MADDIELICIOUS HAS NO FEAR

The only good thing about those no good, very bad days is that things don’t get worse from there, they get better. 

This entitles me to have a perfect, very awesome day.

And yes, that is what we had.

First off, I went to wake Maddox up and she was flashing her million dollar double dimpled smile in her sleep (and no she was not passing gas).  Right after I took the photo, she peeked, then went back to sleep.

When Maddox finally woke up, she decided she wanted to go jet skiing in Harrisville on Lake Huron.  And because it is summertime and I am off work....What Maddie wants, Maddie gets!

We started the day off with our routine photo shoot in her SUNSHINE outfit.

Once we got to Harrisville and the jet ski was in the water, Maddox did her first wardrobe change of the day into her super cute, hand me down from a great friend, bikini.  As you can see, she loves it and is so excited to go jet skiing for the first time.

I put her in her Taco life jacket and aboard she went with Cheryl.  She cried at first because she discovered the “I have no neck” feeling you have when you first put on a life jacket.  Once she got on the jet ski she discovered the rim of the life jacket made the perfect hands free mouthing toy and was ok with things.  Then, when the jet ski started moving, she was in heaven, smiling, and enjoying the water droplets that splashed in her face (thanks to all dad’s prep work during bath time). 

After the ride, I got on with Maddox for a photo shoot!

When we saw the NO FEAR decal, we just had to show off!!  I absolutely love it!  Maddox enjoyed rocking on the back end of the jet ski.  She would splash when the water hit her toes and literally search around for the next wave. 

Check it out, Maddox is looking for the waves.

Here it comes....

Whoooooh......

C-C-C-Cold water.

She likes it, she likes it!

After the ride, Maddox decided to catch some rays aboard the Loch Ness Monster (AKA Giant Seahorse).  She laid on it and within four minutes found her fingers and was fast asleep.  Seriously, we should patent a baby waterbed! 

After playing in the water, we decided to play ‘crack the egg’ on the trampoline........

But my little egg would not wake up!!!!!!

After her snooze I did get to introduce Maddox to my favorite toy.

All good things must come to an end....

At 3:30 we had to say goodbye and head to our cranial sacral appointment.   ☹

THANK YOU CHERYL FOR LETTING US BORROW YOUR PLAYGROUND!! 

I must also include some other happenings about my perfect, very awesome day. 

Daisy who decided to swallow a pacifier a month ago successfully underwent surgery of her intestinal tract. 

The vet showed us our souvenir and said, “This is the most expensive pacifier we will ever buy.” 

Something really cool did happen at the vets tonight while picking up Daisy.  Normally, I leave Maddox in the car seat at the vet but tonight I decided to carry her in.  As I was holding her, she laid her cheek on my shoulder.  Her arms went limp and she was still wide awake, looking around.  She did not make a peep, but was simply snuggling and listening to me talk.  I did not have to entertain her, sing to her, or bounce her.  She was comforted by merely being with me.

It hit me.  She knows me, she feels safe with me, and most important of all, she loves me.  I never taught her this, she discovered these emotions all on her own. 

At that particular moment, I did not care what she looked like, how smart she would be, or who she would become.... 

She was mine and she has innocently chosen to love me.  My only job as a mother is to love her wholeheartedly back. 

I would have to declare this as a defining moment in my journey through motherhood.  A moment I had been dreaming of since I was a child.  I was finally able to experience that nurturing feeling a mother has towards their child.

And that makes today.....

A PERFECT, VERY AWESOME DAY

SITO
 Love is surrendering your heart to someone else.. Maddie is a part of all of us. Put your trust in God and your heart will be free to enjoy the simple things in life. Maddie is truly blessed for you to be chosen as her Mother. And I have no doubt she will experience all that life has to offer because of you.    What adventure is next for Mother and Baby?
 SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2010 - 12:46 AM


RUDIE
 I agree with Sito!  You amaze me as a mother.  I can't say enough about you and Maddox....too precious!  I can't wait to meet her and see you on July 21st!

So the trampoline looked fun.  You forgot to mention that when you jumped up and down you peed your pants a little!  Didn't want you to leave that part out...just keeping it real for you!  LOL
 TUESDAY, JULY 6, 2010 - 08:35 PM


ANONYMOUS
 That trully is the best feeling, and trust me once again when I say this child will have more love for EVERYONE around her than we can even begin to imagine.  On a daily basis, numerous numerous time throughout the day Cory reminds me that he loves me.  When I do the most simplest things for him (like washing his tennis shoes yesterday) he always says to me, "thank you mom, you are the best mom ever'.  And now I just say "I know Cory i rock don't I" and he laughs and says "yup".

