Trying New Things - Treadmill Training

 

Lucas had his weekly PT session today and we got to try the treadmill for the first time. It was awesome! I watched (and assisted) Lucas with getting his legs moving and it was so cool.  Babies with Down Syndrome can begin using treadmills as early as 8 or 9 months.  Lucas is 9 months. This is basically a supplement to our regular physical therapy and will assist in helping him walk eventually and might even help that happen sooner.  In any case it was a great experience and we are happy to now be able to include it in our therapy sessions.  It was great that Lucas didn't seem to mind it one bit, maybe he thought he was going skydiving! Here are a few photos and a short video of our experience.  We are looking forward to him getting stronger with this going forward. I am so proud of my little man and how strong he has become with each and every day!

I CAN do this!

Yippee this is fun!

Tiny Foot

What is it about baby feet that are so darn cute? Ah, I just love them!  Got a quick photo while he was napping this morning.

While you were sleeping....

Good Session Today!

Today Lucas got to hang out with Emily, his OT, she is phenomenal with him and helping him work on strengthening shoulders, arms and fine motor skills. Here are some photos from today's therapy session.

Lucas working on holding blocks while sitting on his own.

Lucas concentrating on using his arms to support himself while sitting and playing with a toy. We are lucky that Grandpa Frank was able to make us some tables for home so we can practice these skills daily.

We also got to do some work on our hands and knees with our hip helpers to get us ready for future crawling.  I will report that Lucas is liking these a bit more and getting used to them.  (Mom and dad are gonna have to baby proof the house for sure when we get to that!)

Emily helping support Lucas

Concentrating hard!

Mommy's thoughts before bed after a very long day

By now you have been asleep for a little over and hour and I just finished getting things prepared for tomorrow but no matter how tired I feel I keep thinking about you and the blessing you are. I keep thinking about how far you have come, heck, make that how far WE all have come!  Sometimes I feel like I need to pinch myself because I am honestly in awe that I have the honor of being your mama!!

Not a day goes by that I wish I didn't have to leave your side and I wonder am I really doing a good enough job to continue helping you reach your full potential.  I really am working hard at it Lucas and I want you to know that I will continue to do the best I can for you.  That is a promise from me and your daddy.   You see the thing is I don't want to fail you now or ever - that is my biggest fear.  I don't want to miss any minute of your beautiful precious life which is why me and your daddy make every minute count while we are with you. We love you so much and only want the best for you. Isn't that what every parent wants? I just feel like some days it eats at me more than others because I need to be the best parent I can be.  I sure hope I am because I know you are being the best son ever.  Mommy's heart is so full tonight baby - I LOVE YOU! 

"Don't worry mommy cuz my teachers know you miss me all day that's why they send you pictures of me!"

"Look at me mommy I can sit up now like a big boy!"

Sitting Up Video

So many of you know that we are working hard on sitting up all by our self and we are doing better everyday.  So today I decided to make a short video before bed so we could show you the progress Luacs is making. He actually can sit much longer than this but since mommy was taping this he decided to do his own thing. I think it has to do with his favorite toy - his little lion. (Thanks Nancy and Marco since these are Lucas' favorite!!) This video is cute and has a funny ending! (I need to work on my video editing skills!)  Enjoy!

Weekend Round Up! (And it was a busy one!)

So we have been enjoying summer just as much as everyone else.  We surely won't complain about the heat since the warm weather has meant that Lucas is so much healthier and gets to enjoy hanging out and being active. We love it and enjoy all the fun we get to have with him.  Here are some highlights from the weekend!

Talked mom into a pit stop at the park during our walk

I was so happy she put me in the swing since I am a big boy now.

Had fun at baby yoga with my friend Riley

Me and mommy got to see the cattle even though there was a sign that said they bite. Yikes.

