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Advocate Down Syndrome

#29DaysofAwareness February 19th

I have asked quite a few friends and family to post here on the blog for this personal campaign of #29DaysofAwareness. I ask people to share parts of their story with all of you here because I know that it’s through our stories that we are all connected. 

Today, I asked my friend Neva Santos to share a little bit about her journey with her son, Noah. Noah has also been gifted with an extra chromosome. It’s through Gelli and Noah, and even blogging that I have gotten to know Neva a little bit better. While I know we are still in the beginning of what I know will be a life long friendship, I feel close to Neva because we share so many of the same hopes and fears when it comes to raising our youngest children.

3 Years In

It always happens. At nighttime, when the kids are asleep, David in the middle of our bed and Noah in his toddler bed, I always let out a sigh and I always wonder out aloud, “Ang laki na nila”. Both David and Noah are long and lean and it seems that in a year or two I will see their feet hanging off the bed.

I linger over Noah longer though. His face has filled out and he looks more and more like a young boy. I really can’t imagine that he’s only three. He came into the world so precariously.

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Three years in. It’s a short time and a long time. There are memories that are so palpable that I have to figure out how I ever got out of it and some are just a blur,  and I couldn’t even figure out if it was just actually a dream. But there is one constant. Noah.

And now he rumbles and tumbles in, out and around our house with his kuya so carelessly and with a laugh so infectious, it’s impossible not to laugh with him.

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His weekdays are busy. He has therapy sessions every day, twice on some days.  He is also enrolled in KinderMusik every Saturday.  I read the notes his teachers leave for me in his notebook. Some days are hard, some days he’s distracted and on most days he’s doing well. For a three year old who has been in therapy when he was just a few months young, he is constantly learning and growing.

I used to imagine that our lives would stop because of Noah’s diagnosis. I feared that I would never laugh loudly ever again and that I would always be somber because, I  would be “that” mom with “that” child.  I feared that the world would not be kind to a kid like him. I was sad that David might miss out on having a brother he can really play and have fun with.

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Three years in, I realized how petty some of my fears were. It was when we have settled in with our “new normal” that I figured that life will be challenging no matter what. It doesn’t mean that I am not cautious though. I still am – sometimes too much. And sometimes whenever I feel too happy…I feel that something tragic will happen soon.  It’s a terrible feeling to always feel that the other shoe will drop anytime. And I panic. And I over prepare until Dan snaps me out of this haze.

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I am still working on overcoming my anxiety but I know in my heart  that if I want to live life to the fullest, I need to live life NOW.  From a 3.3lb baby to a big ball of energy  that he is today,  Noah has gone through life’s paces with a huge smile all the time. In fact, Noah wakes up every day with a bright smile.

Three years in. What an amazing three years it has been.

You can read more about Neva and what she shares on her blog Manila Mommy.

 

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We were a little early for therapy this morning, s We were a little early for therapy this morning, so @gelliaventajado got to spend a little time with @grace_loedin!

@thevanguardacademyph is still open for enrollment in their summer program, and has a full staff for all therapies and interventions. We really love her school and all of the faculty and staff. It makes a huge difference when you have confidence in the people you leave your child with for learning!
Whipped Feta #Recipe up on @kitchen143 over @rappl Whipped Feta #Recipe up on @kitchen143 over @rappler now!

Link in my profile!

https://www.rappler.com/nation/kitchen-143-dreaming-greece-try-making-easy-whipped-feta-dip/
Thinking about the day I got off the plane in LaGu Thinking about the day I got off the plane in LaGuardia, was picked up by one of my dearest friends and spent the entire day at the beach just catching up on LIFE.

It was a breezy day. Overcast. A little chilly to be in a suit, but it was perfect to catch up with my girl Candy. Sometimes, if you have chosen your friends well, you can pick up where you left off, as if no time has passed at all. 

