Apples, apples, apples. We went apple picking this past week..Its something we do every fall and it was Benjamin's first time. We had a blast. The weather has been so amazing and we couldn't have had a better time. The girls picked away and even Benjamin picked a couple apples. There was a big play area that the kids could run around and just spend some time burning off steam. With all the apples we've been snacking, making applesauce and pie. So good. Benjamin loves apples and can't seem to get enough. If anyone is eating one he walks over and helps himself. He is now walking full time and just doing so well. What a good boy. Tomorrow is thanksgiving. This will be Benjamin's first thanksgiving home. We have so much to be thankful for its hard to comprehend..despite life's hardships we are thankful...We are so blessed.

Benjamin is on the move. I think I can say we have a walker. Sunday he really started walking more then crawling and every day he's getting better and better. We are thrilled. He's just doing so great. I'm happy he's on his feet more and hands less. As good of a housekeeper I am I still hate him crawling all over the floors....this will make it easier while we're out and about as well.

I had a conversation with our occupational therapist on Friday and updated her on Benjamin. She hadn't seen him through the summer months. She was very happy with his progress and officially discharged us from CPRI. So crazy. Another group of specialists off the list. We feel so blessed. Next week we go see the allergist..and get a plan of action for the winter.

We've had a few great playdates in the past few weeks as well. I forgot my camera for the last one, but we had a great time. Benjamin has a lot of little friends whom we met in the NICU last year. All of them are doing amazingly well. Its just incredible to watch these kids, who are now a year old, just growing and doing so well. I have found the mothers of these miracle babies such a great support system. Its so nice to just sit and chat about our kids, our experiences, and our anxiety. They are amazing mothers who I believe were strategically put in my life by God...you ladies ROCK...

I am so blessed.

Benjamin had his first little cold of the fall/winter season last week. I thought maybe he wouldn't be wheezy this winter because he's grown so much, but he started wheezing right away:( It didn't last long so I'm thankful for that. We're doing a few more weeks of playdates before we start winter hibernation. The kids are already getting into their after school hand washing routine..so that's good. Benjamin is so close to walking. After he wacked his head on the coffee table he stopped trying to hard...but now he's starting again, so that's good. He's such a good boy. Other then that there isn't much to tell you.. All is well here and we're enjoying fall!

Things are going well around here, despite some sniffles. Benjamin seems to have a bit of a cold...nothing major, just a runny nose and a bit of a cough. Hopefully it passes fast. We saw the doctor yesterday and unfortunately Benjamin doesn't qualify for the RSV vaccine this winter, so now I am extra paranoid. We have one more chance to get it with the allergist. We see her mid October.

I'm starting to night wean as well. That's actually going ok. I've been trying to stretch out times between feedings...so he's gone 7 hours stretches. He does still wake up, but goes back to sleep with the soother. I'm hoping once his body is used to not eating through the night he'll start to sleep through.

We went to clovermead apiaries on the weekend. The kids had a riot. Even Benjamin had a good time. The weather was perfect and it was just a great experience. I highly recommend it for anyone who has kids. Friday is a PD day for the kids so I think that we'll head to appleland. I love the fall.

Anyways there is nothing else to report. All is well.

Well developmental follow-up clinic went great. Benjamin rocked the appointment. He was so great. I was a little nervous about him being shy and not wanting to let go of me..but he was the total opposite. He played with the nurse, the physio therapist and the doctor. They were all thrilled with Benjamin's progress and said he is exactly where he should be in every aspect. He didn't score low in anything. We are so thankful. He is such a superstar. We have worked so hard with him. Nothing seems to hold him back. We go back at 18mths corrected. I'm so relieved and happy. We discussed Benjamin's sleep issues...basically its habit, which I know. Until I stop rewarding Benjamin for waking up at night with nursing he'll continue to wake up. So its my problem. I think in the next little while we'll start the night weaning process. The doctor told me to start slowly and not just quit cold turkey. I have to get over my mommy guilt. Anyways, we're ecstatic....praise God.

So today is Benjamin's first "corrected" birthday. He was due September 13th, 2010. So we had a small celebration. I baked a small cake and we sang again. We'll take any reason to celebrate when it comes to Benjamin.

Benjamin is also starting to walk. He's been doing really good, and trying on his own alot. But on Sunday night we had a mishap. Benjamin was walking to the coffee table and he put his hands out thinking he was close enough, but he wasn't. He hit the glass coffee table super hard. We took him to emerge. just to be safe, but all was well. It really scared me. I know there will be lots more bumps and bruises along the way.

Tomorrow we have a big appointment at the hospital. Its with the doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and nutritionists at developmental follow up clinic. I'm not exactly sure what's going to go on. But I am looking forward to seeing what they have to say about Benjamin's development.

The girls had a great first week back at school and are settling into a routine nicely. Fall is in the air and we are starting to enjoy cooler weather. Life is good.

Today was the first day of the 2011/12 school year. YAY!! The girls were really excited an nervous, but all in all ready to go. The morning ran smoothly considering Jon was on nights and I had to get all 4 of us out the door by 7:45am. I drove the girls today so I couldn't just go in my jogging panst, lol. Anyways even though its always mass chaos at the school the girls found their teachers and settled in well. Avery was very happy to have Mackenzie's teacher from last year and Mackenzie is in a 3/4 split, which I think will be good for her. She is well ahead of the other kids in her class.

I'm already enjoying one on one time with Benjamin and I think he's enjoying being the centre of attention again. I had him weighed today at well baby clinic and he is exactly 26lbs and 30 inches tall. He's grown so much. He's getting so big. I was going through his clothes and realize now that he has pretty much nothing going into the fall. The weather changed so fast over the weekend so I was hard pressed to find something that fit him for this morning. So my goal this week is to find clothes and shoes for him...

Other then that things are good. We have some big appointments coming up as well as Benjamin's 1 year corrected birthday. I think I'll make a small cake to celebrate that. I hope everyone's kids had a great first day back at school and are settling back into routines nicely.