Growing "Up" with Abbi

Long time No Post!

2011-06-28T16:20:00.002-04:00

Summer is here and Abbi and I are once again travleing to be with Jr. This summer we are in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Last summer, we were in Cedar City, UT. It is amazing to be able to spend summers somewhere other than home. However, I do miss my family, church, and tending my flower beds.

Abbi had a great year in Preschool! Her teacher and assistants were wonderful. She was so blessed to have been in that classroom. We have spent most of this summer so far getting ready for kindergarten. We are working on using scissors, coloring, etc. Having taught kindergarten for three years, I know these skills are important. We also bought her an Ipad. Which she loves and I think is amazing!

We are also working on potty training. Today is Day #2 in panties for her. Only one accident so far, however, she does not tell me she needs to go. I have her on a schedule. About every three hours or so we visit the potty!! LOL I figure if I can habit train her, then eventually she will come to understand and feel she needs to go on her own.

I am so proud of her this summer!! She tries really hard on her "lessons". She does get frustrated easily when things get hard and wants to give up. I have tried to encourage her to keep trying and sometimes she does.

So far so good.............

Snow Day

2010-01-07T23:10:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas

2010-01-01T22:18:00.001-05:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Speech Issues

2009-12-06T20:45:00.002-05:00

Okay so I hope someone out there reads my blog and responds with some good advice. Abbi is way behind in her speech development which I know is normal, but my biggest concern is that she has actually regressed. She has completely stopped saying things she used to be able to say and has even forgotten signs she used to know. She knew all of her colors and now won't tell us any of them. Has anyone else out there had any of these problems with their child??

Happy Halloween

2009-10-31T21:52:00.000-04:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Sliding!

2009-07-01T21:10:00.002-04:00

Today, my little girl who could barely walk last summer climbed up her big slide and slid down completely by herself! I am so proud of her. She has come such a long way since last summer. It seems that each day she is becoming more vocal and learning to listen better. Although she does not always listen well, but she is only three and what 3 year old does that!! She is becoming such a big girl and not so much of a baby anymore. I truly believe she is ready to begin preschool in the Fall. I am glad we waited another year. If only she could say more. She tries so hard and makes all kinds of sounds but can't seem to put them together. I just know that one day she will come out with this long sentence and stun us all. Tomorrow I will try and get some video to post!

Abbi's New Bed

2009-06-24T19:55:00.003-04:00

Okay, so I am a terrible blogger. Life happens too fast. My sweet little baby is growing up way too fast! How can she possibly already be in a toddler bed! I am so proud of her she has transitioned great, but I am getting sleepless nights getting up constantly to check to see if she has rolled out which she did lots at first b/c she is like a little worm squirming everywhere. She loves her new and seems to be very proud of herself. We just put her in her own room a few weeks ago and already she was ready for the big girl bed.

We have already been to the beach which she loved. It is great to have the summer off with her it allows us to bond again. When school starts back it is always a madhouse around here. I am adding a few new pics below. Enjoy!

Frustrated

2009-05-18T21:23:00.002-04:00

I will never understand why people have to struggle against each other when they should really be trying to work together to help a child be the best they can be. The only person they are hurting is the child. A child that is completely helpless for the most part. Why does everything have to come down to money??? I want so badly to do and say what I know in my heart to be right but I can't b/c it may compromise my daughter's chances at getting the help I know she will need to be successful in school. Oh if only I had the time to help educate others about the capabilities of our kids with Down syndrome. I wish I could make them see the potential I see if only they would try a little harder to learn more about our kids. My prayer tonight is to be able to be in a place where I can educate those in need about how to teach out kids. I feel a calling like I haven't felt in a long time but I don't know how to answer it. If doors or windows open or even crack I will find a way to get thru!

What a question??

2009-04-15T21:42:00.002-04:00

Today I was talking with a friend of mine about where Abbi would attend school. I talked about how I really wanted her to start with a group of kids and go with them all the way thru so she would have the same group of friends and feel a part of the community. Then she asked me the question. Where it came from I don't know but it made me feel like a normal parent for once. She asked "What will you do if a boy wants to date her?" I have had lots of people tell me how pretty Abbi is but I thought they were just being polite. My friend also thinks this and b/c of it thinks boys may want to date her. Don't get me wrong I want Abbi to have a companion if she wants one but my friend is the only person who has ever actually brought up the subject. It felt so nice to be discussing something besides being a productive member of society and dream a little about her having a "normal" life as a teenager. I really do hope that a boy wants to date her and she wants to date him. I don't want her to go thru her entire life and only know her family's and friends' love. I want her to know the type of love I have for her dad if that is God's plan for her life. My friend Amy has a son with DS and we joke a lot about them having an arranged marriage. When Abbi was born I thought I would have to give up that dream, but the older she gets I find that I am still hoping she will find her "soul mate" and have a dream of her own!

