re: Down syndrome pics......

uh, i can't wait for the day when my little man starts to walk...Ethan is physically "slower" but very advanced mentally, his in-home teacher says he's only about 2-3 months behind a "normal" child chart...(lol) which is awesome.... I would just LOVE to see my little man walk!  All in good time I guess...plus he hauls butt in his walker..lol  it's sooo cute!

Quoting Momma Cupcake [GDS]:“ uh, i can't wait for the day when my little man starts to walk...Ethan is physically "slower" but very ... [snip!] ... I would just LOVE to see my little man walk! All in good time I guess...plus he hauls butt in his walker..lol it's sooo cute!”

We never got a walker for Kelly. We have the Einstein activity jumper for her. She LOVES LOVES to bounce. I think that really helped to strengthen her legs for standing, imo. I had wanted to get her the Johnny Jump Up door jumper, but we have never had a doorway with a frame that I could put it in and see her at all times.

Kelly is about 2-3 months behind typical kids in both physical and mental development on most things. There are some things she is right on target for typical kiddos, but that is just a few and the behind ones far outweigh the on target ones.

Her teacher and our IFSP team are always having to rewrite her plan because she is constantly reaching and passing her goals.

Quoting MrsH:“ We never got a walker for Kelly. We have the Einstein activity jumper for her. She LOVES LOVES to ... [snip!] ... Her teacher and our IFSP team are always having to rewrite her plan because she is constantly reaching and passing her goals.”

Yay for Kelly Ann!!!! She looks like such a sweetie!! Although with DS (and any child really) I know looks can be deceiving, LOL! I used to get so happy when Jasmine would do "normal" bratty stuff like other kids. I was like whoo hoo...She is just like a "normal" kid......Not so much fun now that she is a teenager! She is always rolling her eyes at me, and she is embarrassed to give e a kiss when I drop her off in FRONT of the school..... 

Quoting Suzie S.....6 days left!:“ Yay for Kelly Ann!!!! She looks like such a sweetie!! Although with DS (and any child really) I know ... [snip!] ... She is always rolling her eyes at me, and she is embarrassed to give e a kiss when I drop her off in FRONT of the school..... ”

My older typical kids are still pretty lovey dovey with kisses and hugs in public. I think it will just break my heart when they change and grow out of it. Olivia (my 12 yr old) is in the eye rolling stage. I have threatened to pop her so her eyes will stay like... lol... she actually took me serious. Heaven help me when she realizes that is not the case.

lol you guy crack me up.... I'm soooo lucky my 9yr old is still deathly afraid of us! LMAO j/k she is very respectful and such a great kid..but yes, she has her moments, as I'm sure Ethan will too.

Santa got Ethan the Fisher-Price "Rainforrest" jumper for x-mas last year and it has helped him SO much! He loves to jump and thinks he's the silliest little thing when he does. Ethan's PT didn't want us to get a walker, but it was too cute to pass up, and I'm so glad we got it because he follows me all around the house. He just loves it because it lets him explore w/out being underfoot all the time. Here is the one we got him.

Our in home teacher brought in a PT consult once after we had gotten Kelly the jumper and looked like she was about to have a fit that we had gotten it for Kelly. She was concerned about her hip development. But I was able to calm her down when I explained that she was only in it for a max of 15 mins at a time and that I had sinched the crotch area so her legs would be more straight down and not bowed.

And when she saw the results (MUCH stronger legs and was using our hands to pull to stand) she actually apologized for being so critical. I guess I complained enough about her reaction to our teacher and she said something to the PT. LoL

Our PT lectured us about jumpers and walkers forever. I wanted to get him a walker for Christmas, but now Ryan is saying that we shouldn't because the PT says they're awful. I think I might sneak and get one behind his back. haha He won't be mad when he sees how much Lincoln likes it.

honestly, I'm not sure why they say they are so bad?  We got Ethan's about 3 months ago and it that time he went from crawling and barely pulling to stand, to pulling to stand very well and is now cruising the furniture.  I'm not sure if the walker is what did it, but I can def. say it hasn't set him back any...and he has sooooo much fun in it!   

Your daughter is very beautiful. I honestly can not tell that she has Down Syndrome. I have met alot of people with D.S. and most of them don't have the common characteristics associated with D.S.

I just wanted to say that you ladies are an inspiration.
Your children are beautiful, completely adorable and cute and i give you so much respect... My son does not have DS but he is special needs and i know what a hard journey it is, tests, check ups, therapy, ect. Special needs children require so much more attnetion love and support and it makes me feel genuinly inspired knowing that there are some great Mama's like you guys out there!

Quoting [[ MANDI ]]:“ I just wanted to say that you ladies are an inspiration. Your children are beautiful, completely adorable ... [snip!] ... love and support and it makes me feel genuinly inspired knowing that there are some great Mama's like you guys out there!”

Thanks Mandi!!! What does your son have??

Quoting Suzie S..Tomorrow I meet:“ Thanks Mandi!!! What does your son have??”

Schizencephaly.. He had a stroke while in the womb causing a cleft in his brain - he's has very little muscle control over the left side of his body due to lack of brain tissue connecting. Being a mother of a special needs child has been a long road, and we've had so many ups and downs i enjoy hearing about other mothers special needs children, it reminds me that i am not in this alone!

Quoting [[ MANDI ]]:“ Schizencephaly.. He had a stroke while in the womb causing a cleft in his brain - he's has very little ... [snip!] ... so many ups and downs i enjoy hearing about other mothers special needs children, it reminds me that i am not in this alone!”

I've never heard of that.....It is really hard to have a special needs child at such a young age!! I had Jasmine when I was 19 and it was SOOOO unexpected....It gets easier though, with time. You are lucky that you have your fiance there to support you!!It really helps to have someone to turn to who understands what you're going thru bcuz they are living it too....I didn't find my hubby until Jasmine was 4, but I'm glad I did. Being alone was hard! Now he has adopted her!! Congratulations on your new baby, and best wishes for your son!!