MY Sure Sign of Fall!!

Am I the only one who loves these delectable little candies? They have to be the Brachs brand or they just don't taste right. Mike brought these home last week and I'd have a picture of my own bag but sadly....the girls and I ate them all! Okay, I had a bit more than them but it was a very small bag, not the BIG BAG that is shown here, I must add;)

When I see these on the shelves at the grocery store, I know fall is here! With that, I decided to link up to Kelly's Korner for her "show us your life-living room addition! Here's some of the fall decor I've put out for the season:

Our living room, with a cute little baby sitting in the middle of it!:)

I found these Martha Stuart stick on crows at Jo Ann Fabrics and thought they would be fun for Fall/Halloween, something different. And yes, I did put up just a tiny bit of Halloween already but just on the inside! If I don't do it now, it will never get put up and we just can't have that happen!

This is a happy and nice witch's hat a broom;) I'm not a big fan of the ghost and witch thing at Halloween but the girls think it's fun and like I said, it's a happy and nice witch:0

I used to put this on my door step but we don't have a porch at this house so I thought it looked cute by the fire place.

More fun crows, not my usual style but I'm trying to branch out and do some different things!

So this stuff stays up until Thanksgiving, minus the witch hat, broom and crows which will promptly come down November 1st, of course! And then you know what's next!

Happy Fall Ya'll!

This Girl Was Ready!

Harper had her first day of preschool! She's been ready for a while now and was so excited this morning to go!

Now of course, If I made Ainsley a first day of school outfit, I had to make Harper one too! She's was so excited to hold that little book bag, too funny!

With her big sis.

Ainsley was excited for Harper because she'd be getting the same teachers Ainsley had when she was 3 and she couldn't wait to find out what all Harper did when she came home.

At school with her friend Addison-they are just too cute!

Waiting to go in! She's got a nice bruise on her forehead and a scratch on her nose, nice for the first day of school, huh? This girl is always falling or bumping or jumping but she usually just shakes it off!

And this is where I left her. Just a kiss and a hug and a "see ya soon" was it.

Yep, she was ready.

How old is SHE??

Ya'll, I can't tell you how many times I've heard this when people see Bennett!! Really??! Because HE's wearing an airplane on his shirt, dark shorts and little boy shoes! Or... Really??! Because there's a big truck on his onesie, trucks all over his pants and he has a baseball hat around here somewhere. Or one last time... Really??! Because he's wearing a little tie! {Okay, no one ever asked when he was wearing a tie but I thought I'd throw that one in because that's how obvious I feel that Bennett is a boy!} I've also heard: "Oh, how are all these pretty little girls doing?"

Okay, so I realize his hair is a tad bit long but I'm kind

of going for the "shaggy" boy look:

Alright, so maybe not full on Justin Bieber but I think the look is cute so that's what I've been striving for and plus I'm terrified that someone will chop it all off and make him look silly!

So I decided to give him a very small TRIM myself, because I don't want it to get too long and then have people start referring to him as "your sister" to Ainsley or Harper!

Here it is before.

I still like it like this way though...he's just my little love bug!

And here's after! He seems to like it!

I didn't do much back here because he kept jerking and turning and I really didn't feel like taking him to the emergency room from scissor cuts!

Look out Justin Bieber!;)

So what is it? The hair, the long lashes, is he just a "pretty boy". I swear I try to dress him as boyish as I can! Hello, blue collared onesie!

I'm really not that annoyed or offended by it but I do find it interesting that so many people think this or maybe they're just not thinking!

My Everything.

Even though I get frustrated with Bennett's development, he's still the light of my life. Mike refers to this song as "Buddy's song", I used to have it as my first song on my blog a while back. It's by Michael Buble and although it's not written to a baby, it's written to a woman, I find it perfect for how I feel towards Bennett.

He's my everything and I love him more than words can describe. {If your volume's up, you'll hear it;)}

"Everything"

You're a falling star, you're the get away car.

You're the line in the sand when I go too far.

You're the swimming pool, on an August day.

And you're the perfect thing to say.

And you play it coy but it's kinda cute.

Ah, when you smile at me you know exactly what you do.

Baby don't pretend that you don't know it's true.

'cause you can see it when I look at you.

And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times

It's you, it's you, you make me sing.

You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

You're a carousel, you're a wishing well, And you light me up,

when you ring my bell. You're a mystery,

you're from outer space,You're every minute of my everyday.

And I can't believe, uh that I'm your man mom :),

And I get to kiss you baby just because I can.

Whatever comes our way, ah we'll see it through,
And you know that's what our love can do.

And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times

It's you, it's you, you make me sing.

You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times

It's you, it's you, you make me sing.

You're every line, you're every word, you're everything

You're every song, and I sing along.

'Cause you're my everything.

Yeah, yeah

So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

"Milestone Rut"

Yep, that's what we're in folks. Bennett has come to a screeching halt, or so it seems, with his progression. I don't know why I'm surprised because this is how it's always been with him-he goes crazy and does tons of new things and then nothing.

Ugh!

I thought for sure he'd be pulling to stand by now but he just doesn't want to or he gives up too easily. He seems to have the same personality as Ainsley-if he can't do it the first time, forget it! He gets mad and cries and doesn't really want to try again, although I know this isn't entirely true, to give the kid credit he worked very hard at sitting himself up;). He's extremely cautious though and perhaps that's good in some ways {like maybe when he's 3 he won't be running off-I can only hope, right?} but when you've got something that is most likely going to make your life harder, you've kinda gotta have that "go get 'em" attitude and not give up so easily! He's not really happy during his therapies and his eating habits haven't changed.

