Ashe Background

Ashe Background

Friday, March 23, 2012

Lexie's Favorites

I have been wanting to write a post for some time now on the certain products that have had an influence on Lexie's well being and development. I never know who is reading our little blog but if others can benefit from what we have learned then great!


Since day 1 Lexie has had reflux problems. The constant throwing up made the nights horrible for everyone. However, thanks to a little girl named Julie, we learned about the Nap Nanny. It was a lifesaver! I knew we hit jackpot on the first night when Lexie did not throw up and she slept through the night. It is pricey, but my sleep and the kids need for a stable parent is far more important. I bought and sold ours on Ebay. It was actually quite sad when Lexie outgrew the Nap Nanny but thankfully by that time she had pretty much outgrown the reflux issues.


I don't know what magical qualities this bouncer possess but Lexie loved it! It was the only toy that she would focus on and bat at the toys. Her OT would work with her on every toy under the sun but she would just look the other way and not reach for the toy. However, once placed in this bouncer she would focus and pounce on the hanging toys as if she were Muhammad Ali. I personally think the black background with the lights flashing made it easy for to focus thus reach. We kept that toy forever and didn't let it go by choice. We donated it to ECI so that maybe another special needs child could benefit from it.

These O' balls are the greatest! Lexie was given an O'ball with a rattle in it and that was the only toy she would activily reach for and bring it back to herself. She still plays with them to this day. They are available at Walmart.
This tummy time mat was a HUGE help when it came to Lexie's head control.
She hated it (non stop screaming) and had to work hard for it but I fully credit this for her head control.

These were great for pushing the use of a straw! Lexie didn't want to give up her bottle so I needed something that would transition us to the sippy cup and this was it. Plus straw sucking strengthens her cheek muscles which helps keep the drooling to a minimum.

Some days Lexie has no drool whatsoever and then some days she is drooling like crazy so I am in the middle of making her some bandit bibs. I was tired of how the bibs were making her look like a baby. Her delays already do that enough for her. Update photo when I am done.

This angled spoon is a must for Lexie! She does really well with it that I see no reason for change. We are still working on her feeding herself, but she would be missing her mouth if it was a regular spoon.

IPad! Need I say more? There are so many apps available that can make any kid happy but Lexie has a few of her favorites! I have to hold some of her fingers down to help her pointer finger stick out but she moves it entirely on her own.


These items went above and beyond, but she still certainly benefited from her Bumbo, ExerSaucer, Jumperoo (excellent way to strengthen leg muscles) and walker. I am sure I have forgotten a few, but if I remember I will update.



Lexie already had trunk control by the time I came across this but it sure would've been helpful and I know I would of used it in her ExerSaucer and in a swing. Hugga-Bebe


This is called a Tumzee and it helps with head, neck and arm control. I came across this after Lexie already had those mastered. Dang it!

Shopping for a special needs child can be quite difficult. Toys that are catered to their actual age sometimes do not fit their developmental age. Although, that doesn't mean younger toys are an automatic hit either. Textures, sounds, lights or whatever could easily turn a toy into a waste of money. I came across this and it is on my list for Lexie. It is a swing called Wingbo that Lexie can push herself while laying on her tummy. It is for all ages and even has a stationery set up for the younger babies that need to work on head control.


I think this is something Lexie would just love! She is CONSTANTLY on the move so I am sure this Kid's Safety Trampoline with Handle would be just the thing to satisfy her need for movement.



Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Rest & Relaxtion

Thanks to my wonderful husband, I was able to join two friends on a 4 day Mexican getaway!
We literally laid on the beach the entire time which we thought was FANTASTIC! Yet, after 4 days we were all anxious to get back home to hug our babies and our husbands. Eric said he and the kids had a fun weekend doing whatever they wanted!



Me, Amanda, and Erica

The sunrise after leaving San Antonio

The view from our hotel room



This is what I did the entire time!



Strawberry Margaritas are delicious!



