Great Therapy Sessions

Speech - Cameron has more words and signs every week. He is doing better at watching and mimicking signs. He is also initiating his own signs without being prompted and putting two signs together (more milk, etc.)

EI Teacher - I was a little nervous because this was the first time he would be with this teacher. He did great! First she had a board with pictures of six different foods on it and had plastic replicas of each food. Cameron's job was to match the item to the pic - he did it! Of course "tasting" each one before putting it on the board (especially the cookie). He did need a little guidance with some of them, but not much. Then she had him do a picture with different colored blotters. He picked up on this quickly and really enjoyed it. I was so impressed that he didn't put the blotters in his mouth. I, of course, saved the picture he made. Then she had a puzzle with farm animals that made sounds when placed into the puzzle, he wasn't too interested in this. Next, she held up 3 flashcards and had him pick whichever one she asked for. He got every one right! We have been working with flashcards for awhile but only choosing from 2, never 3. Next, she had him put shapes in the sorter. He did extremely well with this too.

PT (Physical therapy) - After sitting so well in the chair for 45 minutes with the teacher, he was ready to go, go, go! That he did. He walked up the ramps without assistance, demonstrating his excellent balance and working on his core strength. Dove into the balls, lying down and being silly (as usual). He walked up and down the stairs several times. We still have to work on going down as he likes to become limp and bend his legs, sitting down instead of walking. He played in the noodles while balancing on the wobbly platform (don't know the name of it). He played basketball while on the trampeline. He was done after 1/2 hour (instead of 45 minutes), but that's okay. He did excellent!

Way to go Cameron!

Brags!

Mitchell is standing without hanging on to anything!!!! He will pull to stand, catch his balance and then let go for a good few seconds. He is so cautious and knows how to fall carefully. He is able to catch himself with his hands or just plop on his butt (it's a good thing it's padded).

Cameron signed potty TWICE while pooping!!!! He walked away from us, started signing potty and grunting(I wasn't sure what he was doing at first). I was like, no way, but sure enough he pooped. This happened twice. Does he get it? I will be buying a potty chair soon.

Can you tell I'm one excited mommy?

Way to go boys, we're so proud of you.

Another Party

Today we had Jenna's 4th birthday party.

Even though Cameron wasn't feeling great, he did eat some tacos and jello so that's a good sign that he's getting better! He did enjoy throwing toys in the pool again.

Mitchell was having fun playing with everyone who was holding him and on the blanket with his friend, Chase.

DSAW Picnic

Today was the DSAW (Down Syndrome Associaton of WI) annual picnic. I have been looking forward to it for awhile and hesitated as to whether or not we were going because I am still not sure what is going on with Cameron and whether or not he is contagious. I would not want to get anyone else's little one sick!

We did go.

It was staring at 11:30 (naptime). So, we got there early and I walked the boys in the stroller around the park and through the woods. (I do not recommend pushing a double stroller uphill wearing flip-flops for an hour (boy was that exhausting). Only Cameron fell asleep, Mitchell was close but no such luck.

It was a really nice time. There was good food. We had nice conversations with old friends. We met some new friends. Got to see everyone's beautiful children.

Mitchell was having fun playing with the girls and the water bottles (boy were those a hit) and trying to get mommy's pizza. When Cameron woke up he was pretty cranky but was more himself once the Tylenol kicked in. He then enjoyed kicking and throwing the ball. I tried to keep him away from everyone else just in case he is contagious.

Rash

Cameron was playing and acting more himself this morning. Later in the afternoon he still had a temp (102.1) and got a rash on his face, chest and back.

When I was in the ER with Mitchell for his fever, the nurse was surprised he didn't have a rash. She mentioned that the virus that is going around comes with high temps and a rash. All they told us to do was Motrin and Tylenol so that's what I'm doing for Cameron still hoping and praying it is nothing more than a virus and that's it not contagious!

Fever

I should always know when Cameron refuses to eat that he's likely getting sick. For the past couple of days he hasn't wanted to eat anything except soft stuff like applesauce, yogurt, fruit, pudding, and lots of milk.

