31 for 21:17 The Walk Day

Hi Everyone!  It’s been a really long day, so this is going to be really short.

I can’t thank everyone enough for the support we have received today for the Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk today.  Our friends and family who came and walked for Team Lillian made me feel so proud…proud to have such wonderful people in our lives.  I am so proud knowing that perfect strangers donated their money to help raise awareness for a better and brighter future for Lillian!  It as also fun to see familiar faces, like Ms. Gabby, Ms. Playette, Sofia and Joaquin, Sheridan, Gracie, The Fischer Family, The Slapes, and families from my local D.S. group! OH…I’m sure I’m missing someone!

Last year was our first walk, and I hope to continue for many more walks. 

Today was truly an amazing day and I couldn’t have asked for anything better (ok…maybe a little less rain)!

xoxoxoxo many times over!

Sonia

 

 

31 for 21 day 9

This video below is of Lillian (18 months) walking just a few weeks after she learned to walk. You can see her movement is still a little unsteady and wobbly.

Just a month later, her movements are more controlled and steady. Also, you can see her playing with her brother. I just love hearing them play nicely together...it's nice I was able to catch it on camera!

So, the latter video I posted on Facebook. But, I wanted to show her off here on the blog also. I really hope that people who see these videos will learn that yes, she can walk and yes she is happy!

TIME...Time...time

Oh where has the time gone? It has been so long since I abandoned my lovely blog, but I'm glad to say that we're back...I'm back! I have to admit that I've had Internet now for a week, but once you're away from the computer, my need to blog and facebook and even email went down the drain. I'm just now getting back into the groove of things.

The move was a little stressful but not too bad. I don't think moving will ever get any easier. No matter how much I prepare for the movers to arrive, it's when they drop off the boxes that drive me into craziness. And every time I move, there seems to be one more extra person moving with us. Last time, it was Lillian. This time it was my dog, Maxie. 3 children, 2 dogs, and 2 adults...we need more supervision!

Also, the week we moved in was the week that Katie started school. Third Grade! She just recently had to make a classroom switch because there were 29 kids in her classroom and they are only allowed 28. She volunteered to go to another classroom, a room where her best friend is in. So, far ... so, good! I figured if they were going to move her she might as well pick a classroom that she wanted to be in and they let her. This year, the school grew a lot. There were many school closures where we are and people moving around, so now the classrooms are much bigger than they have been. I hope and pray for patience from both students and teachers this year!

I think the last time I updated, I mentioned that Lillian was really walking. Well, she's just getting better and better by the day! Today, she was chasing...well, more like tottling after Charlie in the house. Normally, I don't approve of running around, but it was really cute to see her going after him and hearing both of them laughing. Now, the only thing I really want to work on is the hair pulling. Lillian is a little brute ... not a princess. She loves to rough house and tackle, I worry that she will over power her big brother one day. I will have to wait and see. However, I've noticed that she is also becoming my little dancer. I hope she has moves like her momma :)

I will have to update more tomorrow. Just thought I would add that Facebook is great!

Walking

The girl is on the move! She started taking her first real steps! They may have been a little wobbly, but she owned them! Not one, not two, but four big steps on her own!!! I think because of all the excitement and cheering we've been giving her, she keeps on trying. It's so cute, her determination! She hasn't made it past four, but that's OK...I will take whatever she give us.

I am so proud of her. Maybe she's just trying to get her momma motivated to get up and going too!

Love my girl!

In the whole scheme of things I feel like she's doing quite well. As a parent of a child with Down syndrome, I am fully aware that she will hit her milestones, just like her brother and sister did, but in her own time. But...and there is a big BUT, I think because of the help we are getting from her physical and developmental therapists, she's more motivated and she's being driven to reach those milestones sooner than rather later. And for that, I thank them for their dedication to Lillian and for taking the time in learning who she is and how she works.

Right below, you can see the differences in the time frame for walking. I also, added when Charlie and Katie started walking for reference.

Walking

Typical Children Average: 11 months Range: 8 - 18 months

*Charlie 10 months

*Katie 12 months

Children w/Down syndrome Average: 24 months Range: 12 - 65 months

I think for sure Lillian will be walking soon. Well, at least I think she will.

Cruising

The little Monkey Girl is cruising along! Actually, she's been cruising along, I just haven't told you all yet!

It's so fun to watch her going all along the sectional sofa that we have. Her motivation is finding the remote! She's made many people angry by switching the channels and giving the remote a tongue bath!

The interesting part about watching her cruise like that is her feet. She uses her feet. Yeah, I know that's what she is suppose to do. But it's the only time when she will use her feet properly. When we stand her up to try to get her to walk between two people, she lunges instead of using her feet! I'm not understanding that at all! I feel that we're so close, but so far away because of this one issue.

In a previous post, I shared that she can walk with a pusher, but that's it.

Maybe she needs to work on her confidence. I need to build her up some more! What do you think?