Who I Am Part II - World Down Syndrome Day

Once in awhile, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale -unknown



I am love

Gooooood morninggggggg Rocky Mountains! Yep, that's how our day starts every day! James standing at the edge of his crib, smile stretching from ear to ear and eyes sparkling in the morning sun just waiting for my Gooooood Morningggggg Rocky Mountains cheer. Then his arms stretch overhead waiting to get picked up.

Every day is filled with it's own challenges. Whether it's fighting the oxygen tank that still gets turned on every night, fighting to get my hair back from James' way too strong grip, working on the escalating frustration from lack of communication or walking or the still endless doctors appointments. Every day is also filled with it's own rewards. The amazing smiles, the bursts of laughter, excited clapping after sucessfully putting his cup back on his tray or after sucessfully uttering "uh-oh" after launching his cup across the room, watching James manuever himself down a few stairs or learning a new sign.

tell me what it is that you see, a world that's filled with endless possibilities and heroes don't look like they used to they look like you do -the alternate routes

I am miles and miles of smiles

We've now settled a bit more into our new world of challenges and rewards. I still can't say it's butterflies and rainbows, but it's become a world perfectly suited to us...full of chaos. Yelling, screaming and laughing at outdoor volumes at all times, James chasing the dog around the house with his walker, mini waffles being shoved in one of the many running shoes laying around, frantic searching the house for one of the seemingly always lost Colorado Buffs. James just seems to fit into the chaos Dan and I already seemed to have going, so it was a perfect fit. James has also taught us to embrace the chaos.

to give in such a way that has no end, we are love, we are one, we are how we treat each other and nothing more -the alternate routes

I am a superhero

In the past year James has come a long ways. He is full of personality, stubborn, determined, funny and energetic. He has learned to cruise over everything, climb up anything, have fabulous dance parties, drink from a straw and pant like a dog. He's had 3 surgeries, 2 sleep studies,4 hearing tests, countless ear infections, viruses and colds, no allergies, too many therapies to count and spends every night on oxygen. And through all of it he laughs and smiles. He cheers when we walk into the Sie Center every week and goes crawling off in search of his speech therapist.

I hope for James that everyone who meets him sees him for his smile and laughter, for his determination and sense of adventure. I hope for him a life full of fun adventures. I hope for continued days of laughter. I also hope he learns to control that little grip of his and his affinity for grabbing the little hairs on the back of my neck. So today we celebrate how far James has come and all the possibilities the future hold for him. Keep rockin' it lil grommie!

Who I Am (22 mo)

19lb 1oz
29.75"

Favorite Song: Lose Yourself to Dance -Daft Punk; 5 little monkeys
Favorite toy: boombox, mirror, wood rings
Favorite food: buffalo short ribs, cheese
Favorite place: Winter Park
Favorite activity: being outside and feeling the wind on his face, especially running
Favorite animal: dog
Signs: milk, more, dog, bath, head