He has a fever (103.5). He is not at all himself. He woke up shortly after we put him down for the night and just seemed miserable. Is he in pain? It took awhile to get him back to sleep. I wish I knew what was wrong. Hopefully it's nothing serious.

9 Mo. Check-Up

Mitchell had his 9 mo. check-up. He is 29 inches long and 18 1/2 pounds. He did so good. He completely relaxed and let Dr. Patti look in his eyes, ears, mouth, etc. Never let out a peep or put up a fight. They drew blood to check if he's anemic (nope) and gave him one shot. He was so happy chewing on mommy's keys that he didn't even notice! Good job little man.

The sad news (for me) is I have to start weaning. Apparently, he's a little underweight (only the 15th percentile) so I am not producing enough milk. I stopped pumping a couple months ago and was still nursing in the morning and evening, but my milk supply must not be enough for him. I'm pretty sad about this, but he was actually starting to wean himself anyway. Just another sign that my baby is growing up.

Crawling

Mitchell is crawling!

It's not a typical crawl, but it is exactly the same way Cameron started out (before the bear crawl). He is on his hands and one knee and keeps one foot up to push off with and have readily available to sit quickly. He is definitely loving this new way of getting around. He moves slowly and with caution and takes sitting breaks quite frequently.

He crawled into the bathroom when I was getting ready for work this morning, and he was so excited that he found someone after being left alone in the living room!

Another milestone that is making me realize that my baby is growing up too fast.

Pool party!

Today was Chase's 1st birthday party. Cameron & Mitchell both loved being in the pool.

Mitchell was lounging in his baby float while chewing on Mermaid Barbie's tail (shh, don't tell daddy he's playing with Barbie).

Cameron was on a floating lounge chair continuously throwing the toys we would give him into the water; taking cups of water and pouring them over his head; and drinking the water from the cups (can't exactly tell him not to since we've been working on getting him to drink from a real cup instead of a sippy).

It was so good to see some old friends and their children who are so grown up now. Boy, it's been too long. They fell in love with our boys and each took one so Dave & I could sit down and eat a little something.

Again, grateful for nice weather, good food, and old friends.

Independence

Cameron is two now and has a definite desire for independence. He is starting to self-feed more with a spoon/fork and gets very angry if you try to help him. I am amazed at the things he can and will do by himself, I am so proud of my little man.

2-Yr. Check-up

Cameron had his 2 year check up and shots. He is 31 1/2 inches and weighs 21 1/2 pounds. He was very active, as usual. Didn't like having to sit still for his blood draw (to check his lead level) or his shots (3 of them). He is so tough and didn't even cry for his shots, just growled angrily and gave his pouty lip. However, once it was done and he was able to get down and walk around, he was all smiles again. He hates being held down.

I made an appointment for Mitchell to be looked at just to make sure all is okay after his recent ER visit. The dr. said he looks good, no ear infections - YAY!

Thank God for grandma. Had she not come with us, it would have been a little hectic to say the least.

Hottest Baby

"He gets the award for being the hottest baby here tonight" is what the RN said when coming into our room at the ER at CHOW last night. 105.4 was Mitchell's temp. I noticed he had a fever after Cameron's b-day party Sat. (103.6), gave him Tylenol and put him to bed. He was pretty cranky and had slight fevers all day Sun. But when he woke up Sun. night, he was burning up. I finished nursing him and took him to the ER with tears in my eyes and praying that it wasn't anything too serious.

I'm exhausted from holding/rocking him for the 2 1/2 hours we were at the ER. He weighs 19 lbs.!

It turns out it's a virus, thank God. It can hopefully be controlled with Motrin and Tylenol. My poor baby.

Birthday Party

We had Cameron's 2nd birthday party today. It was at the park and we had great weather. I really appreciate all the help from everyone with the food and keeping an eye on the boys. It was so good to see everyone and their little ones. He really made out on gifts, everyone was so generous. Of course once Cameron got a book he just kept looking at it and could have cared less about anything else. He LOVES his books, I hope that coninues throughout the rest of his life.

I am extremely grateful for family, friends, children, nice weather, and good food (that I never did get a chance to eat). Thank you Jesus for a blessed day.

Mitchell is 9 mos!

Oh my, I truly can't believe my baby is 9 months old already.



