Happy New Year!!!

                                                                  The Adkins Girls

                                                           Maddisons first Lalaloopsy

                                             I know, I know matching PJs, who can resist?

                                                                    Merry Christmas!!!
                                

                                                               Maddison and Grandaddy

                                                 Maddison and Grandmommy all tired out!

There is nothing quite like Christmas Day..... it's the weeks before hand looking for 25% off, free shipping, six months to pay off the credit cards for all the deals you got using THAT particular credit card to get THE discount, and desperatly thinking of the best present for the each person.  It's alot of work and then it's over in one day. 
We received a VHS to DVD dubbing machine.  Which is by far my favorite gift.  We have been transfering tape after tape after tape, of MCKENZIE.  After the first child I have noticed a downward trend of not video taping the other three kids.  My New Years Resolution will be to keep up with video taping all of our children.  I am really enjoying watching McKenzie grow up!   The one thing I do keep up with though is taking their pictures....... Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!!

I just wanted to say how Thankful I am. I feel like we have been blessed in so many ways, to list them all would take way to long! 
I was talking to friend and she was telling me about a family who has a child with Down syndrome and that at first they were really struggling with the diagnosis.  I think when families find out after the birth of their child it's harder for them because there is no preparation time. I know when we first found out I remember telling my sister "Maybe this is God's way of telling me he's angry at me and that I deserved to be punished."  But as soon as Maddison was born I realized if God was ever angry at me, this was His way of saying I forgive you and then he gave me Maddison.  That was proof to me, He loved me.

Maddison Praying :)

Just Wonderful!!

Maddison is doing just wonderful!  She just turned 21 months.  That is so hard for me to believe.  I can't believe how fast time is going by.  At times I feel like such an OLD mom, at 41 still changing diapers, making bottles, and giving baths.  Other times I feel like I can't imagine what I'd do if I didn't have tiny toes, yummy baby lotion, and precious baby bedtime. Maddison just got over strep throat, as a matter of fact all four of my kids had it. 
Last year at this time, Maddison was in the hospital and we were wondering if she was going to make it home for Christmas.  I'll never forget when Toys for Tots came by and gave her gifts.  I have always been the one to give Toys for Tots not receive them.  It really meant alot to me, but it made me cry and want to come home so badly.  I am so Thankful we are home and getting ready for Christmas!!

I tried to take pictures of Maddie in her dress but she had other plans......

Oh well there is always next year!

Christmas is coming!!

I love Christmas!!  I love buying lots of presents, WAY to many for the kids, eating lots of food, and being with all of our family!!  I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for their favorite toys! Maddie has lots and lots of toys, but lately she seems like she is getting bored!

Always ready to give a hug though!

Wooo Hooooo Thanks Brill Kids!!!

I am so excited.  I sent information about Maddison to a company called Brillkids.  They have an amazing reading program I've been wanting to buy.  I thought maybe after Christmas we would get it. Then I read on BabyCenter.com that you could apply for a discount because Maddison has Down Syndrome (just in case you didn't know :P ) and they would consider a certain percent off.  They gave it to us for a 100% discount.  Are you kidding me??? I feel like it is Christmas!!!!!!!!!  Our therapist isn't crazy about the reading at such a young age but I have to try it.  Anything that could help Maddsion learn CAN NOT be bad for her.  They have so much data on how beneficial it can be, I can't wait to receive it. 

Hope Everyone has wonderful and happy Thanksgiving.

 

What is better than a little yummy tummy?

Pumpkin Patch

We took Maddie to the pumpkin patch.  It was cold and rainy but it was the only night we could all go!  The boys got wet and didn't want to stay so we picked out pumpkins and brought home Taco bell. Next year she'll be walking and she'll have more fun!

My Little Monster

It's been a little while since my last post because my computer crashed.  I usually check in with my Baby Center.com babies and then check my favorite Blogs, but with my laptop broke I have to resort to my dinosaur computer which is about 9 to 10 years old. Just to try to post today it took 10 minutes to upload, then it randomly started printing Maddison's Blog then my printer jammed and then finally I got this page, 17 minutes later.  Anyway.... just wanted to post Maddison, my little monster, on Halloween!

The costume stayed on only for a couple of pictures, then she cried until we took it off!

My baby loves her some Kim!

I was having a really, really bad day!  Maddison had blood work and they couldn't get any blood, so after sticking her and wiggling it around in her arm for a really long time, like 1 hour (or really a minute) then they did the other arm and luckily it worked, but only after lots of sceaming, kicking, and mommy pouring sweat lots of sweat.  And lucky her thyroid is still outta whack so we get to repeat it all again is six weeks.  On my home I was thinking I should go see my friend Kim.  I needed to see a happy smiling face.  Maddison instantly feel in love.  I have never seen her hug someone so much. There was so much hugging, I might have been a little jealous.  I thought my sister was Maddison's favorite but I am starting to wonder if she is going to have some competition. Kathy, if your reading get here and see your niece!! 

Broken Elmo

When my oldest son was growing up, he had a "Chicken Dance with Elmo".  He loved it.  Then the house became over crowded with toys so we gave it to Gramie.  We went to visit Gramie and Maddison saw "Chicken Dance with Elmo".  It was love at first sight. So we brought him home.  All day at our house, " Elmo wants to be a chicken, Elmo wants to be a duck, Quack, Quack, Quack. Over and over.  Maddison dancing and smiling, 6:00 a.m. same thing, 8:00p.m. same thing....... Then Elmo broke

So I went on Ebay and spent to much money on an old "Elmo wants to be a Chicken" she is soooo happy!

