(3) 21 - A Truth, A Tip, and a Photo

A group of bloggers in the Down syndrome community are putting on a blog hop: three questions on the 21st day of the month.  And yes, I do know that I missed the 21st.  The hop is open for a week, for the slackers among us.

Better late than never, though.  :)


(1) A Truth

Our life is pretty normal.  Our family goes on vacation.  We grill.  We play board games.  Our kids alternately love each other and drive each other crazy.  Today, Evan and Corrie played Minecraft together while Ben napped.  When we ran errands, Ben pulled Corrie's hair.  Repeatedly.  We said, "No, Ben.  Be gentle."  Repeatedly.  After dinner, the big kids created a massive sofa cushion obstacle course and explored it with Ben.  Evan refused to share a toy and Corrie whined.  Everyone groaned when it was time to clean up.  Pretty typical, I think.

That's not to say that we don't get stressed or frustrated.  We love all of Ben's therapists, but it does take time to see them all - and it's annoying over the summer because all of the kids are home.  And I do worry about medical issues - Ben's heart, his hearing, etc.  

But ... life still feels normal.


(2) A Tip

Use sign language with your baby!  I didn't do much signing with my other two kids - just the very basics. "More" and "all done" sufficed until they started talking.  After Ben was born, I read lots of recommendations online about Rachel Coleman and the Signing Time videos, so my in-laws got them for Ben for his first birthday.  

Signing has been so much fun!  At just about two years old, Ben doesn't have any spoken words yet.  He babbles, he makes lots of noises, but no deliberate words.  But he signs ... and signs ... and signs.  I deeply appreciate that we can communicate.


(3) A Photo

Here's my boy at our vacation cabin in June.  My little rancher-in-training.  :)