Here is Colin in his bumbo seat with the new tray I bought for it. With the tray, he is now able to lift up his blocks and hold onto them! We are working on holding blocks in both hands and clapping the blocks together to make noise!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
6 Month IFSP Meeting
Today we had Colin's 6 month IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) meeting through Early Intervention with our coordinator and therapists. We were reminded today how much we love our therapists because while it is important for them to focus on the things we need to work on, they constantly remind us how well he is doing. This setting was extremely comfortable and we set some goals for the future and added to the ones we already had for him that we still need to continue to work on.
It's amazing that we are at this point because it seemed like yesterday we had the first meeting to begin the whole process! I brag relentlessly about our experience with Early Intervention so far and we couldn't be any luckier to have been provided with 2 of the best!
Some of the things we will be working on with Colin:
It's amazing that we are at this point because it seemed like yesterday we had the first meeting to begin the whole process! I brag relentlessly about our experience with Early Intervention so far and we couldn't be any luckier to have been provided with 2 of the best!
Some of the things we will be working on with Colin:
- Sitting
- Pre-language skills (imitation, sounds, etc.)
- Reaching and grasping
- Movement to attain a toy
- Fine motor skills
There are many more specific things, but these are the ones that stand out to me right now. Both therapists also made recommendations to move towards therapy once a week, which makes me very happy because I want to do as much as we can right now. I feel that if Colin acquires a skill in a week's period of time, we can focus on that and move forward with quicker turnaround.
As always, it's hard to hear the things he needs to work on, but unlike the ITAP program at Jersey Shore, all of the positives are emphasized as well. Here's to another 6 months of working hard!
Big steps!
I am very proud of Chris and I for an accomplishment we made yesterday. It may seem small, but to us, it was a big step...
...First the backstory...
I can't even remember how I first stumbled upon other blogs of families who had children with Down Syndrome. I was excited when I got my 1st "followers" (Thanks Jen and Ria !) and through those blogs, I found so many great blogs to read! It made me feel connected to others who also have children with Down Syndrome and I've been getting so many great ideas, information, accomplishments, etc. I get excited and feel proud when achievements are posted and understanding through difficult moments. I look forward to reading them on a daily basis.
While all of those have been so great for me, I've been yearning to actually talk to someone face to face. I remember when we were in DC in July and I was in the lobby with Colin. I got in the elevator with a family who had a toddler who also had Down Syndrome and I circled the lobby trying to get up the nerve just to go up to them and say anything. I chickened out because I didn't know how to formulate my words and wasn't sure how they would feel about it. I was disappointed in myself...
Fast forward to last week...
I was at Chris' football game and noticed a young man on the sideline of the Hawks football team who had Down Syndrome. I asked Chris who he was and he said that he has been helping out for awhile now and has really become part of the team. I thought it was great and felt proud...
Now to our accomplishment last night...
Last night, Chris had his annual "Tip-Off Dinner" to start the basketball season. As we walked into the doorway, we were following this young man and his mom. I immediately got butterflies in my stomach because I knew I had to say something. I spoke with a friend of mine who is also an Athletic Trainer and she said she had spoken with the mom and that she is extremely nice. Her son Sean is also going to be helping out with the basketball team this year and was very excited to be a part of it all, which was why he was there last night.
I circled the area for 20 minutes trying to figure out what I was going to say. Finally, I walked up, introduced myself, and started to say that I had seen her son at the football game. I started tripping over my words and finally just blurted out that I have a 6 month old little boy who also has Down Syndrome. She immediately got the biggest smile on her face and said "congratulations". My nerves instantly resolved and I told her that I had never done that before...and to excuse my nerves. We instantly started talking very easily and I could have cried for having that opportunity to speak with her. Chris and I met Sean and it was such a great moment for us.
After speaking for a little while, she gave me her phone number and offered an ear any time I wanted to talk. Chris and I were a little emotional afterwards, but I felt it was because this is the 1st step for us before many in our journey...
...First the backstory...
I can't even remember how I first stumbled upon other blogs of families who had children with Down Syndrome. I was excited when I got my 1st "followers" (Thanks Jen and Ria !) and through those blogs, I found so many great blogs to read! It made me feel connected to others who also have children with Down Syndrome and I've been getting so many great ideas, information, accomplishments, etc. I get excited and feel proud when achievements are posted and understanding through difficult moments. I look forward to reading them on a daily basis.
While all of those have been so great for me, I've been yearning to actually talk to someone face to face. I remember when we were in DC in July and I was in the lobby with Colin. I got in the elevator with a family who had a toddler who also had Down Syndrome and I circled the lobby trying to get up the nerve just to go up to them and say anything. I chickened out because I didn't know how to formulate my words and wasn't sure how they would feel about it. I was disappointed in myself...
Fast forward to last week...
I was at Chris' football game and noticed a young man on the sideline of the Hawks football team who had Down Syndrome. I asked Chris who he was and he said that he has been helping out for awhile now and has really become part of the team. I thought it was great and felt proud...
Now to our accomplishment last night...
Last night, Chris had his annual "Tip-Off Dinner" to start the basketball season. As we walked into the doorway, we were following this young man and his mom. I immediately got butterflies in my stomach because I knew I had to say something. I spoke with a friend of mine who is also an Athletic Trainer and she said she had spoken with the mom and that she is extremely nice. Her son Sean is also going to be helping out with the basketball team this year and was very excited to be a part of it all, which was why he was there last night.
I circled the area for 20 minutes trying to figure out what I was going to say. Finally, I walked up, introduced myself, and started to say that I had seen her son at the football game. I started tripping over my words and finally just blurted out that I have a 6 month old little boy who also has Down Syndrome. She immediately got the biggest smile on her face and said "congratulations". My nerves instantly resolved and I told her that I had never done that before...and to excuse my nerves. We instantly started talking very easily and I could have cried for having that opportunity to speak with her. Chris and I met Sean and it was such a great moment for us.
After speaking for a little while, she gave me her phone number and offered an ear any time I wanted to talk. Chris and I were a little emotional afterwards, but I felt it was because this is the 1st step for us before many in our journey...
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
He Did It!
I wish Colin was wearing his I Did It shirt when he accomplished this skill! I decided to try it out as a suggestion from a friend and just positioned the bottle for him. He was holding on and I kept waiting for the bottle to drop, but it never did! We are SO PROUD of our little boy!
2nd Video
Here is Colin as he is nearing the end of the bottle. He still drankl with his eyes closed like he often does, but still holding it by himself!
3rd Video
We were so proud because this shows him nearing the end of the bottle...and he drank the WHOLE thing by himself! I was actually able to get dinner ready!!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Review from the 1st Halloween!
Here are all the pictures from Colin's 1st Halloween week! Many got to hold the kangaroo!
He started the week with the Gallagher crew...
...then was with Uncle Timmy,
Uncle Pat and Aunt Kristine,
Uncle Pat and Aunt Kristine,
Nana,
Grandad,
Aunt Kimmy,
Grandpa,
Gammy,
Kelly, Payton, and Mommy
Daddy,
Carli,
Clint,
Mo,
Meredith,
Tim,
Simon and Leslie,
Great-Grandma,
Great-Poppy,
Great-Aunt Nancy,
Kaitlyn,
Krys,
Great-Uncle Emil,
Great-Aunt Lynn,
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