Diagnosis: Amazing

Kennedy had her 9 month well baby appointment today, and it went GREAT!  She's weighing in at 16lbs 9oz and is 26.75 inches!  It is so hard to believe how much she's grown.  It's even harder to believe how far we've come.  That at one point we were stressing over heart surgery and weight gain.  That we were practically force feeding her, and now I can't keep up with how much she wants to eat.  I think it hits me more every day.  She's truly turning into a little girl before my eyes.  Dr. Perkins was thrilled with her growth, her muscle tone, and her eating habits.  She also confirmed that she doesn't have the significant low tone that most babies with Down syndrome have.  She was amazed at how well she's doing developmentally and despite the PT's lack of enthusiasm for her backwards crawl, she was very happy!  She said, she's amazing.  And that she is.  She's been through so much and has proven that she's not going to let anyone tell her what she can and can't do.

We also had another very successful EI session.  Kennedy was full of things to say, was happy to play with the cups that Miss Amanda brought her, and she was full of smiles and giggles.  I think it's finally safe to say that we've reached a new milestone with EI.  Now hopefully we can build the same relationship with a new PT. 

And now, here's a few pictures and a video.  Kennedy LOVES to give kisses these days.  It may or may not have something to do with the fact that her father and I give her about 100 or more kisses a day.  But Kennedy's kisses are extra special.  They are wide-open-mouth-slobbery kisses.  And she has to grab at your face and neck while she does it.  It's completely adorable.  And she may or may not sneak a bite or two of your nose.

Here's a video of Kennedy attacking Grandma for kisses today!

Today was also her first experience with scrambled eggs.  Over all, it seems to have been a success.

Would you eat dry toast mom? Can't I have some jelly?

Look mom, eggs!

I got some in my mouth, some in my lap, some on the floor...now I'll get them in my hair.

Take this mom!

What an Exciting Day! (And TONS of Kennedy's Cuteness)

Grandma came to visit today and what an exciting day we had.  Let me tell you - Kennedy is a trooper!  She put up with SO much today.  We started out the morning by working on a surprise for Father's Day.   Ssshhh...no one tell Daddy!  (And Marlon - if by any chance you actually do read this blog - CLOSE THIE WINDOW - NOW!)  We went and had some professional pictures done, to make a few Father's Day surprises for Daddy and Grandpa.  I was really nervous, based on how she reacts to the EI Therapist.  Well, she did fine.  Clearly she just hates the girl.  The pictures came out sooo adorable!!!  Here are just a few!  (By the time we got to the end - she was over it!  This was about a 90 minute photo session, so she did amazing.)

Can you tell she was over it by the last picture???  Now the hard part will be keeping it a secret until Sunday when we can show Daddy!

She was exhausted after our photos!  The poor baby slept through mommy and grandma having lunch.  We also had Kennedy's 4 month well baby visit.  Because surgery is on July 5th, I had to move our appointment up from next week.  This meant we had to see the nurse practitioner instead of the pediatrician we saw the first time.  Needless to say, I was incredibly nervous after all of the issues we've had thus far.  I'm happy to report - she was WONDERFUL!  Kennedy is in the 15% for height (23 inches) and the 10% for weight (11lbs 3oz).  This also puts her in the 50% for both on the Down syndrome growth charts.  They were thrilled with her growth and her development.  While she was being examined, she was kicking and rolling, had the paper on the table all torn apart.  She was grabbing at the stethoscope, and pulling at the nurses hand.  It was so cute!  She said it's way too soon for stranger anxiety.  Did I mention that Kennedy didn't have any issues with her OR the nurse?  Another example of her clearly hating the EIT.  She had to have 3 shots and the oral vaccine, in order to be caught up before surgery.  She didn't even flinch for the first two, and only cried for about 30 seconds with the third one.  I was so proud of her.  I will admit, that I was expecting extra snuggles tonight, but she's wanted to play and carry on just as normal - and she still is going strong for the night.