Sunday, April 3, 2011

Ultimate Blog Party with 5 Minutes for Mom

Ultimate Blog Party 2011

Joining a virtual party at 5 Minutes for Mom for the first time. I'm a little late but better late than never, I guess. This should be fun, I hope. It might be a good way to meet other bloggers and raise awareness about Down syndrome.

Let's see...

To all my awesome followers, Welcome Back! Thank you so much for taking the time to read and return for more.

To all new passers-by, Welcome! Thanks for dropping in. Please leave a comment so I know you were here and I can follow you back.

A little something about us

Bill and I met in Melbourne, Australia. I'm Filipino and he's American. We were both in the land down under pursuing Masters degrees. To learn more about how we met, please read It Had To Be You.

Matthew, meaning "Gift from God", was born in 2007 and was diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth. We did not know prenatally. His grandma wrote an essay about him titled "We're Keeping Him". His aunt wrote an essay about him and it was published in the book "Gifts 2: How People With Down Syndrome Enrich The World". He is my main inspiration and motivation for writing how I write and what I write about. By blogging about him, we are sharing our gift from God with you.

Elizabeth was born in 2010. Just like her big brother, she's animated and full of character. We jokingly call her Queen Elizabeth. Of course, she takes that role seriously, demanding and expecting only the best service from her loyal subjects. She wore a tiara at her first Halloween last year.

spring wagon ride

Other blog highlights include Toy Review Tuesdays, Book Reviews, and Down Syndrome Resources. I write about the kids' toys and how they've helped with their development. Most of the books are Down syndrome-related, many are highly inspiring.

I hope you will continue to follow our journey - one that I hope will inspire as well as entertain you. You can also follow me on Twitter.

spring wagon ride

22 comments:

skysenshi said...

I love this photo of them in a toy car. They look so adorable!

Kristina said...

Here from the party!

Your kids are adorable! It's awesome that you are keeping a positive attitude through the trials of raising a child with down syndrome. I will be reading more!

Madness Modified said...

I've just recently run across your blog and have been lurking about. I enjoy it very much. Your family is beautiful.

Unknown said...

Hi Ria! Thanks for dropping by my blog & commenting. That led me right over here and that is a great thing! LOVE your blog. Definitely following you. Your family is precious! Have a wonderful week!
http://stephanie-thejourney.blogspot.com/

Simplegirl said...

Your children are beautiful and you are truly blessed with your little boy because it is my opinion, that God shines his glory through these children. I have a friend with a little girl with down syndrome and I have a relative also with down syndrome and although it may be challenging at times, it is also a blessing. So glad to meet you and I'm happy that you stopped by my blog UBP. I'm looking forward your posts and hope that you will visit again.

Launa said...

Oh my goodness, you kids are so darn adorable! Thanks for stopping by!! Hope you're having fun blog hopping and will definitely have to keep up on you and your lovely family!

Anonymous said...

What a great photo of the kids! nice to meet you!

Kjersta said...

Here from the party! Your kids are precious and I've loved reading about them so far!

Stephanie @ henry happened said...

Hi - so glad to find you via UBP! Look forward to reading more reviews. Your kiddos are adorable!

henry happened

cristi said...

Thank you for stopping by my blog and commenting. I'm glad to find you as well. Special Needs parents are beautiful people and it awesome that you're helping to educate yourself and others with your blog. Awareness of every difficult parenting situation is the only way for us to not feel alone on this amazing and challenging journey.
Thank you!
Cristi
My 3rd Baby:EllieAdorn
Http://www.ellieadorn.com

Bec@littlelucylu said...

Happy to "meet" you!
Thanks for stopping by my blog ... I'm loving all the new friends I'm making! :-)
Can't wait to read more about you ... from what I can tell, you have a beautiful family and a beautiful story to tell. :-)
~Bec

Katie said...

Thanks for visiting my blog. After working with adults with intellectual disabilities for several years, I find your perspective refreshing (and what I love to see in families)!

Your family is adorable by the way.

Unknown said...

what a beautiful family!

Jen said...

Thanks for stopping by The "J" Family! Your little family is adorable! And you're so inspiring. Keep up the amazing Mommy work!

Unknown said...

Ria, your children are beautiful! You and your husband sound like amazing parents! I'm glad we found each others blog thru the UBP! :)

Elizabeth said...

Thanks for stopping by my party post! I love your introduction... and finding special needs moms! Before my oldest was born, I remember telling someone once that there was NO WAY I could be a special needs mama because I just don't have it in me. Turns out I have more in me than I knew! I couldn't imagine life without autism as a daily part now... and I wouldn't want to!! We have our hard days but they make the good ones that much better :)

I'm following you now! I'd love to read about your adventures.

Brimful Curiosities said...

Visiting via UBP! My kids and I like to review books as well. Stop by if you get a chance:
http://www.brimfulcuriosities.com/2011/04/ultimate-blog-party-2011.html

Anonymous said...

Thank you Ria for stopping by my blog! Nice to meet another special needs parent or as I call us special marathon moms. I look forward to reading more about your adventures.

And how wonderful is it that you come from a family of writers!

Don't you just love UBP11.

Kanesha @it's a full nest said...

I love reading about your sweet family and hearing your amazing story. Happy to connect via UBP11.

-Kanesha

Amanda said...

Your children are beautiful! Thanks for stopping by from the UBP!
http://tooblessed-tobestressed.blogspot.com/

Ann said...

Just stopped by from the UBP11 party. What a beautiful family you have!

Alida Sharp said...

Just saw you on Twitter and am here from the UBP! I am your newest follower... what cute kidos you have:-)

joy & blessings,
Alida