Finally, an update...

Geesh!  One would think that I could manage to get my butt in gear and do a little update now and then.

I think a life time of activities have occurred since my last post about Matthew and his ears.  The doctors were really great and his ENT doctor had him scheduled for surgery on November 15th witch was a huge surprise for me.  I didn't think that he would get in so quick but I guess having a little "history" does have its advantages sometimes.  The surgery went well and he was a trooper.  He didn't really do great coming out of the anesthetics all that well and was quickly given morphine for pain.  I was a little shocked to enter the recovery room to find out that he was so medicated and still screaming.  He screamed for a good 45 mins and the nurses were pushing drinks, Popsicle's, even pop.  Matthew would have none of it and really just wanted to sleep so I begged the nurse to let me take him home without the necessary fluid intake before discharge.  Once back home and with Daddy he gladly accepted the juice offered to him and took a nice long nap.  Dad had to stay home with the other kids and see them off to school so he wasn't able to be with Matthew for this surgery.  We have a follow up appointment with the whole cleft team once a month till March, back to being hospital busy for awhile I guess.

My boys Michael and Daniel have been busy with indoor soccer.  Daniel loves it, he has quite a talent for sports in general and has a blast scoring.  He's best scoring of the season was a game a few weeks ago with 6 goals during their 1/2 game!  He is enjoying school and tells his teacher all the time what a smart boy he is.  This little boy needs no confidence building and is quite the ladies man.  He already has a little girl (Paige) kissing him and wanting to hold his at recess.  What can I say, dimples are a girls weakness?? 

Michael however still struggles with soccer.  He likes the idea however doesn't seem to have the confidence and assurance that he needs to be able to stand up to those kids who tower over him or can out play him.  Teaching that is a huge challenge for me and I try so hard to encourage and support him.  Who knows what sport (if any) he will continue with.  Michael's asthma has returned as well as an allergy to peanuts.  I am amazed with how well he is doing in school.  He is so bright and I am so proud of him.

Rebecca has been crazy busy with Nutcracker again this year and preformed in 6 shows, and danced 10 different roles.  She is like the energizer bunny and just keeps going.  She love ballet still and is doing very well.  I am proud of her and enjoy all the time we spend together.  She has quite the personality and beauty to match her sweet spirit.  I can't get over how well she handles her brothers and is asking to start babysitting.  I have assured her that she can start babysitting as soon as she is old enough in a couple of years.  She is doing well in school however has struggled with friends.  I am sure this is that yucky phase that girls seem to go through at her age, its just hard to see her deal with it all. 

My husband and I just celebrated our 12th anniversary and did nothing special.  As in we both forgot until the day after!  We had a good chuckle and went on our way doing the usual family stuff.  I still say one of these years we will get away just the two of us, doing boyfriend and girlfriend stuff.  Don't get me wrong, we do date still at least once a month.  It's just different coming home to a babysitter and life rather than a holiday just the two of you. 

I can't wait to post some Christmas pictures so I will try to get back on here before Easter??? 

We're having SO much FUN!!!

Playing in the lake off the back of Grandpa's boat

Sitting back while enjoying a ride around the lake

It's a crime to look this cute in life jacket orange

Boating, so.much.fun.

Spending the day at the ball park, Go! Vipers Go!

Sitting by the fire after a bike ride.  Boy someone looks thirsty!

Too Sweet...

...or was that chicken?? 

Sitting on the couch the other day Daniel crawls up on my lap.  As we are chatting and snuggling he's biting/sucking on his index finger.  He looks at me rather shocked and says "Mom! I taste sweet, like sugar!"  I giggle at his comment and he goes on tasting himself until he turns to me again, "No, I think I taste like chicken".  I couldn't contain myself, I munched on his belly causing a roar of laughter from both him and I.

Moments like this are priceless and I wouldn't ever want to miss them.  I am humbled to be the mother to my four amazing kids.  They fill my days with joy and I am so blessed. 

Treat Thiefs

We have a space set aside in the basement for food storage and this happens to be the spot I put the lunch snacks.  It's in the basement for one reason, I have snack thief's!  When I first started putting them downstairs in September not a soul would enter the dark and scary place except me.  Amazingly the snacks lasted longer and I was only having to buy them once a month or when I was even stocking up on the expensive treats when they went on sale.


The thief's are back.  :(


Some how the dark and scary place became worth the stress of racing as quickly as possible to get the goods.  So far they have been busted frequently as I can hear their feet scrambling on the stairs coming up.  You see once they pull the light chain the basement becomes dark and heaven forbid they be down in the basement in.the.dark!


Now where to find a new hiding place...sigh.

