Signing times

We have been using signs sporadically with Ben for over a year now. He has a few signs, but does not use them very regularly. Some of his signs include: more, all done, eat, milk, night night, out and he waves hi and bye.

This morning John was eating a breakfast bar, and he announced with excitement "I think Ben is signing cookie".

Since the time change Ben has been getting up earlier, before I get a chance to shower. To keep him occupied while I get ready, I have been putting him in his playpen and then turn on the Signing times video we have (volume 3 Everyday signs).

The first few days he did not really watch it and just played with his toys. The next few days he would glace at it occasionally.

Lately he has been standing up watching the video and jabbering to the TV. This morning when I turned it on he got very excited and started clapping. (He has not seen it for a few days. )

When I was done with my shower, the DVD happened to be on cookie. I said "Ben can you say cookie?" And sure enough he made a fist with one hand and tapped it on the other hand. It was not perfect, but it sure was close. I was amazed. Then the DVD moved to cereal, and when I asked him to sign cereal, he moved his hand under his chin. Again not perfect, but close enough for me.

I thought that he had been pointing more and trying to use gestures, in an attempt to communicate with me. But I was not sure what he was trying to say. It did not hit me that he would be picking up the signs from the DVD that quickly. I need to pay more attention to the show it to find outwhat all the signs are that he is learning. It sounds like Ben will be getting volumes 1 and 2 for Christmas too. It is so exciting to see him learning signs.

So I think John was right. Ben was signing cookie when he saw his big brother eating a breakfast bar. Way to go Ben!

So Far Behind

Sorry it has been so long since I posted. Been busily trying to move, keep up with everything else and stay sane at the same time.

Here is what has been going on.

Randy has been sick all weekend and the weather has been absolutely beautiful. It would have been the perfect time to move the big stuff, but it was not to be. Unfortunately, I think he might have the flu. Hopefully, he will start feeling better soon, and no one else in the house will get it. He was happy that there was a lot of good football to watch on TV this weekend.

I have been trying to get ready for the Holiday Extravaganza Craft Fair on the Saturday after Thanksgiving at Flying Wheels Roller Skating rink in Elmwood. Lots of stuff to make. We are also planning a bead night in a couple weeks for the DSAF to make Down syndrome awareness bracelets. Here is a picture of one of the styles. This style has 21 pearl beads representing the 21st chromosome and 3 cats eye beads representing the 3 copies of this chromosome. They each come with a card explaining the meaning of the number of beads and a poem.

I ordered supplies and have enough to make 50 bracelets with awareness ribbons and another 50 without. Not sure what the demand will be so I did not want to order too many supplies. We can always order a few more ribbons if needed.

Randy was trying to help with the laundry this weekend and accidentally washed my phone. He dried it also. There were no signs of life. They were able to hook up one of my old phones today, so I am back in business. If you gave me your number recently, I don't have it any more. Sorry!

John is done with football and is eager for basketball to start. He is doing well in school but is not too keen on reading to earn PlayStation time. In fact he even turned down money for doing extra chores this weekend in favor of PlayStation time.

Noah is also doing well in school and is enjoying his first year of cub scouts. He can't wait until next year when he can start basketball too. He also enjoys PlayStation.

Ben is so close to walking. He is cruising along everything, is able to stand up in the middle of the room without pulling up on anything, flies across the room with his push toy and has taken a few steps on his own.

Here are a few belated pictures of Halloween. John felt he was too old and was not going to go. But when we told him he he could not stay home alone, he threw on Randy's old bowling shirt so he could get some candy too. Noah was Darth Vader without a mask and Ben was a little Dinosaur.

Trick or treating is hard work!

Ben's Song of Love

A while back I got a form from our Service Coordinator about a foundation called Songs of Love. This foundation is for children facing life threatening illness or lifelong disabilities. They write, record and mail you a song on CD including personalized content made just for your child.
You can go directly to their website by clicking here.

Last week there was a funny little envelope in the mailbox and sure enough, it was Ben's song.
We were so excited. It is just the cutest song. Here is a video of him and his song. John and Noah make an apperance also. Unfortunately it is hard to watch since he dancing in his bouncer. You might want to just listen.

Capital City Buddy Walk

Saturday was the 8th Annual Capital City Buddy Walk. It was a chilly morning, but we all wore lots of layers to keep warm. It was a fun day, and thanks to some pledges we received this week, our team has raised over $900 for the Down syndrome Association for Families of Nebraska. Thank you to everyone who donated to Ben's Brigade!
We had 19 people walk with Ben's Brigade this year. It was a fun morning filled with lots of activities for the kids, food, and games. We all warmed up a bit during the walk. I told the kids we could cut over to the play ground instead of following the trail the last 50 yards and missed out on getting stickers and giant cookies. Sorry that was my fault! We did end up finding the stickers that got us in to the Children's Museum free that day after lunch. Then we all came home and took a much needed nap. Well at least Ben and I did.

Here are a few pictures from the day.

Ben ready to walk.


Most of our group, but where are the Clymer's?


Here they are.


Aunt Shannon, Why are we out in the cold?


Uncle Steve, keep me warm!

Thank you for all your support!

Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Today starts the beginning of national Down syndrome awareness month. So I thought I would start with a few facts about Down syndrome.
-Down syndrome occurs when an individual has three, rather than two, copies of the 21st chromosome. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome.
-Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition. One in every 733 babies is born with Down syndrome.
-There are more than 400,000 people living with Down syndrome in the United States.
Facts from the National Down Syndrome Society.

Buddy Walk October 3rd

The Buddy Walk is less than a week away, and we are all getting very excited. So far our team, Ben's Brigade, has 21 walkers and has raised just over $700 for the Down syndrome Association for Familes of Nebraska. We are so blessed to have such great support from our family and friends.

There is still time to donate and/or register. Go to dsafnebraska.org for more details.

We also paid for a registration for Elmwood Murdock School, so students, teachers and thier families can come walk with us too. We need to have a total count in by September 30th, so if you can join us on October 3rd, please call me or the office at school to get signed up. Don't for get to wear your Knights attire!

We will meet at Antelope Park (near 30th and A) just east of the barrier free playground between 8:00 and 9:30. Look for Ben's stroller with a Ben's Brigade flag flying from it. There will be lots of fun activites for the kids, food, plus a teriffic raffle . The walk starts at 9:30. After the walk you will get a sticker that will get you in to the Children's Museum free for the rest of the day.

So far the it sounds like the weather will cooperate and it will be a beautiful day. We hope you can join us!

Thanks for all your support.

Angie