31 for 21 - Day 3!

Everyone wants the best for their children - I think all parents feel that way.  When I received Colin's diagnosis one of my first questions was, "what will happen?"  There are so many unknowns about his future - who will he be?  How will he do in school?  Will he be able to support himself?  I know I should focus on the present and not think so far into the future because I don't want to miss anything in the present!!!

One of my close friends from work sent me this link today.  When I watched the video, and read the article, it brought tears to my eyes!  The excitement in her eyes, and her parents reaction tells it all!  They are parents who only want the best for the daughter - DS or not!  I would love for this to be Colin someday - well, maybe not homecoming queen, but maybe homecoming king!  Because we all want our children to be respected, liked and loved!!!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/02/mariah-slick-down-syndrome-homecoming-queen_n_991098.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl7%7Csec1_lnk1%7C100831

31 for 21 - Day 2!

Ok...  So far so good - I'm on day 2, I have something to say and I'm actually getting it typed TODAY!  Woo Hoo!  Definately headed in the right direction, right???

I know I'm mentioned this before, but when we're out in public, Colin always gets a HUGE reaction out of people.  So many people comment on how cute he is, they talk to him, they get him to smile - all that stuff.  And I'm always wonder, "do they know?"  No one has ever stopped me to ask about that magical chromosome - or asked if he has DS, or comment on it.  I don't think his features are very strong - and maybe that's why we've never been "spotted."  I look forward to the day though when we are!!  I'm proud of our boy - I'm proud of his designer genes, and maybe someone will one day pick up on that!

Since having Colin, I've only approached 2 different families about their kid.  One was the little girl in church (which, ironically is Natalie's CCD teacher this year!!).  The other was at Natalie's gymnastics one evening when we were there for a makeup class.  The little boy was so taken by Colin and spent the whole class time entertaining him.  It was cute.  My hope is that as time moves on, I'll feel MORE comfortable approaching people when out in public! 

Here are a few pictures of my little guy this evening after he had just finished eating.  And yes, I did wash the sweet potatoes off his face - apparently, not very well! 

See ya tomorrow!!!  (ok, now I'm off to figure out what tomorrows topic should be!  PRESSURE!!!)

31 for 21 - Day 1!

{Reflections on the last year....}



Yes, October is breast cancer awareness month - but it's also down syndrome awareness month!  Throughout the blogging world, many take on the 31 for 21 challenge!  A blog each day in October to help raise awareness about our amazing children...  See, they are very much the same as "typical" children - they are just extra special because of that magical extra #21!!  So, what's a perfect way for me to kick off 31 for 21?  I will reflect on the last year.....

Last week Colin turned ONE!!  It's hard to believe that a year ago my little guy was born.  My 7lb 2 oz little guy has grown into a 19lb chunker!!  I've learned a lot over the last year and I wouldn't change A SINGLE THING.  Well, maybe the 2wk. hospital stay in March/April. 

I still remain so thankful that we found while I was pregnant with Colin that he was going to have down syndrome.  A year ago, when he was born, I was able to just love him for Colin - and not focus on that silly extra chromosome.  Those first few weeks after receiving Colin's diagnosis were very hard for me.  I went through a huge emotional rollercoaster.  I was glad to work through those emotions and feelings while still pregnant.

Colin has taught me a lot about patience.  I think that parents take for granted and just assume that your child will crawl around 7-9 months.  Walk anywhere from 10+ months.  Sit up around 5/6 months.  Eat solids without any problems.  Know how to play with toys.  Each of these things are something Colin works at.  He receives occupational therapy to "teach" him how to play.  He will be starting physical therapy soon to help him become more mobile.  I've learned how much goes into each of these "milestones."  I HATE milestones.  I won't lie about that.  That is the one area that I still struggle with - definately could use more patience with these!!!  Colin sits like a CHAMP.  In fact, this week in OT, he was lifting his legs up while maintaining his balance.  IMPRESSIVE!  The kid isn't anywhere close to crawling yet.  But I know it will come.  And when he finally decides to crawl, it will be even more exciting!  Through this last year, it's been hard to see other people with kids near Colin's age reach these milestones when I know Colin isn't close to them.  But Steve always reminds me that Colin will do his own things at his own pace.