View of hotel from the beach

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Blossoming Bluebonnets

This time next year we will not be living in San Antonio and there are so many things that we will be missing. I know for sure Bluebonnets will be on the list because they are everywhere and beautiful! Many are located alongside the highways and roads which leaves us a scenery that is so aesthetically pleasing. We went to our tried and true spot for this years pictures and I have to say it did not disappoint. All of our kiddos were enjoying the abundance of the blue flower while running and rolling around in it. It was very hard to chose my favorites but I think these were the best ones.




















Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Spring Break

Yesterday we joined our friends at a favorite restaurant of ours called Big'z for some good tasting burgers! This place has a HUGE play area where the kids can run, kick balls and roll down the hills (Gracie's favorite part). Today we went to a local theater to watch a play about Goldilocks and the Three Bears! The kids got to dance, sing and even contribute to the story line! Gracie and Ethan were laughing the whole time and are still discussing the silly things that Papa Bear did. Lexie ate the whole time but that was just to keep her occupied. Thankfully the play was only 45 minutes long so we didn't have any Lexie meltdowns.

Big'z





Lexie showing Miss. Caryn that she is close to walking.


Some of the gals!
They are laughing because I told them to "Shut up and smile"
once I heard objections about getting their pictures taken!

Theater



Ethan is next to the girl in the purple hat.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Fort Ashe Day

A couple of weeks ago, Ethan mentioned that we haven't had a fort day in a very long time. I started thinking about it and he was correct. The last time was quite a long time ago. However, our spring break is this week and I couldn't think of a better way to start it off. Last night during our bedtime routine, I told them that I had a huge surprise for them. So this morning after I told them what were going to do today Ethan replies with, " I hope we have enough time to do all that." I assured him that we would have enough time and we were just going to have fun. After a really fast breakfast, they raced upstairs to put on their favorite costumes and hurried back down to begin the festivities. Lexie just hung out in her PJ's because costumes and crawling just don't do well together.


My favorite quotes of the day:
Ethan- "Mom made us invisible ice! She is like a magician or something"
Ethan-"Man, I love Spring Break!"
Gracie-"No farting or burping in the fort, Ethan"
Absolute favorite was from Ethan- "I can't wait to grow up and make forts with my kids" The growing up part isn't my favorite, but the part about him doing these activities with his children made me smile. Out of everything I do for them, I want them to remember that I did really try hard to give them a great childhood!

Caution: Picture Overload!!!!!



This was our fort!
Ethan put the snake on top to protect us and I have to say it was a fantastic addition.


This next picture is when we realized backing it up to couch made it a obstacle course.
Moved it two seconds later. Thanks Lexie for keeping me on my toes!


Gracie and Ethan making their Snack Necklaces

LinkHow does this calm and quiet scene above turn into this........



Lexie was having a blast!



Eating some fruit loops that she stole off of Ethan's necklace


Gracie wanted to rest every five minutes.


Here are the kiddos writing on some postcards to send to some of their friends.


Here they are looking at a map and were telling which people would probably receive their post cards first and which ones may get it last. This was a great way for the kiddos to learn about state abbreviations. They really enjoyed it.


Here is Lexie demonstrating the somersault!

This was after I told him to not eat his whole necklace in one sitting.



Here they are making Bird Feeders with cheerios and pipe cleaners





Lunch Time!!
Since it was a special day they choose pizza, cheez-its and oranges.
I am just glad they picked at least one healthy item.



These are the Magic Potion drinks that they were treated too.


This has to be one of my new favorite activities- Easter Egg Craft.
It was extremely easy and the end result was so cool!

Here they are at the beginning of the craft.
While our masterpieces were drying they made sure nothing went
to waste and had fun making a mess!



Are those not the coolest Easter Eggs you have ever seen?!!
Already hanging up on our wall!

We also enjoyed having a Nerf Aiming Competition.

Since we had the paint out, we got to do another Spring Project!


I have to say, It was a GREAT DAY!
I love hearing my kiddos laugh and enjoy being their age!



This video is dark and blurry because I took it with my camera,
but I think it shows their enthusiasm quite well.
Eric has just shown me how to manually focus it so we should be good from now on ;)