Happy Belated World Down Syndrome Day 3/21/11

I really wanted to do this post yesterday, but we had such a busy day:(  Landon & his brothers represented once again wearing their awareness shirts!!  Mason & Elijah love telling people what their shirts mean and why they wear them......in 2 short years, these boys have become Landon's BIGGEST ADVOCATES!!  This journey is teaching us a lot as a family.  I am so proud of my boys!!

Landon spent the day at daycare/school with his teachers & friends.  Landon's school took part in celebrating World Down Syndrome Day......helping to spread awareness for Landon & all his friends that have been blessed with that magical chromosome!  They wore blue & yellow, decorated their door with our local support groups logo and wrote all the children's names in sign language.  They painted in blue & yellow and colored World Down Syndrome logos, and one very sweet little girl gave hers to Landon!!  *sigh*  One of Landon's teachers (Becky) made all the children blue & yellow ribbons that they pinned on their shirts and they even sold awareness bracelets!!

WHAT AN AMAZING DAY OF AWARENESS & CELEBRATION!!!!

Thank you Hawthorn Hill Preschool, parents & students for opening your door and your hearts to Landon!  You go above & beyond every single day to make sure that Landon always feels like he's part of the Hawthorn Hill Family!!  Your dedication & commitment to education & raising Down syndrome awareness is endless.  We can't thank you enough for proving that INCLUSION does work!!  Day in and day out you continue to break down any preconceived notion or barrier, constantly proving just how much you believe in Landon & his abilities!!  But most of all, thank you for giving Landon a solid and positive educational & social foundation.......there is so much hope for Landon's future!!

Happy World Down Syndrome Day Friends!!!  We are so blessed to share this journey with each and every one of you!!

Last night our local support group, "21 FrienDS", hosted an (adult) World Down Syndrome Awareness Night at a local  Ale House......what an UNBELIEVABLE turnout!!!

Family, friends, raffles and entertainment......such an amazing night!!  Thank you all for joining us in celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness.......your support means the world to us!!! 

Tolerance PSA: "Dear Parents"

OUR CHILDREN ARE SPEAKING...ARE YOU LISTENING??!!

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me!!"  Any parent whose heart has ever ached for their crying child because another child did not want to play with them or called them names, knows first hand how untrue this statement really is.  Words are extremely powerful and they DO HURT!! Children are products of their own environment.....RESPECT begins at home!!

Today is 3.2.11, Spread the Word to End the Word Day!  Please take the time to visit the link below and make your pledge today.......to stop the use of the word "retard(ed)".  It's time we teach our children RESPECT....for themselves & others!!

http://r-word.org/

LANDON'S B-DAY PARTY PICS

A week ago this past Saturday we celebrated Landon's 2nd Birthday (Party)......BOWLING!!! Landon officially turned 2 on Feb. 11th but we had no luck getting a party date any sooner......guess I'll have to plan a little earlier next year!!  And although Landon had a restless night sleeping the night before his party.......yes, CROUP decided to rear its ugly head once again.......my little LOVE still managed to put a smile on his face and enjoy his party (with his friends) AND he bowled one heck of a game, to boot!!!!  lol

The party was small, a few family members, some old friends & some new (well, not SO new, anymore)........a great time was had by all!  At one point after the cake, I found myself just looking around the room feeling REALLY BLESSED to have so many wonderful people in my life.  We are 2 years into this journey.........and I wouldn't be where I am today, without the love & support of each & every one of them.  Although we were celebrating Landon's 2nd birthday, we were also celebrating so much more......milestone's, achievements, perseverance, strength, family, friends, unconditional love, ACCEPTANCE & LIFE!!  Thank you to those who were able to celebrate with us.......and THANK YOU to so many others (family & friends) who have been fueling this journey with LOVE & ACCEPTANCE since the day Landon was born!!  We love you all:)

 Landon's best buddy's.....Thomas & Brenna 

{& Brook too}!!

Cousins & Friends!!!!! 

BROTHERS!!!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday sweet boy....we love you to the 

moon & back!!!!!

Spring is in the Air

These past 2 days we have had some BEAUTIFUL weather.....59 degrees!!  You know the Spring is coming when you wake up to the birds chirping first thing in the morning!  Ya know, those same chirping birds that I will most likely come to DISLIKE for waking me up a bit too early in the Spring.....but for now I'll take it!!

Someone else is getting a little spring fever too.......Landon has been practicing his climbing and sliding skills at school so that he can take those skills to the playground!!  And this mama.......CANNOT WAIT!!!

Thank you to Landon's teacher, Courtney, for taking these pics.......YOU'RE THE BEST!!

