We have had a very busy summer- it's hard to believe that school starts again in 3 weeks! Our summer has been filled with playdates, music classes, picnics, barbecues and lots of time outside, which makes this mama very happy.
Lila has had some big changes this summer! She got a pair of glasses, which she definitely has a love/hate relationship with. She also had a swallow study which showed absolutely no aspiration, which means no more thickened liquids for her! After almost 5 years, she can safely drink liquids without thickener. I cried. So happy! Now we have to teach her how to drink thin liquids. We are experimenting with different cups, trying to figure out how to control the flow of the liquid. Like everything, it will be a process. We are thrilled.
We skipped the National Down Syndrome Conference this past weekend for a trip to New York to attend a surprise 25th wedding anniversary celebration for Nick's brother and sister-in-law. We had a great time. It rained for the duration of the outdoor party but that definitely didn't stop the fun!
There were a lot of people huddled under the main tent which made it a very noisy place to be. Thanks to Lila's new headphones from our friends Kevin & Nancy, she was good to go and had a great time.
With stickers and a sweet friend, life is good.
We spent the rest of our time in New York at Mimi and Poppy's house. The weather cooperated very nicely so we were able to spend a lot of time in the pool, where Lila was happy to be the recipient of some impromptu swim lessons from her daddy.
AND- Miss Lila accomplished something huge- when I was at the store, of course. She figured out how to pedal! (We have been working on this for a very long time.) So awesome!! She was happy to show off for me later in the day so I could get some pictures. We are still working on the steering component with her but are so excited about this major accomplishment!
Last, but definitely not least- some huge news! We will be adding another member to our family soon. A beautiful baby girl who just happens to be blessed with an extra chromosome. We are over the moon!
The adoption will be open and we are so fortunate to be going through this process with the birth parents and their loving families. We are at the tail end of our home study process and will be able to share part of the beautiful story and some pictures of the little princess very soon. We can't wait!
One blessed mama~
Linda
