Brayden is 7 MONTHS old today...

Can't believe Brayden is 7 months old already...he grows everyday! Let's see a run down of what Brayden has accomplished since he's been born...
1. started rolling over at 5 1/2 weeks (back to tummy)...sooner than my brother and sister
2. started sleeping through the night at 7 weeks old on breast milk
3. started EI at 2 1/2 months old...LOVE TEACHER PAULA
4. Had a echocardiogram done to be cleared of any heart issues...everything came back perfectly normal. Won't have to go through any more of those...
5. started solid foods at 4 1/2 months old...loves to eat! Oatmeal and bananas are my favorite! Oh and SQUASH...yummy...
6. Rolling across the living room at 5 1/2 months...
7. Saying "DaDa", BAHBAHBAH, and LALALALA at 6 1/2 months old...
8. Digging my toes in the carpet to push or SCOOT my body forward...still practicing though so hopefully I can crawl soon.
9. Not sitting up yet on my own, but doing good with assisted help
10.Loves to give kisses to anyone that is close enough for my two hands to grab and lay a juicy, wet, slobbery, sucky kiss on!
11. Attended my first of many Buddywalks in September...thanks to all the family and friends who took their time to come and support Brayden and our family...next year, any of you are welcome as well!
12. My mom, dad, brother and sister are "OH SO PROUD OF ME"... We are in the works of starting PT and having an assessment with an OT on Dec.1... Will keep you all updated with therapy when we start.




Brayden rolls to get from point A to point B, then continues to keep rolling until he gets stuck somewhere...



In "ROLL mode" with the occasional toes in the mouth. I was trying to feed him tonight and in between bites he couldn't keep his feet out of his mouth...and this is in his high chair.




Love this look...he looks so much like Cody did!





Our little inquisitive guy...always checking everything out. As this Thanksgiving approaches...I have been thinking about all I am thankful for and I can't thank the Lord enough for bringing this little baby boy into our lives...He has changed me in so many ways... Life has a more intense meaning to me...I love my children with all my heart and want the best for all of them...I had no idea that almost a year ago...DOWN SYNDROME was going to be so much a part of our lives. I got the call November 29th, 2007 at 18 weeks of pregnancy that the doctor wanted to talk to me about my AFP results...was seen the next morning and given the odds 1:22 chance of having a baby with Down Syndrome and told there may be a number of complications with our baby. After lots of tears, lots of prayer, and time...Jared and I felt such a peace come over us and we were ready to take on the Lord's plan for us! IT was confirmed on Dec.5 via amniocentesis that we were having a little BOY and he did indeed have Down Syndrome. No, it wasn't the ideal plan at the time...but wouldn't of planned it any other way now! It is known that 91% that find out prenatally...terminate their pregnancies...There are a lot of doctors that scare couples with medical facts and lots of unknowns and being in this situation is thee HARDEST time I have ever dealt with. TO know what I know now about Down Syndrome, I wish every mother and father could know before making a decision to terminate. I know there would be no terminations......I know that we will have our challenges along the way and that is OK with me. What families DON'T have their challenges with typical kids? I have enjoyed meeting so many new friends and families of those touched with Down Syndrome...and I want to thank all of our friends and family for being so supportive for us. We feel so blessed to have Brayden and we know that he is going to teach so many of us all sorts of things. Thanks for letting me share with you parts of our journey.

I would like to send a prayer request out for a friend I have met online through a Down Syndrome Group of little Gage who is having Open Heart Surgery on Dec.3rd. Many Down Syndrome babies that are born have to have OHS...they all pull through really well...but an extra prayer for the parents Kenzee and Derek to be just as strong through Gage's surgery as he will be would be greatly appreciated.