Madi Moves

Madi had a great morning with her friend Tiffany. They had planned on going skating but with all the rain they went bowling instead. Madison had a great time trying to roll the balls from sitting and also standing using a ramp. Thanks Tiffany!

Madi and Jack helped Mommy pick up a few things from IKeA today. Madi got some new physio mats for the basement makeover and a work table too. They LOVE going to IKEA and are always so well behaved and helpful.

Today was a special day for Jack. A day that Mommy had been looking forward to, but also- truthfully dreading. Jack had tried taking one or two steps over the last few weeks, and today he took up to 14 steps. We can’t wait until he is older and we can tell him his first steps were to a pizza box lol. It was emotional as a proud Mama watching your baby walk for the first time, but heartbreaking to watch Madison watch her brother do something so easily that she spends hours and hours and hours trying to do herself. She asked “what’s Jack doing”. Then the tearful reply “Jacks walking”. Madi then replied “no he’s not, he’s standing”. Madison then wanted to practice her walking and even got her canes out to try and walk around with them too. She practiced her walking for quite a long time – she was so motivated and worked her butt off. St.Louis can’t come soon enough. 

​​

​One of Mommy’s goals for Madison from now unt​il May is to get her on her feet more when free playing. Madison has been playing on the ground in her “w” sit far too much and has not been on her feet as much at home. When she is out in the community or doing her different therapies she is in her walker mostly. At home she is mostly sitting or crawling on the ground. To help her continue to access her interests such as colouring, doing puzzles, writing etc. Madison now has a standing workstation on the main floor for her to independantly play at and stay on her feet. She also continues to work on sitting with no back support so the stool will also help with that while being engaged with her different activities. When Madison went to bed the Christmas tree was still in this spot, so this will be a nice surprise for her to wake up to. 

Madison and Jack have their moments like any other sibling pair, but they are also quickly becoming each others partner in crime and best friend. They LOVE playing together and it is so neat to sit back and watch their relationship unfold. Jack was completely mesmerized and interested in anything Madi did this morning. She decided to set up some books and teach Jack the names of different animals and how to count them. It was so cute and such a proud Mommy moment. 

​

​

Madison also wanted to teach Jack how to build a bed for his new baby doll from Nana. It was super important to Madi that the baby had somewhere to sleep. Jacks job was to pull all the blocks from the bag and Madi did the building.

Madison went on a movie date with Katy and Ruby to see the movie Sing this afternoon. There were many “I hate CP” moments that Mommy experienced between the large crowds and Madison trying to use her walker, negative comments from ignorant people and then navigating the stairs and seating in the theatre with a three year old and snacks. Mommy exercised deep breathing and made it through with the help of Katy and Ruby and the theatres helping hands. It’s always worth the battle, seeing Madison experience something fun and new and her big smile. She lasted about the first half of the movie and then wanted to crawl up and down the stairs, jump on Mommy and dance in the aisle to the music. She had a great time. 

Madison and Mommy were playing in the basement today having a PJ day when Madi asked “what’s happy about this year?” Mommy started telling Madi about all the wonderful things that will be happening in 2017 and one of the topics she asked about was all the babies that will be born. She decided she wanted to pack up more of her old baby toys and equipment that her and Jack are both done with and give them to a new baby coming to the extended family soon. She took a pack of Lysol wipes, cleaned off toys and put them in a big box. Mommy was so proud.

Madison cheered on the Leafs today but was not a fan of the fighting. 

​

​
After a great afternoon of cleaning, organizing and playing, the family headed to Pam and Medfords for a nice visit, nibbles and drinks. Jack tried to drink Daddy’s beer, Madison played the piano and sang different songs and had Pam hide in the closet with her to play a game with Jack. It was a great start to 2017!

Madison spent her last day of 2016 with her Daddy, Papa and Grampa at the Leafs vs Detroit alumni hockey game. She cheered loudly for the Leafs and enjoyed the whole game. Thank you Starlight Foundation!

​

​​
​​​Jack, Mommy and Nana spent the day swimming at Variety Village and going for lunch. Jack LOVES the water and had a blast splashing, floating and dunking!

Once everyone was home, it was Madi’s choice of where to go for dinner… She of course picked ‘Pig Out’ and both Madi and Jack took over the restaurant with their silliness and love for all the BBQ!

​

​
2016 brought our family so many special moments and so much to be grateful for. 2016 gave us Jack- the most prescious, easy going and fun loving baby boy who will be one in a few short weeks. 2016 also brought Madi growth, strength, independence and oppertunity, but we are so pumped and ready for what 2017 will bring our way. 2017 will be a big year for Madison- it will be one of the most challenging years to date, but we are ready!!

​

​
 We want to thank everyone for your continued support and helping us make our dreams for Madi become reality! Tonight was an emotional bedtime. Mommy whispered into Madi’s ear- “happy new year Madi Mouse- 2017 is going to be your year! No more pain or needles- 2017 will bring you the freedom to do more and be happy” Bring on 2017! Happy New Year!

