One Step Closer...

...to becoming a family of SIX!

Check it out...Saving Sofia

The boys are one step closer to having a baby sister!

Sofia...here we come!!!

Wordless Wednesday- Happy Easter 2010!

Standing and Stepping

He did it!

He's standing on his own! He has taken one step from that position as well!

Walking is JUST around the corner.

We're so proud of you Joaquin and so excited for this next new stage in your development!

"Joaquin Funny!"

These are the words of our *almost* 2 year old neighbor Addison when you ask her to sum up our attempt at an annual St. Patrick's Day photo in front of our tree.

It was quite an effort to get all 5 kids still and smiling at the same time and little stinker that he is, Joaquin was the MOST difficult. All he wanted to do was escape and crawl down the street...his new favorite past time much to my dismay. I cannot for a SECOND keep the front door open or my escape artist is literally scurrying down the front porch steps, down the driveway and then down the street. This boy is LIGHTENING fast when he crawls. I really have never seen anything like it. He is SPEEDY!

"Joaquin Funny!"

So Sweet

On Saturday we attended a local community outreach and support meeting for families touched by Down syndrome sponsored by DSIA.

We left our kids downstairs for music with Music to Grow On and an art session by Maren's Art Studio while we went upstairs for a discussion session just for the parents. I have to say I was a bit nervous leaving my 3 very active and sometimes rowdy boys but when we got downstairs, the first thing I saw was this.



Joaquin had fallen asleep in the arms of J.P., a self advocate and avid golfer...and apparently a baby whisperer. It was the sweetest thing to see.

World Down Syndrome Day 3-21-10

Happy World Down Syndrome Day....3-21...in honor of that VERY special extra chromosome that seems to be somewhat magical.

We love you Joaquin and everything you have taught us...to appreciate the beauty in all things and to let go of the myth of perfection.

You are a GIFT!

My Son Ate My Calendar!

You've all heard the excuse..."My dog ate my homework!"

Well, today I went to go grab my appointment book which I often call my Bible because it holds EVERYTHING I need to know to function on a daily basis! I found it on the floor near the dining room table and there were a few remnants of wet and chewed paper next to it.

JOAQUIN ATE MY CALENDAR BOOK!!!

He helped himself to two pages...this week and next week...and now I'm totally LOST!!!

I'd be freaking out if it wasn't so darn funny. Silly...and apparently hungry...boy!

Now off to figure out what I had planned and scheduled for this week and next. Yikes! Just happens to be two very important and busy weeks in our lives right now!

NDSC Poster Campaign

To cast a vote for Joaquin, go to the NDSC website and scroll down the first paragraph where it says "To pick a poster..." and pick poster #199 if you love Joaquin's! You can also vote for his baby sister Sofia by picking her poster #200!

"R" Word Speech You Don't Want to Miss

Kevin's R Word Speech

A fellow blogger and friend Lisa at Finnian's Journey recently posted this very touching speech by her oldest son Kevin (13) who plans on presenting it to his student body and their families. I'm so very proud of him and can only HOPE my two oldest boys will follow in Kevin's footsteps and be an advocate for their little brother (and soon to be baby sister) some day.

I love Dan!

If you haven't "met" Dan, you need to go check him out on his brother's blog titled Dan Drinker. This post and this post are just two of many posts that I seriously get the biggest chuckle over. I cannot wait to "get to know" Joaquin as a young adult (although I'm totally savoring his babyhood!) I have to think that based on Joaquin's personality now that he just might have a similar sense of humor.

I adore you Dan!

Heroes Among Us

Reece's Rainbow founder Andrea Roberts will be featured in this week's People Magazine, in a section called "Heroes Among Us". The edition will be available Friday, February 19th. This is a wonderful opportunity for others to learn about Andrea and all she is doing through Reece's Rainbow--and to get the word out about the plight of orphans with special needs in Eastern Europe. Please check it out!

A Birth Story

I stumbled upon a birth story that may quite possibly be the MOST beautiful thing I have ever read. I feel like I was a witness to this birth the way she so accurately and intimately describes it. Maybe it's because her story resonates so deeply with my own story.

Get ready to be completely moved by this....Nella Cordelia

Turning Two

How is it that my baby boy is 2 today?

What an amazing two years it has been. I love this little boy so much it hurts.

Happy Birthday Joaquin! We adore you.

Chills

This website I came across today just gave me the chills as I read his foreward. What an amazing project and an amazing man.

Check it out....I'm Down With You

A Little Girl Named Sofia...

...has stolen our hearts and we are committed to bringing her home.

We're ADOPTING!!!

Please join us on our newest adventure and meet our little girl who will complete our family.

Saving Sofia

Four is the Magic Number

Here is your riddle for the day....

13 is 8 is 5, 5 is 4, 4 is 4 and 4 is the magic number. Why?
Hint: 6 is 3, 3 is 5, 5 is 4, 4 is 4, and 4 is the magic number.
Hint: 26 is 9, 9 is 4, 4 is 4, and 4 is the magic number.

Now what would this have to do with Three's a Charm?

