Walking & doing shots

(this is a follow-up to the entry below, about India - I wrote them both today)

(shifting gears)

Speaking of learning things slowly, whoo this walking thing is so much more complicated than I ever had to consider before. I wrote on David’s Caring Bridge site about this book we have, Gross Motor Skills For Children With Down Syndrome. I discussed all the “post-walking skills” they describe: walking on uneven surfaces (gravel, sand, grass), kicking a ball, walking up (& down) inclined surfaces, stepping off (& onto) curbs, walking up & down stairs, fast walking and running, balance beam skills, jumping, and riding a tricycle. Each of these skills has a separate chapter devoted to it. The exercises/activities in the book were chosen because they: increase strength in the trunk, leg, and foot muscles; improve balance in standing and walking, improve foot posture, and increase speed and endurance. And, there are guidelines to dealing with “various factors that affect the development of post-walking skills,” such as: physical problems (hypotonia, decreased, strength, increased joint flexibility due to loose ligaments, short arms and legs, and poor balance); temperament, attention (span); and readiness and motivation to learn a skill. And there are 12 listed “guidelines for practicing post-walking skills.”

I greatly apologize for this blasphemy, but: jeeeeeeesus.

We're going to India! Or not!

Here’s what I have been thinking about this week: I used to have this (daydream? I guess might be the best word; I’m squeamish about using the word “fantasy” for anything other than, well, you know) about our family moving to India for a couple of years or so. I’m not sure what prompted these thoughts; I don’t remember if I started imagining it after I read something about India, or about moving your family overseas, or what. This is when we just had Simon, and I thought Matt could get some pastoring or missionary job, or I could be an assistant college professor. I imagined what it would be like – we would be in a larger city, where (I hope) lots of folks would speak English, to ease the transition. Matt and I would work, Simon would go to a school with other European/English-speaking types, and we would go on lots of trips on the weekends, all over India to learn more about it. Nice, huh?

Not Much to Say

We've been really busy since my last post - my birthday, Simon's birthday, Matt's birthday, various appointments and church events - the usual for our family, plus a lot of cakes and ice cream.

David was supposed to be born in May, May 21st I think. That would've been a house full of Taurus-es, all four of us. But in true bull-headed style, he refused to conform and chose to come 8 weeks early. But even with that, we have four birthdays in a six-week period, and that's plenty for me. ... If you can avoid it, I strongly recommend NOT having a child five days after your own birthday (this would be Simon), because eventually your own birthday will be completely eclipsed by the kiddo's.

We did learn that (miracle of miracles) there is an intervention that David does not require - hooray! His physical therapist recommended we have a consultation with an orthotics (agency, something) to see if he might benefit from some custom-fitted braces in his shoes. So Matt took him to this place in Asheville, and the lady said he doesn't need them! She did recommend putting him in some hard-soled shoes - we've usually had our kids barefoot or in soft-soled Robeez, and she agreed that's best for most kids, but not David. She said his feet are really small for someone with Down syndrome, and firmer shoes will give him a wider base upon which to stand. So we picked up a pair of Garanimals at Wal-Mart - so far David's more interested in undoing the straps and pulling them off the instant you get them on his feet, but I'm assuming he'll get used to them pretty soon.

So yeah, no much to say. I'll write again soon.