Tonight is our home opener for co-ed softball.  I didn’t get to play last year because I was pregnant with Maddox.  I really missed it and tried to find every excuse to play but my dear overprotective friends :) just wouldn’t have it.  

Scott and I play on the same team and it is our time, nothing else exists.  I get to play a game of ball with my best friend and husband, kick some dirt at each other and have sunflower spitting contests.  Yes, I really missed playing last year.  

Needless to say, I am a little rusty all the while carrying 5 extra pounds of milk in areas that used to be secure makes things a little tricky, but I did manage a double play during our first game!

We have been fortunate to have friends that stand in line for a chance to babysit while Scott and I enjoy ‘our’ time together.  We are very blessed, thank you for helping make this happen.  

After the game, we went to the little family restaurant in Hubbard Lake.  Maddox slept while we ordered, slept while we waited for our order, and WOKE UP when the food came!  Let the joys of eating one handed begin!

Also, today Maddox got her very bad first sunburn.  I guess I was not ready for the nice weather to come so soon!  I went and bought my first of many bottles of sunscreen because poor Maddox was blessed to have her mama’s pale white (waiting to be burnt) complexion!  

One more thing happened today that I think is quite funny.  There was an incident that irritated me so I stated my opinion about it.  My good friend (who gets my sometimes sarcastic ways) says, “I AM GLAD YOU’RE BACK, I MISSED YOU, YOU HAVE BEEN GONE SINCE NOVEMBER!”  

The moral of today, I would have to say....Is that things, including myself, are finally returning a little bit back towards normal.

I had a bad day.  My emotions and personal being feel a little like building a card house.  You remember......You put card after card on what consists of a shaky foundation.  Sometimes the entire house crumbles and you have to start over.  Other times, just a section of the house falls and you have minor repairs.  

Regardless, you keep building until you get it perfect.  

I went to a presentation for work.  Mind you, it was an incredible presentation, the speaker was knowledgeable, and didn’t have to read from the powerpoint.  Yahoo!  Unfortunately, my mind got boggled down during the heart of the presentation content.  

We learned about dealing with behaviors today and the speaker kept imitating and referring to behaviors of those with Down Syndrome.  Yes my eyes teared and I prayed that the tears wouldn’t roll down my cheeks.  And if they did would I have to leave the room.  If I left the room would everyone know why?  I started to panic.

I did what I always do in situations and moments where I absolutely need to hold it together.  I started belting out (in my head) the lyrics to YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE.  I sang it over and over and over until my mind was at ease and I could pay attention again.  

Some day I will look back on this and smile.

Marie, Maddox’s teacher, came out today for therapy.  Marie showed Maddox the play box and she instantly started moving the pieces back and forth!  She is a natural.  We are so proud!  You know, several weeks ago I was ordering books.  I wanted to find books about Down Syndrome development.  I stopped myself.  Who says that we should follow guidelines for Down Syndrome development?  Why not aim high?  That day I refused to buy DS books and instead..... ordered several books about typical development.  Maddox is almost four months old and so far we have not missed a beat.  Rock on little drummer!



 

Maddox has her first swimming lesson today!   Scott was an incredible sport.  He was in the water and we took turns swinging Maddox around.  She lasted about 20 minutes in the pool and then her lips were a little bluish.  Out we went and into a warm shower.  My first experience in a locker room with a baby and swim class was another accomplishment in my book.  I also learned today that diapers can hold ALOT of water.  What am I doing changing her every time she has a wet diaper?  I could save a lot of money!  I am not kidding, this pool soaked diaper had to weigh four pounds!  There was a gal at the pool who noticed that Maddox had Down Syndrome.  She started in about a special olympics story.  I know I should be thankful and appreciative, but right now, I smile and pretend to sound enthusiastic.  How can I truly rejoice at the fact that our daughter will likely not play normal high school sports?  I am supposed to be excited that there is an alternative?  That is like saying you are not good enough to drive the ferrari but here is a pickup truck instead.  

I  do know that someday my attitude will change and that someday I will be the loudest cheerleader for special olympics, just give me some time.  Ok, that’s the bad.  Here is the good news.  During the lesson I took a minute to soak this all in.  I looked at Scott swinging Maddox around. I looked at Maddox smiling.  I also looked at  all of Maddox’s friends throwing rubber duckies to her.  Yes.  I am so in love with life right now, for the first time in a very long while.  We can do this.  If I ever slip a little, I need to remember this moment. 

My day gets even better.  I had my first horseback riding lesson this evening.  A dusty arena, the sun setting, the smell of alfalfa, a great coach, and gracious neighbor.  There wasn’t a stress in my life at this moment, just me and horse.  Ok, it goes more like this.  Just me holding on to the horse for dear life.  

This was really the perfect day.





