Partners in Crime!

What a fun year we have had! Sissy and I were inseparable...and not just because mom drove us around everywhere together but because we love each other. She is my partner in crime! We started out the year in matching highchairs and are slowly moving to our matching tricycles=>

We enjoyed rainy day Signing Time marathons (only if we were really good!!!) and had to sit together on the big chair---usually with our big cozy blanket.

We explored and searched for interesting and new things around the house....This walking thing is really cool....we can escape mommy and daddy so much faster now!

We frequently cruised to the park to play with the other kids. Once we got there, it was all about climbing and seeing how far and how fast we could divide and conquer. We gave mom a run for her money most days;)



 

We basked in the sun together. Usually for only a quick minute and then we were on our way to the next big thing!

We spent countless hours in the bounce house doing Jump! Jump! with daddy while mom cooked dinner. All we had to do was hang on her while she was trying to cook and shortly after daddy would wisk us off to jump. Our plan always worked....off to the bounce house we would go!

Sissy attended all of my therapy and play group sessions...they used her as bait to get me to do more therapy.....I was on to their plan but it was ok because it just made the sessions that much more fun!!

Ok, it's my turn now.....I love to teach brother new things....I showed him how to work the drive through window on our McDonald's toy...he loved to pretend eat the food I made for him. Especially the fries!

I love spending time with my brother....he makes me smile and giggle because he is so silly but most of all, I am so happy that he is my big brother and we will grow up together to care and learn so much from one another!!!

Fun in January!

 We have been spending much of January just lounging around playing with new toys, having silly time with our cousins and hanging out at the park on cold winter days....we just bundle up!

Daniella got in on the action too as always! She is a big girl now and can hang with the big kids! She practically runs the show!

Dante turned the Big 2!

 Wahoo! Dante turned 2! We bounced and played at The Little Gym....Love the Air Track....

oh and so did Dante;)

 

Josiah, Iz and I in our matching Smurf shirts=> So glad my cool older buddies

could celerate with me.

 Thanks for my big giant cupcake mom....Daddy was so jealous;)

 Neighbors, cousins, friends and sissy....we had a blast!

Sissy even joined us for a ride on the Air Track....waiting for it to inflate....hold on!

Step up with Down syndrome 2011

 Our fiesta theme was a hit....notice the mini sombrero and mustache for sissy? Dante had the party wagon, salsa music and maracas so he could jam to his own beat;)

 Can't break Dante's attention away from the cupcake!!!

 In loving memory of a very special Ds angel, David Mulineaux...

 We were so very fortunate to have another amazing turnout with nothing but love and support surrounding us that day! Lots of love to all who supported Team Dante and his Spunky Amigos!

Gianni looks like he should be working at a bar in TJ serving tequila shots to the tourists!!

Happy Holidays!

 We enjoyed several parties with family and friends, opened lots of special presents from Santa and played like kids (with no therapy appointments for two weeks)! Life is good=>

Dante and his new "toy" treadmill!

Special thanks to the students at UC Davis and Easter Seals! This little treadmill is on loan from them and is helping Dante to develop the skills, motor planning, confidence and strength needed to walk. He is amazing and loves to jump on the little machine (maybe it's because he gets to watch Sprout!) He crawls up the stairs, into his therapy room and assumes the treadmill position. It is the cutest thing ever! He is also transferring these skills to other equipment. He has a toy walker that he now likes to use to cruise up and down our long court.  I love to see his confidence and desire to walk grow:) Since this video was taken a few weeks ago, he know cruises at a much faster pace for a solid 4-5 minutes. I think we will be there in the next 6 months=> At that point however, I may need to bungee the kid to my leg! Between him and his sister becoming more mobile, Johnny and I are in trouble;) Hee-hee!

Best Friends Forever!

We love playing in the crib together!

Giving little sweet kisses to sissy as they giggle!

Another daddy day....a trip to Costco with both babies....he is brave;)

Mr. & Mrs. Melvin.....Daddy gave them a bath and did their hair...this is the final product=>

Sweet Dante loves to hold his sister's hand & Daniella loves the attention!