My Little Preschooler

My baby started a new chapter of his life two weeks ago when he walked into his first preschool class as a student!  He was well-equipped with his new "rescue vehicles" backpack and lunchbox, his little polo shirt, and his Ty-charm, and has completely settled right in as a member of the class in just two short weeks.  We are so proud!

 

 

Our town's public preschool program opens up to kids with special needs the week they turn 3, and those kids make up 50% of the class population.  The other 50% of the class is made up of typically developing kids who get chosen to attend the school based on a lottery system.  It is a true inclusion model of education, and Ty fully participates in his classroom activities like all of the other children.  We are so lucky to live in such an amazing school district that is dedicated to educating all of its students!  So, two days after his third birthday, Ty entered the class, with 9 other children.  Watching him walk with his class makes me smile - all that is visible is the tip of his little hat, bobbing along in a sea of monster-sized children.

 

By all reports though, Ty is thriving in his new environment!  Right from the first day, he sat through the entire circle time, and participated in circle activities.  Since then, his teacher has reported that he participates in gym class, has sung songs to his class twice (though no one knows exactly what he's singing!), and even got comfortable enough to eat snack with the other kids this past week (and anyone who knows Ty knows that eating is his biggest challenge!).  The most exciting report though, is that he is TALKING in school!  Not talking with sign, but using his spoken words to communicate with his teachers and peers.  We know what a chatterbox Ty is at home, but I was convinced it would take him months to feel comfortable to speak in front of strangers.  That is definitely not the case though!  He has completely surprised us with his willingness to participate in the classroom, and "show his stuff" to his teachers.  I couldn't be more proud of my little man!  This is definitely the beginning of a really exciting adventure for all of us!

 

I just want to leave you with a little "brag video" about Ty's preschool skills, saying the alphabet with me the other day (which he knows in upper and lower case, by name and by sound...such a smartie!).  We're still working on the pronounciation of a few letters, but it's great progress!  This preschool phase is a blast so far!

 



World Down Syndrome Awareness Day!

Every March 21st for the past three years I've written something to celebrate World Down Syndrome  Day (3/21 - the magical formula that creates Down Syndrome).  This year though, I really don't have a whole heck of a lot to say about Down Syndrome!  As awful as that might sound, the big looming "Down Syndrome" has really taken a back seat to life this past year, and my focus has shifted to the world of parenting as a whole.  I'll tell ya, raising a three year old has a whole new set of challenges that I'm pretty sure popped up on the day he turned three!  Naps no longer exist, the word "no" flies frequently out of his little mouth, and everything is done all. by. himself. (regardless if he can actually do it or not).  The public school experience has also entered our world, and I already find myself checking out his little friends in class making sure he's hanging with the "good crowd".  Our life is just different now than it was a few years ago, when I was worried over milestones and wondering if x, y, and z would affect his future (none of my worries have yet to come true, by the way!).

So to honor this day, I want to simply celebrate my little man, who with all of his awesome qualities "totally rocks his extra chromosome"!  No matter how he's made, Ty is a funny, charming, and oh-so sweet little guy, who makes our lives better simply because he's here.  I think that's a pretty great reason to celebrate! :)  Happy World Down Syndrome Day!

My love

 

Really?  Are we done with pictures yet?

Happy 3rd Birthday!!!

Happy 3rd birthday to the sweetest, fiestiest, strongest little guy I know!  I am finally proud to say that we have successfully made it through the infant and toddler stages, and have a smart, independent, and funny preschooler to show for it.  The past year was full of new steps and surprises.  Ty became a full independent walker the week after he turned two, and has become a proficient runner (too proficient!) and explorer.  He also became a talker, and communicates nearly everything with his words - granted they're not 100% clear all the time - but he's a talker, and always successfully gets his ideas across.  My favorite part is having "conversations" with my little man about his day.  He can tell me about outside activities (therapy sessions, for example) when I ask what he did today, and loves to tell me about new things he discovers.  He is such a curious little guy!  He's slowly beginning the potty training process with a bit of success, and has started to complete "chores" around the house, such as putting dirty dishes in the sink (which he loves, by the way...bonus for us!).  Ty also became a big brother this year, and 6 months later continues to be one of the best brothers I have ever seen.  This year as a whole has been such a great one for Ty, and we are so incredibly proud of how far he has come - not to mention the odds he has beaten every step of the way!

To celebrate his third birthday, Ty celebrated with his all-time favorite character - Thomas the Tank Engine!  Ty's closest little buddies came over to play with him, as well as his grandparents and aunts and uncle!

Daddy made Ty a pretty sweet life-size Thomas train - Ty's face when he finally got to meet Thomas for the first time was priceless!!!

 

He was amazed that he could actually ride inside Thomas!

 

Ty's buddies who came to celebrate with him (minus one hiding off to the side)! 
Coordinating a picture with seven 2-3 year-olds is an incredibly challenging task!

 

Playing "pin the train on the tracks"!

 

High-fives for everyone!

 

Opening presents with the help of his oldest friend, Jack!

Railroad track cupcakes

Someone is not amused by singing "Happy Birthday"...he's asking to get down in this picture!

 

 

Happy birthday, Ty-guy!  We love you to bits and pieces!!!

 

6 Months Old!!!

Brady is 6 months old!!!  I can't believe how much he's grown, and how fast he is changing every month!  This past month he has become a proficient sitter, an avid eater, and the most curious little guy I have ever met!  You can just see the little wheels turning in his head, wondering how he can get a toy, or magically jump up and run around with Ty.  He is always on the move! 

Not only is he a wiggle worm, but this kid is a talker, too!  He tells stories all day long, and started babbling "da da da" recently.  His little voice is absolutely precious!  

I just wanted to share a little video this month to give a true picture of Brady's awesome personality.  He always has a smile on his face, and can be propelled into nonstop giggles at the smallest movement.  We just love this kid to pieces!