A New Springtime

Gross Motor Skills

 Malcolm is doing great in the development department. He gets plenty of love and stimulation from his siblings. We are always trying to make sure he has the opportunity to strengthen his muscles.

 
Children with Down Syndrome usually have low muscle tone (hypotonia) so it is to their advantage to do certian repetitive exercises.  I learned of a book called "Gross Motor Skills in Children with Down Syndrome, a Guide for Parents and Professionals" by Patricia C.Winders, P.T. from another blogger at Pondered In My Heart.

 
At first I was a bit overwhelmed by all of the info in the book but soon realized it is broken down by stages and each stage is broken down further into activities. Today we worked on stage 1, activity 1,  Supported  Side-lying.

 
 The activity consists of putting your baby on his side supported by a cushion or some sort of back support. Put a colorful toy in front of him and shake it to get his attention. Try to get him to reach out and grasp the toy.

 
Something  I learned was that  the right toy is very important. The baby must be able to see the toy and it really needs to be one that is fairly easy to grasp, not to fat and have enough places to be able to grip the toy well. The toy in the second and third picture isn't suitable because it is too flat and could not be put in a  standing position where baby could see it or reach out for it.

 
 With the right toy and  hard work Malcolm was able to achieve the goal of grabbing the toy. In this position he really had to use quite a few of his muscles to reach out and focus on getting the prize.

 
I was so proud of his efforts, he was determined to get it and he did.

 
His lil' hands were workin' and he had a great time trying to get it to his mouth. Not bad for 3 1/2 months.

 Even though he didn't get the toy in his mouth he managed to suck on his arm. He has been doing this often but I'm trying to discourage it because he gave himself a hickie the other day.

 
Any way stage 1 , activity 1 was a success for today. Malcolm is a champ and is on his way to the special olympics (lol). Maybe some day but for now we'll keep practicing this and working on these gross motor skills. Go Malcolm!!

 

 

 

 

Creating a Play Space

I have once again changed that spot in the upstairs hallway. I think it will stay like this for a while. It is a play area for Malcolm and his playmates.

 
Now is a good time to purchase bookshelves and rugs because all of the stores have them on sale in the back-to-college section.

 
I wanted to have a bright fun pottery barn look. They have such wonderful playroom designs. Aqua colored frames and a tin beach pail decorated with fabulously colored flip flops give a summer feel to the space.

 
It is the perfect spot for exersicing baby boy. We even had some Christian kids songs playing for his audio stimulation. I have been collecting toys for him, all hands on type things for his gross and fine motor skills.

 
I love making improvements in the home for the kiddos. It's alot of fun and a well organized, comfy, little nook can give them many hours of imaginative, healthy play!

    

• bookcases $12.47 ea.
• rug $20
• frames $3
• toy bucket $1.99

Total about $50 for a play space not including toys of course.

Fairy Houses

The kids have been participating in the summer reading program. I am so excited because this is the first year that they seem really enthused about taking part in it. In the past it seemed as if it was my idea and they had to be pushed to do the reading.

 
The girls got to make these awesome fairy houses at one of the workshops and they had a blast. The library provided all kids of stickers, silk and dried flowers, bark, moss, beads pebbles and more.

 
We actually brought some of the stuff home and finished them here. The creative juices were flowing. The girls made fire pits, ponds mini gardens, and moss covered roofs.

 
It's amazing what can be done with a cardboard box and a bit off imagination. The girls have been playing with them for a couple of days now. They also made fairies out of clothes pins, silk flowers, moss, lace, etc. This is a wonderful way to spend a summer afternoon, give it a try!

 

 

Ribbit

 
Guess who loves the pool?

 
Yep, It's my sweet lil' Malcolm!

 

Under the Sea

Lil' Malcolm is starting to make the cutest noises, he is cooing and starting to smile. It is such a joy to see and hear him communicate with us. Eliana has been showing him how to use his ocean themed play gym.

 
She likes showing him the different toys that dangle from the canopy.

 
He is totally amazed by her and seems to enjoy all of the attention and companionship.

 
He moves his arms with excitement as he listens to the sounds and watches the blinking lights. She never seems to tire from pressing the buttons or saying, " You so cute Malcie."

 
I don't know if we are going to the beach this year but these lil'ones have their own bright and colorful underwater world right here at home.

 
I love watching these precious lil' ones interact and share the love they have with each other. I just want to soak it all in before they grow up. My heart feels so full and it wants to burst when I see the way they bond together!

Human Dignity

 
The wonder of God shows through each one of us as human beings because we are all made in the image and likeness of God who revealed himself to us in the man of Jesus Christ.

 

 
God became man to show us how much He loves us and we only have to look at each other to see this is true. I ran into some people this weekend while going to tag sales who believe that energy or the universe are the source and power of healing but when God became man He told us, " I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

 
Turning away from God and worshiping His creation instead of Him takes away from our own human dignity. It puts as equals with a rock, a tree or a piece of grass. God says humans have dominion over these  things, they are there for us to utilize and to advance ourselves.

 
Many times when I look at my children and the younger and more innocent they are I can see the face of God. He reveals himself to us through the beauty of His creation of nature but no where is His revelation  stronger than in His creation of mankind.

 
Our human dignity is under attack in many forms today but we know God himself took on life as a baby in the womb of a virgin and manifested Himself to us on this Earth.  His great love for us shows us that we are lifted up to a level of holiness and divinity because He created us in His own image.