DownSyn Forum

Rylee's Mom · Posted: August 02 2006, 9:25 PM Post subject: Introducing Rylee's Family!

So, have any of you walked into a room where there's a group of people who have known each other for awhile... they're all such great friends, and you're the new face? In reading many of the recent posts, it sounds like you've got quite a "family" here! Everyone seems to know everyone... and I'm the new face walking in! I hope there's room here for another family, as I would love to become a part of an incredible group like this!

I found out about this forum in Atlanta at the NDSC Convention. Though I didn't officially introduce myself to any of you, many of your faces look familiar! So, here's my official introduction!

My name is Carin (pronounced "Kuh-rin") and I'm 27 years old. My husband, Jeremy (age 34), and I were married in 2002. Jeremy's daughter, Jordyn, (who's now 11) threw me into "step-mother-hood" right from the start! (She lives with her mom close by and stays with us lots.) I was teaching Kindergarten at the time our daughter, Rylee, was born in November of 2003. Our first year was filled with many of the things yours were, I'm sure: joy, heart surgeries (PDA, AV Canal-ASD, VSD, and major valve repair), feeding tubes, countless doctors appointments, worries, sleepless nights, medications, tons of love, and the list goes on! (After her birth, I chose to resign from teaching to stay home with Rylee -- I am still a full-time mom!) Since then, it's been nothing but up-hill... no foreseen future heart surgeries, no meds, fewer and fewer doctors' appointments, no feeding tubes, less worries... the only things still there are therapies (and the joy and love!!) Rylee's done nothing but fill our days with smiles, kisses, and excitement! She's the queen of personality! She'll be 3 this November, and just her presence makes my heart smile.

Okay, so I could go on and on about Rylee, just as we all can about our kids! I hope to get to know all of your families, and share in the remarkable journey our kids are taking us on!

I hope to post a few pictures -- this program posts photos much different than what I'm used to, so I'll do my best! If nothing shows up, I'll keep trying!

Thanks for welcoming my family to your forum!
Carin Griffith

lilpayton · Posted: August 02 2006, 9:29 PM Post subject:

Welcome! OF COURSE there is room for another family around here! I think I recognize you from the convention! LOL. Rylee is a doll! Can't wait to hear more about your family! Smile

_________________
Bethany
Mommy to Mason (1/13/04) and Payton (DS) (1/7/06)

Website: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/paytonbalsis
Buddy walk page: http://join.buddywalk.org/site/TR?px=1159228&pg=personal&fr_id=1400

"Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance."

Mary Beth · Posted: August 02 2006, 9:31 PM Post subject:

Welcome aboard Carin. There is always room for more in this forum.
Mary Beth

_________________

Mom to Rick (27), Stephanie (24), Elizabeth (22), Robby(19), Samuel (9 DS, TOF), Shane ( 8 ), Katarina (4 DS, AV Canal Defect)

LovelyKennedy · Posted: August 02 2006, 10:09 PM Post subject:

Welcome! You have a beautiful family! Rylee is just gorgeous. I have 3 kids and my youngest Kennedy brought me here 2 1/2 years ago. She will be 3 in September and also starting school. Yikes! Where has the time gone???? So glad to have you here. This place is amazing! Welcome to our family!

_________________
Beth Mom to Cameron 2/26/2000, Kendall 6/25/2002 and My Lovely Kennedy 9/10/2003(DS)

kellyrimmer · Posted: August 02 2006, 10:33 PM Post subject:

Welcome and dont feel funny about this group there is always room for more! Im really glad you joined you will love it here. Also Rylee is just beautiful. Welcome again and cant wait to read more about Rylee!!!!

_________________
Kelly Rimmer
Mom to
Paige 11-12-92
Aaron 06-16-99
Alexis 08-19-05 (DS)
Baby #4 11-04-06

mesmom · Posted: August 02 2006, 10:43 PM Post subject:

Welcome!!! You will love it here. And in no time, you will feel so much at home, your husband will be asking you when you are going to come from our home back to his. LOL. It is so nice to meet you. Your family is BEAUTIFUL!!

