Logan at School!

Logan LOVES school! He lights up when we talk about it and he always has big smiles for his teachers. I go in and observe often and it's so fun to see his progress. He is more and more talkative and catches on to the songs and routines quickly. His least favorite thing always seems to be PT, but his PT at school it learning what Logan likes and is making it fun for him. Logan is the kind of kid who would much rather sit and look at books than practice climbing the stairs. He is also making some progress with drinking out of an open cup!

Logan's First Day of School

Logan's first day of school...well, I was told he did well and that they heard lots of words! Logan is quite a bit smaller that the other three year olds and we have big things to accomplish this year like going up and down the stairs to and from his classroom and following directions. Logan HATES having his hand held. He insists on being free to go where he wants to go. He can also be stubborn when it comes to trying new things or transitioning to a new activity. He does much better when he knows the routine and what's coming next. I hope that he will find a routine at school, but it may be hard because he only goes two days a week for 2 hours each day.
I was told I need to find a way to keep his backpack on his back. It is the tiniest backpack I could find, but it is still too big for him.
I am excited to see what this year brings and to see how far he comes with the help of his teachers and therapists at school.


After school today, I did a little "first day of school" photo session with Logan! He is so funny!

Bye Bye Birth to 3...

Hello reality. We had our last visit from Birth to 3 yesterday and it's all starting to hit me now. The fact that those people who have helped us and been on our side for the last three years are now gone. Now I feel lost and it feels like the days shortly after Logan was born when we didn't know exactly what the next steps were going to be. We have followed the typical protocol and have enrolled Logan in the local school's early childhood program, but it's all new and it's hard to trust others who we don't know and who don't know Logan. We developed an IEP, but it just doesn't feel right, or at least not yet. I always feel unsure that I am doing every I can for Logan. Now, as he turns three, I hope that I did enough over the past three years. We are faced now with all new challenges and we are facing them in new environments with new people.

Logan got to enjoy a cupcake with his Birth to 3 teacher and speech therapist on his last day. We are really going to miss the entire Birth to 3 team!

It's done!

Devin's "School" is complete! Now, we can't wait for the snow to melt so we can all go out and enjoy it! Thanks Dad!

IFSP and Transition Meeting

Logan had his IFSP yesterday and I can't believe that he is almost done with Birth-to-3. It's really sad to think that he is growing up so fast and the program has had such a positive impact on his development. I feel like his therapists genuinely care about him and I fear that I may feel very alone after he turns three. He will transition to our local school district and a representative attended the meeting, but I don't think the support with be the same. I am feeling that Dale and I will now have to step up and take charge of what happens from this point on, instead of a program taking care of us. Even though I am nervous about the change, I do feel ready to advocate for him and I am thankful for our strong support system of families going through exactly what we are going through.

I also am not ready to let him go...he's still my baby. At only about 30 inches tall, he is the size of most 18 month olds. I just want to keep him home with me! He's just way too little to go off to school!!

First Day of School

Well, it went better than I thought it would...for me and for Devin. He was very excited this morning and eager to get out the door. When we got there I stood with him in line where we waiting to be led to his classroom. When we got to his classroom door he just went right in. I had to stop him to tell him goodbye and that was it. I turned and went on my way. He didn't even hesitate....such a big boy.

Random Pictures

I have to admit that I haven't been taking many pictures of my kids lately...but I searched my camera for some of them and I found a few to share. I'm scrambling to emptying my camera card to make room for "first day of school" pictures tomorrow. I'm nervous and I think Devin is too....for his first day of school that is. I don't think I will be sleeping much tonight. He has already told me that he is scared to go and he really hasn't been on his own before. I will be counting the minutes to when the bus brings him back.

Devin racing Dad and the stroller.

Logan and Aubrey loved to go for walks. They keep their hands to themselves most of the time.

Devin has become a dare devil on his bike. He now stands up while he is riding and also rides with his feet off of the pedals!

Logan loves to sweep! He's such a good helper and I don't have to ask.

Devin starts a new phase of his life tomorrow. I can't believe he is old enough for school! He's still my baby.

My baby is leaving me...

Last week, I had to sign my baby up for 4 year old kindergarten! Yikes! I knew it was coming, but I am not sure I am prepared. Just reading through the packet of info made me so nervous. I am going to be a wreck the day he gets on that big bus all by himself...ok I have to change the subject now. To make matters worse, I ran into the early childhood teacher while I was at school. I can't believe how soon Logan will be in school too! This is the teacher that Logan will have when he turns 3. She informed me that laws have changed (for the better) and I am allowed to choose one of two options. I can send Logan to her classroom at the elementary school, where he would be with the other children needing early childhood, or I can choose a preschool and send him there with typical kids. If I choose option two, the early childhood teacher will go to the preschool to work with Logan. It's good to hear that educators are realizing that our kids with Down syndrome are thriving when placed with typical kids versus being singled out and taken to special education classrooms. I hear so often about parents having to fight to get there kids with DS included with their peers. I know that each child with DS is very different and that the amount of time that Logan will be able spend in the typical classroom is a big unknown, but at least I feel like I have hope that our district with give Logan every chance available to be taught in a typical classroom.