I feel so bad for not updating sooner.  Summer flew by and it ended up being crazier and difficult then we anticipated after the loss of a close friend.   Despite cancelling our big camping trip we managed to squeeze in a few small ones and still had a great time.  The weather was cooler but wonderful (in my opinion) and we got lots of quality time in.

School.  That's the biggest news on our end.  I still can't believe that my boy is in school.  It was very tough..for me.   I felt he wasn't real ready, that he was too little, that he was still my baby.  The first week I cried a lot.  Benjamin, on the hand, has been a rock star.  He had a few tears of apprehension the first couple days, but he adjusted...well.  The biggest obstacle has been the bathroom. Its a lot for these little guys to deal with.  He was nervous to ask to go and having accidents and also just to busy to remember to go.  It has slowly been getting better as time goes by..only the occasional one now.  He loves his teacher so much.  He is her little helper and he sticks pretty close to her side for most of the day.   She says he is just and amazing little boy, that makes me proud.  He even got the responsibility award at his monthly school assembly.  He's been a little cranky after school.   The first month was rough.  He was very tired when he got home and we all have bore the brunt of that.   But that too is slowly getting better.

Benjamin has also started skating lessons which is very exciting.  Dad definitely wants him to be the next Wayne Gretzky..I guess we'll just have to see.  He's also still working on swimming, which he loves too.

Other then that there isn't much else to report.   We have no appointments or anything going on.  He has been learning at a normal pace.  The teachers are all aware of his history and are keeping a close eye on him.  So far no concerns have come up.  I'm so thankful for that.   Christmas is coming fast which we are so excited about...our favorite time of year, but with the winter comes flu season.  I am definitely feeling some anxiety about Benjamin being in school now and all the germs the kids share.  Fingers crossed he can fight a lot of the germs off and come out in the spring unscathed.   This is on the top of my prayer list for sure.   We'll take it one day at a time.

Happy 4th Birthday

      4 years is shocking to me.  I cannot believe it has been 4 years since Benjamin made his hasty appearance.  I remember it so clearly for many reasons.   The journey from there to where we are today is incredible.  I can't stress enough God's goodness in it all.  His guidance daily still helps me through the tough days.  I thought as time passed the scary and sad memories would begin to fade, they haven't, but watching him grow, learn, play and experience life makes them less frequent.  I appreciate every minute I get to spend with him.   He teaches me new things every day and I love how he just absorbs everything around him.  He is funny and busy and crazy at times, but his love for me is pretty remarkable.  I know all kids love there mom's like crazy, but I definitely feel a different connection with him...almost like he knows how much I fought for him.
    The summer has officially started and I know its going to be a good one.   We have some camping trips planned, lots of day trips planned and a lot of down time just hanging out together as a family.  These next few months are the end of one chapter in our lives as in September Benjamin officially becomes a kindergartner.  This next chapter is super exciting and scary all at the same time.   I think he's going to do great in school, but it makes me a little sad that he's really not my baby anymore.   I'm going to miss him.
   Anyways, I hope your summer is safe and fantastic.  I know ours will be.

I feel bad it has been so long since I posted an update.  We are finally in full blown spring mode.  I love it.  The leaves are on the trees and we can finally get outside.  Benjamin is just taking it all in.  I cannot keep him inside if my life depended on it.  He is out there all the time.  Its wonderful.  It just makes everything much better.  I love watching him run, play and explore.  He loves going on "adbentures"  and is constantly pointing out new places as we drive where he think the next adventure could be.  Its amazing.  The past few months have been good.  Benjamin had three morning sessions at the school where he'll be going to kindergarten.   It has been so helpful.   When we went to register him for school we couldn't get him in the building, but yesterday at the last session he was sitting in the classroom between a bunch of future classmates eager to play.  It makes me feel so much better.  I still think full day kindergarten will be a big adjustment for him, but I know he'll love it and I'm looking to this new stage in my life.   I am apprehensive and a little sad, but also excited about having a little more freedom and time for me.

Its hard to believe that summer is approaching so quickly and so is Benjamin's fourth birthday.  It sounds so strange even saying it, Four!  Wow.

This summer is going to be a great summer.  Benjamin is at fantastic age now and I think camping is going to be a lot more fun and a lot less work then it has been.  We're venturing a little further up north this year with my cousins camping and I'm excited for the kids to canoe and swim small northern lakes as opposed to the great lakes.   Its definitely different camping then southern ontario camping.   We're planning lots of day trips as well.  Its going to be great.

