Month: June 2015

Madison spent most of her morning doing different crafts around the house.  While she was practicing her standing and side stepping against the window,  she coloured the glass with window writers and loved it! She was working on her gross and fine motor skills both at the same time!

She then started making some gifts by gluing tissue paper to glass bottles. She was good at ripping the paper and painting the glass but hated sticking it on. I don’t think she liked the feel of the glue.

Madison then spent her evening celebrating Fathers Day for her Grandpa Ambos. She had alot of giggles watching Stanley eat bubbles as she used the bubble machine. She also loved helping Grandpa open his cards and gifts.

Madison was picked up from daycare today from both Mama and Dada and went to the mall. Madison had ice cream with her Dada to celebrate his last day of work! She also visited the Dollar store for some Fathers Day shopping and PJ’S Pets to say hello to her chinchilla friends.

Guest blog by: Grampa Gregoire

During dinner Madison could hear the construction going on outside. Madison’s neighbour is putting in a swimming pool and Madison wanted to watch. After supervising Madison came in and read a book to Nana and Carter

Madison has found the perfect spot to practice her cruising. Carters couch has been moved away from the front bay window. Madison is now using the window ledge to walk along it sideways. She is pretty quick and stable when her right leg is leading, but when she tries to go left leg first there usually are some tumbles and tears. She loves looking outside at everything and likes to play with the window opener and latch.

Madison wasn’t feeling well last night so she took the day off daycare and spent it at home with her Dada.

This picture sums up their day.

Good news is that she seems to be feeling better and will be back at daycare tomorrow.

I received a text message this morning from our wonderful neighbour Pam that Said “Madi has her picture on page GTA 7 of the Toronto Star today!”

I had no clue what that meant. I checked the newspaper online,  but the article was a condensed version.

Later in the day I saw the article entitled: “Building on Strengths at Their Own Pace”. And there was a picture of our little peanut working her but off at Conductive Education at March of Dimes. I was so proud to see her picture next to such an important article that was raising awareness about the work they do, and how important and special their summer programming at March of Dimes is. If you receive The Toronto Star make sure to check it out! 

Madison is once again under the weather…this time an ear infection. James and I are not feeling well either so we spent our Sunday morning at the walk in clinic. All 3 getting checked was a first. After a lazy lying around day we left Madison with her Nana and Grampa so we could go and do something special.

Nana and Grampa cuddling and comforting Madison while she wasn’t feeling well.

Nap time!

Grampa & Madi calling for Stitch to go upstairs

While Madi was on the mend at home, James, Emily & I went to Seven Crowns Tattoo and James got his tattoo. It was a special moment and decision that he made. I was very proud of the way he chose to show his love, support and how proud he is of his family in the form of art on his arm. When we discovered that the ribbon colour for Cerebral Palsy was the same as organ donor awareness- GREEN- he knew instantly he wanted to find a way to show his support of our family and the ribbon together in a tattoo. I think it turned out beautiful and I can’t wait until it heals and he can show Madi and let her touch it and for her to learn one day of what it means to us. As Emily said so nicely,  the meaning behind the ribbon doesn’t define our family, it’s just a part of it, like in the tattoo.  

Madison started her day with a fun visit at Pam and Medfords while we cleaned and disinfected the house from all our sick germs. She loves playing the piano that’s the perfect size for her!

Madison spent the afternoon playing and working on her walking with a new activity. We have bubble guppies cards stuck to the walls. She holds onto the wall and side steps along the wall. Everytime she picks one off she squats to put it on the ground, stands up straight and then keeps sidestepping to get the others. She needs a high level of assistance right now but we are hoping she will do this more independantly as we work on it.

Madison ended her day with celebrating her Dada’s birthday with Nana, Grampa and Uncle Mark at the Distillery District. She had a yummy dinner and then checked out a few shops and Tristan ‘ s new restaurant. I think her favourite part of the night was learning how to blow bubbles through a straw with Grampa. It was a great night!

Madison does not like kneeling. She is wobbly and her muscles are tight so it is not comfortable – but we do it anyways. She was motivated to kneel for longer then she usually does because we played with Lego!  Well..actually Duplo…but same thing.  Thanks Aunty Em! So far she knows the colour pink. She picks blocks off the ground, transfers hands and then figures out how to snap it into the base. She is getting more confident by sometimes taking both hands off the stool and just balancing on her knees. There is lots of multitasking involved to keep her interested and motivated.

Today when I picked Madison up from daycare she was playing outside with her friends. It was nice to step back and watch her for a minute to see her interacting with all the other kids. She was moving around in her walker and the kids were following her in toy cars. It was really cute to see her be confident and lead the way.