PT Update

Today, we had Mason evaluated for physical therapy. With him having down syndrome, he most likely will be delayed in his motor skills. The program that he is enrolled in through the county, we are able to get a physical therapist out at anytime to evaluate his skills. This was the second time (the first being at 6 months) and the therapist was impressed.

Mason is starting to inch his way backwards, turn around in circles on his stomach, and getting on his hands and knees. All the beginnings of Mason about to crawl. The therapist placed Mason at 7-9 month level for his skills. Mason will be 10 months next week. She looked at several areas of his motor skills. She felt he was at a 7 month level because he wasn't quite getting from his stomach to a sitting position, but she gave us some things to work on. He is at an 8 month level because when she would pick Mason up in the air, he didn't have the hip control to keep his legs and feet out straight . Mason is at a 9 month level when he comes down to him being able to put his knees under him and use his hands to reach after objects. She felt he was doing a great job and didn't see the need for extra intervention at this point. With Ms. Leslie and Ms. Sue working with him at school and us at home, we are all doing a great job.

The therapist was also impressed that Mason was able to feed himself. He does it better with his right hand than his left, but he is getting it. She suggested to only put one puff or one bite in front of him so that he would play with it on his tray. This will build up his fine motor skills in his fingers.

Garrett and I are really proud of Mason and all the milestones he has achieved. We feel, as well as others, that Mason is a high functioning down syndrome child. We look forward to his next milestones he will achieve.

Silly Olin's

This past week Garrett went to the Batman Trilogy on Thursday night into early Friday morning. Needless to say, he was a bit tired even into Saturday. I told Garrett to take Jay up for a nap and look what I found, Garrett found a comfy spot in Jay's bed to take a nap as well. After a nap, we parted ways and went to two different birthday parties.

As the weekend rolled out and Monday rolled in, Garrett and I felt Mason needed to see the doctor again. On Sunday late afternoon, his nose became really runny. By the time he went to bed and had been sleeping for two hours or so, he started coughing and crying. He never wakes up in his sleep. He was so stopped up, he couldn't breathe. On Monday, Mason and I headed to the doctor to get some meds. Yes, I am that mom that goes in for a cold for Mason, but he can't get rid of a cold on his own. I would have been in the doctor's office later in the week with Mason coughing and throwing up. We wanted spare ourselves from this. Later this afternoon, Mason was taking a nap, but his mattress was elevated. He slid down the mattress and ended up with his legs outside of his crib. I guess he slept this way the entire time. Crazy kid!!!

Moving up and breaking out

Yep that is what we are doing these days. Today, Jay had his 6th swim lesson at Little Otter. He has been doing very well and can put his face in the water for at least 10 seconds, swim 5 feet on his own, and float on his front and back. The swim instructor had the person in charge watch him swim for a second and said he is ready for the next level. Jay has graduated from the Shiny Starfish to the Purple Parrotfish. We can't wait to see what he learns next.

As for breaking out, Mason's first tooth is breaking out of his bottom gum. Finally, he is going to get some teeth at 9 1/2 months. Go Mason!! He'll be able to eat more things in the near future.

Growing up

Today was the day for the big 9 month check up for Mason. Okay, maybe not so big milestone, but we were able to check his weight, height and such. Today, he fell off of the regular growth chart. For a normal kid his age, he is pretty small. Here are his stats:

15 pounds 10 ounces (50% for DS)
25 inches long (20% for DS)
Head circumference: 41.75 cm (3% )

We are growing, but not as fast as others. Good for us, because we can carry him around without breaking our back. Everything looks good on him.