Bubbles, fishes and Olivia, oh my!

These last few weeks have been hard and good at the same time. I've been out of commission with a cold off and on for almost two months. It's slowed me down but it hasn't to slowed Maya down one bit. Although I feel sad that I haven't been able to take her out to our playgroup as much as I would like she doesn't seem to be phased by this. I'm glad.

So here are some awesome things that have been going on these last few weeks.

I know I told you all that Maya was on the verge of blowing bubbles...well she's done it!!! It wasn't long after that pre-bubble post that she started to blow out of her mouth and make little bubbles appear. Sooooo exciting!




The other day we went to the aquarium and I noticed that Maya was actually looking at the fish. Usually she's not so interested and mostly just likes the tide pool area, where the water crashes in every few seconds. But that day she was enjoying all the fishies. She spend a lot of time sitting in a little viewing area for the sting rays and sharks. I don't know if it was the fish or just the environment but she started to vocalize a lot. I like to think she was singing to the fish. Her interest in these objects, moving objects that are outside of her immediate space, is a big step. She understands flash cards of fish, she understands books with photos of the animals at the zoo...but to see them in person is another concept all together.






  
So a few weeks ago Maya ventured into the little Olivia dress up box I bought a couple of months ago. A tutu, pretend ballet slippers, and leggings have been a hit with Maya lately. Every day Maya takes down the cardboard box and usually asks for help opening it. Then she proceeds to stick out her legs so I can put the leggings on. Sometimes she'll go to the mirror and try and put on the safari hat that also comes in the box. Other times she just prances around the house with the little tutu on. It's rather cute if I say so myself.




Before Christmas I went through Maya's toys with the idea of donating them to children in need. It was good for me to go through these objects. I could really see how far she has come. Of course there are a few toys that she has outgrown that I couldn't quite let go of just yet. I suppose they remind me of the times when she accomplished a huge goal and part of me doesn't want to forget the amazing strides she has made.

Yep, my little girl is growing up! As always, I can't wait to see what she does next.

Wordless Wednesday: A Santa Moment

Thanks to D. Sinha and J. Ciminara

tooting maya's horn

For a long time I tried to teach Maya to blow bubbles.   I suppose I started way to early because she really wasn't into it at all.   Soon after I let it go and didn't push it any further, still wondering when I was supposed to try again.

Here and there when Maya gets sick, I try to encourage her to blow her nose. Most of the time she just looks at me with a straight face.   I imagine she may be saying, "Hhhmmm, what the heck is mama doing?"

She never has tried to imitate my actions, not once. 

Mid November I caught a chest cold and we ended up spending a lot of time at home together. I always feel bad that I'm not getting Maya out with the other kids.  Especially now I think she needs the exercise since she is walking.  She did pretty well the whole week though.  I feel very lucky because she can pretty much entertain herself with the mirror,  her toys and music.

One day I found her playing in the front room.  The sun was shining down on her through the big window.   The room felt like it was glowing and I loved watching her silently entertain herself.  First she was playing with her puppets and then she started to empty out the toy bucket.  She was going through everything in that box,  every single toy came out one at a time.  She inspected each item carefully, tested it out and then moved on to the next toy.  It was really interesting seeing her train of thought. 

exploring her toy box

When she came to the horn (the horn we have used during speech therapy), she looked at it and then put it up right against her lips.  She hadn't played with it for a very long time, but she knew what to do.  She didn't blow with her mouth but with her nose.

trying to give the horn a blow

It was the best little blowing sound I have ever  heard!  This is the moment I thought to myself, this is the moment when she has put it all together.  This was a step towards another milestone.  Sometimes they don't seem like much but they are there. When she blows that horn for the first time or blows a bubble, this was the moment that led up to the big event.

And when the horn didn't make a sound,  Maya decided to make her own tooting noise.  "aaaaaahhh" she said.  Then she was done and crawled into the box to get the next toy out.

making her own noise

Wordless Wednesday: a first time experience

something amazing

Something amazing happened the other day.  I noticed Maya at the frig playing with her Leap Frog Animal farm.  She likes to push the button and make it sing songs. But this time I noticed something different.  She was moving the little magnet animals around and placing them in the slots.  She was mixing and matching the animals and making the toy sing a funny song to her.  This was the first time I noticed that she was doing this kind of work.  I could tell that she was a little frustrated at not being able to get the right part of the animal in the slot, but she was trying and succeeding the majority of the time.   I continue to be surprised by these little amazing things she shows me. Brava, Maya!

