RAISING JOEY

CJ’s Traveling Afghan Project article!

December 15, 2009 on 11:52 am | In Down syndrome, Articles, Charity, Crafts, Adoption | No Comments

CJ was one of the first bloggers who found my blog back when Joey was born! I credit CJ for getting me addicted to blogging!!!
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Appleton mom CJ Field’s crocheted afghans comfort families with Down syndrome

By Kara Patterson
Post-Crescent staff writer

APPLETON — Sometimes, when Appleton mom CJ Field is crocheting afghans, her 5-year-old daughter Emmalee gets out her own crochet hook and ball of yarn.

Like many children her age, Emmalee, who lives with Down syndrome, tries to do what her mom does.

These days, crocheting and boxing up afghans for other families with children who live with Down syndrome takes up much of Field’s free time. Field, a nanny, creates afghans as an outgrowth of the T21 Traveling Afghan Project, an effort she began in March.

One afghan is traveling the country and overseas, visiting family after family. The families take photos with the afghan for the project’s Web site, which also displays pictures of children with their individual afghans.

“Afghans represent security and safety and warmth and comfort,” Field said late last week. “It’s essentially like sending a hug. Emmalee helps me pack up the afghans and send them off. Every time she picks out colors and I make her one, she wants to shove it in a box.”

Field started the project to further unite an online community of bloggers that gains strength in sharing similar family experiences. That project and community are inspiring her to hold an offline awareness-raiser and benefit Wednesday for an international Down syndrome orphan ministry.

The event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at Harmony Cafe, 233 E. College Ave. A suggested donation at the door is $5.

It supports the work of Reece’s Rainbow, a Maryland-based adoption agency that finds homes for children with Down syndrome and other special needs. The event is Field’s way to rally others around the agency’s fourth annual Christmas Angel Tree Project.

“I think it’s a really good push for awareness,” said Michelle Zoromski of Combined Locks, who is adopting a 5-year-old girl with Down syndrome from Eastern Europe through the agency. “Other families would love to bring children home and they don’t have resources or support to do that.”

Andrea Roberts, the agency’s executive director, said this season volunteers such as Field are raising funds for a specific child awaiting adoption. The agency’s goal is for each volunteer to raise at least $1,000 for the child’s adoption fund.

Money from donations, a silent auction and sales of contributed afghans Wednesday will funnel into the fund for “Melissa,” an almost 4-year-old girl from Eastern Europe.

Field, whose daughter was 15 months old when she adopted her through Florida’s foster care system, said she hopes the event might bring the child who is waiting overseas one step closer to home and family.

“Once a family is matched for Melissa, I will be making Melissa an afghan of her own,” Field said.

Fun with fingerpaint!

July 2, 2009 on 1:27 pm | In Photos, Crafts, Leah | No Comments

The other day, I pulled out the fingerpaint and Leah had a BLAST!

My latest creations

January 8, 2009 on 9:16 am | In Down syndrome, Crafts, My Etsy Shop | 1 Comment

I was so excited the other day when I realized that I had sold all of my Down syndrome awareness bracelets that were in my Etsy Store! So I’ve been busy making new ones, below are my latest creations!

31 for 21, October 1st

October 1, 2008 on 8:03 am | In Contests, Crafts, 2008- 31 for 21 | 18 Comments

As many of you know, October is National Down Syndrome Awareness month and this whole month I will be posting everyday. Last year I tried to post everyday just about Joey and/ or Down syndrome and torwards the end of the month, I started running out of things to write about. This month I will attempt the same.

To start off the month, I thought a giveaway would be fun! How about one of my handmade Down syndrome awareness bracelets?! This one has a awareness ribbon charm, and a miniture picture frame charm, both attached to the clasp.

Just leave me a comment! This giveaway ends next Wednesday, October 8th. Look for another fun giveaway after that!

New items added to my Etsy!

September 30, 2008 on 2:39 pm | In Crafts, My Etsy Shop | No Comments

I finally got around to making another sensory board for my Etsy Shop! I made some more bracelets and another coin bank too! Check ‘em out!

Happy Monday!

September 15, 2008 on 8:00 am | In Crafts, My Etsy Shop | No Comments

I’m so happy this morning. I just got online to check my email to find out that I sold 3 things on my Etsy Store including the sensory board I made! YAY! Extra cash for me!!!!!!

Guess this means I need to make another sensory board this week!

Just posted some new bracelets on Etsy!

September 9, 2008 on 12:43 pm | In Crafts, My Etsy Shop | No Comments

I added some new bracelets today to my Etsy shop. A couple of them are Down syndrome awareness bracelets! Check them out!

Try This Tuesday

September 9, 2008 on 11:23 am | In Crafts, Try This Tuesday | 8 Comments

Joey loves this water/ oil bottle I made for him. I used veggie oil, water, blue food coloring, glitter, sequins & beads. I super glued the cap onto the bottle, then tied bells around the neck of the bottle with yard and used non-toxic puffy paint to seal everything in. I also decorated the outside of the bottle with fish stickers

For more Try This Tuesdays, go visit 5 Minutes For Special Needs.

My newest creation…

August 25, 2008 on 6:07 pm | In Crafts, My Etsy Shop | 2 Comments

I’ve been thinking of more things to make for my Etsy Shop and Joey’s OT gave me the idea to make sensory boards when she mentioned them a couple weeks back so here’s what I came up with! Check it out and if you have any ideas for me to add to future sensory boards, let me know!

