Mother's Day

A post from my mom-

Happy Mothers Day all my FB Mothers. I would like to wish my daughter a very SPECIAL "Happy Mothers Day". Mindy McBride (my daughter) has a special needs daughter and to see and hear all of the things that she does for Maisie to see that she gets her therapies and special needs taken care of is just amazing. I LOVE YOU Mindy and am so proud of you...

 My reply (via FB)

You know I always try to stay positive. At work I am often told that I always have a smile on my face. Someone I barley knew said "do you always smile?" I guess I get it from my daughter Maisie, those Angels can always make your day with their smile. It is days like today that remind me how hard motherhood is but how I try my hardest to be the best mother I can be. Thanks mom, your compliments truly mean the world to me! Love you!

Today as we were driving to Target I was thinking about being a mom. You know motherhood has taught me a lot. Being a mom of a child with special needs is not what I ever anticipated. This morning Maisie gave me a BIG wet kiss on the check (mouth closed and all!!!) even though she will never say I love you like most moms get to hear, I know she does. Happy Mother's Day to all my momma friends and family.

Maisie update

Hello friends!
Well many things have happened...
Maisie became a big sister January 2012. This may be one reason I have been awful about keeping up with this blog. Elsa Louise has been pushing Maisie :) When Elsa babbles, Maisie feels the need to talk back to her. Maisie is also learning so much about sharing: toys, mom, dad, and now her iPad!! This fall Maisie started going to school 5 days a week! She is at school for about 3 hours (including bus ride). She is learning a lot!
You know Maisie has made me a mom that I never thought I would be. She has opened my eyes and my mind and has impacted my teaching. I have been trying to spread the word about AS and advocate for Maisie and others.

Some of the things that are new: Maisie is starting to use the potty! It's not consistent but when you ask her she nods her head yes or no and then OFF we go. This is where I wish I had a main floor bathroom! Maisie is now pedaling her trike, darn near running, swinging on her belly. Playing in the backyard has been a favorite, I am sad to have the colder weather. Our swing set now officially has bare marks under the swing from Maisie going out and swinging on her belly! Independence!! WOHOO! Maisie also learned how to kick in the water using her little boat and steering it around. Maisie then graduated to a Puddle Jumper where she kicks and uses her arms! I think she will be a swimmer :)

FF- Fasr Forward!!

Maisie is making such great progress! She is now using the signs-more, music, and puppy. She is stacking, putting items in/out. Pointing to the tv and requesting with a sound. Her attention span has increased AND her teacher says they are thinking of moving her to the AM class which can be 5 days a week because she has made such great progress!!! Proud mama! Can you tell?

Meeting another Angel

Wow! What a weekend!
On Friday night Maisie went to her first University of MN Gopher Wrestling Match of the season. It was just Maisie and I. We met some friends for dinner (Haselius family) and Maisie enjoyed playing with Hillary which is in the second grade. Saturday we went to Vivian's first birthday in Minneapolis. Sunday (today) we met another Angel. Maisie met Maddy. It was so great for me to connect with another family who knows what it's like to be a parent of an Angel. Maddy and Maisie are very close in age in fact they are both July babies! Maddy has a wonderful laugh and smile. She made me look at Maisie in a different light. I am very thankful for Gina and Chris and their knowledge and trying times they shared with me. We discussed therapies, schools, next steps and goals for our girls. My hopes are to keep in touch with them and get the girls together. I wish Andy would have been able to join us at the MN Zoo today, but he is out in Vail skiing.

Maisie is walking!

SORRY!

It has been so long since we posted last!
Well a lot has happend :)

• On January 3rd Maisie will be starting a Pre-K SPED program. She will attend 3 days a week in the afternoons! It will be crazy to put my 30 month baby on the bus, wow I don't even want to think about it. 
• Maisie is making great gains in her eating. Her SLP asked what we want to work on next. I am thinking we should tackle drinking out of a cup or maybe using silverware (which may be more OT) 
• This weekend Maisie took over 20 steps! I am surprised I didn't just start bawling right then and there. This is a huge milestone for her at 29 months. I am so proud of her! Matter of fact I am very proud of her daddy also. If it wasn't for him she wouldn't be able to attend 5 therapy sessions a week and make such great progress. 
• Maisie had two 24 hour EEG's within a week back in October. Great news is that she is not having any seizures. 
• I don't know how Maisie will handle her baby sister arriving by January 18th.