On November 18 2009 at 4:02 am William Alan Bartosch was joyfully welcomed into our family. He weighed in at 7 lbs 9 oz and 20 in long. We were stunned to discover that he was born with Trisomy 21, or Down syndrome. We love him unconditionally from the top of his toe-head to the tips of his toes. We know that this diagnosis will not define him. He is a happy, healthy little boy that just happens to have an extra chromosome.



Follow us on this unexpected and exciting journey as we learn how to live life Will's Way.



Monday, June 24, 2013

Will at School


Will loves his speech therapist at school.  He lights up when she comes in the room and really likes when she plays with him in the classroom.  She had great success getting him to use his voice and say words in a one-on-one setting when he would be pulled out to work with her, but was having a hard time getting him to do so in the classroom.  The last month of school William really progressed!  She started working with him more in the classroom and he started using his little voice more:)  I hope this continues next year and we don't lose our progress over the summer.  Ms. Marty is awesome!

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Trying Threes

Gaga Judie says its 'Terrible Two's' and 'Trying Three's'...well William was definately 'trying' me this day.  When we got home and out of the car, I had several things in my hands including a sleeping Lillian and he wanted to be carried.  I told him to use his big boy feet and walk to the door, but instead he sat in the driveway for the better part of a half hour crying and whining.  I am sure that both Grandma's are saying 'awww' right now, but eventually I have to out stubborn this kid!  So I watched him, very closely, from inside and repeatedly told him to use his walking feet to walk to the door.  Took a couple pictures too.  After a half hour of whining, crying and getting sunburned by Will, Jonas just got up from playing, without saying a word, and took matters into his own hands...literally...and went and got Will.    This boy is so stubborn!!!
 
 




Monday, June 10, 2013

Summer Time!

We are excited that summer is here and school is out.  Will has been making a lot of progress with speech and physical therapy related things and I hope we can keep the momentum going thru the summer!  He is enrolled in a speech therapy social group once a week and will continue to do his private speech and occupational therapy.  We are trying to find another session of soccer that works with our busy schedule, but for now, he is getting so much better at kicking and running with the kids in the back yard.  He is also getting really good at hitting the ball off of his tee and this keeps him entertained for a long time since he then chases it, puts it back and hits it again.  All of this is so good for core strength and balance.  We hope to do lots of other fun things with cousins and friends too!

It is raining today so we painted cookies:)  I sneeked in a little OT while they were having a treat!



 
Will went to an Indians game last weekend.
 

 
Will's last week of school with all his little classmates!
 


 
Will playing with friends and cousins at the park.