Buddy Blankies!

August 13, 2008 on 8:19 am | In Crafts, My Etsy Shop | No Comments

Check out my newest creation up for sale at my Etsy Shop! Buddy Blankies!

Raising Joey now on Etsy!!

August 10, 2008 on 9:04 pm | In Down syndrome, Crafts, My Etsy Shop | 1 Comment

You can now find items made by me on Etsy! That’s right folks, I’ve been busy brainstorming ways to make some extra money for myself and also for the CDSC. I’m now selling Down syndrome awareness bracelets and Down syndrome awareness ribbon cookie cutters!! And more items to come!

Check out my Etsy Shop!!

I can’t believe I forgot…

January 20, 2008 on 2:42 pm | In Photos, Joey, Crafts, Movies, Leah | 5 Comments

I completely and totally forgot that yesterday was Leah’s 4 month birthday! I can’t believe my baby girl is already 4 months old!!!

 

And poor Joey, he can’t catch a break these past 2 days. Yesterday after I posted about him falling and hitting his head, he fell again and hit the other side of his head (thankfully no goose egg). And then this morning while eating breakfast, he bit his lip so hard that it started bleeding. Again, I felt so bad. The poor thing looks like he’s been in the boxing ring, LOL!

Last night, Patrick and I went out to dinner and a movie with some friends. It’s been a while since we’ve done something like that. It was so nice to get out with other adults and no kids!! We saw “I am Legend” with Will Smith. It was a good movie, a little disturbing in parts but good.

After we got home and put the kids to bed, I had to put the Simpson’s Movie in so I wouldn’t go to bed and think of zombies jumping out of dark corners, lol!! I went to bed after watching “Alien” a couple weeks ago and laid awake in bed for about 2 hours. You would think being almost 27 that a person wouldn’t be scared after watching a movie but sometimes, one’s imagination can take over.

I just finished my latest project, a picture book for Joey. His therapist suggested that I make him a book with all of his favorite people, foods, toys, ect… so I finally got that done just before I started writing this. So as soon as he gets up from his nap, we’ll look at it together.

I guess that’s it for now! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Sharing Gifts From The Heart

November 5, 2006 on 8:46 pm | In Recipes, Crafts | 8 Comments

Recipe for Spicy Oatmeal Raising Cookies ingredients in a jar
1. 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2. 1/3 cup sugar
3. 3/4 teaspoon allspice
4. 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
5. 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
6. 1 cup flour
7. 1 cup quick-cooking oats
8. 3/4 cup raisins
9. 1/2 cup walnuts

Instructions for jar:
1. In a 1 quart jar, pack brown sugar in bottom and make it as level as possible. Pour sugar over and level.
2. In small bowl, combine allspice, baking powder, baking soda and flour mixture over sugar. Level carefully, then tamp down.
3. Pour oats over flour and level. Sprinkle raisins on top and press down. Sprinkle nuts over raisins. Place lid on jar.

Instructions for baking:
(I usually print the baking instructions out on a pretty piece of paper and cut out card to look nice & crafty)
-1 egg
-1/2 cup (1 stick) butter (softened)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Pour contents of jar into large mixing bowl. Add egg and softened butter (or margarine).
2. Beat on low speed or mix by hand until mixture is thoroughly blended.
3. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
4. Remove from oven and let cookies cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute. Transfer to cooking rack. (Makes 2 to 2 1/2 dozen)

Icing (optional)
-1 cup powdered sugar, divided
-1-2 tablespoons milk
-1/4 teaspoon vanilla

1. In small bowl, combine powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon milk and vanilla. Stir until smooth, adding additional milk as necessary until drizzling consistency is reached. Drizzle over cookies and let set.

*For more Sharing Gifts from the Heart or if you would like to participate, go to Kaffee Klatsch!

Today has been a productive day. I’m on my second …

November 2, 2006 on 5:17 pm | In Photos, Parenting, Life, Crafts | 8 Comments

Today has been a productive day. I’m on my second load of laundry, washed the dishes & Joey’s bottels, went to a doctors appointment, got my eyebrows waxed, and even worked on some Christmas gifts! I’m quite proud of myself for getting so much done! Heck, Joey even had a productive day… he pooped! That’s not been happening very often, but of corse, that’s another story

It hit me today that Joey is going to be 8 months old in 12 days! I can’t believe it! Where has the time gone! My little guy is almost 8 months old which means in 4 months he’s going to be ONE YEAR OLD! Geez… time does fly by!

And since Sheena’s mommy shared her post bath mohawk, I figured I would share Joey’s too.

Wow! It’s 66 degrees outside right now! I think I’…

November 1, 2006 on 11:53 am | In Life, Crafts | 7 Comments

Wow! It’s 66 degrees outside right now! I think I’m going to get a quick shower and Joey and I are going to go on a walk! The temperature is suppose to start going down starting tomorrow so we better enjoy today while we can! Maybe a quick trip to Walmart to start a little early Christmas shopping? The sun is shining, couldn’t ask for a more beautiful day!!!

Speaking of Christmas, I think I’m going to make as many of our Christmas gifts as possible. One to save money and two many people tend to be more grateful for something made by hand. If anyone has any great handmade gifts ideas, throw them at me!!