Wordless Wednesday

The Teachings of Jon

Have you ever seen this documentary?

I've known about it for quite some time but it took me until just the other day to find the courage to watch it.

I purchased it on the recommendation of a friend of mine that mentioned it was one of the most touching things she had ever seen and she does NOT have a family member with DS. Then, I read in Kathryn Soper's memoir that she too had seen the documentary and was touched deeply by it as well. I knew it was time.

I would love to hear what people think of the show. I found it very moving and extremely interesting but at the same time I was left with many questions and a bit of sadness. Jon and his family are very happy so I should be happy for them but I'm just left wondering.

I would say that this film is a HUGE reminder of how important early intervention is for children with DS, those first 3 years of life are crucial, and Jon was in an institution for the first 7 years of his life, in a crib for most of that. We will never know how EI could have possibly changed Jon's life and maybe that's not important but it does leave you wondering.

I think of all the tools available now to help people communicate and since Jon is non verbal, I wonder if these things could help now. I remember seeing a communication board where you can place picture of things you want to say (different foods, different activities) and you push them on this board and they speak for you. I wonder if they have tried this with Jon.

Lots of unanswered questions but I guess the most important thing I gathered from this documentary is that if this is the worst case scenario in terms of level of function, there will still be joy. Jon is happy. Jon's family is happy. That IS the most important thing.

If anyone here in Sacramento or even elsewhere would like to borrow my DVD, I would be happy to lend it out. Just email me and I'll send it off to you, a little lending library if you will.

Wordless Wednesday

Trouble with a Capital "J"

You might find this hard to believe but I have never EVER had to put child safety locks on any of my cabinets or drawers. Not even my china cabinet. Please remember...Joaquin is our THIRD boy. We have made it this far without having to really change or alter our household in any way. Crazy, right?

That was until our third little devil discovered a whole new WORLD to explore inside our house.

Over the past weekend, we discovered that we have a little troublemaker in our house. Our little crawler or shall I say creeper (he's on hands and knees almost exclusively now for transportation) and our little stander and cruiser has figured out that he can get into anything and everything.

The other day I found him playing in the toilet water (YUCK!!) with the garbage can tipped over right next to him with used tissues thrown all over the place. He also LOVES to throw anything that happens to be on the bathroom floor into the tub. I've found shoes, underwear, toys all stashed in the bathtub.

Later that same day, while Hector was reading stories to Diego and Mateo at bedtime, Joaquin decided to climb up one of the boy's lounge chairs and up onto the top of the train table. Diego and Mateo NEVER did that kind of stuff!

He also LOVES to unload baskets. And we happen to have a lot of baskets that we use as storage containers. So...all the clothes, toys, blocks, etc are taken out of the baskets on a daily basis and in almost every room of the house. I do remember Diego and Mateo taking down the books everyday from the bookshelf but never to this extent. Joaquin is thrilled by laundry piles.

And don't for one minute leave the front door open! This boy will dart over to the open door and creep his way onto our porch. He's smart enough to know to stop at the three steps that lead down to the driveway. Thank goodness! Otherwise, I'm sure he'd be next door if he could.

I can't take my eyes off him when we are outside. He's put sticks, leaves, grass, pebbles, rocks and shoes in his mouth. He does this all with a grin on his face! He knows he's playing us!

TROUBLE I tell you! I have a feeling we are in for it with this one. I know I'll be buying safety locks in no time and rearranging the house. I've said it before and I'll say it again...the third one's a charm!

SOLD OUT!!!

I have officially SOLD OUT of my first batch of 19 "i did it" tees!

I have officially ordered 19 "Gifts 2" books from Woodbine House!

I have officially ordered 20 more infant tees and am saving up to order some toddler tees next!

I have almost officially SOLD OUT of this second batch of tees and will again be purchasing more books!

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!

We CAN make a difference!!!

Got Milk?

This is the face I see whenever Joaquin wants "mama's milk" and he pulls up to my lap to ask. Notice the sharp pointy teeth? One word...OUCH!!!


I'd really like to make it until he turns two but that all depends on whether or not he decides to bite me. It's happened only a few times so far and I've escaped permanent damage but I'm still REALLY nervous about it!

The Magical Afghan

I swear this afghan has some sort of "happy" magic in it! It just brings out so much joy in all the kids. We were so blessed to be able to share in it's journey around the world and we also feel blessed to be a part of this very special T21 global community.

Here is a series of photos of Joaquin playing with the T21 Traveling Afghan. He was so theatrical with it.








And then it was time to pass it on to Joey. Joaquin tucked the blanket around Joey very carefully and then looked at me as if to say "Does it really have to go?"




Apparently the afghan also has some magical sleep powers...Joey fell fast asleep as soon as we put it over him.