Happenings...

Oh, summer keeps us so, so busy that I barely have time to update this blog. I really wanted this blog for myself - mostly to document all the wonderful things - we do in our family. So, here is what has been happening in the past month or so:

Nicholas has decided that he wants to JUMP! He loves to do it and claps so proudly for himself afterwards. Nathan is getting more and more confident with swimming. He will put his face in the water and swim without his floaty in shallow water.

Nathan's superhero 4th birthday party is now in preparation mode. I'm close to completing the superhero capes I made for both the boys and girls coming to the party. It was fun making them and he is so excited to be able to wear them with his friends.


We have been doing some major outings to the beach. We took our annual week vacation (our 3rd year!) up at there with friends...and HAD SO MUCH FUN. The weather was perfect. Six kids together everyday for five days and we all stayed unbelievably sane. Definitely already looking forward to next year.



Sadly, I had a miscarriage over the Fourth of July weekend. Funny, seems like I am just throwing that out there, but the doctor said I had a chemical pregnancy and it was a very, very early miscarriage. I knew right from the beginning when I took the pregnancy test that something was not right. It said positive, but I felt NOTHING. I wasn't throwing up like I did every day with my two boys :) So, for me, it it almost like it never happened. And that is good.

And here are just some crazy faces that make me laugh:

Good Stress

Things have been quite busy lately...both good and stressful at the same time. It is the start of summer, which is always a GOOD thing because it means mini-vacations up at the beach, visits to the pool, playgrounds and just plain with friends in the oh-so-missed-during winter-sun. So, it is good that summer is starting....

But, it is stressful because i realize that we can't just do whatever we want, whenever we want to...we have eight therapy sessions (PT, OT, Spec Ed, Speech - - all two times a week). So, we have to do our best to enjoy summer around therapy sessions. Secretly I just want to call all of them and cancel for the entire summer. No therapy until September, we are just having fun this summer!!! But, I don't have the guts to actually do it....and I don't want to "risk" what might happen if Nicholas doesn't have his weekly therapys. So, we will make the best of our summer days (around therapy, of course).

We had a scare on Saturday. I mean BIG scare. We got together with our friends - -friends that we met after Nicholas was born and ones that have little ones that are close to Nicholas' age that have DS. It was such a good time. Until, Nicholas went missing. The house we were at had a gate and all of the kids were playing...after I returned from the bathroom, I asked my hubby where Nicholas was and he didn't know...and then I saw the gate was open. I ran outside, and I didn't know what to do..I felt helpless...do I scream? call 911? run? where?

I looked down the street and saw a woman waving to me holding Nicholas' hand. I ran to her and as soon as I grabbed him, I began bawling, just flowing with the tears. It was the scariest few moments of my life.

But, I knew it was coming. Nicholas is a "runner"...he is very mischevious and loves to wander and explore (preferably on his own). Nothing holds his attention very long, so the minute he can "escape", he does.

The good that came out of this scare is we are now having a fence put up in our back yard. Because although he escaped from an opened fence gate, we were able to enjoy most of the night with him protected by fence. We just have to lock our fences religiously. And with a pond next to our house it is a must, we can't wait any longer for it.

I can't wait for summer fun in our to be safe-fenced in backyard. It will be so GOOD!!

Preschool: An End and a Beginning

The End: Nathan had his last day of 3 year-old preschool this week. On Thursday, the school had a picnic for all of the families. It was a perfect day. The sun was shining and the boys were ready to play. My boys do not like animals so much, so the pony ride was a no-go. But they loved climbing and playing on the playground.

I was sad to know that 3 year old preschool was over for Nathan. He just loved it, and his teacher just loved him. It means one more year closer to kindergarten, which i am dreading. But, I have to come to terms that he is growing up and is so cool now that I don't think I will ever get a picture without his sunglasses on...
The Beginning: I was so THRILLED when I spoke to the preschool teacher and learned she was open to having Nicholas in the 3 year old class (a year and a half from now). The school has never had a child with down syndrome (or even a significant disability I believe) in their 40 plus years. So, the fact that they are open to working with us, made me SO happy. And I hope we can set the way for future families. Just look at him, how could anyone resist having him as a student? Oh, he is such a love!!



