Updates on Frejya, Adine, and Niomi

January 17 2008:

Frejya is now 30 months old. She is learning new words every day, and now has a vocabulary that includes a little more than 20 words. She is trying to stand up by herself, without holding on to anything for support. Adine has started potty training Freyja, and continues to use sign language as a tool for communication. Like most toddlers, Frejya is exploring her surroundings, climbing on chairs and tables, knocking things over, and generally making a mess of the house every day - much to Adine's delight.

Adine has decided to obtain an associate degree in Child Development by taking online classes, and is currently applying for scholarships. The entire family is happy and healthy.

Frejya and Niomi, September 2007

March 2 2008:

Frejya can now stand for about ten seconds on her own, without holding on to anything - though she still preferes to hold Adine's hand, because "it's like a game." Frejya's Developemental Pediatrician recently noticed that Frejya looks very closely at things and will have to start wearing glasses. Being near-sighted is common for anyone with Down Syndrome, as are hearing problems. In order to get Frejya used to the idea of wearing glasses, Adine asked everyone she knows that wears glasses to send a picture to her, so Frejya can start seeing friendly and familiar faces with glasses.

March 25 2008:

I heard a great program on NPR today that I thought I would share for anyone that wasn't lucky enough to catch it live. It's the story of young Gibson Brown, and how his parents finally came to figure out that Gibson's developmental problems weren't just "he's a little slow," he was born with Autism. The show is produced by Dan Collison and Elizabeth Meister of Long Haul Productions, and can be heard on the NPR website. While Autism and Down Syndrome are very different types of diseases, listening to Katrina Brown's story reminded me a lot of Adine's experiences. The fear that parents have of just simply not knowing what to do is something that any parent who has a child with disabilities can probably relate to.

April 1 2008:

Frejya's glasses broke after less than a week (hard to imagine how a toddler can not break glasses), so Adine is looking into getting her special glasses. Two new words have entered her vocabulary - "green" and "cry," and she beginning to learn how to count. She is standing on her own for up to 10 seconds, and growing increasingly frustrated at watching her younger sister go around the playground - Adine sees this as a positive thing, because Niomi motivates Frejya to do more activities. Adine did start potty-training, but it was a bit too soon, so she will take a break for a little while and wait until a better time.

May 1 2008:

Updates will be post-poned for a few months while I re-locate myself to The Netherlands! Stay tuned for more updates, news, and video once my life is a bit more settled, and thanks for your patience. --Tamara

June 9 2008:

Back to the updates - and this is a big one! On this day, Frejya started walking. She can take up to seven steps at a time and is growing more and more confident each time she tries. Adine is thrilled with this latest development. More updates to come soon, stay tuned!

August 6 2008:

This will be a big update, since it's been a while! Freyja doesn't enjoy moving around because it's hard work for her. She can stand by herself for about a minute and can take up to ten steps - but she doesn't seem to enjoy walking. She can crawl very fast on her knees and climb onto the couch and chairs by herself. Frejya also loves playing games like ring around the rosy, and can kick balls. She also loves holding hands.

In terms of speech, Frejya is talking more and more, and can repeat words very well. Adine loves that Frejya know the words to many songs, and is constantly surprised by how much Frejya will sing along to cartoons, or how she will talk along when Adine is telling a story (just like any other toddler who hears the same story over and over!). Frejya calls the dog and cat by their names, and has learned to spell her name from Adine singing a name song. Both Frejya and Niomi shout out "PRI - Public Radio International" after Adine is done listening to This American Life.

Since Frejya got her glasses she has improved greatly with puzzles, sorting, shapes and colors. She loves books and magazines, and she knows how to dip her paintbrush into different colors to use them to paint. She uses a spoon and fork at meals until she gets frustrated with them, and can tell Adine when she wants juice or water to drink. Niomi and Frejya play together more, and sometimes fight over toys or because Niomi does something that Freyja doesn't want her to do.

As far as Adine's life goes, she still plans to get a degree, but that hasn't gone as easily as she would have hoped. She is nervous about putting Frejya in school for five hours a week, five hours a day, beginning in September. It's going to be a huge change, and just like many other mothers, Adine isn't anxious to be parted from her daughter on a regular basis. Niomi will also start daycare in Septemeber, so Adine can find a part-time job.

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