I Have to Laugh

I have some big posts brewing now that we are IN the week leading up to Colin's 3rd birthday.  I have been rather emotional to begin with (I cried saying goodbye to Colin's therapist on Saturday) and tonight, I had to laugh/tear up because Colin has come so far.  

We have had a REALLY busy week and that has meant that Colin really hasn't napped much (usually just on the fly).  After a fun afternoon with Nana and Granddad, Colin took a snooze on Aunt Kimmy's lap.  

Needless to say, when Colin finally woke up, he was a bit groggy for awhile and it changed the whole night since he slept until almost 6pm.  

We kept him up later than normal, but when we tried putting him to bed, he just screamed and got himself out of bed.  We put him back but the screaming was even worse the second time.  He has been really great at bed time lately, so we gave in really quickly as it sounded like he was either kicking or beating his head against the door.  When I finally let him come out, he literally stormed out of the door saying "no mom no dad no sleep!!" (how about THAT Miss Amy! {speech therapist}) among some other what sounded like expletives.  I wish you could have seen him storming down the hallway pointing his finger at us walking right to the family room. 

I don't regret my decision because Colin has been wide awake.  So much so, that he sat himself down at his table, and turned to Chris asking for a pancake "ca-cake" over and over again (time check: 8:40pm).  I just laughed because how could we turn him down?  He seems like he is hungry all of the time lately because he asks to eat all of the time.  However, he is still on a VERY limited menu so it is literally like 5 yogurts, 5 puddings, and cottage cheese (plus some vanilla ice cream) every day.  

So, we gave in and he was as happy as a clam with his ca-cake (he only ate half).  

Maybe I am just being sentimental and noticing everything this week, but I get teary eyed at the subtle things that are glaringly obvious to me right now.  Colin is communicating with us so well, he is putting some simple words together in 2 and 3 word phrases, he is moving around so fast, and he is honestly just like any other "almost" 3 year old boy.  I am so proud of Colin.  

So while I am a creature of routine and I would much prefer Colin IN bed right now, I am greatly enjoying watching him walk around the room, play with different things, and "reading" his books.  We even paused the TV to listen to him point out the different pictures and objects.  I can't even begin to tell you how much I love him!!

Day of Play

It's amazing how fast a week can fly by when you are busy and having fun!  Today we met up with our friends Anne and Samantha at the boardwalk, but first, we had speech therapy and a "quick" trip to the doctor to get Kailey caught up on her immunizations.  I was so optimistic for therapy this morning because when Miss Amy came, Colin pointed to the family room and walked right in there to start.  However, he only lasted a good 15 minutes before he was "done".  

Just waiting for Dr. Uma to come in...

Last year during the summer, we made a trip to the boardwalk with the kids and attempted rides with Colin once, but it didn't go over so hot.  He enjoyed one ride that he went on with Daddy, but otherwise was not too happy with them.  When we were done with lunch today, I thought that I might try it out with Colin to see how it would go.  At first, when I put him on the firetrucks, he was kind of squirming to get out of the seat and cling to me, but the bell was a distraction once I showed him how to make it ring.  A few times around and he was waving away!

However, the second ride, the FISH, and he just loved it! This is BY FAR one of my favorite pictures.  I was hesitant with this one because it goes up and down a bit, but he really enjoyed it.

This one...not so much.  He was NOT a fan of the dragon and was NOT happy with me for putting him on it.  I got a few smiles and a wave, but he started and finished it by crying.

We had such a fun day that Kailey was able to be transferred from the car right into the crib...hat and all!

...and to finish the night?  My little guy and I each had a bowl of ice cream (for the second time today...oops!) on the couch together while we watched the Devils playoff game.  He was all about snuggling with me tonight and I was so happy!

~ Love ~

Despite the fact that this has been a spring break for us, it has been filled with lots of family, friends, and fun.   We have really been spending a lot of time with those we love and trying to do some things we haven't done in awhile either.  Since we have been so busy, the kids are really off of their schedules, so it has been challenging to get through parts of the days when they are tired or cranky or fighting each other.  Yes, Colin now thinks it's ok to wrestle with Kailey and although it's kind of funny to watch, it's so not funny because he is completely ambushing her when she is not expecting it.  He is literally "running" at her and knocking her over.  I know that he is not doing it to hurt her and he thinks he is playing (especially since it's what he does with Daddy), but it's obviously still not Ok.  

We have been spending a lot of time outside and really soaking up this beautiful weather.  

We attempted the whole "egg dying" thing with the kids, but it didn't go over so hot.  Colin enjoyed it for a minute, but as soon as he put his vinegar soaked hand in his mouth, he wasn't feeling it to much.

