Such a Busy Boy

Busy Bee

Thunderbirds are Go!

In the few minutes since I've sat down to try and write today, Felix has found the Playstation controller and turned it on, tried to climb in to the oven to help Daddy cook lunch, pulled the baking trays out of the cupboard and attempted to eat some of the phone book. He is a busy little person. He has come such a long way in the past 17 months. Only 5 months ago he could barely sit up for a couple of minutes without toppling over and now he's tearing around the house and into everything.

This morning, Felix 'walked' the length of our hallway with one of his brothers holding his hands. He looked so proud of himself as he put one foot in front of the other. My husband said he looks a bit like a Thunderbird at the moment, lifting his knees up high before he puts his feet down. Hilarious to watch.

Learning how to press the buttons

In the last couple of days Felix has learned to 'direct' us to do different things. Last night my husband was drinking out of a bottle and every time he finished taking a sip, Felix would push the drink back up to his mouth for him to have another one.   At the supermarket, Felix wanted me to sing 'twinkle twinkle' to him as I pushed him in the trolley. Much to my older sons' embarrassment, I did it a few times. When I stopped, Felix grabbed my hands and lifted them up to get me to do it again. What choice did I have? (Sorry boys!)

Felix directs us with books as well. He has a book that has tabs which move things on the page. He will put our hands on the tab to get us to make the dog wag it's tail or the snake stick out it's tongue. He also has a favourite toy dog which talks or sings depending on which part of him is pressed. He has already learned which part plays music, and even how to keep pressing the button until he gets to the song he likes. Very clever!

Getting tricky

Standing Tall

Bit by bit Felix is getting better balance. He can pull himself to stand and then let go with one hand. He can even turn from holding the coffee table, to holding the couch. Sometimes he will lean his body against something and then raise his hands above his head or play with a toy. He is progressing so quickly now. I'm sure he knows when he is doing something new because he has such a look of delight on his face. He will repeat it several times to make sure we have seen him and shown our approval!

On a Personal Note...

I haven't been feeling well for a few days but I feel so content. Despite the ups and downs of life, I have so much to be thankful for. Our 7 older children are a constant source of inspiration to us (I could write a blog about each and every one of them) I have a husband I can talk to about anything, who loves me so much and who puts up with me even on  bad days. We have our first Grandchild due in only 7 weeks which is, of course, super exciting AND we are lucky enough to have the opportunity to raise a child with Down Syndrome. We are not wealthy, we don't have overseas holidays and our car is in desperate need of an upgrade; but we are so rich!!  I wouldn't swap my life for anything in the world.

Today, one of my Facebook friends got a date to go to Eastern Europe to bring home her new adopted daughter. She will be her second child with Down Syndrome. I am so excited for her and her family and this beautiful little girl who has been saved from life in an adult institution. They are thankful that after months and months of paperwork, planning and saving, the day has nearly arrived to hold their daughter in their arms.

Thankful for this face

What are you thankful for today?