Easter morning was simply cute.

Since Maddox is not strong enough to crawl too far we set up all of her gifts in a big circle.  This was she would not have to crawl too far.  The first thing she went for was of course something she could shake.  We picked that up and made her crawl to the next toy.  Those that know Maddox know how much she loves socks!  Instead of a basket of eggs, she got a basket of socks and ohhh was she happy about it.  She also got some bunny slippers, which I don’t think she as as happy about.  Overall though, we have a wonderful morning, check out the photos.

This year for Easter, I paused a little longer and found myself appreciating the bright colors a little more.

Everyone said the first year was going to be tough.  The main reason being....Every holiday you would be reminded of the holiday you dreamt of celebrating with your new baby verses the holiday you have been forced to be celebrating.  I felt like when Maddox turned one, I could breathe again because those dreamt up memories would no longer have to exist and the only memories now are the new ones we create.  I think about how far we have come  in two years, from the Easter we dreamt of, to the Easter we were forced to live, and now, on to the Easter we have chosen to celebrate.

Our festivities started out by hanging with some friends we had not seen in a while.  I had forgot how much these girls adore each other. 

Maddox and I had some time to ourselves on Friday morning so we decided to color Easter Eggs! 

Throughout the weekend, traveled to visit Grandma, Grandpa, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins.  We had on our agenda to visit with Great Grandma but because of health reasons, we had to postpone the visit.  We were bummed but Great Grandma we will try to get down and see you soon!  While we were downstate, Maddox got to enjoy one of her first afternoons outside.  She had a great time.

We made our first sidewalk drawing.

I guess with sidewalk chalk, everything becomes the canvas.  We even managed to color our pants and shoes!

We took a hike and mudded our shoes for the first time.  Oh yeah, of course I took a photo!

Maddox did not make it far walking on the hike, she soon found the glory of being pulled in a wagon.

Alone or with cousins, it didn’t matter, she loved it all.

This had to of been my most favorite moment of all.

After chilling in the wagon, Maddox decided to strut her stuff on the kiddy playground in Grandma and Grandpa’s yard.

After the beautiful afternoon, we sat down and ate a wonderful ham dinner, then jammied up in our little funny foo foo’s (yes PJ’s with bunny feet) and trekked on home.  Maddox slept the entire way, she must have known the Easter Bunny was coming to visit....Or.....maybe it was just all the fresh air that put her out.

Stay tuned, for Easter morning photos....  

We have created the most perfect Easter egg hunt just for Maddox!

Note: The intent of this blog is not to criticize the Ages and Stages Questionnaire.  It is to simply point out an experience involving completing the questionnaire.   

I have been meaning to comment on this for a while but my experience today put me over the edge.  I correctly predicted a lot of things when I was told Maddox had down syndrome, but one thing I did not predict was how glaringly difficult the whole achievement of developmental expectations was going to be.

When I was two months pregnant with Maddox I signed up for one of those track your pregnancy websites.  They send e-mails every month about how big the baby is (usually comparing them to a piece of fruit).  

Anyhow, I didn’t realize when I signed up for those notices that I would continue to get them- even after Maddox was born.  Month after month, developmental notices fill my inbox, “This month your baby should be doing.....”

It was all that and more for months one, two, and three when the biggest expectation was a coo or smile.  Recently I received the 16 month developmental checklist.  I don’t even open them anymore, I simply drag them to the trash.

Nonetheless, every time a new one shows up in my inbox I am reminded of the typical walking and talking baby I dreamt of for those precious nine months.  I know, some readers are sick of hearing me talk about the normal baby I dreamt of, but darn it, it’s the truth, it’s where my mind wanders to.  Every single time.

The icing on the cake....Maddox’s 16 month well baby appointment today.  

Everything Maddox does, every question we are asked revolves around how old she is and what she can’t do. It gets tiring.  No, she is not using a pincer grasp, no she is not throwing a ball, no she doesn’t say any words, no she is not walking, nope she can not bring something to you when asked, no she can not drink from a cup, no she is not using a spoon, and my list goes on and on.

With every no answer, my heart aches and I find myself forgetting about all the things she really can do.

Back to the well baby appointment.  I am handed a questionnaire.  It is the Ages and Stages 16 month developmental questionnaire.    Good thing the office clerk is not a mind reader or she would have kicked me out.  I couldn’t believe it.  I was torn between the clerks innocence in doing what she is supposed to do and losing my sanity shouting out for people to get a clue.  

Let me put it this way.  Pretend your high school student is about ready to walk across the stage to receive their diploma.  You are an extremely proud parent wanting to show your new grad off to the world.  You have witness how hard they worked to get there and guided them every step of the way.  Just as their name is called, some stranger smiles and hands you a piece of paper.  On that paper it reads, “Graduation requirements.”  

As you start reading through the requirements you realize deep down in the achy part of your heart that your precious hard working child is not even close to meeting any of the standards.  In fact, years away from meeting those standards.  

