DPoD March 31st Big C the Climber Part II

Here we go again. This time he used the little activity centre to try to climb towards the TV. What will he think of next?

DPoD March 30th

Ahhhhhh...Friday afternoon. Time to line up the briefcases and call it a week.

When I got home this afternoon and set down my briefcase, Monkey grabbed his and placed it next to mine. What a way to end a work week. Thanks buddy.

Update to the day care fiasco

So we narrowed it down to three finalists. Two home care providers and a girl from the day care centre the boys had been going to who was willing to come in to the home to babysit. In the end we hired Sarah to care for the boys in our home.

We are thrilled with the arrangement. Dave doesn't have to wrestle with coats and waking Big C up if he is sleeping. The boys are in our home so we know that the environment is safe for them. They are having a blast and the transition was easy since they both already knew her. Did I mention that she also does the luandry and starts dinner? This solution will last until the end of June since Dave will be home for the summer.

We have made arrangements for September and are gladly putting this whole crazy experience behind us. Thanks to everyone who helped out along the way, we could not have done it without you.

DPoD March 29th

Episode 2: The Monkey Wears Pink

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away there was a little Monkey who loved to dress up. He loved earrings (pirates wear earrings you know), hats with flowers, a little purse and pink pearls. He has the BEST time and we couldn't be happier. You go monkey!

Big C's Check up at CHEO

Here's a rundown of what was said this morning.

Big C was weighed at 9.435 kilograms (20.75 lbs) and measured for height (he's grown 4 cm or an inch and a half in the past 2 months). We went in and met with Dr. Barkey and she said that the Barium swallow showed a normal esophagus and normal stomach . Both sphincters are allowing emptying well. It isn't 100% diagnostic however since they can't be sure he was refluxing at the time.

She asked about the prevacid delivery (we're doing it about 5:30 am with some difficulty), how his sleeping is (good overnight and good naps), his activity level (it was obvious in the room), any signs of eczema (none), fever (none) and if he was still breastfeeding (twice daily at about 6:10 am and 9 pm). She advised that we keep on the Prevacid for the next 3 months, but after this current bottle of the suspension to switch to the capsule. 1/2 of a 15 mg capsule once per day for the next 3 months, then the 4th month would be 1/2 a 15 mg capsule every other day.

We will meet with her again at the conclusion of that 4th month (end of July). The capsule can be mixed with yogurt (which he loves) or applesauce. We are to track any spit ups on a wall calendar and bring that with us to the July appointment.

As for any regression he would demonstrate this through rejecting food his currently eats or thoroughly rejecting new textures. If there is any regression with 7.5 mg then we should go back up to the 10 mg, however she is optimistic considering how much time he's spending upright.

In terms of a potential dairy allergy, we are to look for loose stools (looser than what he's been having right now) and blood. His growth has been spectaular (they measued height 3 times) so keep up the dairy in his diet. HIs energy and activity are high, which are signs that the dairy is having a negligible effect.

His esophagus will only get longer in the next few months and his upright walking is definitely going to contribute positively to him "walking away" from this. This should peak towards 15 months (May). She believes that if all looks good in July that we can discontinue Prevacid for August, but we can discuss that then.

She doesn't expect any regression and feels that Big C is doing very well. The nurses just loved him and both boys were well behaved. The only follow-up that we have on the horizon is with her in July since he's not involved in any other studies.

DPoD March 28th

What's good for the goose....

Is good for the gander.

Don't stop making us smile little guys.

DPoD March 27th

Just in case you were wondering 2 things are abundantly clear regarding Big C:

#1 : The boy knows how to climb the stairs

#2: He has a body awareness that defies genetics

DPoD March 26th

When I came home today the boys were in need of some high energy activity. So off to the slide we went. Monkey had a great time playing hide and seek in and around the slide and Big C was his usual silly self. Keep the laughter coming guys. You're a great ab workout.

Happy Birthday Grandma Carol!

(Insert audio here)

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday Grandma Carol,

Happy Birthday to You!!!!!!!

We love you grandma

Your boys

I fought the wall and the wall won DPoD March 25

I fought the wall and the wall won.
Ok, so it was more of a trip into the wall as Monkey quickly tried to avoid getting a time out, however the location of the fall in that corner was actually quite beneficial when you look at the corners next to it and the ceramic tile beneath it.
Suffice it to say that Monkey (after a brief stint with an icepack and a freezie) has now agreed that trying to run away from a TO is a poor idea.

DPoD March 24th

Does this really need more explanation than the 1000 words it's worth?

Monkey ABSOLUTELY LOVES dressing up like a little princess...the high heels, the

pink dress, and what outfit would be complete without the princess wand?

We'll get you that tiara and the earrings soon enough. I promise.

Our daddy is a hero!!

Our daddy is very modest. If you ask him, he'll tell you that he is a good father and a good husband. He will tell you, if you ask, that he is also a volunteer and gives to his community. He likely wont spend a lot of time on himself or on the effort that he truly gives to make the community that he lives and works in better places just by his being involved with them.

