PLAY DATE WITH COLE

Today we headed out to Kitchener to have a play date with another one of our old NICU roommates Cole. He is a former 24 weeker who is doing absolutely great for being born so early.
Cole's mom Lisa and I spent most of the afternoon talking while the kids played together. Despite Cole's serious face in all the photos I was able to get, he is anything but serious. He was actually full of smiles and giggles the entire time we were there. We had a great time and cannot wait to see them again. Thanks for having us Lisa it was a blast!!

We've had a pretty busy week around here. This past week Avery had her follow up appointment with the Pediatrician she saw while she was in hospital. He was very happy how things were going with her but he still wants her to go for a kidney test. This test is to check the kidney's to make sure that they are not refluxing. I'm a little stressed out about this for two reasons. The first being that if the results come back that her kidney's are refluxing, then she will have to go for surgery to correct the flap. The second reason because she will have to be sedated for the procedure and the Ped wasn't sure if they would allow me to be in the OR with her while this is done. From my past working experience, sedation doesn't always work on children. It sometimes has the opposite effect on them. If this is the case with Avery, then I am in for a rough day.

This past weekend we took the girls to the African Lion Safari. I have been working really hard with them lately teaching them about different animals and the sounds each one makes. We were a little hesitant whether or not we should drive through the reserve with our car because of the stories we have heard over the years about the monkeys pulling off windshield wipers and scratching the cars.

We finally made the decision to drive through, and I must say, it was a good one. It was amazing to see the animals so close up. I am a huge animal lover so to be that close to such beautiful creatures was just breathtaking. I don't know what all the fuss is about the monkeys. They did jump up on our car, but they didn't damage a thing. There is no better feeling than seeing your child's face light up because of a new experience.

After the monkey's, came the the Giraffe's.... All I can say is WOW incredible!!

Once we finished driving through the reserve we headed into the park for some lunch and the water park. Again this was new for the girls. We spent about an hour and a half playing at the splash pad. We actually had to pry the girls away from it they were having so much fun.

Before we decided to head home I wanted to take the girls to see an Elephant swim. There was about five adult Elephants and one little baby which was just adorable. When the Elephants were called back in about 50 other kids and their parents who were watching all walked over to see them come out of the water. My kids decided that playing with gravel & rocks was way more exciting.

HAPPY & SILLY AGAIN

MY LITTLE BUG IS HOME!!

Avery was released today from the hospital. She's not completely back to herself but she is definitely on the mend. She is a little irritable but much better than she has been over the past couple of days.

We will see the Pediatrician next week for a follow up appointment, and I am keeping my fingers crossed that he will take us on as new patients. From the first time we met him I was so impressed with his knowledge and compassion for children. Both Brian and I were also impressed with how he spoke to us about what was going on with Avery. Complete opposite from how I feel about our present Ped. Just a little bit of good bedside manner can go such a long way.

So after a long nap this afternoon, Avery had a pretty good dinner. She ate much more than she had over the past three days in the hospital. After dinner we put on the movie "Happy Feet" and right away she started dancing around, smiling, and laughing. It is so good to have our little bug back.

Olivia was very happy to have her sister back as well. Right before bed they managed to get a little bit of playful wrestling in. Something they do every night before they go to bed. And of course the night would not be complete without a push and a shove and someone crying. I guess that's a good thing.

JUST HAVING FUN

MY VOTE IS IN!!


Hey everyone, Growing Your Baby has been nominated for "Best Parenting Blog" I've just put my vote in and I hope you all will too! Lisa really deserves this award for all the hard work she puts into keeping us updated with great info on all our parenting needs, as well as great news reports.

Hope you win!!!

OLIVIA & AVERY MEET ASHTON!!

Today we got to meet Ashton and his mom Shannon for the very first time. Ashton is a former 24 weeker born at McMaster Hospital only 5 days before Olivia & Avery. During the girl's 3 month stay at Mac, Shannon and I never actually met while we were there but I had seen her and Ashton's dad Jeff many times at the hospital. It wasn't until a few months ago that we came into contact through the wonderful world of blogging. So today was a pretty exciting day for me to get to meet them both in person.

The first time I saw Ashton on his blog I could not get over how incredibly gorgeous and adorable he was. Ashton has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, dystonia, and is deaf in both ears. He is currently in the process of getting a cochlear implant. But, I have to tell everyone that when our little yappy Rylie started barking I think Ashton might have actually heard him. I think he is going to prove some of his doctors wrong in life! A true little miracle. I also have to say that Ashton's mom Shannon is one of the strongest moms out there. She is someone that a lot of mother's could learn from. Ashton could not have chosen a better mother.

Check out the smile on Ashton! I didn't get a close enough shot but he has some killer blue eyes that are just stunning.

A DAY AT WATERLOO PARK

(Great suggestion Lisa THANK YOU!!!)

PLAY DATE WITH OUR OLD NICU ROOMMATES

Today we had a play date with our old roomies from Pod D & E, Meredith & Courtney. The last time we had all seen each other was last June at the annual McPera picnic that McMaster puts on every year for all the preemie graduates.

Meredith & Courtney are identical twins. The only way I could tell them apart today was because Courtney is a little smaller than her sister Meredith.

Angela & I were both amazed at how many things the girl's had in common. Courtney & Olivia are much smaller than their sisters and much more sociable. While Meredith & Avery are much bigger than their sisters and very shy.

The four of them all got along great! Olivia & Avery had so much fun that they passed out in the car within 5 minutes of us pulling out of the driveway.

Despite Courtney & Meredith's early arrival and long hospital stay, they are both happy, healthy, and very beautiful little miracle's.