Mitchell has been sitting independently for awhile now. He pulls to stand and walks while holding onto your hands, often only one hand! This boy is determined to walk.



He is not, however, crawling. He has no desire to and doesn't like to be on his belly. I truly think he would be happier if he learned to crawl so he could get to the cats and Cameron. He looks up to his big brother soo much and loves it when he "gently" wrestles with him.



What happened to my little baby?

Group Therapies

Cameron currently receives OT (occupational therapy), PT (physical therapy), and EI (early intervention/teacher) once every other week and ST (speech therapy) once a week. Because he is now 2 there was mention of getting him into group therapy, once a week for 2 hours. This would involve all four therapists working with him individually and in a group setting (with other children).

I initially thought this would be a great idea as he learns so much from watching and playing with other children. However, I just learned that his PT and ST (both who I love) will not be his therapists in this group. His current teacher is resigning anyway (to start her own daycare facility) and his OT I have never personally met, only talked to on the phone.

So now I wonder, is this change going to be for the better, or not. I have been assured that if it is not working out, we can go back to the individual therapies.

I have even made arrangements with my work to start later on the day that he would have group therapy so I can take him. It is scheduled to start at the end of summer so we'll see how it goes.

Music Therapy

Today was the first day of summer music therapy. What is music therapy? Music therapy has been shown to develop your child’s Motor coordination, Speech/Language, Cognition, Attention/Listening, and Social Interaction.

This is Cameron's third time taking music therapy with Naomi (http://www.naomismusictogether.com/). The first class he was a little young and sat back and took it all in (until the last class when he finally participated). The second time he was extremely active and interested. Yesterday, he was a little naughty. In between running away and getting into things he shouldn't have, he did participate, even mimicking some of the motions, he enjoyed us singing Happy Birthday to him and had hugs for Naomi. Overall, he loves music class. Hopefully next week will be a little better.

You know you have a child with Special Needs when...

You compare ER's instead of grocery stores.
You compare your child's oxygen saturation's.
You view toys as "therapy.'
You don't take a new day for granted.
You teach your child HOW to pull things out of the cupboard, off the bookcases, and that feeding the dog from the table is fun.
The clothes your infant wore last fall still fit her this fall.
Everything is an educational opportunity instead of just having plain old fun.
You cheer instead of scold when they blow bubbles in their juice
While sitting at the dinner table (that's speech therapy), smear ketchup all over their high chair (that's OT), or throw their toys (that's PT).
You also don't mind if your child goes through the house tooting a tin whistle.
You fired at least 3 pediatricians and can teach your family doctor a thing or two.
You can name at least 3 genes on chromosome 21. (You really know your toast if you can spell the full names correctly)
You have been told you are "in denial" by at least 3 medical or therapy professionals. This makes you laugh!
You have that incredible sinking feeling that you've forgotten SOMETHING on those few days that you don't have some sort of appointment somewhere!
You get irritated when friends with healthy kids complain about ONE sleepless night when they're child is ill!
Your vocabulary consists of all the letters OT, PT, SP, ASD, VSD, IFSP, IEP, etc.
You keep your appointment at the specialist even though a tropical storm is raging because you just want to get this one over with.....you waited 8 months to get it.....and besides, no one else will be there!
Fighting and wrestling with siblings is PT.
Speech therapy occurs in the tub with a sibling.
When potty training is complete, you take out a full-page public notice in the Washington Post.
When the Doctors/Specialist/Hospitals etc. all know you by your name without referring to your chart.
You keep a daily growth chart.
You calculate monthly statistics for the number of times your child vomits, and did this for more then one year.
You phone all your friends when your child sits up for the first time, at age two.
With a big smile on your face you tell a stranger that your four year old just started walking last week.
His medical file is two inches and growing.
You have a new belief...that angels live with us on earth.

(author unknown)

Cameron is 2 Today!

We tied balloons to Cameron's crib so when he would wake up he would know it was his special day. We were hoping to sneak into his room before he woke up, sing happy birthday and see his face light up when he woke up and saw all the balloons. However, he woke up early and I was woken up to the sound of him banging the balloons together.

Cameron - 2 years