Happy Forty-Eight Week Birthday, my little princess ...

yes, I overlooked this yesterday! thank goodness I had a pic I hadn't already used! here she is - just four weeks away from turning one! I'm trying to think of where to do her party ... oh yes, there will be a party! I'm trying to think of what her cake should look like, but then I guess that also depends on how big it has to be, depending on how people will come! anyhow - here is her weekly birthday!

Happy Eleven Month Birthday, my little princess ...

you'll have to excuse my grainy, yellow, etc. photos these days! I'm trying to not use my flash, but obviously all the info I read didn't sink in far enough - so the pics are just yellow and grainy! then I break down and use the flash and they're either over or under exposed - as always. UGH I tell ya!!!

Happy Forty-Seven Week Birthday, my little princess ...

really? pictures again???

just kiddin, ma - I LOVE pictures!

this is my sweet and innocent face!

awww - am I precious or what?

look what I can do!

I love dancing and being silly!

say what???

you're so funny mama!
(are we done yet?)

I know I'm adorable!

just chillin

I'm just too cool

Happy Forty-Six Week Birthday, my little princess ...

so, that means that Zoey's first birthday is only six weeks away and I truly can't believe that! On so many levels and for so many reasons, I can't believe we're at this point - this age - with her already!!!

We had one of our visits from Tri Counties Regional Center yesterday and they offered lots of advice for feeding Zoey solids (something she still doesn't care about and hasn't made huge success with, yet). One was to really "awaken" her right before feeding: tickle her, lift her up high, bounce her on a big ball, etc. They explained that with down syndrome comes the low muscle tone (which I knew) and that can be similar to "numbness" (which I only learned the last time they visited) ... so eating may not appeal to her because it's just something she doesn't "feel" so to say. On that note, they said that often "spicing" up the food helps! Strong flavors will be easier to recognize, so they suggested things such as a bit of cinnamon, seasonings, a few drops of olive oil, lemon juice, even pickle juice! They said adding a little of something that's a strong flavor may make a difference.

They also said that I need to start withholding the bottle - gasp! The purpose of this is that she begin to relate her feeling of hunger being satisfied with the baby food, not just milk! Also, things like serving the food cold (like, the leftovers that are being kept in the refrigerator) ... they said it goes against "mommy instinct", but the cold is one more way of waking up those senses! We shall see!

So, yesterday was the first day ever that Zoey was fed three meals of solid foods! (that was there other thing, no more being a lazy mama - she needs to be fed solids at least three times a day) It went well. Her biggest progress in this area is that she does swallow a great deal more than she did back when we first started! The biggest challenges are getting her to open up and then swallow more, usually a little does come back out - lol! Pretty much I'm at a point where I realize that things will have to go "on the back burner" ... again. That's ok, she's worth every moment of time it takes. We know she can learn, but with her it's just a little different. Everything takes more time and more effort on the part of the parents (where as "typical" children just naturally pick up on so much). I knew it on my own and the ladies that visit have only emphasized that it's true - NOW is the time. Waiting or putting it off will only make it harder as she gets older ... and, obviously, eating is a pretty big deal!

We've been really blessed in so many areas with Zoey. She really has picked up on so much on her own and with her physical therapy sessions ... we've been spoiled, just being able to love on her and give her lots of floor time and she's progressed in those areas vastly! The whole eating/feeding issues were always on my list of fears - so it sort of figures that that's already one of our challenges. I'll just keep praying and keep trying and make more effort and I'm confident she'll get it!

Here's a pic of our sweet little angel ... today, after her lunch!

Happy Forty-Five Week Birthday, my little princess ...

I gotta admit, I came home from the vendor fair feeling a little down ... but how could I not be happy to be home and see my kiddos! ... and how can this sweet little girl not bring a smile to my face and warmth to my heart???






