Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Ray of Sunshine
Things have been pretty busy at our house.We are getting adjusted to life with my Mom and her little dog Bruno.My mom has Alzheimer's and can't live by herself anymore.For the most part things have been going pretty good.My 7 yr old daughter Rebecca is scared of my mom's dog though and even after 2 months is still mostly staying in her room to stay away from the dog.She has always been terrified of dogs and it doesn't help that Bruno,who is a long haired chiuaua,is yippy and growls about everything .
I bought games,play dough,puzzles,new coloring books and markers to keep Becca busy while she is in her room.I also try and take her with me on any outings I have to make and on Saturday I had one of my son's take the television out of my room and put it in Rebecca's room . She loves to watch the qubo channel and play Barbie on the x-box.
My mom enjoys being around all my kids and keeps telling me that Ruby is a,"Ray of sunshine." Ruby thinks grandma is pretty special too and pats and hugs on her any chance she gets.
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I bought games,play dough,puzzles,new coloring books and markers to keep Becca busy while she is in her room.I also try and take her with me on any outings I have to make and on Saturday I had one of my son's take the television out of my room and put it in Rebecca's room . She loves to watch the qubo channel and play Barbie on the x-box.
My mom enjoys being around all my kids and keeps telling me that Ruby is a,"Ray of sunshine." Ruby thinks grandma is pretty special too and pats and hugs on her any chance she gets.
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| Reading with Grandma |
Monday, June 13, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Ruby and I reading together
Ruby's favorite books right now are Dr.Suess' 'Put Me In The Zoo,' and 'Hop on Pop.' She brings them to me several times a day and says,'Read!" Here we are reading together :
Monday, June 6, 2011
I'm Blogging for Books
Sir Quinlan and the Swords of Valor by Chuck Black is the fifth book in the Knights of Arrethtrae series.It is an action filled christian allegory written for young adults. I chose this book as my first book to blog about because I thought my 13 year old son, who is an avid reader, would enjoy it. I have to say I really enjoyed reading this book myself and had a hard time putting it down. I had no problem handing it over to my son to read because there is nothing questionable in this book that I wouldn't want him to read.He read it in one afternoon and enjoyed it as much as I did.We are both looking forward to reading Chuck Black's other books in the Knights of Arrethtrae series.
Here is the first chapter for you to enjoy :
Sir Quinlan by Chuck Black (Chapter 1)
“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.
Here is the first chapter for you to enjoy :
Sir Quinlan by Chuck Black (Chapter 1)
“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.
Monday, May 23, 2011
The Many Benefits of Baby Sign Language
More and more parents are discovering the many benefits of baby sign language, including the simple fact that it’s fun! It is so cute watching your little one communicate with those chubby little hands! But there’s a practical side to baby sign too!
Studies show that baby sign language helps with speech development. Signing toddlers learn to speak sooner, and develop larger vocabularies than non-signing toddlers. They’ve also been shown to have higher reading levels once they learn to read. One study even suggested that baby sign language can increase a baby’s IQ!
As we know, many children with Down syndrome have speech delays. They can often understand us perfectly, but don’t yet have the ability to speak to us. This can cause enormous frustration for any child! Sign language can help alleviate this frustration, which, of course, makes life easier for everyone in the family, especially the signing child!
So, signing can make for a happier child. It can also help build a child’s confidence. Many children become more comfortable with social interactions once they learn a few signs. Signing can empower them!
Children with Down syndrome are very often visual learners, and they can take very quickly to sign language. For many children, signing seems to come naturally to them. (Of course, this is after they see their parents sign something a hundred times!) Children will naturally gesture to communicate. Sign language just helps everyone understand these gestures!
And getting started is easier than you might think. First of all, use us at BabySignLanguage.com. We are free. Our site offers instructional videos, a sign language dictionary (based on American Sign Language), printable flash cards, and a printable wall chart. Everything is free. We are here to help. And we hope to create a community that allows parents to help one another, so ask your questions, share your tips, and offer your support!
We recommend starting slow. Depending on the age of your child when you begin, you might want to start with one to five signs. Learn these signs yourself (it’s easier than you think), and then use these signs every time you say the corresponding word. So, every time you say the word “book,” make the sign for book. It won’t take long for your child to associate your gesture with its meaning. Then, you will likely see your child imitate your gesture when you make it. And eventually, your child will use this gesture spontaneously to communicate the idea of “book”!
Just remember to always tie the spoken word to the sign. While it can be tempting to just use the sign independently, remember that speech is our end goal, so be sure to encourage vocalizations as well as signing. (Though if you’re tempted to sign “Stop!” in church, go ahead – it’s a great trick!)
This article was provided by babysignlanguage.com a website featuring
digital resources including a baby sign language dictionary, baby sign
language flash cards, and baby sign language wall chart 100% free.
Studies show that baby sign language helps with speech development. Signing toddlers learn to speak sooner, and develop larger vocabularies than non-signing toddlers. They’ve also been shown to have higher reading levels once they learn to read. One study even suggested that baby sign language can increase a baby’s IQ!
As we know, many children with Down syndrome have speech delays. They can often understand us perfectly, but don’t yet have the ability to speak to us. This can cause enormous frustration for any child! Sign language can help alleviate this frustration, which, of course, makes life easier for everyone in the family, especially the signing child!
So, signing can make for a happier child. It can also help build a child’s confidence. Many children become more comfortable with social interactions once they learn a few signs. Signing can empower them!
Children with Down syndrome are very often visual learners, and they can take very quickly to sign language. For many children, signing seems to come naturally to them. (Of course, this is after they see their parents sign something a hundred times!) Children will naturally gesture to communicate. Sign language just helps everyone understand these gestures!
And getting started is easier than you might think. First of all, use us at BabySignLanguage.com. We are free. Our site offers instructional videos, a sign language dictionary (based on American Sign Language), printable flash cards, and a printable wall chart. Everything is free. We are here to help. And we hope to create a community that allows parents to help one another, so ask your questions, share your tips, and offer your support!
We recommend starting slow. Depending on the age of your child when you begin, you might want to start with one to five signs. Learn these signs yourself (it’s easier than you think), and then use these signs every time you say the corresponding word. So, every time you say the word “book,” make the sign for book. It won’t take long for your child to associate your gesture with its meaning. Then, you will likely see your child imitate your gesture when you make it. And eventually, your child will use this gesture spontaneously to communicate the idea of “book”!
Just remember to always tie the spoken word to the sign. While it can be tempting to just use the sign independently, remember that speech is our end goal, so be sure to encourage vocalizations as well as signing. (Though if you’re tempted to sign “Stop!” in church, go ahead – it’s a great trick!)
This article was provided by babysignlanguage.com a website featuring
digital resources including a baby sign language dictionary, baby sign
language flash cards, and baby sign language wall chart 100% free.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Guess who I met!
I went to a home school book fair on Friday that has been held in a city near me for the last 27 years.I have been homeschooling for 20 years and for many of those years I have used, Math U See, with my children.Last year I didn't go and I missed getting to meet,"Mr.Math U See",Steven Demme.When I heard Mr.Demme was going to be at the book fair again this year I made sure to attend.I was so thrilled when I found out Mr.Demme was going to be speaking at 3 different times during the day. His last talk,"Finding Hope and Redemption in the Valleys of Life," was about how his youngest son,who is blessed with an extra 21st chromosome,affected his life.Mr. Demme has a blog called,The Family that Stays Together .
He is such a nice man and took time to talk with me and two of my girls that were there.He autographed a book I bought from him about how to have family devotion time and let my daughter snap the picture below.
And guess who else I got to meet! The beautiful Miss Carrington and her sweet mommy Shelley! I was just walking around the book fair tables looking at books and saw this woman holding a sweet little baby in a sling.I looked closer and thought,I've seen that beautiful face before! So I said," Is this Carrington?" Shelley turned to me and said,"Yes,it is!" Shelley was so nice to let me take this picture. If you don't know who Carrington is you can go to her blog Carrington's Courage and read all about this precious little sweetie.
He is such a nice man and took time to talk with me and two of my girls that were there.He autographed a book I bought from him about how to have family devotion time and let my daughter snap the picture below.
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| I got to meet Mr.Demme! |
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| Shelley and Miss Carrington! |
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Ruby is Coloring
I was coloring with my 8 year old daughter Rebecca and Ruby came over and grabbed a crayon and started scribbling coloring,too. I haven't taken Ruby to OT in months but coloring was one of the things they used to try and get her to do.
Ruby had started resisting therapy and I felt like driving for 20 minutes for a crying session was not beneficial. My children and Iplay work daily with Ruby on skills she should be achieving. Taking a break from therapies has helped Ruby to fit into our family life and just be the baby.
Ruby had started resisting therapy and I felt like driving for 20 minutes for a crying session was not beneficial. My children and I
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
In Remembrance of Carly George
I posted this last year on this date and wanted to share it again.I miss Carly and her beautiful smile.I will never forget her.You never get over the death of a child.