Green Angels

I can hardly believe all the love and support that has been shown towards our family.  Especially in the way of donations for the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation.  My sisters did put on an amazing card making fundraiser and we had a good turn out.  There were people who came that none of us even knew.  Talk about amazing!  From the website donations and donations made at the card making event I am super excited to take $844.00 to the hospital tomorrow.  I am also aware of one $200.00 donation made by my husbands employer over the phone during our interview.  We met our goal, over $1000.00 was donated in Matthew's name.  Thank you everyone.

It wasn't a big secret that I was nervous about doing the live radio interviews and I didn't end up getting a preview of the questions that would be asked.  Once checked in and sitting down at a table clearly marked reserved for live families.  I was quickly told that the first radio station was ready for us and had me uncomfortably close to a huge microphone.  The radio lady, Lexi was super nice and we jumped right into things.  I was more choked up than I had planned and I felt it came across that way.  It was a good interview and I was able to get a glass of water before my next show time. 
That one was fantastic.  The biggest difference was just as I sat down in front of this mic in the corner of my eye I saw a "sea of green".  No I wasn't given a sedative, it was ALL of Matthew's dental team.  Just as they did back in August of 2009, those friendly, comforting, smiling faces were there.  They lifted me and gave me the courage to tell the thousands of listeners all about Matthew and the amazing people that have forever changed our lives.  After wards they waited by the entrance to the blocked off area and I couldn't help but hug and cry once again on their shoulders.  This time it was tears of great appreciation.  God sent these amazing people into Matthew's life and I truly love this hospital and everyone that is a part of Matthew's care. 

Matthew had an appointment with his dentist just a few days earlier and we did find out that Matthew has some issues concerning his bite.  Not a huge surprise for bilateral kids, or for Matthew as you can already see where it has effected his appearance somewhat.  It also has effected his ability to eat some things.  It just was something that burned a bit to hear. 

Here is the story that was shared on the Radiothon website:

During a routine ultrasound, Amanda and Cesar learned that their baby boy would be born with a cleft palette.  They were understandably upset and emotional but were determined to tackle what had to be done.  They had appointments at the Cleft Palete Clinic at the Alberta Chidren's Hospital before their baby was even born where they were assigned a social worker, learned about the procedures and surgeries that would fix their child’s palete.  They were even given special feeding bottles. Amanda remembers a nurse trying to reassure her at the time by saying, “I think cleft children are beautiful and you’re going to miss it when it’s gone.” She remembers feeling reassured by that kind of compassion, but thinking I’ll never miss a cleft palete.  Matthew was born with a bilateral cleft (two slits) in his lip. The gaps in his nose and palete were very severe.  And Amanda thought her son was beautiful.  The nurse had been right.  Matthew would now endure a 4 1/2 month correction that would consist of wearing a NAM device – an oversized retainer – for 24 hours a day.  The device would push his lips, palette and nose closer together so surgeons could then perform the two operations that would give him a “normal” face.  The first surgery was a lip repair at 5 months and the second was to close his palette (roof of his mouth) at a year old.  Today, people can’t tell that anything was ever wrong with Matthew.  Amanda thinks back to the days of him having trouble feeding as a newborn because he couldn’t make the suction action, and then finally progressing to solids with every spoonful coming back out his nose.  If he sneezed, food would literally go everywhere.  The family put a funny spin on a situation that could have been sad and overwhelming and Amanda will tell you that the people at the Alberta Chidren's Hospital helped the whole family to cope with all that had to happen.  Matthew will need at least one more surgery when his adult teeth come in which will require a bone graft from his hip to rebuild the gumline.  His mum says that no one at the Children’s is allowed to retire until these surgeries are complete!!

Please and Thank You!

Here is the link to our Matthew's fundraising page.  Please help us reach the $1000.00 goal to bring more amazing smiles to kids' faces.

http://www.childrenshospital.ab.ca/site/TR?px=1060362&fr_id=1120&pg=personal

Much Love!
Amanda

Exciting Times

I am very excited and honoured to be participating in this years annual Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation radiothon.  The foundation called several months ago and the time has flown by and on Feb. 10/11 I will be doing 2 live radio interviews sharing Matthew's story with thousands of listeners on 2 radio stations.  I will quickly admit to being very nervous about the whole live thing but I can talk forever about this hospital and Matthew.  It wasn't so long ago that I wrote this post about Matthew and I really am honored to be able to give a little back.  If my sharing Matthew's journey helps soften the hearts of those willing and able to donate, bring it on.  Every single dollar helps.
The day before on Feb. 9/11 from 12:00pm - 9:00pm my sister Natasha who is an amazing Stampin Up! demonstrator will be holding an open house fundraiser in her home in honour of Matthew.  I will be posting the flyer here on my blog but please also check out her website and watch for details.  If you are interested in making a donation in Matthew's name or would be interested in coming to this fundraiser (we will be making cards and will be having a small silent auction) or would like to donate a silent auction item please leave a comment and I will respond to you personally.

