Growing

Last Sunday our kids had their Sacrament meeting presentation and I was so happy when my dear husband asked the kids of he could come and watch them.  I was something he did on his own and it meant alot to me.  Our twins were stunning and Daniel was so cute.  This was his first presentation so he was quite reserved.  After we dropped the kids off at their primary classes and I took Hubs home.  While in the car for the 5 minute trip Matthew fell asleep so I held him in my arms in the lobby instead of going to class.  After awhile he woke up and was restless so I decided to take him into the nursery.  The nursery is a class designed for children aged 18 months to 3 years old.  It's a laid back type of atmosphere where the kids get to play, have a small lesson, eat a light snack and maybe do a craft.  Matthew is 18 months in February so I thought it would be interesting to see his reaction to the other kids.  He was so small crawling around the floor happy to play with different things.  The beach ball was a hit and I'm sure he would have kept it a little longer if it wasn't snagged by another little kid.

Watching the other kids play, especially another little girl Matthew's age I really started to wonder if nursery was a good idea for him.  He is delayed and I don't really notice it until we get around kids his age.  There are times when I know his delays could cause a problem.  Take for example snack time.  The kids sit around a little mini table with little mini chairs.  They get a snack, usually cheese, apple slices, and a cracker or cookie on a paper towel.  They also get a small paper cup of water to drink.  Matthew will eat the paper towel.  He can't sit on his bum he sits on his knees, so the chair will be a problem.  He doesn't walk, he doesn't talk, he can't drink well from a cup, he can't feed himself his bottle, he is still such a "baby". 
I know that we have several months before he gets to go and alot of development can happen during this time.  I'm hoping that he, okay that I will be ready for him to go when the time comes. 

Strange

I hate the word fixed.  You fix broken things, Matthew wasn't broken.  I am happy that his lip and palate repair are behind us, it just doesn't seem real right now.  I still get feelings like this shouldn't be happening to us, to my baby.  I listen carefully to the little sounds he makes, does it sound different?  What does he feel?  Does he feel strange? After 13 months of looking into my babies mouth it seems strange to see his palate closed.  I know his surgery is called a palate repair and that it is now "fixed" it just seems weird. 

There you go, a bit of crazy for the day.

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.

Big life for a tiny dog

This is a picture of my little Casper taken this past summer while camping.  Little did I know that this little boy was very sick and would soon depart from me.  Casper had liver disease that went unnoticed until last week.  I held my sweet boy as he took his final breath and he will forever be missed.

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

Post-Op

It's hard to believe that three weeks have already passed since Matthew's surgery.  It all went well and his plastic surgeon was happy how things went.  Matthew did end up needing new ear tubes as his old ones were getting ready to fall out and his ENT doctor didn't think it was a good time to try Matthew without them.  Matthew has had 6 ear infections since last December so here's hoping with the palate repaired we can move past that gross ear draining bit.  Matthew had a hard time coming out of the anesthetic and was quite irritable for a while.  Once they got his pain medication under control he seem to settle in my arms.  He spiked a fever and his blood pressure was low for a few days but they were able to push fluids and keep him comfortable.  We came home after 5 days and he has been getting better and better everyday.  It was heartbreaking to see all those stitches in there and I was crying with him.  I couldn't believe how different and sore the inside of his mouth looked.  His outer face was a bit swollen and of course he was spitting blood for two days. He is almost back to himself and the stitches in his mouth are slowly dissolving.  It's good and a relief to know that he is done for awhile and won't have to have anymore surgeries for a few years.  He has endured lots and I am so proud of him.

This picture is really dark but we were keeping it quiet and comfortable for him, besides it was taken by my iPhone.

A Big Day

Today my sweet Matthew will have his palate repair. There are so many emotions flowing through my body that I sometimes can't breathe.  I am fighting to stay strong for my older kids who cry at the thought of Matthew's discomfort.  They tell me how much they will miss him during his hospital stay.  Tonight the twins came over to me and hugged me.  Little did they know it was them who was giving strength to my weakening knees. 

Breathe.

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!!

366 Days

Today is your day, a day of celebrating. You have accomplished so much already in your first year and have endured many difficult trials. You are simply amazing and I am honoured to be your mother. I think a lot about the day you were born, so much uncertainly, a lot of fear. However the moment I heard your cry break through the eerie silence of the delivery room my heart was calm. You are loved and cherished, you are a miracle and I thank God everyday that you are here with me.