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"All the darkness of the world, can not put out the light of one small candle." Author unknown

marlene · Posted: August 02 2006, 10:59 PM Post subject:

Welcome! The more, the merrier!
LOVE your pictures! Rylee is adorable - (so is everyone else, but Rylee is the important one here! Wink

)

_________________
Marlene, mommy to my precious Aleena (1/30/04)

owensmom · Posted: August 02 2006, 11:29 PM Post subject:

Carin, I know how you feel about being the new person walking in. Reading these posts has been wonderful since I joined a few weeks ago, and I feel like I am getting to know everyone ~ but still feel like the outsider peeking in at everyone's lives.

Your family is beautiful! I love the sisters pic Smile

I look forward to getting to know you better!

_________________
Tricia
mom to Jason 12/24/03 and Owen (ds) 6/29/06

keri · Posted: August 03 2006, 12:05 AM Post subject:

Welcome Carin!!! You have a beautiful family.

_________________
Keri Mom to:
Sydney 9-25-01
Jack 2-10-03
Kaitlyn DS 7-30-05 Brave Heart 2-24-06

jooniper · Posted: August 03 2006, 12:13 AM Post subject:

Welcome! I was a new face a few months ago and now I feel like one of the gang. Your daughters are gorgeous! Looking forward to getting to know you more.

_________________
Gillian
wife to Sergei and mom to Elaina (6), Zoya (4) and Polina (04/05/06 Ds)

momtofourgirls · Posted: August 03 2006, 12:35 AM Post subject:

Welcome, Welcome... both your girls are adorable. I love the picture where Rylee is eating a banana. Soooooo cute! Looking forward to getting to know you better Very Happy

_________________
Kari
Mom to..
Kiersten 12 yrs.
Madison 10 yrs.
Hannah 7 1/2 yrs.
& Sadie(DS) 2 yrs. (6/17/04)

dect · Posted: August 03 2006, 2:28 AM Post subject:

Welcome!

Rylee looks absolutely adorable! And don't worry it won't take too long to settle in! Very Happy

_________________
Deryck
Dad to Xena 2 Aug 97, Lucas 28 Jun 99, Persephone 12 Jan 2004 (DS & AVSD repaired)

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind - Theodore Geisel (Dr Seuss)

http://www.picklesnet.co.uk

Laurieannie · Posted: August 03 2006, 9:27 AM Post subject:

I'm new too, Carin. So we can be newbies together. I've only been a member for a few days but already I feel right at home. The people on here are great and very welcoming.
Rylee is adorable! I love the pictures. My son Reuben is only 5 months younger that Rylee, so I came late to the forum too.

_________________
Laurie- wife to Wayne
mom to Kate-22, Micah-5 and Reuben(ds)4/21/04

If you treat an individual as he is, he will stay as he is; but if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be. ~Goethe

mary c · Posted: August 03 2006, 11:38 AM Post subject:

Rylee has quite a smile! Welcome to the family--there is always room for more.

_________________
Mary
Mom to Libby 6/92, Alex 9/93, Anna (DS)12/12/03

Mom2Sean · Posted: August 03 2006, 11:47 AM Post subject:

Welcome to DownSyn! Your daughter is so adorable, I'm glad you could join us!

_________________
Deborah, Momma to Aidan Riley 11-15-02 & Sean Patrick 9-4-04

Grandma to Olivia · Posted: August 03 2006, 12:58 PM Post subject:

Welcome! Rylee is beautiful, and so is Jordyn! So glad you found this forum, it's a great place to come for information and support. Olivia, my reason for coming here, is such a joy to our family!

_________________
Cindy
Olivia's Grandma

Bitter are the tears of a child: Sweeten them. Deep are the thoughts of a child: Quiet them. Sharp is the grief of a child: Take it from him. Soft is the heart of a child: Do not harden it. - Pamela Glenconner

Koby'sMommy · Posted: August 03 2006, 2:16 PM Post subject:

YES, I remember you!!! You probably don't remember me, BUT I was telling my MIL who was there wiht me how much I LOVED yoru hair!LOL
Either way, please feel free to jump right in and post and by all means we have room for another family!!!! Your family is beautiful and we look forward to getting to know you!!!!God Bless-COurtney

