Little Man Update!

Aaron Shayne is 4 months old! At his Checkup he was 25 3/4 long and 16 lbs 15 oz. He is a chunk! He is around the 75th percentile of typically developing kiddos and 95th percentile of kiddos with Down's. He continues to develop well. We had some poopie issues we are resolving with a little bit of Apple juice and we are working on Aaron using his upper arms a bit more. He is not real interested in grabbing a toy - but will happily play with it if you hand it to him! We could not be more pleased with his progress and continue to be blessed with his good health. He is off the nebulizer for now and the cold is gone so we will continue to pray for his health and well-being through this nasty flu season!


Aaron was able to start cereal which was an exciting event for the Anderson household! Here is his first bite....


Not sure if he likes it.....

Of course, Allie and Ashlyn had to get in on the action. They think it is so cool that he is eating "real food" now!

Shayne and I attended our first Down Syndrome Support Group Meeting. It was not quite what we expected but definitely had some good information. We left feeling a bit overwhelmed at the amount of information we still need to learn and at how this diagnosis is life-changing for our family. It is very easy to live in the moment but the diagnosis becomes quite overwhelming as we look beyond the baby stages. We believe that Aaron is going to grow up to make a difference in this world. I am just now able to read about Down Syndrome without crying so I am going to begin to take in as much information as I can so Shayne and I can help Aaron reach his true potential. Continued thanks to everyone for your thoughts, prayers and support. Please keep it coming. We are so blessed but realize the road has only just begun :)

OctoberFest 2009

We have a tradition with the Blackburn Family and the Jenkins Family to attend Octoberfest in Fredericksburg each year. This was our third annual trip and the kiddos had a great time once again! It's another event for food on a stick, cold beer and lots of fun for the little ones!


We borrowed Rilyn's hat for a picture with Aaron. I kind of think it makes him look like a gnome!


Ashlyn and Ella waiting patiently for the chicken dance!

Rilyn loves some Octoberfest!

This was a BIG year for Ella - her first adventures with Face Painting at Octoberfest! She loved it and looks beautiful!

Of course - all of the kiddos had to do it! Monkey see, Monkey Do!

Here is Landry as Batman!

Allie as a Rose Princess...

and Ashlyn as a Rainbow Kitty! What Else would she be?!

Even though it poured down rain - the kids managed to have fun in the sand - I mean mud!!!!

Our friend turns 3!

Some moments and pictures are just priceless! Ashlyn is giving Ella a great big Birthday hug from one 3 year old to another!

The Official Start to Food on a Stick Season in New Braunfels!

The Comal County Fair kicks of our local eating on a stick season! Good food, cold beer and lots of fun for the kiddos. New Braunfels closes down for the Comal County Fair parade and Fair day(you cannot even go to the bank!) It is an awesome little fair and fun for the whole family.


Ashlyn is her parade at First Protestant School...

Allie in the First Protestant School parade. Doesn't she look excited?

A favorite - the pig ride at the fair!

This is what Aaron thinks of the fair - just wait until he can ride rides!

Daddy got to ride the horses this year - looks like fun for the whole family!

Last day of Schlitterbahn

No...Schlitterbahn is not still Open. It closed for the season in mid-september; I am just a bit behind in posting the pictures! We will attend Schiltterbahn this Christmas season when they decorate the park with millions of lights and freeze one of the pools for ice-skating. You gotta love New Braunfels!

Allie, Ashlyn and Ella yelling "Schlitterbahn!!!!!!"

Ashlyn is all tired out....

I tried to be the healthy Mom!

Since I am currently at home I figured that I have no excuse not to focus on the health of my children. The girls are always hungry when I pick them up from pre-school so I pack carrots. I had to pack ranch dip also because this is the only way we get carrots into Ashlyn's hand. Little did I know, Ashlyn refused her nap that morning at school. She dived into the ranch with both hands, spread it all over her and then fell asleep. The next day I just took chips!

Aaron is Rolling Over!

Aaron has been trying to roll over for several weeks now and actually mastered it once and then stopped for about 2 weeks. Yesterday, September 10th was his big day. He can roll from his back to his belly over either his right or his left shoulder. This is a HUGE milestone for Aaron and one more reason for us to be so grateful for his progress. He is quite amazing. ECI gave me a growth chart and rolling over is in the 6-9 month section. In my "What to Expect the 1st Year" book, rolling over (one way) is in the "may possibly be able to do" section for the third month.
Go Aaron Go! Now we just need to work on him flipping the other way. Once he is on his tummy he gets mighty frustrated!