Month: February 2016

Madison has been working on her balance while standing. She is successful with her standing while distracted doing a task with both her hands. This allows her to work on her balance without feeling like she has to hold onto something with one hand.

At school this morning Madison practiced doing this during sensory time. She cut up watermelon using cookie cutters in the shape of hearts using both hands.

At home today for lunch Madi stood in her tower to make her monkey rolls (peanut butter, banana and a tortilla soft shell) She used both hands to roll up the bananas and then ate them. She did a great job and stood several times without leaning or holding onto anything.

Baby Brother Update:

Jack is doing great! Madi’s job today was to encourage Jack to go on his tummy for some tummy time! He’s a strong little man 🙂

 

Mommy and Daddy were happy to hear from Madison’s teachers today that she is using her big girl voice more at school. At home and around family and all her therapists she can be loud and clear and is working on it at school. Her teacher reported that she used a big girl voice at school during story time and even sang her teacher her ABC’S.

After school Madi spent the afternoon with Grandma and Grandpa Ambos. They ate heart shape pancakes for lunch and had a good play.  Madison loved her big sister knitted hat and stickers from her friend Wendy and her Valentines books from Grandma. Her friend Wendy also made her little brother Jack a beautiful blue blanket. Thank you Wendy!

After dinner Madison loved her time with Emily. Their big focus tonight was standing. Emily said that Madison is wanting to do more and more standing by herself and is up more to play then on the ground. She practiced for her Stand Up for CE Challenge by shooting hoops with her ski boots. Emily also gave Madison a cute Big Sister shirt that Madi picked out matching pants for to wear to school tomorrow.  Thank you Emily!

From the moment Madison woke up this morning she was super excited because she knew she would be seeing Nate today. The whole day was spent asking when it was time to go, trying to pack herself a bag and waiting by the door.

Mommy was over the moon to find Madison practicing her standing and side stepping by herself while singing her brother songs. ABC’S was her favourite to sing.

After lunch Madison did a great job making her friends Valentines for her class party this week. She tried to read each friends name that Mommy wrote while doing a beautiful job decorating them.

When she woke up from her nap the first thing she said was “Nate’s House!”

Madison and Nate had a great play and had yummy football food while watching the game.

Madi wanted to help with everything today for her brother Jack. She liked helping but also became frustrated when it came to things she couldn’t do because of some mobility issues (standing and using both hands to help change a diaper,  bring Mamma a clean sleeper etc) so Mommy and Daddy gave her one thing to focus on with Jack for the day. Today’s job was being in charge of his pacifier. Whenever she heard him cry she would put the pacifier in his mouth. So far so good.

Madi and Mommy had some girl time this afternoon. Mommy has not been able to take Madison shopping by herself since October because of being on bed rest.  Madi helped Mommy grocery shop today and it was lots of fun and much needed time together.

After a few days of staying with Nana and Papa and all the exciting life changes, Madison was back at school today. Nana and Papa Gregoire did drop off and said all of Madison’s teachers and friends were so happy to see her. She shared pictures with her class during circle time of Jack and she was very proud. Her teacher helped her make a special card to bring home as well.

While Madi was at school, Jack went home from the hospital! He was greeted by lots of balloons and a yummy lunch from his Aunt Nadia and Cousin Nate! They had a great visit!

After school Madison spent the afternoon with Grandma and Grandpa Ambos. She played with her snowman and letters and had lots of laughs all the way home in the car. She was thrilled to see Jack when she got home. All her Grandparents joined her for a celebratory welcome home pizza dinner! Mommy and Madison had a special going to bed snuggle. It had been months since Mommy was able to put Madison to bed. Madi and Mommy read books, had some milk, sang some songs and had a good snuggle. It was special for Madi to say goodnight to her brother at home for the first time!

Madison is thrilled to announce the birth of her little brother Jack Stephen Ambos! Jack was born February 4th 3:10 am.  He weighs 7 pounds 14 ounces and is 21.2 inches long. Madison was very excited to meet Jack today. She raced into the hospital room in her walker and gave Mommy a huge smile and lots of kisses. She didn’t take her eyes off of Jack. She instantly took on her role as big sister with pride.  She helped wrap Jack in his blanket, put on his gloves and gave him snuggles.  She even sang him Happy Birthday! It was a wonderful first meeting that melted the hearts of everyone in the room.

Madison was home from school today to have one more day of down time to help her fully recover. Everyone slept in, had morning cuddles and tv watching in bed, lots of tickles and laughs and a yummy breakfast. It ended up being a blessing in disguise and a special moment to remember as one of our last days as a family of 3. Madison stayed with Nana while Mommy and Daddy went to the doctors to check on baby #2 to find out that Mommy will be ready to deliver either tonight or tomorrow. It was a special day spent at home, with no plans or therapy or anywhere to be. A day to remember. Nana took Madison home with her, Mommy and Daddy said their good byes and will see her next at the hospital to meet her new brother.

Daddy and Madison having goodbye snuggles xoxo

Madison was under the weather again at school so Daddy picked her up early. She had an appointment at Grandview this afternoon with a Developmental pediatrician that took a while to book so she still went. The appointment was to complete an assessment to submit to Windreach Farms for Madison’s horseback riding. The doctor assessed Madison’s tone in her legs,  core strength, ability to sit up straight and to hold onto something with her hands. Windreach Farms will use the information to assign a program and instructor for Madison starting in March.

After Grandview, Madison headed to the walk in clinic. Turns out she has a bad ear infection. No school or physio tomorrow just some meds and rest and hopefully she will be back on her feet before her brother arrives.

Madison was feeling much better today and was able to go to school. Her favourite activity at school today was bouncing on the trampoline.

After school Madison spent her afternoon with Grandma and Grandpa Ambos. Grandpa set up the new keyboard and taught Madison some of the cool features and how to play twinkle twinkle. Madison has always had long fingers so who knows – maybe piano lessons are in her future.

Today was also the kick off day for:

‘Stand Up for Conductive Education’

Madison will be participating in Stand Up for CE 2016.

February 19 is National Conductive Education Day across North America

To celebrate the day in Toronto, Ontario, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, participants will be ‘Standing Up for CE’ – raising funds from family and friends to support a challenge where they will complete a physical skill that they have learned to complete in conductive education classes – such as “standing up”.

It is believed that Conductive Education has the potential to make a significant, life-changing impact on the mobility and independence of close to nine million people in Canada and the United States.

Madison’s goal for this challenge is to stand independently for 10 seconds. It is something she has been working very hard on for the past year with Monika at March of Dimes. Developing this skill will continue to grow Madison’s self-confidence and skill base to hopefully provide her with the opportunity to walk by herself someday. This program has been life changing for Madison! 50% of funds raised will go directly to Madison’s conductive education sessions and the other 50% will go directly to providing other children with the opportunities Madison has had through classes, equipment and resources for instructors.

Madison appreciates any sponsorship that you can provide! Please note, donations of $10 or more will receive a tax credit.

Thank you to everyone who has already made a donation – your support has been very overwealming and we are very grateful!

Here is the link to her page:

Madison’s Fundraising Page

We will post some videos of Madison attempting her challenge in the next few weeks. Thank you!