We are loving life and enjoying every minute.

This winter has been incredibly cold and long.  We have been hibernating and not leaving the house unless its necessary.  I think everyone is feeling the winter blues right now especially because spring officially arrived last week, but temperatures tonight are around -20 with the windchill.

Things have been pretty calm around here.  Nothing major this winter in regards to illness.  We were supposed to take a family trip to Niagara Falls on Valentines weekend, but Benjamin did come down with a pretty good cold which kept us home.  He had a low grade fever and was super wheezy so I didn't want to risk being 2 hours from home and needing his asthma doctor or the ER.  Thankfully with his rescue inhaler and a dose of steroids at home we managed to muster through it without a visit to the hospital or doctor.   Anyways our trip has been rescheduled and I'm sure it will be great.

We officially registered Benjamin for school in February.  That makes me sad and excited all at the same time.   We decided to enroll him in the local English school for junior kindergarten and then move him to the girls French school for senior kindergarten to grade 8.  He seems pretty apprehensive at the idea of school, but I'm sure once he's there he will love it.  We have our first introduction to his school/class/teacher on Wednesday already so he'll get to see beforehand where he'll be going.  I'm sure that will cut back some of the anxiety over it all.

We added a new member to our family a few weeks ago.  The girls have been begging for a pet (another one) for a while so we finally caved and they bought a bunny.  His name is Oliver and he has been a great addition to our family.  Benjamin loves doting over him and really shows lots of love to him.  It's very sweet.

That's about it around here.   Spring is around the corner and finally getting out of the house and outdoors is what we all desperately need..its so close....

January is flying by...not without a little excitement.  We can officially register Benjamin for school NEXT WEEK!!  That is crazy.  It doesn't seem possible and it makes me want to cry.  I am an emotional person anyways and I think last year was the first year I didn't cry as the girls started school for another year (yes grade 4 and 5).  So in September when Benjamin has his first day of school I am guaranteed to be a disaster.  It can't me true, not yet, he's to young, I'm not ready :( .  But the reality of it is that he IS ready.  I know he'll love it.  He'll have so much fun and just thrive.  We haven't decided exactly where we are going to send him yet.  The girls are in French immersion which he isn't able to start until SK, but he can to JK at the local English public school.  Its not a great school and that's my only concern..but it would only be for 1 year. Or we could see if he would be accepted into a French first language school.   I am not fluent but have OAC French and can understand quite a bit and the girls speak it very well now.  So I think that could be an option as well.  I always have the option to not send him for JK and just have him start in SK.  We'll see.

Everyone has been super healthy in our house so far this winter (knock on wood).  We've had a great winter.  We've been having fun in the snow, building forts,  and even enjoying a couple of snow days.  I love winter, and so do the kids.  Its so fresh and beautiful.  We definitely aren't complaining when it comes to the cold.

Benjamin does not have any appointments in the near future which is great..we're gliding along nice and smooth and happy at this pace.  So that's about it for now.

Wow...almost 2014.  Its so hard to believe.  This last month has just flown by..with all the business and excitement of the season its bound to happen.  We have had an amazing Christmas season.   We decided early on to go with the idea of  "less is more" and it worked out beautifully.   The girls knew from the get go that we weren't going overboard.  For once we didn't have the dilemma of where we were going to put the excess of toys and "stuff" they received.  It was perfect.   We snuggled and watched movies or read books about Christmas time and just ignored the madness outside.  Benjamin had a blast this year.  Just watching him get so excited about Santa,decorating, wrapping presents was amazing.  Watching him experience it all was just fascinating.   I stepped back a number of times just to watch him..what a blessing.  

We're planning on having a low key New Years eve at home with the kids and close friends.  I'm really looking forward to that.  Its going to be great.  I am just so content with life right now.  I feel so overwhelmed by the blessings.  I know that 2014 is going to bring about great things for my family.   I'm just looking forward to every minute of it.  It also comes with big changes as Benjamin is old enough to start kindergarten in September.  That is a crazy thought....Hopefully it doesn't come to fast :) .

I can't believe that we're already into November.  Its shocking to me....and a little sad to see the warm weather turn cold.  But things have been great here.   Busy as usual, but so good.   We had a fabulous Thanksgiving and Halloween.  The kids had so much fun...and we spent a lot of good quality time together.   This past weekend we spent in Toronto at the Royal Winter fair.  We had a blast.   We have never been and it was a great experience.   I definitely recommend it if you haven't been.  Benjamin is at the age now where its easier to do these things.  He was such a good boy.  Just having a nice family weekend away was great.  I am so thankful for that.

