Things have been busy around here.  The weather has been crazy hot so we have been spending lots of time outside..  We had a great mother's day weekend and got in lots of family time.   The kids have been great..Benjamin has been busier then ever. He's talking up a storm now and does a really good job of repeating everything we ask him to say.  He is really starting to love trucks and when he hears or sees one nearby he says "big truck".  I think by the time we have our Tyke Talk assessment he probably won't need much help.   We're getting ready for out big holiday..we're leaving soon.  I can't wait to get away and am trying to relax about travelling so far with Benjamin....I will post pictures and update when we're back.

 Timmies with dad

 A big boy on his cousin's 4 wheeler

 Blowing a dandelion

 Seeing the dragon, from how to train your dragon...scary!

First time actually enjoying icecream

Its been a year since Benjamin's last surgery...so much has happened since then.  He's grown so much..is walking and talking and acting like a typical (almost) two year old.  I love that.  He's beautiful and vivacious and I love every inch of him.  He is the light of  my life.  But..I can't help think about how his life started out, all the terrifying moments, each surgery.   I think about it less, but the memories are still so real and vivid in my mind.   These past few weeks one of Benjamin's NICU buddies had surgery for a bowel obstruction.  She had had surgery early in life and the obstruction came as a result of scar tissue build up.  This snapped me back into the  reality that Benjamin will never be "out of the woods" when it comes to that.  There will always be a risk because of all of the bowel trauma he sustained early on.  I've felt panicky about it, even paranoid.  I hate feeling that way..every day.  I hate worrying about things that aren't in my control.  I think I need to pray more...actually I know I need to pray more.  And I need to remember that through all the terrifying moments, not knowing if Benjamin would ever come home, He was with me..  and I need to hand it over.   Life is so hard sometimes....

Anyways, here are some pictures of Benjamin's belly a year later.

Anyways, we're busy getting ready for our big trip....Lots of planning in taking 3 kids to the carribean.  It will be a nice break though, and we all need it.

Life has been crazy around here as usual.  We've been getting the girls back into some activities again.  Once Benjamin was born we kind of stopped doing extracurricular activities because Benjamin took up so much time.  Not fair to them, I know, but the way things were.  So we've started swimming again and next week they are starting Karate, which they are super excited about.  But that means more craziness.  

Benjamin had his first dentist appointment this week.  I was really worried about it since just brushing his teeth is a whole dramatic experience....But our dentist is fabulous, she's very kind and soft spoken so Benjamin seemed fairly receptive to her.  He still screamed, which he does everytime we brush, but it allowed the dentist to get a good look inside.   His teeth are a little yellow which means they are probably softer then normal.  She didn't see any cavities and we got a special toothpaste to help harden the enamel.  I hope it helps.

We have been spending lots of time outside as usual. Benjamin loves jumping on the trampoline or visiting the neighbours.  He loves to run around and if the girls are at school he'll walk right to the bus stop.  

Not to much is happening in the next few weeks.  We don't have anymore appointments until we get back from our trip. So that is good.  We're just enjoying life...and taking things one day.

Benjamin has a little friend who spent quite a bit of time in the NICU at the same time as Benjamin. She was born with a condition called Congenital diaphragmatic hernia and this week was rushed to emerge because scar tissue from her previous surgery had caused a bowel obstruction.   So we're asking for some extra prayers and get well vibes for her as she going to be in hospital for about a month recovering.  There is lots of anxiety for her parents as she's never had bowel issues and is now on TPN.  Her mama is also 32 weeks pregnant.  So this is a high stress time.