The Apple Of My Eye is 6 Months Old!!

Umm yes, I do think I could just eat him right up!

No way, 6 months, really?? The more kids you have the faster it goes by I think!

Well Bennett is just under 16 pounds now and I'm thinking 26-27 inches (I have a scale but I don't measure his length-lol). That puts him in the 75% for the Down syndrome charts for both height and weight and in the 25% for weight for the typical charts and 50% for height.

He is currently getting occupational therapy twice a week and the request for physical therapy was made so hopefully soon he will be getting OT once a week and PT once a week. To my surprise he will also be receiving speech therapy!! When I called and asked for a PT, I also mentioned that I would like him evaluated for speech, knowing I would get some resistance, which I did: "We don't usually offer speech at this young age", well I got a little feisty (in a nice way) with the woman and next thing I knew a speech therapist was calling me! She also has a degree in teaching and is trained in developmental therapy as well so we will be working on things that Bennett should be doing cognitively as well as socially for a 6 month old and so on as he grows. Once she meets Bennett we'll determine how often she'll come out to work on prespeech, eating and developmental therapies.

I ordered Baby Signing Times for Bennett and I'm excited to start sign language with him! I think the girls will really like it as well. We've been working on "How big is Bennett?" and I swear he lifts his little arms sometimes when I don't do it for him- so cute! He also enjoys doing patty-cake and wheels on the bus, really he's just a joy to be around.

So at 6 months Bennett can/is:

• roll both ways and is starting to continue to roll to move across the room
• starting to push up on his arms to get his tummy off the floor
• shake toys and rattles rather ferociously-quite funny to watch him shake his little car seat toy-he makes this serious face and really gets into it
• working on sitting independently- this could take some time though
• hold a crawling position with knees on floor, tummy off the floor and arms straight momentarily-this is just so cute!
• working on putting weight on his legs-he loves doing this and just giggles when he's bounced up and down
• working on eating solids-he seems to like it for the most part
• working on holding his bottle
  

Bennett will be getting a hearing test this month (recommended for babies with DS at 6 months and 1 year) as well as an eye exam. Both the eyes and ears can be issues with kids that have DS so we need to stay on top of it. He will also be getting his thyroid tested-again another issue that can arise... I know, it's a lot but you know, it's not that bad and I'll do anything for this little boy. I was prepared for some of the extra things that come along with having a child with Down syndrome so I'll just go with the flow. I just can't believe he had open heart surgery over 3 months ago! Oh I'm just so thankful he's doing so well right now.

Bennett you are our little cuddly bub and we love you soooo much and yes, you are the apple of mommy's eye!

Happy 6 months!!!