The Problem With Walking...

is that sometimes you fall face first in to a bench corner.

Poor little guy is ok but I'm expecting a nasty bruise to surface.

BUDS at the Botanical Gardens

The BUDS (Bringing Up Down Syndrome) group here in Huntsville had a group outing to one of our favorite place on Saturday, the Huntsville Botanical Gardens. Thank goodness we met before noon because it turned out to be a blistering day! I think everyone had a good time and I know we'll be back several more times before summer is over.

trying to get a rock out of charlie's mouth

taking a break and eating some fish

stephen and charlie

rachel and her friend are ready to go

me and my little red-headed boy

Second Word and Feats of Strength

Rachel's second word is "ball" and her Dada was the first to hear it. So many times I'm the one who gets the "firsts" since I am the one who is home all day with her but this time Stephen got to feel that joy. Can't wait for more words!

 

 Rachel has also decided that she likes to climb everything. I don't know where the upper body strength came from all of a sudden but she can pull herself out of the pool in swim class, pull herself up onto any chair or couch, get up into her booster seat at the kitchen table and get in to her car seat! She is constantly climbing all day and it's just crazy! I have to admit that her being able to get into her car seat and booster seat actually help me a lot. She is getting to be such a big girl and that makes me proud.

CHHHEEESSSEEE!

10 Months

I feel like I just wrote Charlie's 9 month post but here we are at 10 months already! Our squishy boy has been busy this month. He crawled, cruised and now walks! And he is in to everything. Rachel isn't all the thrilled with her brother being able to get "all up in her business" but I suspect once he's really getting around that they will have a fun time wrecking the house together. He is so loveable and he charms everyone he meets. We love you, Charlie boy. Time for your mama to start planning your 1st Birthday Party!

Are We Having Fun Yet?

Overview: Mom decides it's a great day to go outside and play.

9:30 AM: Mom goes outside to set up the "fun". Preps pool, opens water and sand table, fills sand table with water, opens umbrellas and arranges them for maximum shade, puts out water play mat and attaches hose, puts all the play balls back into the play tub,  lays down water resistant backed blanket, turns on water to play mat.

10:30 AM: Mom collects items needed for outside- sunscreen, swimsuits, hats, diapers, swim diapers, sunglasses, phone, towels, camera - and puts them outside

11:30 AM: Daughter has melt down and goes in crib for an early nap. "Fun" time is pushed back.

1:00 PM: Daughter wakes up from nap and eats lunch. Clouds roll in and Son needs to go down for a nap at 2pm. "Fun" time is pushed back.

2:00 PM: Sun is out again and Son is not going down for a nap. Let the "Fun" begin!

2:15 PM: Mom shuttles Son and Daughter outside. Proceeds to strip daughter of clothing then runs around trying to spray her with suntan lotion. Manages to put on her swim diaper and swim top. Strips Son of clothes, sprays down with lotion, puts on swim suit, swim top, hat and sunglasses. Son strips off glasses and hat and throws them into water play mat. Daughter cries and sits on top of the kiddie picnic table.

2:30 PM: Mom decides to bring Son in to the "big" pool.

2:32 PM: Son inhales some water

2:33 PM: Son barfs all over Mom and into Pool.

2:34 PM: Mom strips children of all clothing, puts them in new diapers and shuttles crying children inside and plops them in front of Elmo.

2:45 PM: "Fun" time is officially over.

To Answer the Question...

"Why does Rachel only get PT once every other month?"

Charlie Loves Books

But not in the way I was hoping he would. *sigh*

The kid won't eat people food but anything made with paper or is paper covered is delicious. I think he's part beaver.

Finger Painting

I figured since it was now nice out, that it was time for Rachel to try out finger painting. I made sure to get the washable kind and I also got 4 small square canvases. I thought they would be nice to hang up in her room when she was done. Once I showed her what to do, she really got into it.

Rachel did like to pick up the entire blob of finger paint to use instead of just dipping her fingers but whatever. She's doing her own thing! She also took some pool breaks in between paintings but she got them all done. I was pretty impressed.

I'm going to dress them up a bit with some ribbon around the edge of each one but I don't think they need anything else.

Way to go Rachel! I think I may have you paint something for our kitchen next!

Dramatic Changes

Here is Rachel a year ago today...

My brain still thinks she is that small and when I am picking out clothes for her I think to myself, "Oh, that won't fit. It's too big!" But more often than not, it's not only not too big, it may even be too SMALL. My little girl is growing up but my heart can't seem to wrap around that very obvious fact.

Why are you in such a hurry, big girl? Your mama can't keep up.

Flying High!

9 Months Older

Can't believe we're closing in on the little guys first birthday. I predict he'll be walking by 11 months. He has important things to do! Happy 9 months my chubby Charlie!

300!

This officially my 300th blog post! Well, I'm still struggling with the header on this thing. I hope to get it up soon. Until then. Here are some photos of what we've been up to...

watching tv on a dog bed

dancing to some mexican music

mixing some beats..

playing with toys

enjoying outside

having a dip in the water

teasing the dog

playing in the sand and water table

and checking out the grass!

Rachel has her 6 month IFSP tomorrow, so that will be fun. I'm sure we'll get the "results" of her OT testing done last time. Charlie will be visiting the allergy doc on Monday to talk about food issues and then Tuesday is his 9 Month check up! I cannot believe this boy is turning 9 months old on Saturday! I give him until 11 months to start walking....because he's motivated and he's getting too heavy to hold for very much longer!