We are at that time of year again - and I have challenged myself (and a challenge it is...) to write a new post daily during this week to raise awareness! Not only am I looking at raising awareness - but I also like to look at this week as a time to celebrate! To celebrate the abilities of children/adults with down syndrome, to celebrate how far medical research has come which has expanded the lifespan of individuals with down syndrome, to celebrate the social and educational supports which are at our finger tips, and to celebrate Lincoln! This past year has gone by soo quickly - as any parent would say "kids grow up too fast!!!" We are hitting new milestones like they are going out of style!! I have been doing a lot of thinking about this week, and things I am going write about without too much repetition. (if anyone has questions or ideas - please let me know!!!), and as I was looking back at this past year, I can't express how much more our lives have become complete! With Parker being 18 months - hes starting to become alot more fun! He really enjoys playing with Lincoln and challenging him at the same time! Lincolns speech is still a work - in - progress - and we hear more and more words come out of Parker. Its important to challenge the kids to use their words, and i now find Parker challenging Lincoln to use his words too which is great! He will bring him his milk (or whatever), and wait for his "thank-you" ... and if it doesn't come, Parker stands there, signs and says "thank-you" until Lincoln follows suit! Lincoln is trying really hard to talk. Being a pretty non verbal child it sounds silly to say that he talks ALOT - but he does!! If only we could understand what he is saying. He loves singing songs into a play microphone at the top of his lungs followed by some pretty sweet dance moves!! We bought a toy drum set (which i don't regret because its a heck of a lot quieter than pots and pans!!!), and we have our own little band - Parker with the (whatever he decides to make noise with), either me or Lincoln working the drums or microphone, and sometimes I even bust out my trumpet and we march around!! We rock out alot - cause the kids love it!! For example: Lincoln has a "hand-me-down" friend. I don't think the kids have ever met, but we get a box of clothes from them quite often! We show him the clothes and put them into the closet. For about 2 weeks, he was always in a new article of clothing, and when it came time for getting dressed - he would shout hurray when the new article came out, stand in front of the mirror, and do his little "happy dance." Lincoln has come quite along ways! if we think, he was just starting to walk full time this time of year last year, he was just starting "finger foods" and really didn't appreciate anything "new" or "not routine." Not to say he still doesn't appreciate things that are "new" anymore, - that being said, I'm basically referring to foods. My picky eater is widening his variety!! He ate A smartie! Now he KNOWS he doesn't like them! (shocked ?? SO AM I!!) but at least he chewed it!! He will also eat strawberries! That took a while. Parker gets strawberries after (mostly) every dinner (simply because he eats too fast and wants out of his chair when we are still just starting), and Lincoln has shown quite a bit of interest in a strawberry! (we're talking about the guy who only eats apple sauce, mashed bananas and yogurt for things that are sweet). He took his first strawberry, licked it, and passed it to Parker. Then he signed "more"... so we gave him more! He put it in his mouth, chewed very slowly with the most disgusted look on his face... so as a result, Mike and I (and Parker too) starting chanting chew chew chew chew - he swallowed it, made a face, and said hurray! and signed "more" again! He got another one, put it in his mouth, looked at us - pointed, and demanded our fists pounding on the table while chanting chew chew chew! He demanded that every time he got a strawberry (even when we were around other people - he would point at them - and tell them to chant as well ha ha). But now, he'll just eat them! When there's a will - theres a way!! And if it means chanting and fist pounding at the dinner table - we'll do it! One step at a time - always moving forward! I'm sure I could continue going on and on, but I've got a whole week to think of things to write, so I'll keep it short :)
Thanks for reading!!
(These are the boys Halloween costumes. It took me a while to make them, and I love them (they are Mr. Potato heads). Unfortunately, Lincoln was way to tired and grumpy to go out (plus it was crap weather, hes sick, and he doesnt even eat candy), so we didnt get a chance to show them off. Just had to post!!)
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