Favorite Nurse

Since we were up at Bergan, I decided to see if my favorite nurse (when I had Vollen) was working. She was!!!!!

Angie was so excited to see us and see how big Vollen has gotten in a year. It has been exactly a year ago TODAY that Angie discharged us from the hospital and walked us outside and loaded us up in the car. CRAZY!!!! It was SO good to see her. She really made my stay a great one! I was glad we went over and said hi!

New Baby Visit

After the kids got up from their naps we ran up to the hospital to visit one of my co-workers babies.

His name is Jacobi. He was born last night at 10:55 (on my niece's birthday!!!).

He weighed 9lbs. 3 oz. and 22 inches long. Such a cutie.

Here is his big brother Xavier. He is 15 months (3 months older than Vollen).

They had fun fighting over toys together!

Karen looked so good. Just like nothing had happened. I can't believe she had a baby last night.

Therapy

Our pt therapist Heather had a student working with her from Creighton. So Vollen got double the workout today! Here they are working on having him walk while holding onto the ball.
He needs to strengthen his muscles a little more on getting down from standing and his quads and core.

Trying to cruise, but getting really worn out and tired and just done.

We also tried the ball pit today. He really has to work on his stability muscles in there.

He was liking the balls and having fun!

Happy baby!

So tired! He was asleep even before I made it out to the car. He was exhausted. They really, really, really worked him today!

New Classes

Last week Sophie started new classes at the YMCA. This time around we did Tumbling and Marvelous Messes. Last week I was frantically getting ready for the big party, so Jenni kindly took Sophie to the classes and even kept her for lunch afterwards. It was so incredibly helpful. I got so much done not having to worry about what she was doing or trying to clean up after her. So thanks again Jenni!!!

Today I had lots of therapies for Vollen. The first was right before the Y classes, so Jenni helped me out again and took Sophie to class. After therapy I came over to the Y and Jenni, her sister Steph and I went to grab a bagel and coffee and hang out and talk. Then I had another therapy for Vollen after the classes and Jenni took Sophie back to her house to have lunch. It makes me feel good that Addison and Sophie get along so great together. They have so much fun and love playing together. I don't know what I would do without such fabulous neighbors.

Here was Marvelous Messes today. They were drawing on the mirrors with markers!!! I am glad Sophie hasn't asked to do this at home!!

At the end of class there was a bubble machine and they were playing in all the bubbles! Fun!!!

Painting

Sophie barricaded her self into her toy area just for fun.

Painting pictures today.

She wanted to make foot prints and hand prints. She liked me painting her feet and hands. She said it felt funny.

Growing and growing

Pretty girl

Bubba getting into the kitchen towels. Let the fun begin!!!

And.....eating Sophie's markers.

Tonight right before I left for a meeting Vollen stood up from the floor without holding onto anything. He has never done that before tonight. He pops up all the time while holding onto the ottomans or chairs or the couch, but never without holding onto anything!!! He did it twice. That takes a lot of strength and balance. My little man is moving right along!!!

Random....

A card I worked on recently by request from Vernon's aunt.
One of my favorite things to take pictures of are flowers.

Bright colors, good subjects that always smile and cooperate!

And they hold still, so I can get a good focus.

I found these letters at Hobby Lobby and they were 50% off last week. I have been wanting to get letters of their names for a long time. Finally I found a font that I loved that was funky and different.

I like how they turned out!

Jail Bird!

Trouble.

Mothering

Sophie was out on the porch (her favorite place to be) and she was rocking her baby and trying to get it to stand and walk like I do with Vollen! She is so funny and picks up on everything I do.....scary!!!

Well Baby Check

Sophie was such a good girl. She was quiet when the doctor was in talking to us. She played nicely and had a snack, it was very helpful!

Vollen had his ONE year well-baby check up this morning!
Dr. Amstutz gave us the go ahead on switching him over to 2% milk and anything that we eat that he can't choke on. He was shocked that we had already gotten his eyes checked and hearing checked and have the cardiologist appointment set up in two weeks. He wants us to have him go into see the dentist. He said it is more common for children with DS to have teeth issues and periodontal disease. He said he looks great. No problems, come back when he is 15 months!

Here are the stats!
Down Syndrome Growth Chart:
Weight: 22lbs. 14oz. 95%
Height: 30 1/4 in. 90%
Head: 44 cm 85%
Compared to Typical Children's Growth Chart:
Weight: 50%
Height: 50%
Head: 5%

Fruit Smoothies

Soph and I cheering our smoothies!
FuN!

Cruising

We are trying to get Vollen more comfortable walking, so we set up a little support with chairs. He can hold on and practice walking until he gets used to the feeling of walking.
He's learning.

But still likes crawling, which is more than fine for the physical therapist. She said there are so many good things that crawling works on, that she doesn't want him to skip over that important step!

Clap, clap!

Weeeeeee

Sophie's Tinker Tent Fort.

Peek!

Two headed monster!

Being silly.