~Huge Sigh~

Yep, I'm just totally whining right now and for the most part I've chosen to embrace the fact that Bennett has Down syndrome, I mean, I don't feel like I have a choice really. Either dwell on the negative or suck it up, get over it and embrace it. I can't change it so why sulk over it? But right now is one of those times that I'm not a big fan of that pesky, extra chromosome.

I guess I just have to keep telling myself:

The longer it takes him to do something, the sweeter it will be when he finally does it.

With that said, be prepared for a huge "Bennett pulled to stand!!!" post in the future-LOL!

The Perfect Weekend!

We had a great time this past Labor Day weekend at my parent's house! As most of you know, my dad is recovering from his second surgery to remove melanomas from his head. He has a rather large bandage on his head and can't fully turn it yet but he's doing well and it was so nice to see him and my mom!

Me with my dad.

I warned the girls before visiting that they needed to be on their best behavior, not to "annoy granddaddy" and to watch out for his big boo-boo. Well, they are 3 and 5 so you know how that goes;) But they did pretty good and Harper asked my dad why he always has boo-boos on his head;( and he said hopefully this will be the last "boo-boo" he has-we hope so too!!

Sunday, we were invited over to my parent's neighbors house (George and Merlyn) for a brunch! Merlyn is an awesome cook and made us french toast, egg and sausage casserole, cheese grits, bacon, hash browns and mimosas!

Here they are with my mom getting everything ready- the girls were in heaven!

George and Merlyn have a beautiful view of the water, with windows all around and we thought this would be a cute picture of Ainsley on the other side-again, trying to get this kid to play on his knees!! He LOVED looking out of these big windows!

Me and my bub:)

After brunch, the girls took one last dip in the pool for the season, the weather couldn't have been any better!

Ainsley took this picture of Harper-not bad- just a tad out of focus;)

Later on Sunday we got ready for college football! My dad supports East Carolina, of course but his true loyalty is with Virginia Tech, he's a former Hokie! {As I type this, the Hokies are playing and they are not doing good- so sorry dad!!}

We were ready in our purple and gold to watch ECU play Tulsa! ECU ended up winning in the last 3 seconds of the game with a hail mary pass!! Everyone was screaming and cheering and poor Bennett got so upset;(

Okay, well this was before they won! No tears here!

So now were back to the grind and we've got a packed week, actually a packed couple of months! Miss Ainsley has got quite the schedule with school, dance, soccer, piano and The Girl Scout Daisies along with Bennett and all his therapies and then Miss Harper starts preschool! Needless to say, we're all very busy!

Thanks mom and dad for a great weekend!!

Sneaking "Therapy" In...

So our weeks are filled with various therapies- OT, PT, ST- just common practice in the Down syndrome world. But it can get to the point where you stress over it like: "Did I work with Bennett on this or that today?" So now, instead of feeling like we have to have a therapy session when we're not with our actual therapist, I just sneak it in when the timing is right and it's more like play really.

Bennett responds to music and funny noises basically. Pretty simple. He's not a huge fan of his physical therapy because you know, they make him work and all. He now gets PT twice a week- one through Early Intervention and the other private. Currently we're working on his belly muscles with the ultimate short term goal of pulling to stand-he's very close! But he's got to work on playing on his knees first. He's not usually a huge fan of this either...

"What do you want me to do now mom?" "Can't ya tell I'm kinda comfy in this big recliner?"

"Oh so you think singing a song is gonna make me sit up more on my knees, do you?"

"Hmm, I do like this song, though."

"Okay, maybe I like it enough to push up and get excited about it!"

"Hey, this is kinda fun!"

"Sing more mommy, I'm ready to listen and I'm doing what you want me to do!"

{okay, I love this one with his chubby little fingers, looking like a big boy, all eager}

"Alright, I'm tired now, enough with the itsy, bitsy spider!"

See, I just sneak it in about a million times a day here and there;) Always trying to throw "therapy" in during the simplest things-as long as he'll let me!

Have a great Labor Day weekend!!

Bennett Can Feed Himself...

Well, sorta. Still no progress with finger feeding other than picking up a blueberry a few weeks ago and trying to put it in his mouth... but he can use his spoon... sorta;) He's working on it and just needs to realize he has to put it back in the bowl and scoop up more! I will say I'm happy that at least he's not throwing it on the floor like he's done in the past. But I don't think my girls were using a spoon at 15 months- probably because I didn't want the mess-LOL. But with Bennett, I have to let him try. So here he is trying to use his spoon to eat some very lumpy chicken parmesan, cottage cheese and pears-yummy!

As far as the self feeding goes, I'm on the waiting list at two places and hoping to hear back from another feeding therapist about his non-self feeding issues.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

My Baby Girl....

Is no longer my baby girl....

That's right, she's a big girl now!!! Where has the time gone Ainsley?!

The first day of school outfit {the important things, you know;)}

The big girl backpack.

Waiting at the bus stop.

And yes, I got a little teary eyed as that bus drove away. And no, I did not follow it, I did however, drive straight to the school {it's only a block away} and watch her get off the bus from afar, just to make sure;0

She had a GREAT first day of kindergarten!! She told me all about it and is excited to go back tomorrow! I think we're going to have a good school year!

Ahh, my baby girl is growing up!