Happy Leap Day!

It is my opinion that today should be a statutory holiday!  Who's with me?  Should we get a petition going?

It's kind of cheap when you think about it since February 29th only comes around once every four years.  It's not taken into consideration for those of us that are salaried employees, so basically we get to work for free.  I guess if you're paid hourly then it's an extra days pay.

I wish that we could consider it a bonus day. 

A day that you can do whatever you want with.

I can guarantee you my extra day would not be spent at work!

So what are you doing with your extra day this year? 

Clearly I'll be working for the pure joy of it.

Best morning ever!

One of my favourite things ever is to wake up all lazy in bed.

I remember when Ryland, and later Darcy, were little, that we'd spend our weekend mornings lazily playing with them on our bed. There were always lots of silly things that amused them and in turn, us. They were guaranteed to make you smile and laugh and it was a great way to start the day.

This morning reminded me of that.

I slept in, or rather "snoozed in" by repeatedly hitting the alarm snooze button. No sooner was I officially awake when I heard my son coming down the hall to find me.

Caelan has gotten into the habit of needing to see Momma first thing in the morning. His eyes open and then he’s asking where I am. Daddy’s not impressed with this new routine and I can sympathize with feeling like a second class citizen where our son is concerned. It wasn’t that long ago that it was all about Daddy, all day, every day… However, I am loving all the new love!

We had a little snuggle in bed. He gave me kisses. He gave me feet to smell. I told him he had smelly feet. Stinky! He giggled and gave me more feet to smell. We played peak-a-boo. There was nose stealing and nose throwing all over the place! We tickled each other. We teased Daddy by sleeping on his side of the bed. Oh and Calean has become the Grand Master of stealing Momma’s kisses for Daddy. There’s often a battle between Daddy and Caelan as to who gets to kiss Mom, a game that I am truly loving and encouraging!! There were lots of laughs and it was a fun way to start the day.

I didn’t worry about the clock.

I didn’t rush.

I just enjoyed the moment.

I need more moments like this.

My Ryland is growing up

This weekend Ryland was very excited about her first overnight school trip.  She’s off for three days and two nights to an Ecole de Neige Program in St-Emile-de-Suffolk Quebec, just over two hours away.

Girls stay in one cabin, boys in the other and for what it’s worth the girls’ cabin is bigger. That’s an important bragging right when your 10 years old! They’ll get to live in their own private cabin with their friends during their stay. They’ll be responsible for their own activity schedule and sports equipment too.

There will be cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, and broomball, hiking, skating and tubing. Sounds like some fun-filled days to me and if they're still not exhausted by all that fresh winter air, they have evening activities planned too!! On their first night there they’ll go night tubing and have an outdoor bonfire and their second night there’s a dance!

My little girl is growing up.

I know we’ve spent years trying to teach her how to be more responsible and independent, that’s what everyone wants for their children… but I’ll admit that it took everything in me not to check her bags for this trip. Damian handed her the list of things she needed and she packed everything herself. When he handed her the list I was thinking that she’d start by putting everything out on her bed and I’d come in and help her later. However, she packed everything in her bags and I have no idea what she brought. I think I might have some control issues because it was really hard not to pull everything out and repack for her. I also tried really hard not to ask too many questions like “Did you pack your toothbrush?” … I probably did though.

Sometimes it feels as though time is going so slow. I catch myself wishing away different stages of behaviour and attitude. Then at other times, life is just going by so fast. Ryland is already in grade five and she’s quick to remind me that there’s only one more year after this one before she heads off to the high school. Ugh.

I can only hope that we’ve prepared her well… 

It's true

"The only way we can be there for our children is to be there for ourselves." (Anonymous)

Five years ago, Damian and I took a winter getaway vacation to Mexico.  It feels like a lifetime ago.

We believe that it's really important for parents to take time for themselves as a couple, away from their children.  We have had tremendous support from our own parents in this endeavour.  They've always been happy to have the girls for a weekend while we escape together.