Preschool Registration

2009-04-12T21:28:00.002-04:00

My little girl is all registered for Preschool in the Fall. We are opting to send her to a private christian preschool with "normal" kids instead of the one offered for "special" kids by our county schools. I really feel it is very important right now for Abbi to be fully included as long as she can. I really don't know what will happen down the road when she goes to kindergarten. I am praying for guidance on that. I know she must be where God wants her to be because we got the "LAST SPOT" on the only days she would be able to go. I know that was divine intervention b/c I have zero luck and they drew numbers for spots and we got the last one!

I am so excited and scared at the same time. Her school is beautiful and her teacher has a special ed background. I know she won't get the type of one on one as if she were in a "special" preschool but I atleast want to try this out and see how she does. Hopefully well!

Hope everyone had a great Easter. I will post pics later.

Easter Party

2009-04-06T22:01:00.004-04:00

Our local DS group FRIENDS had their annual Easter Event this past Saturday. My friend Amy & I were in charge. It went great! Abbi loved the Easter bunny and actually hunted Easter eggs. She even took a whack at the pinata and "performed" in the talent show with her Nana!

Joy

2009-03-28T08:10:00.002-04:00

Today, I am thinking where is my joy? I have let lots of things steal it from me and I am on a mission to take it back. I have more than enough to be thankful for and yet decide daily to dwell on the most unimportant things that make me unhappy.

Lord help me to have a merry heart that doeth good like a medicine and not a broken spirit that drieth the bones!

A Day Late

2009-03-22T21:12:00.002-04:00

Well I missed World Down Syndrome Day. So I will post today. Abbi is doing great. We got good news from her kidney doctor. It seems that her left kidney is stable, which means it has gotten any worse and her right kidney is perfectly normal now. I am very excited to hear this. We have been praying since she was born for them to be normal size. She is doing good with her potty training, but we aren't trying too hard right now just offering for her to go. If she has to go when you put her on the potty she will go. But if not she refuses to sit on it. This summer we are going to start trying very seriously b/c when she starts preschool in the fall she needs to be mostly trained. I am hoping for fully trained!

She is doing well, but her language is so far behind. She is three and doesn't seem to have progresed like I was hoping she would. She is starting to get your hand and drag you to whatever she wants, but doesn't seem very interested in telling you with her words or signs. Honestly it seems she has regressed. Needless to say I am frustrated. I hope that when she starts preschool her language will take off b/c she is with other kids.

We'll just have to wait and see. I can' wait for school to be out for the summer!

2009-02-22T16:50:00.007-05:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Birthday!

2009-02-22T16:19:00.002-05:00

Happy 3rd Birthday!

2009-02-14T16:58:00.002-05:00

I can't believe my little girl is turning 3! She still seems like such a little baby to me. I can vividly remember the first time I saw her face and instantly knew she had Down syndrome, but also knew in the same instant that she would be the joy of my life and everything would be okay. Today I am thankful for the opportunity to be her mother and for God's amazing grace! I will post pics of today later. We aren't having her party until next weekend.

2009-02-02T21:12:00.004-05:00

We're Still Here

2009-02-01T22:16:00.002-05:00

Haven't posted in two months! What a slacker! With Christmas, Abbi's Bday coming up and two weddings it has been a little crazy. All here is well. Abbi is doing great. However since she is getting a little older, we are having sleeping issues. It seems as is she takes a nap during the day of any duration she doesn't want to sleep until 11pm or so. I am a person who is ready for bed around 9:30pm so this is greatly affectly my sleep pattern. She has also decided to let us know when she doesn't like something which becomes very interesting during meal times. Gone are the days of my sweet baby who ate whatever I put in front of her with a smile. Now we pass by Mc D's and she yells... French Fry!!! It actually sounds a little more like Fr Fiii. But it is a start.

Her evals thru the school system are off to a good start. We are only asking for OT and Speech. Don't need preschool services when I have my mom. She does such a great job with Abbi. We are going to start her in a small preschool in the fall for a few hours a day a few days a week. Nerve wrecking but it has to happen sometime I know.

She has also decided that she doesn't like people talking on microphones or loud clapping noises. We tried Sesame Street Live this year and we lasted about 5 minutes before she was screaming and climbing me like a ladder. We are told this is a phase and will pass. Oh how I hope so!! Anyone else out there have any advice on this new thing of being scared of clapping and microphones???