Just like I did, sitting in that beach chair, feeling the mist of the Atlantic Ocean, and watching the seagulls pick and the seaweed.

Thank you Candy! For the friendship, for dropping everything to come and pick me up. Drive me around and have dinner with me and Fayth. 

Wishing I was sitting on this beach with you right now!!!
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From cornbread, to mom’s potato salad, melt in your mouth whisky cured short ribs, homemade sausages and more. This #BrunchBuffet had @manila.gent and I rolling each other out the door!

Hard to choose which was our favorite from the feast that was set before us!

Brunch is inclusive of some delicious drinks, some Southern smoked and BBQ Fare, and a most colorful sweet dessert buffet by way of Milkshake Bar!
Movie Night at home with the big screen made easy Movie Night at home with the big screen made easy by @lumosprojector_ph!

Summer Lovin’ ain’t over for #TeamGellibean. Hop on over to www.mommanmanila.com to read my full review on how easy this #homeprojector is to use when you want to watch your favorite family film!!

Gelli and I have watched Sharkboy and Lavagirl, Grease, and BTS Videos. Up next? The Sound of Music! 

Want to have your own #LUMOSRAYProjectoe delivered to your home? Stay tuned for an upcoming giveaway, too!

Link in my profile!

https://www.mommanmanila.com/lumos-ray-projector-review/
Missing my @migaventajado The short time I had w Missing my @migaventajado 

The short time I had with this guy in Florida was definitely something I will look back on. Wish we had more time to explore and do some fun things on our own.

Gah. How is this kid 20 years old already?
I remember when he was little and he loved peanut butter, chicken nuggets, Kylie Minogue, and sitting on my lap. He was squishy, in tune with my feelings, and I was always worried that he might have an asthma attack in his sleep so I would nebulize him every few hours. He always looked at new experiences with gratitude and wonder, much how he did while we were in FL together.😍

Praying he continues to strengthen his faith as he grows. 🙏🏻👨🏻🙌🏻

Miss you Miggy!
I’ll be sharing a little bit about my faith toda I’ll be sharing a little bit about my faith today with some university students. 

I have shared my testimony with other mommas, women in our community, and parents through this platform and others. It’s always come naturally and has often ended in tears of gratitude and joy for His faithfulness and unending LOVE. 

Of course, sharing parts of myself with others who may find it helpful is a privilege. But for some reason, I am always just a little bit anxious and apprehensive right before I am about to present parts of my story.

Perhaps today, I’m anxious because the format for how I will share is a bit different, I won’t have the comforts I have gotten used to since working from home. Instead I’ll print some cue cards for myself so I can stay on task and within my given time period. 

I love the opportunity this endeavor has given me, to reflect on His presence in my life. He’s been there all along, even if I didn’t know it. I love the understanding that I can have these intimate conversations with my Creator knowing that He has plans for me. He loves me. He knows all the hairs on my head. And that He knows what I need to fulfill my purpose.

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Do you share parts of your faith here?
What does that look like?

#ThoughtfulThursday #faith #thoughtful 
#sharingiscaring
Brunch feels with beautiful ingredients. Tous Les Brunch feels with beautiful ingredients.

Tous Les Jours Toasted Ciabatta with toppings for everyone.

Exhibit A: Miso Peanut Butter Chickpea Salad with grated hard boiled eggs and fried onion strips
Exhibit B: Herbed Cream Cheese with Avocados and Everything But The Bagel seasoning
Exhibit C: Whipped Peanut Butter with Raspberry Merlot Peppercorn Jam and fresh berries

Thankfully, I was able to have a bite of each one. I cannot choose. Which one would you call dibs on?

A  B  or C?
If you love #Brunch and seafood the way I do, then If you love #Brunch and seafood the way I do, then this Seafood Tower @jonesalldayph will tempt your tummy and make your tastebuds sing. 🎶

You’re welcome! 🤗
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Definitely not enough time with these two!!!
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