I remember being in Babies”R”Us (a store I have come to really enjoy since becoming a father) one day and passing by the little red wagons. I knew Noah wasn’t strong enough to sit up on his own at the time (let alone go for rides in a red wagon!) but I didn’t really care. I bought one anyway. It didn’t get much use for a few months while our little boy worked hard at his various physical therapy appointments developing his core so he could sit up (and stay there.)
The wagon doesn’t collect dust anymore! (In fact, we’re a little behind on our videos, but in a future video where you’ll learn what we do with this wagon now!) That’s right, Noah can sit up and play in the wagon! It’s a blast (for me, and him.)
To most people this is just a red wagon, but to me it’s much more. To me it represents another area of normalcy in our life. Another area to help the world see that raising a child born with Down syndrome isn’t that much different than raising any other child. They ride in the same red wagons all little boys and girls ride in. They don’t make special “Down syndrome wagons.” They just like to have fun….in a typical red wagon.I guess you could say they are just typical babies. (A little inside joke there 🙂
Growing, Growing, Growing…!
Noah’s having a fun time learning how all of this muscles work. He’s learning which ones he needs to sit up, and which ones he needs to use to protect himself when he’s falling! Just like any great success in life that one achieves, Noah’s bumped his head more then a few times. Thankfully, his mommy and daddy are right by his side to hug him and love on him every single time. 🙂
Just hanging out...!
In life bumps are ok. Getting bumped and having no one in your life to hug you up afterwards isn’t.
"Bumps in the road are no problem for me!"
Everyday Is Something New (and I Love It!)
You have no idea how much joy it brings me to see this little boy continue to grow and develop into the person God created him to be. Every day I learn something new about our little guy. New expressions. New laughs. New smilies. New cries. New ways he longs for our attention. It’s all beautiful. And I love, love, love the fact that God allows me to wake up every single day and have a front row seat to one of the greatest shows on Earth..!
What have you learned new about your little one (or not so little) one lately?
About Rick Smith
Your son is beautiful as is your family. My friend passed your website on to me and I enjoy all your posts (as I’m catching up on it). I especially love it because if I did my math correctly I believe my daughter, Alyson, is the same age as your Noah. I find myself nodding my head at almost everything you’ve written. Even though I have not bought Alyson her own red wagon, I certainly understand the sentiment. Alyson recently (last month) started sitting up on her own. It felt so fantastic and by the amount of my gushing, you’d think she won the Nobel Prize.
Thank you for sharing your moments
Mychelle,
So glad to have you on board…! Noah will be 11 months old on the 15th of this month (November.)
I know what you mean about the Nobel Prize….I bet our neighbors think we are huge sports fans with the amount of cheering and celebrating that goes on in this place!
By the way be sure to check out our new parents guide (even though you aren’t a new parent. There’s lots of great info there – http://noahsdad.com/new-parent-guide/ also we have a Facebook page that has LOTS of great parent interaction. Be sure to “like” the page, and post a picture of your little one! 🙂 (http://facebook.com/noahsdadcom)
We are so excited to be on this journey with you guys. Please keep us posted, and let us know if there is anything we can do for you guys!
🙂
Thank you so much. Actually Alyson is our second child, but to be honest, you pretty much forget everything by the time the baby is born anyways. It’s like you’re new parents all over again! lol
Alyson just turned 9 months on the 21st, so I guess she’s a few months behind, Noah, but close enough!
I have liked your facebook page and will post a pic soon. We are new to the DS community. I’ve waited until now, because I wanted to spend more time on Alyson being Alyson rather than Alyson being a DS child, if you understand what I mean. In a way however I wished I had joined the community earlier, everyone is so nice. It’s indescribable how there is an instant connection amongst complete strangers. If only the entire world is so welcoming as this community is of each other.
We are currently working on sitting without the use of her arms to prop and finer gross motor skills in play time. It’s amazing how much work goes into learning small tasks. Not to be cheezy but I really find my daughter to be inspiring.
I agree that all our children are inspirational! I mean how can they work so hard at this age?? And with a good attitude 🙂
Get prepared for a lifelong cheering session! It just gets better and better as your child with DS grows and learns and accomplishes each step, which leads to the next one. Our daughter has had 38 years of cheering from family, friends, acquaintances, strangers, coaches, volunteers, buddies, and others. It’s an awesome ride! Hang on tight!
I’m so pleased to see Noah is sitting up! That’s so cool! GO NOAH!
Joseph….! Hey man, long time no “see!”
I hope all of you guys are doing well. Thanks so much for all of your encouragement and joy…!
You guys rock!
Oh, we’re still here and hanging in. Our daughter (38 years old now) is so busy and involved in so many things, we have to keep a social calendar just for her! It’s awesome. Great work on the web site and videos! Keep ’em coming!
You guys rock!
Glad to see you guys back on the blog. We wondered what Noah was up to. Take good care, Kathryn & Family
Thanks Kathryn…!
We’ve had a TON going on in the last few months….and can’t wait to share lots of with you guys!
All is well, and Noah is just growing and developing more and more everyday. How are things with your family?
love watchign him in all of his videos it brings a smile to my face and ryan loves to watch noah n he says wow mommy he did this today .