Madi and Jack had a great visit with their buddy Ruby this morning. Thanks Ruby and Sara for the super cool gifts!

Madi and Jack’s Great Grandma invited them and her other Great Grandchildren Molly and Nate for a visit and play this afternoon. The kids visited with Pebbles the bird, played and jumped around on Grandma’s bed, had some snacks and ran around the halls. We had many comments on the quality and improvement with Madi’s walking… It’s safe to say her Botox is now in full effect and working well for her. Grandma had her eyes open several times for the kids and seemed to really enjoy them being there. The kids had lots of fun too! 

Madison was super excited that Emily is home from school and came for a visit today. Emily has had a great time at school working hard to learn about the world of physiotherapy. Madison is a creature of habit and handed Emily her blue scooter board they used many many times to practice her walking with, which was pretty cute. They played with her new princess Emily gave her, built with blocks, did different spelling activities and had a great visit! 

Tickets are still available for Madison’s fundraising night with ‘The Ultimate Leafs Fan.’Your ticket gets you access to exploring/viewing the worlds largest Leafs collection, dinner, open bar & supporting Madison in her journey towards SDR surgery. 100% of funds raised in the evening goes towards Madison’s surgery in May. Message us for more information to get your tickets. Thanks in advance for your support and please share with all the hockey fans in your life!

Madi and Jack were spoiled this Christmas with lots of beautiful, fun, creative gifts. Tonight after dinner Madison decided she wanted to give some of her toys to other kids. Mommy and Madison cleared out some of her older toys and baby toys that Jack has now outgrown and boxed them up. She will be giving them to the Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy to help them raise money for programs that support people with CP in the community. 

While Mommy and Madi were sorting and organizing, Jack helped Daddy build his new walker.

And then Madi hijacked it haha

​

​

Madi and Jack had a great visit this morning with Pam and Medford. Madison told them all about her Christmas and visit from Santa and then opened some presents and played around the house. Madi loved her fridge magnet number game and Jack loved his puppy pull along alphabet toy. They also received a fun game of snap from Nicole and Jamie with their names on it! Madison was thrilled! Thanks everyone!

Madi had a tough time napping and having quiet time this afternoon…she was so excited to go to a special show and see her buddy Ben. Madison and Ben went to see Disney on Ice thanks to the Starlight Foundation! Ben said his favourite was seeing Mickey and all the snow during the Frozen routine and Madison’s favourite was seeing Belle and Olaf. They had so much fun at dinner afterwards being silly and singing songs. It was a super fun night with super fun friends!

​

​

Madi and Jack had Christmas round 3 today! They visited at Debbie and Garry’s Boxing Day open house with family, friends and neighbours. Madi spent most of the party hanging out on the stairs colouring with another little girl from the neighbourhood and Jack wondered around trying to eat everything in sight. Madi received many generous donations today from long time friends/family from the neighbourhood that we are very grateful for the support towards her upcoming surgery. 

Madi and Jack then headed back to Nana & Papa’s house to visit and have Jacks Christmas. Jack slept through most of his visit yesterday and wasn’t able to open his presents or spend time with everyone so it was a nice way to wrap up Christmas festivities. Jack started standing for several minutes all by himself today and tried taking a few steps by the Christmas tree. He did his best attempts when Madison was encouraging him to walk to her- such a sweet moment! Madi is such a great big sister!

​

​

Madison and Jack were excited to go downstairs this morning to see if Santa had visited their house. Madison had still been unsure of Santa so she said to Mommy “go downstairs and check if Santa is still at our house because I don’t want to see him- but don’t open any of my presents”hahaha. Once the coast was clear they headed down.

​​

​
Madison was so happy to see that Santa had brought her pink presents and that he remembered to bring something for Jack too. They opened their stockings, had a yummy breakfast and then went nuts openin everything under the tree. Madison thanked Santa for each and every gift and helped Jack open his. Jacks gifts revolved around the theme of balls and cars and Madison’s gifts were in line with her different therapy needs, or “hidden therapy” as we usually call it. She also opened lots of gifts for travel and good for hotel living when we go to St Louis. Madison also loved her red St Louis baseball hat that everyone got for the big trip!

After playing with some new toys and packing up, it was time to head over to Nana and Papa’s house! Jack was exhausted and possibly still battling his cold so he had a long sleep. Madison and Nathan got into the presents right away they were so excited that Santa had visited. They took turns helping each other open their gifts and hand out gifts to others. Madison did a great job trying to walk and crawl around the room to help everyone open. Nate and Madi played with Nana’s toys in between opening presents and eating lots of yummy snacks. It was a wonderful Christmas at Nana and Papa’s.

It was then time to head to the Gregoire Family Christmas. Madison and Jack played with Nate and Molly running all over the place, visiting with family and taking turns racing in Madison’s walker. They were all spoiled with beautiful gifts and had a great time playing. They also helped pick gifts in the gift swap game. It was a fun night and a great first Christmas for Jack!