Our Week and Learning Spaces

What happens when I only have two kids for the week?  Not much!  

The girls were gone to Michigan for the week and are due home tonight, so it was just the boys and I for five days.  It's been pretty quiet around here, but we managed to have some fun anyway.

We did a little school, and lot's of playing.  Owen has been busy taking care of his hermit crab.  These are the perfect pet for our "no pets" family.  They are easy and fun, allergy and stink free!

Owen is a very attentive crab owner.

I had a little time to re-think the formal dining room layout.   We are not formal dining room people, and knew this space would be a dedicated office/learning space instead.  It's open on two sides, so it's been a challenge to get it right.  

If I knew we were going to stay here forever, I would close it in and hang these beauties on both sides!  But this is not likely to be our forever home.  We could have Carrie Underwood sing "This is Our Temporary Home" here, but I won't do that to you!  

I've been learning a little about how to integrate some Montessori principles into our education plan for Ben.  He is beginning to get to the "I want to do it myself" stage, and I want to support and empower him to do things for himself.  It's not always easy for me to do this.  I like a clean space.  I am hoping to show him how to do things himself, with self control and good habits.  i.e. do one thing at a time, clean up after yourself as you go.

We shall see!  He is a tornado! 

So, anyway, I tweaked a few things and hopefully made a more child friendly "can do" space, using things we already had on hand.   The three cheap Walmart rolling kitchen carts I bought 5 years ago have served us well, in many different capacities over the years.

I took the doors off my desk, and moved Owen's desk next to mine.  I eliminated all the loud toys from Ben's space, in hopes that we can all "work" together with fewer distractions.

I've been on a purge the plastic and electronics kick.  Back to basics here.

There are a couple storage closets off this room, they help control the clutter that comes along with homeschooling.  This house has turned out to be such a blessing for our family in this season of life.  It is so live-able, and fits our needs perfectly.  Really an answer to our prayers, right down to the smallest details.  We are grateful.

Speaking of obnoxious things, I wanted to get a Ben sized chair.  Walmart to the rescue again!  I don't usually care for character themed things, but the price was right!

He loves it!  Big stuff!

While we missed the girls very much, it was a nice change of pace for a few days.  I felt like I could finally take a deep breath and enjoy a slower pace, and I know the girls had a great time visiting in Michigan.   

I am working on some fun plans for Beyond Five in a Row for January.  We will be rowing Thomas Edison Young Inventor by Sue Guthridge.  I will be posting weekly wrap ups for that, including resources used.  Can't wait!

Also in the January plans are working on the girls learning space upstairs, I will post picks after that is done.   Have a great weekend!

A Year To Remember

A year ago today, we stepped off a plane and introduced Ben to his new family.

Then.

This has been a year of getting to know each other.  There were more changes in our family during Ben's first year home than I had hoped.  I specifically remember asking for a quiet year!  But, it is what it is.  Ben has rolled with the punches, and has adjusted amazingly well.  

When we started this journey to Ben, we didn't know exactly what to expect.  What will it really be like, day to day?  Are we really, truly crazy for doing this?  Books can only prepare you so much.  

FAITH=Fantastic Adventure In Trusting Him

  I can honestly say that having him home has put all of our fears to rest.  He felt like one of the family right away, and I just feel like his Mom.  A very lucky Mom.  My love for him vs. each of our biological children is no different.   Well, maybe I love them all differently.  They are, after all different  people, with different needs.  But, you can be sure they are all loved with the same intensity, the same ache in my heart.   He is not loved any more or any less because he was adopted.  

Now, I don't want to build him, or our experience up unrealistically.  Of course, there are times, days even, that are more challenging than others.  It's meant a lot of hard work for all of us, and been a daily practice in patience.  He is often loud, squirmy, and uncooperative.  I haven't always handled it with grace.  We are no longer an inconspicuous family.  For better or worse, we make a lasting impression where ever we go. :) Ben has received more than his "fair" share of our parental attention at times.  Despite all this, adopting Ben has exceeded our expectations by a mile.  The amount of joy he brings to our lives is beyond measure.  