Despite our best efforts, we were unable to get a good picture of the two kids together looking at the camera at the same time on Easter, but it made for some cute pictures anyway...

Kailey's personality lately has really been emerging and she is so much fun to be around.  She is really starting to talk more and is just starting to take some steps on her own.  I am sure she will be walking in no time.  It's certainly going to make for a VERY interesting summer!

CHEESE face!

Kailey and her 2 buddies...they are only 7 months apart but it looks like such a big difference now!

Today we were invited to go to a Trenton Thunder baseball game by the Special Olympics and had so much fun!  Our travels continue tomorrow at the Camden Aquarium! 

Beautiful Night Together

Today was a really rare day for us as Chris and I were both off and were able to spend the whole day together.  I got a lot of things accomplished around the house, which always feels good and then we decided to head over to the boardwalk to walk around and get some dinner.  Aside from it being a tad bit chilly in the shaded areas, it was a really beautiful night.  I absolutely love living where we do to have the ocean so close to us.  

Colin LOVES walking around as there is so much to see and do and so many people to say hi to.  It's interesting because one of the classic things that people think about when they think of Down Syndrome is that the individuals are so social and friendly.  That IS true to a certain extent, however, Colin has no problem saying no to or making a face to someone he doesn't want to talk to.  He will go over to some random strangers with open arms asking for a hug, and then others he wants nothing to do with.  

We had dinner at one of the pizza "joints" and then spent the rest of the night walking around.  Both kids seemed up for a quick photo shoot on the beach and there was a perfect backdrop for it.

I feel really blessed and thankful on nights like this to be with my family...

Hoppy Spring Break!

Today is the first day of spring break and we were off to a fun start tonight...In this video, Colin is showing you how to hop like a bunny!

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And here is another video of the "giggle" that Colin has been perfecting lately.  I did the best I could because it's been hard to capture, but it's pretty good at representing this laugh that Colin thinks it's hysterical.  I don't even know how to put words to it!

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And lastly....dance party!!

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Looking forward to some much  needed regrouping!

Ca-Cake

Tonight at 8 pm, Colin looked at my sister and then me and asked for a pancake (which sounds like ca-cake) after incessantly asking to eat.  I certainly am not going to tell a little boy who rarely eats that he can't have something that he hasn't eaten lately, but 8pm? Pancakes?

He's weird...but I love him.

Here is a video of him chatting with Chris tonight.  I wish we knew what he was saying!

Walking into the Future

We are literally walking out of the first three years of Colin's life and right into the future.  It is amazing to me to think that in just a few short weeks, our little boy is going to be getting on a bus (a BUS!?) and heading off to school to start the next chapter in his life.  

I can honestly tell you that we are really excited for Colin to begin preschool because we know that it is going to be so good for him to get the specialization that he needs to continue to reach his potential.  It just feels so sad on many levels as we get ready to say "goodbye" to many of our therapists and teachers who have been with us since the start.

When we first started with Early Intervention and had Miss Kathy (PT) come to our house for the first time, we were so nervous as we did not know what to expect.  There have been so many times that our therapists have been more than just someone to teach Colin, they have also been a shoulder to cry, a listening ear, and a friend...

I have also been feeling really sentimental and sad that Colin is going to have to say goodbye to all of the teachers who have supported him and gone above and beyond for him since day one at the Growing Tree.  When we were looking for a school/daycare for Colin before he was born, we looked around at several places, and I knew it was the right place for him from the moment we walked in.  I had this feeling that I didn't have at the other places.  When Colin was born and we found out about him having Down Syndrome, I was so incredibly nervous to call them and tell them about it.  I just didn't know if it was something I should do, how to say it, and what would come next.  You know what they did?  They welcomed him with open arms... (I am getting teary eyed as I write this!)

One of his early days in the Baby Buds room...look at those chubs! 

Colin has done nothing but grow and flourish since he has been there.  Every time Colin would transfer into a new room, we would write a list and explain things to his  new teachers of things that he was doing, wasn't doing, and what they could work on and they always did (even when I sent in a list of exercises to work on with him!).  We even met with some of the staff members early on because Chris and I wanted to address some issues about the future and moving up to other classes and we all ended up crying together (for good reasons...)!

Firetruck day at school...

To every. single. one. of. you. who have been a part of Colin's life at the Growing Tree, even if you weren't Colin's full time teacher, we are so grateful for all that you have done to fill Colin's life with so much love and support when we couldn't spend the whole day with him ourselves.  I can not begin to express my gratitude for how much you have gone above and beyond to make sure that he was getting everything he needed.

Thank you...

We know how much he loves all of you!