Out with the old, In with the new.

It seems remarkable to me that another year has passed and we are now facing a brand new one.  Our Christmas was nice and we spent the holidays with extended family and nursing a few coughs and colds.  Luckily nothing to serious but it did put a few little ones in a cranky mood for a few days.  I was so happy to have the kids home and playing with each other.  They are all such good friends but by the end of it they were all ready to get back into the old routine.  Having them all at home and wearing regular clothing it sure reminded my why I LOVE school uniforms!  Before they all headed back to school I had 14 loads of laundry, yes I said 14.  I couldn't believe it, granted I did have 2 loads of towels and a load of bedding but seriously 14.  It took me forever to get it all done.  Another epiphany is that my kids need to help out Mom a little more around the house.  They are really great when I ask them to do things but lately it just seemed like all I have been doing is nagging.  So I put the old Excel skills to use and made a chore chart for the kids.  It has gone over really well and I feel so much better not nagging the kids everyday.  They see what is on the chart and go and do it.  Child labour, it's bliss.  hehehe

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to your family from ours.

Remember

While out camping this year we took the kids to a provincial historical site.  There was a small hike around the parameter so we grabbed the kids and one old squeaky stroller for Daniel.  We had stopped at one of the information signs along the path and while the twins read it out loud for Daniel I turned and saw this:

I was completely amazed at what my eyes were seeing.  This picture was taken with my iPhone and I was so glad it turned out good.  It is something I want to look at over and over again.

Not long down this path in a small clearing of trees and bushes was this plaque. 

Wow, the tears of gratitude came to my eyes and I was short of breath.  This year Remembrance Day seems to be a little more special, a little more close to my heart.

Maybe it because without the service men and women of this country I could enjoy moments like this.

Thank you.

Thankful

"In truth a family is what you make it. It is made strong, not by number of heads counted at the dinner table, but by the rituals you help family members create, by the memories you share, by the commitment of time, caring, and love you show to one another, and by the hopes for the future you have as individuals and as a unit."

- Marge Kennedy

Fabulous Four

What's better than a three year old?  A four year old!  Our little monster is celebrating his birthday today.  Daniel is quite the little character.  He always has been and seems to be picking up speed as he grows.  He is full of life and has the best, and really it is the best belly laugh.  When ever something strikes him as funny, I can't help but laugh along with him.  He is sweet and compassionate.  He loves to play with his toys, and his older brothers toys.  He likes cars, especially Lightning McQueen.  He loves Toy Story and he really thinks his Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, and Bullseye come to life when he sleeps.  He love his Grandma and if he doesn't see her for a few days he gets quite sad.  He loves McDonald's fries.  If you ask him what he wants for lunch its almost always "Donalds - Fries and Pop".  Daniel is afraid of the dark, so he has to have a light on when he goes to sleep.  Funny thing is he puts his blankie over his eyes.  Speaking of blankie, it is with him all day long.  Not very often will you see him in the house without it.  It's quite funny when he tells his blankie to stay in the house while we go out.  He tells his blankie not to eat his snacks.  Daniel is little.  He knows this and will often say he's not tall.  He may not be tall, and he may sometimes be naughty...but I love him to bits.  I am proud of him, he is my little Monster.
Happy Birthday Baby!!

Crazy Campers!

Since the beginning of July the kids and I have been spending most of our time out camping.  It has been so much fun lounging around, swimming, walking, cooking smores, and bike riding.  We are frequent visitors to the petting zoo and the village store for ice cream.  It really has been an awesome way to spend the warmest days of the year. 

This week our whole family is here as Daddy is on holidays and the kids are enjoying every minute showing him all the stuff they have been doing.  With Daddy here he was able to watch Matthew while Rebecca, Michael, and Daniel went for a ride on Grandpa's boat.  They had a good time and liked it when Grandpa stopped the boat and they could jump in the lake and spend some time playing on the diving dock off the back.  Michael and Rebecca played around with the knee board but were still too afraid to try it out. 

Rebecca and Michael are quite the Skipbo players now and Becca has even beaten me and Grandma a few times.  All the kids got new bikes and are having a blast riding them around.  We got Daniel one of those Kinderbikes and he is so proud riding it all around.

Matthew is doing really well.  He is so funny and when he gets tired of being held we put him down and he plays on the gravel and dirt.  He has only tasted a couple of big rock by licking them.  I had him to his pediatrician last week for a check up and we were sent up to the Childrens to have some xrays taken of his hands.  He's having a few problems with some of his fingers so right now we are ruling things out. 