My Holiday Miracle!

2008-11-25T21:05:00.002-05:00

It seems that each year around this time Abbi gives me a new present for which to be thankful. Her first Thanksgiving she started clapping her hands. Last year around this time she began to walk. This year she gave me the best one yet!
As you may remember from my last post I was praying for her to look at me and say mama. Well yesterday I got my prayer of 2 and 1/2 years answered. When I came home yesterday she met me at the door and said "MAMA" and hasn't stopped saying it since! I only imagined in my wildest dreams what it would feel like to be called mama since she was born. There has been a new bond form between us that I can't explain. It's like she has always been my daughter but now it feels more real b/c she realizes that I'm her mom.
I have been getting her to say it as much as possible since yesterday so she won't forget!!! I just love to hear her say it! My heart soars each time she does.

More good news today from her kidney doctor. Her tests so far are okay. We don't have to go back for a few months. She even peed in the potty to give the urine sample. The doctor was impressed! So was I!!

Today I am thankful for my family's health and our jobs. It seems that so many people are losing both lately. God has been so good to us and I don't ever want to focus on what others may consider negative things such as Abbi having Down syndrome. She is healthy!! She is normal! Both of which I prayed for while carrying her. God has answered my prayers each and every day that I get to be with her is a day to be thankful! I have learned so much since she was born. I can't wait to see what else she will teach me about life!

A lady in Sam's Club came up to us last week and looked at Abbi and said "you're one of God's angels aren't you little one" . At first I wasn't sure what she meant, but the more I think about it the more I begin to realize that she just might be right about our kids with Down syndrome. Abbi is my little piece of heaven on earth! God has lent her to me to teach me about how life should be lived. Thank you Lord for my Valentine from heaven as our pastor called her since she was born on Valentine's day.

Mama!

2008-11-11T21:25:00.003-05:00

We went to Nashville this past weekend for Abbi's oral motor therapy evaluation. at the beginning of the eval the therapist showed her my picture and asked "who is this?" Well what comes out of her mouth but "mama"!!!!! I was so excited I nearly cried. Ofcourse now she won't repeat it. Oh well it is a start!

Maybe that will be my Christmas gift this year!

I visited the Special Ed Inclusive Headstart today. It seems like a good program, but I am honestly looking for something that is more structured. Maybe I am just too picky. It is hard to be a teacher and put your child in the care of another teacher b/c you can pick out so many things that need to be changed. We'll see what happens. Her IEP meeting isn't until January and we don't have to make a decision about preschool for several months after that. I am just praying for direction!

Happy Halloween!

2008-11-01T20:25:00.001-04:00

2008-11-01T20:14:00.000-04:00

Reading to Mommy

2008-10-25T23:01:00.001-04:00

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

What's Your Name??

2008-10-21T21:56:00.002-04:00

Today when I came home from school, Mom said ask her what her name is... So I said what's your name little girl and to my amazement she signed the letter "a" and said ahhh. Mom has been working with her for weeks now. She has always looked and known when you said her name but now knowing to sign "a" is great!! Now if she will only say "mama". What a great Christmas present that would be!

Here is Abbi as a ladybug last Halloween.

Halloween Party!

2008-10-16T21:24:00.003-04:00

Mom took Abbi to a Halloween party at a friend's house today. Mom said the minute Abbi got there that her friend Karlee was right up in her face saying "Hi Abbi! Say Hi to me Abbi! and just insistent that Abbi talk to her. It was very cute. I wish Abbi could be around Karlee more often maybe she would learn to talk!! She did well. No biting at all. I was a little worried since church last week. We also had Halloween pics made yesterday. I will post them next week. I have a few to post today. Have a great weekend!

A weekend for Mommy & Daddy!

2008-10-12T20:49:00.003-04:00

Junior and I got to spend the weekend in our primitive cabin on the mountain. Mom & Dad kept Abbi. It was great to get away for a while even if it was only a mile from our house! Abbi did well. Mom and Dad took her to church today and she put on a real show so we were told. Mom said she did all the motions to I'm in the Lord's Army and when she put her hands in the air, Mom said everyone laughed. I wish I could have been there to see it. On another note she bit another little girl on the arm. She goes up to hug them and ends up giving them a little more than a hug! I know it is b/c she is teething. She chews and knaws on everything! She doesn't seem to bite b/c she's mad. Any suggestions from anyone out there about how to help her understand that this is not the way to make friends!

FRIENDS Buddy Walk 2008

2008-10-04T19:51:00.002-04:00

2008-10-04T19:49:00.000-04:00

2008-10-04T19:43:00.001-04:00

2008-10-04T16:44:00.001-04:00

Happy to See Mommy!

2008-10-02T21:38:00.002-04:00

Today, I came home from a very tiring day at school. My students had really tested my patience today. I walked in the door at Mom's and Abbi practically ran over to me and hugged me. She was so happy to see me!! This is the first time since she was born 2 1/2 years ago that I felt like she missed me. I almost cried. I guess this is what it's like to feel loved by your child. Oh, I know that Abbi loves me and knows that I'm her mom, but most of the time she honestly doesn't seem to care whether or not I'm in the room or not. That is unless it's time to eat.

Maybe one day soon she will say Mama!! Oh what a happy day that will be! It would be better than anything else that I can imagine. Better than college graduation or winning a large sum of money.

That sweet little face just melted my heart today! I am so glad that God gave her to me to love.

Abbi at Buddy Walk 2007

2008-09-30T21:45:00.000-04:00

Music Therapy

2008-09-30T20:17:00.002-04:00

Today, we had our first session of music therapy. I was hoping Abbi would love it b/c she responds so well to music and she absolutely love Kindermusic. Alas she was tired and not in the least bit ready to sing and make merry! She cried and wouldn't do what Miss Nancy wanted her to do. Hopefully next week will be better. I have read such great things about this type of therapy and a friend of mine recommended it to me.

Our Buddy Walk is this Sat. I look so forward to this every year. Our FRIENDS group works so hard for several months putting this together. I can't wait to see all the smiling faces and see old friends. I will post with pics this weekend.

Right now I am so exhausted with doing my 18 days of bus duty at school. Being at school by 7am every morning is wearing all of us out. By the time, I get in class with my kindergarteners it feels like it's 3pm already. But I put on a big smile and we start the day with a song b/c I know their parents would love to be spending the day with them but they have to send them to me. So for a few hours each day I stand in their place and provide as much love as I can for my 13 little chickadees. I tie shoes, teach the ABC's and the 123's, as well as help teach them how to be friends. I love my job, but all day long Abbi crosses my mind and I hope that when she starts school one day she will love being there as much as I do. I have the sweetest group of kids this year. Their little faces are always full of fun and mischief. I never get tired of hearing "Mrs. B can you help me make this letter?" or "Mrs. B. can I do this or that?".

I really miss so much with Abbi by working, but my mom does such a great job with her that it's hard to feel bad about it. Thank God for Nana & Pop Pop!

My BAD!!

2008-09-23T19:40:00.002-04:00

Tonight after eating supper my sister and I took Abbi upstairs to play in her play area. We are sitting there playing and her husband comes in downstairs and yells for us to get downstairs b/c someone is shooting at the house!

We proceeded to quickly make our way downstairs. Once down there I let my Sis keep Abbi in a safe place and went out on the backporch to see what was going on with my brother-in-law. And YES bullets were hitting right in my backyard. Right where Abbi's swing is on the porch. Someone was on the hill next to our house shooting down. So I got in the car and drove down the road to see if I could find out who it was. There were two teenage boys up there shooting a 22 rifle.

When I spoke with them I explained that they needed to be shooting towards the mountains and not toward my house. One of the boys responded with "MY BAD"!!!! What exactly does this mean? Is it slang for "I'm sorry" or just coping an attitude with me. I proceeded to tell him that my little girl was in that house and the next time he decides to shoot, it had better be towards the mountain and not my house. He acted as though he didn't understand what I was so upset about.

What is wrong with teenagers today. Now I know they are not all that bad, but honestly!!! Can you believe he actually didn't get the importance of not shooting towards a house with people in it!! So now I am wondering should I have said anything at all b/c it seems my words had no impact. Hopefully the next time he shoots a gun he will be more careful but probably not. It is things like this that make me wonder if we shouldn't have stricter gun laws. My husband is an avid hunter, but teens today are mostly not responsible enough to have a gun in their possession!!

Colors All Around

2008-09-19T20:23:00.002-04:00

So I was letting Abbi play in her ball pit the other night and I notice she is holding the balls and doing "signs". Mom has been working with her for several weeks to learn her colors. I was so tired from my day with my kindergarteners that it took my brain a while to realize she was picking them up and "signing" their color. How excited was I!!! Well I called everyone! Mom kept telling me that she knew her colors but you know how Grandma's like to think their little darlings are just the smartest. She was right! So now we are working on matching the color word to the colors. We'll see how this goes. It is the "whole word" approach advocated by most of the research that I have read.

Today my kindergarten class went on a field trip to local Corn Maze. We had a blast! It is so much fun to see them get excited. My favorite student from CDC who has Down syndrome got to go with us. He did such a great job. What an improvement from last year. He participated in every activity except going thru the maze. By then he was just worn out! I was so proud of him. His mom got to come too but honestly she didn't have to really do much at all for him. It warmed my heart to see some of my "mother hens" little girls help Jordan know what to do. I really hope that I can do what is best for him this year. He has come so far and I want him to have every opportunity to show how smart he is.

On another note Abbi's transition meeting is scheduled for Oct. 6th. Be much in prayer for us if you will. You would think that b/c I am a teacher that I would not be nervous, but it is like a double edge sword when you work in the school system.

So tomorrow begins the final two weeks before the Buddy Walk. Can't wait it is the highlight of my year!

Final IFSP

2008-09-05T21:56:00.003-04:00

We had Abbi's final IFSP yesterday. In a few short months we will be on the slippery slope of IEP's. Sometimes I feel as if the transition from Early Intervention to the Public School System is a very traumatic one. Families go from such a positive environment to one of uncertainity. It feels as if the wind is being sucked out of your sails for a while. It really shouldn't feel this way. There is no reason that teachers and parents can't work together to truly do what is best for a child. How do we make it happen as educators? I have asked myself this question since Abbi turned two. I still don't have an answer, but I have to believe that one is out there. As a kindergarten teacher, I am committed to making my classroom an inviting one for all types of learners. I can only hope that when my Abbi starts school she will encounter teachers who will want to make the same accomodations for her.

So during the IFSP I realized that Abbi had made 6 months or more gains in every area except speech. I keep asking myself when will she say MAMA! She says ball, bye,hi, block, and duck nearly perfect. It seems to me that she should say MAMA easily, yet she will not say it. Or atleast not say it in reference to me. Oh the little stinker can say MAMA when we are doing her oral motor therapy but when I ask her who I am she just looks at me and signs "MAMA". Well I can wait.

Now if I can only make her smile and laugh as much as Elmo does. Seriously the kid is addicted to Elmo. You should see her little face when he comes on TV. I am honestly thinking of getting an ELMO suit!! :-)))))

Summer Video

2008-09-02T21:44:00.000-04:00

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Puzzles!

2008-08-27T20:36:00.002-04:00

Tonight when we got home,I decided to spend time doing puzzles with Abbi. I hadn't done one with her in a while and expected her to need a lot of help as usual. We have several Melissa & Doug puzzles with the pictures printed behind the puzzle pieces so she matches them up.

I laid all of the puzzle pieces out in the floor and to my surprise she began to pick them up and match them one by one all by herself! I actually sat there and watched her pick up each piece look intensely at it and then scan each part of the puzzle to decide where it should go. I could actually see her "thinking". It was amazing. Each time she matched a piece she would look up at me and say "YEAHHH" and clap her hands. Abbi loves praise and thinks everyone should clap for her each time she does something. I think it is very cute and doesn't everyone want praise when they do something well???

She has also begun to say "no" when she doesn't want to do something. But she usually complies anyway. Most times I can't resist those cute little cheeks on her chubby little face. I am so proud of her!

Blessed!!

2008-08-19T21:22:00.003-04:00

Well, I haven't posted lately b/c school has started again. So far this year I have 13 kids in my classroom. Their first full day is Friday. Abbi has adjusted well to getting up early each morning for the trip to Nana & Pop's. Although some mornings she still rolls over and cuddles her little bunny. The nice thing is that she is going to bed early each night so I have a few moments to unwind from the day. I got a call from out TEIS lady the other day about Abbi's first transition meeting. I can't believe she will be 3 so soon. I am not ready for this!! You would think since I am a teacher that I would be but I am not. I have so many dreams and goals for her and I get very afraid when I think about her starting school. She is my little Abba Dabba.
Nana has adjusted well too ,and they are back on their old schedule of Kindermusik and therapy sessions. Mom also does her "lessons" each day where they work on colors, shapes, oral motor therapy, and o.t. stuff. What would I do w/out Nana!! There is simply no way that I would have the time or energy when I get home to do all this. Abbi doesn't have the energy either at that time of day we are both "all done" as she would "sign". It is nice to get to come home and play w/her. I am doubly blessed!!! Thank you Nana!!

Is this the 21st Century or the Dark Ages??

2008-08-12T20:56:00.002-04:00

Dear Friend,

I invite you to be a fan of dignity and join me in a campaign to stop the use of the “R-word.” This week, the film "Tropic Thunder" opens in movie theaters across the nation. While intended to be a satire on Hollywood actors and producers, the film has a scene which is offensive and demeans people with intellectual disabilities.

