Family Reunion and Summer Days

Addy and I took the opportunity and seized a nice day to go up to the cottage to do some much needed work there. Addy is such a relaxed and good, little girl. She layed back and hung out in her stroller while I managed to accomplish alot outside cleaning up the yard and planting some new flowers we had purchased. We took a quick break inside and Addy sported this cute little smile for me, I just had to take a picture. It's like she knows just how darn cute she is, look at those rosy cheeks you could just eat them.

A trip to London last week started off our kick off meeting for the second annual fundraiser for the St. Josephs' NICU unit and families. I was asked to join the committee by a fellow preemie mom who started this fundraiser last year and I am so pleased to be a part of it. The committee tossed around some great ideas and we can't wait to get started. Stay tuned for the details. Being in London also gave me the opportunity to stop off at my new fav store "Once Upon a Child". A great second hand store where you can find all kinds of deals on used goodies and clothing. I immediately spotted a jumparoo that looked brand new and I jumped at the chance to buy it. Turns out it was a great purchase; as Addy's just loves it. Her first step inside and her eyes popped wide open she couldn't believe what this toy had to offer. She really has not mastered the art of jumping up and down in it quite yet, but I am sure that it won't be long around the corner.


On June 26th our cousin Mike and his girlfriend; Becky made it down for their first visit with little Addy since she came into the world. It was wonderful to see them and kicked back and had a nice relaxing night at the Stanbra cottage. The next day we packed up and we were off to Chatham for a family reunion with the LEE side of the family. It was a beautiful, hot, sunny day and Addy got her first swim in a Sandra and Jorge's pool. I had purchased a great Little Tikes Cozy Coupe floatie on Kijiji that was going to be perfect for Addy's first adventure into the water. Addison did absolutely wonderful and was a like a little fish in the water. She began kicking her little toes and feet like she knew just what she was supposed to do. She didn't make it to far, hasn't quite go the dog paddle thing down yet, but she loved it. She layed back and let me push her around like she was a little queen in her car floatie. If this was any indication I don't believe we will have any worries that Addison will be afraid of the water.


The following day we returned to the cottage for a much needed rest day after all that we have had going on and for all that we have coming up in the future. Summer time always seems to be such a busy time of year for us, but we enjoy it so much we don't complain. Addison and her dad sat back on the couch for some R and R and some good father and daughter cuddles. I just love capturing moments like these between the two of them, when they don't know I am looking. Addison definitely loves her daddy and cuddles up to him whenever she can get a chance, such special moments to see.


Addison continues to do really well these days, and we continue to see changes in her daily. She really is starting to be such a personality. We continue with our weekly appointments for Physio and Occupational therapy in hopes to help Addison continue to get stronger and utilize her muscles for those everyday activities, such as sitting up, rolling over and reaching for her toes. She still gets "taped" as we call it every week with a Kinseo muscular tape that looks like big bandaids across her tummy and back. This tape helps to keep her muscles in a contracted position, so Addison learns the feeling of the muscle working and will learn to do this on her own. She continues to make more and more noises each week, which is just music to our ears at this stage of the game, keep those vocal chords working kiddo. We are not sure if she is starting to teeth yet, or just enjoying the new found thing between fingers and objects to the mouth. Addison got a hold of this cold, wet washcloth and she soaked not only herself but daddy too!!! The days of staying clean and dry are officially over.

Family Times and the Cottage

Our first weekend of June we returned to Chatham and saw alot of the family for our cousin Jamie Lynn's Jamie's baby shower. Yep another babe in the family and one around the corner after that with Jamie's brother Chris and his wife; Allison. So many new 2nd cousins for Addy to play with and enjoy. It was a wonderful sunny day and we got out there playing some games and enjoying the day. Addy snuggled in with the family and got in her much needed cuddles and attention. She really knows how to smile/pout and reel them in. Hee hee, wonder who she got that from, I think definitely daddy????

Addison definitely has caught the attention of her dog; Fergus. He just adores her. He is always checking up on her and making sure we are treating her okay, and welcomes her with a big kiss everytime she gets to dog level. I definitely have no qualms about leaving her around the boys, they are so caring and protective of her. Here is a typical play day for Addy on the floor with enjoying her toys and Fergus always close by. He actually thinks that she is starting playing with him now, since she holds up her toys and shakes them. He thinks she is shaking them for him to get him, lso he will bark and get down in a prance stance to get them. That of course scares the daylights out of her and her eyes get wide as saucers and she jumps right out of her swing, quite comical. Patience Fergus the days will come when she won't leave you alone and you will be looking at me saying; "mom get this kid off of me"!!!!

The weekend of the 13th we finally got up to the cottage to enjoy some nice weather with friends. Addy has spent a few nights there but this was the first where she could really hang outside and take in the sights with the sunny weather. She experienced her first big campfire and was very intrigued by the smell, smoke and flames. I think something she will really enjoy in the years to come!! Sunday was warm and beautiful and we were able to sprawl Addy out on the big blanket in the shade, where she kicked and played for a few hours, enjoying the fresh air. We really lucked out obtaining this property and are so thankful that we will have this little getaway for Addy to enjoy as she grows.

