NYE 2012 - What a great year!

As we woke up this morning I was reminded that in only a couple of days I will need to return to work after spending some magical days off with Lucas. Over the past week and a half we have laughed, played, slept in, ate way too much and just enjoyed being together and counting the minutes until daddy came home from work.  With the fact that I only had a couple more days off of work I decided that Lucas and I better begin having some fun right away so we decided to better go to Gigi's Playhouse NYE Bash and begin celebrating early. Boy are we glad that we went because we got to be there for the balloon drop, eat pizza, play with old friends and also make some new ones.  Oh how fun 2012 was but we know that 2013 will be even more spectacular! See you in 2013!!

Waiting in anticipation~

Here they come!!

So many balloons!

"Mom, I don't wanna wear this hat!"

Showing off that cute look!

Lucas and Jacob

Lucas, Jacob and Zachary

Lucas, Rosa and Jacob

 

Another 1st!

So we decided that it was time for another milestone and get Lucas his very first hair cut. We waited as long as we could to do this but the time had come to get his growing hair out of his eyes and go for a more hip big boy look.  I wasn't sure how he was going to do at the kiddie hair salon but if I had to give him a grade it would surely be an A+!  Way to go Lucas.  I will say although he never cracked a smile or let out a little laugh I think he thought this was OK!

Sitting in the classic cool hot rod car getting ready for his hair cut!

"Uh oh, what is going on?"

"I hope she knows what she is doing?"

One of the finished looks - the faux hawk

The classic look

Me and my daddy looking cool and ready to hit the town!

This is later at home after Lucas slept on his new hair-do!

Merry Christmas from Lucas

Lucas got to enjoy the festivities of Christmas this year much better, not only because he is older, but because is healthier and stronger and can interact more with his cousins and all those that love to be our this magical little boy!  Lucas started off Christmas Eve night by going to church and hearing his beautiful cousin Isabel sing her little heart out. Lucky for us we got a seat in the very first pew and got to take in all the beauty of church yesterday evening.

"Mom can we please hurry I don't want to miss Isa sing!!!"

After church we were invited to go spend Christmas Eve night with the Loza family, that's Uncle Leo's family, and they were so much fun and so nice to me like always! They make me laugh and love to hold me, what's not to like about that!

Of course that is Lucas' interpretation of things and he is pretty much right on spot as they are a beautiful family that we consider like our own. So giving and a pleasure to be around and made us feel right at home.  And did I tell you how yummy the tamales were?? Lucas instead went to Titi's mashed potatoes which he loved!!  Of course it wouldn't be a fun night without any photos and too bad that we couldn't get cousin Leonel in any photos!

Isa and Lucas with Santa Paws (Bruno)

Lucas in lights

Family time

As I mentioned in an earlier post all I want is more time to sleep, more time to blog, more time to spare but most of all I want more time with Lucas and being the mommy he deserves.  Well I think my prayers were certainly heard since that is what I got this weekend and not to mention will have because I am off of work next week and will enjoy each day with Lucas. As Lucas has gotten better with each day from him surgery we have have been able to enjoy time together, play and laugh a ton.  I even was able to get him to leave the Santa hat on for longer than 10 seconds before yanking it off!

Since we have missed many sessions of therapy due to being down and I decided this would be a good opportunity to pull out the hip helpers and the Super Hero SPIO vest to get down to business and have Lucas once again work on strengthening that core and getting into 4 point.  Although Lucas did appease his mama for a bit we took all that off and just enjoyed hanging out and making a mess with all of Lucas' toys.  It was GREAT!  It is always nice to see which toys get Lucas moving and make him motivated!

"More pictures???"

Extending his reach to get the toys he really wants!

Of course after all that hard work mommy and daddy made sure to reward our little man with tons of love and laughter.  Lucas has one of those laughs and smiles that is so infectious that we couldn't help but capture it on this short little video. These moments are priceless!

A hard week

I haven't been able to find the time, energy or strength to even post in the last week with Lucas recovering from his surgery on December 12; hard to believe that it is now December 20....and only 5 days away from Christmas. My oh my how did this happen.  This apparently is what lack of sleep will do to you when you have a loved one that is not feeling well.  Lucas' road to recovery has been a long one and both Carlos and I have been pushed to what seems like our limits in trying to console a baby who's only way of communication is crying.  The good thing is that he is getting better with every day and that my dad is here helping us and caring for Lucas while we are working.  We could not be more thankful for my dad's time, love and energy at this time because it not only helps Lucas but it helps us too. 

For those of you that are fortunate to have grandparents and extended family jump in and help you whenever you need an extra set of hands you understand exactly what I am talking about.  In addition to Lucas hanging out with his partner in crime, Grandpa, he also got a couple of sleepovers with his big cousin Leonel. It has been so precious to see Leonel play with Lucas and care for him. Although Lucas does not have any siblings he is blessed by some very loving and protective big cousins on both sides of the family. Can't get any better than this.  So I guess what I am trying to say is that even though our life has been turned upside down by this surgery and desperately wanting our little angel to be fully recovered we have been surrounded by love and helping hands.  We will all get through this time.  Be thankful for friends and family that are there in your times of need!

