8 Months Old And Many Milestones

Kaitlyn turned eight months old this past week. I cannot believe how fast the time has gone. She has learned so much and taught us even more. Here are some of her latest milestones and her new list of goals.

Kaitlyn, AKA:

Sister, princess, and big girl, and even sometimes Ms. Piggy. This girl loves to eat and we are thrilled about that. See she is a heart baby, and only 4 1/2 short months ago she was very sick and had open heart surgery. You would never know by looking at her the health hurdles she has overcome. Other than the faded scar on her chest there are NO signs of heart surgery. She is our hero!

Developmental delays are evident in children with Down syndrome. But to be quite honest her delays are almost unnoticeable. We know her milestone's are extra special and celebrate each one with her.

Her greatest ability now, and I imagine well into the future is to melt hearts. Yes, all babies do this, but their is something "extra" special about Kaitlyn. She's changing people in a huge way, I could cry just thinking about, she's bringing a lot of people closer, and God I thank you!

Kaitlyn continues to develop a hilarious personality. We are constantly cracking up at this little goofball. In one breath I will tell you how laid back she is, birth order might have a lot to do with that, but in another breath I will say she definitely has a mind of her own, which could be the red hair, but I'm guessing it's her genetic makeup. It's a gift and a curse! The picture below is Kaitlyn rolling her tongue, she does this all the time, especially when she eats fruit. It is so funny to watch. All our kids can do it, they get it from their Dad's side of the family. I don't remember the boys doing it until they were much older though. She's too cute!

The video below is Katie jumping in her jumperoo. This was a huge milestone for her. One day it occurred to me that I might have to teach her how to jump, she would just sit or stand in there and play with the attached toys. The jumper is next to the computer and one day I heard a much familiar noise next to me. She was jumping, a lot! It wasn't gradual, it was instant, and she loves to do it. She is so proud of herself and smiles like crazy. The video below is sideways, I apologize, I grabbed the camera quick and shot a short video. It's a pain to turn your neck but it's worth watching. For some reason the video is huge, it won't let me edit the size, so you can't see her pretty smile much!

This is a picture of the great smile I can get while she is jumping.

Another skill Kaitlyn has learned is how to take off her headbands. Lovely!!!

Another thing Kaitlyn has done is teach the dog great patience. She is so fascinated by this very large animal. She has zero fear!

Below is a picture of Kaitlyn pushing up with her arms. This has been her GREATEST milestone so far. We worked in therapy on this for a long time. She has great core strength and leg strength but was very weak in her arms. When on her belly she always looked like she was swimming. One afternoon at my in-laws she just did it, she pushed up and placed weight on her arms! I cried. This was a HUGE deal!

Got Toes?

She is so flexible, I think most children, especially those with Down syndrome are. Her feet are her favorite toy and snack. This grosses her Dad out, I love it! Notice the chunka's (thighs and arms) on this little girl. Don't you just want to eat her up.

So Kaitlyn has achieved many things over the last months. She is eating baby food (fruit/veggies/cereal). She tends to be very quiet but does make some open mouth sounds. She rolls from her back to belly, and belly to back. She loves to stand while holding our hands.

The next step for Kaitlyn is to decrease formula and increase baby food. Sit-up, I really think she could do this if she wanted to. She has a really strong back and legs, but she has no desire. You set her down and she throws herself backwards or purposefully goes forward to get on her belly. She does not enjoy the bumbo seat, she would rather be standing or on her belly. We are also wanting her to babble (bababa, mamama, or dadada). Crawling is a ways off, but she is making progress in the right direction. She can move in both directions while on her belly, she's not really scooting but she does it some how?!

So that is Katie in a nutshell. We are loving every minute and rejoicing in every milestone!

We love you big girl!!!

Welcome to Holland

WELCOME TO HOLLAND
by

Emily Perl Kingsley.

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."

"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.

The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.

It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.

Kaitlyn's Eyes

I always knew there was a good possibility that Kaitlyn would develop Strabismus estropia, crossing of an eye(s).

My oldest Brady developed it, the crossing of his left eye, at age 2 years 9 months. At the time we were devastated, not only did we find out that he had SE but we also found out he was very farsighted. I was in denial. How could he be so farsighted and I didn't know. But the specialist was right, and after a few attempts at finding him the right eye glass prescription, which was quite costly, the crossing of Brady's eye became corrected (with his glasses on). It averages yearly that Brady needs new glasses. As he gets older he cooperates during his exams better and they get the prescription right on. As of now there isn't any reason to think Brady will need surgery to correct the problem, his glasses are working, and eventually (fingers crossed) he won't need his glasses for the SE and if he chooses he can wear contacts for the farsightedness.

