Happy Birthday Jon and Kaylie

Happy Birthday to my now 9 year old Jon and now 5 year old Kaylie! I know everyone says this but 'they grow up so fast'! It really is true, I can't believe how fast they have gotten big. Yesterday we had a party for them with some of their best friends. I think they had a good time. Ryan was a continual source of entertainment for all. He climbed on all the kids and at one point took off his diaper when I wasn't looking and streaked through the girls room. Oh boy, sorry to those parents who do not want their children exposed to nudity at a young age! Such is life at our house though. Happy Birthday guys and no matter how big you get you will always be my babies!!

Floortime

Last week at occupational therapy our therapist, Jade, started a new intervention program called Floortime with Ryan. I had picked up a book about it recently and so I knew a bit about it. In Jade's opinion Ryan will do better on this program than he would doing ABA. I had thought it made sense when I read the book and so I was thrilled to hear that Ryan could have a chance at it. She's going to train me to do it so I can work with him at home and I may show the rest of the family as well. He needs eight 20 min. sessions a day. I will do most of them but the kids and Rory can do them as well.
The basic idea is to join him in his play, in what he's interested in, and connect with him then gradually challenge him to come into our world more when he realizes he wants to learn because he wants that shared connection. We learn better when we are emotionally connected to what we are learning and its the same for kids like Ryan. I am hopeful that this intervention works well for him even though I am struggling for time to clean, cook, take care of the other kids, etc. It really is a lot of fun, I still like to play so it works well for me! Its the getting up at 4 in the morning so I have enough time to clean the house that is tough! The other kids can be involved in the play too so it works for everyone.
Last but not least these are some pics from Memorial day weekend at my Mom and Dads and some from our house. Grandpa was working on some bikes with Jessi and Jon.

Milestones

My little 5 month old Bella has dicovered her feet! How cute to watch her contentedly playing with her little toes. She can now add that to her list of milestones including laughing hysterically when something strikes her funny, rolling over from tummy to back (she wants nothing to do with going the other way), splashing in the bath,skooting around on her back by pushing with her legs (she can get quite far doing this!) and blowing raspberries. She is such a sweet bright baby, always looking to communicate with everyone. I can't believe she's already 5 going on 6 months old already. My little petite thing, she's still in 3 mo. clothing most of the time. I love you Bella Boo!