"Mommy I am still happy at times during my recovery!"

Learning a new song with Grandpa...uh, yeah and drooling all over!

Grandpa teaching Lucas another song and sharing the gift of music

Tonsils no more

Today's post comes from a room in ICU at Lurie Children's Hospital after Lucas had his tonsils and adenoids removed due to an 80% obstruction of his airway.  While we knew this surgery was coming we didn't think it would be this December but in retrospect we are hoping that means we are that much closer to giving Lucas the best quality of life he can have.  We like many other families who have children with Ds have developed a close relationship with our ENT doctor to ensure that Lucas is moving air properly in the airway.  The recovery today so far has been a little intense and not allowed Lucas much relief I am hoping and praying that tomorrow is a better day and that we can finally drink and eat while not being in so much pain swallowing! Most of the photos I took today are pre-surgery when Lucas was happy and smiling, not many photo post surgery as he has been way too fussy!

Laughing and being silly in the waiting room

Lucas and Scout - his best friend

"Ummm what is going on here?"

Post surgery listening to grandpa sing and soothe Lucas

Christmas Parties

It's that time of the year and things are getting busy but we made sure to hit up a couple Christmas parties this weekend.  First we went to one with our friends which is always fun and quite comical.  Lucas seemed to enjoy attending for the first time but surely was getting tired since this was past his bed time but he managed to stay up for most of the crazy gift exchange! I will say they he really liked Joe's Christmas tree which you can see in the background of the photos and not to mention his new reindeer PJ's that Tia Marla got him!

In daddy's arms

Trying to check out someone's Christmas present

In addition to our friend's Christmas party we also attended the UPS for Downs Christmas Party and it was so great to see old friends as well as make new ones.  It was so great to see so many families celebrate this time of the year, as well as celebrate those who have been genetically enhanced with one extra chromosome! While we are advocates for inclusion in every way it really fills my heart to go to these types of events and be surrounded by love, joy and support with others who understand the journey and embrace every moment of it.  I got the joy of walking on stage with Lucas to get a gift from Santa and Mrs. Claus when they called his name while daddy got to be the photographer!

Getting our gift from Mrs. Claus

 

OT is hard work

Lucas got to spend some time on Tuesday with this therapist Emily to work on a variety of movements as well as refining those fine motor skills.  Needless to say Lucas enjoyed the first part of it as usual and began to whimper and whine near the end even though he managed to keep working.  Gosh, every time I watch how hard he works and the effort he puts into things that might come easy to others I am more and more in awe of him.  He inspires me, he allows me to grow and he surely pushes me to be the best mommy I can be for him. 

Lucas' therapists are also so knowledgeable and know him so well and know when to push him.  They also do not underestimate his ability and keep their standards high with him.  This type of support and environment is one that I only dream that all children with disabilities could have as it makes a world of difference for them.  I am blessed by what we can do for Lucas.  There really are no limits when you have love, support and a nurturing environment. 

"In my superhero outfit ready to save the world!"

"Let me bang these blocks together for a bit!"

"Ok, I can put these in the holes, no problemo!"

"Oh no, the pressure is on since I have an audience!"

"Hmmm, this is where all those blocks go?"

 

 

"Get this thing away from me! I have had enough!"

"Ok, I lied....I really want it but now how to get to it?"

"Ouch, maybe lunging to it and banging my head is not the way to go."

"Done! I am so done with this therapy session!!"

Mommy is tired....

It's only Monday and all I can think about is how much I want this week to fly by so that I can spend the weekend doing some fun things with my family.  So in an effort to post something tonight I will leave you with a photo of my little Mr. Handsome! Enjoy......and more postings to come later this week.

I love this look on his face! He was looking at me while I was singing the ABC's and it's almost like he was having an inside thought like, "Oh man, there goes my mom again thinking she really sing." Of course right after I snapped this photo he started to laugh and it made me laugh too.  Such beautiful moments that we get to share with Lucas in our lives.

Thanksgiving in Florida

We have been on hiatus trying to catch up on regular daily life after some fun in the sun to visit family in Orlando, Florida.  Lucas especially had a great time visiting his grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncle and cousins.  Enjoy some of our photos!! We are blessed to have so much family all over to visit and so very thankful that Lucas has so much love and support from them on.

The Vasquez and Barajas tias and primos...oh yeah and Jordan laying on the floor!

Mickey Mouse Time!

At Downtown Disney

Hanging out with Abuelo Vasquez

Me and my daddy in the sunshine

Saying good-bye....for now!

 

Reading is Fundamental

Me and my parents posing with Mr. Potato Head