http://www.thesylasproject.org/

The Sylas Project, Pinecrest, FL (2026)

03/04/2026

Today is Sylas’ 7th birthday 🤍🦊

My angel is in heaven and we miss him more than words can ever express. Over the years I have reflected on how life has changed and what this journey has taught me.

Even when life feels completely broken, God is still there. He sends signs. He carries us through what feels impossible.

One of the biggest lessons I have learned is how powerful education is for parents. When you are a new parent, the information and guidance you receive can shape decisions that affect your child’s future in ways you may not realize at the time.

I wish I had known how quickly these accidents happen.

That is why I created The Sylas Project — to educate families about water safety and help prevent childhood drownings through awareness, education, and layers of protection.

Advocating for stronger safety measures became deeply personal to me. After losing Sylas, I became a distributor though to bring the highest quality pool barrier to families so more children are protected. What started from heartbreak has become a way for our family to turn awareness into action. If you are local to Miami or Fort Lauderdale, it would truly be an honor for our family to help protect yours.

Love does not end when someone is gone. It continues to grow.

For Sylas’ birthday, I am asking something from every person reading this.

If you have a pool without a pool fence, please install one.
If your parents or grandparents have a pool without one, please talk to them.
If you know a friend with a pool, please send them this post.

In the United States, hundreds of children lose their lives to accidental drowning every year. The Sylas Project exists to reduce that number, and awareness is where prevention begins.

The most powerful thing you can do today is share this post.

Share it to your story.
Send it to one parent.
Start one conversation about water safety.

If one family installs a barrier, learns the risks, or adds a layer of protection because of Sylas’ story, then his life continues to save others 💙

10/19/2025

👉Traveling with little ones shouldn’t mean compromising on safety.

While searching for family-friendly Airbnbs, we messaged several hosts (at least 15) asking if their pools had a removable or mesh safety fence, and not one did. Every host was kind and responsive, but all said the same thing:

“Unfortunately, there’s no pool safety fence.”

❗️Accidental drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1-4.

Airbnb’s safety filters include things like smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, but there’s no option to filter for pool safety.

😟 Families shouldn’t have to message every host to find out if their kids will be safe near water.

To me, this was a non-negotiable. I’d rather choose a listing without a pool or without direct access to one than take a risk that could change our lives in an instant. I know how quickly these moments can happen and how preventable they can be.

We’d love to see add a “Pool Fence / Child Safety Gate” filter so parents can travel with peace of mind.

If your listing has a pool fence, tag so we can highlight family-friendly homes.

Share this to help protect kids. 💙

07/21/2025

If you take one thing from this post, it’s this: Don’t wait.

The headlines don’t stop. Another child gone. Another drowning. Another family waking up in a nightmare that never ends.

One small shift in the routine. One unlocked door. One tiny distraction. And life is never the same.

I remember the early days after losing Sylas. It felt like life was over. Every breath was hard.

If you’re a parent or a grandparent, please—don’t wait to protect what matters most.

I hear people say they’re waiting on the fence. They want it to look a certain way. They don’t want to ruin the view. But nothing ruins a view like losing your child. I say this because I know what that pain feels like. It breaks you. To your core.

Safety has to come first. One layer isn’t enough.

✅ Professionally install a min 4ft tall pool fence that fully blocks access from house to water—even if your child has taken swim lessons. Add a self closing entry gate. Do your research on quality. Many companies say they sell a strong pool fence without any proper testing certifications. That’s a red flag.
✅ Add door alarms so you know the second a door opens.
✅ If your child can crawl, they can start survival swim. Find a program that teaches independent floating first—not play-based group classes. And never trust an instructor who throws kids in the pool.
✅ Always remove toys from the pool after swim time
✅ Remove pet doors leading to water
✅ Learn CPR. It buys time when seconds matter.

Never assume this can’t happen to your family.