The vendor fair couldn't be considered a "success" for me - but the bit I did make is that much more money than I had this morning (never mind all I've spent in preparation for today - ugh) and it afforded me lunch and a Christmas gift for Liam, plus a bit more to have for shipping off Christmas presents! I have to consider it a blessing, no matter the amount! Thank You God, for letting me make a little money today and especially for having me next to a friend who I was able to get to know better and have great, fun conversations with (and meeting her fabulous mom too)!!!

Happy Forty-Four Week Birthday, my little princess ...

It occurred to me this morning that Zoey is only eight weeks away from being a year old. That's just amazing. So, the pic I'm sharing today is of a very happy little baby girl this morning ... wide awake in her crib! You heard me right, last night was Zoey's second night in her crib - in her room! I've put it off for quite some time ... even since our company left a good month ago and Annicka returned to her room. I had ordered a "safe" bumper - since daddy was worried about her arms and legs getting through the crib slots. I put it on the other day and got her monitor all set up too. So, thursday night daddy put her in her crib to sleep ... imagine my disappointment when I realized he did this while I wasn't home - so there's no pics from that first night! The best I could do was to get some from her second night (which I didn't) and morning. So, here's the best of the bunch (the flash was pretty blinding, so I got some funny results).

Happy Ten Month Birthday, my little princess ...

Just another simple indoor shoot again - the weather has been wet which is not so good for sitting babies on the ground! In fact, I don't think I'm going to be able to get the "Christmas" pics of the kids done this week, as I had planned - for the same reason! argh! I was looking forward to doing them with my dad again, while him and my mom are here, but it's not looking like it's gonna happen! Oh well right, so long as they get done soon!

Anyway, back to the subject of this post - Zoey! As Zoey does more and more I have a harder time remembering everything to put on here ... let's see, Zoey can:

*wave - she's a pro now, but it's on her terms
*sit up - for quite a while now too, and I can just sit her down to play now
*scoot - that's a newer one, she gets into everything now
*get up into crawling position - again, she's done it for a while and keeps getting
better at it! She loves to get up and then rocking (forward/backward), super cute!
*eat solids - well, she's improving, but it's still a very small amount
*be loud - Zoey loves to use her voice (sometimes), it's funny

There's more and I'll likely start remembering as soon as I publish this post - that's what usually happens! I'll probably be updating this post several times! ... but, let's not delay the fun part - the pics!!! Just got a few, but she's looking cute as ever in one of her new outfits!

Happy Forty-Three Week Birthday, my little princess ...

Happy Forty-Two Week Birthday, my little princess ...

I had to put this outfit on her today - as it's all 3-6mos and I'm not sure how
much longer I'll be able to get away with it ... her legs suddenly seem
to be growing and I think she may start outgrowing her little pants!

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE that she sits up now?
It takes photo shoots to a whole new level - and just
in time for Christmas pics of all four of the kids ...
perfect timing Zoey, thank you so much!

seriously - could she be any cuter?
(I know, I'm quite biased)

I love her happiness!

I was trying to get her to wave - she'd only do a little
one for me, but it was perfect for a pic!

... and she finally toppled over and turned back immediately
to pose for mama - lol!

Happy Forty-One Week Birthday, my little princess ...

look at the pretty little princess!


so, I'm a day late! yesterday was a morning full of errands and then an afternoon full of going through stuff in Zoey's room (I'm taking a bunch of stuff to a fund raising yard sale this week) and trying to make progress toward it being "done"! Then at 5pm I started working on stuff for the vendor hair, I was doing clips and bows, and didn't stop till nearly midnight! (of course, there was a dinner break, a Jericho to bed break, a Liam to bed break, and a shower break - but I did get several done!)

Zoey keeps progressing at Zoey pace, which to me doesn't seem too far behind any of my other kiddos! She is now easily getting up on all fours. It's really cute when she gets up and then does that "rocking" thing, she's yet to try to move her hands or legs while up ... but she has made some attempts at a low crawl these past couple days - so she's definitely trying!