I am asking you to help me in this campaign by boycotting the film "Tropic Thunder." If we can hurt the ticket sales of this film, we will have made a statement to Hollywood that we will not stand for this type of content that is hurtful to people with intellectual disabilities.

Be a fan of Dignity, don’t say the R-word. Visit www.R-word.org.

Thanks,
Ford, Sabrina, & Abbi

Poo Poo in the Potty!

2008-08-06T15:00:00.002-04:00

We are still working on potty training. Today I noticed that Abbi had the "poo poo" face so I took her to the potty. After I convinced her to sit down, she went "poo poo" in the potty. We clapped and made a great deal over it. I thought it would be a good idea to show her what she did so she would begin to understand. I turned her around and pointed to the poo and told her what a great job she did. Before I knew it she was reaching for it. Luckily I grabbed her hand before she got to it. Shew.... glad I got there first. That would have been a mess. My thing now is what do I do when we are out and have to use a public restroom. She is so small that she almost falls in. Not to mention touching the public toilet is a little more than I care to think about. I have thought of getting child potty seat covers. Anyone reading my blog have any suggestions..........

The Eye Doctor

2008-08-05T21:45:00.002-04:00

Since school starts back next week, I thought today would be a good time to get a new pair of reading glasses. Well it was an interesting visit to say the least. This very young doctor did my examination. Apparently I am older that I realize b/c he informed me that I needed bifocals!! I informed him that I did not need bifocals and would just take a pair of reading glasses. Thank you very much. He went ahead and gave me the prescription for glasses to see far away too. So now I have two prescriptions. One for near and one for far!

So during my exam I happened to mention that I took my daughter to see Dr. Carlsen for her eyes b/c she had Down syndrome. He proceeded to tell me about his experience in Alabama working with children with Downs and how happy they always were. Well after the day I had had with Abbi and her whining, I decided to let him know that DS kids are just like any other kid. I said" Well I'd like to know where my happy DS kid is b/c mine has whined all day........." This put a funny look on his face and he said something to the effect of I'm Sorry and changed the topic of conversation. A small triumph for me. I finally let one person know that DS kids are just like other kids and they aren't all happy all the time. Believe me when it's time for Sesame Street I told him my daughter is just like any other 2 year old. If you get in front of Elmo, it's melt down time........

So he helped me pick out my glasess and sent me on my way. I am sure he was glad to get me out of there....

Scared for the First Time!

2008-07-31T10:28:00.002-04:00

Tonight I saw Abbi get scared for the first time. It was actually one of her IFSP goals to be "scared" of something unfamiliar. Usually she isn't scared of anything. Tonight at the end of her Elmo video there was a puppet with wild orange hair against a black screen that was singing a song. I looked up from the computer to see her running toward me with open arms and the biggest "poochy" lip I had ever seen. She climbed up in my lap and buried her head in my chest. Then she would look back at the TV to see if it was gone. I was quite amazed as I had never seen her scared before. I was actually happy in a small way because that meant she had developed a new emotion! I guess other parents don't feel this way when their child shows they are scared, but for me it was a cause for celebration. Yeah for normal emotions!!!

Back from the Keys!

2008-07-28T21:49:00.002-04:00

Well we made it back! Although there was a short while where I wasn't sure we were both going to make it back. Junior almost had a heat stroke we think. It happened while we were snorkeling. Gladly now he seems to be feeling better. We loved the Keys and plan to return someday. There were several things that we wanted to do but didn't have time to do. Two days is just not enough time!

Abbi was very glad we were home! She just hugged us! It was very sweet to be missed finally. Before we would go away and it was as if she never even knew we were gone. Tonight she just wanted to play ball and even went and got the playdough out. She has never done that before. I am teaching her how to use a little rolling pin to roll it out. We had only worked on it once but when I gave her the pin tonight she knew exactly what to do! We also worked on the computer. The Sesame Street website is great! She loves the Elmo Keyboard game and the peek-a-boo one also.

Two weeks until school is back in session. I hope to make the most of each day that we have left!!

Playing !

2008-07-23T13:35:00.003-04:00

We are enjoying our last few weeks of Summer Break. It won't be long before we have to go back to work. Here are a few pics of Abbi playing. She just loves to be outside. There are days that I wonder will I ever be able to let her just go out and play without worrying if she'll understand what is dangerous and what is not. We are still working on going up and down steps. Her little legs are so short that she has to use someone or something for support. SHe tries very hard though and doesn't give up. She is really into saying "bye" and "ball" right now. These are the only two words she can say that anyone can understand. Now when she watches Sesame Street and they say "bye", she looks at the TV and waves and says "bye" too. It is very cute. However, she also says "bye" when she doesn't want to be somewhere or do something. This can get very interesting at times.

