Look what I can do!

I'm 3 months old today. Mommy says she doesn't know where the time has gone. She thinks I have grown so much, especially this past week. I have learned so many things already. My family thinks I'm so smart! I don't mean to brag...but check it out!

I can play with my toys

I can almost hold my head up

I can roll from side to side with my feet straight up in the air. But I only do it when I feel like it. It's a fun trick! Daddy thinks I have very strong muscles. I'm going to be big and strong like him one day!

I can smile:). Mommy says I have a smile that can melt the coldest of hearts, whatever that means. And today I laughed for the first time. Mommy was being silly and I found it amusing. I think I caught her off guard because she kept trying for the rest of the day, but between you and me, she's really not that funny! I do like it when she talks to me though, and I like to talk back. She must think I'm funny because she sure laughs a lot! 

I like it here because I'm surrounded by love and that makes me a very happy little boy! 

"Just keep swimming..."

I bought this crazy swim ring online. It's called a SwimAva. I heard about it from our Child Development Specialist. They are used in his water therapy class which will start in March.

It is the funniest looking thing, but makes so much sense. The inflatable ring goes around the neck, supporting their chin and head keeping them afloat and allowing the extremities to move freely. And since the resistance of water is 1000 times more than air, it is a good little workout for developing muscle tone and strength.

I tried it in the tub tonight and it works like a hot damn. Lennox didn't resist and actually enjoyed just floating around. He didn't move around too much but smiled a few times. He enjoys the water, and bath time seems to be a highlight of his day.

We will taking this little gem to Mexico with us and then we can really let Lennox loose. I will be sure to follow up with some pics. You can check out the product on their website: www.swimava.ca/ and there is an amusing little clip on YouTube.

Here are some snaps of Lennox's first go at it.

Loud and clear

Lennox had his hearing test today. It's a baseline test that is done while he is sleeping. Fluid build up in the ears is more common in children with Down syndrome. With this test, they have his initial information if he happens to lose part of his hearing as he grows older. Many kids end up needing ear tubes, which I see daily at work. If he happens to need tubes, then so be it. It's a quick procedure, with an easy recovery. A very small obstacle in my eyes.

The test was done at the Children's. It was a 2 hour appointment, giving me time to get baby boy to sleep, allowing them to test his hearing while his muscles are relaxed. He had to have 4 electrodes applied. 2 on his forehead and one behind each ear. He was"wired for sound" and didn't mind at all. Once asleep he had a little bud in his ear during testing. He was fairly cooperative, all things considered.

So it took about an hour to get him down. The left ear was done quickly and effortlessly. Perfect hearing to his left side. Then we had to change sides. He stirred a bit and we managed to complete half of the test before he woke up to play. The right side wasn't completed as a full diagnostic test. But the audiologist managed to use a screening tool to check his hearing while awake. It's not a full diagnosis but she feels 95% confident that both ears are the same, as hearing loss is usually bilateral. It was a long morning but I left with the results I was hoping for. The care was great and the audiologist was patient and kind. Follow up is now every six months until Lennox turns 3 years old. 

I know little man hears us. He's been watching very intently while we speak to him. And he looks around if he hears my voice. He coos at his toys now and sometimes will try "engage in conversation" with whomever is talking to him....So cute!

Some updated pics...