Just some thoughts...

Ok, so I haven't just written some personal entries and I have been having some tough thoughts lately... Sometimes, I just wish I could NOT focus so much on what Brayden is doing and what he isn't doing, or is he doing this? ETC. ETC. ETC. I still haven't got to the point that I don't think about Down syndrome daily...and don't get me wrong, I am not thinking NEGATIVE thoughts, just thoughts in general...watching his EVERY move to see if he is doing something off of a typical chart or not? Honestly, his birthday is next month and he is going to be ONE and I think I am having a hard time with this...

This past year has been such a blessing to so many being touched by our little guy, including ME! I am having a hard time thinking that he is going to be ONE! I really don't know why...ok...maybe a little nervous about all the ONE year assessments...we just had his PT 3 month assessment, which went VERY well...but then comes the IFSP planning and assessments...the goals we set for Brayden when he was 2 months (first starting with services) and 6 months...well, we are not going to be able to pass off on some of these goals...( I really should not be sad, but I kinda am.) Was I being way to unrealistic back then? I just really didn't think we would have any problems with the goals! We had set that he would be able to sign 4 words...he still can't sign any...but understands 2 of the signs... milk and more...I thought he would be crawling by 12 months...not even army crawling yet...getting up on his arms and pushing backwards sometimes...self-feeding by 12 months...he grasps/ pinches his cheerios and puffs with no problem, but won't bring to his mouth...ok, so I said my little gripes and I need to realize that it is OK...OK that he is not going to pass off all the goals we set...I've gotta STOP comparing him to any other child including when his siblings did things...I guess I just thought since he has been progressing so well we would be there??? There is a little bit of guilt that maybe I haven't done everything I should be doing with him...I don't know...I guess I just needed to vent on here, because I am feeling a little bit better now. (thinking I shouldn't even post this??? but I will...) Then we will have the ONE year pediatrician appointment, and I will asking for the thyroid screen...hoping that this comes back ok...we've done the ENT and OPT screens and they have come back ok...I am JUST a worrier...

I just read an entry from Libby at http://blessingsandglory.wordpress.com/ ...she is such an inspirational writer and I am so thankful that I read her post today...she stated that she hasn't compared her Charlie ever to any other child as far as milestones go, and that is so great! Makes me realize that I need to STOP being so concerned how far behind Brayden may be at this point in his life and JUST FOCUS on what he is doing NOW and has already done...I was ok for awhile, I guess all these assessments and YEAR mark coming up is just getting me all worked up? Libby shares about a milestone Charlie has mastered and it is such a cute story, so you will have to check it out on her blog. Thanks Libby for the pick-me up post! I know you didn't write that for me, but this is what I needed to hear right now.

I love my little Brayden with all my heart and I just want to do the best for him each and every day... I do want to share a couple little new things that he has started to do...he is starting to mimic a little and it is so cute...Kaylee was bouncing up and down yesterday, so he started laughing and bouncing up and down while he was sitting too...they both got a kick out of that...and tonight in the bathtub I was singing songs to Brayden and when I asked him " How big is Brayden?" Are you SOOOO big? He grabbed both my hands and flung them up above his head and smiled...we have been doing this for a couple weeks now and he is starting to do this everytime...Love it! He is really loving "Patty-cake" and "If your Happy and you Know it" too!

Well, this is just a ramble of a post and just what I needed to get out some of the worries...I am fine, really...I just get so caught up sometimes in all this and it gets overwhelming...I really wouldn't have my life any other way...I just want to always know I am DOING the best that I can for my children...I think I do much better with the posts of just some pics! LOL...

Another week has gone by...

Yes, another week has come and gone...I just can't keep up with daily blogging anymore...so sorry...so I am going to make it up with lots of pics in this post! Let's see, well these two cute pics were just at bath time tonight! Brayden LOVES bath time and Kaylee will not let him take one alone...she is right by his side at all times!


Kaylee purposely placed the rubber ducky there to hide hidden treasures...so funny!

Well, we had PT today and today was an assessment on Brayden...they assess him every 3 months...can't believe it has been 3 months already since we began PT...Sandy has done great things for us and Brayden...she evaluated him from 3 months ago and has seen great progress. I don't have the actual report yet, will get a copy but he has gone from the 4-6 month range...to 5-8month range...so he is doing wonderful! We are happy with his progress and she has set goals and asked me what I really wanted to see him doing in 3 months? I stated crawling...so if it is just army crawling then that is ok...I really thought he would be doing this...he is starting to push himself backwards and rock a little on all fours, but just doesn' t have the strength yet to crawl...she also wants to see him more kneeling and pulling himself at least to a kneel at the couch, step stool, etc. So, we will continue to work and continue to praise him in all he accomplishes!

