Weekend Wrap Up - Big Steps

Wow!  What a busy weekend.  I think we've felt a little guilty that Kennedy has been stuck in the house so much.  Combine that with wanting to reward her for being such a wonderful big sister, we made sure that she had a blast all weekend, despite some lousy weather.  So in the past 48 hours we went to Busch Gardens, an indoor play center and the park.  I'm really not sure who is more exhausted. 

And there's one thing I always say.  There's a few ways to get Kennedy to do something. 
1) Blog about how she's NOT doing it.
2) Express concern to the therapists about how she's not doing it.
3) Stop practicing it.

As I mentioned in my last post, I felt like we weren't getting anywhere with speech and communication.  Kennedy has made it clear that she has a pretty good understanding of things.  She can follow simple commands and recognizes objects.  But we've been at a frustrating standstill with her language or signing skills.  Since I blogged about my frustrations the other day, Kennedy decided to prove me wrong.  She started signing eat and more this weekend.  Did I mention that we had cut back on the amount of work we were doing with signing, per our speech therapists suggestion.  And now she's going to start signing.  That's my girl! 

I also finally got a video of her walking with her push toy.  I've been trying to catch this on video for awhile, but I never seem to have my phone or video camera on me at the right moment.  Or when I do, she's so distracted by it, that she doesn't walk.  One of these days, she's going to be walking on her own!  I am voting sooner than later. 

And here are some photos from the weekend.

Mom, why does it always rain?

Oh my gosh the carousel is so much fun!

The elephants are really funny mommy!

It's been so long since I've been swinging!

Push me higher daddy!

Don't stop!

I love the swings! Can't we get some.

Catch me daddy!

Peek-a-boo people!

Oooooh!!! Catch me daddy!

Peek-a-boo daddy!

Family Day and Cheerio Master!

In trying to take advantage of all the nice weather and activities in Florida, we decided it was the perfect day for Kennedy's first trip to Busch Gardens.  It's a little ridiculous that it took us 11 months to do this, since we live practically around the corner.  I can't even tell you what a wonderful time we had! 

Kennedy's favorite part was definitely the Sesame Street film.  She's never seen Sesame Street, and typically I'm pretty against her watching TV, but I may just make an exception every now and then for some Sesame Street.  I wish I could have recorded the way she reacted, because it was absolutely adorable.  Unfortunately we were in a theater and it was dark.  She was standing on my lap squealing and screeching, arms flying and reaching for the screen, and she was dancing around like crazy.  I've honestly never seen her act so crazy!  In fact, I don't even remember what most of the show was about, because I was so busy watching her!  She loved to see the animals, and even got to go on her first carousel ride! 

As I've said numerous times, when you have a child with Downs syndrome you truly appreciate and celebrate every single milestone, no matter how big or small it is.  I'm proud to announce that Kennedy has made huge improvements this week on her fine motor skills!  We've been working very hard on her pincer grasp, and her favorite thing to practice with is Cheerios!  We have ALMOST mastered it.  But what she has mastered is feeding herself Cheerios!  She's using her middle finger and thumb - so I suspect that she'll start using her index finger pretty soon!  Either way, I can't tell you how proud of her I am.  When she started "feeding herself" Cheerios, she used to go face first into the pile.  Then she moved to grabbing handfuls and shoving them in her mouth.  This is a HUGE accomplishment! 

I'm so excited about this Busch place you keep talking about mom!

Mommy, those alligators aren't going to get me are they?

Is it time for the show to start?  I can't wait to see what this Sesame Street stuff is about!

Well this is different....I don't have one of these at home.

Mommy, these things are funny.  Look at their big noses!

Mommy, I'm exhausted, I'm going to nap while you and daddy eat.

What are THOSE?  And why are they so loud??

Well this is different, I'm not sure what to make of this Elmo guy.

(Don't mind the poor image quality, I was taking pictures from behind the B.G. photographer...and mine still came out better!) 

I got hugs from Elmo!

This Big Bird character is interesting.  I got his finger.

I really think I like Elmo.  He's short like me.

Okay, okay, I'll look at the camera.

Mom look!!! There's that Elmo guy again!

Hey mom - look, I've got a Cheerio in my hand, headed right for my mouth.

Look!!  It made it in!

I really like tacos too.  Can I have more please?