SITO


You forgot the smell of horse poo. I can see you riding tall on that saddle and I saw you smiling by the sound of your voice. Good for you, I know where your going with this... You want a pony for Maddie. I love you pretty MaMa.
SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2010 - 12:04 AM


ANONYMOUS
Yes, diapers can hold a lot of liquid! Maddox looks like she loves the water! In case you don't know swim diapers are great the don't soak up nearly as much water and won't explode on you. I learned this from experience little clear silacone things sticking everywhere is not fun!!
SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2010 - 04:04 AM


JAIME
Sorry that was my comment, I work at a computer everyday, but am still in the stone age. As you can tell by my lack of Facebook and other similar accounts!
SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2010 - 04:22 AM


ERIKA
What great pictures!  She looks like she's having a blast...good for her:)
THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2010 - 09:48 AM


VANESSA
I am so in love with her bathing suits!!!! What a cutie pie!
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2012 - 01:55 PM

Today was a great day.  I am having more of those now.

It started with our usual routine.  Mom babysits via the computer while I get ready.  Yes, you read that right.  

My mom watches Maddie, she bangs pots and pans to get her attention and calls me if something goes wrong.

Don’t worry I am not far, usually just in the shower.  I thought this was a great idea....Well, it was a great idea until Maddox started looking for her grandma (Sito) in every single television we encountered.  Oops. 

Scott, Maddox, and I went to lunch and I had a dreaded hearing aide appointment today.  I just truly dislike these appointments and yes today it still is not going well.  

On my way home, I stopped by my hairstylist to pick up something and she had the most wonderful surprise waiting.  She had a huge bag of pants for me!!!  Yes pants that button and zip! I was overjoyed, and have not worn pants that button AND zip since August (I hope I remember to close the gate).  

The new mom thing I discovered today, is that your mouth is really like a third hand.  You tend to stuff as many objects as you can in it while you attempt to haul a car seat and diaper bag in your left hand and grocery bags in your right hand.  I can’t stand making two trips!

Good news: Maddox discovered some more new muscles today.  She learned how to turn on a toy by reaching, she almost rolled from her back to stomach, and was sitting with a straight back with minimal support today.  Her hands are now busy reaching and pulling.  The best news is that on her stomach she discovered she is super girl and can get her legs off the ground now.  

Our nightly therapy is really paying off.  

At bedtime this evening, Maddox learned the art of manipulation.  Yes, we caved, hung out a little more and then put her to bed.  

Today was a relaxing day, literally.  

My girlfriend is working towards her adult and infant massage therapy certification and needs practice hours.  Practice massage, of course I will be the dummy!  

I was not sure what Maddox would think of her massage and was kind of fussy when it started.  She quickly calmed down and decided she loved it.  Stacey, her masseuse, taught us some stokes to help with constipation and yes it worked!  We found this out in the AM diaper that nearly exploded.  

Maddox’s teacher came today and was very impressed with her reciprocal cooing.  Hummm, wonder if she will talk a lot.....Just like her mom!  We are super excited!  

The bad news is that today my website crashed and I spent all morning on the phone with Apple trying to rebuild it.  This is why there has been a hold on updates.  Anyhow, there is always a story.  Here is the one for today.

While I was on the phone with Apple, Maddox decides to pass some major embarrassingly loud gas.  This was so loud that the Apple guy on the other end says, “Ohhhh, I know those sounds way to well, I have a three month old at homel.”  Whew, good thing he didn’t think it was me!

It was a nice spring day so Maddox and I went outside for some Vitamin D.  We hung out on a blanket in the grass for a few hours before heading to town to pick up Copper from his surgery.  Turns out Copper had a an almond sized piece of wood stuck in his groin.  

When it rains it pours, but I am learning to pack my umbrella.

Wednesday


Today was my first Developmental Assessment Clinic since Maddox was born.  DAC is a day where all the at risk babies in the area between 0 and 3 years old come for a developmental evaluation.  

I woke up with anxiety, got Maddox to daycare and took off to set up.  I am nervous about so many things.  Will there be another baby with Down Syndrome there, how will those parents have reacted, will the baby be better or worse than Maddox, will that family have the money for special therapies that I can only dream about, will the down syndrome baby have the same head shape......And so on.  These questions swirl around in my head like a tornado.

Here I am, all dressed and ready to help others when I don’t even know how to help myself.

At the end of the day I was able to reflect on my experiences.  I found that I was more patient, understanding, and compassionate to every single parent that crossed my path today.  I am a better person today because of the life I have been given.  I am a better OT because of the opportunities I have had. 

I came home on a new high.  Remember that roller coaster? 

I just did the loopty loop.

Today was Scott’s first day alone with Maddox while I worked.  Scott had two jobs in addition to taking care of Maddox.  First, he had to get her ready for therapy and gt Copper to the Vet.  He did great with both of those, although, when I got home and had two feet in the doorway Scott hands Maddox over to me and says, “Take her.” Maddox was crying and did not eat well today.  She struggles eating out of a bottle.  I hope the next few Monday’s go a little better or this has huge potential to ruin the possibility of Scott agreeing to have future children!  ☺

This is totally blog worthy!!

A group of us sat around tonight and watched the Tigers home opener on DVR.  Yes we did this six hours after the game ended.  You know how hard it was to live in MIchigan on the Tigers opening day and try to NOT find out the score of the game.  

We all wore our Tiger gear and if that wasn’t dorky enough, we decided to have chicken tenders, hotdogs, peanuts, popcorn, and crackerjacks for dinner.  

This night goes in the books.  Simple and memorable.......