I was asked a few months ago to be a new co-leader for the 2 and Under group at GiGi’s Playhouse. If you’re not familiar, GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers offer free educational and therapeutic programs for people with Down syndrome, their families and the community. These centers are amazing places, and we are so lucky to have one just a few minutes away.

The 2 and Under group is obviously for the really little ones. It’s a welcoming and supportive place for families who are perhaps still coming to terms with a diagnosis or who may have questions about early intervention, therapies, medical issues, and everyday kid stuff that comes up in those first years. It’s also a great opportunity just to connect and socialize with some really lovely people. A fantastic OT volunteers her time to help lead the group, and we sometimes bring in presenters to address various topics. Today, a physical therapist talked to the group about gross motor challenges for our kids and the importance of early therapy to help them develop healthy muscles and skills to build on as they grow. I love getting to be a part of this group, not the least because it means I get to play with some of the cutest itty bittys on the planet, even as Lina is rapidly leaving that stage behind.

I took the camera today and got permission from the parents to share some pictures of these precious kiddos. I’ll get to those shortly, but it would be an incomplete account if I didn’t disclose that for the duration of today’s session, Lina terrorized the room with an epic display of hair pulling. The minute we stepped in the door, I felt her little body tense, and it was downhill from there. I did joint compressions and tried to calm her, to no avail. She made the babies cry, she made the big kids cry, she yanked a mommy half-way to the ground. So, here’s my blanket apology to all the people Lina attempted to scalp today. That wasn’t exactly the warm and comforting environment GiGi’s aims to provide. We have a new OT lined up and are working on it, I promise.

A much more peaceful Lina at home