Not to much new is happening around here now...We're gearing up for Christmas.  We're taking a much more humble approach to Christmas this year.  One or two small gifts and focusing more on what we can do as family building memories that the kids will have forever.  I think about my childhood and the things that really stand out.  I don't remember any of the gifts I got...I remember the traditions we had.  When I was a little girl we would go to church on Christmas Eve and then go to Victoria park and see the lights.  I loved that.  I also remember my grandma's perfect table setting, that she had us help her with...and Christmas crackers.  We always had sausage rolls and pineapple juice in little wine glasses.  I love those memories and really want my kids to have similar ones.  Our focus is on family...and Jesus.  I feel so excited about this Christmas and the blessings that are going to come from it.

Anyways here are a few pics from the last month or so around here.

Well September is in full swing and we're getting into a pretty good groove.  Things are super busy but running smoothly so far.  The girls are off to great start and Benjamin has started a home daycare two mornings a week.  The process of finding home daycare was interesting.  Besides being super overprotective of Benjamin I was a little shocked  at some of the daycares.  I thought it would be an easy process, but at one point I was ready to give up.  Luckily we found an amazing girl who Benjamin adores.  The transition was super easy.  He went without tears the first day, I did not, but he was a star.  Everyday he goes he is eager and willing and he has been excellent while there.  Its been a fantastic experience.   We are so thankful for her.

Benjamin also started swimming lessons.  This is the first time on his own, without one of us in the pool with him.  The first class was a train wreck.  I didn't have huge expectations, but he didn't listen and kept wondering off.  The following classes have been better and he's done well...well for a 3 year old. :)

Tomorrow is a big day for Benjamin.  We have an appointment at the Developmental Follow-up clinic.  This is a clinic that follows premature babies.  They've been monitoring Benjamin since discharge.  He'll see a special doctor, nurse, and probably an occupational therapist and maybe a physical therapist.  They'll watch him and assess his development.  We had to fill out of ton of questionnaires for this appointment...they're looking at every aspect of his development.  Fingers crossed, this will be our last visit there.  I'll update after our appointment.

Other then that life is good.  We're chugging along happily just enjoying every day as it comes.

I feel bad for not posting sooner, but as you know summer is so busy. We have been having a fantastic summer.  We've done a lot as a family and I have loved every minute.  The second week in July we went camping with my cousins.  I have a very large family and as cousins we are all still fairly close.  So 10 of us and our families managed to get together with our kids and spend a few days camping.  This is the 3rd year in a row we have done it and its becoming a favorite summer activity.   We also spent a couple days in Toronto.  We went to the zoo and spent the night in a hotel and then spent the second day at the science centre.  That was a blast.  All the kids loved every minute of the science centre.  So much to do for all of them.  We've also done a few day trips to some local attractions which is fun.    We still have one more week of camping planned.  Its amazing how fast time flies.  

Benjamin has been great.  Growing by leaps and bounds.   He hasn't seen many doctors lately.  We saw the asthma doctor in June and he thinks that Benjamin has "viral" asthma that is brought on by colds.  He figured he would outgrow it and we didn't need to see him again unless we have major issues over the winter.  He also saw his eye doctor, but nothing has changed with his eyes which is a good thing as well.  Now we're just waiting for the appointment for his last developmental follow-up clinic with the NICU.  I assume we'll be done with them in September as well.  We'll see.

We started the hunt for home daycare for Benjamin over the summer as well.  I have been working a lot more and I think socially it would be good for him as well.  It has been an interesting process, but we think we found a perfect place for him.  He starts the second week of September, just 2 mornings a week.  I am anxious about the adjustment, but he already seems excited just from meeting her and her kids once.

I think that covers it all.   Life is fantastic and I have trying to just soak up and enjoy every minute with all of my babes.  I feel so richly blessed.

Happy 3rd Birthday

3 years ago...  at 9:28pm be exact my sweet boy arrived into the world.  What a ride it has been. Its crazy to think that he is 3 already...it makes me a little sad, but so exciting to watch him grow.   We had a fantastic day.  Benjamin was so thrilled with his decorations, gifts, cake... We went to storybook gardens and had family over for dinner.  It was a great day.   What an amazing little boy I have.  Everyday I am so thankful for all that he is, all that he has taught me and the blessing he is to our family.  It just blows my mind...I can't imagine life without him.  I am so blessed and so incredibly thankful.

