Therapy and Doctor's

Seems like we are once again seeing alot of people and doing many appointments. While Cora takes it all in stride and with smiles, I get questioned about the same things over and over.  Sometimes it is tiring for me and yet when I look at the progress Cora is making I know that her purpose is worth the "brain strain".

This week has been an eventful one for Cora.  Monday she had physical and speech therapy.  By the time the hour was over Cora was ready for some milk and a nap.  She is learning to keep her legs together and in midline instead of swinging them out to the sides and then to the middle.  We were given homework and have been working on it for a few minutes (about 3 minutes) off and on throughout the day.  Cora is so cute becuase she thinks it is playtime and doesn't even realize that these exercises are going to help her crawl, sit, walk, etc. 

The speech teacher taught us a new sign.  Cora is now learning the sign for "toy" which is the same as "play" only we modified it for Cora.  The sign is given with one hand because Cora doesn't have the coordination yet to use two hands at the same time.  We were also given the homework of playing with two hands in the midline and tapping two toys together to make a sound.  This will get Cora using her hands at the same time instead of trying to play with her toys out to the side of her body.

Yesterday we visitied with the pediatric cardiologist and found that Cora is doing well in her continued recovery from the last heart surgery.  Alhtough she continues to loose weight she is in great spirits.  Katie held her for a little while and showed her off to the other nurses.  Cora was definately comfortable in Katie's arms, but was hesitant to spend time with the other nurses.  The first sign of Cora being uncomfortable is when she clasps her two hands tightly together and she was doing this a little bit yesterday.  Cora is getting great at letting me know when she is uncomfortable and when she is scared.  I love seeing the advanced communication from her instead of having to guess at what she is feeling.  Using the new sign for "Cora" also helps.  Yesterday she was definately using the "all done" sign and not shy about letting anyone know that she was done with the appointment.  She did lie quiet for Stacy during the echocardiogram and gave her severl smiles and this made Stacy feel special and loved. 

Today has me on the phone with the dietician and the finding the new cardiologist visit times.  So much to do in so little time.  But seeing Cora grow and discover makes the work not seem like a burden, rather a challenge to be met and achieved.

We leave you today with this cute picture of Cora trying to talk with herself.  She has just discovered mirrors and finally has the coordination to lean forward and reach for herself while she babbles her baby talk.  Do you think she is saying, "Oh girl, you are so cute!"?

Cora rests on Sunday

Cora is resting and eating.  Seems a great way to spend a Sunday.  She has a really busy week ahead for her so it is good to see this little wonder sleeping for a nap.  We both look at this day of blessings and prayer with faith that all will be well with her....do you think angels can add a few pounds to this blessed baby girl?  I surely hope so.  For isn't it said that faith can move mountains? 

Cora loses weight but finds her toes!!

Today finds me on the phone with the pediatric cardiologist and trying to find a way to help Cora gain weight.  She is currently drinking 8 bottles of 5 ounces a day at 27 calories per ounce.  This is a pretty high calorie content and yet, Cora has lost a total of 6 ounces from her weight since the beginning of January.  Along with the bottles she is eating baby cereal and fruits and veggies.  I am now going to be adding MCT oil to her formula to see if that helps Cora gain weight.

She has gone from being in the 50% line of the growth chart to the 10% line on the growth chart.  Despite all this worry from those around her , Cora continues to eat with gusto and explores this world she has become so enthralled with. 

In the midst of all this she has found her toes.  In changing her diaper it has become a real acrobatic escapade of trying to be a quick change artist in between the rolling and kicking that Cora does.  the funny part is, she knows that she is making it hard for the changer and smiles with glee when I try to look stern and tell her to lie still.  The little turkey gives me the sign for all done....and then when I reach for the new diaper she is off and rolling again.  Quicker than a cat that's had their tail stepped on, she flips over and starts babbling away.  The baby talk is probably telling me, "See mama, I am faster than you!"

So while I try everything needed to help her gain weight she babbles her baby talk and plays at grabbing her feet.  Who would have thought that feet have a language all their own?

9 month photo album

She gets her silly from her mama!

You taking my picture again?

 Kick one, two, three

I can hold myself up, yeah!

                                                         Okay, you can take my picture.  I am nine months old and proud of it.

Can u find Cora?

Cora had her weight check and she has again lost 5 ounces.  While her attitude and spunk are the same as always, she just cant seem to hold her weight.  The doc's are not too concerned so I am trying to remain calm and accepting of this new development.  For me, the first instinct is to panic because Cora has, in the past, lost weight before having struggles with her heart.  So for today, I watch Cora playing with her toys and stinking her tongue out in playful abandonment.  As if to say, "No worries, mama, its all good!"

Picture is worth...

Everything.  For today's blog I thought this picture truly defines "a picture is worth a thousand words".  I was gifted with this on facebook and wanted to share it with all of Cora's followers.  Sometimes the less amount said offers the most awareness.....

2012 awaits Cora

We made it.  Of should I say....Cora Jean has arrived!  It's 2012 and for the first day of this new year Cora was in good health.  She took all her medicines on time, played and practiced her kicking and rolling, and napped.  Life is good for this blossoming 9 month old baby girl.

While I don't wish to repeat any of the past year, it did give me many life lessons and I cherish those memories with Cora.  This new year gives Cora and I the opportunity to continue living in today and not worrying about tomorrow...because if you think about it....you always wake up and it is today.

From Cora Jean and myself - HAPPY NEW YEAR!  May it be filled with many blessings, a beating heart and lots of laughter.  We look forward to sharing this new year with you and hope that this blog continues to teach you about infants with Down syndrome and the special life lessons that we are given along the way.  I invite you to continue the journey with us during 2012.

 Cora rolling her way into 2012