Race for the Extraordinary!

What a fantastic day today! Weather could not have been more perfect and I finished in 1:44:49. Not too bad for 13.1 miles at 41!  I was pacing really well for the first 15K, lost a bit of ground in end, but so pleased! Best of all we raised $4,000 for Parker's Heroes, benefitting Research Down Syndrome!  Looking forward to another, maybe WDW!!!  Visit our page to see our efforts!  Words can;t express how grateful we are to all of you!!!

http://www.crowdrise.com/ParkersHeros/fundraiser/LaraFont

Have You seen this?

Talk about this has been going around the past few days...started on a DS bloggers site (when I first saw the post) http://noahsdad.com/target-down-syndrome/ talk about the fact that this precious child wasn't part of a modeling campaign for "differently abled" children (like the ToysRUs catalog), but simply just another smiling child in a weekly circular.  This warms my heart, most of you knwo our kids have been print models most of their lives.  I remember the kids asking when Parker was first born when he'd be mdeling with them...always pained my heart in some ways.  Hadn't thought about it in a long time until this started going viral on the web...Things like this show me that is a real possibility!

http://thelook.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/06/10006260-targets-newest-model-is-an-adorable-6-year-old-with-down-syndrome

Go Target and Nordstroms! We are ready when you come a-calling! We are a willing model and can pose with the best of them!

Happy New Year 2012!

The holidays have come and gone, the new year has started!  So many terrific things happening, looking forward to what God has in store for 2012.  Parker is keeping us all busy, he is loving school, has found a new "old" favorite in Blues Clues.  His vocabulary now includes, "notebook, think, blues, table", all courtesy of the videos!  This was Taylor's favorite 10 or so years ago, finding these videos have been a trick, but thankfully DirectTV still has them playing daily.  Parker's grown 3.5 inches in 3 months thanks to our new endocrin and treatment, now is back on the "typical" chart at 30%.  After almost a year of little to no growth we are so pleased.  His problem solving skills are fantastic, speech continues to come along (although not as fast as Mom would like).  His vocabulary is now about 45-50 words, we know he understands everything, just working on getting those words to verbalize.  His new favorite word is STOP, when the kids get too close he pushes away and yells STOP as loud as he can.  In this house one has to fend for oneself!  He's learned to snap his fingers which is hysterical!  Health has been fantastic, we have our annual cardio visit in a few weeks and our hoping to move to bi-annual visits them.  Only one additional snuffy head for Parker (two in his lifetime) and no ear problems or setbacks from that cold.  We had a Christmas trip to WDW and he was a fast favorite of all the cast members.  He loved Santa, the characters, and the parades.  It truly was a magical trip (always is)!  Uncle Matt was here for Christmas which is such a blessing, wish he was closer to TX!  Maybe we will make a CA Disney visit this year.  Lots more to say, but that is the quick update.  Getting ready to run the half marathon on January 15th to benefit Research Down syndrome, we met our fundraising goal, but certainly appreciate any additional donations  - it is not too late!

Merry Christmas!

Parker's Heroes

http://www.crowdrise.com/ParkersHeros/fundraiser/LaraFont/1/return/success/success
HERE'S THE STORY:

On January 15, 2012, I will be running the Houston Half Marathon.  I'm running for Research Down Syndrome(RDS) a non-profit that supports cognitive research for people with Down syndrome. In the last 5 years we have had great advances in biomedical therapies to treat the cognitive impairment of people of all ages with Down syndrome. The potential of these treatments to address Down syndrome cognitive dysfunction is tremendous - improving memory, learning and communication – and expanding and enhancing life opportunities for these individuals. Obviously this is VERY important to our family, please support my efforts! No amount is too small!  Do it for our precious son, Parker, he deserves to have the same things we all have in life!!

I'm humbled by those that have already supported our efforts, thank you simply isn't enough!! 

DONATE

$800

RAISED OF $2,500 GOAL

32%

DONATIONS

Action Shots

2 days of a few action shots..Parker has been doing forward rolls for months now, it is hysterical to watch him with the girls as they tumble around the house! He is such an imitator, tries to keep up with the other kids no matter how crazy. Yes, his neck is fine, he knows how to "tuck and roll." The other picture is a football pose, he's saying "hike" Guess having football and baseball on in the background has left its mark!!

Wordless Wednesday..sort of..

Meet Parker, our "jack in the box.." I'm proud to say Parker has the same affinity for my shoes that Taylor did at this age...he continues to be in to absolutely everything. This week we have slammed our fingers into the shower door and the kitchen drawers, hoping to hang on to his fingernails, even with child proofed drawers they still slam pretty well! Life is good, we are blessed...celebrated Madeline's 8th birthday this weekend..time flies, seems like yesterday when she was born....bet you can't guess the theme..Minnie Mouse gymnastics party...I of course am getting younger by the day..HA!