He loves me unconditionally as do I, him.  And you will experience that now and forever too.
 WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2010 - 08:41 AM


VANESSA
 I remember the first time i felt this too : ) best feeling ever!
 THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2012 - 02:36 PM

This post is dedicated to all the wonderful daddies out there doing their thing. 

Scott and Jamie sittin in a tree.  K-I-S-S-I-N-G

First comes love.

Then comes marriage.

Then comes Scott with a baby carriage.

From my best friend to my boyfriend, and forever my husband. 

You have without a doubt earned the title of, “My Rock.” 
We are quite the pair,
You are the key and I am the lock.

You make me laugh, play my silly games and all.
You have a way of telling me like it is,
And most importantly, you lift me when I fall. 

This wonderful day is dedicated specifically for you.
Because you’re the greatest of them all,
Now, you have not one girl, but two.

We have a beautiful daughter, I know.
She is extra perfect.
I watch and smile as your love for her continues to grow.

You’re impatient yet patient enough.
You have one goal in mind.
To make Maddox tough.

She is so lucky to have you as her daddy.
You are her role model and rock too.
In fact, you are everything I want her to be.

I thank God everyday.
I hope He hears me.
I thank Him for sending you my way.

Please know how special you are.
With you in my life,
I no longer wish on someone else's star.

The three of us, we’re going to be just fine.
We will conquer this game of life,
Because you carefully cradle this heart of mine.

Happy first Father’s Day.
Don’t think you can get rid of us,
Maddox and I are here to stay!


We love you!

There is also one more Father I must recognize. 
A man who is great and wise. 

He knows his stuff.
And knows just when to be tough. 

He disciplined when I needed it most.
All while being the worlds greatest coach.

He’s the best one for advice.
If you don’t listen, you pay the price.

He loves me unconditionally.
Look below, see how much he means to me.


Happy Father’s Day Daddy.

My Father’s day blog would not be complete,
Unless I gave tribute to the man with the removable teeth.

Your laugh is contagious and your heart is so giving.
No wonder you were the Valentine’s Day king.

You always ask how Maddie and I are.
Know in our hearts, you are never very far.

We can’t wait to see you in July.
So Maddie can witness that famous twinkle in your eye.

You mean the world to us.
We love you very much.

KRISTIE
 Jamie that was beautiful.....you certainly have a way with words.
 TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2010 - 08:01 AM


BECKY
 Awww.....  love it!  You have some  very special men in your life!
 TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2010 - 09:39 AM


KARENNA
Very beautiful, Jamie! You are truly, truly blessed. So happy to be a part of such a wonderful family! xoxo
 TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2010 - 03:13 PM

Ahhh, the sacrifices we make for our babies....  We take a kicks in the ribs for the team at 3 AM, we turn our (not so perky anymore) sprinkler systems on at their every demand, we carry them for nine months and now we are running behind them pushing strollers to lose the 30 extra pounds the books said would come off before leaving the hospital!

When I decided for the first time to hit the publish button for my blog, I made a promise. 

I promised that I would keep this blog real.  What I meant was that I would try my hardest to enjoy every storm that drenches me before each rainbow, but I also would not try to paint sunshines and flowers when they should not be painted.  So here it is, again, my truthful story.

I didn’t just have a very bad day, I had a no good, very bad day.  The good news I don’t have too many no good, very bad days and if I can get through the year keeping these days to a minimum, I will consider this a huge accomplishment. 

The day started with me putting on my workout clothes at 7 AM and grossly enough, they did not come off until 10 PM.  My no good, very bad day consisted of three trips to town, a nerve wracking mommy and me boot camp, my 8th trip to the vet in a month (sugar coated with a ginormous vet bill), a birthday party I almost did not make it to, and a baby who discovered that car seat restraints are not cool anymore.

Here is the play by play (because there are some good things that did come out of today).

Maddox decided she needed to start the day off with a photo shoot of her in her workout outfit.

After the shoot, she decided to work out.  Wall sits, lunges, and squats.

After Maddox finished exercising, it was Mommy’s turn.  We got ready to head to town to the club and Maddox reminded me not to forget her sunglasses! 

Here we are arriving at Mommy and Me Boot Camp.