We are off to Key West tomorrow for a final summer fling just my husband and I. I will post pics when I get back.

I Passed!!

2008-07-16T14:50:00.002-04:00

I got my results today from my 6 Hour Essay test to get my Administrative Endorsement. I passed!!!! I was so excited that I jumped all around the house. Abbi got excited too and started clapping for me. I am so glad that the test and my ED.S. are over and done. Hopefully this next school year, I will be able to focus on more fun things.

Right now I am trying to begin using some of the techniques that I learned in Boston with Abbi. It seems that she may be ready to begin learning to match pictures with words. According to the research presented once she has a vocabulary of 50 - 100 words (identifying pictures with sign or speech) then we can move onto words. Hopefully I will get it all together and begin soon. She has really tried to start saying more sounds. Yesterday I told her to say please when she wanted a cookie and she signed "cookie" and said "eese" while signing "please".

She is still pottying, but she doesn't understand how to tell us she needs to go yet. Hopefully we will figure that out soon. I am just glad that she wants to pee in the potty. Apparently while I was gone to Boston she "pooped" in the potty, but hasn't done that since I came back. Maybe soon.

Back from Boston!

2008-07-14T19:49:00.002-04:00

Just got back from Boston today. Amy and I had a great time. The conference was amazing and we still had some time to do a little sight seeing. Boston is a great city but I think our DS crowd made it even better!!

I learned so much at the conference to help me fine tune Abbi's therapy. Especially speech! It was also very helpful to know that I am on the right track with what we are doing so far.

Will try and post some pic later. I am exhausted right now and Abbi needs some extra attention since I have been gone for 4 days.

Potty Time!!

2008-07-09T09:40:00.002-04:00

Well I didn't want to post this until I was sure it was going to last but, Abbi started peeing in the potty on Sat. July 5th. It was amazing. I had been sitting her on the potty for a couple of weeks before bath time and she had never gone, but on Sat. night I sat her on and she peed. She was so proud of herself. You could see it on her face. So I thought well, maybe this is the beginning of a beautiful thing or I am just really lucky.

Well I believe it is the beginning of somethings amazing. We have her on a potty schedule and if she has to go when you take her she will sit on the potty and pee. If not she will refuse to sit on the potty and say no. She does the "potty" sign so she knows what it is. I am not sure when she will actually start asking to go or be ready to poo poo in the potty, but I am ready to wait for her to be ready. I have let her do this in her own time and I can wait for the other.

We are so proud of her considering she isn't even 2 1/2 yet and has Downs. We figure that is very good. My goal is to be completely trained by her third birthday. Maybe we will reach it maybe not, but I always like to set goals.

Needless to say we have been watching the Elmo Potty Time Video about once a day. She just loves Elmo and I believe she would do anything he said, so hopefully it will translate into potty training.

I leave for Boston tomorrow for the NDSC Down Syndrome Conference. I can hardly wait to get there and learn as much as I can to help Abbi and others DS kids and adults.

It may be Monday before I can post again.

Sabrina

I am done!!

2008-07-05T13:45:00.002-04:00

Today I finished my Education Specialist Degree. We had our last class. This past year has been hard but today made it all worthwhile. Now I can get a raise and focus more on Abbi & Junior in the upcoming year. I cannot explain how excited I am to finally be done. There were times in the past year that I felt like quitting. I am so glad that I had the good Lord above to give me grace and my family and friends to support me.

Now if I can just get my doctorate degree then I will finally be done!! :-) Of course I will take small break, but that is definately a goal that I have.

Junior is very ready for me to be completely done with school, but I know that he will support me if and when I decide to go back. I really want to be Dr. Baker. Time will tell. Right now I am just glad to be done with this one.........

Happy 4th of July!

2008-07-04T20:49:00.002-04:00

Today is our nation's birthday and I have spent it cleaning windows!! Well I did take some time out to have a picnic with my wonderful family. Abbi ofcourse loved all the attention she gets from all her aunts. It is wonderful to have such a big family. It gives me a break. She got to eat strawberry and her favorite,hamburgers, but honestly the kid loves just about anything. She never knows when she is full and wants "cookie" or "fish" all the time. She is just cute when she "signs" it that we almost can't resist. We usually end up giving in.

