Who Needs Lions, Tigers & Bears to Have Fun?

While Tom was "working" during his second annual trip to the South Beach Wine & Food Festival representing his restaurant at Le Meridien, Lucas and I set out for the zoo. We went in the late afternoon to avoid crowds and in the hopes of finding lots of animals out enjoying the cool South Florida February breeze.

We ventured to Miami Metro Zoo's new installment, Amazon & Beyond, which is really impressive -- featuring harpy eagles, anacondas, and jaguars. And while the animals were fun (especially the monkeys), Lucas devoted most of his time to the new fountain. While at first he was skirting around the edges, he ended up soaked and loving it. I hauled him off nearly kicking and screaming...dried him off with my sweater, got him into a dry t-shirt and diaper, and offered a cheerios snack and we were all good.

The experience was just as much fun for him as it was for me to watch, living vicariously through him -- I smiled remembering how my mom would NEVER let me play in the cold water because I would undoubtedly catch pneumonia. I hope she was smiling down watching Lucas too...who, astonishingly, as of now does not have pneumonia!

Mark Your Calendars: 3-31-09 Global Ban the "R" Word Day

March 31st, during the World Special Olympics, will mark the first Global Ban the "R" Word Day. I have made it a priority to stop everyone who I hear using it -- case by case, it has become easier to do and has brought enlightment and understanding to those who throw the word around unknowingly, and has brought me personal satisfaction...doing my own little bit to make the world a more accepting and loving place for Lucas and others like him.

The majority of people who use it, don't even know what they're really saying since it's become such a part of today's vocabulary, and the funny-sad thing is, they never see the connection between their words and Lucas.

Won't you please join us in never using that word and letting others who do, know that it is insulting and hurtful. Thank you!

I'm off my soap box for now...

Looks Who's a Big Boy...

So, we graduated Lucas to a big-boy bed. He was giving us a hard time getting to bed most nights so bedtime had turned into a nightly battle of the wills. Now, Lucas has a routine which includes milk, reading a book (or 5!), and snuggling up before drifting off to sleep. Here he is the first time in his new digs (thanks to Ikea, it was cost-effective, cute, and quick to set up).

Happy Valentine's Day!

Lucas made me this big card (thanks too, daddy!) and wanted to share it and Lucas with you today...Happy Valentine's Day.

Ahoy

Before the new year, our dear friends, Kerra and Julio, took us out on their boat on one of the most spectacular days in Miami...the water was flat as a pancake, there was the slightest of tropical breezes, and the sun was bright and shining...we couldn't have asked for a more picture-perfect day. Krysta is pictured with Lucas.

Bean's First Music Video

My college dreams to become a film director are finally coming true or is it just another home video? Regardless, Lucas is pretty darn cute if I do say so myself. Do your best to ignore my singing, I obviously got carried away and forgot I was a millimeter away from the mic!

Ready, Set, Go!

I have not been a good blogger as of late...blame it on the weakening economy which has resulted on my spending more time at work (or worrying about it), more time clipping coupons and readjusting our budget, more time cleaning up the house, and with Tom working irregular hours still, more time with the all-consuming Bean who is getting to be more fun by the day.

I marvel at parents who are able to pull games, activities, you-name-it out of thin air to entertain these half-pints...I'm just not that creative in the "what to do with a 2-year-old" department. But, in a brilliant move, today I invented "ready, set, go!" -- really ground-breaking stuff as you'll see for yourself...at least Lucas is having fun and getting some exercise (although he's at the 50th percentile in height, he's between the 50-75% in weight so we gotta keep him moving).

I promise to post more because there's really so much going on that I'd like to share with those of you who care enough to stop in :)

You'll see Lucas saying "stop" and "go" in the video -- well, not really, saying but more like approximating the words...he's slowly starting to build his spoken vocabulary and is up to about 12-15 words...he signs about 60 or so. Speech tends to be the most challenging area of development for kids with DS (especially boys) so we work hard on it. Look for Lucas' new theatrical move which is his "surprise" expression. There are also pics of Lucas with his cow puppet, having fun in the tub, and playing on the computer (with our 18-year-old cat Groucho looking on)...a few of his current favorite pastimes.

Hope Over Fear

Today, huddled in a small conference room on the University of Miami medical campus, me and 15 colleagues -- white, black, latino, old, young, gay, straight -- witnessed the dawn of a new era with the inauguration of America's 44th president.

Listening to the words and promises of President Barack Obama, during a time when our nation is in financial crisis and we're involved in two wars, I am truly hopeful that we now have the leadership necessary to guide us safely and triumphantly through these dark times.

There is no doubt we will all make sacrifices along the way, but for the first time in my adult life, I believe it's possible to live in a world of peace, equality, prosperity, freedom, and inclusion for all...in the immortal words of Stevie Wonder we will keep at this "...til we reach a higher ground."

Although the inaugural address had many memorable, moving, and inspiring moments, my favorite was the closing:

So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

"Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."

America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

Happy 60th Birthday Papa Kenny!

We love you!

Feliz Navidad

We've had an action-packed holiday season, especially since Tayler is here for a visit while Tom successfully opened a new restaurant only three days before Christmas. Tayler will be with us until the New Year and we're happy and excited to share the holidays with her. Tom is now at Le Meridien on Sunny Isles Beach -- back with his boss from the Diplomat, Terry, who is the general manager at the hotel. Terry recruited Tom to launch a new restaurant after a contract with the existing restaurant ran out. Tom is loving his new gig, although he's been working long hours including Christmas and New Year's. In the meantime, Bean and I are enjoying two weeks off of school and work, respectively.

Here are a few videos -- the first is Lucas dancing on Noche Buena (traditional Cuban celebration on Christmas Eve which we shared with Lucas' godfather, Armando, and his family). The second clip is the aftermath of Christmas morning, and the third is Lucas with his first junior ATV. Enjoy! Hope you're having a wonderful holiday season. More pics from our holiday will follow...