Just hanging out...

Brayden is quite intrigued with Cody's collection of motorcycles...truly a BOY! Cody has been playing with motorcycles...aka "AMOS"( is what he used to call them when he was 2) since he was 18 months old. He still plays with them daily...which I think is great...except for all the mudd that comes in the house...but that is boys for ya! Anyway, Brayden got a hold of this one today and wouldn't let go of it!

Here he is making the wheels go round and round...

Don't TELL CODY mom....

Just some random shots...he is a baby of many faces...

I love this look!

What is up with your hair? It has gotten longer but not thick enough to stay down...I have to gel it or water it down if we go anywhere....too funny...

Another silly face...

Well, Brayden had PT and his developmental teacher this week visits...I forgot my camera for PT...actually remembered the camera, but not the memory stick! He did great...he is still improving every week with his muscle strength. His PT is very proud of him...His developmental teacher came today and Brayden decided it was nap time 2 minutes before she arrived...so he slept the whole time...but it gave us a chance to go over many things...We are really working on sign language...he hasn't started signing himself yet, but is sure studying me when I do it...so hopefully he will catch on soon...other than that it is just another week...trying to keep Brayden well...since Cody and Kaylee have little coughs and slight runny noses...along with 2 of the kids I take care of...it will be a miracle if he doesn't get it!

I have a voice...Down syndrome Awareness

A friend of mine Laurie from Days with Dylan blog...posted this link...and well, I had to share with all of you as well...so simply said and so true... ENJOY!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPM3QGERFo8&eurl=http://jennifergrafgroneberg.wordpress.com/&feature=player_embedded




I will be back later after PT!

Boys will be boys!

Yes...it was 59 degrees outside and this is Cody and the neighbor kid splashing in the mud! I was inside doing laundry when Kaylee comes running in stating that "Cody is in his swimsuit, OUTSIDE!"
m: No, I didn't tell him he could do that!
K: Well, he is...go see!
So I went to the dining room window and sure enough...there he was, getting all wet! I immediately opened the window and said:
m: Who told you that you could do this?
C: Dad knows...
m: Where is Dad?
C: In the garage...
I storm out to the garage and say:
m: Did you tell Cody he could be in his swimsuit in the mud?
J: I told him I'm not responsible....(hmmmmm...what could I say then?)

Then I thought to myself...Darlena...he is a BOY and if this is what is fun for a few moments...so be it! I sometimes get so caught up in him being so perfect...good behavior...but after all he was being good and just having some fun! So, I went in and got my camera and captured some fun moments...the neighbor kid was in on this whole thing as well! Kaylee decided to get her suit on and she made one splash and returned back inside with a HOT bath! Anyway, thought this funny and I told Cody I was going to post this! HA!

We got some good rain this weekend...



On Saturday we went down to our local Down syndrome society to get Brayden photographed for some new materials, pamphlets, booklets, photos for the office...etc. A friend of mine was there that also has a little boy with Down syndrome and does beautiful photography...http://www.portraitsbyj.org/FADSSPortraits/index.html
...I just have to share this little slide show she put together.. ..You have to check out some of the beautiful kids and that are here locally. She has a couple shots of Brayden on here as well...He was so sleepy but he did great! I have been so blessed to have all of these parents to network with. They are amazing families...and I have learned so much from them...

My baby is 10 months old!

Ok, well actually YESTERDAY Brayden turned 10 months old! I just wasn't able to blog. I just can't believe it has been 10 months! I need to start planning his birthday party already! We spent the afternoon at PT yesterday and Brayden showed off his "sitting up" all by himself! We are so proud of him to be able to do this...sometimes DS babies just aren't quite ready to sit up and that is ok...every baby reaches a milestone at different rates...Brayden just decided he was ready for it...We are proud of him and his PT was very proud as well.

Here he is at the beginning of the PT session. You can see Sandy really wondering if he was going to show her how he can sit...she had her hand there just in case...and after a few seconds, she said "he is doing it!" Wow...he can correct himself well if he falls forward or backward, but he he falls sideways, well then YES it is a face plant...but we are working on that!

Brayden getting "Joint Compressions" before his work out...

Smiling for the camera...

Some tummy workout crunches...

Sitting like a big boy...



