A video with some adorable kiddies...including Lucas

Ever since Lucas was born we have been blessed to have amazing friends and family be there when we needed them, be there when we needed a shoulder to cry on and be there when we wanted someone to share our laughs with. You can certainly say our life with Lucas has been something we could never have been prepared for but most of all it's almost like our lives really began the day he was born.  I know that sounds crazy to say but it really is true. The things he has shown us and the way he has touched so many hearts is something that truly touches me - not just because I am his mommy but because I stand in awe so often that a tender, sweet, innocent, beautiful and loving little person was given to me to raise, enjoy, cherish and share with others.

I also don't know where we would be without our Down Syndrome family who have embraced us and shown us rookie parents the ropes.  We have been enveloped in support and community in a way that I would never have anticipated.  It is because of all this that when we get asked to take part in Ds awareness initiatives, to share our story or to represent how wonder and beautiful our children are I do not hesitate.  Having said that we have recently been featured in a short video with other special kiddos.  You can see Lucas around the 6 minute and 45 second mark but know this video is worth seeing from start to finish.  I, like every mom, dad, brother, sister, grandmother, uncle, grandfather, etc. admire and believe each and every one of these little people.

Too much fun partying to post!

This weekend was certainly a busy one since we celebrated Carlos' birthday and had lots of other fun things to do. I did not even realize that I had stayed away from the blog as long as I did but that surely doesn't mean we were not busy taking photos of our fun adventures.  We started off with a class at Gigi's Playhouse, one of Lucas' favorite places, since he gets to see many awesome friends.  We also were in the city for some good eats, went to a birthday party, went to eat Greek for birthday lunch and hit up Top Golf! We can't wait to get Lucas out there when he is big enough to begin hitting some balls! Enjoy a glimpse of our weekend fun!

 

Lucas and his buddy got to work on 4 point while on an incline. It was hard work!

After awhile Lucas opted for flat land to continue working on pushing up through his arms.

Then he finally said the heck with using his arms! Do I even need to say he passed out as soon as we left the class!

 

Lucas was even a good sport this weekend when cousin Isa was mistaking him for an American Girl doll!! She loves dressing him up!

Lucas was also really digging the straw this weekend! Great job buddy!

Lucas is a video star

So as you can imagine I was pleasantly surprised when the I got this special little video of Lucas at at daycare having a little bit of fun with his teachers. They are so awesome there and it always makes work a bit easier knowing your little one is loved and cherished by those watching him!

Today was a good day....but a tough one

So today we had to be at the new Lurie Children's Hospital by 7:15 a.m. for our 8:45 a.m. procedure (which was delayed by the way) to meet with our ENT for the 3 month visit.  We were going to be looking at a few different things today in addition to the routine bronchoscopy; we also were adding on evaluation of Lucas' ear tubes and taking a look at the sinus area.  No matter how many times you take your little one to the hospital, it doesn't get easier, yes you are more experienced and know what to expect but when you have to turn over your little love to the anesthesiologist - IT IS STILL HARD!

No I didn't cry or have tears come down my face but inside I didn't want to have Lucas wheeled away without me and I didn't want his little face be looking around to see where I was at.  The next hour seemed like an eternity today but I was so relieved when I heard that froggy low pitched cry as they led us back to recovery! My baby boy was just fine. He was upset and in some pain and still under the effect of the anesthesia but he was back in my arms.

The news we got was good today from our doctor. Lucas did not have to come back to assess the trachea for 6 months, rather than 3, since things were looking up and very little dialation was needed.  Also, his ear tubes were in place and working as they should.  The only other information we received today which was new; was that Lucas has a deviated septum that goes to the left and his adenoids and tonsils are a little larger for his size. The doctor says there are is no rush to get them removed at this time but at least something for us to know and watch for.  Overall, today was a GREAT day and the little man is resting soundly in his crib tonight.

Mommy not wanting to have to turn her little treasure over to the doctors

Lucas having a ball and making lots of friends at the hospital before surgery

Mommy so very happy to have Lucas back in her arms safely

Today was hard work

No surprise here that Tuesday's, or any therapy day for that matter, mean that Lucas is going to be presented with challenges, hard work, successes and most of all being completely tired out! Today Lucas had OT and he worked on upper extremity strength, pivoting and starting to work on the pincer grasp.  This is also more commonly known as being able to pick up small items between the forefinger and thumb. This is something that is a little troublesome for Lucas currently especially when trying to eat puffs. So for now mommy and daddy are offering a lot of support for this. So over the next few weeks these are the things we will be working on in OT and at home. 

So this is what we looked like before the hard work in OT.  I think he knows something's up!

Below are photos from our OT session and you can quickly see that it was not all fun and games and there were even a few moments during our session where Lucas was ready to wave the white towel!

Holding steady finally on his arms!

And still holding!

Getting a little help to start moving around

"Are we done yet?"

"Oh no, now they wanna see me pivot!"

"I like this toy and I know how to make the ball come out!"

"Mom, make it stop! I don't wanna hold myself up and reach over for those toys!"

"I guess it wasn't so bad, maybe I shouldn't have made such a big fuss"

Whoa...this weekend was a blast!

This weekend we had a ton of fun and even snuck in some therapy in the form of play and did a ton of swimming! It wasn't all work though since we wanted to catch up with some friends and family.  We got to take Lucas to his first block party where he did some socializing and dancing to the band and then we got to enjoy some quality time at the park. Lucas even got mom to get on the slide....don't think I have done that in more than 20 years! ha! Enjoy!

"Okkkaaaayyyyy dad! Now let me go say hi to my friends!"

Lucas and big cousin Isa

Awwww.....cuties! Lucas and the Loza clan!

Here we are at the neighborhood park enjoying some family time which we never seem to get enough of!

"Oh yeah....I am swwwwiiiinnngggiiiinnnngggg fast!"

"Hey mom...are you sure this is a good idea?"

"O geez mom...hold me tight!"

We made it one piece!

Looong weeek!

So today's post is a combination of things from Thursday and Friday.  As usual Lucas had PT with Sammy and did really well working on his hands and knees. There was even a few occasions were he needed very little support under his chest and was really pushing up nicely through his arms. (I will have to try and capture better photos of that next time.)  In addition, we got back to treadmill training and little Lucas had those legs moving in a forward motion and even got extra hyper when mom broke out into song, "You are my sunshine" is a favorite.  So all in all PT this week went great!! Here is a shot of Lucas getting ready to try and lift up through the arms.

"Here I go mom!"

Since we have our outpatient procedure done at Children's next week that meant seeing another one of our doctor's for surgery.  This time it was to the endocrinologists for a check-up and thyroid labs. (We won't talk too loudly about that since Lucas was not too happy being stuck with a needle today!!) The one thing that became clear this week is that Lucas is a BIG fan of the paper used on the table/beds in the doctors office. I think with sound it makes and the easy way it tears has him sold.  But this time rather than be concerned of what kind of mess he would make or what the nurses and doctor would think I just let him go at it. As you can see he did not hold back! Go on baby....rip it to shreds!

"Hmmm, should I or shouldn't I"

"Awww what the heck it's just a little tear....right??"

"Well mommy isn't stopping me..."

"Wow I am strong and I can tear up this whole entire sheet!"

"This stuff is better than any toy I have at home!"

"Oh hi.....have you been watching me this whole time? Oops!"