Stuck

I have been working really hard with Matthew to help him catch up on some of his development.  He finally was able to get up on his hands and knees.  Problem being is that he can only go backwards. 

I was putting some laundry away last week when I heard him crying from the living room.  I came downstairs to find him stuck between the chair and the entertainment unit.

Poor baby  :o(

Spring Show

My little ballerina had an awesome opportunity to dance in Peter and the Wolf this past month.

She was excited to be in a "real dressing room, with lights and everything"!

Lots of time to spend playing with friends before she was to be on stage.

Here she is as a "Mushroom" on the second day of performing.

(I don't have a picture of her as a Little Bird.)

It was a great weekend and a fantastic production!

A look through his eyes.

I couldn't understand why my iPhone was taking so long to download the few pictures on it.  It would appear that my three year old got a hold of it.

Everyone needs to have a few pictures of:

Little feet.

Or maybe just one foot.

A good close up of piggy toes.  

An armless lego droid.

An empty, dirty breakfast plate.

A picture of your favorite bath toy.

The best TV program around,

Mickey Mouse's Clubhouse.

Last but not least, the photographer.

It's Great to be Eight!

In our faith children have the opportunity to be baptized once they have turned eight. 

Well in April our twins turned the magical age of eight. 

They were baptized by their Grandfather.

Rebecca got a new dress.  Michael got a new suit.

It was such a special day, they even were treated to supper at Red Lobsters...just the twins and Mom & Dad.

Need something to do this weekend??

My daughter Rebecca is dancing this weekend in Jeunesse Classique Ballet's performance of Peter and the Wolf. I have been to a couple of the rehearsals and I am so excited to be able to see this, let alone have my little girl be apart of such a fantastic production.



So if you looking for something to do, please come and support our local young dancers!


This production is suitable for all ages.


Les Sylphides is the archetype of the abstract ballets that flourished at the dawn of the twentieth century: subline in its beauty and the delicacy of the dancers, it is more "poem" than "story": a simple depiction of sylphs dancing by moonlight with the poet.


Choreographer: Mikhail Fokin

Peter and the Wolf, also an early twentieth-century piece, is the beloved children's story told as an introduction to the musical instruments comprising the orchestra.


Choreographer: Bernard Courtot de Bouteiller


Saturday: May 15th, 2010 at 2:30 PM


Sunday: May 16th, 2010 at 2:30 PM


Wright Theatre, Mount Royal University


Location: 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW, Calgary, Alberta (map)


Artistic Director: Umran Sumen


Tickets available at College Ticket Center


Phone: 403.440.7770


Online: www.mtroyal.ca/tickets


Adult: $30


Senior, Student and Children: $20


Produced by: Jeunesse Classique Ballet Society

Just for Her

Mom, I look at you
and see a walking miracle.

Your unfailing love without limit,

your ability to soothe my every hurt,

the way you are on duty, unselfishly,

every hour, every day,

makes me so grateful

that I am yours, and you are mine.

With open arms and open heart,

with enduring patience and inner strength,

you gave so much for me,

sometimes at your expense.

You are my teacher,

my comforter, my encourager,

appreciating all, forgiving all.

Sometimes I took you for granted, Mom,

but I don’t now, and I never will again.

I know that everything I am today

relates to you and your loving care.

I gaze in wonder

as I watch you being you—

my miracle, my mother.

By Joanna Fuchs 

 

 

My Mother.

She is strong.

She is compassionate.

She is loving.

She is faithful.

She is my best friend.

Most of all, she is an example of

what and who a Mother should be.

I am honoured and grateful to be her daughter.

I love you Mom

Happy Mothers Day!

Oh Snap!

Last week my little dare devil went to retrieve his fastest race car to have a go around the track his big brother built in the living room.  He was just about down the stairs when he fell.  He landed on his arm and you guessed it, snap.  He has a supracondylar fracture, level 2.  He has been such a little trooper through out his whole ordeal.  On Tuesday while up at the Children's Hospital we were waiting for a trauma room so that they could sedated him to try and get the dislodged bone into place and set it.  It was taking far too long for him and he kept calling to everyone "Hey Doctor!" or "Hey Lady!".  Once he had their attention he would very politely ask to go home.  If that didn't work he would wiggle his little fingers and say "See, it's still alive".  It was adorable and he was a hit with all the staff. 

Here he is getting his I.V all set up.

His poor broken arm.  (Elbow)

Getting ready for his sleepy drugs. 

All the staff, including Mommy were wearing matching Shrek stickers. 

Just after a few days, he's already gearing up for a good old game of ball.