A Year In Review

All in all, 2011 turned out to be a pretty decent year, I think!  Looking back to where we were one year ago today, it amazes me at how much has changed in our lives.  Ty has gone from an infant to a full-blown toddler, and has gained an incredible amount of independence.  We have met many new people through our Down syndrome playgroups, and Ty has made some great new friends.  I have given up the hectic life of a full-time teacher, to be a stay-at-home mom to the student who needs and appreciates me the most!  We are in a very different place now than we were 12 months ago, but it's all for the better.  Looking back...   

January 2011 - At the start of the year, Ty was just 10 months old.  He was just learning to feed himself crackers...

....stand to play

                                                          

 ...hold his own bottle

 ...and give those ever-so-sweet kisses of his!

February 2011 - This was the month of that stubborn first tooth...

...when he discovered the joy of clapping

 ...and his first DS playgroup - Morning Travelers!

March 2011 - Our little guy turned 1!!!  We played hookey to take him to the aquarium, and had a party with all of his family. This was my favorite day of the year!

April 2011 - This is when Ty discovered true mobility in his walker and realized he could get into everything!  He also started to really crawl sometime this month, though I can't even remember when anymore!

 He also celebrated his first Easter. 

This is still one of my all-time favorite pictures...dressed up, attitude and all!

 And as the weather started to warm up, we were able to explore the orchards, trails, and ponds near our house.  We had many many more days like this one!

May 2011 - The month of May brought Ty to his first parade (which he LOVED!)...

 ...and was when Ty developed his love...no, obsession...for swimming!

June 2011 - June was a fun one.  We participated in the NSTAR walk for Children's Hospital Boston, and walked 7 miles around the Charles River (in the cold and rain!) for Team Down Syndrome!

 Ty also finally...FINALLY...started to get on his hands and knees by himself, after months of army crawling!

 And he learned to spoon-feed himself!

July 2011 - July was a busy one as we celebrated the 4th (and our 3rd wedding anniversary!)...

 ...Ty got his second set of ear tubes, and built a nice 20 word vocabulary within a month!

... We celebrated Ty's baptism at the church where Eric and I were married.

 ...And Ty had his first visit to the beach, which he LOVED!

We discovered he is NOT afraid of freezing New England ocean water!

August 2011 - August brought Ty's first mini-vacation to Lake Winnisquam...

 ...And was the month when he learned to really stand well by himself.

September 2011 - The start of fall brought about probably the biggest change of the year, as I started my new "career" as a stay-at-home mom, rather than returning to work as a teacher. I don't regret a minute of it!

Ty also attended his first football game, and discovered his love for sporting events!

October 2011 - This month brought along Ty's first steps...a moment we had been waiting for!  Though he's not walking independently all the time yet, it was a good start!

 Our little puppy also celebrated Halloween!

November 2011 - November brought Ty's second Thanksgiving.  He looked oh-so-handsome in his little outfit.  This is one of the first pictures where I can really see how old he's getting!

December 2011-  This past month was filled with Christmas preparations, which Ty took part in this year.  He thoroughly enjoyed "shopping" for ornaments, as he walked by the Christmas tree...

 ...and of course his infamous visit with Santa (neither of them look thrilled!)

Whether it was a new skill, new experience, or exciting event, our year was definitely filled with excitement and celebration.  I have a feeling 2012 will be even better :-)

Wishing you a very Happy New Year, and a 2012 of health and happiness!