Sharing a Kiss

OH HAPPY DAY!!!

After much stress over the past two weeks, we now have great plans for Madison's daycare situation. Madison's last day at daycare will be tomorrow. I will then work from home for a week and then my best friend Betty who has the patience of a Saint will keep Madison in her home. I will also work from home on Thursdays. Madison will have physical therapy and speech therapy on that day at the house.

Rory and I are so excited. We know that Madison will do SO much better with someone who loves her and wants her to do well. We also let the daycare center know exactly what we think of some of their choices for employees. But, I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders.

We have also begun to work intensively with Madison on self-help issues, like eating with a spoon. So last night, I dove in and bit the bullitt. I worked with Madison with hand over hand eating with her spoon. After about 5 minutes, she was screaming, hitting and if she could have gotten close enough...biting. I removed Madison from the table and sat her in time-out for about a minute, then back to the table. From that point on, she allowed me to fill up her spoon and she proceeded to eat every bite with the spoon. I had to redirect her from using her other hand to shovel it in and a few times she stopped herself. So I know this sounds crazy to be excited about a 2 year old who eats with a spoon, but for Madison this is HUGE. I think she will have it mastered in no time.

Preview to Summer

Last week we had a couple of days where the temperature was in the 70's. Madison has never liked the grass. When she was crawling we would go outside and she would crawl on a blanket to the patio, but would scream if she was put in the grass or touched the grass. She is still not crazy about the grass but will run around in it and has moderate screaming if she sits in the grass or touches the grass. Here are some photos of our first day of some really great weather.

We are having some issues with Madison in daycare. We like the facility but the daycare has had some turnover in staff. The teacher that Madison loved left and now the teacher Madison has is one that she cares nothing for. Madison's screaming and agression have increased. More than likely because she does not feel bonded with the teacher. We are investigating different centers and the possibility of getting a nanny. We think that if the center she is in will get a new 2 yr old teacher, Madison would be able to stay there. Madison also started back with her First Steps program. The speech therapist she sees is recommending to Madisons case manager that Madison have an intensive evaluation. Basically Madison will be put in a room with various items and they will observe her. Then they will interact to see how her development is going. The evaluation also involves a developmental Pediatrician. Madison has several major issues going on. Madison has always drooled profusely. We never made the connection to this and speech issues. She has poor muscle tone in her face. Her cheeks are low and she constantly has her mouth open. She does not have the muscle tone for the drool to be swallowed, so it flows freely. The speech therapist will be working to increase this muscle tone, while another therapist will come in and actually work on speech (sign language, etc.) Madison also has all over low muscle tone throughout her body. She has been walking for about 5 months. She does not have a steady gait. She is small but has a BIG belly. The therapist explained this is due to the lack of muscle tone in her abdomen. Madison has made great strides in the 10 months since she has come home. She is just hitting some developmental roadblocks. We know that with the help of her doctors and therapists she will catch up.

Love My New Car!!!!

About a month ago I got a new SUV. And I love it. It is a 2007 Saturn Outlook. Its the Saturn CUV (crossover). Mine is darker than the photo. It is charcoal. Gets great gas mileage and seats 8!! But, the best feature is the DVD player. You know a parent invented that!!! Madison rides great now. Tunes in the front and Blues Clues in the back. ahhhhh, peace!

21 Years Ago today......

Elisha entered my life. She was two weeks early and weighed in at a whopping 4.6 pounds and was 18 inches long. She had a hard time for the first 9 days and this photo was taken the day I brought her home when she was 9 days old. Twenty one years passed so quickly. It seems like yesterday I watched as she took her first step; said her first word and had her first day of school. Alot of life has been lived in these 21 years and alot more is to come.

Elisha and her son Aidan two days ago.