Off to school she goes...

On March 21st, World Down Syndrome day, Maya had her first day at school. We were all so excited, I think Maya included.  The night before, Maya and I tossed and turned, but we were up on time and ready to go for her first day of school.

When Maya was just an infant I started thinking about preschool.  I've always wondered if 3 was too early of an age to send a child to school.  I mean 3 years seems to be a young age to someone who has never been around kids. Now that I have had the privilege to be around Maya for 3 solid years, I see that it's just the right age to start school.

As much as I like to think that I've stimulated Maya's mind and body with all her therapies and being in a mommies group that meets 3-4 times a week for play dates, story times, etc.  Nothing can replace a setting like school.  It may be my imagination but I already see so much progress from Maya.  More about that later....for now here's a peek into Maya's first day at school.

Maya ready for school!

This backpack is almost as big as Maya.  =)

Dada carries Maya to her classroom.

As soon as we put her down Maya went into the classroom and started to play in the kitchen area.

Maya with one of her aides.  When we said goodbye to her she looked at me and then went back to playing.  A good start to her first day at school.  Yay!

Maya looking a little dazed at the end class.  Her other aide brings her over. 

Very, very happy when she saw Dada. 

She looks tired, but she got her second wind when she got home.

Maya is 3!

Whooohooo!  My little baby is 3!  What can I say, life just takes a hold of you when you have a kid and whips you around like a roller coaster...up and down, twisting all around, screaming in happiness and giggles, then you get at the end.  Let's go again!  I love the fact that Maya has changed my life.  She is the center of my world.  It's the truth.  I can't say I regret a thing about it. 

Monday is Maya's big day, on World Down Syndrome Day, she will go to preschool.  I am so excited and yes a little nervous.  This is it. She will get to be in the world without her mama to protect her.  After meeting her teacher I am put at ease that she is in the right place.  I can't wait to see how it goes.

Here are a few snaps of Maya's big party.

What's up in the world of Maya?

It's been too long since I've written.  I know, I know, I say that all the time.  Ha!  Well life just keeps on moving for us.  Sometimes I feel like time is ticking so slowly...and then low and behold it's March!  Wow!  Maya's 3rd birthday is quickly approaching and this time I feel a little behind in my party preparations.  I always make a little slide show of her year gone by, but this year, well we will see if it happens.

What's going on in the world of Maya?  So glad you asked.  Well, when I say that I feel like time has been moving slow, that's because Maya and I have both been sick.  First off I've been battling the sickies since Nov.  I'm still trying to figure out what's going on.  Going to different doctors to see what's up.  On top of that, right around V-day I caught the flu, wholly moley!  I was literally down for the count.  In bed for three days straight, then dragging the rest of the week.  Later in the week, Maya caught a cold.  Poor thing had stuffy/snotty nose for almost two weeks.

It's been challenging to say the least. All of a sudden my darling little angel is cranky as ever and screams blood murder if she is not getting her way.  Poor thing was bored of being inside and not being able to go out and play with her friends.  It's times like this when I wish she could speak and tell me what is going on.  Although she has many ASL signs, she reverted to arching her back and whining instead of using them.

Thank goodness that's over with.  And thank goodness for Barney! Yes, Barney saved the days and I suppose Maya is now hooked.  But that's perfectly Ok with me.  The way her face lights up when I ask if she wants to watch Barney is just priceless. 

Meanwhile Maya is still moving towards becoming 3 and continues to grow and chance right in front of my eyes.  She is developing a sense of humor and is starting to get ideas in her head.  She wants to put on her tutu and brings the box over to me so I can help her.  She swipes my oven mitt from the counter,  puts it on and dancing around the room. She makes her way to the place where I have the bubbles and reaches as far as she can to get them.  (Actually she is really getting good and blowing bubbles.  Whoohoo!)

One of the greatest things I've heard is her little voice, trying, quietly as it might be, to recite the ABC song.  She signs the letters at the same time and makes the sounds best she can.  Mostly "Eee" is the best sound she can make, but sometimes I can almost hear an "Mmm" sound.  I would love to be able to record this on video but she does it so quickly that I just have to listen and enjoy the moment.

These moments are fleeting I realize so I just try to keep my eyes open and absorb those precious moments as much as I can.  Life is quick...and without sounding morbid, you just never know when it's gonna be over.  Enough said.

Here we are.

Wordless Wednesday: Light and and her shadow

wordless wednesday: a star is born

pre-preschool jitters

Yeah, it's strange to admit it but I guess I'm starting to feel nervous about Maya going off to school.  On the surface I'm excited for her new adventure.  I know it will be good for her socially and help her excel.  I feel as though I've been slacking on the teaching department.  She needs this jump start for sure.  There are so many pros to her going to school...and then deep down (it is starting to come to the surface) I am afraid.

I'm sure all moms go through this, having to let go of their little birds.  There are so many things that go through my mind.  Things that I would have never thought of before.  Like the fact that she could get hurt.  She could get pushed around, since she is small for her age and she is still unsteady on her feet.

This will be the first time I am leaving my child in someone else's care, a stranger in a way, not at my home where I can basically control the setting.   I hate to admit it but as much as I've tried I have been one of those mom's who have shadowed their child.  I think most of the time I've had to do such things to ensure that my daughter did not bite someone or pull their hair.    The fact that she doesn't speak and only uses signs (now less and less) worries me the most.  How will she communicate?  How will she be able to defend herself or ask for something she wants.  When I think about this I just shake my head.  What the hell did I get myself into?!  I knew motherhood would be hard but I hate this feeling that I will not be able to protect my child.

All the more so, this brings up the feelings about her having Down Syndrome.  I try not to think much about it because she has done so well.  But now it's in the forefront.  She struggles more in interacting with the other kids, she doesn't always understand what is going on and gets frustrated...she can't tell them what she is thinking.  I don't want to think about the future because what matters is now, but there are fears I have for my daughter.  I worry about her future struggles.  It makes me sad.

Then on the flip side I say to myself, it's only preschool!  It's only going to be 2 1/2 hours for four days a week.  it's not like she will be gone for long.  And I know Maya does very well in a class setting, she doesn't mind getting instruction from a teacher.  She enjoys story time and she loves it when we go to music and gym class.   I know this will be good.  And in the end it is what it is.  I have a daughter with Down Syndrome and this is my life.  This is her life.  We are very blessed to be in a good place.  She is lucky to have this opportunity to go to preschool.  I didn't get that chance when I was a kid.

I'm sure I'll keep writing about these thoughts as I go through them.  So far I've enjoyed reading about other mom's experiences with the first day of school.  So many kiddos do cry at first, but they eventually work through it and enjoy going to school.  It gives me hope for Maya and for myself.
 

“Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow.”
-Mary Anne Radmacher

wordless wednesday: I said, smile and she smiled.