First Wordless Wednesday

Rub a dub dub

I just have to share some bath time photos. Jack LOVES the water.

Birthday Party and Halloween

Jack's Birthday was a two day celebration. Friday was his actual birthday and he tried cake for the first time and loved it of course. Saturday (Halloween) was his party day. I have yet to take down the door decoration.
Maggie, Jimmy and Jack Jack and Reya Cake #1 Cake #2 Singing "Happy Birthday" to Jack

Family Photo Jack the Lion
It was a busy day, but we had to dress him up for Halloween, even if it was just for 10 minutes! He looked so cute. And when he crawled, you would just see the mane moving. He kept on trying to take off the hood/mane too.

Cake!

Jack's first taste of cake...

Clap for cake.
First taste of cake.

Oh, this is good Mommy.
Yummy!
More cake and blue icing.
I love cake!

Happy First Birthday Jack!

Happy 1st Birthday Jack!

Today is Jack's First Birthday! I cannot believe it. My son is one year old!!! I have a one year old son. No matter how you say it. It doesn't seem possible. This first year of life went by way too fast. I have always heard parents say that and now I know what they mean. It's funny. I can't even remember him small and tiny like the newborn he was, but yet it seems like just yesterday that my doctor was telling me "We're going to admit you into Labor and Delivery now."

Happy Birthday Jack! We love you!


So you ask, what is one year old Jack up to these days? He has almost mastered the crawling! Yay! He can crawl to something when he wants, but he usually has to be prompted to do so. The remote and our dog are great luring devices. Go, go, go Jack! I will try to get video and post it later.


Happy Birthday Doodle bug!

Happy Heart

We went to the Cardiologist today and got an echo cardiogram. The last echo was done when Jack was born and it found a small hole in his heart, but luckily it did not need surgery to repair, we just had to wait until it closed. At Jack's six month appointment, the doctor said it might close by the time he is a year old. The hole is closed! Yay! No more Cardiologist. Check that baby off the list! I just wanted to share the good news.

Jack did great during the echo too. The technician whistled and I sang. I had to hold his limbs down and it felt like the test took forever. The technician said Jack did great and I did a good job distracting too. He said sometimes it takes an hour because the kids squirm so much. Thank goodness it didn't take that long! It's quite difficult to hold 4 baby limbs with only 2 arms! I got kicked in the neck a few times. Jack looked so cute on that hospital bed in his diaper. He is such a good baby! He is almost one (4 days to go) and will always be my baby.

Dinner Dance Program

Back in September, Jack posed for some photos for the UPS for DownS (United Parent Support for Down Syndrome) Dinner Dance program. The UPS for DownS big fundraiser is their Dinner Dance and they put together a little program to showcase our kids. The theme this year was Roaring 20's and to fit the theme, the photos were shot at Al Capone's Restaurant and Hideaway. The Dinner Dance was last weekend and we weren't able to go, so I'm not sure what photos made it into the program, but if you ask me, I think the photos of Jack are cover worthy. But I might be a little biased.

Buddy Walk Success

Last Sunday we walked in the Buddy Walk for the first time. It was a great day, although quite cold! The day before the walk, we went out to buy Jack his first pair of shoes and a winter coat. And it's a good thing we did. We bundled him so tightly, he couldn't move his limbs. He stayed warm though! So warm, he took a night long nap in the stroller breathing that cold fresh Fall air.

Team Jack was quite successful in the Buddy Walk raffle. My friend won a night's stay at a hotel, John won a book, my father-in-law won two things (a toy for Jack and a DVD system for the car)! How cool! I guess we are one lucky team. The walk site was new this year and it was beautiful. The Jesse White tumblers even performed and they get pretty crazy with the flips and trampoline.

It was a great day. Team Jack raised over $300! Thank you to all who walked with us as Team Jack and thank you to those that donated to the Buddy Walk!

Recent Photos

We went over to my Dad's for dinner last weekend and finally got some good photos of Jack. I have not been liking the photos our digital camera has been taking lately at all. Here are some cute ones. Hey my smiling boy!


