Play Date and Buddy Walk

Last weekend was busy, but very fun!

On Friday Claire had an appointment for an Upper GI and a Swallow Study (more on this later).  After the appointment we headed to Colorado Springs for our very first Ds play day!  We got to meet Erin and Lucas, Stephanie and Faith, and Melissa and Jesenia.  After getting to know everybody on Facebook and through our blogs it was wonderful to actually meet in person.  And yes, every one's kids really are as cute in person as they are in pictures!!

Claire and Jesenia

Kisses!

Faith, Claire (with a handful of Jesenia's hair), and a happy (for now) Jesenia

Lucas, and hopefully the last blurry picture to be posted here as I just ordered a new camera!

Saturday Claire and I walked in our first Buddy Walk, as part of Lucas's team.  It was a beautiful day, though it was quite warm by the time the walk was over.  We walked three miles through beautiful Manitou Springs and had a wonderful time.  The atmosphere was friendly and fun, with strangers becoming friends as they walked and talked.

Heading out on the walk

My view during most of the walk

Quick Update

• Claire has been sleeping in her crib for about a week now, and she loves the extra room.  She moves around so much when she sleeps that I think she is sleeping better with the extra space as opposed to being squished in her bassinet.  Now I just need to find somewhere to store the bassinet to get it out of our room...Check out the bed head!

• Solids are still going well...as long as we feed her something she likes.  Carrots and sweet potatoes are good, cereal is tolerated, and green beans are terrible according to Claire.
• We've also started feeding some table food.  Cucumber spears have been a big hit.  She's also had cantaloupe and I plan to try watermelon tonight.

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  I decreased the number of bottles from 5 to 4 per day and increased the ounces per bottle.  This has freed up time in the evenings and now I feel like I can play with her when I get home from work instead of just rushing from one feeding to the next.
• Swallow study and Upper GI are on Friday.  Claire sometimes coughs her way through her bottles and we hope to rule out reflux and aspiration.
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  I feel like a blog slacker right now, but things have been pretty uneventful (knock on wood!) lately.  We do have a Buddy Walk this weekend and will meet some other bloggers, which I am soooo excited for.

7 Months Old and 6 Month Pictures

To celebrate Claire's 7 month birthday today, here are her 6 month pictures.  There are so many that I love that I have a hard time picking a favorite...

On The Move

For the last couple of weeks Claire has been doing lots of rolling.  She's been able to roll from her back to belly for months, and recently got the hang of going belly to back.  She's been practicing her new skills, flip flopping constantly, but primarily staying in one place.  Not anymore!

She's now discovered if you put multiple rolls together not only do you get to new places, but you can get to things you aren't supposed to play with.  Her rolls are usually only stopped by obstacles, like furniture.  She's also getting the hang of pivoting, so her rolls aren't in a straight line anymore.

This all means that first, I need to clean up my floor and second, that I can't just plop her on the floor and go to the kitchen.  Claire now has to come with me and either sit in the high chair, or the bouncer.  And she's not a fan of the bouncer as you can see by her outstretched 'rescue me' arm.

Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk

I am FINALLY getting the walk info posted and emailed to everyone. Below is the email I sent to friends and family.  If you are in the area, we would love to have you walk with us, or support Claire as a virtual walker. We are looking forward to a great day filled with fun, family and friends!

Friends and Family,


This year is our 1st annual Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk! Please join us for a fun-filled day benefiting a great cause! Mile High Down Syndrome Association (MHDSA) needs our help to promote acceptance of all people with Down syndrome and raise much needed funds for their vital programs.  All of the funds raised from this event stay right here in Colorado!

The Step Up Walk will be held Sunday, September 26 at City Park, Denver.  The days activities start bright and early (7 am!) with a pancake breakfast, followed by the walk and entertainment.  There will be face painting, games and a band throughout the morning.  Bear's Buddies will have a team tent set up, and picnic lunch after the walk. We hope you are able to join us a for a day of fun!  We have been inspired and blessed by Claire's extra chromosome, and can't wait to show the world that she is "more alike than different"!

Your involvement in the Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk -- by walking with Claire or by sponsoring her -- will make steps for a brighter tomorrow for all individuals with Down syndrome.

Thank you for your support!
Darren, Melissa & Claire

Eating Like a Champ

It's been almost two weeks since Claire has been eating solids and she's doing great with them.  The first few times trying the cereal were just ok.  I could tell Claire wasn't quite sure what I expected her to do, and she never seemed all that thrilled with the cereal. Not that I blame her...She would hold the cereal in her mouth and then slowly spit it all out. 

After a few tries we added some carrots and that has been going much better.  She always grimaces with the first bite, but I could tell right away she was swallowing it, which I was never sure of with the cereal.

Now, she's eating the carrots like a champ.  She opens her mouth for bite after bite and I know for sure that more is getting in her than on her!