I cannot believe that two years has past since Benjamin was born.   Its just crazy.  I never thought we would celebrate 2 and here we are.  Benjamin had a great day.  He spent the morning with daddy while I worked and then this afternoon we just hung out and played.  We gave him a police car cozy coupe which he adores.  He was playing with it all day.  We also bought a swing set which he can't get enough of.  We didn't really have much of a party, grandma came over and a couple aunties, but that's about all.   This weekend we have more families get togethers for father's day and such so we'll celebrate a little more then.

Not to much is new.  Benjamin transitioned to his big bed like a dream.  He seems to be napping better with all the space he has now.  Now we just have to work on night time.  Weaning is going good to..we're taking it slow.  He's only nursing 2x a day...but a lot at night.  I'm going to have to cut him off soon...he needs to sleep better as do I.

Next week we go see the eye doctor.  We're praying for improvements in his vision as he was on the brink of needing glasses.  So fingers crossed that things will be better and he won't.  I can't even imagine trying to keep glasses on him.

After that its summer holidays!!! Yay.

We are back from a week in Montego Bay, Jamaica.  We went with Jon's brother's and their families, Jon's parents and his uncle.  There are 8 kids all under 12 so it was busy, but a great time.  Benjamin is a superstar when it comes to flying.  My biggest anxiety came with the thought of spending 4 hours in a plane...but we kept him up from his nap both days we flew and he slept the entire flight, both ways.  Crazy, but a blessing for sure...  The first few days were and adjustment.  There is an hour time difference which isn't much but made all the difference for him.  When it came to dinner time, the restaurant opened at 6pm which was 7pm our time.  7pm is Benjamin's bedtime so dinner was a train wreck.  Jon and I would eat separately while the other would take care of Benjamin.   Finally by Wednesday he had adjusted and the rest of the week he was pretty good.  The girls had a great time snorkeling and swimming.  They got to go on the glass bottom boat, see some of the sights and just have a good time.  We are so thankful that we could go and just spend some time with family.  

This week is a big week in our house..Benjamin's second birthday is approaching fast which is crazy.  So hard to believe.  Today we set up his big boy bed.  It should be an interesting transition.  I also started weaning. I'm actually going to wean him this time.   :)  Its hard because he loves and depends on that comfort so much....he doesn't want to give it up.  But we'll slowly work through it.

Other then that not to much else is new......just busy getting  back into the swing of things.

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.

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!