The following weekend was Greg's First Father's Day and we spent it relaxing around the cottage and taking in some local sights. Happy Father's Day Daddy!! Thank you for being such a wonderful husband and father to our little girl. She is very lucky to have you in her life to guide her and protect her and just make her know that she is one special little girl! We love you.

Finally we as parents were brave enough to take the big step this weekend and move Addy from our room to her much needed "Big Girl Bed" in her OWN ROOM. The poor thing was busting out the seams of her bassinet and was working on flattening the top of her head from it being pushed all the way to the top. Addy did absolutely wonderful, and slept like a dream. Mommy had the hard time!! I just was so worried to move her away from me, but I am getting better with the idea of it each day. Just so hard to let that little thing out of my sight, how am I ever going to return back to work. Addy you have come such a long way kiddo from your first days in the NICU. First we could only look at you, then touch you gently through the armholes, then kangaroo you and then cuddle you in our arms. Those days are a but a memory of a life that is truly so special each day.

Raccoon Saga Concluded

Well the saga with our raccoons continued into the weekend and into this week. We caught one on Friday and released it back into the wild and thought that our troubles were over. Sadly they were not. We heard not a peep all weekend until Sunday evening when we heard three baby racoons crying and walking in the walls. Well they got cut out of the walls and taken into Sarnia Humaine Society, but the troubles did not stop there and as of the 2nd of June our Raccoon saga finally concluded at the house. Two new pieces of drywall, two gunshot holes in the roof, powerwash on the side of the house, new roof cap and bleach cleaning in the storage attic and the raccoons are gone. Kind of sounds like an add for Mastercard doesn't it. Well it is a tall tale and one that Greg won't live down for a while with the Baker family that is for sure. All the rucus did not seem to faze Addison one bit, even though she had to be moved downstairs to sleep in the living room. Not one peep of discomfort came from her, what a little angel.

Thankfully through all this craziness we still managed to get some quality time in with friends and had a nice dinner over at the house with our French Connection. Addison put on her party face and had them wrapped around her finger cooing and talking away with them all. She even talked daddy into dressing her up in disguise and sneaking her into the adult dinner conversation. She fit right in!!!

Addy really is doing simply wonderful these days and showing us new accomplishments everyday. She really does love to smile and always seems to give us a gum filled one upon waking up, it is such a nice sight to see. She always has big smiles for her daddy when he comes home from work, as he keeps her well entertained for the evening. She is sitting up quite well in her Bumbo seat, though she still is a little wobbly and tending to still tilt and favour her right side. This will correct itself all in due time hopefully with all the work the girls from Pathways are doing and exercises we do at home. Addy actually got her tummy "taped" for the first time this week, with the Kineso Tape from her occupational therapist. The therapist pushes Addy's legs up, which causes her to contract her abdominal muscles. She then places the tape on Addy's tummy in an "X" formation and the tape stays on for two to three days. The tape "educates" Addy's muscles as to what this position is and the sensation of the movement of the contracted muscles so as to hopefully improve her abdominal muscle function. Are hopes are to see some improved muscle function in this area, by her increasing the lifting or her legs, louder vocalizations and increased or better bowel function.

Addy definitely loves to stand up whenever she can and is building up quite the strength in her legs. She is utilizing her neck muscles more and more, and really looking around at everything in sight. She doesn't seem to miss a thing these days, she is very interested at all the new things she sees around her. It is like a big discovery every room we walk into in the house, and outside is just a big wonderous world to her, so full of so many new and exciting things.

Lately she seems to have found these things on the ends of her hands called fingers!!! Boy oh boy, when she sees these she gets so excited and cannot get them in her mouth fast enough to suck on. Sooo needless to say the "drooly" days are upon us now and she never has a dry shirt. I think those teeth are under there somewhere and going to come screaming out soon!

The expressions that Addy comes up with are just priceless and we try to catch them as often as we can on film, but it is hard. Her newest face is like a constant pout, as she pulls in her top lip and sucks on it soo hard (when her fingers are not in her mouth) . It just makes her look soooo sad. She really isn't though and is happy as anything. She has the cutest little giggle that Daddy seems to be the lucky one to get out of her. I have gotten once and am trying to get it again so it will be on film in her collection. I don't meant to brag, but it really is adorable, but then again what sounds from any little baby aren't???

Hearing Test and Developmental Followup

This past weekend was the Town Wide Garage Sale event in Forest and I was out bright and early to get the good deals. Daddy and Addy however, took the opportunity to sleep in and enjoy a lazy Saturday morning together. Addy is really sleeping like a dream these days, and goes about 8-10 hours straight through the night and waking up around 8-9 am in the morning. A mother's dream!!! There was some great deals to be had that day, and we loaded up a few in the back of the Jeep to clutter up the house even more. Hee Hee.

