An Alayna Update!

8 months - taken at JCPenney Studio.
She wanted to smile at mom, not the camera.

Smiling at Douglas!

Hanging out with Douglas some more!

"Whatcha doing over there mom?"

My brother, Douglas, just can't leave me alone!

More Doug hugs! Be gentle Douglas...he forgets!

The clan is heading to Sunday school.

Wearing my pretty sun dress.

Sitting propped up on the couch.

If any of you ever need a little one to cuddle with, just call and ask to see Alayna! She is such a cuddler. I love holding her. I obviously miss her lots during the school day and she gets so many hugs after school from everyone (especially Douglas). I know some of this is because she doesn't have a lot of upper body strength so she just buries herself into you, but it's still nice and I plan on savoring the moments. I think I'll call it "keep your baby longer syndrome" and not 1p36 anymore.

Alayna is doing well. I've noticed her a few times looking quite inquisitively at her feet. I try and get her to reach out and touch them. She usually smiles and is probably wondering what the heck I'm doing. We went to the CTC on Monday and her therapist was happy to see that she seems to be taking more initiative to try and roll. She still isn't doing it on her own, but with a little help she tries to use her strength and wiggle over. Endurance is still an issue and will probably be for her whole life. I'm sure it will get better, but stamina to do these activities and therapy is lacking a bit. We just have to give her rest time.

I have a good college/sorority friend that has been in the Special Education field for 12 years. She is very knowledgeable about signing and hearing and her input has been so helpful. She informed me that MR or mentally retarded is not the correct terminology anymore. It is now referred to as "cognitively delayed" which sounds so much better. It doesn' t carry that negative connotation with it. Truly that is really what it means. So, I guess some experts in the field aren't so up with their terminology. It could be because they are "old school." Thanks friend for the correction and input!

Alayna has been battling yet another cold. She has had red, watery eyes, sneezing and a stuffy nose since Tuesday. I'm wondering if it is teeth or just a cold. Nothing poking through the gums right now, but they are a bit red. We'll head to the pediatrician tomorrow after work just to make sure things check out okay. Douglas and her are going to their Aunt Danette's and Uncle Gary's for Saturday and Sunday. I'd hate to give them a sick girl!

On a cute note, Alayna finally fits into a pair of shoes! She has such tiny feet. I'm not exaggerating at all. She can fit into a size 0 and size 1! Those are sizes most 0-3 month children can wear. One of the pairs is Alexis's old pink tennis shoes and she wore them around 4 months old. I'm glad we can use them because she needs warm feet with all this cold weather lately.

Dana, Alayna and myself leave 3 weeks from today for Florida. I'm so excited about this 1p36 conference and I know I've told you that before. In a week from Monday, we'll head to the plastic surgeon in Peoria for an evaluation about getting a helmet for her head. I'll keep you posted on both.

I can honestly say that I never imagined my life to be as comfortable as it is right now. In the beginning of this journey I was terrified, anxious, ignorant, angry, and in a whirlwind. As a matter of fact, I don't think it would be wrong for me to say that my entire family was. It has all settled and our family is accepting and embracing each day together. It is comfortable and normal...finally. Live each day as it were your last.