World Down Syndrome Day 2013

Today is World Down Syndrome Day!  This day, March 21st (3/21) was chosen to celebrate Down syndrome because 3/21 represents 3 copies of the 21st chromosome, otherwise known as Down syndrome. Today, on World Down Syndrome Day, I am proud to be participating in the International Down Syndrome Coalition (IDSC) "Who I Am" campaign. I support IDSC, as they believe "that all life is precious, and our children are valued, cherished, loved, and thriving" and they want the world to know it!

"Who I Am" - by Jack Gresko (answered by his Mom and Dad)
Active (he doesn't ever sit still except to watch Mickey Mouse)
Silly (he likes to break out into Gangnam style moves randomly)
Obstinate (he wants to do it himself)
Happy (especially when it comes to dancing or rough housing)
Ticklish (under his chin is his sweet spot) 
Smart (he knows over 200 ASL signs)
Tech-savvy (he can work the iPad and DVD player like an Apple employee)
Observant (he notices when baby brother's plate is empty and tells me he needs more food)
Sensitive (he doesn't like seeing people get hurt or upset, even on television) 
Inclusive (he always wants to include baby brother in our dinner prayer)
Strong (he can lift 9 lb weights on his own, we don't make him) 
Tough (he doesn't shed a tear for his yearly blood draws)
Brave (he plows forward in any new situation)
Kind (he brings baby brother his burp cloth)
Musical (harmonica and piano are his favorite instruments)
Mischievous (he likes to tip toe and hide for fun)
Organized (he likes everything lined up and put away in the correct location)
Trouble (he always heads straight to it)
Joyful (he's able to express this just through his eyes)
Talented (he can bend like a pretzel) 
Carefree (if he hears music that he likes, he will shake his booty anytime, anywhere)  
Loved (by everyone near and dear)

IDSC is also excited to share their 2013 World Down Syndrome Day Video. Please check it out, so you can see that "individuals with Down syndrome are more than their diagnosis."

Happy World Down Syndrome Day folks!  We love you Jack!  You are a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend.

July Fun

Who needs water to have fun?  Not these two!

Double trouble.

Wait for me big brother!

My big boy

My middle boy

My baby boy

I love how Jack is hanging on in the background.

This kid makes me so happy!

Slide fun! (click to enlarge photo)

Hope you all had a great 4th of July!

Welcome to 2012, a wee bit late

It has been forever since I have posted on my blog.  Here a glimpse of what's been going on.

January

Jack mastered spoon feeding.

Jack got a hair cut.

Evan before hair cut.

Evan after hair cut.

February

Having fun in Daddy's shoes.

Jack loves playing the harmonica.

March

Finally got a good smiling photo of both boys - so difficult!

April

Airplane!

Evan turned two.

He loved his cake.

The sidewalk choo choo train was a big hit.

Aunt Lola came to visit!

May

We welcomed our third boy, Oliver into the world.

Proud parents

Oliver John born May 30th @ 3:17pm after 4 pushes weighing 7lbs.

This is how Jack spent the entire first visit - hiding behind a chair.

Evan loved meeting his baby brother.

That's my update.  I will try to post more often, but with THREE boys now, not sure how often that will be.

Merry Christmas

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas

and a happy and healthy new year in 2012!

Wordless Wednesday

Lake and Muscles

 Jack and Evan love the swing at the lake.

They also look pretty sharp in their Daddy's hat.

This is Jack showing his MUSCLES!  Yes, I know he's doing it upside-down, but that makes it all the more cute!

And this is Evan showing his MUSCLES!

 John caught a little fish in a matter of 2 minutes.  This was Jack's first 'fishing' experience.  Way to go Dad!

 

And look how much Jack has grown in one year.  He's gone from baby to young boy.  What a handsome kid! 

Summer 2010

Summer 2011

Happy Monday everyone!

Photos and Milestones

We had fun with our camera a few weekends ago and John got some good shots of the boys.  I finally see that they are looking more and more alike.  I just love their round cheeks (from me) and large bottom lip (from Daddy).  Don't you just want to squeeze them?

We also miraculously FINALLY got some shots of Evan smiling.  Seriously!  It's been 15 months and we only have a handful of them.  It was a team effort to get the charming smile, but we got it!

He knows he's Mr. Cool Dude.  Notice my hand tickling the back of his neck?

 And here are the brothers in the box.  Yes, we have a jack-in-the-box!  They love climbing in and out of this thing and it makes clean up a cinch.

 

 Jack and Daddy stole the camera for some self portraits.

I love this one because it shows Jack using his lip muscles and you can see his beautiful deep blue eyes.

 Jack's Milestone: Since about April, Jack has been going on the potty sporadically.  I'm not pushing it as he still doesn't mind being wet and only tells me while he's going pee, but at least he will go #2 on the potty occasionally.  That alone is a huge accomplishment and we are very proud of him!  I caught the 'potty party' on film.  I know it's blurry, but it's such a great moment.

Evan's Milestone: He is now a stable full-time walker.  Watch out!

Happy Wednesday everyone.  We're halfway through!