Me and daddy got to see the horses

Waterbabies

All cooled off

4th of July Artwork

The little artist is back with a new project! Painting his onesie with the American flag so he can wear his red, white and blue. Can't wait to see the finished product! (Sorry it's a little blurry but it was sent over to me by the daycare)

I gotta get this blue in the right place!

Sleepyhead

So as you can see someone is wiped out after such a busy day.  Therapy Thursday's are usually big activity days for Lucas when he has both speech and physical therapy in the same day.  It only happens every other week for him as he does speech every other week and physical therapy every week but doing two 1-hour sessions can wear the little man out.  (and not to mention we had a family swim tonight.) 

Mom and dad were happy to hear that Lucas "rocked" his sessions this week and is really taking off now that his breathing and congestion are so much better. (Thanks Dr. Beckman!) In any case since Lucas is starting to sit up more on his own we are now going to start working on the treadmill. Not too sure what that is about but photos to come once we get going.  Speech therapy is coming along nicely as we are working on oral motor skills, specifically more varied phonetic sounds and using something called a z vibe which provides stimulation through vibration.  (Look here if you are wondering what that is http://www.therapro.com/Z-Vibes-and-Accessories-C245356.aspx)  Lucas seemed to love this as he was smiling and showing off his gums whenever he could!

Beach Day Photos!

I just got back photos of Lucas that were taken on picture day at daycare. I thought I would share a few since I just love how they came out.  Enjoy!

In the sandbox

Loving my feet

Looking at the camera

Ah, you got me to smile!

Hmmm, when will they be done with these?

Looking cool on a hot day

Sitting cool in my favorite chair

Now I wanna lean forward

Now I wanna give you my side profile

A Fitting Quote For Today....

As I sat through our weekly Occupational Therapy (aka OT) and watched Lucas work very hard many things we take for granted like trying to sit up, pushing up with his arms and rolling over from side to side. I was reminded of a quote I have grown to love.

“I am a parent of child with special needs. However long the journey, whatever it takes us and whatever is needed of me, I will do it with all the love in my heart. Strength, compassion, faith and courage are my compass points”

-HOPELights

Hey, I don't look good in these mom!

So today after our infant massage class Lucas got a package in the mail. It was the arrival of his Hip Helpers aka Baby Spanx. For those that are wondering... "they are the answer to excessive hip abduction in babies and toddlers with low muscle tone and they have been found to improve rotational movement and limit "W" sitting in babies who are developing their movement skills."(this taken directly from Hip Helpers website)

So there you have it, a possible end to Lucas' chances of representing U.S.A in gymnastics! In any case I think the jury is still out on what Lucas thinks of these. I am sure Sammy, his PT (physical therapist) will be very excited these arrived!

                                                 So here is the Before Hip Helpers photo

                                                     here is the After Hip Helpers photo

Some Father's Day Weekend Moments

Lucas and his superhero!

Lucas swimming with daddy and Mr. Turtle

Someone is getting close to sitting up all by himself!

To Blog or Not to Blog

So I have thought for a few months on whether or not to start a blog and chronicle our lives with Lucas. Lots of you have asked me why haven't I done it or have I thought about it. Truth is I have. Lots!! But I kept thinking I didn't have enough time, I was too tired or that I wouldn't know what to say. And I thought did I want to be committed to such a project? Did I want to share my private life and feelings? Did I want to be vulnerable? 

Well I finally said enough is enough and decided to continue sharing our beautiful and blessed life with Lucas (and yes, Down Syndrome) since so many friends and family ask about Lucas and how he is doing. Or request a new photo. Or wonder how our latest doctor visit went. Or what new milestones is he working on now. So what better way to keep everyone updated on him, us and all our adventures. (And how cool will it be to share this with him when he is older!) So here we go and I hope you all enjoy keeping up with us!  Also, how could I resist from showcasing all of Lucas' artwork. He is such an emerging artist!   

Eat your heart out Picasso!

Love,
Lucas' Mommy and 1# Fan




Artist, Lucas - 5 months



Fish Tank Artwork - 9 months