So, as one ends the 3 year preschool experience, the other is going to get to experience it in a little over a year. And that makes me so happy :)

Mother's Day

We celebrated Mother's Day twice this year, once at Nathan's preschool and then at a Sunday brunch at our house. Nathan's preschool is truly a magical place. When I walked in for the Mother's Day party I was given a beautiful hat made by Nathan, and a spot at a nicely decorated table (with chairs meant for little boys and girls). Then, I waited eagerly for the door to open and the show to begin...


And finally Nathan came and announced his name and jumped off the stairs onto the stage.


Nathan was my little flower and sang lovely songs to me. Of course, all of us moms in the room had eyes full of tears!

Then we shared a snack...


...and I was given a precious gift. Nathan's was quite unique as his had all blue buttons (his favorite color) and were lined up precisely (all the other kids had buttons everywhere), which shows his personality. I just love it.


Before brunch on Sunday, I attempted to take pictures of the boys to give as a present for the Nanas. I have a new camera, so of course, I could do it by myself. Ha, ha...now I know why professional photographers are needed...the boys wanted nothing to do with posing for a photo. And Nathan wanted to "choke" Nicholas every time I had them get together. So here is what I came out with and I decided I'm just going to have to keep trying...

And finally, the best mother's day gift I received a new toy for the boys. Yes, another ride on toy. But this one has seat belts, which allows the boys to drive together around the neighborhood. And the joy they have on it is priceless!! (Plus, Nathan earned part of the cost while modeling at fisher price...the toy is supposed to come out in August with him on the box!)

Oh, and it snowed on Mother's Day...SNOW! But we had so much fun and I'm so blessed to be a mom to these wonderful little boys!!

Daddy's Fishing Buddy

Nathan caught his first fish today. I am not sure who was more excited... Nathan or daddy.


I was inside with Nicholas and the speech therapist when I heard the yell"I got a fish!" So, of course, I run out to go see. When daddy saw I didn't have my camera, he yelled for me to run and get it. I then realized they didn't yell for me necessarily, but for me to capture the moment for the two of them. Nathan was so excited, and daddy was so proud.


So fishing buddies they are now. They spent the rest of the day fishing and I'm sure many more summer days are ahead.

Oh Daddy

We love our daddy, esp. when he takes his day off to clean out the garage.

Which means spring is here and the outdoor toys finally come out! One of the neighbors came over and asked if we were having a garage sale. No, we just have a bunch of bright colored plastic toys sitting in our yard :) When the weather gets warmer our cars don't fit in the garage, but that is okay because the sandbox, picnic tables, ride on toys need their space.

The boys enjoyed playing outside in the warm weather.

And Nicholas' hair is finally starting to grow on me. I do want it to come back in because he has the best blond hair. But he looks like such a boy, and it shows off his personality...rough and tough.

And this is our backyard "before" picture. We are finally getting some estimates for a back patio. I can't wait to grill out back, have dinner on the patio and start playing in our backyard some more.

Miscommunication?? Really?

One of Paul's "duties" is to take the boys for their haircuts at the barber. I love him for doing it, as it shortens my never-ending to-do list by one task.
This morning, Paul took Nicholas to the barber. Nicholas is not a fan of the barber, and from what Paul tells me, he has to do everything in his power to hold him down to allow a cut. For the most part, the cut turns out really cute - short, but super cute and boyish. Today, was not such a good day at the barber.
Apparently, there was a "miscommunication" between Paul and the barber. According to Paul, it went something like this:

Paul: "Time to get out your clippers?"
Barber: "Really?"
Paul: "Yep"

Paul says he was referring to the clippers because last time Nicholas was so squirmy that they had to clip the back rather than use scissors. He didn't tell the barber that was what he was referring to. So, the barber used the clippers and COMPLETELY clipped the head. Paul said by the time he realized the miscommunication a big chunk was gone and that Nicholas would have had a mohawk. I wouldn't have taken the mohawk to a completely clipped head!!!

Anyway, here is Nicholas, bald but still beautiful.....