I'm Back

I got back last night and was excited to see the family!

I must say I had a good time at the conference though. There were some pretty good speakers and also some boring ones too. It seems like we ate all the time! I think I gained 10 pounds in a couple days! They put us up at the Hilton and we had a great view. I just wish they could have held the conference by the poolside! Here are pictures taken from my hotel room window.

Well, I'm off to Wilmington for a work conference tomorrow. I'll only be gone till Tuesday. The girls will be staying with their Nana while I'm away. This will be the longest time I've ever been away from the baby. I'm going to miss them so much! I must say it will be a little nice to only have to get myself ready and I'll actually get to eat a meal without having to stop. I really won't get to sleep in though. That stinks! Well, gotta go spend time with the kids!

Wordless Wednesday

Mattie Update

Today Early Intervention came to the house. The OT, Ms. Lisa, was there to evaluate Mattie's progress. She watched as Mattie was able to grab for a rattle, even switching it from hand to hand. She saw her sit with assistance holding her head steady. Mattie also did a lot of push ups and foot pull ups really working her abs. Some things she wanted to keep a secret like how she can roll over both ways and how well she lifts her head so high when she's on her tummy. Ms. Lisa showed us some new things to work on like holding onto our feet. She said the best tool is the floor and not all those fancy smancy things you can buy. She said her arms and legs will get strong when she plays on the floor. Finally, she said Mattie was doing great and Mattie was meeting all her milestones. Hooray Mattie!

Stolen Again!

O.K. my little Mattie has been kidnapped again! Miss Kim took her last night to spend the night with them. We've also got some other friends asking for their day too! I get more calls that go like this:

"Don't you need to run errands? I'll take the baby."

"Are you getting enough sleep? We could keep the baby."

"Would you like some time to yourself? I would love to have the baby!"

"Wouldn't it be easier if you didn't have to take the baby with you?"

I guess I can't blame them. Who can resist a face like this??

Oh.....What Fun!

Yesterday, my friend Kim and I took the kids to Imagination Station to have some hands on fun. I had my girls and she had her two kids. We also took our friend Tracey's kids and my friend Stephanie's boy. In all we had 8 kids in tow plus Mattie. They had a really nice time. The best thing was that they could touch everything! Here are a few pictures from the day.

Future Dentists'

Head on a Platter
Mirror Fun
That's one big snake!
Coin Fun!

Today Abby went to the dentist to have 3 baby teeth pulled. She was such a champ! It was a 2 hour process, because her dentist let her decide when she needed a break. I thought maybe I'd end up spending the night, but they finally got them out. Her next step is to have an expander placed in the roof of her mouth. We'll crank it with a key each night until the roof of her mouth widens. This will help her to breathe better and give her more room for those new teeth to come down. After that, then the braces will go on.

Ouch!

Low Country Boil

Yummmm! This was one of the meals we had while on vacation. This works best outside. It's an easy meal, with pretty easy clean up. You bring a large pot of water with an Old Bay Season Packet to a boil. We used a turkey cooker to bring the water to a boil faster. When it comes to a boil, add in potatoes, corn on the cob, kielbasi, shrimp, crab legs, and clams. You can add or substitute anything you like or don't like. We usually let the potatoes and corn cook for a little while before throwing in the rest. When it's done, drain the liquid and pour onto a table covered with newspapers. Then you just dig in! When you're finished, roll up the newspaper and throw in the trash.

Tired Lazy Day

Well it looks like Matt is the only one getting anything accomplished today. We all woke up too late for church so he decided to pressure wash the house and stain the rocking chairs. Well he started the chairs and ran out of stain. I know Sunday is a day of rest, but anytime he gets a wild hair to work on the honey do list is fine by me. I did venture out to buy two hanging plants for the porch.....finally in July.....after I've killed all the other plants. I've been out of the neighborhood a total of 3 hours this week. We did go to the pool twice, although we walked one of the days and drove the other.

Mattie has slept most of the day. I don't think she has been feeling well. I'm starting to wonder if she is teething, although it is awfully early. She has been running a low grade fever at night, fussy (not like her at all), and not really wanting baby food or her pacifier. Although, she takes her bottle fine.

Abby has been rather lazy today. She has spent most of her time on the computer and watching tv. I think she's watched her entire allotment of television for this week in one day. I guess we can make an exception today. I think she is still in her PJ's. I guess she'll get a shower and hop right into another set of pj's. The sad thing is that it is a beautiful day. I think she was worn out from yesterdays trip to the pool. She stayed down their for 10 hours! We had two pool parties. A pizza party for lunch and a cookout for dinner. She had fun hanging out with her friends.

Caroline is probably the luckiest of us all. She went to the beach for the day. I must say I'm a little jealous. I love the beach! I just love it more when I don't have to take my entire house.

Well....Hubby just brought back KFC. I told you I was being lazy today!

Movie Night

Last night was family movie night. The girls were so excited from making the popcorn to laying out the blankets. We actually did Jiffy Pop for the first time instead of the homemade popcorn. They were just amazed by the whole process. We were putting in the movie Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium when Caroline decided that Mattie needed to be apart of the movie watching too. So she made her a place on the floor beside her. She actually watched about 20 minutes of the movie. I was very surprised! She looks so grown up!

Question

I was at our local Cracker Barrel and saw a family who had a child with Down Syndrome. I have seen other children of all ages around town as well. My question is......Do you ever go up to families who have ds children and begin talking with them? OR has anyone come up to you when you've been out and about? What is the reaction and/or your feelings?

Four Month Doctor's Appointment

Mattie went to the doctors this week. I can't believe it has been 4 months already! They just grow up too fast. Mattie is doing great. She weighs 12 pounds 1 oz. and 23 inches long. She was in the 75th % on the ds chart and the 25th% on the "typical" growth chart. She is rolling over both ways, smiling, cooing, and holding her head up somewhat steady. She grabs everything she can put in her mouth......watch the hair!! She loves her little soft blanket that has a stuffed rattle cow attached. Her new thing is trying to lift up from a lying position. She'll have the best abs in town if she keeps that up! Her doctor said she is doing wonderful and truth be known, I think she was a little surprised at her progress. EI came to the house on Tues. and the OT is coming out in two weeks to evaluate her progress as well.

Check out this month of American Baby. There is an article about a family who has a son with Down Syndrome. I was a little surpised when I received the magazine and saw it listed on the front cover. Rarely ever do I see stories in Magazines about DS. Thanks American Baby for bringing more awareness of Down Syndrome to others!