Every time it works she is surprised!

I'm so sad ......

There has been alot of buzz in the Down syndrome community about a new blood test that will determine if their baby has Ds or not.  The termination rate is already 90%.  I can't even imagine what the aboration rate will go up to with just a simple blood test.  Just think of all the hugs, all the kisses, all the smiles, all the ice cream sharing, all the cuteness, and all the happiness people will be missing out on. I am sad....

Buddy Walk 2011

What a great day for a walk!!!  We couldn't have picked better weather! We meet Racheal from Signing Time and she autographed Maddie's Buddy Walk Shirt!  We took lots of pictures, ate lots of food, and had the best walking team you could ask for!!  Thank you to my wonderful family!  Maddie is so proud to have you in her life!

"Well the good thing is she won't actually know people are making fun of her"

Someone actually said this to me today.  I was explaining how Aaron and I were considering home schooling Maddison.  I am usually joking about it, because I sent my three other children to school, but when it comes to Maddison I can't bear for anyone to be mean to her.  So I sometimes say, "Oh I will probably home school her".  Then out of the blue comes the random, "Well the good thing is she won't actually know people are making fun of her.  Are you !@#$% kidding me?  I remained calm and said well that is a misconception people have about children with Down syndrome.  She will know but she will probably forgive very quickly.  I am tired of excusing peoples ignorance of Maddison being a child, (person) first.  REALLY??  Surely you can look at her and know she is smart, super smart!!!!  She knows when we tell her no and she really wants it, she keeps on working at it.  She knows when her brothers take something away from her and she wants it, she cries for it.  How can someone believe if you tease her, it won't hurt her.  Aaron I were talking about it later and he said well it's just one of those things people regret after they say it.  Well unfortunately it does really make me think HOME SCHOOL ALL THE WAY!  Protect her from the world, the meanies out there.  What choice do I have?


Seeeeee how smart she is........

Maddie and her Caterpillar

Maddison is learning how to climb on her caterpillar by herself!  She is trying to rock back and forth on her own, which is so cute!  When thinking back about my older three kids, I can remember them doing these very same things.  I really feel like Maddison is exactly like her sister and brothers.  She plays independently, she loves her bathtime, she eats everything, just like they did!  It might take her a month or two longer but she is my last and keeping her a baby a little while longer, is OKAY with me!

I made it!

 Ohhh Look at his ears...

Maddison loves to gives kisses, if she likes you watch out, your getting a KISS!

October 11,2011

I am getting so excited for the Buddy Walk on Saturday!  I was really thinking Maddison would be walking by 18 months but I think she loves crawling so much she's gonna really take her time!  Today she had her physical therapy appointment.  She has been working on stacking a block on top of another block.  Today she did four!!!  Seriously, she is SO SUPER SMART!!  One thing that is going to take her awhile is to learn how to point with her pointer finger. She always uses her middle finger.  So today Jennylee tried cutting out card board pieces, placing it over her pointing finger and trying to keep the other fingers pressed down.  After about 1 second she decided to play throw it! It will take us a while to figure out how to keep the other fingers down!  Any suggestions?? 

She is still the cutest baby in the world!

Guess who started Walking with a Walker Toy???????

My girl Maddie is so amazingly smart.  I bought her a walker toy and without even showing her, she climbed up and started pushing it around.  I was shocked, shocked I tell you! Now that she has the hang of it, I bet she'll be walking soon!

Okay so I know this doesn't have anything to do with Maddison per say..but

It's McKenzie's 16th Birthday Party!!!!!!!!!  Now I feel super old because sometimes I still think of me as 16 until I look in the mirror!!  Maddison has the best big sister anyone could ask for!  She just lettered in academics because she is so super smart!  She is Beautiful, Kind and Amazing!  We both love her so very much!

That's one way to get out your bow!

Maddison hates wearing a bow or pony tail. I try to keep her hair up so it won't get in her eyes but when I get it just right, looking perfect, she grabs the bow and with one single tug, all that work is gone.  I think she is so cute without bangs.  It took so long to grow it out and now it's just right (besides what is falling out from the thyroid medicine) for a bow or almost right for pigtails and that little stinker learned a new way to mess up her hair today........

When does the Down syndrome Start???

When does the Down syndrome start??  That is what my niece asked me the other day. She was in kindergarten with a little girl who had Down syndrome, so she is wondering if Maddison will act like her.  She said Natasha ran around screaming alot!  I said we hope Maddison won't be doing that. She's usually pretty content to hang out on your lap.  She's hanging with her Grandmommy.

People have asked me so where does Maddison stand with her ability to learn?  I personally think she is a genius!!  She is getting over a cold and when she coughs I say Are you okay, and then she tries to pat herself on the back like I do to help her cough.  She has also learned how to blow her nose, which I might add is much younger than my other 3 kids were when they learned.  Everyday she makes me laugh!!  She has learned a new dance move!!   She takes her thumbs and sticks them out and then moves her middle around like she is doing the hulu!!  Definately going to post the video tomorrow! 

October 4, 2011

Maddie's favorite toy is the remote.  Unlike our other children we never took them from her.  I always thought the other kids wanted them soooo bad because they couldn't have them.  But we let her play with them over and over and she still wants them over and over.  I know I could be a millionaire if I would make one for children that looked exactly like the real one (but safe) not a chunky look-a-like that they can always tell is not the "real" one. 
She is lucky she has 3!