Things we never thought we'd see (videos)

Do you see that? It seems Sean likes to play fetch with himself. LOL




Sean's speech\feeding therapist gave us some helpful hints to get Meredith to eat. She told us that it seems (from what we've told her & what she's seen over the last year) that Meredith is afraid to eat. It's very similar to post traumatic stress, in my opinion. Rosie said it only takes one time for a kid to have pain while eating to make that association & swear off the offending food.

Now that Meredith has relatively well controlled reflux (it only took how long?!) it has come time to help her realize that food is good!!!! We've been telling her how she needs food to grow up big & strong.

Rosie told us that one technique is to offer up rewards & consequences for eating & not eating. So we've started to implement that. If she doesn't eat she loses something she really wants or likes. She can have things she wants after she eats. For instance, if she's wearing a princess costume & refuses to eat, she has to take her costume off. By the same token, when she tries a new food or eats, she gets something she wants. Whether that be to watch a fave tv show, wear a costume, get stickers, get to paint, etc.

It seems to be working. At least a little bit. The other day she pointed at a fried ravioli & asked to eat it. And then..... SHE ATE IT!!!

Tonight I told her that she had to have chicken and if she still didn't like it after trying it, she could have something else. SHE ATE IT!!!! Even Sean got in on the act & had a few peas. When Meredith saw Sean eating peas, she decided on her own to try those too. She took a couple of bites, but..... Well... you'll see.





"Peas are sweet like candy"

Buddy Walk 2011

The NYC Buddy Walk was today. This year was our first year participating in it. I have to say that going into this I had some fears about how I'd feel being there. I would, in essence, be facing my future.

I felt many things today, but the one feeling that kept coming back to me was humble. First. I was truly humbled by the generosity of others. Our team was able to raise close to $3,500 this year for the walk. We even had friends drive a very long way to walk with us.

The amount of support that people have given to us throughout our journey so far is truly amazing. I don't think I could have gotten through the trials & tribulations of raising a child with Down syndrome without your support. We have had many good times and many trying times. We've made some wonderful friends  and our kids have made some amazing friends.

Happy Buddy Walk 2011!!! It was a great time and the rain held out for us :)