Kaitlyn...

We were told that the average child has a 1:100 chance of developing SE. Once a child has a sibling with SE their chances are 1:20. SE is also common in children with Ds. Which brings us to little Kaitlyn. Due to Ds and having a sibling with SE we have been prepared for her to develop it. At her wellness check last month the doctor asked if I had seen any crossing and I hadn't. Sometimes you can look at a child with Down syndrome and it might appear their eyes are not evenly aligned, but due to the wide bridge in their nose, at times it can look this way.

Well over the last 2 weeks I've started noticing some crossing...ugh! I questioned it at first, but over the last days it has gotten really bad. I'm so sad!!! It is in both eyes and is quite frequent. I shouldn't be upset, I know with all the medical issues children can have it isn't a big deal. But today it feels like a BIG deal. Oh how I wish she could have been a little older, I would have settled for a toddler, but an INFANT!!!!!

Brady's glasses have always stayed on, we get him the cable temples, and he has always wanted to wear them. It is uncomfortable for his eye to cross, giving him double vision and headaches. As he has gotten older he really has been able to verbalize how it feels. I worry about Kaitlyn being so young (little), how will I keep glasses on her face, we can't even keep a head band, or bow in. I've read up on it some on the Internet, I shouldn't be self diagnosing I know, but with Brady I feel pretty confident. It said online that SE in infancy often requires surgery...ugh! We will see what the doctor has to say......

Has any one had any problems with their babies eyes? What glasses did you choose? Any advice?

A Fun Filled Week And A Lot Of Pictures

Since a picture speaks a thousand words I'm going to let the collages do most of the talking, with a few added details. Easter was a lot of fun! The boys are at a great age and are starting to remember our yearly traditions. Instilling traditions is a job I take very seriously as a Mom. Growing up my Mom worked extra hard to make sure holidays were memorable and very special. She still does, even from far away with cancer. And no matter how old I get it is something to look forward too. There isn't a holiday that she doesn't celebrate, that we don't celebrate. I am enjoying creating traditions now for my family.

Happy 8 months old pretty girl. Oh how I love this little one!
A special package came in the mail this past week from my parents. The coming of a package means there is reason to celebrate. Easter sweets and treats for the little and big kids alike. Thanks Mom and Dad!
Also in the package was something extra special for Brycie. His birthday present from his Grandma and Grandpa S. He loves it! Today is Bryce's actual birthday,
Happy 4th Birthday Buddy!

Spring break has just started for the boys so this too will be a busy week, I can't wait!!!

Happy Easter Morning!

The morning started EARLY with tons of excitement from two precious little boys. They started by finding the eggs the Easter Bunny had hidden and in the process stumbled across their Easter baskets full of treasures and sweets. All of this time sister was sound a sleep. Soon after, she woke up, and the boys couldn't wait to show her the basket the bunny had left for her. It's been a great morning but we are missing our Daddy who is at work and Grandma and Grandpa S who couldn't make it up this year. Grandma is getting better though and we will see them soon. We took tons of pictures of all the Easter festivities and will post them shortly, but for now we show our morning giving Gma and Gpa a reason to smile! Wish you were here!

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

You Make Me Smile

This past weekend we celebrated Bryce's 4th birthday.

We had a great day of family, friends, and good food. This was a day dedicated to my favorite little man. I think we succeeded in making him feel extra special!

Good morning buddy! Today is for you!

These two extra special boys are the BEST of friends. We caught them laying on the couch together playing Bryce's new game. The moments I cherish most in life are those when we catch our children truly loving one another, it melts my heart!

Happy Birthday Brycie! He loves monster trucks, and he loved his super chocolate monster truck cake!

.......and the cupcakes!

.........and his presents!

.........and his family and friends!

Elyse

Aunt Jenna and her favorite munchkin

Macey loves her baby time with Kaitlyn

Mmmmm that was a good cupcake

Beautiful Smile

A party isn't complete without dancing, isn't she adorable!
Learning to drive the new RC truck. (thank you Jenna, it is a real hit)

Too much sugar!

His first Webkinz, "how does the doggie get in the computer?"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRYCE!

Best Buddies

Check out this amazing organization and watch the short video. They are currently ranked 5th to receive $250,000 from the Pepsi Refresh Project to help allow more people with disabilities to attend their conference. It only takes a second, literally, to vote. Help them win. Click here to read more and vote.

Pause the music at the bottom before playing the video.