So things have been a little more exciting around here in the last few weeks, but not really in a good way.  We've made 3 trips to emerge in less then 3 weeks with Benjamin.  I'm hoping since they say things come in 3 that we are done.  First he was sitting on his bike on the grass, not even riding it, and it tipped over and he hit his head on some patio stones along the side of our driveway.  He had a huge purple goose egg on the back of his head.  It got really big really fast so we took him to emerge to be safe.  It was nothing and they sent us home.  The Friday after that Benjamin got sick..super sick.  Not sure what it was..some sort of GI bug, maybe rotavirus?  Anyways he started throwing up Friday night and was sick all the way until Wed.  He had horrible diarrhea and lots of tummy pain so Sunday night we took him back in.  He hadn't peed in 9 hours and we were concerned about dehydration.   I was also a little worried that it was more then a tummy bug but something like a blockage or narrowing.  The symptoms are all the same really.   Luckily while we were waiting Benjamin's surgeon walked by.  I flagged her down and she had a peak at him as well and was pretty confident that it was viral and not something major going on inside.  That made us feel so much better. The nurses ended up giving him a super strong anti nausea medication and he was able to keep a little down, at least for 12 hrs.  We were told from the beginning that any GI bug could really take its toll and this one did.  Luckily Avery is the only one who caught it in the house and she only lasted a couple days and was on the mend again.   Our last trip to emerge was for stitches.  Benjamin was playing in the yard with his sisters and cousins and he tried to run under the patio table to get a ball and he hit his head right on the corner.  He ended up with 4 stitches on his forehead.  Ugh, what a crazy few weeks.  

Benjamin has a few appointments coming up, but nothing major really.  He has the asthma doctor, dentist and I think we'll have one more visit with developmental follow-up around his 3rd birthday.  Its so hard to believe that in a little over a month he will 3.  It's just crazy.  I think 3 is going to be a difficult year as Benjamin is already starting to assert himself more and become independent.  I love watching him learn and grow, but I also still wish he was a quiet nursing baby.

Anyways, he, as well as the rest of us are doing good now. The weather has been great.  Its been so nice to get out and just play outside.  Its good for everyone.   We've been waiting so long for this weather.  We've been loving every minute.  So glad spring is here and summer is coming.

It has been quite a while since my last post, but I really don't have much to share.  Things have been going so well.  Winter has been dragging on so there hasn't been to much going on around here at all.  I think the warmer weather is finally on its way and we'll be able to be a little more active again.  Benjamin is doing fantastic.  He has been super healthy.  No major bumps since his stomach flu before Christmas.  Fingers crossed that we are out of the winter risk zone.   We actually did a lot more the later part of this winter then we have before.  Benjamin has become a part of our church nursery and has really started to like that interaction with other kids.  He's seems to have a good time.  We also have been swimming 2-3 days a week at the YMCA and doing some lessons.  He has been doing so great at that...

Benjamin has a new specialist.  His pediatric allergist/asthma specialist moved away so we were referred to a pulmonoligst who is dealing with his asthma now.  We really didn't think he had any allergies and his issues are more lung related.  So we're happy with this.   We'll have another appointment at the hospital soon with the developmental follow-up clinic.  This will be for his 3 year check-up.  I can't believe that he will be 3 in 2 short months.  This is insane.  He's such a big boy now.  I don't anticipate anything coming of this appointment.  His speech is amazing now, I haven't noticed any issues with his fine or gross motor skills at all..  We really have no concerns.

Another big development is toilet training.  In only a few short weeks Benjamin pretty much mastered training and has been a superstar.  We do occasionally have issues with number 2 since he has trouble going anyways...getting this done in the toilet sometimes doesn't happen.  But I'd say we're about 95% there.  I was prepared for it to be a long issue...everyone told me boys are harder to train, but our little smarty just got it.  We're so proud.

Lastly I finally weaned him.. We're about a week into it now.  Its been going pretty good.  He still tries, but with some encouragement I have managed to keep him off me. It has definitely been bittersweet.  I want him to be my baby still...he's my last baby so that makes me sad.  The thought of him growing up makes me sad. It was definitely a way to keep him close.  But it was time.  It was 34.5 mths and I gave him all I could.  I attribute his amazing health to breastfeeding for that long.  He's also been sleeping better and so have I. That's helpful for everyone.

