Well, I'm telling you...Spring time is just so much busier! I haven't posted in a few days...but I will make up for it today! What a fun day we had today! We went to our local Down syndrome meeting that meets twice a month and today we had the honor of meeting with our local Special Olympian Jared Schmidt! What an awesome guy he is! He spoke to us about his life and everything he is involved with. He is 28 years old and has been in the Special Olympics for 20 years now...he has about 160 medals and just recently took GOLD in Alpine Skiing in Idaho 2009. He is on a traveling team also for our Local Break the Barriers and is going to Africa next month for 2 weeks...He works full-time and has just an awesome story! He brought tears to my eyes when he picked up Brayden and said," You are going to be just like me!" Oh my goodness...I told his mom she had no idea how much I needed and wanted to meet them! She also spoke to us and told us her path for him! Talk about inspiration!
He was so cute to pose with all the kids and put his medal around them. This is my Kaylee and my nephew Bryce...these meetings are great because we can bring our kids and let them play right by us...
Jared's medal...
This is him speaking to all of us...showing off some of the pictures taken by his family and friends at the Special Olympics this year!
My little man posing for the camera...
Brayden and Devon who is 4 1/2 months older that Brayden...His mom and I met at our first meeting back in May of 2008...Kathy is an awesome person and has so much knowledge as a PT herself...We are on the New Parent Committee together working on all the new pamphlets and education material for our local chapter.
Devon being his happy self!
Brayden, Connor and Devon....Connor is a little boy I met up with and his mom a month before I had Brayden...we found each other by chance on Babycenter.com in a Down syndrome group and she just happens to live 15 minutes away from me. Her name is Jill and she is another awesome mom...and happens to be a fantastic photographer! So our meeting today was so great! Probably the best one yet! It is so neat to look at what the future holds for our little ones!
Brayden enjoying an evening watching the kids play outside....The weather has been so nice this week.
Brayden had a great PT visit this week...he is sure showing more and more strength! He is kneeling quite a bit now and beginning to pull himself from kneeling position upward towards toys and such...we are so proud of him...This was some advanced air pillow thing to see if he could balance himself and he stayed on surprising his PT! Go Brayden!
He absolutely LOVES looking at himself in the mirror...blows raspberries at himself, sticks out his tongue and makes faces! So cute!
He thought these bubbles were lots of fun!
Here he is working on kneeling and pulling himself up...he is even starting to stand some...with assistance of course...but bearing weight on his legs is a big step for him!
It was so nice at the park, I took the kids on Monday...this is Kaylee and my nephew Bryce...I feel so bad that Cody is at school ALL day so I don't get him in on many pics! We met up with a friend from their preschool and had lots of fun!
Brayden LOVED swinging!
And we celebrated both my neices birthdays last Sunday at my mom's house...Happy Birthday Kyra and Kaitlyn! I just love these kids!
So, we have had a busy week...but lots of fun!
7 comments:
I think Brayden is the cutest thing alive (next to my Caleb)! I love seeing pics of him. He is just utterly adorable.
LOVE all of the pictures!! It was so neat to see pictures of Jared and his medal. What an inspiration!
Brayden looks as cute as ever and looks like he is getting stronger and stronger!
Brayden is so stinkin' cute I can't even handle it!
Glad he is doing some cool things in PT! WTG Brayden ;)
Another fun week for you guys it looks like! I always look forward to seeing the pictures. I wish so bad we had such a great group near us, hopefully some day we will get to move closer to one or something!
Cute, cute, cute pictures...as usual :0)
Thanks for including the stuff about Jared. That just gives me so much hope for Lily's future.
I personally am trying to summon the courage to get involved with a Ds group. My two problems are: 1) I'm basically shy and uncomfortable (at first) around new people and 2) I would have to drive at least an hour to meet with a group. I also have the name of a local woman with a little boy who is about Brayden's age...haven't called her yet either.
Any suggestions or comments on why I should bet my hiney in gear and make some calls???
Hope you have a great weekend...supposed to snow here again on Monday...ugggghhhhhhh
LOVE the pictures!! Brayden is doing so incredibly well, isnt he?!! Im very impressed!!
Thanks for including the pics of Jared as well - VERY inspirational!
Sounds like you have been very busy! Brayden looks like he is enjoying everything and doing so well!
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