She has also recently learned what a potato chip is thanks to Nana. It's okay really, I knew she would eventually. She is growing up so fast. Last 4th of July she couldn't walk and this year she is walking and talking. We are so very proud of her.

Her "sign" vocabulary is up to about 40 words now. She seems to drop the sign or use the sign with the word when she learns to say the word. I have to confess that I haven't worked on her "lessons" as Mom calls them very much this summer. I just want to have fun with her.

Next week, I am going to the National Down Syndrome Congress National Convention in Boston, MA. I can hardly wait. I hope to learn a great deal while there to bring back to our FRIENDS group here in TN.

Junior is working very hard on our cabin and 100 acres to try and get it ready so we can begin staying in it some this summer. He bought a new "toy" yesterday. An air compressor and nail gun. He has nailed almost everything down.......... :-) Boys and their toys. It really did make the job of putting the wood on the ceiling easier though.

Well that's all for now. I will post more when I get back from Boston.

Posing for Daddy!

2008-07-02T19:00:00.000-04:00

First steps in the Atlantic Ocean

2008-07-02T18:58:00.000-04:00

At the beach with Daddy

2008-07-02T18:56:00.000-04:00

We're Back!

2008-06-27T21:57:00.002-04:00

We just got back from Myrtle Beach today. It was great to get away as a family. It was Abbi's first trip to the beach. She just loved the ocean or just water in general. She was not afraid of the waves at all and practically ran everyday into the ocean when we got there.
The funny thing is that we had bad luck with electronics from day one of our trip. I dumped my digital camera in the ocean when Abbi fell after a small wave knocked her face first into the ocean and then later that same day my laptop got a bug and completely died. So I had to go purchase a CVS one time use digital camera.

Once we get some pics developed I will post.

Abbi is asleep downstairs as I write this. I know she is glad to be home. She kept saying "bye bye" on the way home and signing "all done".

On Monday we go to visit the Child Study Center for possibly putting Abbi there a few days a week this fall. I feel she could really benefit by being around other kids. So wish us luck.

2008-06-16T22:31:00.000-04:00

Happy Spring!

2008-06-14T21:36:00.000-04:00

2008-06-14T21:35:00.000-04:00

2008-06-14T21:33:00.000-04:00

Sweet Baby Girl!

2008-06-14T21:29:00.000-04:00

Abbi & Pop at Dollywood

2008-06-14T21:25:00.000-04:00

Summer is Here!

2008-06-14T21:04:00.000-04:00

We have had record heat the past few days. Hot Hot Hot! My friend Marci and I took Abbi to Dollywood yesterday, but I left my camera in the car!! Oh well. We had fun but roasted in the heat. Abbi discovered that water is fun. She played quite a while in the new part of the park where the water squirts out of a little wall. She would just stand in front of the water and let it squirt down the back of her diaper and just laugh. It was the cutest ever.

Abbi was ready to go home by the end of the day. When we got in the car she signed "all done" and said bye bye and just grinned like a possum. She is so much like her daddy. Loves to be at home!

Next week we are going to Splash Country with our friends and then on to Myrtle Beach the week of the 22nd. Can't wait for her to see the ocean!! Everytime she sees water she does the sign for "bath". I just know that when she sees the ocean she will sign "bath" like it's the biggest bath she has ever seen.

Today I took my exam to become certified to be an administrator. I must be totally crazy sometimes. A six hour essay exam has left me completely brain dead.

Happy Father's Day to all you great dads out there!! Especially my dad and my wonderful husband who is such a great dad to our little Abba Dabba!

Glad that summer is here!

2008-05-25T17:47:00.000-04:00

Haven't posted in a long time. Teaching kindergarten and gettting my Ed.S. degree was a little more than I should have taken on right now. All is well now though. School is out and I will finish my degree on July 5th.

Abbi is doing great. She can say 11 words and knows about 40 signs. We are so proud of her. She has a little cold right now.

All for now, we are packing for camping in Pigeon Forge this week. Will post pics when I figure out how.

Celebrating a Milestone!

2007-12-16T21:48:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my first blog post! I started this blog to tell others about the joys of raising a daughter with Down syndrome. She is a happy and beautiful 22 month old.

I want to celebrate a milestone reached today. She began to walk on her own. Not just cruising around furniture. Although she is still quite wobbly, she is learning to balance herself well. We are so proud of her. Parent's of children with DS know how hard she has worked to reach this point. Hours and hours of physical therapy have paid off.

She is the delight of our life! We are so thankful for her. I would like for other parents of children with DS to also share their joys of raising their angels from heaven with me!

I am sure I will get better at blogging as I post more. I will sign off for now.