Watching Madeline, Marney, and Owen welcome Ben into our lives with open arms has been a gift to all of us.  They are learning that we make adjustments for the special people in our lives.  It's not a sacrifice or an imposition, it's what we do for people that we love.  It's what we do for everyone at times when we all have special needs or concerns.  We all fall and need help getting back up.  They love him more that I could have ever hoped.  They do not resent his presence in our lives.  This little guy has no clue how deeply he has penetrated our hearts, and changed us all forever.

So, what has this little wonder been up to?

Gross motor-  Ben was crawling when he came home, now he is running, climbing, kicking a ball, and trying to jump!

Fine motor-  Still not using a pincer grasp, this is a goal for the next few months.  Doing great at stacking, shape sorting, and the like.  He loves to learn and be challenged.

Self care-  Self feeding, making good progress here.  Not completely independent, but progressing nicely.  He is biting and chewing well.  He can remove all his clothes independently :/  working on redressing!  Loves to "help" brush his teeth, learning to sit still for this process.  Loves the bath tub and everything that goes with it, does not love to get out!

Speech-  Since we started working on learning his ABC's and starting sight words and numbers, he is attempting to say lots of new words.  He uses about 10 signs regularly and appropriately.  His receptive language is better than he would like us to believe.  He understands everything!   

Social-  Does not need any encouragement in this area!  He is our little ambassador, making friends out of strangers where ever we go!  Sometimes needs a reminder to be gentle, and use a quiet voice.  Also working on, hugs are for family, high fives or hand shakes are for friends. 

Education-  Working on learning his ABC's and sight words.  Lot's of flash cards!  Lot's of reading and play time going on here too.

Now.

Ignore my closed eyes, I just love this shot of Ben!

Happy Birthday Ben!

On July 19th, Ben turned 3.  We celebrated a few days later, and I'm just now getting a chance to post the pics.  Between working, job hunting, and planning for the new school year, it's been a little busy.  In the last few weeks we've been to Ohio, Illinois, North Carolina, and Kentucky.  Trying. So. Hard.  Still waiting.  But better to post later, rather than never, right?

Happy boy on his special day.  Blue stains to be explained in the next photo.

Sno-cones!

Cheap entertainment.  Blue dye no. 5.  Must be a party at the Brown's!

Birthday boy worked up a thirst getting dirty in the sandbox, wrong tub big guy!

Presents?  I could learn to like those!

Blowing out the candles.

Shoving a whole cupcake in at once.  Cookie monster style.

More blue dye.

Yum, that was good.

Happy Birthday to our little man.  Looking forward to celebrating many, many more together.

getting in on the action

Oh, happy day.

Exploring

As the weather warms, so very, very, slowly.  Ben's world grows bigger, and bigger.  From a small orphanage in Armenia, to our slightly bigger corner of the globe.  Opportunities abound this little boy.

Exploring the zoo.

Exploring the great outdoors from high atop his Daddy's shoulders.

First train ride.

There is a whole word out there waiting for you buddy.  Just wait until the sun really starts to shine.

Home 5 Months!

I can't believe that tomorrow, Ben will have been home 5 months. After all that waiting, where time seemed to stand still, time is now just flying by. Getting to know this little boy has just been the most amazing experience.

I am having the hardest time writing this update, there are so many questions to be answered, how is he doing? How are we doing? Are things easier or harder than we expected? Do we have any regrets? How is therapy going? Will we send him to school? Does he have any challenging behaviors? Are we doing the best things for him? Have we learned enough? What is it like parenting a child with special needs? All this is swimming through my head, but the only word I can seem to type is beautiful.

That's what he is, perfect and beautiful, busy and curious. More typical than not. He is not a project to be managed. In my most sane moments I remember these things. When I can let go of the anxious feelings of not doing enough, I remember that he is just a sweet little boy. So, I hug him, and remember that he is fearfully and wonderfully made. I cannot change him and take away his disability, but I can support him.

Sometimes reading other blogs is a curse. Other Moms are doing more, they are up on all the latest therapies and supplements, they are scheduled to the hilt. That's great for them, but not for us. It takes effort to remind myself that Ben wants me to relax and play with him, to slowly show him the way. To not be tense and running all over the place all the time. He needs time to move and explore, not time spent in a car seat.

