Pretty much ever since Sophie was born, I’ve kept a running list in my head of clothing items people with Down syndrome should avoid at all costs. These include but are not limited to: top hats, bow ties and overalls. Look, I get that that’s not a particularly politically correct thing to say. But we […]

I spent much of the last week in search of a lactating goat. It seemed vital that Sophie actually witness an animal being milked, as part of her science fair project: learning how to make butter. I always lose my mind at science fair time. Last year a friend helped Sophie build a carousel out […]

You might find this hard to believe, but we actually made it through the entire play date and I still have no idea whether the kid’s mom knows Sophie has Down syndrome. And that is because I never actually met the mom; and she never met Sophie, either. To be fair, I’m pretty sure Sophie’s […]

Sophie has a playdate with a new friend today. This is incredibly nerve wracking. Not for Sophie. She’s over the moon. She popped up this morning before sunrise and announced, “Today’s my playdate!” “Good,” I said, covering my head with the blankets. “Go clean your room to get ready.” And for the first time in […]

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The other day I kissed Sophie and said, “I love you.” She kissed me back. Right on the lips, the type of kiss I’m normally opposed to unless it’s from someone to whom I’m married. “I love you, too, Mommy,” she said, and hugged me hard. She leaned back and looked at me, like she was trying […]

There are some battles I’m just not ready to wage before 7 a.m. Particularly when my opponent is an 8-year-old armed with an iPad loaded with images of Elmo birthday cakes. “Ray,” I called from the kitchen this morning, as he hustled to get ready for the day, “will you please explain to Sophie why […]

  Field Notes: Red Blooded from Coudal Partners on Vimeo. This is an ad for notebooks, yes, but someone inadvertently nailed it — except for the part about the scooters, every detail fits Ray and me. Even the number of years they’ve been together and the number they’ve been married. I wonder if he’ll mind […]

Just finished this year’s Valentine, and I had to share early. Annabelle drew the image of the two girls (this is the third year) and I stitched it. (Our friend Claire designed the card.) Next year we will get Sophie in on the action. It’s a nice tradition, I think.