Wordless Wednesday: music therapy

 

31 for 21, Day 31: Halloween 2010

It was a good day.  Halloween 2010.  As a family we met some of our friends to trick or treat together. As always it's an adventure with a 2 1/2 year old.  Maya wasn't into it this year.  But she was much better than last year.  It was great hanging out with our friends, going up and down the street and meeting everyone.  I am living vicariously though Maya since my Halloween years weren't that wonderful.  Really I feel so lucky to have this experience.  I loved watching our friend's kids walking up to the door and saying in that cute 2 year old voice, "twick or tweet".  I couldn't help but think, one day Maya will be doing that. 

I have to mention that I am so proud of hubby for putting on a brave face and venturous out with us.  He didn't complain once!  I often have to remind myself that Halloween is an American thing.  It may seem bizarre to people from other countries, getting dressed up in strange outfits and knocking on people's doors to get candy.  But I think hubby is getting used to the concept, and I dare say may even consider dressing up for Halloween...maybe next year?  Well anyway, a girl can dream.

Today is the last day of October, the last day of 31 for 21.  Whoohoo, I did it!  It was certainly a challenge.  I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Please keep checking in, I will keep posting although maybe not everyday.  oxo

Getting ready.

off we go!

buzz, buzz, buzz.

happy bumble bee and her mama.

resting after trick or treating.

two bumble bees and a lady bug.

2010 loot, including a stuffed owl from our sweet neighbor.

31 for 21, Day 30: Buddy Walk

This morning was both the Sharing Down Syndrome's Buddy Walk and DS Network's Step up for Down Syndrome walk.  Both organizations are here in the valley and both do their major fundraising events around the same time.  It's unfortunate that they both pretty much fall on the same day.  But it is what it is. And so we just try our best to support the work they do.

We had to make a decision on which we would go to this year and the deciding factor was nap time.  The Buddy walk was earlier and better coincided with Maya's schedule.  Although we did major fundraising for the Step Up walk,  it just wasn't possible for us to go to it.  By the way, I'm happy to report that Maya and her dada are both tucked away and sleeping well.  I'm sure they are both exhausted from all the activities. 

Although we didn't get to see a ton of people we knew we did get so see some of our peeps. The coolest thing was when a mom came over to us and said, "Is that Maya?".  I was thinking, Wow,  Maya is already famous.  She's a mom that I am friends with via facebook.  I am so glad she recognized Maya.  She and her husband have two beautiful children, one blessed with a little something extra .  It was so wonderful to meet them in person.  We are automatic friends because of our little one's extra chromie.  I do feel very lucky to be a part of it all.

Maya checking out Barney

The walk starts.  Maya in her new wagon.

Waving to her peeps.

Getting a ride.

After our long walk it's time for ice cream!

A very happy Maya.

A hug for a new friend.

Sweet pea!

Hanging out with our friends.

Sandy and Maya.

Making some music.

 

 

Maya and me chillin'.

More huggies!

31 for 21, Day 29: Book Signing

Maya and I went to our first book signing together.  I was so excited to have Jagatjoti Khalsa sign our I'm Down with You, book!  Maya was really very patient the whole time and she was hugging quite a few people tonight.  We hung out in the kids section after and Maya found a shaker she couldn't let go of.  It was really cute the way she was walking around the entire bookstore with that shaker.

If you haven't been able to check this book out I highly recommend it.  I posted earlier about the documentary that Jagatjoti is working on, but the book is available now.  When I first opened the book I was amazed by the stunning photography.  All those gorgeous faces so elegantly captured.  I haven't been able to read any of the text yet but I'm sure it is well written also.

Please do check out his site, http://www.imdownwithyou.com/

Jagatjoti signing Maya's book.

Maya says she's gonna me in the next book.  =)

Hanging out.

Thanks to Lily for loaning her pom pom. Maya loved it.

31 for 21, Day 28: park adventures

We went to the railroad park again today.  I am really loving this park, it has a train, carousal, snack bar and a huge playground.  We met up with some other mom's.  I'm super excited that Maya is starting to be a little more lovable.  It's always so cute to see her giving hugs.  Today she surprised me by not only hugging her little friends but a couple of the moms too.  Now Maya isn't only known for pulling  hair, she is also known for hugging everyone too. 

Now that it is cooling down I'm looking forward to getting out to the park and exploring different environments.  I love encouraging Maya to try different things.  Here are some photos of our adventure today.

Hello friend!

First time on this slide.  Ready to go...

weeeeeeee

whoooooa

So proud of me!

Hug for L's mom.

Found a leave in the sand.

Next stop, mouth.

Guilty as charged.

Maya giving L another hug.

Blurry but I love their expressions.

Happy playing together.