Slam.....  

Everyone else's kid met those standards.   

You can’t help but wonder what the future holds for your child as you watch their peers graduate and head off to college.... Leaving your child behind, the one who worked the hardest. 

How will you explain this to them, how will you get them caught up, and will they ever be good enough?  

Because according to that paper, they are not good enough.

You see, what is appears to be a simple little sheet of paper to most people can create unimaginable grief, anxiety, and panic for me.  To anyone who thinks they understand what this is like has obviously not walked in a mile in my shoes.

The rest of the story.....

I left that Ages and Stages questionnaire blank and the most remarkable thing happened.  

The pediatrician saw that I left it blank.

And she threw it in the trash.





She got it, she understood this.  You know what?  If I was able to reach one person today and teach them something about this new life I am living, then even with the pain, I consider today a success.  

I have to start off by saying Scott is not enthused about visiting farm animals at the library today, an event that would involve pinned up animals and hundreds of screaming children in a confined area.  His response, “Why do we have to go to town to see the farm animals when we live in the country and can walk next door anytime we want?”

Good point but he didn’t score....

Off to farm day we went to see the chicks, ducks, rabbits, cows, goats, dogs, kittens, and piggies. 

As you scroll through these photos, take a look at the expression on Scott’s face.  Not one single grumpy face!

I felt bad for this poor little chicky.  He woke up peacefully snuggling next to his mom on the farm this morning and had no idea what the day would to bring (I hope he makes it through the traumatizing experience)!

Maddox loved all the animals, especially the ducks but seeing this was not the only joy I witnessed today.  Watching her daddy interact grow from this experience was almost twice the fun. I think there is a small chance that he may have enjoyed this day as much as Maddox.  

The best part is, next year when we are begging him to go, I have photo proof that had fun!

Maddox has been to nearly 30 doctors appointments in her life and not one of them have been for a cold....until today.

This is after her first appointment  for an antibiotic, still smiling!

This is not an April’s fools joke but this week I felt invincible!  

I was off this week for spring break.  Didn’t end up on some fancy island with white sand and sunshine, but with all my accomplishments, I’d say I was as close to paradise as I could get.

We had a jammed packed week full of adventures and good news.

Saturday started off with a trip to the doctors and our first Antibiotic at 14 months old.  Maddox spent the day in her jammies and got some good cuddle time in with dad.  The best part is that no matter how sick she gets, she is still the happiest baby on the block!

Sunday started off gloomy as I packed to take my first solo trip to Ann Arbor for more doctors appointments.  What was I thinking, taking a sick baby by myself to Ann Arbor?  The only way to make this trip better was to get lots of fresh air and do lots of shopping!  

No husband=no clock.  

This trip is going to be on me time and sometimes me time is absolutely wonderful.

Monday morning arrived, Maddox woke up early excited for our first mommy daughter shopping adventure.  As you can see, Maddox was dressed and ready to spend mommies money.  Our first four stops were in Saginaw to Old Navy, TJ Max, Petsmart, and Babies R Us.  We hit lunch at my absolute favorite sandwich place, Charlies.  Maddox had her first chicken teriyaki sub and french fries.  If that doesn’t make you feel better, I don’t know what will!

I ended up buy her first pair of.......JELLY SHOES!!!

This was Maddox hamming it up at Old Navy.








FYI, Old Navy had nothing on the parakeets at Petsmart.  

After lunch we headed to Ann Arbor and hit Kohl’s, Target, Meijers, and of course, the Olive Garden for dinner where I think we scored the most inexpensive dinner of the century.

After that we decided to head to the hotel for some time in their indoor outdoor pool which they keep at 83 degrees!  

I swore I was going to pack light.  

Good Golly! 

 I ended up with a stroller, cooler, camera and computer, diaper bag, makeup bag, and suitcase.... Someday, my goal is to go somewhere with just an overnight bag!!!!

This was Maddox’s priceless expression after a long day of shopping and a dip in the super warm pool.

The next day was appointments with the pediatric surgeon and physical medicine and rehab docs.  Click here to read medical updates.

I forgot to tell you, I think I had to pull over more than 10 times to pick Maddox’s bottle off of the floor and I was getting really tired of this so I rigged up a contraption that earns me mother of the year!  I took a strap that is supposed to attach a sippy cup to a stroller and decided to loop it around the grab bar in the back seat and TA-DA.  No more stops!!

After a long day of appointments we made it home just as the sun was going down.  Scott met us at the door with open arms.  Ok, really the open arms ended up being filled with luggage and shopping bags.  


We didn’t get much time to recuperate because I had plans for the next day.  Chicks, ducks, and bunnies at Tractor Supply, my favorite.  Next year, I am hoping she will be tall enough to see over the top of the bin!

So yes, after spring break 2011, I can say I truly felt invincible for the first time in a very long time.

And.....

My week was just as good as paradise.