He is SO DONE with his session today...Sandy really worked him to see all his capablities...too cute!

Posing for a picture...

Sandy really wants him bearing more weight on his feet, and will do with assistance...but not quite ready for all this yet...

Practicing Kneeling...

From a sitting position into a kneeling position...

My happy little guy in his jumperoo!

Kaylee playing with all her babies lined up...I have pictures as a little girl doing the same thing!

This past weekend was a family reunion for my mom's side of the family...so fun to see all of my aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmas...this was a picture Kaylee drew at the kids table...Sorry it is sideways...

Cousin Madison...What a cutie!

Kaylee and my neice Nyssa....

Kaylee and my mom...

Little Gracey stayed with us for the weekend, along with her parents (my cousins) Felicity and Rob...Gracey reminded me of my little Kaylee with the stroller and babies...Felicity is due in about 6 weeks with a little boy they are going to name Beckham....

We loved having you guys stay with us...too bad you live so far away! Can't wait to meet Beckham soon! Well, I am going to close this post as I am off to make some invitations for Brayden's 1st birthday! Can not believe it is less than ONE month away! My baby is going to be ONE! But this will be the only birthday party I have to plan as Kaylee and Cody have decided we are going to Disneyland instead of having birthday parties! How fun! Kaylee and I have the same birthday, so we get in free that day! We are all booked and ready to go! Grammy and Papa Lehnick are coming along with us! Can't wait!

PT with Brayden! (last week)

So last week was a busy week, obviously since I didn't get around to posting...I can tell Spring is almost here...my time gets way busier this time of year for some reason! Anyway, kids are all feeling great again...so glad those colds are over...Brayden did great at PT last Thursday...His therapist, Sandy had him kneeling quite a bit...and he is liking it much more now. He really is starting to think he is "Big stuff"...it is so cute! He is so proud when we applaud him for anything he does...

He is so happy, and this is the gleam I get from him all day long...

Every time he sees me with a camera, he puts on the CHEESE face! I love it!

Practicing kneeling again...



Sandy talking to him and telling him what a great job his session was. We feel so blessed to have her in our lives. She truly cares about him and I can tell she LOVES her job!

I can't believe tomorrow Brayden will be 11 months! WOW! Time does fly...my baby will be ONE in one month...that is crazy! We are getting ready for a big family reunion this Saturday, about 100 people...I am trying to help my mom plan her wedding...small and simple, but we are so excited for her! We have Brayden's birthday on April 18th, Kaylee and mine on May 28th, and Cody's June 12th!...so I've gotta start planning lots of parties!! Happy St. Patties Day!

Fun with the nebulizer! and Brayden's EYE appointment!

Well, this weekend was NOT FUN! I had to capture some pictures of my little guy taking a nebulizer treatment. He doesn't mind it too much, but by the end of 10 minutes he WANTS to be done with it!





Big sister keeping him happy!

He is about DONE!

Big brother getting in on the action...

I am happy to report...we no longer need nebulizer treatments, noses are clearing up and they still have a lingering cough here and there...but so much better! YAY! The weather is getting so nice too, so hopefully this will be the last of the sicknesses for the season! I won't hold my breath too long, I said HOPEFULLY!

Yesterday, I had to take Brayden to an eye appointment. I had made this appointment 3 months ago just as a precautionary thing. It is on the Down syndrome health recommendations...we saw Dr. Lanier and she is awesome...She specializes in pediatrics and special needs...so she was so knowledgable. They dialated Brayden's eyes and we were there for 3 hours...they tested him and overall he has pretty darn good eyesight! He is a little far-sighted which is typical for babies his age...that will get normal as he gets older...and he has 2 small stigmatisms that should not require glasses, but may if they get way worse...so for now he is cleared...we will see her in about a year and check his eyes again.

I left Kaylee with Mimi at our house and they had a great time baking some YUMMY sugar cookies...I was happy to smell the house when I got home...oh and happy to EAT the cookies!
Thanks MiMi for having some fun with Kaylee!

Some hard work at PT.....

I meant to put the above picture last...since this was the last picture I took of Brayden at PT...it is the look..."I AM ALL DONE!" PT went great this week...he just keeps amazing his PT at his strength and determination. So, WARNING I posted a lot of pictures...but we are so proud of him...

He loves to grab your hands and mimic "SO BIG!" We are trying to have him do it without having to grab our hands, but he's not quite there...almost...

Just doing some rolling to warm up the muscles...

Coming up from a sittng position and POSING for the camera

He pretty much desires to be sitting up all the time now at home, surrounded by his favorite toys...if he falls though, he isn't able to sit back up on his own yet...

