I wanted to list some stuff Audrey can do, I’m not really bragging, just want to remember how well she’s doing and have an excuse to document small things we may forget.

Don’t get me wrong either, I am fully aware typical children can do all these things and much, much more and that other kids with DS might be ahead of us too, but I am super proud of every little thing Audrey has achieved. The bar was set low when we realised she had Down Syndrome (sad but true), but those low expectations mean BIG celebrations when she achieves. We are a family of clappers and cheerers!

Ok, so signs-wise Audrey knows loads, but these are words she also says whilst signing:

Dada (putting this at the top as it is her most successful word-sign combo!)

Mama 

Banana (narna)

More

Cake (don’t judge! She has rice cakes and pancakes a lot, so associates the word with those things as well as the odd nibble of Mummy’s lemon drizzle!)

Audrey can sign (without saying):

Bibi (Grandma)

Finished

Food

Blueberries

Yoghurt

Milk

Biscuit

Water/drink

Nappy

Where

Cuddle

Hello and goodbye

Baby

Bird

Dog

Flower

Bus

Bath

Sleep

Brush

Glasses

Monkey

Elephant

She also signs the actions to Incy Wincy Spider, Row Row, Twinkle Twinkle, the Wheels on the Bus and a few other songs.

She can high five and fist bump, blow kisses, give tickles and reach out to be picked up.

She knows her feet and toes, her nose and her head.

She can wash her face and hands with a wet wipe (although she is started to just suck on the wet wipe!).

She loves to take off and put on hats and glasses, she also likes putting things in and taking them out of boxes or bags.

She can brush her hair and ours. She can feed herself with a spoon (but doesn’t like to do it!), she mostly eats finger foods.

She can hold a beaker and drink (she stopped having a bottle around 18 months when she decided she no longer wanted it).

Physically, Audrey definitely suffers from low muscle tone. She is extremely flexible and started bum shuffling properly at Easter time. Now she is into anything and everything. She has only just started to show interest in standing and it is a million miles away from the stiff standing typical children attempt. She is pushing onto her feet, with us holding her under her arms and can stand for a second before wobbling out of it. It still feels like a huge step forward, walking is the next big thing to master… the day that I can buy her shoes will be a great day indeed 🙂