Thinking of You with Love
We thought of you with love today,
but that is nothing new.
We thought about you yesterday,
and days before that too.
We think of you in silence,
we often speak your name.
All we have are memories,
and your picture in a frame.
Your memory is our keepsake,
with which we will never part.
God has you in His keeping,
we have you in our hearts.
A million times we`ve wanted you.
A million times we cried.
If love could only have saved you,
you never would have died.
It broke our hearts to lose you.
But you didn`t go alone.
For a part of us went with you...
the day God called you Home.
~Author Unknown
Thinking of You with Love
We thought of you with love today,
but that is nothing new.
We thought about you yesterday,
and days before that too.
We think of you in silence,
we often speak your name.
All we have are memories,
and your picture in a frame.
Your memory is our keepsake,
with which we will never part.
God has you in His keeping,
we have you in our hearts.
A million times we`ve wanted you.
A million times we cried.
If love could only have saved you,
you never would have died.
It broke our hearts to lose you.
But you didn`t go alone.
For a part of us went with you...
the day God called you Home.
~Author Unknown
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Ruby's hearing test
My husband and I took Ruby to Children's Hospital to have her hearing tested today.I was very pleased with how quickly we were seen.We have been to this hospital before to have Ruby's eyesight tested and were seen very quickly then,too.I was pleasantly surprised because this is a very large hospital and thought it might be a very long wait.
When Ruby's name was called we were taken back into a small soundproof room.My husband sat with Ruby in a chair in the middle of the room with speakers on either side of them.The audiologist played different sounds and called to Ruby through the speakers. Ruby did very well and responded to almost all of the sounds.There were a few very light sounds that Ruby did not respond to.
When the test was over we were told that Ruby showed a very slight hearing loss which may be because of a recent upper respiratory infection that Ruby has been fighting.We were told she would need to see the ENT and then come back for a follow-up hearing test when her cold clears up completely.So overall we were pretty happy.
The audiologist was a very friendly young woman,Ruby liked her very much and hugged her goodbye when it was time to go.
Here are pictures of Ruby in the car on the way to the appointment :
When Ruby's name was called we were taken back into a small soundproof room.My husband sat with Ruby in a chair in the middle of the room with speakers on either side of them.The audiologist played different sounds and called to Ruby through the speakers. Ruby did very well and responded to almost all of the sounds.There were a few very light sounds that Ruby did not respond to.
When the test was over we were told that Ruby showed a very slight hearing loss which may be because of a recent upper respiratory infection that Ruby has been fighting.We were told she would need to see the ENT and then come back for a follow-up hearing test when her cold clears up completely.So overall we were pretty happy.
The audiologist was a very friendly young woman,Ruby liked her very much and hugged her goodbye when it was time to go.
Here are pictures of Ruby in the car on the way to the appointment :
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| "Hi" |
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Help Bring Ian Home
Go and take a look at this Giveaway to help bring Ian home from Eastern Europe! Some very unique necklaces have been donated to help raise the $25,000 needed.I know I would LOVE to own one of these beautiful pieces!
http://bring-hope-home.blogspot.com/2011/04/wear-hope-and-help-us-get-ian-home.html
Here are some pictures of my princess.
http://bring-hope-home.blogspot.com/2011/04/wear-hope-and-help-us-get-ian-home.html
Here are some pictures of my princess.
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| All dressed-up for church |
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| Watching Oswald |
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Don't miss The Boy from Baby House 10
Don't miss this story on Dateline tonight.Children like this are why I advocate for adoption.There are so many beautiful children who have great potential being neglected and abused.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Sissy!
It's Meagan again. :D
I don't think I've wrote on here since we went to South Carolina.. But, anyways, Mom wanted me to write on here today.
Mom's been sick lately, so I was helping her take care of Ruby this morning; I picked her up and she called me sissy for the first time! It was soo cute. ^.^ And last night I was playing with her, and I was hiding under a blanket, and she stuck her head underneath it and said "Hi there!" really clearly. [:
Friday, April 8, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
World Down Syndrome Day and a Birthday
Today is World Down syndrome Day.
World Down Syndrome Day takes place on 21 March every year. This date (21/3) represents the 3 copies of chromosome 21, which is unique to people with Down syndrome.
Here is my Ruby.
World Down Syndrome Day takes place on 21 March every year. This date (21/3) represents the 3 copies of chromosome 21, which is unique to people with Down syndrome.
Here is my Ruby.
Today is also my son's 6th birthday.
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