Step Up For Down Syndrome 2010

As Down Syndrome Awareness Month wraps up, I am happy to have a moment to post pictures of the Step Up For Down Syndrome walk we participated in earlier this month. It was a terrible day weather wise...but nonetheless a blast because we were amongst our growing DS family. This year, instead of forming our own team, Tony, Joey and I joined the DS Mama Sisterhood team. Unfortunately it was too hectic to get a picture of the entire group (or even the kiddos together) this year. Anyway here are the pictures I was able to get. Between the rain, a baby who no longer stays on the blanket and trying to socialize with everyone, however, I did not get too many photos.

Joey and Daddy.

Joey and Mama.

Joey all ready for the walk.

Here are some of Joey's friends that were at the walk.

Adorable little Delilah.

Cute little Sofia enjoying her first DS walk.

Beautiful Cassidy.

Joey enjoying a chocolate chip cookie after the walk.

And at last, there is Joey hanging out with Sheridan on the rainbow blanket Joey and his friends were all pictured on last year.

Anyway...wish we could have gotten a picture with all the sisters. Oh well. Maybe next year.

Joey Steps Up His Gross Motor Game

Joey has been stepping up his gross motor skill game lately. He is now standing up in the middle of the room with no assistance. And he is pleased with himself when he does!

He literally went from using my leg or the wall one day...

Ignore the huge strawberry stain he is sporting in this photo. He received a change of clothing a short while later.

to getting up without it in the middle of the room the next. It was awesome.

Here's to Joey!

He is really making such great strides these days. We are so proud of him and we know he will be walking in no time at all. And I promise...next post will be the Step Up For Down Syndrome walk photos.

My Punkin in the Pumpkin Patch

We took Joey to Fog Willow pumpkin farm on Saturday so he could pick out a pumpkin for Halloween. It was a beautiful day and I think he had a blast.

Joey finally found his Joey sized pumpkin

And here is the sleepy baby in the car when we were all done. Love those sleepy eyes!

I have so much catching up to do. Including pictures from todays Step Up For Down Syndrome (Sacramento's version of the Buddy Walk) that we participated in this morning. I will try to post more later this week.

Ladies Man

Here Joey is last Saturday at Gracie's 2nd birthday pancake party with some of the ladies.

From left to right we have Charity, Faith, Gabby, Joey in the middle, Gracie and Mikaya. We love all of these beautiful girls (all of whom are sporting an extra chromosome) and I just love Joey's excitement of being in the middle of them!

Wordless Wednesday (Sheridan's Birthday Party 8/21/10)

Thanks for the beautiful pictures Lisa! cannot believe how grown up our little ones look compared to around this time last year!

Just for fun...check out Joey and Sheridan last September!

What a difference! even with respect to Sheridan's tolerance of Joey! Notice how close he got to him in the pictures above!

Folsom Lake (September 11, 2010)

I know it has been a while... and I have a lot of cathching up to do. But we are ok...nothing more severe than a cold anyway... just busy. On Saturday September 11, 2010 we took Joey out for his first boat trip on Folsom lake. It was a beautiful day and I think Joey really enjoyed the experience. Here Joey is asking if he can drive before we got him bundled in the little life vest I spent all morning hunting for.

There we go that looks a little safer!

Up on the front of the boat with Uncle Darin.

And getting a little lovin from Mamma.

Silly Uncle Darin!

We had a blast out on the lake. Thanks Auntie Melody for bringing us out on your boat!

Let Him Climb

Doctors orders...climbing is good. According to Joey's pediatric neurologist, it is good for building trunk strength, balance and coordination. And so...when safe (i.e. we are there to catch him so he does not get hurt), we let him climb. And climb he does!

At first it was his toys...

Onto the coffee table..

Into the Dryer...

Poor Leo is no longer safe on the couch!

Look at him go after the poor kitty!

Sorry Leo!

And thank goodness for Leo--Joey moves on to the next thing quickly..

And here he is after his haircut on Saturday-- climbing his stroller like it was nothin'

Joey In The Box

Joey is into boxes these days.

The stuffed animal box, the toy box, the laundry basket (ok that's not a box but, it is something he can climb in and tip over)

He likes to climb in.

He likes to tip them over.

When filled with stuffed animals, they make a great place to enjoy a bottle.

Most of all, however, I think he enjoys spreading the contents of boxes, laundry baskets, toy boxes all over the house.

His second favorite activity is climbing. He used a pillow I left on the floor the other day to climb up the couch and from there onto the end tables.

There is no turning your back on this little dude anymore!