Ben did start therapy, but his "team" and I all agree less is more at this point. We all like it this way, especially Ben. Time in the kitchen to perfect his mixing skills, that's what he wants.

To answer some of those questions, we are all doing great. Things are much easier than we expected. Maybe it's his age, maybe things will get harder, but so far he is not much different than a typical toddler. He is happy and healthy, what more could we ask for? Did I mention he is walking independently, climbing on chairs, navigating the stairs, the boy is on the move. Ay caramba!

I can see clearly....

...when I leave the darn things on!

Ben went to the Opthamologist last week. We learned that he is severely near sighted, and also has blocked tear ducts. Glasses will help with his vision, and a simple surgery will open the ducts.

His new glasses are going to open up a whole new world to him. As Marney said, "he's going to have alot more to talk about!" Love her!

Now if he would just leave them on!

Still talking...

That Video I Promised

A little talking and walking.  And lot's of laughing.


Untitled from Jill Brown on Vimeo.

Ben Update-9 Weeks Home

I can't believe it has only been 9 weeks since we walked off the plane, it feels like Ben has always been here.

The big news this week is that Ben has been cleared by the cardiologist!  He had his sedated ECHO on Wednesday, and passed with flying colors.  Cross one specialist off the list, hurray!

We finally saw the GI doctor on Friday.  They said there is nothing they can do about the spitting up, since he is a "happy" spitter, he just needs to grow out of it.  They do however want to run a few tests to rule out a TE fistula and do a swallow study because of the fact that he coughs with thin liquids.  We are trying to get those scheduled on the same day.  Also, he will be screened for Celiac disease the next time he needs a blood draw.  

His next appointment is with the Opthamologist at the end of the month.  I'm almost certain he will need glasses, and may have blocked tear ducts.  It should be interesting to see how they do exams on wiggly 2 year olds!

Some learning activities Ben is enjoying: While I'm not trying to encourage TV viewing, I do want to capitalize on the fact that children with DS tend to be very visual learners.  I ordered the Signing Time Down Syndrome Bundle and so far we love it.  It's been a good after dinner "digesting in the highchair" activity for Ben.

(I'm learning a lot about all the cool iphone/ipad apps for visual learners and children with special needs.  We don't have either one yet, but it's on our wish list.  I like how portable they are, great for times when we are waiting away from home.  Good blog about all these apps here.  Love the name "ipads for babies")

I am however cautioned about using technology too much, by statements like this: "Too many children are isolating themselves and maybe learning  lots of things with computers but not learning to communicate and socialize in one to one interactions."  Dr. James McDonald.   He goes no to say, "This is particularly important for  children  called Autistic and Down syndrome since they have to be carefully socialized with communicating partners who are matched and balanced and following the child's individual learning paths."

Also, he is loving these felt board activities, seeing his favorite songs acted out makes them all the more fun.    

Ben loves songs with hand motions.  Itsy Bitsy Spider, Head Shoulders Knees and Toes, and Patty Cake, they are life savers when he is getting fussy and needs a distraction.  They suck him in every time!

In other not so fun news, Ben is teething.  He is currently cutting his second set of three teeth!  Poor guy, one is bad enough, but three at the same time, again!  Too much.  Trying to get him to chew on something other than his fingers has been a challenge.

No pictures again today, but I'm working on uploading a video of the cutest laugh in the world. :)  

Have a great weekend.

Play Date

Ben had his first play date yesterday!  My new friend Amy brought her two boys over so the Mom's could chat and the boys could play.  While I didn't take any pictures, we had a great time!

It is such a blessing to have a friend who is an experienced Mom of 3 boys with DS.  Yep, you read that right, 3!  Amy has one biological son with DS and she adopted 2 very special boys from Russia.

Amy has a beautiful family and a huge heart for orphans with Down syndrome, you can check out her blog here.

Thanks again Amy!  I look forward to many more play dates.

I wish I knew who he was calling...

....and what they are talking about.

cause it sure sounded like an interesting conversation. :)