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....

HAPPY EASTER....

What a great Easter we've had. The fun started yesterday when the Easter bunny "hopped" by our house after the kids nap. We arranged with the bunny to pay an early visit to our house since we had a packed Easter Sunday and too much Easter fun in one day would be very overwhelming! 

The bunny was very creative and hid Charlotte and Jacob's eggs outside since the weather was so nice. The hunt led them to their new "balance bikes" from the bunny and bike helmets from Mommy, Daddy, Grammy, Grams and Grandpa. The kids didn't know what to think when they first saw their bikes (shocked looks on their faces) but were very excited to take them for a ride. It will take them a little while before they are completely comfortable on them given they don't have pedals and it's up to them to support them with their foot work and balance but once they get the hang of them we likely won't be able to get them off! 

The fun continued today with an Easter hunt at Grammy's house after church and another Easter hunt and dinner at Grams and Grandpa's house. At shortly before 7 p.m. Jacob came to me and said "my go home mommy I'm tired"....the sign of a good Easter for sure!

Thanks for the fun everyone...we can't wait to do it again next year!

Charlotte, Jacob and Oliver's loot from the Easter Bunny

Seeing the bunny's treats for the first time....

No Easter would be complete without bunny ears 

Happy 1st Easter Oliver

Bunny ears...check....let the hunt begin...

Jacob hunting...

Look what I found....

Daddy and Oliver on the hunt.... 

Still hunting.... 

The grand finale of the hunt...

So excited to take it for a ride

Can't wait to take it for a spin

Loving their helmets... 

Charlotte getting ready to ride.... 

"Fire fighter" Jacob getting ready to take his bike for a spin

First ride on her new bike... 

Helping Grammy open her Easter present

Easter Basket at Grammy's

Loving her bubbles in her basket at Grammy's

Oliver's Easter Basket at Grammy's "Ollie's Egg" book...

Easter fun at Grammy's 

Grammy and the kids.... 

Jacob, Oliver and Charlotte with their Easter treats from Grammy

Hanging outside  

Happy Easter.... 

Grams and Jacob reading her Easter card

GG and Oliver share an Easter cuddle

Grandpa and Jacob all smiles for Easter

Oliver loving his first Easter....

EASTER PREPARATION....

Yesterday I introduced Charlotte and Jacob to "egg colouring". I had everything ready for them when they woke from their afternoon nap. They were very excited to see the eggs and colouring stuff waiting for them when they came downstairs. Claire and I put their bibs on and explained how to dip the eggs into the coloured water. I wasn't sure what kind of mess to expect after it was all said and done but they were very neat "egg decorators". 

As with many of the other "occasions" we have experienced with Charlotte and Jacob over the past few months (Halloween, Christmas, their birthday, New Year's and Valentine's Day) they are very excited about the Easter Bunny hopping by our house. Can't wait to see their faces after the bunny stops by....stay tuned! 

Hard at work decorating eggs

Using the wax pen on the eggs 

So proud.... 

The finished product....

SCIENCE CENTRE FUN....

This morning Charlotte, Jacob, Oliver and I went to the Science Centre. We boarded the 34 bus near our house and took it to Don Mills. From there we walked through the large parking lot and arrived at the Science Centre shortly before it opened. The kids were quite excited to see a big blue "tunnel" in front of the entrance so I let them spend some time going through it before we went inside. I figured it made sense for Charlotte and Jacob to burn a bit of energy before entering since I was on my own with the three kids!

Once inside we took the elevator to the Kidzone on the 4th floor. I wish I could have walked around with a video camera on "record" the whole time we were there because Charlotte and Jacob's faces were priceless. Everything was beyond exciting to them. While in the Kidzone we spent time rolling the balls in the "roller coaster" area, shopping in the market area, and playing music and dancing in the music booth. After an hour on the 4th floor I convinced the kids we should go and see other sections of the Centre, so we took the elevator to the 6th floor and found our way to the Rain Forest and the electricity section. As we were walking through the electricity area I noticed that the show with the "static ball" was set to begin at 11:30. I decided this was a perfect time for a break and to feed Oliver. So we sat on the benches and watched the show. Charlotte and Jacob sat quietly and listened a lot better than I had expected they would. Charlotte even put her hand up when the lady asked for volunteers for the "static ball"! Unfortunately she wasn't picked (no big surprise given her size) but at the end of the show the lady invited everyone who wanted to, to come up. Charlotte was already in the line before I could ask if she or Jacob wanted to go! Jacob decided to pass and stay on the bench so I went to meet Charlotte in line. We walked up the stairs, put our feet on the feet marks and I placed my hand on the ball and let the electric current do the rest! The lady was nice enough to take a few pictures on my BB (the quality isn't the best but they are fun to have). Of course once Jacob saw what was happening he wanted in on the action as well so I went up with him too. 

After 2.5 hours of fun the kids and I said good-bye to the Science Centre and hopped back on the bus to head home. As crazy as it was at times this morning I loved every minute of my time alone with the kids! It's moments like these that I'll miss when I'm back to work...

Charlotte and Jacob busy shopping in the market at Kidzone

"You get the peppers and I'll grab the bananas..."

Jacob cashing out...

Mommy and Charlotte in the "classic" Science Centre shot