Author: katherineambos

Madison’s teachers had a professional development day today, which meant no school! Mommy and Daddy decided to get some things done on the “to do” list, on top of the regular Tuesday routine which equaled a jam packed day.

Madison and Jack started their day with Aunt Nadia and Nate at their house for some breakfast and playtime. Mommy and Daddy had a meeting at one of the neighbourhood school options for Madison for kindergarten. The school is very close to the house, is completely accessible and had a good vibe about it. The resource room was large and bright and Madison would have all the support she would need. It was a good first visit and was encouraging to see the possibility of Madison going straight into a full day kindergarten instead of a specialized school program. 

Madison then went to the Grandview Oshawa site to have a tour and check out their school program. Their school offers a school much like Bloorview. Madison would only have 6 other children in a class, would receive OT, PT and swimming during the school day and be in an environment with other children using equipment like hers like walkers. Madison LOVED checking out the accessible playground that the students use at recess. Mommy and Daddy have a lot to think about this summer.

Madison then headed to the other Grandview location in Ajax. She had a physio session followed by an OT session. Madison and Kate continued to work on her upper body strength, core strength sitting and bouncing on a ball and learning to move from sitting to standing by herself. Madison also did some breathing/speech exercises with Kate. Kate gave her a sound to repeat, and Madison’s job was to try and project that sound as long and loud as she could by taking a big breath. Once she understood what Kate was asking, she did a really great job. 

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Madison and Sherie worked on cutting straight lines, drawing circles and drawing horizontal and vertical lines in OT. They also worked on a few puzzles with small parts to manipulate and played with hand putty. The putty had different figurines hidden inside which Madison had to try and dig out with her fingers. It was challenging for her but she loved it.

After a long nap at home and a big dinner, Madison headed to the pool for a swim with Ryan. Tonight they focused on learning to push off the wall with her feet.

Madison’s teacher wrote in her journal today that they are excited to see how much stronger she is getting every day. It has been about 3 weeks since Botox, it has “kicked in”, her period of weakness has ended, and now the exciting part starts!

Madison spent her afternoon with Grandma Sandra. They played with Stanley in the backyard and checked in on her flowers.

Madison worked with Emily tonight on rope walking, practicing in her outdoor walker and using her leg Gaitors to long sit while playing with play dough. Madison did a great job stretching out her legs flat in front of her and she did it on the uneven grass outside. It looked like she was getting a great core workout keeping herself upright on the slight hill. Madison was so happy to hear that Emily was accepted into two schools for physio therapy next school year – congrats Emily!!

In other news… Jack had his first adjustment at the chiropractors today and it went really well – thank you Sarah!

Jack also had his first taste of Oat cereal today and loved it!

Madison and Jack hung out with Nana and Papa while Mommy picked up Daddy from downtown. She was thrilled to see 2 bluejay birds in their backyard while playing on the deck with Papa. 

Madison also got her very own baseball jersey today from Papa. Madison will be checking out the challenger baseball starting next Saturday at Bond Park. Challenger baseball is for children with special needs to give them the opportunity to try and play some ball. The majority of the kids are much older, so Madison will go and watch in her jersey. It has her favourite number on the back – the number 8!

Daddy and Uncle Barker spent the night downtown for his big 30th Birthday celebration! Madison was so happy that Uncle Barker could make the trip to celebrate! Thank you as well to everyone who went to the Jays game to celebrate! Later in the day Madison celebrated Daddy’s birthday at Grandma and Grandpas house. She planted some flowers, played with the dogs and helped Daddy open presents. 

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Madison has started trying to read. She attempted reading most of Daddy’s cards and did an awesome job with this one:

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Madison’s favourite part of the evening was playing with the dogs and Auntie Emily on the grass in her walker. She did such a good job standing in her walker while throwing the balls to the dogs. 

Madison has started working on breath control and learning to inhale and blow out stronger. She tried to help Daddy blow out his birthday candles.

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Today Madison celebrated her Daddy’s 30th Birthday at the Blue Jays game. It was a surprise! Madison and 24 other family and friends celebrated in a private suite to watch the Blue Jays beat Boston in the 9th. She loved watching her favourite player Jose and ate lots of yummy food and cheered and played. The highlight of her day was at the end of the game. Madison, Nate and Theo ventured down to field level to run the bases! 6 months ago, Madison was just learning how to stand in her walker and was able to spend a few minutes in it. Today she was able to walk/run in her walker all the way from 1st base to home plate. Everyone was so proud of her and cheered her on from the box. Mommy cried and was so proud. It was such a special birthday present for Daddy.