Our daddy recently received a really fantastic email that he didn't share very widely. Mommy helped us to post some of it since we are all so proud of him.

Daddy has been nominated for a national award! "Canadian Blood Services will hold our eighth annual awards event to honour donors, volunteers, employees, community partners, corporate and media sponsors, as well as Lifetime Achievers that have supported Canada's blood system in an extraordinary way.

(that's our daddy, pretty darn extraordinary!!)

Dave, you were nominated by our Canadian Blood Services location in Ottawa, and have been selected to attend this prestigious event as arepresentative of our exceptional Donors in the North East & Nunavut region."

Please join us in congratulating daddy on this recognition of all of the hard work that he puts in. Dave himself has donated over 100 times and has organized clinics where more than 1000 other donations were made. He is truly a hero.

If you have not given blood recently, ask yourself if you can spoare some time to save up to 4 lives with one donation and make a difference. Call 1-888-2-DONATE and book an appointment. Tell 'em Dave sent ya!

DPoD March 23rd

Today is the greatest day I've ever lived (thank you Smashing Pumpkins for that one)....at least when the weather is this gorgeous. The boys were both out in the backyard this afternoon and were soaking up the sunshine. What a great day for it. Big C was doing laps in 'Rolling Thunder' (the little orange car) and Monkey discovered the sandbox (even though it was a little damp in there). They just loved it and here's looking forward to a beautiful sunny summer.

DPoD March 22nd

Ok, so this morning we missed the bus and then missed it again. What better way to spend a morning inside than by building a fort? We had a phenomenal time and I think that this will likely be a part of the great room until the time that Monkey leaves home. Be sure to bring a pillow if you visit because the primary purpose seems to be sleeping in the fort. I know where the 2 of us will be spending the summer - we'll be the 2 out in the yard in the gazebo staring up at the stars and enjoying the summer nights. I can't wait.

DPoD March 21st

I'm a Ham! I'm really really a Ham!!

DPoD March 20th

It was time for this shirt to be immortalized in the blog before the letters do all finally wear off.

Thanks Aunt H for the shirt (he still tries to wear it about every 3rd day)

DPoD March 19

Bunny tracks!!!

Seems that we have a visitor in the yard. A little furry friend has found both the little gap in the fence and the composter. I'll be out there protecting the spring garden once the thaw hits.

DPoD March 18th

Check out the new 'do. Thanks mommy for the haircut.

DPoD March 17th

Who knew that if you stood inside the bottom drawer that the upper drawers suddenly become MUCH more accessible?

Monkey knew, that's who.

Thanks for passing along the brotherly advice!!

DPoD March 16th

Bedhead.....what bedhead?

DPoD March 15th

Big C has learned a new game! I think that we call it the head-tilt game and it's a great sign that Big C is learning how to communicate and initiate activities with others. Apart from singing with us through grace and eating lots and lots of food, this is likely his favourite activity at the table. If you're eating with us soon, be sure to take part.

DPoD March 14 - Chronology of a Wednesday Morning

8:20 Big C wakes up for the day after sleeping in, perfect opportunity to have a morning out

9:02 On board an OC transpo bus, spirits are high and behaviour is good

9:25 Get off the bus and wait patiently for the O-train

9:29 Monkey waits patiently while looking in earnest

9:40 On the O-Train and going through the 'big' tunnel. 'Daddy, I can see my relfection'

10:05 Get some food at the grocery store as well as a cookie, spirits are still high, behaviour is excellent

10:45 On the bus going home, Big C is absolutely 'joogly' as we call him.

11:00 Return home and have some up tempo music time. I'll show those pictures tomorrow

DPoD March 13th

Happy Birthday Aunt K!!!!!

(we're glad that you enjoyed the singing)

DPoD March 12

Another day at the Science and Tech Museum.Monkey made a great train button (that he likely won't take off for 4 or 5 months) and they both had a great time in the optics room. Cool lights and constellation effects.

DPoD March 11th

Grandpa time on Sunday morning....complete with bunny ears.

DPoD March 10th

Big C the little sailor.

DPoD March 9th

Who's back???








Mommy's back.
We love you mommy.
and we missed you.

DPoD March 8th

We've missed mommy for a little while now that she's been gone on her retreat for more than 24hrs. We also had to say goodbys to the W clan as they headed back home. We got a last few pictures to mark the occasion and we'll be sure to try to get together soon.

DPoD March 7th

Wednesday brought about a fun morning for the boys. We went to check out a school for the fall for the boys. When we returned there were lots of memorable moments, including a picture of the 3 grandchildren, a request for Uncle J to read some books to Big C,

some reading time with Aunt K and uncle J,


and daddy spent a little time getting to know Cousin H better with a favourtie camera shot of her mom's - holding the camera at arm's length and snapping away.