Please repost!!

This was posted on the Connecticut DS message board and needs to be passed around ASAP... There's a little boy in China with DS and needs to be adopted ASAP!!

http://www.prolifeblogs.com/articles/archives/2006/06/urgent_adoption.php

We had a nice time over the weekend despite the rain. The Irish Festival was a lot of fun, I got Joey the cutest shirt that says, "I drink me milk by the pint"!! The twins danced at the feis and did pretty good. The music was great like always and I can't wait for next year. I'm actully going home to Ohio in August for another Irish Festival that is going to be even larger than the one we went to yesterday! Before I met Patrick, I never listened to Celtic music or even knew what a feis was, now I can't get enough!!

About a month ago, I planted a couple tomato plants in larger patio pots and they've been growing on our back porch. I just went out back to check on them, and they're going to outgrow the pots I currently have them in! And to top it all off... I actully have little green tomatoes forming!! SUCCESS!!!

I just want to thank Radonna for letting me copy her adorable DS blinkies!! THANK YOU!!

Onto a Joey update.

I finally got him to laugh today! Before, he would try to laugh, but no sound would come out, and finally today, I got a couple giggles out!! Now I just need a "MaMa"!!!!!! Of corse that's a couple more months down the road, until then, I have his new laughter :)

The past two days Joey has been trying so hard to hold onto his bottle. Well, he's been trying for a while, but yesterday and today he is determined to hold the darn thing. The only problem is, he can't seem to keep his left hand up, but practice will make perfect :)

He's also been sleeping a lot more lately. He sleeps through the night (10pm-7am) and his naps have been getting a little longer during the day (which has been nice for me). I've also been finding myself getting tired a lot more, being a mom is definetly hard work!! When I was younger I would look at my mom and think how fun and easy it would be to be a stay at home mom and I've found out how hard it truely is!!

This weekend is going to be a lot of fun. Patrick's friend, Curt from law school is coming for a visit. We haven't seen him since our wedding so it's going to be nice to see him again. And as long as the rain holds off, we're going to the Irish Festival. Pat's Dad's band is playing and the twins will be step dancing at the feis on Sunday. Good music & food, how much better can it get?

I figured since a lot of the other moms have shared their children's montage, I decided it was time I make Joey one too.


I can change the world!

It seems like everyday, Joey does something just a little different. Today, his smile seems to have gotten bigger.

Tonight, Patrick, his brother and I are going to a concert! It's our second time getting out by ourselves without Joey. It's going to be so nice to have a night to have fun and maybe even have a couple drinks. We're going to see one of my favorite bands, Lynyrd Skynyrd. I really need to start getting out more, it's like, I know I need to get out, but I don't want to leave Joey. And we don't leave him with just any babysitter, it's Patrick's sister Eileen who I trust with my life. Even when I leave Joey with Patrick, I feel like I have to hurry home to take care of Joey. Why can't I just take time for myself? Am I just weird or is it a first time Mom issue?

Happy Father's Day

I just wanted to wish my husband a Happy Father's Day. A year ago from now, Patrick and I never expected to parents within a year of our wedding. We were married on May 28 and a little over a month later I became pregnant. He has been the best daddy ever, he doesn't even complain when changing a poopy diaper! Patrick and Joey are best buds and I don't see that changing ever!

Everyday when Patrick gets home from work, it becomes Daddy time. The first thing when he walks in the door he takes Joey from me and give him a big hug and kiss. He doesn't even put Joey down while eats his dinner. He cherishes every single moment with his son and I think that it is so wonderful.

Up & Going

I just came across this great article about a 45 year old man with DS in Malaysia who is considered one of the town's most important figures because of his job.

Say Cheese!!

I just wanted to share these new pictures that were taken by Joey's Aunt Stephanie (thanks Steph!). I just submitted the one with the race car bib to the NYC Buddy Walk photo contest... I love Joey's face in it!!

Cued Speech

I just signed up to take a workshop on Cued Speech and was wondering if any of the other T-21 parents have any experience with this or have any comments on this method rather than ASL or baby signing. Let me know!
Thanks!!!!

BUMBO!!!

Wow, I just realized how long it's been since I've given a true update! Joey is blabbling away now. He's so funny!
Joey loves sitting up although of course he can't do this on his own yet. I've been getting tired of dragging his high chair through the house so he can sit in it so last night Patrick and I went to Target and bought Joey a bumbo seat. He loves it!! I'll be sure to post pictures of him sitting in it as soon as I get a chance.
Speaking of the little devil... he's waking up from his nap so I better get going!!!

4 Legged Therapy

Last but not least... I just read a couple articles about horse riding therapy for children with disabilities. Pretty interesting... High Times With a Four Legged Friend by Susan Reinhardt and Horsing around, child’s play just another day at work for physical therapist by George Diepenbrock.

I also just found this article written by Jeremy Harmon. It's about a man with T-21 and about how times have changed since the 1960's and also about the accomplishments he has made in the special olympics.

Just a couple articles (thanks to RNP) that I found worth posting...

My Brother is Not His Disability written by Colgan Leaming.
Also, Down Syndrome, The Positives written by Peter Schworm.