_________________
Courtney-Wife to Chris- Mommy to Koby (12/16/04)

"I am careful not to confuse Excellence with Perfection.Excellence I can reach for; Perfection is God's Business" -Michael J.Fox

ajbest · Posted: August 03 2006, 2:36 PM Post subject:

welcome Carin and family! Rylee is soooo adorable! yes, there is always room for another family and we're glad to have you here. lots of good info and support here. so glad you found us! can't wait to hear more about Rylee and see more pics. God bless you and your family, aj

_________________
Momma to Janna (AVCanal/Mitral Valve Repair-T21-02/02/05)
Wife to Joseph (TOF & still thriving)

"Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance." St. Francis of Assisi

Abigail'sMom · Posted: August 03 2006, 3:09 PM Post subject:

Welcome to the family! I too have a soon-to-be three year old Abby. Cannot wait to hear more from you and your family!

_________________
Eli
Mom to Abby (DS 10/21/03), James Thomas (01/31/06)

Cameron · Posted: August 03 2006, 3:52 PM Post subject:

Hi and welcome. I consider myself new here. I have a three year old and Cameron is almost 16 m. Your daughter is so, so beautiful. Just adorable!

_________________
Rae

Brooke 4/1/03 and Cameron (ds) 4/8/05

rhonda · Posted: August 03 2006, 4:33 PM Post subject:

Hello and welcome!! Rylee is a beautiful and Jordyn too of course. I look forward to learning more about you all!!

_________________

Rhonda

Taylor 13, Jordan 12, Dylan 3

twyceborn · Posted: August 03 2006, 6:42 PM Post subject:

Glad you have joined us, Carin!! You have such a beautiful family!!!

_________________
Kim and Justin (08/15/95)

waith · Posted: August 03 2006, 7:03 PM Post subject:

Welcome to Downsyn. Rylee looks full of sunshine and fun. So glad you decided to join us.

_________________
Maxine UK. Mum to Elliott 12, Dominic 2 DS.

hannah · Posted: August 03 2006, 8:52 PM Post subject:

Welcome! Rylee is gorgeous! I decided also to become a SAHM when Hannah was born. My daughter is 18mos old!

_________________
Beth
Hannah(ds)1.19.05

hayden's mom · Posted: August 03 2006, 9:00 PM Post subject:

Hello and Welcome!!! You have a beautiful family. Can't wait tolearn more about you.

_________________
Mommy to:
Holden 6
Hayden 2 (ds)
Jacie 1
And the Angels Danced the day you were born

Rylee's Mom · Posted: August 03 2006, 10:22 PM Post subject: Thanks everyone!

Okay, you're all right -- what a welcoming bunch! Thanks for the open arms! Can't wait to get to know everyone! (I don't know HOW I'm going to keep everyone straight!) Very Happy

(Courtney... thanks for the hair compliment... my husband commented on the picture when I got home, too... he said, "Wow, hon, you actually DID your hair when you were there??!!" I think that was a compliment... I'll take it as one, the smarty-pants!)

Carin

_________________
Carin

Wife to Jeremy
Mom to Rylee, 11-6-03 (DS)
Step-Mom to Jordyn, 1-19-95

"Some say we gave you the gift of life... we believe life gave us the gift of you."

Tigger · Posted: August 04 2006, 5:08 AM Post subject:

Welcome to downsyn!! I was a newbie only a few months ago but quickly became addicted. Rylee and Jordyn are gorgeous!! I felt a bit envious when I saw that banana. A cyclone here in Australia wiped out all of our banana plantations and we haven't been able to get bananas for about 8 months. Talitha still hasn't tasted a real banana.
Your pictures are excellent. I look forward to hearing lots from you.

_________________
Karyn
Mum to Nikki (19 Jul 89), Stefanie (3 Sep 96), Joel [18 June 98] and Talitha (DS) (18 Nov 05) AVSD/PDA repaired 23 March 06

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." Psalm 139:14

LinMac · Posted: August 04 2006, 6:44 AM Post subject:

Hi Carin and Rylee and Jordyn

Welcome to the forum.
You didn't meet us at the conferences.... to far for us to travel.
We live in Ireland. I'm Robert and Hannah's mom. Robert had DS!

Your daughters are beautiful!

Nice to meet you.

