'Tis the Season #4: Aunt Kimmy

'Tis the Season #4 was written by my sister Kimberly, or Aunt Kimmy to Colin...

Dear Colin,

From the moment you were born you have been showered with tons of love because you are such a beautiful little boy. The day your mommy told me she was pregnant with you (which I actually knew before she told me) was one of the happiest days of my life because I was going to have the joy of being an aunt. I was so excited for your mommy and daddy to be parents because I knew they were going to be the best parents to you Colin. See Colin at your parents wedding I got extremely emotional giving them the speech because I love your parents very much and they mean everything to me. Still till this day your daddy makes fun of me. Your mommy has been such a wonderful sister who has always been there for me. She has been a role model and someone I can truly look up to. I knew your daddy was perfect for mommy because he has such a wonderful personality, caring heart, and fit right into our family. Growing up in our home with mommy, nana, granddad, Uncle Timmy, and uncle pat we had such a close loving bond that I knew was exactly what you were going to get in your home. You truly have the most amazing parents Colin.

When we found out you had Down syndrome it was not easy for all of us. To see your parents so upset just broke my heart. But I knew we would get through it because that is the kind of people we are: Strong, loving, caring people who don’t give up. There was a reason you came into our lives Colin! Your parents are truly inspirational in all that they have done for you! From the time you were an infant until now they have been the most loving parents to you. They were going to make sure you got everything you deserved. And you have proved to us just how strong you are. You never give up Colin and you have proved to us that you are capable of doing anything, from rolling over at such a young age, to lifting your head, holding your head up, and now sitting up on your own! I knew you would do it all Colin. Throughout this journey so far you have made us stronger and better people. The first time you smiled at me just put a sparkle in my eye and a smile on my face. Who couldn’t love you Colin. You are absolutely adorable and the way you laugh and smile at us just shows me that you are going to be just fine!

I am so blessed to have you in my life! I come down to see you as often as I can! I love playing with you and taking care of you! By the way you love the toy that goes “The animals have something to say, they hoop and holler and sing all day! I just love how you always have a big smile on your face! No matter what kind of day I am having I know it will be the best day when I am with you. I love spending time with mommy, daddy, and you. You have inspired us all to do bigger and better things. You are lucky I love you so much because in a couple of months I have to jump into the freezing, cold ocean. I would do anything for you, mommy and daddy!! My life would not be the same without you Colin! I look forward to what life will bring you! Just remember you have so many friends and family who love you! I love you Colin!

I love you Colin, Love Aunt Kimmy

'Tis the Season #3: Leslie and Simon

'Tis the season #3 was written by our great friends, Simon and Leslie...

Merry Christmas, Colin!

C is for Continuously accomplishing your goals! You keep making everyone so proud by working hard with your therapists and learning new skills...keep up the good work!

O is for your Outstanding parents! It was hard to hear that you would have a set of challenges to face growing up with your diagnosis of Downs Syndrome, but we knew immediately that you would be ok with parents like yours. They are so full of love for you and each other, we never doubted that they would always go above and beyond to make sure that you had everything you needed to make all of your dreams possible...so dream big Colin!

L is for Loved by everybody! It's impossible for anyone not to love you...your smile, your baby blue's, your baby blonde mohawk, and you're always so pleasant and want to visit with everybody...keep it up kid and the girls will swarm.

I is for how Irresistably cute you are! We love seeing all of your adorable pictures on your blog and seeing that great smile when we visit you. I even show you off to the girls at work...they love to see the newest Colin pics! They all gush over you!

N is for Nothing's gonna stop you! You're making strides everyday and we know you'll keep it up. Just remember that you're bound to have some rough patches along your way, but they make for good character building and learning experiences. So don't get frustrated, just keep working at it and you'll make it happen. And don't forget to lean on the great support system you have when needed...we're all here for you!

Best wishes for a wonderful 1st Christmas as a family Tobin's!

Love, Leslie & Simon

'Tis the Season #2: The Gallagher Family

'Tis the Season #2 is from our very close friends....Jorie, Zach, Liam & Kaia!

Dear Colin,

Hey buddy! I am sooo happy your Mommy thought of this idea for “guest appearances” on her blog! Just like her idea for the blog in the first place, this was an awesome idea! Although it will be hard to put into words how we feel about you and your family as eloquently as your Mom does, I will try my best!

First, Colin, I want to tell you how incredibly lucky you are to have such wonderful, caring, loving parents that you do have! I first met your Mommy in high school and to be honest we thought that we didn’t like each other. But that assumption we had back then could not have been further from the truth. We got to know each other very quickly and soon realized that we were going to be lifelong friends. We have been through a lot together which has only strengthened our friendship.

