A VISIT TO THE ZOO...

Today we took Charlotte, Jacob and Oliver to the zoo. We also met my Auntie Anne, cousin Deanna, her husband Sheldon their kids Sara, Addison and Sam and my other cousin Michael, his wife Alison and their son Myer. They are all here from Halifax for the weekend to celebrate my Grandma's 90th birthday. 

We descended on the zoo shortly after 9:30 and lasted until 1pm. Although we took Charlotte and Jacob to the zoo last summer they were much more into it this year than last. They were in awe of the merry go round at the front gate and loved seeing all the animals. They couldn't quite understand why they weren't allowed in the cages to touch them and kept asking us if they could pet them when we stopped at each new animal. 

Charlotte told us her favourite animal was the giraffe and Jacob said he liked the penguins. They both said they'd like to go back tomorrow! Although we won't be taking them back tomorrow we will definitely visit again soon!

Merry Go Round fun

Miss independent on the Merry Go Round

Charlotte, Addison and Sara on the elephants 

Big waves from the elephants

Charlotte and Doyle exploring the zoo

Charlotte and Jacob checking out the animals

White lions

Giraffe

All smiles for the giraffes

The Brown family minus Oliver who was hanging out in the stroller

Oliver at the zoo

MOTHER'S DAY....

I have just wrapped up my third Mother's Day as a mom and I couldn't feel more blessed to have Charlotte, Jacob and Oliver in my life. They are my little miracles and I cherish the moments I've shared with each of them since they came into our family. 

The day started off very early thanks to Jacob's 4:30 a.m. wake up cry from his room. Oliver work shortly after and seemed content in his crib until 5:15 a.m. when he became frustrated and no longer interested in being confined to his bed. I took him out and brought him downstairs so he wouldn't wake the rest of the house. We hung out on the couch until 6:15 a.m. when Charlotte woke and crushed all hope of any of us getting additional sleep. 

The kids were excited to give me their card and gift - a new point and shoot digital camera to replace the one I dropped and cracked a month after I bought it. I promised them I'd take much better care of this camera since it was from them! 

The rest of the day felt chaotic and a bit out of control. No matter how much I tried I always seemed to be a step or two behind where the kids were - they were clearly in control today. I was able to catch up slightly (to prepare dinner) when they were down for their afternoon nap...but the feeling of "control" didn't last long after they woke. We discovered the leak in our furnace room we thought was caused by our furnace humidifier was actually caused by a leaking pipe likely from our bathroom two floors above. My task for this week will be to find a plumber and hopefully get things fixed sooner rather than later. 

My mom joined us for dinner. She brought cupcakes for dessert which were a huge hit with Charlotte and Jacob! 

Despite how chaotic today felt I enjoyed my Mother's Day and look forward to many more ahead. Being a mom is one of the hardest jobs I've ever had but the rewards are endless!

My mom and I with Charlotte, Jacob and Oliver

HAPPY SEVEN MONTH "BIRTHDAY"....OLIVER

I love watching the progress a baby makes in its first year of life. Going from a tiny vulnerable little person to a fun-filled animated toddler is amazing. As exciting as this development is I also wish there was a pause button, a way to freeze time, especially when my third and last child is seven months. I'm not sure how the heck time flew so quickly but it has and despite my wish for a way to freeze time I can't...I just have to hop along for the ride and enjoy every moment...and that is exactly what I've done these past seven months. I have loved every minute of watching Oliver's personality blossom. He is turning into a fun loving, happy and laid back little man who has brightened our lives from the moment he arrived back in October!

This past month has brought many exciting milestones in Oliver's development including:

• Growing and gaining weight: We won't have his official stats until June since we don't actually have a "well" visit with Dr. Greenberg this month but my guess is something slightly above 20 lbs
• Rolling all the way over (front to back...back to front): Oliver finally started rolling from his back to his front. The best part of this milestone was that he rolled from his back to his front for the first time in front of "GG" on May 2 when we were visiting her. He continued to do it three more times while we were there and hasn't stopped since! It was a special moment indeed.
• Sitting for brief periods of time by himself: I decided to see what would happen to Oliver if I put him in a sitting position so I did and for a few moments he sat up and supported himself on his own. He still has a ways to go but it was fun to see him sitting there for a few minutes! 
• Enjoying more solid food: Oliver is not a big fan of baby food from a jar so I have been mixing the food we've been eating together in our magic bullet and giving it to him. This month he has tried quinoa, grilled veggies, feta cheese, pork, green beans, carrots and potatoe salad - in addition to all the other food we've introduced over the past few months. So far there isn't a food he won't eat! 
• Getting a clean bill of health from Sick Kids: Oliver received a clean bill of health from the Club Foot clinic at Sick Kids and no longer requires follow up visits for his feet. 
• Making new sounds: In addition to saying "ba ba ba"...Oliver has added "da da da" to his vocabulary. I'm still waiting for "ma ma ma"...but I know that will come eventually! 
• Blowing "bubbles": Oliver loves blowing "bubbles" with his mouth he's constantly pushing his lips together to make "bubble" sounds
• Drinking from a straw sippy cup: I won't be throwing the bottles out just yet but I am now starting the wean towards eliminating them. After a number of weeks of just playing with his sippy cup...Oliver actually starting sucking on the straw and swallowing the milk or water that came out of it. He still has a ways to go before he finishes a full cup but at least he now knows what to do with it when I hand it to him! 
• Continuing to sleep through the night: Oliver continues to be a sleeping champ. The only thing we need to work on is stretching his bedtime from 6:15 / 6:30 p.m. to closer to 7 p.m. especially when I return to work. 
• Wearing 9 and 12 month clothes: Oliver's wardrobe now consists of 9 and 12 month items. I had to go and buy new summer clothes for him because he was too big for the ones that Jacob had worn! 
• Continuing to clap, laugh, smile and expand his voice: Not a day goes by when we don't hear clapping sounds, laughs or screams coming from Oliver's direction! He continues to brighten our days with his amazing smile too! 
• Celebrating Mommy's birthday: Oliver, Charlotte, Jacob and my mom helped me celebrate my birthday while Doyle was in transit from Boston following the marathon on April 15
• Spending more time outside on the porch / in the backyard: Now that the nice weather has finally arrived we are spending more time hanging outside. Oliver loves being part of the action in is exersaucer or on a blanket! 
• Activities outside the house: Stroller Fit, walks in the neighbourhood and music at CECC

Practising sitting up for longer periods on his own

Oliver loves to smile and laugh! 

He also likes to wiggle...especially after many pictures! 

SPRING HAS FINALLY...SPRUNG

After a very long, cold and grey winter we were finally treated to some decent weather this past weekend and not a moment too soon. I really wasn't sure how much more gross weather I could take. 

We took full advantage of the sun and warmer temps this weekend and spent much of our time outside cleaning the garden, blowing bubbles, playing in the park and just strolling around. The kids had a great time and so did we. Hopefully this weather is here to stay. 

Charlotte and Jacob honing their raking skills

Oliver hanging in the "circle of neglect" while we work

All smiles for the sun and Spring

Mr. Turtle pool practice slides 

Oliver staring down the cow

A BIRTHDAY TO REMEMBER....

From this point forward April 15, 2013 will forever be marked as the day the Boston Marathon was rocked by two explosions at the finish line. Impacting hundreds of lives both in that city and around the world. 

It also happens to be my 37 birthday but somehow that milestone doesn't seem all that important today. One thing is for sure and that is how fortunate I feel today. I have received numerous messages, phone calls and visits throughout the day, but most of all I have been given the best gift anyone could ask for...my husband Doyle. He was in Boston today running his 10 consecutive Boston Marathon and luckily finished his race in 3:13, just over an hour before the bombs went off. I spoke to him from his hotel room 15 minutes before I heard about the bombings so when I did hear about them I knew he was safe. I am grateful for this and can't wait to have my better half home tonight. His flight was delayed by 4 hours so he won't arrive until 11pm, but thankfully he will be here with us. 

For the past 9 years I have watched the marathon right near where the bombs went off and could have just as easily been there today had we decided to take the kids down for the weekend. Watching the  coverage on TV today I can't help but stop and think about all the "what if's" had we been there. I feel terrible for all those who were injured or lost someone close to them. My thoughts are with everyone in Boston tonight. 

Thanks to my mom my birthday didn't go unnoticed. She brought over a cake and a card for Charlotte, Jacob and Oliver to sign. They sang Happy Birthday and we ate pizza! I opened my cards from her, the kids and my dad and Sandy (who are enjoying a much deserved vacation in Rome). The messages from everyone were touching and made me realize just how lucky I am. 

