Don't DIS my Ability

I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to buy these shirts for the boys.  I wore them on them for the Pittsburgh Down Syndrome Association 2011 calendar, but we decided not to have Calebs cast in the photo so they have close up shots and the shirts were not visible in the photos.  I plan on getting more photos of them in these adorable shirts, they were just hanging out watching tv on my bed and I had to grab my camera.  They are just so darned cute!!

Wordless Wednesday

Blog Help

I have this annoying box that says image or video has been deleted.  How do I get rid of it??  Geesh, its annoying :)

Your Baby CAN Read... Month FOUR

Well, better late than never.  I am trying to update my blog monthly on how the boys are doing with this program.  I am one week late today.  As some of you may know, we have dealt with ALOT the past 5 weeks with Caleb having a broken femur and being in a 1/2 body cast, so being one week late is pretty good.  With Caleb being in a SPICA cast and not mobile at this time, he's been watching alot of tv.  The boys usually watch way more tv than my other three children ever did, but Caleb is watching hours and hours of television everyday.  This being said, its good for him using this program because he loves watching the Your Baby CAN Read DVD's.  He claps when I put them in, so I know its not a chore to watch them, its enjoyment for him.  Isaac enjoys them very much too, but he's really into running around and playing with toys alot now too, so he may not sit and watch the whole video but he definitely knows his favorite parts as you will hear his little feet pitter patter across the house to come and listen when his favorite song being sung.

We still goto Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy twice a week.  One boy in session for 1/2 hour the other boy in the waiting room for 1/2 hour doing flash cards or reading through the books.  As I mentioned last month, its still completely priceless to see the jaws dropping on the other people in the waiting areas watching the boys reading and signing the words and the pure excitement the twins show by being right.

I am not having the best luck with capturing this on video.  I cannot figure out how to get my video from my video recorded to my computer and the cell phone that we used this month seems to not have audio??  So I apologize for the quality of this video but even without sound you can see what words they are reading by their signs.  And if you don't know sign language.... well, trust me.. They ARE reading!!!  Our tally is about 50 words now that they are recognizing and reading.  Its so exciting and still very encouraging that these boys WILL be readers!!!

The first video is them watching Level 3 DVD

The Second Video is them reading from the My First Words book which contains 30 words for growing minds, they can read every one of the words.  We are still working on signs with them for zebra, umbrella and bucket, but they recognize the words, just can't communicate them to us yet.  I am VERY happy about this!!

I am still totally amazed at the response we've seen out of the boys with this program.  I am anticipating great things from both boys in the future!!!

Happy 7th Birthday Elijah

Its so hard to believe 7 years ago we became parents to our first son.  Elijah Thomas came into this world super fast.. contractions started at midnight, by the time I figured it was time to head to the hospital it was 12:30, we arrived at the hospital at about 12:50 and before they even got me into a room I was pushing. He arrived at 1:05am, no pain meds, not cameras ready, no time to even think about what was happening.  Doctor didn't even get all of her scrubs on, just her gloves and booties over her sneakers... actually it was quite a funny sight.

He is still as unpredictable and on the go today and keeps me guessin even more.  He loves to read, he loves playing the Wii for hours at a time until he can solve a game or at least complete several stages.  He is the fastest runner I've ever seen for a kiddo his size.  He is the most coorporative child at home yet the most stubborn if he does not want to do something.  He is great at praying before meals and is so compassionate towards those he knows need prayer, including his twin brothers.  He is amazing with them and I know they love having Elijah as their big brother.

Seven years have gone by so fast.  I look forward to another year and all the guessing I'll be in for with this little man.  I am so blessed to have all five of my children.  I thank the Lord daily and pray that he will give me the wisdom and guidance to raise them in according to his will.  Elijah is on the right road and my prayers are that he always remains in this direction.

Love You Elijah Thomas!!!
~Mom

And now we are 3..

Tristin, Camille and Elijah left on July 2nd with Grandma and Papa for Florida.  They spent the first week in Disney and got to visit with Uncle Jimmy who lives in Orlando.  They would call and check in every night with what they have done and how much fun they are having.  It was great timing actually for them to go when they did since Caleb has his accident.  Caring for Caleb in his SPICA cast he's wearing to due to falling and breaking his femur bone on June 24th has been taking alot of my time.  He just wants me to sit by him all day long and watch cartoon and tickle him.  Its the least I can do for the little bugger.  I think he's taking this whole thing alot better than I would, being in the same position all day and all night everyday.

The phone calls have tapered off and have become much shorter and less descriptive of what the kids are doing in Florida.  They are "just to busy" to talk on the phone.. so I am missing them a ton.

Now today, Tom just left to goto Hershey for an annual conference he attends at the Hershey Lodge.  We generally go with him and enjoy the hotel pool all day with the kiddos.  With Caleb in his cast, we cannot go.  So Tom is heading solo to Hershey as I type this and I am all alone with the twins for the next two days.  Tom will be back Tuesday evening.  WOW!!!!  We went from 7 to 3 in less than two weeks time.. its quiet.. laundry is caught up... dishes are done... I am cooking way to much at each meal, gotta figure out smaller portion sizes to prepare...  I think I'm getting a taste of empty nest syndrome.  I dunno, it does have its ups and it does have it downs, but I like chaos and noise and never knowing whats going to happen the next minute.

So what shall I do??  I was thinking about picking some blueberries here on the farm and canning some blueberry jam  OR I could surprise Tristin, Camille and Elijah and wallpaper their bathroom for them.  That is something I've been wanting to get to for a year now, even purchased all the supplies and never did it... OR I could hit the walkway tomorrow for a jog and take my time and enjoy the scenery.

What to do?? What to do??  Twins are in preschool tomorrow from 9 to 12:30... hummm????

Tristins Photography

Tristin is basking in the Florida sun right now with Camille, Elijah, Grandma and PaPa.  I was going through some recent photos off my camera and I had to share how talented my 12 year old is with my camera.  She is only given permission to use it on occasion and under supervision, (I have a great Cannon Rebel) but what she produced amazed me.  I actually have one of her photos as my background on my desktop of my computer.  I love it!!



Then while I was working in the garden we found the most beautiful caterpillar and she wanted to photograph it so she brought it up and put it on one of our potted sunflower plants.

Love her Zebra Specs??


Gummie worms?


Our Dogs... Auggie Doggie and Rosco



Love this one!!


And captured her brother Caleb propping on the bedpost


Thats my Girl...