Baby mine, don't you cry

Baby mine, dry your eyes

Rest your head close to my heart

Never to part, baby of mine

Little one when you play

Don't you mind what you say

Let those eyes sparkle and shine

Never a tear, baby of mine

If they knew sweet little you

They'd end up loving you too

All those same people who scold you

What they'd give just for

The right to hold you

From your head to your toes

You're not much, goodness knows

But you're so precious to me

Cute as can be, baby of mine

Happy Birthday Little Gift!
 12 facts all about you:


You crawl

You burp, cough, and sneeze on command...so cute!

You sit

You can eat “cookies” all by yourself

You can stand up on furniture

You can spit

You love wrestling with the big boys

You wave bye bye and hello

You can say nummy nummy nummy

You clap

You can throw toys

You pat, pat, pat mom‘s back when cuddling.

Follow Me?

So see that side thingy down to the right, the one that says Followers?  Come on, I know you see the "Followers" side thingy.  Soooo, please let me know your here by signing up to follow me.  I feel rather pathetic only seeing two people.  ;)

What do you get for signing up?  Nothing...okay not really.  You get to see your little face pop up every time you come and see what I have to say.  Not that I'm promising anything really interesting but I might make you laugh now and then.  (Have you met my kids??)

Happy Blogging!

Stop the Clock!

I am so not ready for September to come and I can't believe that we are almost half way through Augest.  I am having such a great time with my kids at home and not having to worry about school, homework, ballet, cubs, and ugh... lunches.  I am also trying really hard to forget that Matthew's surgery is coming up so fast and I am not prepared to deal with it yet.  Oh I should mention that my baby is turning 1 this month!!!  Where did the first 11 months of his life go?  Where is the justice in all of this?  Is there a way we can pause this month for a little while longer??

sigh...

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. 

Water logged

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me."

I remember saying this millions of times as a kid, I truly believed it. 

Ever see a duck in the rain or in the water?  Every droplet rolls off the duck, the water never seems to weigh the duck down.  I applied this principle to my life along time ago.  I am a duck.  I let hurtful words roll off my back, they will not weigh me down.  They are just words. 

Today, this duck is starting to sink.  Sticks and stones could break my bones that part is still true however names and hurtful words have caused my heart to bleed. 

Tonight I am raw, I am hating. 

Say Mama...

Matthew has been chattering away the last little while.  His favorite things to say is "ahhhh" and "mamama".  I was so impressed that he learned to say "mama" before "dada".  Finally one of the kids gave me the recognition I deserve after carrying them for nine months, breastfeeding them, staying up all night cuddling them when there couldn't/wouldn't sleep in their crib.  Finally, one said mama first. 

WRONG!

I was at the speech clinic today.  He isn't saying mama, it's dada.  He isn't capable of making the d sound so it comes out nanana which sounds really close to mamama.

I give up, Dad wins.

Moving Forward

Oh Ya!  Just look at who is on the move, the forward move.

I snapped this picture just as he was figuring this whole crawling bit out.

Isn't his face priceless, it's like he's saying:

"How in the heck do you do this?"

Go Matthew Go!

We are all so proud of you.

(Oh, see that empty space leading down the hallway...it is now sporting a safety gate.  I don't think he's ready to tackle the stairs.)

If your wondering...

...iPhones can not swim.  In fact they don't even tolerate jumping into a puddle well.

How do I know this?

My iPhone fell out of my pocket today right into a puddle.  Until my "Genius Bar Appointment" it's taken up residence in a zip-lock baggy snuggling up to some uncooked rice.  Here's to hoping a very nice, friendly, and sympathetic apple employee will take pity on me on and help me fix it.

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!

It's Time!

It is time to spread the word!

Below is the correct way to weigh yourself:

I can't believe I was doing it wrong all these years!

25 lbs down!

Ya me!

Girls and Chocolate

Daniel: Mom, I like girls.

Me: Good, I like little boys.

Daniel: I like chocolate.

Me: I do too.

Daniel: Can I have chocolate?

Me: No, we don't have any.

