Month: May 2015

Today after work Mommy and Aunty Em went shopping and found the perfect wooden chair for Madison. She is able to sit at 90 degrees and use the sides of the chair to hold on to if needed. The chair has no back which forces her to sit up straight.

Madison has been using a wooden block chair like this at Conductive Education which has been going well. Her OT at Grandview also recommended a chair like this for Madison to try and sit independently with the future goal of learning to dress herself while sitting every morning. Sitting independently on a chair this size will also prepare her for when it is time to start potty training.

Many new things will come from her sitting by herself on this chair. I’m so happy we found it and it’d the perfect size! Anyone looking for something similar, we got it from Home Sense.

Madison had a beautiful day visiting with family and most importantly…me and her having some good snuggles, giggles and kisses.

Photo diary of our special day:

Today Madison enjoyed her first Jays game of the season with so many good friends. Uncle Barker, Chris, Meg & Huddy were in town so Madison got a chance to visit, catch up and enjoy the game.

She lasted most of the game by eating popcorn and people watching and for a few innings she actually watched the game. But around the 7th she went downhill fast.

We left and headed to the car as the meltdown began. It was great seeing everyone and was a fun family outing that we will have to do again once school is out.

All you can eat Sushi with Auntie Em!

Can’t wait to snuggle and enjoy my little miracle all weekend long!!

Madi came home from daycare today with the cutest Mothers Day gifts.

She was so proud! I’m a lucky Mamma!

Things have been very busy lately and I’ve been dropping the ball. I consider myself a pretty organized person, but lately not so much. James is very helpful and is always looking for ways to help make things easier.  Love him!

Today, during some Daddy Daughter time, James attempted to put Madi’s hair up to keep it out of her face. Usually I’m the only one to do Madi’s hair but he jumped right in and did a great job!

 

Madison’s day started off at Conductive Education at March of Dimes. She and her new friends worked so hard on their lying program, sitting on blocks for snack time, walking with their ladders, going down the slide, sitting playing music and cruising through a maze of wooden furniture. It is such a wonderful program and we are so grateful to be a part of it.

Madison then spent her afternoon with Aunt Janine and Suzanne playing with Buddy in the backyard, walking around in her walker and playing with lots of new toys.

Madison’s final stop of the day was with Ryan at her swimming lesson. She only cried for 2 minutes and did some good kicking with Ryan. She loved playing with a basket full of floating balls.

It was a busy day, but Madison loved every minute of it!

Madison was back at Grandview this evening for her next block of therapy with Kathy and Kate.  She showed them her new skills of sitting on her own and trying to pull herself up. They worked on crawling, sitting on a block while reaching for objects, fine motor skills with discs and slotted boxes and using her walker. She did a fabulous job!

We also discussed the option of treatment using botox in the near future. Madison will be placed on a wait list for the next 4 months to see a doctor specializing in botox which she can receive once she is two years old.

Here’s some info:

“When most people hear the term botox, they automatically assume that the impending use will be for some celebrities wrinkled, aging face and their last stab at beauty. However, few are aware of a more important use for botox, and the connection between botox and cerebral palsy.

Botulinum toxin type A, or botox, is a therapeutic muscle-relaxing agent that reduces the rigidity of muscles or unwanted spasms in a specific muscle. Botox is produced from the bacteria that causes food poisoning and provides relief for muscle stiffness at the site of injection. Though high doses of botox can be deadly, the very small doses used in cerebral palsy cases. Over the past ten years, the use of botox has shifted from wrinkle reduction to successfully treating muscle spasticity in children with cerebral palsy, making botox and cerebral palsy a hugely successful match.

The marriage of botox and cerebral palsy may seem odd at first, but is actually quite practical. When prepared for therapeutic use, botox is injected in small amounts into the spastic or stiff muscles. It begins to take effect by blocking transmission between the nerves and the affected muscles. The injection stops the signal between the nerve and the muscle, relaxing the muscle and reducing stiffness. Botox only affects the muscles that are injected and once the muscles are relaxed, therapists are able to stretch the muscles and stimulate normal growth.

There are several benefits associated with botox and cerebral palsy. Botox injections can offer many benefits including ease in stretching, improvement in child’s range of motion, tolerance to wearing braces and developmental improvements in crawling, standing, or gait changes”

Guest blog by James

Madison began the week with yet another appointment- hearing this time. When we arrived we were greeted at the front door by the building superintendent and receptionist who informed us the ringing bells would stop any minute… How convenient we were there for a hearing test and ended up being a part of a fire drill. After, we were seen by the audiologist right away. She checked Madison’s ears and verified that her recent ear infection had cleared up and was ready for the days hearing tests. Both Madi and Daddy were put through the tests, sitting in a sound proof room listening for sounds coming from either the left or right speaker. Despite the creepy circus like visuals in the speakers to assist the test noises, both Madi and Daddy passed with flying colours!

Madison and Nana spent their morning watching birds in the backyard, baking muffins and playing with toys while Madison practiced her sitting, all while Mommy was at coaching. She also had a nice visit with her Aunt Nadia and Cousin Nate. They played on the floor together and had some good tummy time.

Nana was a jungle gym!

Sitting on her own!

Cousin time!

Madison spent her afternoon sitting like a rock star in the backyard trying to get Carter to play with her. Through Conductive Education we’ve figured out if Madison sits with her legs crossed and feet slightly tucked under her bum, she can sit much more independantly and is not as tipsy.

Madison enjoyed a ride to the park on her bike!

When Madison can reach the peddles, James is going to bolt a pair of sandles with straps to the peddles to secure her feet. This will be great for her legs. She can get a good workout until she is able to try and peddle herself. This will also promote good circulation in her legs.

She loves to ride on her bike!