First Blog

I am finally getting this page up and going. I wish I would have started it 3 years ago! There has been a lot going on in our lives and I want to remember them all, as well as share them with our family and friends.

Zachary turned 3 on June 15th! He is such a wonderful boy and he fills our lives with more love than we ever knew possible. He is vibrant, energetic and strong willed. He loves to play in the water, play with balls, and has most recently become interested cars and trucks. He loves Elmo, Barney and Signing Time. We just got him a big boy bed that he is very excited about!

When Zach turned 3 the services through the state end (he was getting PT once a week and ST once a week in home) and from there his services get transferred to the school district. Conveniently the summer school program started on June 18th so there wasn't a big lapse of services. He is on week 2 of preschool. He is doing wonderful and he is loving it. Last week I talked to his teacher and she said he has caught on faster than most of the kids do. He is in a special program through the district, which is at the elementary school closest to our house. This is the school he will go to throughout elementary school. He is the only child with Down syndrome in his class at this time. Most of the kids have autism, ADD or other delays. Our goal is to have him fully mainstreamed once he hits kindergarten and beyond, but for now, this program fits his needs the best. They work on fine motor skills, speech and potty training. The teacher said that in the first couple days he learned the ropes. He raises his hand during circle time when needed, he follows directions and has become their favorite!! Him and a couple other boys have become a "pack" and hang out together at recess and play great together. They have recess with the state preschool which is on the same property and at recess, you can't tell who is in what class. It is nice. He rides the bus to and from school, to his daycare (Cindy). Yesterday after breakfast, Cindy got Zach some more food (which he always wants) and he climbed down from the table, got his backpack on, and waited at the window for the bus. I would say he likes school!

Zachary is also excited that he is going to be a big brother! 10 weeks to go and we will be adding to our family. We are all very excited.

This is the first of many blogs and we will use this as our spot to update and remember all things that happen along the bumpy road we call life.

Jennifer, Chris and Zachary
The Hiatt Family