the speakers that we were blessed with hearing were Dr. Brian Skotko, a genetics fellow at Children's Hospital in Boston and Pat Winders, the PT guru and author of "Gross Motor Skills in Children with Down Syndrome." Both were amazing. I also got the pleasure of hearing Kathie Snow speak, who is a die-hard advocate of inclusion of kids with disabilities in schools. She definitely left me both in tears and questioning a lot of where I want Evie to be in the future.
To give you a little taste of some great things we heard, here are some of my favorite quotes from the Conference...
"Never deny the diagnosis, but always deny the prognosis"
"Disability is a natural part of the human experience"
"Electric lights are just assistive technology for those who have sight" (funny)
"Low Expectations are bigger barriers than our disability will ever be"
"Your children are worth taking risks to have a life well lived"
"The true value of a person's life isn't what he becomes, but sometimes what he overcomes."
What did I do when I got home.... went right into Evie's room (who was sound asleep), put my hand on her back and told her how much I love her. She honestly is AMAZING and it is my mission in life to help her be the best she can be. Most of all, to be happy, healthy and loved.
Some of the speakers that we were blessed with hearing were Dr. Brian Skotko, a genetics fellow at Children's Hospital in Boston and Pat Winders, the PT guru and author of "Gross Motor Skills in Children with Down Syndrome." Both were amazing. I also got the pleasure of hearing Kathie Snow speak, who is a die-hard advocate of inclusion of kids with disabilities in schools. She definitely left me both in tears and questioning a lot of where I want Evie to be in the future.
To give you a little taste of some great things we heard, here are some of my favorite quotes from the Conference...
"Never deny the diagnosis, but always deny the prognosis"
"Disability is a natural part of the human experience"
"Electric lights are just assistive technology for those who have sight" (funny)
"Low Expectations are bigger barriers than our disability will ever be"
"Your children are worth taking risks to have a life well lived"
"The true value of a person's life isn't what he becomes, but sometimes what he overcomes."
What did I do when I got home.... went right into Evie's room (who was sound asleep), put my hand on her back and told her how much I love her. She honestly is AMAZING and it is my mission in life to help her be the best she can be. Most of all, to be happy, healthy and loved.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
2 Years Ago .... Today
2 years ago today, my first born child came into this world. It was a day I will never forget. Filled with excitement, anticipation, fear, sadness, and pure joy. To be honest I remember the day being a complete emotional rollercoaster from the moment that Evie was born and they wisked her away to the NICU. The hours and days and weeks and months that followed were the most difficult time in my life. However, today I find myself 2 years along in this journey of life, marriage, parenthood, and Down Syndrome, and I can honestly say with every breath of my being that I feel truly blessed. If I could go back in time to that day Evie was born and tell myself and Isa that in just 2 short years from now Evie would be a happy, smart, witty, active and beautiful little girl, full of life and potential, I would. I realize now that I had to feel those feelings and learn what I have learned, to be the person I am today.
To my sweet Evie,
Words cannot describe the love that I have for you in my heart. With every smile you give me, every step you take, every word you say, you remind me just how full of life you are. If given the choice today, I would not change one single thing about you. I want you to know that your life will be full of challenges, as all of us face, but you will have a different hurdle to overcome. I am confident that with the love, guidance, and support of your family, you will do amazing things. In just 2 short years, you have changed my world forever. I am now a more compassionate person, a more patient person, a more understanding person, a more giving person and a better parent. You have taught me more than you will ever know and I look forward to standing by you for every laugh, milestone and major accomplishment that is in your future. Without you, I would truly not be living.
I love you so much. Happy Birthday Evelyn Riisen!!
Love Mommy
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