So as today nears its end...I will look back on the past year with many happy memories and look forward to all the new ones that wait for this year! I also look forward to my birthday dinner with Doyle tomorrow! 

The kids and I celebrating my birthday! 

OLIVER'S CLUB FOOT JOURNEY....HAS COME TO AN END!!

We took Oliver for another follow up appointment at the Club Foot Clinic at Sick Kids today. We haven't been since January 3 so we were excited to hear what they had to say about his progress.

After waiting about 45 minutes we were called in by Oliver's physiotherapist Barb. She took him into the treatment room laid him down on the table, took his socks off, placed each foot in her hands one at a time stroking her fingers up and down the side of his foot and looked at us and said "he's perfect, as far as I'm concerned he is done seeing us, he looks great!" 

We couldn't be happier! Two weeks of casting and 5 months of "waiting" to see what would happen is all that was needed in this journey. We feel very fortunate for how things turned out for Oliver. We were lucky and won't forget the great care we received during our visits to the clinic!

Thanks Barb and Dr. Wright! 

Taken November 6, 2012 the day before we visited
the clinic for the first time!

Taken April 11, 2013 following our last visit to the Club Foot Clinic

 

HAPPY SIX MONTH "BIRTHDAY"...OLIVER

Oliver "crab man" in his new crab PJs

Six months...six months...how the heck has it been six months since we welcomed Oliver into our family? What a fantastic 24 weeks it has been. He continues to be an amazing little man who makes me melt every time I see his smile, which is a lot these days! 

He has also got his brother and sister wrapped around his finger...especially Charlotte. She adores Oliver and doesn't let him far from her sight. When he's on the floor playing or in his exersaucer (affectionately known as the circle of neglect) she is not far from his side. When he starts talking in his crib in the morning she says "see Opiter" (which is what she calls him) and follows me to his room when I grab him from his crib and when it's time to put him in bed each night she gives him the biggest kiss any sister could plant on her little brother! Jacob also enjoys having Oliver around (or Opiter as he continues to call him) and comes with Charlotte and I every morning to sing the "good morning song" to him before I grab him from the crib. It's great to see their excitement when he's around! I truly hope they continue to share a special bond over the years ahead.

This past month has been another busy one. From March 9 to April 9 Oliver has:

• Grown and gained weight: Oliver now weighs 20 lbs and is 28 3/4" 
• Enjoyed more solid food: In addition to all the food he tried last month, we have introduced chicken, beef, turkey, spinach, pears and baby mum mums. He continues to enjoy solid food and knows exactly what's happening when we put him in his feeding chair! 
• Continued to sleep through the night: Oliver is our rock star sleeper. He continues to sleep through the night waking anywhere from 6 to 7 a.m. each day! He certainly beats Charlotte and Jacob in the sleep department that's for sure!
• Gotten back on track with his daytime sleep: Oliver has redeemed himself from last month and has begun to sleep more consistently during the day. Typically he will go down for a morning nap around 8 a.m. and will go down for his afternoon nap anywhere between 12 and 1 p.m. for two hours
• Found his feet: Oliver found his feet and loves playing with them when they are exposed - he especially likes sucking his toes! 
• Started clapping: In addition to finding his feet, Oliver has also found his hands and loves to clap them together! 
• Strengthened his "voice": Not a day goes by when Oliver isn't testing out his voice he screams, laughs, sings and makes many interesting sounds including "ba ba ba"
• Started wearing 9 month clothes: Although he still fits into some of his 6 month clothes we have had to weave select 9 month outfits into his clothing selections, mainly PJs! He's one long solid "little" man!
• Celebrated his first Easter: Oliver celebrated his first Easter on March 31
• Shown more interest in rolling over: We're still waiting for Oliver to roll from his back to his stomach but he has mastered rolling from his stomach to his back. Oliver is oh so close to rolling from his back to his stomach but can't seem to get over all the way just yet...stay tuned!
• Shown greater interest in holding onto / playing with toys: Oliver loves his toys on his exersaucer but also enjoys being handed or reaching for a toy while he's playing on his mat on the floor or bed or wherever he may be - he was much more active over the past month than the previous ones!
• Started "stroller fit" with mommy: We started a nine week stroller fit class on Wednesday in hopes of whipping me into shape and enjoying the outside air in Sherwood Park
• Activities outside the house: Stroller Fit, walks in the neighbourhood, Music at CECC, Stars and Stroller Movie (The Call)

Hard to believe this was Oliver just six short months ago....