Here he is practicing crawling...not quite there. We are working hard though... We are just amazed at Brayden...we have been so fortunate that he hasn't had any health issues and is doing so well. I can't help but say how proud we are of him. A year ago, I had so many fears of the unknowns...now I'm not saying this has been a breeze...not only do we live the normal life of everything, but we add therapy appointments in our busy week, along with daily "homework" we work on from his therapists...but how rewarding to be able to see such progress in his growth. He is such a delight to be around. I always look forward to hearing him wake up in the morning as I know I am going to be greeted with a HUGE smile.
Our journey with Down syndrome has been so positive...there are days that I get a little overwhelmed with everything...but this is the life that has been chosen for us...Down syndrome is going to be part of us forever and for this I am so grateful. I can only hope that the lives that Brayden touches can enrich them. Well, off to get my little guy down for a nap...

Valentines!....relaxing Sunday afternoon...and a FUN-Filled Monday!

We have been busy these last few days...everyone has gotten over the colds...I had 2 great presentations last week. It was really rewarding to be able to speak out to those that are seeking to become teachers in Early Childhood Development for Special Needs...they are such wonderful people. I am definately NOT a public speaker now...but I do feel like I can say I did a good job in getting my story out there and message to others about Down syndrome.

Well, this past weekend was busy full of fun times. Warning: MANY PICTURES IN THIS POST! The following pics are Brayden showing off how he can sit independently now and play with his toys...He thinks he is so big doing this...and his sister couldn't be more proud of him! She is ALWAYS right there with him, just in case he falls...lol.


Brayden giving Kaylee a smooch!

Brayden LOVES this toy...it spins and makes all kinds of noises and lights go off everywhere! Definately recommend this toy...it is made by V-Tech and sells for $12.99 at Target...



He has figured out how to pound on it to make it spin...such a smart boy.

Monday morning I took the kids to a birthday party for a little boy I watch at BOUNCE-U...and immediately after we met my brothers and families and my mom , and our friends at Cal-Skate...so needless to say, my kids were OUT by 6:45pm that night...NICE!

Cody and his best friend Corbin skating....

My mom skating it up with Kaylee...she and my mom skated the entire 2 hours! Go MOM! I couldn't last that long! It is amazing to me that I use to go to this place as a teenager and skate my heart out...not so much anymore!


Little Brayden trying his crawling moves out!

This was only 1/2 the kids at the birthday party we went to...the other 1/2 ...well...you can only imagine trying to get all the toddlers and babies in the picture...didn't quite happen. But we sure had fun!

Brayden hanging out at the birthday party! He is such a trooper...gone all day and didn't cry once!

Chloe and Kaylee...I watch her and her brother...these girls have so much fun together!

Our friend Heather and her daughter Maile at the top of the slide...

Kaylee climbing the spider web thingy...that's what they called it! I called it a death trap for parents!

Cody climbing too...he is just like a spiderman...no problem MOM!

My two little sweethearts! Do you notice the gap in Cody's front baby teeth...they are both loose and the permanent teeth are spacing out his baby teeth! Jared and I are becoming afraid of how big his two front teeth may be like...YIKES! Only a few more weeks and I'm sure I will have lots of photos to share....lol

My 3 little valentines.... Jared made reservations for us and another couple at Flemings restaurant...(my favorite) and so my mom and her fiance came and babysat for the night. The kids were so excited...they wanted to bake a cake and decorate...so I helped with the cake but they did the decorations on their own...so cute! They handmade TONS of hearts, cut them out and taped them everywhere! Here are some pics to capture their creativity!

Brother and sister LOVE...

Love how symetrical they got these hearts!

Center of the kitchen table....they said for the candles to sit on top of....

Hearts lined the counter tops...such fun!

Jared and I enjoyed this night...dinner was a lot of fun with Jeff and Christy! The movie was definately not one I would ever see again...Revolutionary Road...HORRIBLE...but we all had fun anyways! I love spending time with my husband and am so thankful that I have a great man in my life forever! He is my best friend! So, Jared...if you are reading this....I love you ! Hope you all had a fabulous Valentines Weekend...now I am off to PT for Brayden and will have to bring the camera along for that as well...

Too many days without blogging!

Well, it really has been too long since I have posted...I have so much to say in this post. I will first start off with these fun first few pictures...my mom came over on Monday and hung out for most of the day with us...which was so nice. I had to take our car in to get some repairs done and she was my taxi driver. So we headed to the donut shop! Yep...Brayden tasted his first donut...I probably would of not let him taste it, but Mimi gave him a bite and before I knew it he was full of excitement! Now, don't worry he only had maybe 3 tiny little pieces... but I couldn't resist taking some pics...


