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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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It’s December 1st! Is there anything more delic It’s December 1st!

Is there anything more delicious than the smell of Christmas and the new found freedom as we anticipate celebrating the holidays with our families again?

@festivalmall has hosted a series of musical shows since November 5th that include Ace Banzuelo and Silent Sanctuary. Check out Michael Pangilinan on December 10th, too!

With Santa visiting, Christmas parties, arts and crafts and lots of promos, you can even enter for a chance to win a Toyota Fortuner!

Best of all-I love it when the places we know give purpose to their celebrations. Thank you #FestivalMall for partnering with @dsapi1  this holiday season. 

Thank you for sharing all the different ways we can celebrate the holidays with you!

#tistheseason #seasonofgiving #downsyndromeawareness #aintnothingdownaboutit #upsyndrome
I have always been intimidated by Cornish Hens. Th I have always been intimidated by Cornish Hens. Through this learning exercise with @usapeecphl, I have learned a bit more about these little birds that have bigger breast parts, and thank you Chef @ivoryyat for showing me how easy it is to prepare Greek Lemon Roasted Cornish Hens with Roasted Potatoes.
 
Clean and fresh flavors are perfect for these smaller birds that are rich in protein with zero carbs. Try the recipe in the comments section. I’m sure you’d enjoy it as much as I did!
 
Interested in U.S. Cornish Hens? You can buy them in stores near you. #CornishHen #USCornishHen #PoultryPerfection #CookingWithUSPoultry #USPoultry #USAPEECPHL #ad
@gi.aventajado and I played with some of the @pura @gi.aventajado and I played with some of the @puratosph products that they sent over the other day. Ready to use Bavarian Cream made these Cream Puffs easier than ever. I think we have to figure out how to temper our couverture better…

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@mommymundo always has a way of bringing together @mommymundo always has a way of bringing together just what we need, no matter the time of year. Loving these photos of my first boy that were snapped @expomom.

Anyone else thinking about #HolidayPhotos? I am not one of those moms that has it all together before Christmas. It’s usually a mad dash for us at the end of the year, but if it’s anything that the past few years has taught me, it’s that the little things are what makes the Christmas special.

Many of us haven’t been together with the extended family or even our immediate family in so long. That means it’s the perfect time to document.

@nextbymetrophoto will be hosting one last Christmas Marathon family photo shoot before the end of year. Check them out or shoot them a message. They have some cute set-ups.
****GIVEAWAY ALERT*** 10 things I LOVE about @sed ****GIVEAWAY ALERT***

10 things I LOVE about @sedahotels listed here and on FB!

1. Each property has a Signature Dish. If you can’t make it to Bacolod, you can still enjoy Chicken Inasal in any of their properties.

2. Clean Design. So easy to work and play in a space that is light, modern, and clean in design. 

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7. Work with ease. Internet service is uninterrupted. Meeting rooms are available and easy to book.

8. Relax and Play. From mid-day tubbies with Gelli to, taking advantage of the pool, or the children’s room, the little girl had more than enough things to keep her busy!

9. #FamilyTime. Spending an extended amount of time outside our own space led to laughter, fun conversations, and opportunities to try new things. We were comfortable and rested in the space we were in, which meant more opportunities for us to connect.

10. Homegrown with a Purpose. A Filipino brand that understands the importance of both work and travel, each property is important to the city & province location. Environmentally aware by adopting Mayumi, a Philippine Bald Eagle. 🦅

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Up for grabs is one night in a ONE BEDROOM DELUXE for two persons with breakfast!

Here’s how to enter to win:
1) Follow @sedahotels 
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3) Tag a friend (or more) who love(s) staycations too!
4) Comment why you should win this staycation treat!

Plus points for people who share this post in stories and the winner will be announced on December 6th.
Thankful for work that doesn’t feel like work. Thankful for work that doesn’t feel like work.

@kitchen143 is something I really do love. Sharing a little bit of my kitchen with viewers and followers brings me joy. Even better when I get to work with chefs whom I can learn from and friends who like to spend time in the kitchen too!

#Thanksgiving
Thankful for the gift of music. Wish I caught mor Thankful for the gift of music.

Wish I caught more mini moments from We Will Rock You.

Such a great musical!

@sedahotels 
#sedaresidencesmakati 
#sedaat10
Thankful for @bestbuddies_ph. @gelliaventajado j Thankful for @bestbuddies_ph. 

@gelliaventajado joined our family and led me to @bestbuddies. 

Thankful for all the ambassadors who were able to spend time with us. And for @smlpeeps  and @asurionphcareers for helping make magic happen on Saturday afternoon for #Friendsgiving.

#Thanksgiving #bestbuddiesph
Thankful for women who share their faith with me. Thankful for women who share their faith with me. 

#Thanksgiving
Is there anything better than a stuffed turkey at Is there anything better than a stuffed turkey at this time of year? Whole turkeys require serious commitment to cook. #IYKYK But because U.S. Poultry is now available here in the Philippines, that also means preparing turkey is a tad bit easier.
 
Frozen U.S. turkey products are available and ready to cook for people who want to dabble with flavors for this bigger bird but aren't sure how.
 
Thank you to Chef @ivoryyat for putting together a medley of my favorite fall flavors. This combination of apples, sweet potatoes, and maple syrup perfectly compliment  the roasted turkey leg and remind me of flavors and scenes from back in New York. 
 
@usapeecphl l has the highest standards that follow USDA requirements which are certified safe before shipping to the Philippines. Get them in stores near you. 

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