We were cautious. We baby-proofed everything. We had called a fence company. But we waited. Then Covid delayed things. That one delay on a Friday morning… it shattered our world.

I now know what I didn’t know then. And I would give anything to go back.

Drowning is the #1 cause of death for kids 1–4.

If you’re reading this, act today. And please share this with someone you love. You might save a life. 💙

05/25/2025

Exactly 5 years ago today, we said goodbye to our first baby, Sylas. He was 14 months old when he found a small pet opening that led to our backyard pool. In just moments, we went from life being perfect to feeling like we had lost everything. We spent 2 weeks at the hospital holding on to hope, but God had other plans for my baby. Losing him has been the hardest experience of our lives. One that would transform how I see life, how I see God, how I see myself, and how I approach the future.

Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him, even during the busiest of seasons. His younger brother always wants to watch videos of him and makes comments like, “Hey, I have that ball! Sylas is so silly!” We still have many of Sylas’ toys and little things, which have been passed down to his brothers. They’re small reminders that his love and memories are still connected to us all. Theodore will also make comments like, “Sylas is looking at me from up high.”

Life is so fragile. Some experiences like this can break you, but when you allow God to give you bits of strength and let it carry you, you create a perspective so deep that it allows you to find so much beauty in things you might not have noticed before.

I love you, Sylas, for everything you taught us. For all the love you brought to us, and for always sending us little signs to help us keep going.

Sending you a big kiss to heaven, buddy. Besitos. We miss you and love you forever.

-

Please share Sylas’ story with all the parents you know this summer to keep more babies safe 💙 Accidental drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1-4 but is 100% preventable but requires multiple layers of protection including pool fences, alarms and survival swim lessons. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you will always be there because it takes only seconds.

If you would like to provide low income families with life saving swim lessons, please consider donating on our website using link in bio. Any amount helps. 100% of proceeds goes toward this mission.

03/04/2025

My Sylas

Today you would be 6 years old. I miss you every single day and love you more than words could ever express. 😭 I always try to imagine what you would be doing at this age. I hope you’re celebrating today with God and having the most beautiful day. I hope you can feel all of our love we send you. 🎂🎈

This day is never easy. The weeks, even months leading up to it, are filled with the ache of another year without you. I wish I could stop time, just for a moment, to have one more day. One more hug. One more chance to hear your laughter and see you smile. And yet, even in your absence, your presence is everywhere.

Because of you, families who once knew nothing about water safety now understand its importance. Because of you, your little brother is enrolled in self-rescue lessons, and he talks about you all the time, even though he never got to meet you. Because of you, over 100 children have received full swim scholarships—babies who now have a chance because of the lessons made possible in your name. Because of you, our entire family is dedicated to installing pool fences locally to protect more babies.

Because of you, I found a strength I never knew existed. A strength driven by love so deep, it fuels my every purpose.

Today is hard. But today, I also want to hold onto the beauty of what your life has moved. If you’re reading this and feel called to help, I’d love your support in keeping our survival swim program going. Every dollar makes a difference. If you or your company want to be part of this mission and partner with The Sylas Project, please consider donating.

VENMO: or using link in bio

And If Sylas has impacted you in any way—if his story has led you to install a pool fence, enroll your child in swim lessons, or think differently about water safety—I would love to hear it. These stories mean more than I can say. They are a reminder that even in the midst of loss, love continues to create something beautiful.

😭🙏

03/03/2025

🌴 Vacation Water Safety: Tips for Parents pt 1

Whether you’re heading to a vacation home, hotel, or Airbnb, water safety starts before you arrive. Here’s what to pack, check, and practice to keep little ones safe:

🔍 Before You Book: Check Safety Barriers

🏡 Does the home have a pool fence? Look for a fully enclosed fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate. If none are in place, consider choosing a different listing if you can.

🚪 Secure doors & exits and make it very very hard for little ones to wander outside unnoticed. Use door alarms (loud ones!), high locks and k**b covers to prevent toddlers from slipping outside unnoticed.