TUBE TIME

This past Monday, Landon had his follow up appointment with his ENT.  Dr. Lee has been watching Landon closely this past year, it seems Landon likes to walk that fine line, always getting close to maxing out on his fair share of ear infections in one season........but never really reaching that last one.  I am going to be honest with you, this has been a REALLY rough winter for Landon (& his brothers).  Ear infections, croup & strep throat have hit my 3 little musketeers HARD:(  I'm really not sure if we ever went more than one week without an antibiotic in the house!

Landon has been very fortunate up to this point, although he had numerous ear infections, with a little help from those friendly antibiotics, those infections seemed to pass (leaving no residual fluid behind).  Apparently he responds well to antibiotics, and Dr. Lee seemed pleased with that.  That combined with the fact that Landon has passed every hearing test with flying colors, has bought our little man some time.  We have never been concerned that Landon has ever had an issue with hearing......however, lately we have been questioning how CLEARLY he hears.  Landon has been doing GREAT with sign language and his signing vocabulary is growing every day.  I am so happy that Landon is able to communicate with us through sign language, keeping his frustration to a minimum.  However, I can't help but feel that Landon isn't quite as far along "vocally" as he should could be.  I know that a speech delay is evident in children with Down syndrome and probably the one area that will need the most long-term work.  I am OK with that.  

The bottom line is, EVERY season Landon gets A LOT of ear infections.  Regardless if the antibiotic works and clears things up, these frequent ear infections are slowly affecting his hearing.  After much discussion and total agreement, Dr. Lee, Scott and I feel like this time is very critical for speech, and it is our job to make sure we give Landon every opportunity to hear the words clearly & correctly.  Landon's day has finally come, he will soon be joining the "Tube Club".  We are currently waiting for a call back from Dr. Lee's office to schedule a surgery date at Children's Hospital of Boston (CHOB).

Although I am 100% OK with the actual surgery itself, I am terrified of putting my little peanut under anesthesia!  :(

THERE IS A REASON WHY............

.......us mommy's repeat the rules to daddy's A THOUSAND TIMES before we leave the house and the children under your supervision for ANY length of time!!!!

For example............

.....this is what daddy's medium french vanilla coffee from Dunkin' Donuts looked like BEFORE I left the house.....

.....this is what daddy's medium french vanilla coffee from Dunkin' Donuts looked like when I got back home 1 1/2 hours later.......

.....THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LEAVE YOUR COFFEE ON THE TABLE AND YOUR 5 YEAR OLD RUNS WILD IN THE HOUSE, UNSUPERVISED.....

.....ANY QUESTIONS?????!!!!!.....LOL

Happy 2nd Birthday Landon!!!

WOW!!  Can you believe it??  Landon is 2, today!!  This past year seemed to fly by even faster than the first.....YIKES!!  Although it's sad how quickly time goes by, TODAY, I am finding much joy in the place this amazing journey has taken us, so far. And I am feeling very blessed and thankful for this little love who has graced us with his presence.

At 2 years old, Landon..........

~has mastered the 4 point crawl
~can sign over 35 words, without prompting
~is beginning to self-feed (with a spoon)
~is beginning to take sips from a sippy cup & straw
~is FINALLY accepting new tastes and textures
~is officially WALKING more than crawling

~has 8 teeth (the 9th is on its way)......all 4 molars, 2 top front, 2 bottom front 

~has learned to climb on the couch (but has yet to find a more graceful way to get down)

~is PRACTICING climbing out of his crib, YIKES!!!:/

~can climb stairs alternating his knees and feet

~LOVES to take baths (and WILL NOT get out, until he is ready)

~LOVES MUSIC (singing and dancing are his favorite things to do)

~enjoys being read to (and is the best page turner)

~ADORES his big brothers (his face just lights up when they walk in the room)

~loves to WRESTLE with his brothers (and pull Elijah's hair)

~gives the best bear hugs and the sweetest and wettest kisses

~knows and points to different parts of his face & body

~can make the living room look like a tornado hit it in 2 seconds flat

~makes the silliest faces to make you laugh (especially when he knows he did something wrong)

~has begun the potty training process..........*sigh*

~IS TOUCHING HEARTS OF THOSE LUCKY ENOUGH TO MEET HIM!!

Landon had a very busy 2nd birthday............

~he went to feeding therapy first thing in the morning

~he went to PT in the afternoon

~then we went to Texas Roadhouse for a birthday dinner (well, we ate for him, lol)...and they did their signature "YEE HAW" for the birthday boy (and he actually sat on the saddle)

~then it was home for our family tradition "Birthday ICE CREAM CAKE" for dessert (and this year, Landon actually touched the cake and licked his fingers......the proof is on his "blue" tongue)!!  LOL

~then, of course, it was present time......I think Landon enjoyed the balloon & wrapping paper most!

We will be having Landon's party (with friends & family) next Saturday........BOWLING!!  Will post pics of the party then!!!  Here is a glimpse of Landon at a bowling party, last year..........cannot wait to see how he does this year:)