Some think it's funny that we refer to these weekends as our business meetings, but it's not all fun and games.  We found that as the girls demanded more of our attention we had great difficulty making time to discuss our finances, our plans for the house, our travel dreams, our goals, or whatever else.  It seemed as though every opportunity for discussion was spent going over the girls education, behaviour, schedule or growing social life!  Not that these things aren't important, it's just that there was so much else we needed to talk about too.  We felt that these weekends away gave us an uninterrupted opportunity to reconnect and to make sure we were still on the same page.

Unfortunately at a time when we could probably most benefit from these escapes from reality it became increasingly difficult to plan them.  Our respite hours are expensive, limited and sometimes very difficult to plan.  We are at the mercy of available nursing. 

We'll I'm happy to say that we have 24 hours of continuous nursing planned for this weekend.  It's not an entire weekend away, but it's a start, and we're all over it!!

True Monkeys!

We had a CHEO Trio reunion this past weekend.

The boys are growing up and moving faster.

Getting a pic of all three together is becoming quite a challenge.

Before things got completely out of control…

We got the Dads to hold them up for a picture!

True Friends

These women are so good for me.

I always feel better after having spent time with them.

They just get it.

They know the right words to say and even more importantly

know when nothing needs to be said at all.

They’re supportive of tears and laughter

and understand the value of each.
 
Love you both, xo.

Nobody said it was easy

Having a child with special needs is so many things. It's a challenge and a struggle. It's a joy and a blessing. It's an adventure and a roller-coaster. It's a lesson and a test. It's all those things and more.

Having a child with special needs is time consuming. You are essentially your child's case manager. You need to stay on top of scheduling appointments with specialists and therapists. You need to complete forms, endless forms, oh so many forms! You need to apply for funding, submit invoices and file paperwork. You spend countless hours researching and organizing. It feels like you are constantly fighting for your child's rights, in an attempt to get them everything they need, even when you're not sure what that may be.

There's nobody else who stays up at night wondering whether your special needs child would benefit from this new therapy or whether he would qualify for some other funding. Nobody makes things any easier; nobody is forthcoming with solutions available to you. You need to search them out and track people down in your attempt at obtaining answers. Sometimes it feels like everyone is working against you. The hospital, the therapists, the social workers, the daycares, the preschools, the school boards... That's if they're working at all. There's a lot of indifference out there. As a parent, you're only looking to do what's best for your child and there's all this red tape in the way.

Being the parent of a special needs child takes up a lot of your mental energy. It's exhausting. Sometimes it can leave you feeling resentful and bitter. Often times frustrated and overwhelmed; almost always guilty.

Add your other children into the equation and the worries multiply. You wonder if they resent their special needs sibling. Do they know they are loved equally? Are they jealous of the attention their special needs
sibling requires? Do they get it? Are they enjoying this crazy ride? Do they appreciate what the special needs child has brought to your family or do they only see what they've "taken away"? You constantly wonder whether you're doing the right thing for all your children. Are your other children getting the attention they need and deserve? It's a battle. Sometimes it's so clear that what's best for one will not be for the others and what are you supposed to do about that?

blogging

It hasn't been coming easily lately.  Despite what you might think most blog posts don't start when I sit down at the computer.  Many of them I turn over and formulate in my head for days before I even start to write them.  I will admit that lately I just haven't been thinking posts through.  My blogger self has totally slacked off.  There is lots going on in my head but they're cyclical thoughts and not anything I can write out yet.  Although it would probably be really good for me if I could got some of those thoughts out.  It might help me process through them.  I have things I want to share and updates to give... just not sure when it's going to happen.  For those of you that continue to check in regularly, thank you. xo

Grocery shopping

can be totally exhausting!!

Weekend wrap up

I had a great weekend!

Friday night I spent the night at my sisters with our sister-friend.  We had a fabulous night and I'm glad that it's something we're making an effort to do more often.  We probably ate too much, drank too much and stayed up too late, but nobody felt the worse for wear so it couldn't have been that bad!! 

