Last night we had friends over for a barbecue in the backyard and the kids played (except Liam who stayed in my lap the whole time). Simple simple pleasures that make life good.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
A glimpse of future family life
It's 330 on Sunday and I am changing out the laundry on the porch and Lupe and Liam are playing together in the Playhouse. We are fixing up our porch and yard to make them more fun and enjoyable spaces. Liam can crawl and also walk now, wobbly but walking. The driveway is blocked off with a gate so that the kids can go back and forth between our yard and their grandparents yard next door. And I feel like it is the beginning of a phase of parenting and childhood that I've been looking forward to. Need doing chores and the kids playing on their out. It seems so boring and simple yet it feels like a definite turning point in the family life.
Last night we had friends over for a barbecue in the backyard and the kids played (except Liam who stayed in my lap the whole time). Simple simple pleasures that make life good.
Last night we had friends over for a barbecue in the backyard and the kids played (except Liam who stayed in my lap the whole time). Simple simple pleasures that make life good.
Monday, August 19, 2013
I'm sure many of you with more than one kid have had a similar experience: the first kid is well documented and the second kid comes along and you become too busy for all those fun details and traditions.
Well I am starting something that is not a new idea but I hope that I can remember to do it every year. Interviews on the first and last day of school and a self-portrait. I know that in just a couple of years I will look back on the kindergarten one and feel all warm and fuzzy inside
Well I am starting something that is not a new idea but I hope that I can remember to do it every year. Interviews on the first and last day of school and a self-portrait. I know that in just a couple of years I will look back on the kindergarten one and feel all warm and fuzzy inside
He's going to learn to read
At our most recent evaluation in the bay area we were finally told that he is ready to start learning words. Written words. I am really excited. And it's awesome because I can actually teach Lupe and Liam at the same time. Every week we will learn five new high interest words and review the previous weeks words. Lupe is on the Spanish side at Pacheco so at school she will first learn to read and write in Spanish. But I think I can compliment that here at home by learning to read in English.
Here is a picture of Liam and his first five words.
Before long Lupe and Liam will be conducting the story hour at the library!
Here is a picture of Liam and his first five words.
Before long Lupe and Liam will be conducting the story hour at the library!
Monday, June 17, 2013
Mi artista
It's amazing how her drawing has blossomed this year. I've dreamt of having a daughter who takes her drawing supplies wherever she goes. Just like when I was little. Fun!
Friday, June 7, 2013
Drowning in paper
Having Liam also means a lot more extra paperwork and record-keeping. Cake will get me through it
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Class
This day Liam decided peanut butter in the hair was the new thing. So you know, I just went with it. Got it to spike up a bit. We get to our parent participation class to find that the sensory tub is filled with oats. So he kind if smelled like a cookie.
Changing subjects, he's leaving my side more. Goes and sits right in front of Teacher Julie during circle time. And even let her do the song Noble duke of York on her lap! Go Liam!
Changing subjects, he's leaving my side more. Goes and sits right in front of Teacher Julie during circle time. And even let her do the song Noble duke of York on her lap! Go Liam!
Friday, May 10, 2013
Doula? OB? Midwife? Nurse?
Seriously. She's not yet 5, but ask her what the placenta is for. Or how the food gets from the mom to the fetus. Or about menstruation. She will tell you. Want to know about the division of cells, or the difference between identical and fraternal twins? Or How about vaginal versus cesarean birth? Strangely, she has not yet asked how exactly the sperm gets from the papa into the mama's uterus. Ok, so I did kind of skip that part in the library book about sexual intercourse (i also skipped contraception and stds). I'll wait till she asks about it.
Pedro and I were watching The Cosby Show last night and Rudy got her period. Se was the last of the daughters and Clare was so excited for her little girl to be going through this change, but Rudy was reticent. Finally she got Rudy to talk and she said, "Mom, we were studying grammar and I got my period. Do you know how embarrassing that was?"
Pedro and I were watching The Cosby Show last night and Rudy got her period. Se was the last of the daughters and Clare was so excited for her little girl to be going through this change, but Rudy was reticent. Finally she got Rudy to talk and she said, "Mom, we were studying grammar and I got my period. Do you know how embarrassing that was?"
Pants
Liam just took his own pants off for the first time. Now, normally that would be a huge accomplishment but I think his biggest help there was the influence of...gravity! See, my skinny minny's pants just simply started to fall off. So he took it from there. Now his pants are around his neck like a scarf, his preferred way of wearing them.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Books and pteranadons
He can spot and pull out his favorite book from the shelf.
