2008 Sick Kids

We made it through Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick since we left yesterday morning. Sarah has been a great traveller so far. In fact, we might try to 12 hour trip straight into Toronto tomorrow because she has been doing so well. Cross your fingers! Dale's been a welcome traveling companion. Sarah's is even calling him by his first name and tonight she put her arms up for him to put her on his lap. Very cute :)

We got across Newfoundland before it was dark with some smattering of rain but not much. We stopped in Gander, Deer Lake and Corner Brook. The ferry was loading when we arrived (early) so we literally got on, got our cabin and Sarah fell asleep curled into the crook of my arm on a bunk bed almost instantly. We didn't wake up until 20 mins before we drove off. Perfect timing :)

Dale and I giggled as we passed "Lick a Stick" and "Lick a Chick" fast food restaurants. We nabbed some Tim's and were off again. Lunch was in Moncton at Swiss Chalet and dinner in Edmunston's Boston Pizza (yum). Now I'm updating you all then heading to bed.

The cold Sarah got Saturday sounds like it has settled on her chest but she isn't showing any signs of infection so I'll see how she does in the next few days.

Right now she is snoring in the playpen at the foot of my bed. Night all :)

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On the way home from daycare a few weeks ago, Alex and I heard a song on the radio by Simple Plan called "Your Love Is A Lie". In one of those awkward moments only your child can manipulate you into, he asked "what does he mean mommy?" So I explained that the man was upset because someone he loved lied to him.

Fast forward a couple of days later when I am trying to get Alex to bed. He is finishing the required toilet visit and we are in a struggle about him having to wash his hands and brush his teeth once complete at the porcelain throne. I was getting frustrated and told him he didn't have a choice, he had to wash his hands or I was going to be very upset with him. He replied:

"...but mommy, my love is not a lie."

How am I supposed to compete with that!?!

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Samantha is by far, the most vocal of the kids. When she wants someone's attention she throws back her head and yells their name loudly until they reply "Yes Sammy?!". For Joe it is "DADDY!!", for Jen it is "GRAMMA" and today, to get my attention she started screaming "DEANNA!!"

Joe and I laughed pretty hard.
He pointed to me saying asking who I was to which she replied "Deanna".
He pointed to himself and asked "Who is this?" she said "Daddy".
He asked her "Where is Mommy?" She pointed at me.
I said where is Joe?
....
She pointed at me!?

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What a fun New Year. Everyone had a cold from November until the beginning of February. Between Sarah and Samantha there have been four ear infections. Samantha woke up Wednesday night with the stomach flu (and the mess on her and the bed to prove it) which escalated to diahrrea, fever, cramping and loss of appetite. Things just got better from there. Joe was diagnosed with strep throat and as he got back to normal, fell to the stomach flu Friday evening. Sarah woke up throwing up later that same night. Even Jen caught it (sorry Jen).  I was supposed to play in a volleyball tournament with work on Saturday...well stand on the court and watch other people play around me but obviously I was chasing kids around with a bucket, clean PJs and Javex :)

As I say too often, it could be worse. I'm still recovering from surgery and so far I have not shown signs of this tummy issue and neither has Alex. Joe bounded back to normal after a day and a half, Samantha has finally come around and Sarah might be. We made it through with only two visits to the hospital with Samantha, and one with Sarah but neither had to stay there. The team had enough players to play volleyball without me (I think) and Joe and I didn't get sick at the same time. Joe and Alex got to go skating - twice!

I understand that this stuff gets easier as they get older and since we made it through this week, then I think rest will work just fine :)

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2008 Little Gym Graduation

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2008 Alex at Daycare

Alex started daycare today. He is only in part time but we are hoping a full time position will come up soon. He's been there twice to help him transition and loved it. The first time we went he waited patiently in the office with me while I settled some paperwork and after a while he politely interrupted us and said to the Administration Clerk:

" Excuse me? Is this where I hang my coat? (points to a coat rack) Cause I'd really like to go play now."

The day before his "first day", Grandmother Jen came over to make cookies with him that he could take in for the kids. That night, Joe took him to WalMart to buy some things he'd need. Alex got a new Cars tote bag on wheels and a bunch of stuff to pack into it. He was so excited! When he got to daycare he wouldn't let us carry the bag and he walked in like he owned the place. We had to call him back to say goodbye!

Apparently, the teachers were going through photos hung on the wall that showed "stages" of the day to help with routine. They'd reached the one that said the parents would come to take them home, and he asked "when are my mommy and daddy coming?" We walked in minutes later. He was asleep in the van shortly after we left the parking lot.

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2008 Christmas

Click on the picture to the left for the photo's I've uploaded of our Christmas.

This main photo is of Sarah Christmas morning before my family showed up. She likes to hang out in the kitchen and demand food while someone is cooking. This time she took the stool, brought it to the counter and trying to take what I was preparing. So I put a few Cheerios on the counter to reward her quick thinking! :)

She looks so sweet in her Christmas PJ's and hat!

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Dressed in their holiday PJ's, the kids descended into Christmas like a storm. Alex was the only one who understood want "Santa is Coming" really meant and he was up about 4am telling me "Mommy, I think I heard something... I think I heard a  jingle bell downstairs". After some convincing he snuggled back in with me and slept till 6am. Then he laid awake untill after 7am when his sisters start to wake up. He was wired - it was adorable.

He went specifically looking for the things on his wish list. He nearly had a fit when he saw the milk and cookies were gone. Samantha adored her slide and wouldn't get off of it to open anything else. Sarah quickly fell in love with all the Backyardigan's toys and I swear she is still carrying them around singing "treasure, treasure..."

This is a picture of the livingroom after Santa delivered the presents but before the kids came in :)

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Joe has a bad back, the kids all have a cold and this whole week has been difficult. Coming from a mother of 3 small toddlers, that means far more than the average "difficult"!

In the midst of this, December 5th marked the two year anniversary of that fateful ultrasound that told us "twins" along with the bad news that eventually led to Sarah's diagnosis. I find this time of year hard which is flat out silly. I mean lets face it - we have the best possible outcome.

I don't have many pictures of the pregnancy, I didn't want to deal with seeing them if I'd lost the girls. Now I wish I did :)

I had joined a support forum for parents going through what were were, and one of the members had suggested writing poems about our girls or situation. To mark this special occasion, I'll post mine here. At the time, we had thought the girls were going to finally make it but then Sarah went into possible failure and we were told we might face loosing at least her, possibly Samantha too. If Sarah could make it about 2 more weeks, her chances would significantly increase and I wrote this late on the 6th night of that two weeks.

Yet again I am reminded that we are a very lucky family.

Tue Jan 31, 2006  11:36 pm
8 days, 50 mins and counting
Thats how much we have to bear
Not so long when you consider
The road that got us here

8 days 49 mins and counting
I hope you realize
that if you can hold on
your mom and dad can't wait
to look into your eyes

8 days 48 mins and counting
Right now you are too young
If you can't reach that date
instead of two babies
we might have only one

8 days 47 mins and counting
The time can't pass fast enough
I wish there was something I could do
to help you both make it through
the next
8 days 46 mins and counting

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