On Monday Mim came down and went to St. Thomas with us for Addy's Hearing Test, that was a followup from the NICU. Addy had passed her original hearing screening in the hospital, but Preemies of her size and gestational age are at high risk for Hearing Loss so she needed to be tested again. Poor Mim had the task of keeping Addy awake for the 1 1/2 hour drive, as Addy needed to be able to sleep once we got there for the testing to be done. Mim did her job well and as soon as we got in the dark room and Addy had her bottle she was out like a light. Addy had probes placed on her forehead and one behind each one of her ears, while earphones were inserted in her ears. The earphones relayed both base and high pitched sounds into Addy's ears and the probes measured brain activity to see if Addy recognized the tones. She passed with flying colors and then proceeded on to another hearing test that is completed on all term babies when they are born. Addy was successful yet again and now will not have to be tested until she is one year, where they will test to see if she hears a sound and then turns in response to a picture flash related to the sound.

On Wednesday morning I was awakened by Greg at 5:00 am informing me that we had Raccoons in the house. In my sleep stupor I scrambled downstairs where we discovered one adult female hanging out on the eavestrough and another upstairs in our add on storage/attic room above the den!!!!! Wonderful!!! We discovered that they had climbed down the chimney, in through the den which is being remodeled, up through the insulation and into the storage/attic room, and along into the roof trusses that run around the house. Well needless to say the traps were set that morning and Addy and I were off to her monthly checkup with Dr. Stare.

Dr. Stare was very pleased with Addy's progress and did not seem to concerned with Addy's minimal weight gains. She advised that as long as Addy is eating and taking in food and even having minimal weight gain, that is fine. Better than a weight loss. Dr. Stare advised that Addy's head, length and developmental growth seemed on track, with only minimal concerns about Addy's desire to not use her upper body or abdominal strength. These were problems however, that had been recognized by the Occupational and Physiotherapy team from Pathways at our last appointment and we had been given exercises to complete in hopes of increasing Addy's use and strength of the muscles in these areas. We discussed Addy's constant issues with bowel movements and advised Dr. Stare that we had removed Addy's iron supplement and that as a result she was having regular bowel movements on her own. Dr. Stare advised this was great and suggested we get a blood test done on Addy to just test her iron levels and see where we were at.

We returned home that evening to find that sadly no raccoon captures had been made and that they were still living freely in our home. We left Greg to tend to the critters and Addy and I then trekked off to a Car Seat Clinic to learn the ins and outs of all the new car seat rules and when Addy would be required to change to a booster. All these things that you just don't know. The clinic was great and Cst. Jones ensured we had Addy buckled in properly and securely and gave us some tips for our next purchase. Well much to our surprise we were the lucky draw winners and we walked away with a brand new booster seat that night!!!!!! This was the only good news however, because when we returned home that evening we quickly learned that not only did we have two adult raccoons living in our attic, we also had a litter of babies in the wall underneath our bedroom window. Yes that's right crying all night underneath our bedroom window!!!!!! So unfortunately our Raccoon saga continues with loud music playing to try and have mama Raccoon move her babies, and a trap set with salmon in the attic!!!!!! Good thing is Addy is oblivious to all this and adjusting well to sleeping downstairs with mommy till we get the critters removed.

On Friday we returned to St. Joes Hospital for Addy's second Develpment followup clinic since she left the NICU. Jamie and Donna met with us and were very impressed with Addy's growth and development. They worked her hard and had only some minor suggestions for exercises, which again go back to Addy's limited use of her upper body and low tone of her shoulder, upper chest, neck and upper back muscles. All in all they advised that Addy is on the right track and moving along in the right directions. We then met with Dietician and Nutritionist; Cindy whom we discussed with Addy's issue of weight gain, and her constant struggle with bowel movements as a result of her iron supplement. We advised that we had stopped Addy's iron over the last month and as a result she was having regular type bowel movements and doing them on her own with out assistance from a suppository. Cindy quickly suggested however, that we get Addy back on her iron as it was vital to her brain development, since she had such a low birth weight and early gestational age at birth. We had no idea that this was so relevant and advised right away that we would get her back on the supplements and deal with the pooping issue as we had to, her brain development was much more important at this stage. Cindy also suggested that we remove Addison from a formula supplement in her breastmilk, to a protein powder supplement that would assist her with her muscle and tone development, as opposed to calorie intake. The hospital is so on top of things and so great to us, we cannot ever thank them enough for all they do and all the followup they are giving Addy to ensure she has the best start in life. On our way out we made a quick stop at the NICU unit and dropped off a bag of Addy's preemie clothes for the unit, to pay it forward a little bit for all the wonderful gifts and care we received. Lucky enough for us one of our "Core Team" nurses; Deb was working so we had a wonderful catch up visit with her!!!! Addy was a little cranky at first and had some tears but she quickly settled down and fell fast asleep after she said her hellos. Deb was so happy to see Addy and commented on her great progress!! But we have to say Deb she would not have made it where she is today without you, Lisa and Kathy. You guys worked with us very hard and gave Addy such wonderful care. Thank you, thank you, thank you. These ladies are truly amazing people!!!! Can't wait to visit again soon.