Buddy Walk 10-11-2014 Pictures

Our very first Buddy Walk! I really hope we make a yearly habit of doing this fundraiser. It was neat seeing all of these people come together to raise money for Down syndrome awareness, acceptance & inclusion. Our team raised $845.00! Thank you Paul & Sylvia, Dad & Margaret, Mom & Tim, Debra, and Rebekah for all of your donations. You guys totally ROCKED IT OUT!
Although it was a teensy bit chilly outside, we had a ton-o-fun. Melanie played all sorts of games and won prizes. We wondered around checking out all the venders. We even saw a few friendly, familiar faces from a previous Down syndrome function. That's what I enjoyed most, being able to connect with people. You guys helped us raise enough money to have a poster of Sean set out on the Buddy Walk grounds. When I first spied it I got very emotional & teary eyed. Sometimes I just can't believe God has entrusted me with loving, nurturing, guiding & raising this super sweet baby boy. He Blessed me (us) with a Down syndrome child.  I am for certain, the lucky one.  Thank you Lord.  I am beyond grateful.  (even when he wants to be awake at 3AM!)  LOL!

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Check out this super sweet young lady eyeballing Sean. She was very curious about him. And by the looks of the picture Sean was just as curious about her as well! We chatted with her & her family for a brief moment. They were super nice! Maybe we'll see them again at the next Buddy Walk.

Super Sweet Down Syndrome Video

This video brought tears to my eyes.  I often wonder what Sean will be like, look like when he's older, able to play with Melanie & Kyle.  Life with Down syndrome is awesome.  There is a lot to look forward to.

AHHHH! What an Autum Cutie

Fall Pictures

Beautiful

These sunflowers have blossomed so beautifully! Thank you Grandma Linda for the seeds!

Down Syndrome: Hypotonia and Physical Therapy

Quotes from the book Gross Motor Skills for Children with Down Syndrome

Patricia C. Winters, PT

 

• Hypotonia: "Not a decrease of muscle strength, but a decrease in resistance or stiffness of muscles in resting tension or relaxed state."

 

• "The degree of hypotonia can be mild, moderate, or severe. It can vary from one area of the body to another, and from the right side to the left. Hypotonia in the arms makes it harder to learn to combat crawl. Hypotonia in the abdomen makes it harder to move onto hands and knees and creep. Muscle tone will improve over time. When your child is school age you will only see subtle remnants of it."

 

• The goal of physical therapy: "The goal of physical therapy is not to have children with Down achieve gross motor skills more quickly. The goal is to have (your) my child achieve maximum physical potential and to build a body that is fit and functional throughout life and minimize compensations."

Bumbo Seat For Children With Down Syndrome

The Bumbo Seat is very controversial. Most people either love it, or hate it. Regular ole moms, OT's and PT's alike, can't decide if it's the greatest thing since sliced bread or detrimental to a babies well being. Although the leg openings could be a little wider to accommodate those babies on the husky side, the ability of the seat to assist Sean in sitting up and being involved in our world a little easier vastly outweighs that minuet discrepancy. So, as of right now, I'm leaning towards lovin' it!  Just look at the alignment of his body now compared to the previous post. He has the ability to use his hands to reach for toys all while using his core. At first he was a little wobbly, but never falling over like I've seen others doing in videos. I think he is at the right age and was ready to start making this transition. We have been using other methods for sitting him up to slowly build up his stomach and back muscles so this is a good time to introduce the Bumbo Seat. About 10/15 minutes every hour or two throughout the day and he's good. I'm sure he'll be sitting up before we know it!
And by the way, I would never actually advocate a container for a baby because babies will learn to sit up no matter what.  But in Sean's case we definitely thought he could benefit from it.  :-)

Bumbo Seat Review (Unofficial)

Before the Bumbo seat this is how I would prop Sean up to help him build his core strength for sitting on his own. We also hold him with his back against us in our lap, in our lap facing us while we hold under his armpits and applying slight pressure to keep his back from arching. But it just didn't seem like it was enough. Duane & I thought we could be doing more.

Although in this picture below, he is in great alignment. He's able to bring his hands to midline-no problem. And even though he hasn't had a problem bringing his hands or toys to his mouth or "midline", other children with Down's tend to have trouble because of the Hypotonia.

Painting at the McKinney Rec. Center: Sun Touching Palms

Melanie is really enjoying the painting class at the community center. This teacher is really great. Soft spoken and patient.

Family Fall Event at Calloways: Mad Science & Pumpkins Galore

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Celebrating Down Syndrome: POWERFUL Quote

 

“What would happen, they conjectured, if they simply went on assuming their children would do everything. Perhaps not quickly. Perhaps not by the book. But what if they simply erased those growth and development charts, with their precise, constricting points and curves? What if they kept their expectations but erased the time line? What harm could it do? Why not try?” ― Kim Edwards, The Memory Keeper's Daughter

Celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Check out this video of a sweet young lady with Down syndrome, "down" and out in the real world.
http://www.wltx.com/news/article/121995/2/Teacher-Born-With-Down-Syndrome-Breaks-Sterotypes

OCTOBER Is Down Syndrome Awareness Month

I realize that October is home to several things to be "aware" of, but since Down syndrome is close to my heart and directly affects us, it's the one we're celebrating. I have recently looked up 3 different Down syndrome organizations for the 3 sets of grandparents that live out of town form us. I found one for East Texas, the Inland Empire, and Northern Nevada-Las Vegas area. I hope that you guys will take the time to visit their websites. They actually offer support and membership (free)to grandparents of Down syndrome children. You can learn a lot, make new friends and be a part of a really special secret club of awesome people! :-) The few events that we have gone to out here have had several grandparents there. It's amazing to see their involvement. I had a chance to speak with a grandma while at a brunch for Down syndrome families. She was there with her son, daughter in-law & granddaughter. She approached me with tears in her eyes stating this was her first event and she was just over whelmed. She had no idea something so special existed. She doted on Sean and talked about her grand daughter, age 3ish I think. I was over come with joy at her involvement and devotion. It was very neat to see. Don't worry grandparents, I KNOW all of you are very devoted to our family and each one of your grandchildren, Downs or not. But just in case you wanted to take it a step further, I found this info for you. :-)
East TX: http://www.etdsg.org/
Inland Empire: http://dsaie.org/
N. Nevada: http://www.dsosn.org/

Our BUDDY WALK is Saturday!  We are SUPER EXCITED!  We just picked-up our gear yesterday.  I. CAN. NOT. WAIT.  YAY!  Thanks for everyone's donations and supporting our baby Sean.  YOU GUYS ROCK...Rockin' that EXTRA Chromosome!  LOVE IT!

Big Orange Pumpkin Farm

We went to the pumpkin patch with a couple homeschooling friends. It was such a beautiful day! Melanie & her friend Jadyn. Melanie feeding the goats. Mama, Baby Sean & Melanie Riding a Long Horn Pretty pumpkin patch in Celina. - - -

Man! This Baby IS CUTE!

It's really difficult to see Sean because he's camouflaged. But, if you look closely you'll see his super cute, squishy self. :-)