Benjamin has been busy, busy, busy :)  and I like it that way.  We've been getting out a bit...I bought a bike so he likes to go for rides.  We also joined the YMCA so he's been swimming to, which he really seems to enjoy. His newest thing is sitting on the toilet...I have no expectations, but I bought him the book "once upon a potty" so he now likes to sit.  His first visit to the dentist is next week, so that should be interesting....I have a lot of anxiety about that.   Anyways, that's about all.

Things are great.  Our appointment at Developmental follow-up went well.  Benjamin wasn't that co-operative, but what 19mth old is? He sat and played a bit.  He showed most of his tricks.  He did activities like putting money in a piggy bank and putting pegs into little holes.  He did a shape sorter, which he loves anyways.  He didn't want to look at books or anything and kept trying to escape.  By the end of the 2 hr appointment he was done.  He did great when it came to showing how he can go up and down stairs  and throwing a ball overhand.  For the most part he showed them all they needed to see.  His growth is perfect, his growth curve is awesome.   The only thing is he didn't say a word...nothing.   He doesn't have a lot of words, but he would not show them the ones he does know.  We have an appointment at the end of June with tyke talk.  We're trying hard at home to get him talking.  So that's about it.  He did so well they told us we don't need to come back until he's 3..crazy eh?  Usually we'd go back in September at his 2 year corrected birthday..  That's so exciting.  He's such a good boy.  That's about all.....

Benjamin is really big on looking at the family photo.  He points to someone and Mackenzie tells him who it is.

 Such a dare devil!

We had a pretty good Easter weekend. Jon worked all weekend, which is a bummer, but we still had fun.  We went to church on Friday and Sunday so that was very nice.  We had family dinner on Friday. The weather was great and the kids spent a lot of time outside.  My parents house backs on to a wooded area so the girls just love to go out and explore.  Its so good for them. I grew up out in the country which was the best experience ever so this gives them a little taste of what my childhood was like.

On Sunday we went to church and then came home and decorated Easter eggs.  Monday morning we hunted for more eggs when daddy could be there.

Tomorrow we have our big clinic appointment.  Benjamin is 18mths old corrected so we go to the hospital and meet up with doctors, nurses, and various therapists to gauge how Benjamin is doing developmentally and physically.  A lot of premature  babies have long lasting effects from being born so early.  Benjamin, being early and being so sick is definitely at risk for long term issues.   So they keep a close eye on how he's doing in every aspect of life.  My biggest concern is his speech..and I also have questions about his liver.  His liver was very stressed when he was sick and it was visibly damaged at the time of his 4th surgery.  I'm curious if he has long term damage.   Anyways, I will keep you posted....wish us luck.

I feel so terrible for not blogging more often. I will try to do better. Life has just been so crazy. I find working and home life a balancing act. I give so much credit to the full time working moms....they are amazing. I think because Jon is a shift worker I have to do a lot on my own so I feel like I hardly ever have time to just sit and blog. Anyways....
Things are good here. The kids have been great. Everyone has been healthy and things have been going well. Benjamin and I went on our first official play date a few weeks ago which was nice. Getting out and playing with other kids doesn't happen much in the winter (besides our cousins) so its nice to start getting out and seeing our friends. I'm so looking forward to more playdates. Benjamin is getting to such a fun age now, where he's starting to interact a bit with other kids which is cute to watch. We have managed to avoid doctors and specialist for quite a while, but in the next couple months we'll have a few more appointments again. Benjamin goes to developmental follow-up on the 11th for his 18mth (corrected) check up. I'm looking forward to that as I'm curious to see their view on his speech development. He's picking up more words every day...now saying things like dog..which comes out daw and bus which comes out bu..but he's definitely trying. I have a feeling they might recommend us for speech therapy, but that's ok with me.  He's also started singing, which is the cutest thing ever.  His favorite song right now seems to be twinkle twinkle little star.   My biggest anxiety is around his eye appointment in June. This will be the appointment that the doctor will decide if Benjamin needs glasses.. He seems to see fine, but at this age who knows.

Anyways we've been planning our holidays for the spring/summer and we are super excited that we are going to Jamaica. We're going with some of Jon's family which will be so much fun. The girls are so pumped to be going on plane. I have a little anxiety about travelling with Benjamin, but I think he'll be ok....Its going to be a blast. We're also planning to do some camping with my cousins and sisters and well as take the girls to see the falls. We haven't taken them to Niagara yet, so that should be fun. Benjamin is still at the age where he's a little difficult so I think for that day we'll find a sitter. Exciting things are happening and we have been enjoying life to the fullest. We are so incredibly blessed. Not a day goes by that we don't thank God for our family.