The Cat Didn't Get Any

Need I say more? Cute and clever!

We just discovered what those disposable bibs with the pocket on the front are for, that Steve's sister gave us before Samantha was born. I'd forgotten all about them until this moment.
I was so excited at this new turn of feeding events that I tried the same thing the next day, and found out that trying new things does not work when baby is tired.

I'm So Proud!

I swear, every day brings us something new. I'm always so proud of Samantha, I could just burst!

On Thursday Sam's physical therapist brought us a walker to encourage Sam to move forward and, well, learn to walk! Well, she said that that was the best she'd ever seen any child use that walker for the first time, including her own typical child! It's totally just a matter of time before she really takes off!
We've been waiting for ages for Samantha to show some sort of interest in picking up foods or snacks and putting them in her mouth and chewing. Lastnight I gave her a peach puff and put it in her mouth for her, then put a few on the floor in front of her, and lo and behold, she picked one up and put it directly into her mouth! It was just about as shocking as the night I walked into her room and saw her sitting up in her crib. If Steve hadn't been sitting right there watching it, I would have been desperate for a witness.
Last but certainly not least, I had submitted a couple of photos of Samantha to the NDSS for this year's Times Square video. On the day of the NYC Buddy Walk, they'll show a video montage of people with Down syndrome interacting with friends, the community, or just having fun. I sent two photos--one of Samantha laughing on a swing (the photo that's on my first blog entry at the bottom of this page), and one of Samantha and Matthew playing together in a pool. Well, out of the over 2500 submissions, only about 215 were chosen, and Samantha on the swing got picked! So her picture will be plastered over this massively huge video screen and posted on the NDSS website in the video. I'm very excited about this! Of course, we won't be rushing up to New York (it's on September 30th) to see it live, but that's okay. Here's a link to last year's video: http://www.buddywalk.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/tsv.contentItem/contentID/09404688-78f0-475e-848a-242168cdf319

And speaking of the Buddy Walk, our team page is up for the Northern VA walk on October 13th at https://www.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=235179&lis=1&kntae235179=FCDE263D5CA64949829C5595C5B85CDA&supId=0&team=2046690&cj=Y

Samantha's First Childhood Illness...sort of

First of all, I should point out that Steve made it back from England safely. His father was stronger by the time Steve left, due in part, no doubt, to the presence of his family around him. They actually moved him home this past Friday so he can now sit in and enjoy his garden around him, rather than sterile hospital walls.

Yesterday Samantha woke up covered in a strange rash that seemed to be more concentrated on her elbows, knees and backside (although it's all over). But she didn't seem to be showing any kind of symptoms of illness. We called the doctor, who assured us she'd had her measles, mumps and rubella vaccine at her last visit. She told us that there are hundreds of viruses that cause rashes and that have few other effects and that we should just wait it out. Today the rash looks worse, but Samantha still doesn't seem bothered by it. I took her out shopping, mindful of the looks I was likely to get. As it was, no one looked twice, and I shooed one little girl away before she reached curious fingers out to her. I told her mother that Sammi was just getting over something, and boy did she pull that child away quickly!

Here's a photo from yesterday, with Sam not looking any worse for wear. You can't see the rash in this picture, though.

I totally forgot to mention that while Steve was in England, the day that the post below was written, Samantha started full-on crawling! No more commando-style! She especially likes to go after the cats (who have now learned not to take any moments of peace for granted). Oh, and she'll start heading in the direction of the cable box under the tv, and when I rush toward her, telling her "no!", she crawls even faster! Cheeky little thing. She has these 3 little colored plastic balls that she likes to pick up and throw, and if you ask her, "where's your ball?" she'll look all around her until she spots one and crawl over to it to pick it up! I'm really, really proud of her. Renee, her physical therapist, had her practicing her balance the other day by standing her up with her back against a wall and reaching out for things. Renee is amazed by Samantha's progress and said she's sure she'll see her as a star in the Special Olympics some day. I have no doubt.