The baby food thing is still the same and I still don't do it every day. Soon we'll be working with an occupational therapist who will give me exercises to do with her to strengthen those facial muscles. The pediatrician said that from a caloric stand point, there's nothing to worry about; but that we should keep working on it, of course.

Zoey had her 9month check up on friday! She was 17lbs. 7.9oz and 26.6" long! She still seems tiny to me, but she's absolutely growing! She's still wearing 3-6mos pants and some shirts too! She's still transitioning into the 6-9/6-12mos sizes! All her jammies are 6-9 and one piece outfits too! Size three diapers are still a bit big on her, but the two's seem small! I finally put some shoes on her, to see what size she wears (I never really put shoes on her) and she is a size 3 - in fact, the pair I put on her she had a little room still!

While we were at the clinic, Zoey got a flu shot and I got the flu mist ... and today I have a runny nose and sound congested - lovely! Annicka's been complaining of a soar throat and the cough she's had forever now sounds like a bark - I'm thinking I'm gonna need to take her in! Lots of yuck going around, I hate this time of year - for that reason!

I had completely forgotten about daylight savings time. I was awoken by Annicka shouting at me to "please get down stairs and help daddy, Zoey is puking everywhere". I can't figure out why she throws up more often with him, but this is the second day in a row! She had gone at least a week and then threw up with me the other night. It's so random. The doc said we can back off the zantac if we pay attention, but I'm wondering if that's a good idea or not. Anyway, so I came down and started a bath for Zoey and noticed the clock said 10:30am - WOW, I really slept in! She was all clean and dressed, I took my thyroid pill, got some water, and made oatmeal for Jericho - before sitting down here at the computer ... where I noticed the clock said 9:53am! WHAT??? That's when it hit me, oh yah - daylight savings!

Either way I slept almost 9 hours and woke up with a headache. It was not good sleep. Jericho was in our bed when I finally made it that way (after crafting together, Annicka and I watched New Moon - per her request) and I sent him back to his bed. I'm not sure if he ever got there though. I remember being awoken to look at a beautiful rendition of a turkey and at 5am he was telling me something? He finally crashed out and got a couple hours sleep ... in our bed with me - lol! I don't know what it is with him and his night time adventures!

So here we are on a Sunday morning. Being lazy, as we always are (we haven't done church in months, I'm sad to say). I'm hoping to be able to do some crafting again! Also I need to work on Zoey's room some more - not to mention the other kids' rooms, oh my, those are scary!

Hope everyone is having a fantabulous Sunday and wishing everyone - including us - a fantastic week!

Happy Forty Week Birthday, my little princess ...

everyone got in on the photo action today! Jericho loves having his picture taken with Zoey - especially when she "in" something (ie - the carseat) ... he'll run over and pose, just like this next pic!
... Liam must have been feeling left out, as happens on occasion, so he decided he was a baby and needed some pics too!

Nine month photos ...

finally! I took these yesterday, but I couldn't upload pics to the blog - it was weird - but it's working this morning, yay! Do not be fooled by the first pics - Zoey is no where near standing on her own ... in fact, she let go and plopped down - I lunged for her but not quick enough to stop the momentum! She plopped to a sit and continued to roll back and hit her head on the tv stand ... talk about feeling like a good mom (not to mention the whole comment on photos being "torture" - lol). She cried pretty hard, I know she would have cried either way - but the screaming from daddy probably didn't help (he got a bit angry at me, I think he thought I had sat her on top of the box or something?). The crying kinda reddened up her face - oh well, right!

Ahhh - memories.

Moving on ...
She also doesn't sit on her own yet. She can balance if you get her in just the right position, you'll note in one of the pics that she's definitely supporting herself (and others she's totally leaning on the pillow) ... but I did have a pillow behind her just to keep her from falling back too hard or anything!

So, here they are - the "official" nine month pics: