katherineambos

Day 257: Grandview!

Madison was back at Grandview tonight with her PT Kate. Madi has been on a break from her service blocks since the end of August. We caught her up on lots. ..mri booked…xray being booked….pt at VV….March of Dimes. …new school….swimming….neurologist and specialist who is planning botox. Kate did a re-assessment of Madison’s skills and movements to assess new goals for this 2 month block. Some goals moving forward are independant walking, use of walker and falling properly. She also noticed how much Madison has grown in the past 2 months which is contributing to how tight her tone has been. It was so great seeing how easy Madison picked up right where she left off with Kate and she even asked Kate where some of her toys were from 2 months ago…her memory continues to amaze us. It was great being back with Kate! We can’t wait to see how things go in the next few weeks! Madison’s Social Worker Stephanie also stopped by to touch base with us on all of Madison’s changes but to also help us figure out our new curve ball of bed rest. She is helping us apply to CCAC for respite care at home and is looking into their volunteer network for at home help as well. It was alot of information in 1 hour but sooo great to be back!!

Day 256: Potty Time!

Madison was very proud of herself tonight. She used her potty for the first time at home! She was playing with her dolls and we noticed she had to go. We asked her if she wanted to use her potty, she said yes and then Daddy picked her up and rushed her to the potty. After sitting for a few minutes and reading her potty book she did it! Poor girls legs are so tight that sitting was really hard for her and the potty dug into her legs. Hopefully with all our stretching and botox that is coming soon something as simple as sitting on a potty will be more comfortable for her. Ya Madi!

Day 255: Feeling the Love

Yesterday Madison had a friend of Mommy’s visit with lots of food and flowers. We are feeling truly blessed to have so many friends at Branksome Hall who are so caring and generous. Due to Mommy’s bed rest it has been harder to get things done around the house. Mommy’s friend Sharon brought bags of yummy food like mac and cheese, lasagna, pasta, salad, quiche, salmon etc. for us to have enough meals for the next 2 weeks! The flowers really helped to brighten up our day too. Thank you to all the teachers at Branksome Hall for helping us out during this crazy time.

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Happy 60th Birthday Janine!

Today Madison went to a surprise birthday party for her Aunt Janine! Madi is so grateful for all that her aunt does for her and wanted to make sure her birthday was extra special. She helped Janine open her cards and blow out her candles and everyone had an awesome lunch catered by Casa de Giorgio.

Day 254: Happy Halloween!

Madison had a spooktacular Halloween! Her day started at Nathan’s house for a Halloween brunch to celebrate his first Halloween! Madi had lots of yummy food, played with Nate and made some fun Halloween crafts.

Unfortunately the blog is having some technical issues with posting pictures this evening. Please look to my Facebook page for additional photos from the night.

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After a quick nap and a Pizza dinner (Halloween tradition) Madison helped set up her pumpkins and then was off for some Trick or Treating. She made it in her walker to 4 houses this year! Her first stop was to Pam and Medford’s house. She walked right up in her walker making her monkey sounds and was excited to get some bags of gold fish crackers – her favourite! After some piano playing and a nice visit she left for some other houses. She did a great job walking with her costume on and was only scared at one house. It had a big ghost on the front lawn so it took her about 10 minutes to reach the door. When she was all done she sat out front of our house for a while watching the other kids and handed out candy. At this time last year Madison had her first pony walker for only a few weeks and made it just next door. What an improvement and change from a year ago! Happy Halloween!

Day 253: Halloween at School!

Madison had a great Halloween celebration at school this morning! They went trick or treating and had a Halloween sing along with pumpkin masks and everyone was in costume. Madison’s monkey costume did not last on her long but she looked cute while it was on.

She had a great afternoon with Grandpa and Grandma Ambos. She decorated Halloween cupcakes and carved a little pumpkin.

When she got home she helped Daddy decorate the front of the house and carve her big pumpkin. She loved ripping all the pumpkin guts out which was a surprise as she has some challenges with different textures. Sensory time at school must really be improving! Mommy drew out two designs for Madi to choose from. She knew which one she wanted right away when she pointed and laughed….”haha Punkin face Mama”

Madison supervising Daddy

Warming up to ghosts

Madi’s Witch Pumpkin

Madi’s jungle walker with bananas is all ready for tomorrow! Look out Aspen Road..there will be a monkey out on the loose!

Day 252: MRI Update

Madi had a great afternoon with Nana & Papa. After her nap she played and read some Halloween books and then had dinner before swimming. She did a great job at swimming with Ryan tonight. She did some back floats, practiced her kicking and swimming on her side. When she got home she was very excited to show Nana & Papa her new room. After bath and books it was time for bed.

Madison showing Mommy how she floated on her back at swimming and how she kicked her legs with Ryan

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Sick Kids Hospital called today with an update on Madison’s MRI. She is booked for an overnight MRI on November 20th at 9:45 pm. She has to be sleep deprived from the day and when admitted at 8:30 pm they will give her Melatonin. At 9:45 they will put her to bed and then once asleep they will start the 1.5 hour scan. If all goes well she will not have to have another MRI via anasthesia.

Day 251: Halloween Fun!

At March of Dimes this afternoon Madison was motivated to work hard through her different exercises with all the Halloween props and activities. She practiced her walking by picking up spiders, side stepped to a pumpkin, played with small pumpkins in a sandbox and practiced independent standing while painting a pumpkin. She talked about her class with Monika all night….she loved it! Thanks Janine for all the fab pictures.

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In other news…Madison and Mommy will have lots more time together before her brother comes…he’s up to some funny business much like his big sister and Mommy is on motified bed rest…everyone is ok….just taking precaution to keep baby Ambos cooking.

Day 250: An Artist!

Madi had a great afternoon with her cousin Nate and Aunt Nadia while Mommy and Daddy were out. They played and had a nice lunch. Thanks for the playdate!

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Madi brought home a massive bag of artwork from her first 2 months at school. Some of the art is fall themed and some is from her sensory station where she also works on her fine motor skills. Here are some samples from her bag.

Day 249: Bedtime Routine

Madison has been working on her independence at bedtime. After her bath and PJ’S Madison sits in her chair to brush her hair and blow dry it sitting up. She then sidesteps to her bed and then uses her bed rails to sidestep over to her chair for story time . After she reads her books she drinks her milk and then jumps into bed with the help of Mommy and Daddy. She is doing such a good job at figuring things out without help.

Day 248: Celebrating a new friend

Madison spent her afternoon celebrating her new little buddy who will be here in a few short months – baby Turner!

She played with some other little friends, watched all the beautiful presents being opened and had lots of yummy food. Madison can’t wait for her new little buddy to get here!