A new sheriff in town

Sorry, folks. You've seen your last karate-kicking chimpanzee for awhile.

Yes, you read the last post correctly: I'm taking over the blog. For a year and a half now, Joel has dutifully signed my name to the end of the each post but in reality, he was really the man behind the curtain. Yes, I did the fact-checking (he tries but I'm better remembering all the details) and editing but the magic was really all his. 

And the truth is, the blog is Joel's baby (besides Hope and Lulu, of course). He'll probably hate that I'm sharing this but he spends HOURS lovingly crafting videos of Hope as Godzilla or the night Lulu eating Hope's hearing aids (one of my favorites; I still laugh thinking of that steam coming out of Hope's ears). The writing part only takes Joel about 15 minutes but it's the videos that he puts so much effort in. And he's so good at it.

But now it's my turn. So, fellow bloggers & readers, here's what you can expect from me for at least the month (or until Joel goes nuts and is dying to put together some whacky video on Hope on "Dancing with the Stars" or a Lulu western. I'm sure there's some footage out there with chimpanzees in cowboy hats and holsters): 

1. More basic details & milestones: I laugh sometimes when Joel writes long, windy posts about Billy from Family Circle and how it helped shape his cynicism (or something like that) but fails to mentions that Hope has two teeth now, is almost waving, hit the 18-month mark last Friday and just transitioned from home therapy to all school-based therapy.  I think there's nothing wrong or boring about sharing the basics. I want to share more of those because they may be small beans to some people but they're huge to us.

2. A mother's point of view: Let's face it. Moms and Dads approach things differently. I realized that once again when Joel's family came to visit two weeks ago. I spent days cleaning, washing sheets, scrubbing the floors and menu-planning. Joel put the newspaper in the recycling bin the day before they arrived and his work was complete. Anyhow, I'm excited that I get to share my thoughts on things.

3. More of a dialogue: I'd like to create a little more give-and-take with this blog while I'm in charge. I follow a lot of other families who have children with CdLS and I love the posts where someone poses a question about a situation or circumstance and wants feedback from readers. I like that.

4. Less videos: Sorry! I wish I was a video mastermind but I'm not. I'm going to learn how to make my own, soon, so maybe I will post some. Who knows.

5. Honesty: I hate sugar-coating things. Maybe it's my Midwestern background. But I promise to be straight with you all about what's really happening, warts and all. 

Well, I think that's it. I'm really excited to be taking things over for awhile. I think one of the biggest challenges for me will probably be posting regularly but I'll do my best.

Thanks for following and hold on for the ride! Hee haw (imagine chimpanzee in cowboy hat here)!