She can tell you whatever you want to know about a dozen or more dinosaurs
She can tell you whatever you want to know about a dozen or more dinosaurs
Friday, April 26, 2013
Sunday, April 21, 2013
We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo
Love my husband. A few days ago he proposed a spontaneous day trip. At 7:45 in the morning as we were laying in bed trying to convince ourselves to get up to get Lupe ready for school. And I thought: but Liam has therapy till ten. Lupe has school. Hey, why not?
So we took Lupe to school and had Liam's therapy and at the same time got ready for a day trip to the Santa Barbara zoo. The last time we went there was the day before Lupe was born! I have a picture of me standing in front of the elephants looking HUGE. As huge as an elephant.
We had a great time. I loved the elephants bathing themselves with dirt. And the lioness starting fixedly at the zookeeper as she came and dropped off the afternoon food. Lupe loved seeing the penguins being fed.
So we took Lupe to school and had Liam's therapy and at the same time got ready for a day trip to the Santa Barbara zoo. The last time we went there was the day before Lupe was born! I have a picture of me standing in front of the elephants looking HUGE. As huge as an elephant.
We had a great time. I loved the elephants bathing themselves with dirt. And the lioness starting fixedly at the zookeeper as she came and dropped off the afternoon food. Lupe loved seeing the penguins being fed.
Why us? Why indeed!
There have been occasional moments, more at the beginning, and much less so now, that I have asked myself, Why us?
Why did we have a son born with Down syndrome? At the beginning it was mixed with fear and worry about the future, the unknown. I was told, by a few close people I love and trust, that we were chosen to be his parents for a reason. Only the most special parents would be chosen for the honor of raising this special child. Through all the roller coasters of emotions I did believe this to be true. And I still do.
But then sometimes I thought, so are all parents of special needs kids truly exceptional people? People who will do all they can to help their child have the best future possible? Parents who will begin to understand love, acceptance, diversity in a whole new, and deeper way? Rise to the challenge of all the extra doctor visits, therapy, etc? While many are, the truth is, there are some who aren't. Some parents who maybe don't believe in the true potential of their kids, who don't deal well with all the extra challenges ......
Why? Why did god choose those parents also? Didn't god choose only the truly special ones, like us? And it occurred to me, that it was a test god gave those parents. He was giving them the opportunity to let that child change them. For the better. But they didn't take the challenge. And I think this can be applied to many areas of life, the times when something difficult is happening. We can ask ourselves: why me? And we can know that we are being given the opportunity to grow. Either because we can handle it, or we need to be reminded of our own ability to grow and change. Perhaps it's a wake up call.
Having a little guy like my Liam is making me a better person. I appreciate and marvel at the little victories, every new thing he learns to do. I pay a lot more attention to my family's health. I am learning to look at everyone with new eyes, to know that everyone is facing some sort of challenge, and it is unique to them. Everyone has a role to play. A place in this world. We will not all be presidents, doctors. Some people need to pick vegetables, bag groceries, be trash collectors, work retail.
We don't all need to be "successful", with high positions, good money, our own house, or out changing the world in big ways.
What we need, is to be happy. Isn't that what success should mean?
Why did we have a son born with Down syndrome? At the beginning it was mixed with fear and worry about the future, the unknown. I was told, by a few close people I love and trust, that we were chosen to be his parents for a reason. Only the most special parents would be chosen for the honor of raising this special child. Through all the roller coasters of emotions I did believe this to be true. And I still do.
But then sometimes I thought, so are all parents of special needs kids truly exceptional people? People who will do all they can to help their child have the best future possible? Parents who will begin to understand love, acceptance, diversity in a whole new, and deeper way? Rise to the challenge of all the extra doctor visits, therapy, etc? While many are, the truth is, there are some who aren't. Some parents who maybe don't believe in the true potential of their kids, who don't deal well with all the extra challenges ......
Why? Why did god choose those parents also? Didn't god choose only the truly special ones, like us? And it occurred to me, that it was a test god gave those parents. He was giving them the opportunity to let that child change them. For the better. But they didn't take the challenge. And I think this can be applied to many areas of life, the times when something difficult is happening. We can ask ourselves: why me? And we can know that we are being given the opportunity to grow. Either because we can handle it, or we need to be reminded of our own ability to grow and change. Perhaps it's a wake up call.
Having a little guy like my Liam is making me a better person. I appreciate and marvel at the little victories, every new thing he learns to do. I pay a lot more attention to my family's health. I am learning to look at everyone with new eyes, to know that everyone is facing some sort of challenge, and it is unique to them. Everyone has a role to play. A place in this world. We will not all be presidents, doctors. Some people need to pick vegetables, bag groceries, be trash collectors, work retail.