I had been stressing about this event for 24 hours now. and my husband, mom, along with two very good friends witnessed my weakness.  I received some amazing advice but the one line that really kicked me in the butt was this, “If things had been different, I know you would have signed up for this class, so don’t that change anything, you owe this to Maddox to go.” 

Ouch, what an amazing dose of reality.  Everyone should have a friend like this.  So, with an enormous amount of anxiety and apprehensiveness, I headed to mommy and me boot camp, not really sure who this experience was for, Maddox or for me? 

Oh my, the first 30 minutes of the class I had to dig deep, really deep to the core of my being and find my inner strength.  I dug so deep it hurt.  All these moms arrived with their normal, healthy, smiling, smart, beautiful, mini me’s.  Keep digging, I am at 45 feet. 

I listened quietly as the mom’s talked about sleeping habits, behaviors, and other sorts of concerns they are having with their precious bundles.  All I could think of was, even if you combined every one of those complaints into a single normal healthy child, I would welcome them with open arms.  Be blessed for what you have, behaviors, midnight eaters, and all.  Keep digging, I am at 75 feet. 

We had to do introductions and tell each other why we were here.  Again, I wondered, why am I here?  I am at my pre baby weight, I exercise with my dogs, I am in good shape, etc.....  Keep digging, only this time, I have struck gold at 100 feet.

I found it, my inner strength, just as Maddox flashed me her it’s going to be ok smile.  (In case you don’t know what that smile looks like, I will share it with you).

I looked at the group and told them the truth.  “I am here because I need to get out of the house.”  The true meaning  and gain from this experience is yet to be learned. 

After introductions we went outside to exercise.  Now that I had found my strength, I could cope.  I was able to talk to some of the  other moms and find out more about them.  Turns out, these are amazingly strong people, both emotionally and physically.  Check us hot mommies out!

 I survived class.  To reward myself, Scott and I went out to eat at Calories...I mean....Culver’s.  (Yes mommies, I wrote this splurge in my food diary)!  After lunch I got home and decided to try Maddox in her exersaucer because she can finally touch the ground!

Curious Daisy decided to check out the new toy too! 

First, she eyes up the foot.

She goes in for the lick.

And Maddox pulls her ticklish toes up and away.

Maddox’s feet must have been really stinky because before we knew it, we had another sick and sad dog on our hands.  I had been home all of 15 minutes....

 Sing it with me.  Hi Ho, Hi Ho.  It’s off to the Vet we go! 

This next photo just melts my heart.  It is 80 degrees outside, Scott, Daisy, and Maddox are sitting in the back of the car waiting to get in and see the vet.

After the vet appointment, Scott and I drove home, dropped Daisy off and drove back to town for the third time to catch a birthday party.  By the way, as I mentioned earlier, Maddox decided today that she despises car seats and thinks they should be considered an illegal restraint.  Every single time she was placed in the car seat she screamed, no tears, just decided to chew her parents out all the way to and from town.  That is 6 trips at 23 minutes long.  138 minutes of yelling today from Mad Maddie.

I think, to repay Scott and I for the misery (of the car seat) we inflicted on Maddox, she decided to stay up and continue to yell at us until 10:30 PM.

Yep, the perfect end to the no good, very bad day.

The good news is that I am off to bed and tomorrow will be a new and much better day (especially because we don’t have to go in a car......ANYWHERE)!

ANONYMOUS
I'm am so incredibly proud of you for doing this boot camp...and my prayer for you is that the last day is a complete 180 from the first day for you.  You are an amazing woman and mother!
MONDAY, JUNE 21, 2010 - 08:44 AM


ANONYMOUS
Boot camp for some may be getting in physical shape and for some may be emotional shape.  Maddie has so much love that other babies may not have - she is probably teaching them how to store it all up!

You will have to try singing at the top of your lungs when she is screaming in the car.  Keep going - you are doing great!
MONDAY, JUNE 21, 2010 - 09:45 PM


ANONYMOUS
I think Maddie is beautiful.  She will have so many special talents...it looks like she already does!  I think you are a wonderful Mommy and I love reading your blog.  I think of you often and wonder how you are doing.  I"m glad that you have this page!  I'll check it often!!

Take care of you and your beautiful famliy!

