Horse Therapy

Maya really likes horses and had the opportunity to ride one not too long ago at Amy's sister's house - Maycie rides one. Horse riding is oh so beneficial for children like Maya. When the horse walks, it simulates motions in the rider's hips (and other stuff) as if the rider was walking, too. Provides great range of motion in those areas of her body that we cannot stretch regularly everyday. So for her birthday, her Nani and Papa said they would help us put Maya in a hippotherapy class. It only took me about 5 months to get the evalulation, but we finally got in. She was only supposed to get evaluated and not get on the horse, but not a surprise that all the ladies fell in love with Maya and let her get on the horse for a quick ride. Maya was so excited! We couldn't get into the summer session, so we will wait until the fall for her lessons to start. I am hoping we can get her in about two sessions per year.

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Kaden at 6 months

Here is Kaden at 6 months!!

Stats: 97% for height at 28.4 in and 76% for weight at 19 lbs. Dr Bhakta even made a "wow" comment when he saw him.

-Still not sleeping through the night

-Started cereal and pears this month. loves food!

-He had his prevnar shot and this time did not have a reaction. Last time he had every side effect so we were worried this time. He only had rotavirus to go with it and going for the second round in 6 weeks. He is SO good about shots. Barely cried. See below about what does make him cry.
-Kaden gets really mad and squeals when you put him in the car seat now. He arches his back and just gets so irritated.
-He still hates loud talkers, shouting, especially from Charlie. The other day he freaked out when I was holding him and was yelling upstairs to charlie to get something for me. He seems to have started stranger anxiety and often freaks out with the grandfathers, even though he doesn't go two weeks without seeing any of them.
-Loves pic-a-boo
-Wears 6-9 month separates and 9 month one piece
-Not a huge fan of apple juice
-He is so strong, so very strong. Diaper changing is going to be a real challenge soon.

- Loves to smile and laugh; ticklish everywhere

- The door jumper is probably his favorite big toy in the house

- He loves to chomp on the labels of toys – prompting us to buy some Taggie toys. Knew nothing about these when Maya was this age

- He rolls both ways – actually he more like flips bc its so fast. He looks like he will crawl early based on how he can get around on his tummy

- He can find his paci in the crib

- Made the move finally from bassinet to playpen in our bedroom and we started him in his room upstairs for naps and half the night

- He is such a boy and likes to bang the crap out of his toys and then smiles when he unleashes the toy from its link.

- Prince charming – oh the look…he quickly gets Bernadette’s and I’s attention with that flirtacious look he gives out

- He is starting to fuss a little more, but only bc he wants to be down on the ground and roll around. 

- He likes to stand and watch TV

6 months also brings a sad time for Charlie and I. And our parents as well. It was at this point that we noticed things were wrong with Maya. We have a second child but we've never had one that moved around and will get into things. Its going to be challenging and I think Maya sees it too. Kaden already knocks her over by accident of course on the floor or bed. But he is going to grow up being so helpful to Maya. We know that. One day, Maya told us that when Kaden grows up he was going to carry her and take care of her. She is SO right!

Mona's Wedding

My cousin Mona got married in Long Island, NY where her husband is from and where she has been living for several years now. Mona is from Alabama, but decided to have a classic New York wedding. Mona and I visited each other most summers. Our mothers are sisters. Our brothers hung out too. We decided it would be “fun” to take everyone with us to the wedding and so went Maya and Kaden with us. Since we had to fly, Maya couldn’t take her powerchair with her but we took her manual chair which worked out just as good. Both did great on the trip up there. Kaden isn’t on the move yet so he was well behaved.

Kaden was the perfect baby and slept through most of the reception. Maya had the greatest time ever! She danced and danced and danced. She stayed out very late and shut down the wedding reception! She made friends with all my cousins kids and asked when the next wedding was so that she could dance like that again. All the pictures are here, but below are some of the favorites.