We don't all need to be "successful", with high positions, good money, our own house, or out changing the world in big ways.
What we need, is to be happy. Isn't that what success should mean?
Monday, April 1, 2013
Friday, March 22, 2013
World Down Syndrome Awareness Day
3:21. The 21st of March, the third month. Down Syndrome is three copies of the 21st chromosome, which is why today is world Down syndrome awareness day. It's a mystery why October is DS awareness month, when it should be March, right? Quien sabe.
Anyway, the cyber world was talking about an idea for this year to promote awareness and start dialogue: the Lots of Socks campaign. The idea is for everyone to wear colorful socks, or lots of them, or three of them (get it?) and this would create awareness and dialogue etc etc. so in my new job as a parent resource for families with special needs I was talking about this with a coworker who also has a child with DS and she thought it was fun.
Today I have also been on the blogosphere and came across some very good points made by other moms. Basically, enough with this "awareness" stuff, what we need is action to promote respect for people with disabilities. Actively campaign to eradicate the "R" word in everyday slang, support legislation for people with disabilities, etc. Food for thought, eh? So next time I want to incorporate some action into the awareness. I learn more all the time.
But you know, you all can research yourselves about DS. What can I share with you? Well I can tell you about my little Liam and the wonderful person he is becoming. Because while you may care for him and our family, while you may say hi to him and see the pictures I post, most of you don't know the real Liam. The Liam that shines through when he is with people he is familiar with. Cause many of you have offered to hold him or play with him and then seen as he clings to me and makes whimpering sounds. Or sometimes being around a group of kids he often sits and takes it all in without doing much.
Liam plays hide and seek with Lupe and let's out a hearty "ahhhh!" screech when someone is found. He will bring me a book and then sit in my lap and keeps scooting himself against me, as if he can't get close enough. He is ticklish on his belly and neck and will giggle hysterically. He is fascinated by his sisters belly button. He gives great hugs and slobbery kisses. Today I asked him if he was my snuggle bug and he gave me a big smile. He listens and understands more than anyone realizes. Once we were in front of the house and a woman was getting into her car while talking on her cell phone and said bye and she was I don't know how far away but Liam started waving. He has good hearing and understanding. I can't count how many songs he can do the hand movements to now. He's just super awesome all around and I love him so!
Anyway, the cyber world was talking about an idea for this year to promote awareness and start dialogue: the Lots of Socks campaign. The idea is for everyone to wear colorful socks, or lots of them, or three of them (get it?) and this would create awareness and dialogue etc etc. so in my new job as a parent resource for families with special needs I was talking about this with a coworker who also has a child with DS and she thought it was fun.
Today I have also been on the blogosphere and came across some very good points made by other moms. Basically, enough with this "awareness" stuff, what we need is action to promote respect for people with disabilities. Actively campaign to eradicate the "R" word in everyday slang, support legislation for people with disabilities, etc. Food for thought, eh? So next time I want to incorporate some action into the awareness. I learn more all the time.
But you know, you all can research yourselves about DS. What can I share with you? Well I can tell you about my little Liam and the wonderful person he is becoming. Because while you may care for him and our family, while you may say hi to him and see the pictures I post, most of you don't know the real Liam. The Liam that shines through when he is with people he is familiar with. Cause many of you have offered to hold him or play with him and then seen as he clings to me and makes whimpering sounds. Or sometimes being around a group of kids he often sits and takes it all in without doing much.
Liam plays hide and seek with Lupe and let's out a hearty "ahhhh!" screech when someone is found. He will bring me a book and then sit in my lap and keeps scooting himself against me, as if he can't get close enough. He is ticklish on his belly and neck and will giggle hysterically. He is fascinated by his sisters belly button. He gives great hugs and slobbery kisses. Today I asked him if he was my snuggle bug and he gave me a big smile. He listens and understands more than anyone realizes. Once we were in front of the house and a woman was getting into her car while talking on her cell phone and said bye and she was I don't know how far away but Liam started waving. He has good hearing and understanding. I can't count how many songs he can do the hand movements to now. He's just super awesome all around and I love him so!
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Snot
This post has nothing to do with the pictures I am including. It is unbelievable the amount of snot coming out of my poor little guy. He is so congested you can hear him breathing from across the room. But then tonight something truly amazing happened. I held some tissue to his nose and said, "blow". And then to my complete astonishment he did. He blew!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)