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Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Toddler Activities



The following is the shelve that lives in our dining room.  This was taken many months ago.  The works are now different.

To the left of this shelf is his table.
My son is currently using the table for snack time and some lunch time.  The table is from Ikea.  The legs were cut so his feet would touch the floor.  At age two or even one a half, typical children can easily get in and out of this chair and carry their plate to the chosen place for dirty dishes.  My son is not there yet.  He is working on getting in and out of the chair.  He does fine eating by himself, but I need to be with him to help with the cup or he will spill it all over himself and at some point throw it.

So back to the shelve.  The items on the shelf are often rotated.  Some things stay a very long time because big boy really likes them.  The most important thing that I do for my two year old, and this is true for any two year old, is to narrow down toys.  What I mean is: if the shape sorter like the one below brings two of each shape, only put out one of each shape.  Once they have mastered that, then put two of each shape.

There is so much language with this toy.  Color, shape, in, out, give me.  This is not a Montessori Toy and most of our toys are not. 

These are the stacking cups.  This particular set comes with 11 or 12 cups.  I only put 4 or 5 out at a time.
 This Leap Frog Toy comes with all of the letters of the alphabet.  Here I put out the vowels.  But now with the speech therapist we are working on certain sounds, so I pulled the letters just for those. 

These Arthur books have tabs to open.  Excellent work for big boy.   He LOVES LOVES books.  It is the sweetest thing.  He will sit and look at books for very long periods of time.  He will also sit and listen to me read 4 or 5 board books.

Big Boy loves music.  Music is always out. 

This changes.  Currently transportation! Vroom Vroom!



 Other works I put out for Big Boy:
1. Baskets of items of the same color
2. Bowls and cups with tops to match
3. Discovery basket - random items with different textures for him to discover
4. Always have balls out of different sizes.
5. The playschool farm
6. Puzzles
7. Plastic zoo animals
8.....

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Baby Update - Turning 2 Years Old!!

Love
I figured I would start with updates on the kids.  Baby(now big boy) is turning 2 this week so we will start with him!

Big boy works hard hard every day.  He is determined to do IT, whatever IT may be: walk, talk, feed himself, go down the stairs, etc...  What is so simple and easy for typical children takes so much effort and energy for a child with Down Syndrome.  I get to see each developmental stage that usually goes by so fast the first year at slow speed.  What is it that a child has to do to walk?  If you only knew all that has to happen and how strong all those muscles from your head to toe need to be, you would be surprised. 

So Big Boy is now cruising (which means he walks with one hand on any piece of furniture an he walks with a toy walker.)

Walking Time!


Walking Time!


 Big boy also works hard at exploring EVERYTHING!  I have lost 5lbs since he started getting into everything!!

Making a mess!

Big boy is signing and has picked up the rate at which he learns new signs.  He understands and signs when words are said in English or Spanish.   So, exciting.

Big boy has therapies weekly.  He has Physical therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Group Physical Therapy, Group Aquatic Physical Therapy, and an overall Developmental Session.  He is still attending a KinderMusik class which he absolutely loves.

Favorite OT!

Big boy has now begun to copy all sounds that you make.  He speaks 3-4 words. "Yay, Bye, Bye, Mama and Dada"

Big boy is a great sleeper!  He sleeps straight from 7pm-6am.  He has done this since very early in his life.  He is taking one to two naps a day.  He is moving to that one nap a day.  He gets very very tired after therapies and playgroups or music class.

Big boy LOVES to be outside but then what kid doesn't!!  His loves are music and outside.

In our backyard.  Big Boy loves to swing and Mommy #2 loves to help!


Mommy #2!

Monday, March 26, 2012

Excuses, Excuses!




So here is why I have NOT been posting.  About 9 months ago my work computerS(plural) started to die.  First it was my PC and a few months later the Mac.  After the Mac died, I was left sharing my husbands personal laptop with him.  I only used it for work because he also needed it for work, so I could not say “sorry honey, you can’t work I need to post to my blog!”.   About a month ago our house was broken into and his personal laptop was stolen. :( Now we were down to zero computers.   Meanwhile, the College tried their best to repair my computers.  After not being able to repair them,  I finally requested a new one.  The process of ordering is not a fast one, specially at a public college.  Two months after my request, I got my computer!  Yay!  One of my husbands ex-students has loaned my husband an extra laptop he had, so we have two computers at home once again!
 
I have lots and lots of blog post ideas written down and many pictures I have been taking.   I now have a computer so now I just need to sit and write!