Ellie's Extras

Happy Down Syndrome Awareness month to all of our followers!! We will be celebrating Ellie all month long!! 💙💛

It’s National Daughter’s Day and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate them both! Ellie has been checking off milestones today so why not add standing up on her own to it!? And her big sister is her biggest cheerleader! Happy Daughter’s day to you both! You make my heart whole! 🩷 #thejourneyofellie #downsyndrome #downsyndromeawareness #morealikethandifferent #theluckyfew #upsyndrome #standing #nationaldaughtersday

We have been working on so many things in OT with Ellie and today she finally checked off two of those things! Putting things in a container AND waving!! We celebrate all the things she achieves, no matter how big or small. And I understand that to most people these probably seem like very small things but they are huge for Ellie! She is so smart and determined, there will be no box unchecked!! #thejourneyofellie #downsyndrome #downsyndromeawareness #morealikethandifferent #theluckyfew #ot #occupationaltherapy

The month of September is NICU Awareness month so here’s a little flashback Friday (is that still a thing??) of Ellie for you!! If you know a mother who has a baby in the NICU, offer to help in any way you can! The support we had from our family and friends during Ellie’s first month of life in the NICU made all the difference! And be sure to thank a NICU nurse and other caregivers! They are literally angels here on earth! #nicu #nicuawarenessmonth #thejourneyofellie #downsyndrome #downsyndromeawareness #flashbackfriday #theluckyfew #downsyndromeadvocate #reels #morealikethandifferent #trustingod

Welcome to our account where we celebrate everyone’s beauty and worth!! We support one another and rejoice in their accomplishments whether big or small but we are also there for them when they feel like it may be too much! Our local organization @ncdsalliance has always supported us since we received Ellie’s diagnosis and we are excited to be able to extend that support to new families. If you’d like to help us support them, please send me a message! #downsyndrome #thejourneyofellie #theluckyfew #downsyndromeawareness #morealikethandifferent #NCDSA

Just rockin’ away on this lazy Sunday!! #thejourneyofellie #downsyndrome #downsyndromeawareness #morealikethandifferent #theluckyfew #reels #tbbc #thebeaufortbonnetcompany #lazysunday

It’s been almost two years since we received Ellie’s diagnosis, which is so hard to believe. That day changed our world in more ways than we could have ever imagined but we wouldn’t change a thing! #thejourneyofellie #downsyndrome #diagnosis #ds #t21 #morealikethandifferent #tbbc #thebeaufortbonnetcompany #reels

We have wondered when people see us out if they pity us but in all actuality they should be jealous! You bring so much sparkle to our lives and they have no idea what they are missing out on! #thejourneyofellje #downsyndrome #ds #reels #t21 #theluckyfew #toddler #morealikethandifferent

Ellie loved the 🍑 ice cream! I think it’s safe to say that ice cream may be her favorite dessert! #thejourneyofellie #downsyndrome #theluckyfew #t21 #icecream #surfinspoon #obx #reels #pov #toddler

Ellie has been pushing the balls down on the tower but she finally mastered putting the ball in herself!! Love how determined she is! #thejourneyofellie #downsyndrome #ot #occupationaltherapy #morealikethandifferent #lovevery #theluckyfew

I love having a front row seat to her experiencing all the best things!! When we received Ellie’s diagnosis I worried what traveling and vacations would look like for our family, I wish I could go back and tell that version of myself that they were about to get a lot more fun! #thejourneyofellie #downsyndrome #vacation #obx #theluckyfew #tbbc #thebeaufortbonnetcompany #morealikethandifferent

Taking a toddler to the pool can be a lot at times but she sure makes it worth it!! #thejourneyofellie #downsyndrome #theluckyfew #toddler #reels #poolday #model #thebeaufortbonnetcompany #tbbc #weeonesbows

It’s amazing how a Down Syndrome diagnosis can go from what you think is the worst (mostly because of misinformation) to the best surprise ever!! If you have recently just received a Down syndrome diagnosis, just know that there is sooo much good! And don’t hesitate to reach out, we are considered the lucky few tribe for a reason! 😉 #downsyndrome #theluckyfew #downsyndromediagnosis #thejourneyofellie #reels #toddlermom #nicu #t21

Sometimes we have to show Ellie the same thing over and over before she gets it, but last night after showing her only a couple of times of how to use the spoon she quickly caught on! She is going to do anything she puts her mind to! #downsyndrome #thejourneyofellie #theluckyfew #downsyndromeawareness #reels #toddlermom #stayathomemom #sahm

Wouldn’t it be amazing if we all felt this way?? ❤️❤️ #downsyndrome #ds #theluckyfew #thejourneyofellie #mirror

When we were given Ellie’s Down Syndrome diagnosis, we were told all about the possible challenges that come along with it but they failed to tell us how much joy and happiness she would bring us! She beams with pride when she learns something new and is so proud! #thejourneyofellie #downsyndrome #theluckyfew #toddler #reels #toddlermom #ds #tbbc #lovevery

I could go on and on in this post but I’ll just say, Happy one year Heartiversary, Ellie! ❤️‍🩹 We love you!! ❤️ #thejourneyofellie #downsyndrome #chd #vsd #heartwarrior #heartiversary

When you are with your children every day, sometimes you don’t see how much they have changed and how far they have come. I was reminded of that today when @riverbaldwin1 stopped by to visit us at @gigisplayhouseraleigh ! There was a time that Ellie would just quietly sit with me but she is really coming out of her shell! Thanks for coming by to visit River and we wish you all the best in Germany! #thejourneyofellie #downsyndrome #theluckyfew #downsyndromeawareness

Ellie’s new favorite way of getting around!! #thejourneyofellie #downsyndrome #ds #theluckyfew #downsyndromeawareness #bearcrawl #pt #reels #toddlermom #beautiful

Happy Independence Day!! ❤️🤍💙 #thejourneyofellie #downsyndrome #independenceday #fourthofjuly #redwhiteandblue #reels #toddlermom #tbbc

I never imagined having a child with Down Syndrome but I’m so thankful that God had other plans for us. More often than not, okay A LOT of the time, we look at Ellie and talk about how amazing she is and how proud of her we are! I just hope and pray that the rest of the world can see her worth like we do!! 🫶🏼 . . . #downsyndrome #clearwater #florida #reels #toddlermom

Nothing makes this girl happier than being on a swing, even when on vacation!! . . . #thejourneyofellie #downsyndrome #downsyndromeawareness #theluckyfew #clearwater #summerdays #vacation #reels #toddlermom

You have to taste a little sand at every beach trip, right!? . . . #thejourneyofellie #downsyndrome #downsyndromeawareness #t21 #theluckyfew #clearwater #clearwaterbeach #florida #toddlermom #reels #tbbc #thebeaufortbonnetcompany

Splash Splash 💦 💦 Ellie enjoying her little pool! . . . #thejourneyofellie #downsyndrome #upsyndrome #ds #summer #toddlermom #reels #pool

If you have just recently received a Down Syndrome diagnosis and are worried about what life will look like, just look at her!! She radiates happiness! Ellie has brought so much joy and love to our family. We truly can’t imagine her any other way! . . . #thejourneyofellie #downsyndrome #downsyndromeawareness #t21 #upsyndrome #diagnosis #toddlermom #toddler #reels #tbbc #joy #happy