I arrived home on Saturday just in time for a date with my hubby.  We had hoped to see a movie but nothing really appealed.  We had some errands to run - bulk barn, dollar store, the bank...  Doesn't sound like a fun time, but errands without children are always a pleasure.  We went for a lovely dinner and talked.  We have lots of big decisions on the horizon and it was nice to be able to have an uninterrupted conversation.  We used to go away every 6 months just the two of us - they were our 'business meetings'; we would discuss our finances, our plans, our goals, our dreams, whatever we needed to talk about.  Well, since Caelan was born those haven't happened.  This reminded us both how much we need to figure out a way to schedule those in.  We may not be able to get an entire weekend away but we should make more of an effort to schedule something.

When we arrived home, we received the news that Mr. C was a sick little guy.  He'd had his bum changed 6 times in the past hour, he asked to go to bed, he didn't tolerate his feed, he was gagging himself... argh!  Not good news.  We are so grateful to our Nurse for sticking it out and giving us our break... (even more so when I found out she also got the same flu) 

Sunday morning it was clear that Caelan still wasn't himself. 
He wanted snuggling.  Constantly.  Completely understandable.

I baked cupcakes, made heart shaped rice krispie squares with pink frosting and decorated for Darcy's Valentine's Day Party.  We had three of her friends over to decorate cupcakes, enjoy some pink popcorn and other treats and make a V-day craft.  I hope they all had a good time.  I know Darcy was happy.  She asked for a Halloween Party, but we weren't up for it with Caelan's sleepless nights and multiple CHEO stays.  She asked again for a Christmas Party and again we were saying "no" because Caelan had only just come home from the hospital the week before.  When she asked for this party, I knew our my weekend was busy, but really all she wanted was a playdate with three or four friends... anything I did special for V-day would just be bonus.  It helped keep me a little sane.

That was it... party, party, party!!  Go, go, go... and that's why I wanted a break after my weekend!
Note:  I didn't want that break to take place in the form of the flu!!

stomach bug

I've been meaning to update on our fabulously busy weekend but Mr. Flu decided to make an unexpected and unwanted visit to our family.  I guess two of us getting our flu shot wasn't a clear enough message for Mr. Flu to stay away.  Can't say too much since the two of us that got the shot were the first two to show symptoms of this visit.

Caelan started on Saturday night and although there was no more diarrhea on Sunday he was far from himself.  Fundo is still holding strong so no vomitting despite his best efforts at gagging himself.  We were cautious with his feed, giving him only water overnight, then half and half all at a rate of 25% of what he's used to.  We slowly increased this and today he seems to be tolerating everything as normal.  Feels good to get through this without having to visit CHEO.

I started late Monday afternoon, coming home from work to head straight for bed (and the bathroom).  Darcy started around 9pm and Ryland followed suit around 11pm.  Made for a very long night as someone was up every half hour at least.  Damian has been holding strong, but it's taking a lot of effort.

Tonight I think we're all feeling better.  I'd say this is a good 12-24 hour bug and I'm happy to see it packing it's bag and hitting the road!  (I'm not happy about all the laundry it's left in it's wake though!!)

What a weekend!

I'll post a re-cap later, but i honestly think I might need a weekend after my weekend!

Future photographer?

SMILE Momma!



Daddy, I see you taking a picture of me!

such concentration and determination...

Thanks Momma, this camera is getting heavy!



Note: He's going to have to learn to keep his fingers off the lens!!

More Darcy...

Last night, Darcy enlightened us with her "Underwear - Panties Theory".

They took underwear.
They took panties.
They smushed them together and made undies.
But why did they not make 'panterwears'?

We laughed until we cried.  Maybe we were all tired or feeling silly, but come on, panterwears?!
We decided we would call them panterwears from now on because it made us all laugh.

Then Darcy asks:  Okay, but does anyone know the answer?