🎒 What to Pack for Water Safety

🦺 USCG-Approved Life Vest anytime they are near open water like oceans or lakes. Ensure the right fit for their height & weight! And make sure to test it out before heading on the trip to make sure it puts them face up and not face down.

🔊 Pool & Door Alarms – If the rental lacks safety barriers, a portable pool alarm adds an essential layer of protection.

👀 Water Watcher Lanyard – Drowning is silent. Rotate a designated adult every 30 minutes for focused supervision.

🎽 Bright Swimwear – Neon colors like orange, pink, and yellow make kids more visible in water for faster response in emergencies.

🚸 Teach Water Boundaries and Self Rescue

✅ Establish clear rules – Teach toddlers to ask for permission before entering the water.

✅ Enroll in self-rescue swim lessons – These lessons help young children learn how to float and breathe if they fall into water.

✅ Set group safety habits – When one child exits the pool to dry off, all kids sit away from the water.

Water safety isn’t just one thing—it’s layers of protection that work together. Stay prepared, informed, and alert so your vacation stays fun and worry-free. 💙

Tag or share with a parent who is planning a vacation soon 👇

03/01/2025

I get it. I was that parent before I knew the dangers. Back in 2020, I bought Sylas a blue floatie to be able to be “hands-free” in water.

But here’s what I didn’t realize until we lost Sylas ☹️

Floaties can create a dangerous illusion for children.

They teach kids they can float, jump, or swim safely – even when they’re not wearing them. Many floaties train children to adopt a vertical posture in the water, which becomes their default muscle memory. This position makes it difficult for them to tread water effectively, causing them to sink quickly if they end up in the water without flotation.

They create confidence without skill.

💔 Drowning is the #1 cause of death for children ages 1-4.
💔 80% of drownings happen during NON-swim times.

Looking back, I wish I never introduced any sort of float to Sylas and I wish I would have known that survival swim lessons existed from as early as 6 months.

Floaties had made him comfortable without making him capable. They gave him the confidence to jump into the water – even when they weren’t on.

I learned the hard way. I don’t want you to.
Let’s break the cycle. Let’s raise strong, floatie-free swimmers who know how to be their own flotation device.

For Sylas. For all our children. 💙🙏 Share this with someone you care about

02/25/2025

👏 Shout out to grandparents who take water safety seriously! 👏

I’ve seen so many grandparents going above and beyond—calling pool fence companies, enrolling grandkids in swim lessons, and staying open to new information about drowning prevention. Your efforts don’t go unnoticed, and they make all the difference! 💙

Here are just a few ways grandparents are stepping up for their grandkids’ safety:

✅ Installing pool fences as preventative measures to keep grandkids safe when they’re visiting
✅ Taking little ones to swim lessons
✅ Supervising closely and staying within arm’s reach near water
✅ Learning CPR so they’re prepared for emergencies
✅ Using door and pool alarms for extra layers of protection
✅ Encouraging water safety rules, like no running near the pool and always asking for permission before jumping in
✅ Being open to new drowning prevention best practices even when it is different than what you were once taught.

Water safety isn’t just a parent’s job—it’s a family effort. If you’re a grandparent who has taken steps to keep your grandkids safe around water, we see you and appreciate you!

And if you’re looking for ways to get involved, it’s never too late to learn.

Tag a grandparent who deserves a shoutout! 👇

02/10/2025

🌞 As summer approaches, now is the perfect time to start researching swim lessons for your little one. Here are some tips to help them get ready for their lessons and water safety!

During survival swim lessons, little ones as young as 6 mo are taught to float on their back as they learn to self rescue. This means they will be experiencing so many new sensations with water.

