Blueberries!

Blueberries are a BIG hit in our family. We can't keep a container around for much longer than one sitting. Add one more person to the mix!

Joaquin LOVES blueberries and he ate them in halves. This is his first fruit that we haven't had to puree or mash. I just cut them up into halves and he chewed each one up. So fun! I think we're on to something here. Maybe my Vita Mix won't be needed as much anymore. Very exciting!

Philadelphia Postponed

We've decided to postpone our revisit to the Institutes. We probably won't be going until November. We were originally scheduled to go in August but after a conversation with our advocate, we decided it would be best to wait. I had a great conversation with Susie, our advocate, and I actually felt better after talking to her. I was completely honest with her about how little we have been able to accomplish with Joaquin over the past few months in terms of our goals.

We've been busy and honestly a lot of Joaquin's program has not even been started. There is nothing worse than writing those words. I feel like I am failing him as a mother right now. He is still getting his Early Intervention therapies 5x/week but there is sooooo much more that I could and should be doing with him. Talk about mother's guilt.

When I get down to really looking at my schedule, it is pretty crazy busy but there IS time to fit in his program. However, I'm lacking the energy and enthusiasm that it takes sometimes and I usually want to spend my free time loving on Joaquin not "working" with him. Again, it's not supposed to be WORK and in fact, the program is supposed to be fun and enjoyable but I just feel like I'm overwhelmed with it. With the diagnosis. With the prognosis. With the responsibility. With the paperwork. With everything.

There are days when I want to throw in the towel. I want to forget about the Down syndrome and just know Joaquin. I want to accept him for all that he is right in this moment and to stop worrying about the future or how much his brain is stimulated or developed.

This job called parenting is exhausting.

So, I will take Susie's advice and start from the beginning. Taking it one step at a time. Starting with one aspect of the program and trying to accomplish it, then slowly adding more when I can. Any little bit is better than nothing. And I will remember that Joaquin is thriving no matter what by living in an active, stimulating and loving home. Thank God for that.


Here is Joaquin at the end of the day. Exhausted...just like Mama!

Roll Call

Are you coming to the National Convention this summer in Sacramento? Do you blog? If so, please check out DS BLOGGERS and get your custom made badge. I can't wait to meet everyone in person. I'm so excited!

Honey Bear

Honey Bear....I love you!!!!

Joaquin can drink from a straw! Yahoo! Thanks to the Honey Bear Sippy Cup. We are so excited!

It just took being consistent. We've had this thing around our house for a long time but I just didn't give it the effort and consistency that Joaquin needs. After one week of working with it, basically squeezing the bear so that Joaquin knew it had liquid in it and then waiting for him to close his mouth around the opening, he figured out how to sip a straw!

Another milestone to celebrate! One step closer to weaning!

A Little Dream of Mine

Have I ever mentioned that I have this dream of becoming a yoga instructor for special needs children... a kind of mommy and me program? I have this dream and vision of Joaquin as my model as a child and then, as he grows, my business partner. And then one day teaching his own classes and starting a little franchise. I love my little yoga dream.


Here is a photo of Baby Joey and Joaquin hanging out together. So cute!