Raenelle
MONDAY, JUNE 21, 2010 - 10:09 PM


ERIKA MCCLINTIC
Okay...yes the car stinks for kids who hate their car seats.  And MOST of them do, both mine do for sure.  Bob and I have a whole slew of songs we have to sing to make our car rides bearable and we just take turns....I promise it works!  This Old Man, the Farmer in the Dell, Old MacDonald....you know the rest:)
TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2010 - 02:28 PM


KARENNA
Oh, the car complaints. We had to play Ally a CD -- don't remember the name of the song (Josh will) but it had to do with a chicken and how on earth I could have forgotten that song, hearing it day-in, day-out, I'll never know.

Oh, yeah. The same way we forget all the silly stuff kids do to us, so we'll keep on lovin' em. Not sure that ever goes away (right Sito and Pop-Pop?).
:-D
 TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2010 - 03:20 PM


ANONYMOUS
I just want you to know that rather Maddox had DS or not you would still have no good, bad days.  All kids have these days.  Actaully, my "normal" kid had more of them then my DS kid.  LOL

Sometimes we really are more blessed becuase USUALLY our children are way more laid back and relaxed.  Glad to hear you made it thought the work out.  These types of "first time worries"  I promise you will come to an end.  And I think much sooner than you will expect.
 TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2010 - 07:23 PM


DEBRA WALTER
 I love this post Jamie!!  So real.  Don't you dare believe those ridiculous lies the evil one would love you to embrace.  You have the most precious daughter....little Maddie is a perfect creation!!  You can rest in and move forward in God's never ending love and acceptance.  In the Bible it says God's grace is sufficient for you.  Psalm 121 says "I lift up my eyes to the hills ~ where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the maker of the heaven and the earth."  It's taken me nearly 60 years to understand that the help is a process, not necessarily instantaneous!  Have grace for yourself because God allows you to be weak. God will be glorified. You can rest in his strength. Give that Sweetie a hug from me.  I thank God for Maddie and the meaning she will bring to all the lives she touches.  Love ya, Deb
 TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2010 - 10:03 PM


DOT WALL
I love your website and blog. I felt what you are feeling. I remember when our Creighton was little, putting him in front of me on a go cart. My mother said to me, Do you think that little baby really enjoys that? I said he would if he didn't have Down Syndrome! I continued to let him try all things and he loves all things, it just takes longer. She is beautiful and all your photos are just priceless. We hope to get to meet your sweet family.
 TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2010 - 11:06 PM

Maddox was born in January and I was off work for three months, returned back to work part time for a month, and then went full time for May and June.  In an earlier blog entry I commented about how difficult it was for me going back to work.  I was not only dealing with new mommy stuff but the reality of having a child with a disability.  





The past two months for me have been a little similar to bull riding.  I was a nervous wreck waiting, but knew I would have to saddle that bull anyways.  I did get tossed around a little and did my best to hang on for eight seconds.  Good news, not only did I hang on for eight seconds, I had a perfect dismount.  





My eight seconds are up, I can hang my hat for the summer because today is my last day at work (until September).  To celebrate, Miss Maddie decided dress up as a cowgirl and hang out with the most awesome ranch hands ever. Here’s the scoop.  





I love being with my family, I am confident that thier ooos and awws are real.  I don’t sit, wondering if they catch all the little details that I do.  I watch them embrace Maddox for who she is and all that she will be.  I watch them cheer her on, push her hard, all the while having a pure and innocent love for her.  I am very calm, comforted, and safe when I am with my family and this  typically makes venturing to socialize with those beyond my family very difficult.  





Until today.





Maddie inherited another family.  A family that is not related to her.  A family that did not have to love her but made a personal choice to love her.  When I walk into this house with Maddie, I feel like she is a glowing jewel.  Everyone takes turns marveling at her smiles and trying to make her giggle.  They argue for holding time, draw straws for dirty diapers, and wait in line to feed her.   I can’t express how beautiful, sincere, and compassionate this family is.   I think we keep getting luckier and luckier, thank you.  





I often sit and worry about junior high and high school.  Will Maddox’s maturity level not rise to the occasion?  Will her ‘normal’ friends that she has grown up with her abandon her with peer pressure?  After today, I am a little more comforted and a little less worried.  





Scott and I’s friends are raising some exceptionally loving and charing children, are teaching them right from wrong, and I am pretty confident that Callie, Amaya, Addison, Kylie, Grady, Hannah, Gavin, and Jack will have Maddie’s back, today, and more importantly, 10 years from today.  





And this means the world to me.

We got up early Saturday morning and drove downstate.  When you live where we do, there is one thing that is a ‘must do’ every time you venture to the big city....        