💧 Water on the face can be a weird sensory experience for them. They will need to learn how to hold their breath when water is near their nose and mouth. Then they will learn to get air when it is clear. Water may feel strange when their eyes get wet. They will need to learn to blink the water away to see again. Their ears may fill but in moments they will be able to hear again. Helping a child tolerate these sensations from early on will help their experience.

1️⃣ From infancy, allow your babies face to get a little wet when rinsing their hair in the bath. Let the water trickle a little bit over their face. 🚿

2️⃣ Don’t rush to get the towel when their eyes get wet. Encourage them to blink it away and celebrate once they do. 🥳 They got this 😊

3️⃣ Avoid introducing flotation devices. Flotation devices keep children in a vertical posture (the drowning position) and when they start lessons, they will need to unlearn these habits. I’ve heard from countless instructors that children who had previously used flotation devices took much much longer to learn their new skills. If your child does not know how to swim, the best place for them is in your arms when in a pool. A life jacket should only be used on a boat or when in or near open water.

4️⃣ Please note: it is NOT recommended to submerge your child to get them used to water on the face. Please allow a trained and certified instructor safely teach them proper breath control.

5️⃣ Talking to toddlers about swim lessons in positive terms builds confidence and sets expectations ahead of their lessons. Even if it’s been months since their last lesson. Anyone else have a toddler who makes their bath water toys ‘swim swim swim… Float’ just like the self rescue sequence 😂

06/04/2024

‼️ Did you know, 70% of accidental drownings happen during non swim time when a child is not supposed to be near water?

👶 Babies and toddlers are curious by nature. The older they get, the faster they also get. It’s important to have barriers and layers of protection at all times.

✅ Enclose perimeter of pool with a min 4Ft mesh pool fence with self closing gates. Some cities require 5ft.
✅ Pool alarm 🚨
✅ Door locks and alarm leading to any body of water or outside.
✅ Ensure children have the skills to find air independently and float on their backs. They can learn as young as 6 months old.
✅ Know how to perform CPR. Sign up for a local class near you. Seconds can make the difference between survival and recovery in an emergency.
✅ Not just one of these, but ensure you can check ALL to keep them safe. A physical barrier, alarms and life savings skills 🙏

Please share with parents of little ones 💙

05/26/2024

On this day, 4 years ago, we held Sylas for the last time and kissed him goodbye. May 25th is the day Sylas went to heaven.

I received such a beautiful heartfelt message from my son Theodore’s swim instructor this morning about God and Sylas. It made me cry, but in a good, happy, emotional way.

It reminded me that even when we’re going through immense grief, there is still so much beauty around us. These past couple of years navigating life after Sylas, I can say God has placed such beautiful humans in my path to help guide me, to inspire me, and to show unconditional love to us.

Today, I was invited to a birthday pool party by a friend of mine. I met this mom a year after we lost Sylas when she lost her baby Emilio the same way. I’m so glad I ended up going today because not only did we have such a beautiful and peaceful day talking, but it was also another reminder of how I am surrounded by the most loving people. We share the same kind of pain in our hearts after losing our babies, but together we have slowly learned to exist again just as different people.

One of the things I wanted to ask everyone this Memorial Day weekend is to please help share our stories with more families so we can prevent these accidents.

Encourage parents you know to install pool fences, to enroll in swim lessons, to add door and pool alarms, to remove doggy doors, to assign water watchers, to take CPR classes, to donate to foundations so we can continue to help families in need afford survival swim lessons.

💙 For those who can, if you could consider donating any amount to The Sylas Project GoFundMe to help a family afford life-saving swim lessons, it would be beyond appreciated. No amount is too small. 100% of donations go towards scholarships always. The link is in my bio.

The photos in this post were selected at random as I was going down memory lane 💙 Missing you is an understatement. Love you with all my heart Sylas.

The Sylas Project

03/04/2026

10/19/2025

07/21/2025

05/25/2025

03/04/2025

03/03/2025

03/01/2025

02/25/2025

02/10/2025

06/04/2024

05/26/2024

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