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!

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.