He is in his diaper, because we had his hip helpers on and they help with crawling and standing but not sitting, etc...so Sandy just decided to leave them off...and well, he is happier being less clothed so we just let him be free today!

He loved the "COOLNESS" of the mat and just talked and talked while laying in this position...it was so cute...

Our PT now has an assistant PT as well...kinda nice to have 2 working with him...





He liked rocking and being in the crawling position...I know it won't be too long before he gets the hang of this....



Here he is with his hip-helpers on standing...HE absolutely HATES standing...so this didn't last very long...

And bathtime at the end of the day is his FAVORITE time!

Of course, no bath is complete without "SISSY" with him...the little guy just ADORES her as she ADORES him as well....

Another little milestone 1/2 way there anyway is Brayden understands the sign MORE and BABA....yeah...he doesn't sign them yet, but understands when I do! SO exciting to see his progression...

I just want to say thank you to all that left such sweet comments on my last post...this all really means a lot to me...Brayden has MADE a difference is SO many lives...I just love blogging...to feel so connected to so many people whom I will only know through the internet...yet we all share so much in common...Have a blessed day...

Brayden made a difference in one person's life!

Well, as most of you all know...I had to give two presentations a few weeks ago at two different colleges...It was truly an amazing experience to open up to strangers and tell our journey we have been on with our son since I was 19 weeks pregnant...TRULY inspiring for me...I spoke to a room full of women that were in a Early Childhood Development class for Special Needs children. I knew I had touched many as I left, just from seeing some of the tears flowing down their faces...and the heartfelt "Thanks" for speaking to us and sharing your story...

Well, today I spoke to my sons teacher who is the professor of these students...She told me that I had been written about by ONE of the students that I spoke to...She simply stated in her evaluation of the class that "She will NEVER look at another Down syndrome child the way she did in the past." THe guest speaker that came in to share her life experience with her child that has Down syndrome had impacted her greatly. You see, this lady had always had a FEAR of children with Down syndrome...FEAR of just the unknown...she never knew HOW to approach a child with Down syndrome...she said she wanted to say how cute they were, and touch their little fingers, but was scared away...simply because of Down syndrome....(now here she is taking college courses to work with these children and Brayden was the one to overcome her fears!) I took Brayden to the Tuesday night presentation...granted he slept most of the time...but I didn't know that he would make such an impact with just his presence there...she stated that she saw him sitting there smiling like any lovable baby would...she stated that she saw the emotion that I implicated with our story and saw us as an incredible family...She overcame the FEAR right then and there...and was overjoyed with emotion herself as she had streams of tears coming down her face as she heard our story. Our little angel Baby made a difference...

I was so happy to know I touched someone forever...to know that one person will treat anyone with Down syndrome like another other person...I have a confession if you will to make...I, myself was somewhat like this gal...I too have always admired families with children with Down syndrome...yet I NEVER knew what to say either...I always thought these kids were so cute, but had a little bit of fear as to how to approach them, talk to them, etc...so I tended not to...I feel so bad for all the encounters I could of had, had I known what I know now....so I do not judge anyone for having the fear of not knowing how to communicate with families with Down syndrome...but to be able to be an advocate NOW and know that these children are truly little blessings from GOD is so overwhelming! IN A GOOD WAY! I know God knew this path of life for us as a family is what we have always needed. Brayden has touched us in more ways than I could of ever imagined! Down syndrome is just a small part of our lives now, the rewards of Down syndrome is so much more!

And she is OFF! GO Kaylee...Go!

Kaylee has been practicing riding her bike with NO TRAINING wheels for a couple of weeks all on her own...with determination...she took off yesterday afternoon and NEVER stopped all day! We are so proud of her...there are not too many 4 year old girls that know how to ride their bikes with NO TRAINING wheels...



She is such a determined little girl, just like her big brother...she never gives up. Next weekend I am riding my bike in a 10K family bike ride along the Kings River and my FIL is signing up as well...Cody is going, Jared will be in Vegas unfortunately...and Kaylee is going to hang out with Grammy and Brayden and wait for us at the finish line. Some of the proceeds are going to our Local Down syndrome society. So, yesterday I went on a short bike ride with the kids...Yeah...10 miles doesn't seem like a lot, but I think I will be tired next weekend...and maybe a little sore...LOL.

Here is my little trickster...Cody...yes, normally he wears his helmet, but he didn't have it on in this shot! He is so coordinated...in fact, he started riding his bike with NO training wheels at 2 1/2 years old...he is trying out for the CYSA soccer league today...we are so proud of him.

Brayden didn't get any pics today...he was napping when we were outside...oh well, he has made up for pictures in all the previous posts... Ha