And here is the game "elevator" that John likes to play with Jack.
Jack looks down when he's ready to plummet.
His hair goes flying in the air.
Surprisingly, he loves it!

Aqua Therapy

After a four month long wait list, we finally got to start Aqua Therapy with an OT today. I wish I had a picture to show you how cute Jack was, but I didn't know how comfortable OT Monica would feel about that. Jack and OT Monica had the indoor pool all to themselves. I sat on the sidelines dressed in my swim suit, just in case I needed to participate too. He was SO cute to watch. Him in his little orange trunks and winter rosy cheeks and me watching on like a proud Momma. He splashed, kicked his legs, worked on putting pressure on his legs and feet, got to float on this cool raft, played with water toys, practiced being on all fours and Monica sang to him the whole time. She said he is very tolerant and did great. It was a fun 30 minutes to watch and I look forward to next week....I think Jack does too.

On a side note, this blog I follow (Our Unexpected Journey) posted this great entry. October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month and the goal is to make people more aware and accepting of Down syndrome. Please click HERE to read her post. It has some great facts and information you might not be aware of.

Buddy Walk

This is our first year participating in Chicagoland's Buddy Walk. If you wish to join our team and walk with us or donate to this great cause, please click HERE. Any and all support is appreciated. Go Team Jack!

(This is a photo from last Thanksgiving. Jack is one month old here. The grandparents surprised us with "Team Jack" shirts to show their "Jack" support. Very touching!)

About the Buddy Walk: (from their website)

The Buddy Walk^® was established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. Today, the Buddy Walk^® program is supported nationally by NDSS and organized at the local level by parent support groups, schools and other organizations and individuals.

Over the past fourteen years, the Buddy Walk^® program has grown from 17 walks to more than 280 expected in 2009 across the country and around the world. Last year alone, 250,000 people participated in a Buddy Walk^®! They raised $10.5 million to benefit national education, research and advocacy initiatives, as well as local programs. These funds enable NDSS and local groups to offer services that support and enhance the quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

The Buddy Walk^® is a one-mile walk in which anyone can participate without special training. It is a wonderful, heart-warming event that celebrates the many abilities and accomplishments of people with Down syndrome. Whether you have Down Syndrome, know someone who does, or just want to show your support, come and join a Buddy Walk^® in your local community!

Grandad

My Grandad passed away this week. He was 84 years old and a great man. He told wonderful stories and made a great brisket. I love that we called him Grandad, not Grandpa, Pops or anything else....Grandad! Very fitting for a grand dad. We will miss you dearly. We love you!

This is me with my Grandad

Jack Can Sit

JACK
HAS
MASTERED
THE
SITTING

He actually started sitting over Labor Day weekend. Yay! Now he has a whole new perspective on the world. Go Jack! We're so proud of you.

Better late than never

John's birthday cake turned out yummy. Made from scratch and chocolate galore. Kinda looks like a large chocolate glazed oreo cookie.


Happy Birthday Daddy!

Local Newsletter

A local organization, UPS for DownS (United Parent Support for Down Syndrome), publishes a monthly newsletter and I submitted a photo of Jack and HE MADE THE COVER! I am one proud Momma! Click HERE to check out the website or see below for the excerpt from the newsletter.

Happy Birthday John

This Sunday is my hubby's Birthday!

Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday Dear Husbo,
Happy Birthday to You!

Last year I made him a chocolate cake that tasted great, but looked like a giant hamburger. No joke! And not on purpose. Here's hoping this year's homemade cake looks better than the last.

Happy Labor Day weekend everyone! Have fun and be safe.

Funny Sleeper

So here are some funny photos taken of Jack sleeping. They crack me up!

Fell asleep at Costco

Obviously he is flexible,


but I didn't realize he could fall asleep like this

Fell asleep at a loud 30th Birthday Party

Fell asleep at the zoo


Sleeps sideways like his Daddy

Playing the Guitar

I was on the computer (messing with my blog of course) in an adjacent room and I heard this little banging noise. Wondering what it was, I peeked into our Family Room to find this. I guess it's time to buy my cutie some drums! Daddy will be so proud! He's always wanted to add a drummer to his one man band.