Zoo-never gets old

Yesterday was a perfect day for the zoo. I say this everytime but we are fortunate to be just minutes to the zoo. It is nothing to pack up a lunch and head out. The Zoo never seems to get old and there is always something to keep Brooke entertained.

Brooke and Lindsey are sitting in a pretend dog house in Nature's Neighborhood.

Brooke and Colton climbing on the statues.

Something new for us. As many times as we have been in Nature's Neighborhood we have never realized everything that is happening inside the house. There are ginea pigs that you can take out and pet. Nope, Brooke wanted nothing to do with that and asked where the bunnies were. There are also cats, fish, birds, ants, and bee hives. Why didn't I know about all this? There was also plenty of areas for creative play. Brooke wanted to do her own face painting but I had to say no to that one. I had to drop some paperwork off at work and pick up books at he library after the Zoo and was quite frankly scared of what she might paint on her face.

Brooke climbing on the spider webs.

Lindsey making a silly face in the baby pond. I can't wait until she is walking and can really enjoy all the Zoo has to offer. Until then she will just contiue to experience it from the stroller or in my arms.

Brooke dressed in a bee costume climbing through the bee hive.

Wordless Wednesday

Bad habits

They say kids are like sponges. Mine have learned to beg for food while I am cooking. How could they learn such a thing? From the biggest begger in the house, Nala! I am working on ice cream cones here and they just couldn't wait to get a lick.

Who can say no to face like this?

Thanks Nala.

Summer

This year has been a hot one. I am not sure we have turned off the air conditioning since the start of summer. While I complain about the heat and sweating I am in no hurry for snow. We are just trying to enjoy the rest of the summer and stay cool before Brooke starts preschool.

More Computer Issues

We are having more issues now with the new computer. This time all internet related. Hopefully Tim or the Geek Squad can get it up and running smooth soon. It is driving me bananas! I was able to get these pictures uploaded before the connection was lost again. Have a great weekend!

Hard working

Brooke loves to play outside and what kid doesn't enjoy playing with the hose. She asked me if she could wash my car while we were out. Well sure, go right ahead.

Um, that is not my car Brooke.

It turned to Mommy washes the car while Brooke plays in the bubbles.

Working hard or hardly working?

Finally a straw cup plus Hearing

Lindsey's therapists have recommended that she go right to a straw cup to help strengthen the muscles around her mouth. I have purchased so many cups. Everything from the honey bear, take and toss, and the sip tip. My main complaint? No handles. After searching I was able to find the CombiMug. While it is way more pricey we do love it. The bottles have been packed away and replaced with straw cups. Yeah Lindsey.
She also had a evaluation today related to feeding. I made the appointment when she was taking a bottle and refusing most foods. These last few weeks she has made great progress. While she still has her days, we are having fewer days of all baby food. She doesn't believe that she has any aversions more of just building the strength to try and chew at each and every meal. Basically wanting to do it on her terms. Hmm sounds familiar lately. Some of her recommendations were to take an electric toothbrush and "warm up" her mouth before meals along with some massaging techniques. Use a fruit roll up, slim jim, or twizzler and holding it have her practice chewing it on the sides of her mouth careful not to let her bite a chunk off. Let her get dirty and try feeding herself. Try thicker liquids in her cup or longer straws so she has to work harder to suck it out. If she does get baby food add texture to it and thicken it up.

She is sending me more handouts and ideas so I will pass the ideas along for anyone else that may be interested or having the same feeding woes. Watch out because I just may be doing those cartwheels in the grocery store with no baby food in my cart soon enough. Or maybe just in my head so I don't embarrass myself and my kids.

Lindsey also had her BAER test done Thursday. Long story short they convinced me that she should be sedated now that she is getting older and probably wouldn't sleep through it. I show up to the peds floor, get all the history and physical done only to be told they wouldn't be comfortable sedating after the nurse practitioner looked at her and also spoke with the internist. Her tonsils are large and she has some congestion. All of what I would consider to be her baseline. Believe me I didn't want to put her at risk for and respiratory problems during sedation. They wanted to reschedule and I wasn't sure they would ever sedate her if this was her baseline. I asked since it was past her naptime could I just try and get her to sleep for the test. "Sure" they say "try it out". Lindsey was fast asleep before they even had her hooked up. Whew. The testing all came back normal. Yahoo for the tubes. They did the trick. Even more news Lindsey finally broke the 20 lb mark. 21.76 to be exact.

Support Team Lindsey Buddy Walk 2010

Buddy Walk 2010 is fast approaching. It is scheduled for October 3, 2010 at the University of Toledo's Rocket Hall. There will be plenty to do. Fun and games for kids of all ages. Face painting, cotton candy, bounce houses, peddle cars, raffles, fire safety house, food, and that is just the start.

Deadline for preregistration with discounted price and guaranteed a tshirt is September 1, 2010.

Come out and support Team Lindsey and walk with us. Simply register here. If you are registering a family be sure to click on register a family and join a team so you can get it all done at once. You can also sponsor Team Lindsey from the same page. Any questions or problems just let me know. We would love to see everyone out there.

Ball Pit

Friday night we headed out to surprise Laci for her 30th birthday. Naturally, I have tons of pictures most mostly of the kids. The girls had a blast playing in Maxton's ball pit/jumping thing.

Um, yes Brooke is planning to jump. Daddy had the camera and Mommy was going to have a heart attack.

Oh and poor Bret was probably exhausted and sore that night from being Brooke's ball pit buddy. Takes a brave soul to lay between there hoping she does in fact make it across and not land right down on you.

Happy 30th Birthday Laci!

DSAGT Picnic

Remember these little cuties from the picnic last year?

Here are 4/6 at the Down syndrome picnic this year.

Lindsey still with her thumb in her mouth.

Brooke had a great time playing at the playground and making crafts.

But oh my,they gave everyone tickets and behold the ice cream man showed up. Brooke was thrilled to see the ice cream truck close up and all the goodies he has packed inside. She kept telling me she wanted the chick ice cream. I had no clue what she was talking about and kept pointing to all the girls. Nope Tweety is a chick. Geez Mom get with it!

Lindsey has her Mommy's sweet tooth. She went crazy over all the ice cream. Her tongue pretty much just stayed out waiting for the next lick.

We had a great time and it was nice to see everyone again.

At Grandma & Grandpa's

Lindsey has this Laugh and Learn puppy at Grandma's that she just adores. You press just about anywhere on him and he sings, talks to you, and even tells you how much he loves you. She loves him too and shows her affection with kisses, hugs, and mostly rolling all over him or laying right on top of him so the singing and talking never stops. Yeah, this is a good toy for Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Brooke loves to break out in her dance moves all day long. Brooke prances around like a ballerina in the open space. She has names for most of the moves. Some of them are true and some of them are just Brooke made up names. Pretty as a princess for sure.