Little tiny bite...mmmmmmmm


Let me just grab one!


Just for picture sake...No I didn't let him take a bite...he doesn't have any teeth anyway...ha



PHYSICAL THERAPY

We had PT yesterday and Brayden did so great...he is really showing his strengths all over. We worked on crawling and kneeling. He is always so good natured and is willing to do whatever she wants him to work on. Here are some pictures...his PT Sandy sent me home with a home program as well since he is progressing so well, she took pictures of me working with him which is helpful to remember what we did...sometimes we forget so I thought this is a good idea to pass on to anyone else doing therapies. Brayden is also working on coming up to a sitting position by using his arm and stomach muscles to bring him up. He is sitting beautifully now on his own, with the occasional falls...but if he is in the sitting mood he can do it great!


Practicing crawling...





MY PRESENTATION

So, last night was my first presentation given at Fresno Pacific College. I spoke to a group of ladies that are in a Early Child Development class for Special Needs. I was so nervous in preparing for this as I am not a public speaker...but at the same time I felt honored to be asked to share our journey we have been on this past year 1/2. I spoke for about 45 minutes and yes, I couldn't get through it without shedding some tears...but I know this is ok...because I was speaking from my heart and it is "our" story.
These women were amazing in that I could feel they are in this journey for others as well. To know that they are pursuing a degree that will better special children and their families...it made me appreciate them all. To know there are advocates out there that may not yet be affected by any children with Down syndrome, but are eager to learn about them or any special needs for that matter. We need more and more people like these students.
It was an amazing feeling that I was telling our story, crying and looking out at these women and seeing tears streaming down their faces as well...I knew that I had at least touched more than one person and that was what I wanted to be able to do. I shared our prenatal story...and found out today that the most amazing thing they all got out of our story was our "CHOICE" to pursue our pregnancy no matter what the outcome might be. That "CHOICE" is given to so many out there and I truly hope the number of terminations come down...to know there are so many missing out on these little miracles is hard to deal with sometimes. On the other hand...there really needs to be more given to these parents at the time of their decision...to be faced with nothing but medical facts and medical burdens, problems, health issues...is extremely difficult...some just don't have enough FAITH to go on...so without getting to involved with this...I am going to end this for now.
I am just truly blessed...I have one more presentation tomorrow. Looking forward to it!

Brayden had his teacher visit today...

Well we switched Brayden's teacher visits from Tuesday to Thursday...he has PT on Tuesday and it was making him wiped out after two muscle workouts! So, Teacher Paula came today and he showed off his new milestones for her...transferring toys hand to hand...no problem...sitting up for her...no problem. He has been sitting on his own for the past month...but not for very long periods. Starting today he sat for quite awhile and was correcting himself if he started to fall, YAY! We are so proud of him. He also sat in his high chair and ate his first cookie aka BITER BISQUIT and loved it! His therapists and teachers are just so pleased with his progress and are so good with him...we are truly blessed to have them in our lives.









I just love this little shirt...it is actually a hand me down...but works in our family too. He is the Little Brother!

Teacher Paula with Brayden...

Now on to bragging about my other little boy...Cody. He was recognized from the principal for his HIGHEST score of the class for a semester state test for all subjects. We are so proud of Cody's progress in school. He has always been right at grade level for the first couple years of school and is all of a sudden soaring in all subjects! His principal called us Wed night and wanted to see if Cody could come extra early to school Thursday morning for their staff meeting...he was recognized there, given stardom treatment and even came home with a Target gift card! He was so proud also...

On my last note here...found out the Gifts Vol.II is now in the publishers hands and should be published at the end of this year! YAY! I think there is like 330 stories or so. This is going to be another great read for all those touched with Down syndrome. I am so grateful to my in-laws for submitting such a wonderful and heartfelt article...and feel so honored that it will be out there in a book for the world to read! Our picture was up for consideration to be the cover of the book...but did not get picked...and that's ok...Just can't wait to get my hands on the book.

I also want to thank all of you for your sweet comments and advice and encouragement from my last post...there are times that I feel so inadequate of knowledge and I just want to do a good job with my first presentation on Down syndrome. All of your words are greatly appreciated. I am forming my outline today and will go over more info later tonight and the next few days. All of Brayden's therapists have been so helpful in supplying me with brochures and books, etc. So...looks like 45 minutes will go by fast after all.