We had a great time tonight at the Dallas Arboretum celebrating the completion of my wife’s residency. (Although the celebration banquet was tonight, she doesn’t officially finish until next month.) As you can see in the video, Noah is quite the ladies man! He had fun tonight with all the music, lights, dancing! Who wouldn’t. :)
Two times a day we do a series of exercises given to us by Noah’s speech therapist as part of the Beckman Oral Motor program. The Beckman exercises are designed to help children with low muscle tone (a common physical characteristic of children diagnosed with Down Syndrome) develop strength in their mouth which helps with oral motor skills, and eventually speech.
On Tuesday and Wednesday of each week we take Noah to physical therapy. This is in additional to his bi-weekly occupational therapy. (Which was also in addition to his weekly feeding therapy. However as of just a few weeks ago, Noah eats like a champ and no longer needs to go!)
To be honest, when we found about all of the appointments that my wife and I would need to take Noah to, I thought I was going to be forever frustrated.
My mom came to visit today to pick up my brother who was in town visiting, and also to love on our son. Noah loves when either of his grandmothers come to visit because even at almost six months old, he knows that there is a good chance he will be getting spoiled!
Every other Monday we take Noah in for occupational therapy at Our Children’s House at Baylor. Occupational therapy is important for children born with down syndrome as they often have challenges developing fine motor skills. This is due to several characteristics commonly shared by children with down syndrome including; low muscle tone, increased flexibility in their arm and hand joints, broad hands, and short fingers.
Today was a big day for baby Noah (and for us!) It was his first time ever in our church nursery…! That’s right, instead of being in our arms, safe and sound like he usually is, he left him in the care of our wonderful church nursery workers.
Actually, it was probably a bigger day for me, then for Noah. Mommy had to work an overnight shift at the hospital (she’s a pediatrician), and I’m as a student minister , Sundays are crazy, busy for me. So we decided Noah would spend the morning hanging out in the church nursery. This was sort of a big deal for us me since we hadn’t left Noah with anyone besides his mommy and daddy (other then immediate family, and a trusted sitter.)
We had a chance to take Noah on his very first swim today, and he had tons of fun (I think!!?)
We’re in love.
Today was tons of fun! My brother came up and got to meet Noah for the first time, and as you can see Noah loves him a ton. We spent the day mostly hanging out at home, with a quick trip to the friendly neighbored Apple store thrown in for good measure.
[prophoto type=gallery behavior=click post_id=997 splash=disabled transition=enabled transition_effect=fadeIn size=small overlay=enabled]
(Hint: Click on the large image to get an even lager image!)
Last weekend was one for the Smith family record books. We took Noah to Houston for his first ever vacation…!
We went to Houston to visit some of our best friends, and meet a family that would become our new best friends.
Today Noah and I had lunch with our friend, Matt Knisely. Who just so happens to be a crazy talented , multi Emmy award winning, Christian!
Matt is helping me on a really cool project I’m working on that you’ll hear more about in the coming months! We had a good time hanging out, and as you’ll see in the video, Noah makes a really good shopping buddy…! Continue Reading…
