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Down Syndrome

Preparing Gellibean for School

It’s the beginning of the school year her in Manila. It’s that time of year when it’s easy for me to get everything in order in the house. I make all the doctor appointments, pack lunches, and become a little more scheduled with our meals and activities.

Part of the beginning of the year for me means that I get to meet with Gellibean’s teachers at The Little Apprentice. We start the year off with a parent teacher (and therapist) conference, updating her new teacher with her progress from last year and setting new goals for Gelli’s team to help her achieve.

This time of year means we also visit her developmental pediatrician.

Last week, we visited Dr. Lazarro for the first time this year.

Dr. Lazarro has been part of the team of doctors who have taken care of Gelli since her birth.

We visit Doc once a year, so he can assess Gelli’s development, and set goals for the coming year. It’s our plan to enroll her in a typical school where she will be in a mainstreamed classroom.

There aren’t many options for us when it comes to “big school,” so we have to start doing our homework as early as now, in order to make the best choices for our girl when it comes to her education.

Doc is a very busy man. As many of the parents with children who have special needs may already know, securing an appointment with your dev ped is not an easy task. Part of the reason it’s so difficult is the fact that there are so few doctors who specialize in this area of expertise. 

So, this appointment that I made with Doc was made WAY in advance. As in MONTHS.

I prepared for this appointment by asking Teachers Pat, Danica, and Geline to submit progress reports for Gelli. They each wrote their respective reports, and I brought copies of all of them to Dr. Lazarro on the day of our appointment.

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Doc started with the easier puzzles first.

Doc welcomed Gelli into his office and was ready to assess where she is cognitively, emotionally, behaviorally, and physically. 

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With each puzzle completed, Gelli was tasked to complete a more difficult one. I love how her Dad is watching her. I can feel his chest swelling with pride.

To be honest, Gelli surprised me. She was such a big girl. I asked Nino to accompany us to this appointment, and I think he was equally surprised to see Gelli so well behaved, so grown up, and so attentive. We are so relaxed at home, so seeing Gelli in “working school mode,” was an interesting change.

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After she completed the puzzles that Doc set in front of her, they began going through some simple flashcards.

She completed all the tasks that Doc set in front of her. Many of the puzzle pieces were quite easy for her to place. She was even trying to get Doc’s attention during his assessment by calling him “Teacher.” I had to giggle a little bit because she was trying so hard to direct Doc to play with the toys that she had her eye on since we walked into his office. (Of course, it had a mirror.)

After Dr. Lazarro’s assessment, we talked about some of the things that we do at home. He wanted to have an idea of the kinds of activities Gelli does on a daily basis so he can make suggestions on how to improve the care we provide for her.

We talked about our goal to keep Gelli mainstreamed and Doc concurred that he thought it was a great idea. He suggested we increase the frequency of her occupational therapy, because Gelli has some typical behavioral issues that could hinder her development and attentiveness in class, if we don’t nip it in the bud.

When we left Doc’s office, I couldn’t help be feel hopeful. I know Nino shared the same sentiment, and while we were still in the car, we both shared a gratitude tear filled moment as we recounted what the doctor’s thoughts were on Gellibean and her development. I was proud of my little bean who accomplished so many of the tasks that Doc set in front of her. I was amused with the way her personality was undeniably assertive. She was following directions, but she also was very clear on letting Doc (er…Teacher) know that there were other things she was more interested in.

More than that, I was extremely grateful. Grateful for the team of people who help and care for Gelli as we nurture her development. If Doc was to give Gelli a report card, I’m sure it would have been full of gold stars, not just for Gellibean herself, but for all the people who are guiding her on her way.

AND, while I know this is certainly not a measure of the beautiful person she will grow into, it sure does validate all the hard work we are doing with #TeamGellibean to know that she is on the right track.

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I don’t have to do too much more if I’m feeling a little down, than look at this girl and her smile. Even the funny ones she gives for the camera and her ootd pose.

 

 

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Comments

  1. Peter A. Ressa says

    July 12, 2016 at 9:57 pm

    You are doing such a great job Michelle and Nino! I so love our youngest granddaughter Evangelina!!!

  2. Linda Walters Wallace says

    July 14, 2016 at 10:21 pm

    Love following Gelli as she grows! She is one amazing kid, with an amazing support team of family, teachers and friends!

    • michelle says

      July 22, 2016 at 4:26 am

      Thanks Lin. I’m so happy we get to view the growth of the kids even from afar. Hope all is well with you and your boys. xo LITP

  3. Riza says

    January 8, 2017 at 2:53 am

    Hi, would you mind me asking, what’s the complete name of Dr. Lazaro and where is he located. I’d like to book my daughter for an appointment with devped. Thank you! Mommy Riza

    • michelle says

      January 9, 2017 at 10:35 am

      Hi Riza! Sent you an email 🙂

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Waterside @solaireresort’s BBQ Brunch Buffet has Waterside @solaireresort’s BBQ Brunch Buffet has all the southern fixings and more.

Grilled and smoked meats. Seafood and mixed drinks. Fried chicken and fish and chips. Starters include fresh salads, corn bread, nachos and more. But the kicker comes in the form of a Make Your Own Milkshake bar, and YES, you can order it spiked with your favorite liquor! 

Waterside is only one of quite a few restaurants that you can enjoy  beautiful weekend brunches with your favorite person, the fam bam, or your friends. 

Check out www.mommanmanila.com to see the full menu and what Nino and I enjoyed most.
Creating food together is one of our love language Creating food together is one of our love languages. We flow in the kitchen. I get excited and move too fast, and she grounds me, and slows things down. We can move around one another while still staying in sync. In our own kitchen, there is music that guides us and sets the tone for the meal. Gelli would be in the mix, the boys will set the table, someone makes dessert, and maybe @manila.gent  makes a drink. 

When we prepare our table together there is so much that goes into the process and the ingredients. This mindful movement brings me so much joy when we are all together.

Even more so when we attend classes together to learn new dishes too.  @themayakitchen1 has regular classes offering cooks of all abilities to learn something new when preparing meals for for our families.

Check out my new article on @rappler for @kitchen143 where Gia and I learned from Chef @cocoyventura a few new Pinoy dishes that will definitely be on rotation for #TeamGellibean.

Link in my profile: 

https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/food-drinks/kitchen-143-learning-lovelokal-the-maya-kitchens-cooking-classes/
Crispy Pata. Is there anything better than perfec Crispy Pata.

Is there anything better than perfectly brined crispy fried pork? 

@manila.gent and I visited @viicsrestaurantph for simple Pinoy fare that hit the spot. Admittedly, after moving here so many years ago, I took a while to warm up to this dish that is one of Nino’s (and my mom’s) favorites. But every once in a while-I won’t feel guilty about indulging in this deep fried treat.

Happy to learn that we can also order for when Mom arrives through @foodpanda_ph too!
The @admiralhotelmanila M-Gallery has opened their The @admiralhotelmanila M-Gallery has opened their doors! @manila.gent and I were privileged to visit the hotel on Friday night with some new friends and we were both so excited to explore some new digs in Manila.

Looking forward to bringing the family back soon!
We were a little early for therapy this morning, s We were a little early for therapy this morning, so @gelliaventajado got to spend a little time with @grace_loedin!

@thevanguardacademyph is still open for enrollment in their summer program, and has a full staff for all therapies and interventions. We really love her school and all of the faculty and staff. It makes a huge difference when you have confidence in the people you leave your child with for learning!
Whipped Feta #Recipe up on @kitchen143 over @rappl Whipped Feta #Recipe up on @kitchen143 over @rappler now!

Link in my profile!

https://www.rappler.com/nation/kitchen-143-dreaming-greece-try-making-easy-whipped-feta-dip/
Thinking about the day I got off the plane in LaGu Thinking about the day I got off the plane in LaGuardia, was picked up by one of my dearest friends and spent the entire day at the beach just catching up on LIFE.

It was a breezy day. Overcast. A little chilly to be in a suit, but it was perfect to catch up with my girl Candy. Sometimes, if you have chosen your friends well, you can pick up where you left off, as if no time has passed at all. 

Just like I did, sitting in that beach chair, feeling the mist of the Atlantic Ocean, and watching the seagulls pick and the seaweed.

Thank you Candy! For the friendship, for dropping everything to come and pick me up. Drive me around and have dinner with me and Fayth. 

Wishing I was sitting on this beach with you right now!!!
Eggs Benny with BBQ Pulled Pork was just one of ma Eggs Benny with BBQ Pulled Pork was just one of many dishes that we enjoyed during #SundayBrunch at Waterside in @solaireresort .

From cornbread, to mom’s potato salad, melt in your mouth whisky cured short ribs, homemade sausages and more. This #BrunchBuffet had @manila.gent and I rolling each other out the door!

Hard to choose which was our favorite from the feast that was set before us!

Brunch is inclusive of some delicious drinks, some Southern smoked and BBQ Fare, and a most colorful sweet dessert buffet by way of Milkshake Bar!
Movie Night at home with the big screen made easy Movie Night at home with the big screen made easy by @lumosprojector_ph!

Summer Lovin’ ain’t over for #TeamGellibean. Hop on over to www.mommanmanila.com to read my full review on how easy this #homeprojector is to use when you want to watch your favorite family film!!

Gelli and I have watched Sharkboy and Lavagirl, Grease, and BTS Videos. Up next? The Sound of Music! 

Want to have your own #LUMOSRAYProjectoe delivered to your home? Stay tuned for an upcoming giveaway, too!

Link in my profile!

https://www.mommanmanila.com/lumos-ray-projector-review/
Missing my @migaventajado The short time I had w Missing my @migaventajado 

The short time I had with this guy in Florida was definitely something I will look back on. Wish we had more time to explore and do some fun things on our own.

Gah. How is this kid 20 years old already?
I remember when he was little and he loved peanut butter, chicken nuggets, Kylie Minogue, and sitting on my lap. He was squishy, in tune with my feelings, and I was always worried that he might have an asthma attack in his sleep so I would nebulize him every few hours. He always looked at new experiences with gratitude and wonder, much how he did while we were in FL together.😍

Praying he continues to strengthen his faith as he grows. 🙏🏻👨🏻🙌🏻

Miss you Miggy!
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