Therapy

Miss Ollie hasn't started therapy yet, but I am working with her at home.

A friend gave me a book that is awesome!  I am serious if you don't have this book you need it.  It goes over gross motor skills & exercises by chapter & your child must master a chapter before you move on.  Perfect!

I have NO idea what I'm doing therapy wise.  For goodness sakes my degree is in Animal Science Production, which no joke is large animals like beef & dairy cattle and don't forget hogs.  That's right - farm girl education...far away from child development.

  What I DO know is that I want the best for Ollie.  I want to hit every milestone as close to a typically developing child as possible.  Since this isn't my first rodeo in raising a child I know they all develop differently, so I won't be devastated if some things come more naturally than others.  I know this will take work & persistence.  Which is why I am now a stay at home Mom.  I am an instrument to Ollie's success & I am not going to take no for an answer.  It isn't going to be easy at times, but that's fine.

We are going to push her to the best of her capacity and we're going to let her show us what she is capable of.  As another Mom says & I love, "Don't diss her ability".

Last week Ollie was cleared for tummy time.  The first few days I was worried.  She laid flat on her nose and couldn't move an inch.  She hated it, and I felt helpless, I didn't know what to do.

A friend came over & she gave me some therapy tips as we wait for Ollie's Early Intervention to get setup & started. 

Tip #1 - Lay her on a rolled up receiving blanket.  Prop up her arms & put toys in front of her. 

I am not kidding in 2 days - 2 single days of doing this activity a few times - look at this little rock star go!  That's right she's pushing up onto her forearms & lifting her head high.  She just awes me with her strength & attitude. 

It helps to have two older siblings that LOVE to play and interact with her.  They have no idea that they are giving her therapy as well.

IDSC for Life Necklace

I am SO excited!

I just got off the phone I will be making the official International Down Syndrome Coalition for Life necklace!

They were looking for a way to raise awareness & spread the word that ALL life is precious!

I am so blessed to have this opportunity and I am very excited to get started!  Please go to their website to learn more or look them up on facebook.

5 Months...

Time flies with a face like this smiling at you all the time

Yesterday she was officially 5 months old.

A lot has changed since she was born in February.

She conquered heart failure, then open heart surgery.  She has picked up my tiny town and shook it - everyone knows her name.  They have prayed for her and in return love her like their own.  When you truly take up prayer for someone its amazing how you in turn love that person. 

So many people have a new understanding of Down Syndrome because of her sweet heart.  People all over the world, literally, have been impacted in some way by her.

Last night was the first night in her crib.  I didn't sleep well because I worried all night long.  She had been in a bassinet in our room before.  She slept like a champ & didn't mind her bed at all. 

Then, today she rolled over for the very first time.  She's been working at it for weeks but can never get all the way over because of her arms.  She went back to belly - that's right she's a rock star my friends.

She's growing up too fast.  It makes me sad.  I hope she lets me rock her for a very long time - I am not ready to have a big girl yet!

Gracie Grace

I recently stumbled upon Aubrie's old notebook.

Mom used to write down Aubrie's daily antics in a notebook for me to enjoy when I got home.  Aubrie was hilarious when she was 3, and really she is still hilarious at 5.  It's just more filtered.

September 2009

PS - if you want to see how Aubrie is exactly my mini me click here & get a good laugh while you are at it!

Enjoy

6-28-09 - 3 1/2 years old:

At TJ Maxx we were checking out and Aubrie loudly says, "Mommy is that a man or a woman?" quite loudly about the cashier.  I tried to ignore her, but she persisted.  When I whispered it's a woman.  (It was obviously a woman).  Aubrie loudly responded, "She looks like a woman, but why does she sound like a man?"  Talk about wanting to melt in place!

7-7-09:

Aubrie asked me if I was pregnant.  I said why do you think that?  (At the time Maggie was pregnant so I thought maybe she had that idea).  She said your belly is like Grandma Janie's because Everett & I made it fat.  Umm thanks - I think Mom & I both were offended by that one.

10-7-09: 

Aubrie had to go to the bathroom.  She looked in the stool & said, "Grandma, I pooped big - I ate vegetables & candy."  Mom said, "Yes, vegetables are good and you had yogurt and fruit & those are good."  Aubrie responded, "And Candy!"  Mom said, "Candy is not so good."  Aubrie said, Yes, but it made my poop big & soft!"  (This is because one day she was having a hard time going & Grandma told her you need more vegetables & fruit so it will be softer - she forgets nothing!)

10-15-09: 

Today Aubrie played doctor.  She wanted to take Mom's temperature & said "Grandma, open up your butt!" 

11-18-09:  Nearing 4 years old:

Aubrie was standing by Mom chuckling & when Mom turned around Aubrie was mooning her!

4-29-10 4 years old: 

When getting ready for school Aubrie insisted her booty was itchy.  I checked her pants and found nothing.  Then she says, "oh, maybe it was just a dog hair!"  ha ha!

Aubrie at 5 1/2    June 2011