In many ways, I think Colin has taught me how to be a better teacher.  I feel like I have more patience for my students - especially those with special needs.  I look at them in a different light then I ever have before.  I want them to achieve, I want to work with them more, and I want them to enjoy school!

I won't lie, I still have moments where I am down, or sad, or wish that Colin only had 46 pieces to him!  But I wouldn't change it.  I just wish things came easier for him.  And I know as he gets older, there will be more struggles in life - more then his sister will encounter.  But I know that he will be a fighter!  The little boy has spunk to him!

The last year with Colin has been amazing.  I look forward to seeing what the future holds for him. 

Colin's BIG birthday party!!!

To celebrate that he is.......

Well, tomorrow he is!  But we celebrated this weekend!  And what a grand celebration it was.  Lots of family, a few friends.  A good time had by all!  He had a blast.

Colin's monthly pictures displayed.  WOW!  He's GROWN!

We did a red wagon theme!  FUN!

DELICIOUS red velvet cupcakes!

Colin is READY for cake!



"Happy Birthday to you....."

And then it begins.....

NOW THAT WAS FUN!!!!

Lots of presents - ALL FOR ME!  :-)

It was a fun celebration.  Tomorrow is his actual birthday.  Where has the year gone?!!?  Thanks to all those that helped us celebrate!

See Colin... Month by Month!

Baby boy has grown SO MUCH in the last 11/12 months!  I've been getting stuff ready for his party on Saturday, and here is the collection of his monthly pictures.  ENJOY!

A long-due update!!!

....from Mr. Colin!

Whew!  My boy is 11.5 months.  How the hell did that happen?!?!  Sometimes I look at him and I don't see an almost 1-yr old.  Maybe it's because I know the things that an almost 1-yr old should be doing, and Colin isn't doing those things!  Sometimes I want to scream at down syndrome because the things that should be so easy for Colin, aren't!  But then I know how things *could* be and I thank my lucky stars that everything with Colin is as good as it is!  He's such an amazing little boy.  We are so blessed.

So, what is Colin up to these days??  No teeth. {boo} Which makes feeding quite a challenge.  He still eats everything pureed.  He doesn't even like anything with texture.  We have a speech evaluation and PT evaluation next Monday.  I know he definately has texture issues when eating. 

He's a CHAMP when it comes to sitting up!  No problems there!!  Crawling?  Yea, no.  Apparently, uncomfirmed reports {aka, his daycare teacher!} are that he has done some army crawling at school.  We have yet to see that at home.  He wants to do it.  And we work with him, but he doesn't.  You can tell that Colin knows that he has to do something to get to the toy that is laying in front of him, but he doesn't do it!  I know, it will come.  It just makes me sad.  Again, it makes me want to scream at the down syndrome!!!  I have told Steve that I would be happy to have Colin crawling by the time he turns 1.  I remind Colin all the time that he's getting close.  Sometimes it makes me sad to see so many babies that are close to Colin in age and they are already WALKING.  And my baby has yet to crawl.  But that's ok.  It will come!

OT is going great!  This past week she brought in a few buckets with black beans and some with noodles.  He got to play in both and he LOVED it!  So that was great to see.  He may  have texture issues when eating, but not when playing!

Here are a few recents pictures of the little almost 1-yr old!  ENJOY!

He STILL loves his boat rides - falls asleep in an instant!

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD!!!

But, it's NOT so glorious when you're COVERED in it. 

Colin has been giving me fits lately when it's time for food.  I'm not sure what's going on.  It's either a texture issue, or he doesn't like it, or he's just being stubborn.  Augh.  I give him a bite, he spits it right back out.  Or, he blows raspberries and send it all over the lucky recipient.  Very frustrating.  Tonight's dinner was no exception.  This is how it went:

Tonights menu, peas and rice cereal

Yep, spit it right out.

Now Steve has to wipe off his glasses.  He was nailed by a huge raspberry blown by Colin.

We leave the spoon on his mouth or in his mouth to keep him from spitting it right out.  It helps {a little}.

Colin is really not happy.

"NO MORE!"

And another one, just cause he's so stinkin' cute!



It's a never ending struggle with him.  I really dread feeding him for this reason.  Any tips?  HELP!