Anyways, that's all for now. :)

I feel so bad that I haven't updated in so long.  To tell you the truth there really isn't  much to tell you.  Things have been great. Benjamin has been doing amazingly well and growing in leaps and bounds by the day.   This winter has been a remarkably healthy one for all of us, besides the stomach bug just before Christmas.  We have been swimming and participating in parent and tot arts in crafts.  The interaction has been so good for Benjamin.  He also now happily goes into the nursery at church on Sunday mornings.  Such a relief and a wonderful hour for us to just be quiet.  His speech has just exploded in the last few weeks.  He's been putting sentences together like "I am cold" and "I am hungry"  or "don't tickle me"  :)  which is fantastic.   We also started potty training.  We started 4 days ago and it has been remarkable.  I really had no expectations for this process as he is not even 3...has had major issues and is a boy.  But so far so good.  I think getting him too poop on the toilet will be our biggest issue as he already has trouble in this area.  But the progress we have made so far has been awesome.

Everyone else in the family is doing well.  The girls are doing fantastic in school. I am so proud of my smarty pants.  They amaze me daily.  The are so fluent in french now, that I can hardly keep up with them. Its such a joy to watch them grow and develop.  They are awesome little people.

Anyways, that's all I have to tell you right now....we are anxiously awaiting spring and all the fun that comes with that.

We had an amazing Christmas.  Avery's birthday is on the 21st so that kind of kicks off the festivities..She had a great birthday. Her grandparents came over for dinner, it was really nice.  Unfortunately after everyone left I got sick and it kind of had the domino effect in our house.  I started and then Benjamin, then Avery...Mackenzie had the mildest case..just a slight upset tummy.  It was a rough few days, but everyone was well enough by Christmas Eve to continue the celebrations.  I was very happy with how Benjamin fared his first G.I. bug.  It was one of my biggest fears.  His bowels don't function properly as it is so I was always so worried any bug would send him directly to the hospital.  Thankfully that wasn't the case and he was a champ.  I am so thankful that he is still nursing.  My milk was the only thing his little tummy could handle and that's why he didn't get dehydrated.  

Christmas eve we spent with Jon's family.  We had a great time and the kids were spoiled as usual.   We were home fairly early and had a nice quiet night at home prepping for the morning.  Christmas morning was so exciting. Benjamin really loved opening gifts...he LOVED it.   We always read the Christmas story and have cinnabons for breakfast.  I love those little traditions.  It makes the day even more special.  After that we went to my parents and spent some time with my family and my dad's family.  We have a huge family, but are very close and I love being able to get together with my cousins and their children.  My grandmother is 93 so I want to cherish these occasions.

Today we went out skating with Jon's family which was also a great time.  Ben got to skate for the first time on real skates.  He seemed to really like it...so we'll be taking him more.   He has really developed a love for playing hockey in the kitchen at home...do we have a future hockey star on our hands???

Anyways..this past week has been incredible.  I hope you have been able to spend time and cherish your loved ones the way I have...simply amazing.

Busy, busy, busy.  I have been working more and more lately, which is a good thing, but makes for craziness around here.  We are ready for Christmas and things are looking really festive.  I've made an extra special advent calender for the kids and we've been having a great time spending extra quality time together.
    The kids are great.  Mackenzie is being tested for the gifted program which is super exciting ...we knew all along that she was way of ahead of her peers, but having the teachers confirm that is pretty special.  I'm so happy we chose the French Immersion route for the girls and English school would have been even easier for her.  Avery is great.  She turns 8 on Friday.  We're planning a little party for her.   We try to make sure its extra special as she kind of gets lost in the Christmas rush.  I hate that.  Benjamin is doing fantastic.  He is growing by leaps and bounds.  He is talking up a storm and I think the Christmas is going to be so fun with him.  
  That is about all that's happening around here.  I hope everyone has a fantastic Christmas!

I feel so bad for not posting sooner.  Life has been busy as usual, but things are so good.   The girls are doing fantastic in school.  I am so proud of them. They are working on a Christmas musical with their after school program at a neighbourhood church.  Benjamin is doing great to.  He's been healthy so far, which we are so thankful for.   I hope this is a preview to what our winter is going to be like.  He's talking more and more every day.  He makes me laugh.  Right now he is obsessed with Eric Carle and we spend a lot of time reading books.  He asks me almost everyday to go to chapters.  He loves it there, he gets to read all the books and play with the toys, its great.  Needless to say, I have a stack of Eric Carle books sitting in my closet ready for Christmas.   He'll love them.   We have nothing else going on around here...we're just gearing up for the holiday season.  I love this time of year.  Its a fantastic time for family, friends, reflection and thankfulness.   Its going to be a good Christmas.