David's 1-year Milestones!

David just celebrated his 1st birthday last week!  YAY, big boy!  And as 2011 we have moved into a new area- which for David means we are taking a therapy "break" as we try to switch from SKIP to Birth To Three.  I just got my paperwork from BTT today, so hopefully David can be assessed soon and start his therapy! 

So considering David hasn't had a formal therapy session in a month due to the holdiays and the move, I think he's made some big progress!

Gross Motor:
-Still not "walking" yet, his step taking abilities seem stagnant from last month.  We got some orthotics, but the shoes we got with them "Hatchbacks" are too big/bulky/heavy.  David can't even lift his leg with them on!  So I thought his walking would really take off since we got these, but I have a call in for some lightweight shoes called "Squeekers" that go over the orthotics.  Unfortuetely, the orthotics will slip and slide over carpet or hardwood if David tries to walk in them...  So when we start therapy, maybe the therapist can help me with them!
-Pull to stand from the floor- he now needs less help.  He needs me to help move one of his legs under his bum bum, and he will instantly step out with the free foot and bring the other in to stand!
-David is starting to cruise!  We are praticing this on the sofa since I can place interesting objects on the cushion just out of arms' reach, and he will take steps towards the object.  David just doesn't realize how important it is to balance and to use his hands to hold on too.  He'll start a step or two towards the object he wants and lean and fall over! (I'll catch him, of course!) 
-On tummy, David is pivoting now!  He's not crawling yet, but I believe it'll be soon!  He's pushing off of toys with his legs to move in diferent directions. He has such a will to move around- he even wants to climb on to daddy, but his little body won't let him at the moment.  Soon, I hope!
-For Christmas David got to bring home a jumper!  Ever since David's been jumping and dancing every day, and I can tell that it's strengthening his legs, and that he's even slimmed down a little!

Fine Motor:
-David will choose the princer grasp on his own if he sees 1 cheerio. If he sees a pile, he'll still try to just grab them all with his whole hand.
-David is now using his sippy cup successfully during meals!  Before, he would "bite" the spout and not suck or take a sip, but now he's doing so well!

Fine Motor/Social:
-David will clap his hands and smile if I say "clap your hands!"
-David will sometimes pat his legs if I say "pat your legs!"
-He's responding to me signing "More Food" by smiling and opening his mouth

Hopefully I can start blogging more soon.  I hope to figure out how to add photos on my posts and to personalize this site more so.  At least it's serving as a place to document what David has been doing... before everything is just a distant memory! :-)  Blessing to you all!

David's Milestones- almost 11 months!

David, my beautiful son with Down syndrome, is 2 days shy of 11 months... and here is what the little man can do: (It's so much better to focus on what he CAN do, instead of what he CAN'T!!)

Gross Motor:
-If I hold on to his hand and lean him forward, he can take several steps on his own
-Pull to stand from sitting on floor with little help (I need to reposition his feet back a little once he pulls up)
-Stand with one hand holding on
-When standing- if I spread out his legs, he will move one of the legs closer... almost cruising!
-On tummy, David can push up with his hands to hold the top half of his body up
-Pivot 90 degress- wearing a Spio
-Roll over both directions
Fine Motor:
-Eat cheerios, starting the princer grasp
-Puts hand up when I say "High 5!"
-Plays well with toys
-Holds his bottle to feed... but it will fall several times, and I will keep giving back to him!
-Bangs two blocks together

Social Skills:
-HAPPIEST GUY EVER!!
-If I cough, he will repeat by coughing to me.
-Knows that if I say "Airplane" then he gets lifted up in the air.
-Loves Daddy Time!
-Says dada, mama... and other "noises". Sometimes it sounds like he's saying real words...

I am trying to teach him sign language for simple things like "Mommy" "Daddy" "More" "Eat" "Drink" "Milk" "All Done"... but so far I don't see any evidence of him responding to me when I do the signs, nor does he try to do himself.  I will let you know when he starts joining in! 

I'm sure there's so much more he can do, that I'm not thinking of at the moment, but these are the obvious things... We are currently working on cruising, moving from floor to sitting position, clapping hands, saying words!!  Thanks for reading, check back soon for more updates on our family!