I can't even believe it's been ONE year since I ran the Chicago Marathon!!! I couldn't even dream of attempting that now. Not to mention, thank goodness I wasn't signed up for this year since all races are cancelled due to COVID-19 😦 You might wonder why in the world I would sign up to… Continue reading Once upon a time, I ran a marathon….
Author: Marlana M
First Grade – COVID-19 Style
Luca technically started FIRST grade is this week! I had a difficult time processing that he turned 6 last week, now I get to process that I have a first grader. What!?!? Our school district has opted for remote learning until October 30 for all students. However, that's just not feasible for kids like Luca.… Continue reading First Grade – COVID-19 Style
Just like that, Luca is SIX!
Wow, I can't even wrap my head around where the last six years of my life went. They have been a roller coaster of emotions and full of changes! I remember finding out that Luca had Partial Trisomy 13 when he was couple weeks old just like it was yesterday. I can still feel ALL… Continue reading Just like that, Luca is SIX!
The Pandemic + Luca
The COVID-19 pandemic has no end in sight. It's been a rough few months for him 😦 Unfortunately, it's impossible to explain why school was suddenly cancelled, therapy temporarily ended and why he is just stuck at home with his parents and brother! Luca didn't leave the house once between March and May. His first… Continue reading The Pandemic + Luca
The Loving Luca Foundation is Born….
I started this blog a while back as an inspiration for other families as well as for myself. I wanted a way to keep track of all of the little details of Luca's progress so I wouldn't forget over time. Well, life happened and I just stopped for a while...a long while. Let me backtrack… Continue reading The Loving Luca Foundation is Born….
The Magic of Early Intervention
Early Intervention (EI) is a state funded program that offers assistance to children age 3 and under who have developmental delays and disabilities in the state of Illinois. All states have some sort of assistance, but the terms may vary state to state. In Luca's case, EI covered all of his therapies and special equipment… Continue reading The Magic of Early Intervention
Trusting Your Medical Team
One of the most difficult things we have had to deal with in regards to all of the issues Luca has is trusting our medical team. It's sad, but true. While there are many pediatric doctors out there, not all of them are wonderful. Early on, Luca developed a team of specialists: Genetics, urology, neurology, plastics,… Continue reading Trusting Your Medical Team
Four Years is a Long Time!
Today, a photo of Luca popped up in new newsfeed on Facebook as reminder of what I posted 4 years ago today. It's one of my favorite photos of Luca to date! I was reminded of how much Luca has changed in the past four years and was overwhelmed with happiness! In four years, Luca… Continue reading Four Years is a Long Time!
Determination to overcome
At the beginning, there were a lot of people in my everyday life that had no idea that Luca was special needs. I guess I was still learning who Luca was and I really didn't know how to answer questions when people would ask, so it was easier for me to not talk about it. I… Continue reading Determination to overcome
Big Brother Luca
I had Landon when Luca was two. I had no idea how Luca would react and if he would understand since I couldn't explain it to him. Greg and our nanny at the time brought Luca to the hospital to meet Landon, but Luca wasn't interested in the least. For the first few weeks at… Continue reading Big Brother Luca