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Madison played hookie from school this morning. She went to Pam and Medfords for a play while Mommy took Jack for a massage. She showed Pam her play dough and had a great time.

Mommy then picked Madi up to go to Variety Village. She met up with her new boyfriends J.R. And Cruz and their Mommy’s. They all went for a swim with Madi’s swim teacher Ryan who wanted to meet the boys and get to know them more for lessons this summer. They dumped a bin of balls and squirting toys in the water to play with. Mommy was so happy to see how happy and comfortable/confident Madi was. It was hilarious when J.R.’s mom Jen said “Madi you’re so cute” and Madi said right back to her “You’re cute!” Madison had so much fun with her new friends. Its so wonderful for her to have a group of friends with similar challenges and strengths to grow up with and to figure things out together. 

After swimming Madison took her brother Jack to the doctors to get his 4 month shots. She was very excited that she would see the needles, but she ended up falling asleep in the stroller for 2 hours and missed everything! Swimming clearly wiped her out.

Madi took it easy around the house when she got home. She is loving her floor chair that she can easily get in and out of while playing or watching tv from the floor. It was a hot afternoon in the house. She relaxed with the fan on her and had a cold juice to drink. 

Madison had a great morning at school. Today was physio day at school in the gym. She walked on the treadmill, worked on standing and some jumping and she took 4 steps by herself. This week Madison and her classmates are learning about firefighters. A fire truck visited her school today and she had a chance to meet a firefighter and check out the inside of the truck. 

After school Madison spent her afternoon with Janine and Suzanne and went to conductive education at March of Dimes. She worked on her upper body strength by giving Monika high fives with weights on her arms. She also practiced her jumping and she held her independent standing for 20 seconds! 

Madison spent the rest of her day with Nana and Papa while Mommy and Daddy went to Madison’s school for an event. Madison went for a walk with Papa and Suzanne, showed Nana her play dough and her new nightgown at bedtime. 

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Madison’s school ends in a few weeks so tonight was volunteer appreciation night. For those that don’t know, Madison goes to Centennial Infant and Child Centre every morning. It is a preschool for children between the ages of 2 and 4 who have special needs. Every day Madison has 2 special Ed teachers and a 1:1 volunteer who work with her on all kinds of things like sensory, music time, gym time, story time and 1:1 time with her volunteer to do puzzles, alphabet, number work etc. Centennial would not be what it is without it’s fantastic volunteers. Mommy and Daddy were able to chat with one of Madison’s favourite volunteers Tiffany. It was so nice to share stories of Madison’s successes and progression over the year with Tiffany and to thank her for all of her hard work. Madison is hoping to see Tiffany over the summer to continue their special relationship. 

When Mommy picked Madison up from school she was happy to see Madison sitting in the little floor chairs that her other classmates sit in for music time. Madison has been sitting in a chair with more support until today. Madison’s teacher reported that Madison requested to sit in the other chair today because that’s what her friends use. She wanted to give it a try and was successful! Mommy and Daddy we’re so proud to hear that Madi is speaking up to tell her teachers what she wants and needs. 

Madison did a great job with Joe today. When she mounted him, Madison’s teacher told her she had to use a loud voice with Joe today. Madison didn’t hesitate and yelled to Joe “WALK!” She was a woman on a mission and wanted to get going. They went for a long walk outdoors so Madison was very tired from being in the heat and having to balance on Joe on all the uneven ground. 

Madison had a relaxing afternoon hanging out in the backyard. She played with her play dough and bubbles. She was happy to have a visit from Nate and Uncle Mark. They had a good play before dinner. ​

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Mommy picked Madison up from school today and with physio cancelled there was no rush, nowhere to be. Madison decided she wanted to walk the long way to the car and sit in the grass for a while to pick some flowers. She was determined to keep her backpack and Jays hat on as long as she could.

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After a pretend nap, Mommy convinced Madi to stretch out her legs in her splints by having a freezie! She ended up spending a big part of the afternoon outside playing. Madi and Jack had their first teader todder together which Madi was thrilled about. 

Ryan and Madison worked on relaxing in the water for her back floats at swimming tonight. She was super excited to bring him a painting she made at school that she tried writing his name on. 

Madison had a great day celebrating her little buddy Theo’s 1st Birthday and Nana’s Birthday! Madison had lots of treats, lots of time visiting with friends and family and enjoying the sun. It was a great way to finish off the long weekend.