Your Son!

That's the greeting Damian received as he walked into Preschool this afternoon.

"Your Son!"  (With the appropriate accusatory tone)

Well, let's face it... Anytime it's clarified that a child is "yours", you know there's trouble!

Apparently, our son, didn't think he should nap today.  He chose instead to bounce on his cot.  He was told to lie down and reminded that it was quiet time.  Twice.  He objected.  Vehemently.  He got upset.  He asked for Dad.  He got more upset.  He held his breath.  He held his breath some more, and in true Caelan fashion he turned blue and passed out.  Nap time!

There was some concern, maybe verging on panic, but no phone calls home were made.  We had warned them that this was his M.O. so they weren't surprised, it was just the first time they had the chance to witness it.  All in all, I think that's pretty good considering he's been attending the preschool since October.  (Except for all the time he spent in the hospital.)

He's still allowed to go back tomorrow so it couldn't have been that bad!

Celebrate good times!!

Caelan is officially done weaning all those medications!!!

His new/old med schedule is absolutely lovely;

11:00 pm  nitrofurantoin (profylactic antibiotic because of solitary kidney)
8:00 am  prevacid (anti-reflux)

That's all folks!!

good advice

if only I could say that it was reflective of our home.

FYI

I am soooo excited about being able to "reply" to your comments!

Seems like such a small thing but oh, it's made me so happy!

I've been wanting and waiting for this feature forever..

I love me some comments - Bring it on!!

LOL

random bits of conversation in our kitchen tonight (1hr)

Me:  Whatcha got planned for tomorrow? 
Damian:  Thought I should look for a black and white striped shirt.
Me:  Hmmm...  Sounds like Daddy thinks you two girls might spend a lot of time fighting on your day off tomorrow...

****

Darcy:  I'm going to get the Mickety Mouse straw and you can have the orange one.
Ryland: Okay, I'm going to get the Mickety Mouse straw and you can have the orange one.
Darcy: Nooooo!  I'm going to get the Mickety Mouse straw and you can have the orange one.
Ryland:  Exactly!  I'm going to get the Mickety Mouse straw and you can have the orange one.
Darcy:  Nooooo!
Ryland: I'm just repeating what you're saying. 
Me: Ry (with the look)
Ryland: I'm just mimicking her.

****

Darcy: I like how the cheese moves after I grate it on
Damian: Yah, it's melting.
Darcy: No, I think it's straightening out.

****

Darcy:  Oh foop! Foop! Foop! Foop!  (Said with the same emphasis as some other four letter words)
Damian:  Darcy that's enough.
Darcy:  It's Poof  backwards.  Foop, foop, foop!
Me: Darcy (with the look)

****

Damian:  What are rickety uncles classified as?
Me: A cookie
Damian: Nope, Ry and I have discussed this.  They're not a cookie.
Ryland: yah, because there's no flour.
Me: Cookies don't need flour!
Ryland: Yes they do.
Me: No, there are lots of cookies out there that don't have flour.
Ryland:  Then they can't be cookies.  Cookies have dough and dough needs flour.  We decided these were 'candy treats'.
Me:  Well then why did you ask me in the first place?!??!

****

Oh Brother you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind,
Oh Brother!  Oh Brother!

****

Darcy:  Is it true that plumbers have to wear their pants down like this?
Daddy:  Yes, it's part of their contract.
Darcy:  (Big grin)
Me:  You want to be a plumber now don't you?
Darcy: YES!
Ryland:  Daddy's kidding you know, it's not part of the actual contract.

****

easier said than done

again!!!

I can't believe that the school buses were cancelled again!!  Well, I can... We have had more freezing rain this winter than I can remember in recent years.

I was just hoping that February would be different...

Since going back after Christmas break on January 9th, the girls haven't had a full week of school yet.

Today, Caelan has a full day planned at CHEO and OCTC...
Which means those lucky girls get to spend a day at Gramma and Grampa's!