_________________
Linda & John
mom to Hannah Kate (Age Cool

, Robert (04/16/2004, DS)

EliasMom · Posted: August 04 2006, 11:12 AM Post subject:

welcome!! i think i saw you... but i really dont know haha,
anyway, welcome to the board!

_________________
Ali, wife to Felipe, mom to Elias (Feb 21 2005)

Ava · Posted: August 04 2006, 2:51 PM Post subject:

Welcome Carin, your family is so beautiful. What georgeous girls you have there. I am mom to 4 wonderful children. My youngest, Daniel will be 21 mo. here in a couple of days.

Welcome Again!

Ava

_________________
Ava & John
Alexandra 7/22/92, Samantha 3/05/94, Olivia 9/05/00, Daniel (Ds) 11/06/04

kathleen · Posted: August 05 2006, 1:01 AM Post subject:

Welcome Carin! There is always room for one more (or a dozen). I have seen your signature pic and just think Rylee is an absolute doll. You are all such a beautiful family (I like your hair too!) Anyway, looking forward to getting to know you better.

_________________
__________________
Kathleen - Avery's Mommy
Chico, CA

emma'smom · Posted: August 05 2006, 10:21 AM Post subject:

Carin, welcome to the family!! Always room here for more and I'm sure you will soon be getting familiar with the downsyn family. My experience has been that everyone here is very open and caring. We are an easy bunch of people to get to know. Very Happy

Rylee is an adorable little girl. I look forward to hearing more about your family and seeing more pictures!

_________________
Cheryl

Wife to DH Kent Smile

Mom to
Justin 2/13/02
Emma 6/23/05

NattysMommy603 · Posted: August 05 2006, 11:54 AM Post subject:

Welcome to the family! My Natalie turned 3 in June. She starts school on Tuesday!!! Rylee and Jordyn are beautiful! Looking forward to hearing more!

_________________
Tracy
Proud momma of
Natalie Marie 6/8/03,
Tyler Slayton 4/15/05
Baby 3 EDD 1/3/07

CAmommy2KJ · Posted: August 05 2006, 8:02 PM Post subject:

Welcome Carin! I remember you from Atlanta as well! You stopped to play with Kennedy a few times! Smile

So glad you are joining our family!! Rylee is adorable!!!

_________________
~Renee~
Mommy to:
Kassidy (11.4.99)
(My soccer playin drama queen)
Kameron (11.3.01)
(My soccer playin cookie monster)
Kennedy (5.16.04)(ds)
(Lookin cute in her designer genes)
Baby K (EDD:5.17.07)
(Whatever will we name him/her?)

D is for Down syndrome
Kennedy's caringbridge page
Our family website
Down syndrome awareness products!

JenBrock'sMom · Posted: August 08 2006, 4:56 PM Post subject:

Carin - welcome to Down syn! You have a beautiful family and Rylee sounds like she's on the go. I live in Iowa and was not at the conference. My son just turned one on the 28th of July. I look forward to learning more about your family.

_________________
JenBrock'sMom & wife to Jay
Brock 7/28/05

Maysonsmama · Posted: August 08 2006, 11:30 PM Post subject:

wow!! those are great pictures!! so glad you found us!! our daughter mayson has brought us here... she is 5 1/2 months old and our pride and joy. we also have a Rylee who is 8 and our son Jayden who just turned 12! again, welcome!

_________________
Amy mama to:
Jayden-7/94
Rylee-10/97
Mayson-2/06 DS

Sam · Posted: August 09 2006, 6:19 AM Post subject:

Welcom Aboard.
What gorgeous girls you have. I too sometimes feel a bit out on this site BUT only becuase we are way over here in Australia and things are a bit different over here. (In a good way - I thing ) I love this site and am looking forward to hearing more about your wonderful family

_________________
Samantha & Darren

Zacchaeus 13/Jan/2001
Declan 26/Mar/2002
Jachan 02/Dec/2003
Dakota (ds) 12/Jul/2005

mommartin · Posted: August 09 2006, 4:35 PM Post subject:

Hi and welcome!

Your girls are cutie pies. Glad you joined us and looking forward to learning more about you and your family.

_________________
Katie
Jerry 1/02,Bethany 8/03(cp)Faith 5/05 (ds)

http://katies.stayinhomeandlovinit.com