Finding Home Away From Home

Awhile back we went to Disneyland with the kids and I remember posting how shocked and sad I was to report that I did not see one child with DS in all of Disney. I was shocked by that.

Well, I'm happy to report, I saw not one but THREE children with Down syndrome on our recent trip to Playa del Carmen, Mexico. All three were very "normal" and happy families and the kids were absolutely darling. Two of the kiddos were babies Joaquin's age or younger and one boy was about 9 or 10 years old traveling with his American family.

It was such a joy for me. Two out of the three families, I wasn't able to make a connection with as they were either passing by or busy doing their own thing. But one family in particular I was able to not only meet but really connect with.

I had the pleasure of meeting Iliana and her parents and we spent some good quality time together. Mom was Romanian and Dad was from Argentina. Their daughter Iliana was born in Romania but was flown quickly to Italy to have heart surgery when her diagnosis was made because, as Dad put it, there was "no way in hell they were going to have her surgery done in Romania." Iliana is now 15 months old and they have a new baby boy who is almost 3 months old who was born in Veracruz, Mexico where they live now.

We spent a lot of time talking about how amazing it is to have a child with DS and we also did a lot of comparing on the services provided for a child with DS in the States vs a child in Mexico or in Eastern Europe. Dad is an international engineer of sorts and moves every 2-3 years so they are really hoping to move to the States in the near future to take advantage of the services. Mom is a psychologist and also had such great and deep thoughts to share about the joy of raising her daughter. We had so much in common as I think all of us parents do when we have a child with DS. I just loved it. I loved meeting them, playing and visiting with their family and watching Joaquin and Iliana play together.

It was like finding home away from home. And I think we'll have these experiences more often than not for the rest of our lives. I really feel fortunate.

Xcaret

Xcaret is an eco park just outside of Playa del Carmen and it's such a cool place to go with the family...highlights were the bat cave, the floating river, the butterfly preserve, and the turtle preserve. It was our third visit there. We love it!

Here is another family photo on the giant hammock on the beach.

Beach Baby

The sun, surf and sand really agreed with Joaquin. I think it's safe to say he is a Beach Baby!

Then and Now

Here we are in Playa at Christmas time in 2005 and then in 2009...one of these things is not like the other?!?! One of these things just isn't the same...and we are so glad about that!

I'm kinda happy to report that Hector and I don't look too much older, right?!?!

Happy 5th Birthday Mateo!

Turning 5 is a big deal around here. It's always been my favorite number and for some reason age 5 just seems so BIG!!! Mateo turns FIVE today and we will spend the day celebrating him. With two boys over the age of 5 now, it feels like our family is about to head into a different mode. Every year our boys will grow more independent. Makes you want to take a moment and just cherish these years. Thank God I have the ability to be home with my children and savor it all...the hardest job in the world but the BEST job in the world. Thank you Hector for making this possible for our family.


Happy Birthday Mateo. We love you so much!

Changing Perspectives and Expectations

Check out this link and learn about a Spanish actor who has a degree from a University (and is pursing his second) and oh, by the way, he has Down syndrome....

The Need for Inclusive Education

A Leap of Love

Here is an article from The Washington Post about an amazing family who adopted three boys with Down syndrome after the birth of their son, Jonny, who also has DS. Their daughter, Maddy, just happened to audition for this season's American Idol and made it through! She is not only a very grounded, compassionate 16 year old girl but she has a gorgeous voice as well. Please read this article about her wonderful family!

A Leap of Love

Wordless Wednesday (Playa del Carmen)

A Beach in Tulum at Dusk

First Stop...COBA

Coba is the tallest Mayan pyramid in the Yucatan and we all climbed it....well, everyone except for Joaquin. But he made it up about 4 steps!!



This thing was TALL and steep and VERY scary.


It took about 3 miles hiking in the jungle to get to the pyramid and the boys were all troopers.





As soon as we got there, Diego started climbing all by himself. I yelled to Hector to go after him after a German couple looked at me like I was crazy and said "Wow, he's brave." I realized then how DANGEROUS the thing was. So Hector went up after him and Mateo followed right behind.

Now, anyone who knows me also knows that I am NOT a nervous parent. I'm pretty easy going and usually remain calm even when faced with potentially dangerous situations. But this pyramid had me sweating. There I was at the base of the pyramid clinging to Joaquin in his carrier and I was literally praying out loud to God to keep the boys safe as they fearlessly climbed to the top. I was SO nervous.



But...they made it! And they made it down. Hector said it was the scariest thing he's ever done with the boys. Diego was thrilled and Mateo was totally cool with it. Mateo is usually my very cautious little guy but he really tackled the climb with absolutely no fear. Amazing!



When Diego said he wanted to go again, I said I've got to do this. I've got to tackle my fear. I have the BIGGEST fear of heights. As I climbed I didn't look up or down. I just stayed as close as possible to the rocks, keeping my center or gravity as close as possible to the stones (I must have looked ridiculous) and eventually I made it. The view from the top was worth it all...nothing but miles and miles and miles of untouched jungle. Gorgeous! I'm so glad I did it.