Calories

Until Next Time!

Lots of Love,

Weekly Therapy Update & More

Raymond had a pulmonology appointment on Wednesday.  She was not happy that Raymond hasn't been wearing his oxygen but understands how difficult it is to keep it on him.  She is in agreeance with me that Raymond's gallbladder needs to come out sooner then later.  We see the GI doctor in about 2 weeks and if he doesn't go forward with the process then we will make an appointment with Peds Surgery.  I don't want this surgery to be an emergency which it will end up being if we wait.  So I'll let you know the progress on that.

After Raymond's appointment we had a little extra time before we had to rush off to get Isabella from school.  I decided to take Raymond and Lily to the chocolate factory.  They both loved the ride.  They have been on it before but I think they are both able to better understand it now.  Raymond especially liked the singing cows.  There was a whole lot of dancing going on in our car. 

Here are two pictures from on the ride.  I didn't take many because my camera was about to die from having it on so much at the zoo on Sunday.    

 

While we were at the chocolate factory, there was also a bus full of woman from The First Baptist Church which is in Evansville, Louisiana.  They were on a bus trip to Hershey.  So anyone who knows Raymond even a little bit, knows where this story is going before I even tell it.  These ladies where all over Raymond and Lily, but especially Raymond.  Imagine for a moment if you will, in your best Southern drawl, a dozen ladies saying things like, "They are dolls!", "Your children are so well behaved." and my personal favorite, "We love the babies with Down Syndrome.  They are such a blessing."

 

I think I'm going to move to some small town in Georgia.  I will drink a mint julep everyday at noon to chase my piece of pecan pie.  I'm going to wear a big obnoxious hat and start to say things like, "I do declare!" 

Yes.  It's settled.  I'm moving south.

 

***

 

I don't have all the therapy report papers for this week.  Some of the therapists still owe them to me.  So for the time being, here are two.

"We worked on words and gestures - through session - word "o" open - blue dough - playdoh - actions - brush teeth - put on shoes - open book - brush hair - worked on my turn - used gestures - nice transitions between activities."

-Stacy, Special Instruction

09/18/2012

"Raymond said "bubble" and signed "play" when I arrived.  He imitated "key" and "turn-turn".  Used gesture ques to help him put shapes in - He needed some extra prompting at times but sometimes followed easily.

Race track - He completed Ready..... with "set - go!"

Practiced signing animals - Lion - Raymond imitated and "growled".  He also imitated giraffe sign."

-Kristen, Speech Therapist

09/20/12

 

Until Next Time!

Lots of Love,



Philadelphia Zoo

On Sunday, the Philadelphia Zoo was hosting a Down Syndrome Awareness Day.  The event benefited the T21 Club of the Delaware Valley.  We took the kids, who were all very excited to see the animals.  The weather was perfect!  

 

 

Grammy went too!

 

 

Lily thought this tortoise eating grass was so funny. 

She kept laughing when it would chomp on the grass.

Inside the Peacock Pavilion, there were activities, snacks and vendor's for the families specifically there for the Down Syndrome Awareness Day.

 

Isabella got her face painted.  She was thrilled!

 



 

When we left the pavilion there was a virtual parade of peacocks walking by.

Have I ever mentioned that I don't like birds?

 

 

ROAR!!!

(That's what Raymond said)

 

Lily kept blowing kisses to all the animals.  She is SOOOO cute!

 

Raymond's favorite animal by far was the giraffe.  He kept signing "giraffe".

 

 

Lily enjoyed watching the giraffe too.

 

My Girls

 

Silly Face!!!

 

Everyone had such a nice day at the zoo.  By the time we got to the car, the kids were exhausted.  They all fell asleep on the way home.

 

Thank you to the Philadelphia Zoo for hosting an event to raise more awareness for people with Down Syndrome.  These efforts make all the difference in the long run.

 

Until Next Time!

Lots of Love,



Special Olympics Address

I know people have very mixed emotions about Sarah Palin.  Regardless of whatever your feelings of her are, I think this video is worth watching.  It is her 2009 Address for the Special Olympics.  I remember watching it in 2009 not too long after Raymond was born and at that time really relating to what she was saying.

Until Next Time!
Lots of Love,

Change the World...

Until Next Time!

Lots of Love,

Weekly Therapy Update & More

Hey Everyone!

Sorry there hasn't been much personal stuff posted on the blog lately.  We've been so busy that I just don't know where the time went.  Last Friday we went to the annual Chili Pepper Festival with Grammy.  We tasted some goodies and bought some to bring home. 

 

 

Raymond enjoyed looking at the horses that were taking people back and forth to the farm.  I wish I had a picture of his face when he first saw them.  It was so cute!

 

Lily slept most of the time but woke up for the last ten minutes.  She also really enjoyed the sausage sandwich that Grammy bought her for lunch.  Lily gets her love of sausage from the Scheks side : )

 

Earlier this week while Isabella was in school, Raymond, Lily and I went to visit my friend Drea.  She lives on a tree farm in New Ringold.  It is beautiful there!  We went for a walk to the pond to see the ducks and geese.

 

 

Once Lily saw the geese, she took off!  Drea actually had a hard time keeping up with her.

 

I couldn't get Raymond to take his eyes off the pond for a picture.

Finally he turned my way.

 

Yesterday, I had my meeting with the Intermediate Unit about Raymond's transition.  It went well.  Both the IU and I were happy with the outcome.  I'll have more to update you on with this situation in the near future.  I'm looking forward to this next step in Raymond's development.  Exciting things are coming for our little man.

 

 

Here are the therapy updates for Raymond:



"Raymond had to be woken up before therapy today.  He slowly warmed up to the session but was not his usual active self.  Raymond did a lot of ring-sit position today with soles of his feet together which he has not been doing.  He practiced playing in long sitting position on the floor sitting in right and left side-sit and heel-sit which he tolerated only briefly.  Raymond mainly practiced keeping his stability and balance while pulling the balls off the Velcro target.  He fell 2 times but then figured out how to squat and bend slightly forward to prevent himself from losing his balance."

-Lisa, Physical Therapist

09/11/2012

 

 

"Raymond was finishing his tube feed when I came today.  We started the session with sitting positions.  Raymond has regressed in this area using a tight ring-sit or squat with his butt on the floor as his primary sitting position.  He worked on v-sit, 1/2 ring-sit, kneeling and heel-sit position.  Attempted scooter play outside today, however, Raymond refused to be outside."

-Lisa, Physical Therapist

09/12/2012

 

 

 

Also, September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.  This is dedicated to my sweet Raymond and all his little friends who are suffering and couping with cancer.  Say a prayer tonight for all the children affected and their families.  



 

 

Until Next Time!

Lots of Love,

Humanity

My friend Steph sent me a link to a article about pictures that will "restore your faith in humanity".  I liked all of them but these three were some of my favorites.

This is a picture of a man giving a homeless girl in Rio de Janeiro his shoes.

Fantastic Book Store!

 Precious!

Here is a link to the article if you are intersted in seeing the other pictures.

Until Next Time!

Lots of Love,