Daniel: I hate girls.

One little step, a bit of growth

One year ago my world shook.

My heart burned with fear and sadness.

I closed my eyes and prayed like I had never prayed before.

I asked why, I took blame.

I asked for a miracle.  

He sent me a tiny baby boy.

Part of my miracle came.

His broken heart was healed.

Then my God blessed a man.

His blessed hands were able to do this.

My heart still at times weighs heavy.

I still feel bits of guilt and blame.

I still pray, I still have faith.

I know this;

"For our light affliction,

which is but for a moment,

worketh for us a far more

exceeding and eternal weight of glory."

2 Cor 4:17

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.

Boy oh Boy...

What do you say when your 3 year old takes a large package of shredded cheese and spreads it all over your living room?  Well, I didn't know what to say except "Daniel, Mommy is very upset about this big mess, now please go find something to do while I clean this up".  
It took me an hour to clean up all the cheese he had spread all over the leather couches, the coffee and end tables, and the carpet.

After I finished I headed back upstairs to find Daniel had found something to do. 

This:

12 Hour Protection??

I was out to supper with my kids, my parents, and one of my sisters and her family.  We ate at a family dinning place and everyone was having a good time.  Matthew was getting a little fussy so I took him out of his chair and held him on my lap while I ate my food.  He was happy to be sitting their playing with my napkin and the straw from my drink.  Daniel needed to use the washroom so I handed Matthew to my Mom and followed Daniel.  He was half way to the ladies room when I noticed that he didn't have his shoes on.  He had taken them off and I knew that we didn't have time to put them back on before he did his business.  While in the washroom I noticed that my pants were feeling a little damp where Matthew was sitting and that he probably needed a change.  I returned Daniel to his seat and pick up Matthew and the diaper bag.  I layed Matthew on the change table only to come to the realization that Matthew was in bad shape.  Lets just say the diaper was full to capacity and there was no way that this diaper could last the full 12 hours the manufacture had advertised.  Oh and the leakage protection they promised, well they lied.  Matthew was not able to wear this sleeper anymore so I plunged my hand into the diaper bag searching for clean clothes.  None.  Crap.  Now what.  So I cleaned him up using all but four of his baby wipes and came out with my poor baby in a clean diaper and a blanket.
I gently urged the other kids to quickly finish eating and I didn't dare look around to see if anyone had noticed my naked baby. 
Lets just say in this case one had no shoes, one had no shirt,  but at thankfully we did get great service.

 

Proud Momma!

Just about a month ago I got a call from the lady who leads our church Cub pack.  Michael's first day of cubs was to fall on the Cub Car Rally night and she invited Michael to start coming a few weeks earlier so that he could work on his car.  Michael was so excited and was funny to watch the first time he put on his cub shirt.  I caught him in front of the hall mirror saluting his reflection.  You could see just how proud he was of his uniform and how dignified he thought he looked.  I will admit that it stung to see my little baby looking all grown up.
Well tonight was the big event.  Micheal weighed in his car, got his number and was ready to have his "Stingray" take it's first trip down the ramp.  I cringed as I watched his car jump off the track crashing into the gym floor.  It was at that point that I started to prep the conversation we would have on the way home, you know the one where I tell him that he should be proud of all the hard work he put into his car, and that someone has to be last.
Well people, he didn't come in last... 

HE CAME IN FIRST PLACE!!! 

Sweet Music

After his lip repair last December Matthew was really restless and we had a hard time keeping him sleeping and comfortable.  I made a little joke to the nurse that he must not be used to all the quiet since he's the youngest of four.  She laughed and left the room to come back with a small box that she plugged by his bed.  She turned it on and it played soft "black" noise to help him.  It worked once his swing came and the Morphine kicked in.  ;)

At Matthew's 6 month check up at the cleft clinic his plastic surgeon was thinking about having his palate repair done sometime in September. I am not looking forward to having my poor little one year old in so much pain and discomfort. (Yes, you read that right...he'll be one!)
Tonight I was blog surfing and came to this blog.  (This blogger is quite amazing, she really is inspirational.)  Picture a little light bulb go on above my head as I read about this give away.  Wouldn't this be so soothing and amazing for my little boy to listen to while he recovers??  I think so, so I'll keep my fingers crossed.