Shopping!  We started our day at Kohls and bought the cutest newborn flip flops.  Emotionally, walking through Kohl’s baby  section today wasn’t as bad as my first experience.  Signs, that I might actually be doing better with things now.  Or maybe it was the fact that I had something way bigger to be nervous about....

Maddie’s first wedding reception.  

Tons of people, tons of eyes, tons of comments.   My head is spinning.  Who knows, who will figure it out, who will say something, if they don’t say something does this mean they know, who will wonder if I know?  It doesn’t stop....

I had a few people thinking about us and praying we would make it through this night without problems.   I only had one moment, it was actually before the reception began.  Maddox and I were in our pretty dresses outside, waiting for Scott.  We were sitting on an old tree stump watching the leaves blow in the trees while I performed her cranial sacral exercises.  

My pretty princess, all ready for the ball while I anxiously completed exercises to change the bone structure of her skull......Most definitely a moment that was not in my ‘master plan.’

But then it happened as it always does, Maddox flashed me a smile, a genuine, it’s going to be ok smile and I went with it.  I dried those pity tears and decided we better rock tonight.  You know what?  

We did.     

People spoke about how beautiful Maddox is, some simply looked, others smiled when they saw her, and a few even asked questions.   So yes, everything I was anxious about happened, but the best part was that we managed.......FLAWLESSLY

After the reception Maddox got her first bath in Grandma’s sink.  She slept in her own crib and blessed mommy and daddy with 10 solid hours of sleep.  In the morning Maddox made her first visit to Sam’s Club.  Mommy loved the bargains and Maddox loved...... The ceiling.  

I couldn’t have asked for a better first wedding experience. 

PS.....My little ROCKSTAR, I think I have an idea for next years halloween costume!

Scott’s parents live 2.5 hours away and my parents live four cornfield filled states away, a drive that takes about 20 hours from my hometown.  Scott’s brother and sister live several hours away and my brother lives a whopping 32 hours away.  

Thats our family, scattered around like a bunch of jacks.   Everyday I pray that someone bounces that little rubber ball, scoops up all of us scattered jacks, and places us together in the palm of their hand (preferably northern Michigan)!  If there are days that you think your family lives too close, please think of us.  I’d trade spots with any of you faster than you can say the word go.  

JUNE 5th, a few special milestones happened this weekend.......

Sito’s Birthday, she hits the big 50 (you’re welcome mom). Below Maddox wishes Sito Happy Birthday via ichat.  She also asks Pop Pop, “Butcha doing?”

Also on, on June 5th, Maddox turned 5 months old.  She can hold her own bottle and down 5 ounces.

To celebrate, Jamie and Maddox decided to brew 5 cups of baby food for the first time.  

Maddie eyes up the bowl.
.Maddie turns her head towards the spatula (Now who says she is not communicating)! 
Maddie licks the spatula.  (FYI: I don’t think one learns to lick a bowl, it is purely instinct)
.Maddie bites the spatula to keep mommy from pulling it out.  Now, if this isn’t considered excellent problem solving, I don’t know what is?! 

Final product.  5 cups of pure delight!  

PS:  After buying baby food, I came back to the car only to find a very grumpy papa bear in the back seat trying to feed a hungry baby bear.  

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, AT 5 MONTHS OLD, MADDOX BELLY LAUGHED 5 TIMES TODAY!

The Rorschach test or the otherwise famous Inkblot test is a psychological test in which the perceptions of inkblots are analyzed. 

The results are used to assess a person's personality characteristics and emotional functioning.  Lets try it.

Below are two photos which contain prune blots on Maddox’s face.  

Look at the first photo and think about what comes to your mind.

Scott’s response, 

“Man those ribs were good!”

Take a look at the next prune blot which is exactly the same as the first one but this is Jamie's perspective.  

“ZORRO”

Ok my psychologist friends (specifically Cathy), what’s the status of my personality and emotional functioning? ☺













CATHY "Somebody help me...my mother is nuts.....she feeds me prunes but complains about all the poop in her life"   :)
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2010 - 09:02 AM

ANONYMOUS "mom says she doesn't feed the dogs anything bad either"...."I need my grammy!"
SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2010 - 09:12 PM

ANONYMOUS welll what the he*& is for desert.   now im hungry again and i cant see through these rose colored glasses.  life was sure simpler in the womb!
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2010 - 11:17 AM

THE SAME GUY THAT POSTED THE LAST POST puke looks a little different in 3-D
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2010 - 11:22 AM