Picture of the Day

I snapped this picture while Colin was eating lunch today and I don't even need to explain any more...I think it's my new favorite picture. He's such a lil' ham!

I have had such a great week because I have gotten to see so much more of Colin and spend a lot more time with him. Unfortunately, I didn't get any school work done, so I will be right where I left off...stressed and rushing to get stuff done...

Oh well....THIS was worth it :)

Visit with the Girls!

Colin got a special visit today! Aunt Jennie and Aunt Natalia came down to visit with us and picked Colin up from school! It was such a nice surprise for him and he loved spending time with them...it's been sooo long!

They brought him a fun surprise for his 6 month birthday...trucks! His 1st ones! He eyes lit up when he saw them!

Always plenty of love to go around when he spends time with the girls! Thanks for coming to visit!!

Hangin' with the Girls

Here is one of the trucks that the girls got for Colin...he loved it! He even figured out how to spin the "cement mixer"!

Play Time for Colin!

Here is Colin in his Baby Einstein activity center doing MUCH better than the 1st couple of times we tried it. He is able to keep himself centered or leaning forwards and is using his legs on the bottom!

Play Time for Colin!

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!

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:

• 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...