Your Daddy, Zach and I met only a couple of times before he came to our wedding. But let me tell you, when we saw him at our wedding it was like we had known each other forever! That’s just the kind of guy your Daddy is! He has always seemed to make anyone feel right at home in his presence!

Both of your parents have the biggest hearts of any people we know! They have so much love to give! And we are ALL so lucky to have them in our lives!

Our family was so incredibly excited when your Mommy and Daddy told us that you were going to be joining their family in 9 months! Liam and Kaia were going to have a new playmate! When you finally joined us on April 20th, we were filled with joy that your Mom and Dad had a little boy to share all of their love with. No matter what came your way, your Mom and Dad took it in strides and were determined to raise the most loving, independent, smart little man!

Now, I need to tell you that your parents, family and friends are the luckiest people in the world because YOU are a part of their lives! And our family feels so blessed that we can call ourselves your friends! You have brought so much meaning to the lives of everyone around you and you don’t even know it! You are achieving milestones like a little champ and proving that determination can take you anywhere! You are going to continue to grow and flourish and teach all of us new things each and every day!

There aren’t enough words to express how much we love you and your family! You have showed us that anything is possible and that no one should make assumptions in this world! Just look at your Mom and me…who knows where we would be if we had let our assumptions stop us from becoming the best of friends.

Colin, we love you and are proud of you every day! We are all better people for having you a part of our lives! Always remember how loved you are and that you have so many people rooting for you!

Love always,

Jorie, Zach, Liam, and Kaia

'Tis the Season #1: Nana

The 1st post for the holidays was written by my mom and Colin's Nana....

Dear Colin,

When your mommy was pregnant with you people said to me, oh just wait until you are a grandmother, it's the best! When I had your mommy, Uncle Timmy, Uncle Pat, and Aunt Kimmy, I thought that was the best! I knew it would be fun to be Nana, but I have to tell you that once I met you, my heart just swelled so much I thought it would burst! I loved you instantly and couldn't wait to hold you. When your mommy told me that you were going to be tested for down syndrome I worried about your mommy and daddy, not you. I already knew how much you were loved and would be loved, I never thought for a moment that you would suffer. I'll admit, it was hard to know what the future would bring. I should never have doubted anything!! You have the best mommy and daddy and they have made sure that you will have the best of everything that you need. Not many people can boast that at 10 days old your mommy and daddy had the ball rolling to make sure you got everything you possibly needed to make your life the best!

Well, being the fighter that you are, you have taken advantage of all of the love that surrounds you as well as all of the services that have been provided to you! At 7 months old you have astounded us all! You are sitting balancing on your own, you talk to us in your own babble and of course ending it with a raspberry(I did teach you that this summer), and you give love back to all of us! You have inspired family and friends to do triathlons, run marathons, and soon to jump into icy water in the middle of winter to raise money for special olympics.

We all love you! What better Christmas blessing, joy, and hope could any family have than to have the joy of you, Colin! We know you are going places and are looking forward to the journey we will all take with you.

I love you with all my heart!!

Love,

Nana

'Tis the Season!

I have been brainstorming of some ideas that I could do on the blog for a little while to celebrate this holiday season. I've seen some great ideas on some other blogs, but in the end, I decided to host guest appearances. I'm going to send an email out in waves, but for now, I have started with friends and family...

I will be on a brief hiatus (or just posting in between the guest appearances)...so enjoy!

'Tis the season for very MANY blessings!

Dear Colin...

Dear Colin,

I had my last observation today for student teaching (to finish my masters degree in education) and I did so well! I was really, really nervous but I kept looking at the blog before my supervisor got here and looked at you sitting so well and I quickly gained confidence. If you could accomplish such a big skill, then I could too!

This fall has certainly not been an easy one for all of us! In the beginning I didn't know how I was going to be able to be away from you and daddy so much. The thought of missing your therapy appointments and not getting home from work until late after leaving very early made me feel sick to my stomach!

Our family made it through one of the most difficult time periods...and we did it because of you. Things are going to change so much after December 18th (my very LAST day of student teaching AND working full time) for so many reasons! We will be able to spend our mornings together as a family, we will have the best holiday season, AND, hopefully one day, I will be able to teach and have a different kind of schedule than with Athletic Training.

I thank you and daddy so much for helping me get through this! I love you both!

With love forever and always,
Mommy
xoxoxoxoxoxxoxo

Colin is Sitting!

I am at school and have a big observation today with lots of work to do...

But, I HAD to update the blog RIGHT NOW...because....COLIN IS SITTING!!!

I knew this day would come, but didn't know when. Colin had physical therapy today and Chris sent me these pictures...

First he sat holding on but with minimal support (we have been practicing this)...

...and then he did it all by himself!

I cried happy tears...what a big accomplishment for our little boy! Way to go Colin!