Prenatal Class Reunion and Addy Update

After the nice weather has hit us and we are climbing out of "cold and flu" season, we have been a little more at ease at taking Addy out and exploring new things to do. There is a great little center around the corner from us called Best Start/Early Years where Addy and I venture to every Thursday for a weigh in and chat with a Public Health Nurse. Through this visit we have met many wonderful ladies and have learned about all the wonderful free programs they offer for children and newborn mommies. Addy had her first class upon our return from Belleville called "Twinkling Tunes", where we learned many new wonderful songs to sing and entertain our babes. Addy loved the class, not necessarily mommy's singing, but she enjoyed seeing all the new babes around her and interacting with them on a social basis. It was great for both of us and we have signed up to take Baby Massage and Baby Sign in the month of May!!!.

On Friday the 17th we had some wonderful weather and got Addison up to the cottage for her first visit. All the neighbours were around so we had a lot of catching up to do and introductions of our new addition. Addy sat back and took it all in and enjoyed a nice nap in the sun while sporting one of her new sun hats, which she is just so adorable in!!! We hope to have a great summer with Addy up in the Port, enjoying the sunshine, beach, campfires and many walks along all the wooded paths in the area. Unfortunately after all of the fresh air Addy got a bit more snuffly in the nose and we believe caught a touch of a head or sinus cold. She is fairing it pretty well, but we are keeping an eye on it.

On April 20th Janice and Carolina our ladies from Pathways came for their monthly occupational and physiotherapy visit with Addison. The ladies were impressed with her growth and development and commented on how well Addy was doing. Our exercises have payed off and Addy was doing some wonderful movements with her arms and legs. The ladies are so encouraging and let us know some new exercises to keep us going in Addy's development that will help stimulate and use her muscles so that it she will improve in her growth and development. Again weaknesses were noticed in Addison's left side and in the strength or her neck and shoulder muscles, so we have to work on Addison's tummy time. This has been hard with her head cold that she cannot seem to shake but we have to push her through it. Here she is exercising with dad and Fergus cheering them on and offering his support.

Monday evening Addison and I attended our Prenatal Class Reunion, where we got to reunite with all the other families we met while we were pregnant, and their new babies. One couple Tanya and Ben had been in the NICU with their twins Sadie and Reese, so it was nice to reunite and see how the girls were making out. Here is some pics with Addy and her friends and a group photo of all the new additions.

On Wednesday the 22nd, Addison had a check up at her doctor's office and received her six month immunization shots. Again she cried only a little bit after the needles, she is such a tough little girl. Doctor Stare checked Addy over and was impressed with her growth and develoment and commented that save for Addison "petiteness" you would not know that she was a micropreemie baby. Doctor Stare was a bit concerned though with Addison's lack of vocalization and strength in her voice when she cries, so she is making a referral for us to visit with and Ear/Nose/Throat specialist in London to have Addy examined. Her fear is that as a result of Addison's PDA surgery three weeks after she was born, there may be some damage to Addison's vocal chords that may be affecting her abilitly to vocalize and make noise. Doctor Stare ensured us that she could not predict anything for sure, but wanted to be safe rather than sorry. We knew that this was a possible complication as a result of the surgery, but we thought we were out of the woods since we had heard Addy cry. However, it is still possible that the nerve connected to the vocal chords could be damaged, causing some or full paralization of Addy's left vocal chord. Doctor Stare advises that if this is the case we could be dealing with anything from absolutely no vocalization or speech, vocalization or speech with a soft or raspy voice, or no problems at all. We hope and pray for the later of course, but if the worst case scenario is the first option than we will deal with it and get Addy all the help that she will need to communicate. If this all that we come out with out of Addy's ordeal, we can deal with it, compared to the odds that were given for Addy's arrival from the start. She is such a fighter and will continue to be, we know that and love her for her strength and will she has shown us every step of the way!!!!

6 Months-Where does the time go????

Wow I can't believe it, our little angel is a whopping 6 months old now!!! Happy 6 months Addy!!! Where does the time go???? Although the days at the hospital seem like days of yesteryear, it feels like we just brought Addy home.

I cannot believe she is already 6 months old now, 3 months corrected. I always get so confused. You see the hospital gave us two dates to work with; Addison's actual birthdate (day she was born) and her corrected birthdate (actual original due date). These dates help us when we are determining her developmental and behavioural progression as she grows, for comparative purposes against that of actual term babies. Make any sense?? Don't worry I get confused with it all and we live it everyday. Ha ha. With the date in mind we couldn't help but look back at all the pics and our journey from the first days in the NICU. It still brings tears to our eyes and a little bit of sadness to remember what poor Addy went through to be here, but then you look at her and she gives you the big smile and melts your heart and we know this is what it s all about today, tomorrow and the future ahead!!!

Addy's foot at 17 days old Addy's foot at 3 months

Addy's foot at 6 months

Addy we are blessed to have you in our lives and you bring us so much joy everyday. We cannot wait to enjoy your next birthday and all the other milestones in your life. You give us hope and so much strength and we love you with all of our hearts!! You truly are an "angel"!!!

Niagara Falls and an Easter Visit at Granny and Grandpa's

We have had a busy last couple of weeks, with some very exciting trips for Addison. On the 07th of April we headed up to Niagara Falls for a little vacation while daddy attended a course in the area. This was so much fun to get away for a few days with Addison and just relax and enjoy. Not that we don't do that at home too, but it is fun to get out of the house now and again. Addison travelled very well and was a little star. After unpacking our house into the hotel room, we settled in and got ready for the next day's adventure. Addison and I toured around Niagara (shopping) until daddy finished his course and then all three of us went for a quick visit to the Falls as it was very windy and cold that evening. Addy quickly got out for a photo op, and even with the mist from the falls she didn't wake up and just squished her face when realized she was getting wet. What a ham. So Greg and I took a nice ride around Niagara on the Lake and hit Pellar Wine Estates and picked up some wonderful bottles of wine to try. We definitely decided a trip that we will go back on soon to hit a few more of the local wineries. Addy was sooooo good yet again and grabbed the attention of the staff, while we sampled a few of the new wines out for this season. Yummy!!!! We settled back in the hotel room and because the room came equipped with two queen beds, mommy and Addy had a sleepover and cuddled up in the big bed together and fell fast asleep. Nothing feels so wonderful as sleeping with your little one in your arms and feeling their little breaths on your face. I was so excited to wake with her in the morning and she was giving me the big grin!!! I know I can't get used to this but it was nice to have those special nights while on a little vacation away.

Thursday we left the Falls on the way to Madoc to visit with Granny and Grandpa and the rest of the family for the Easter holiday. Addy got dressed up in her colourful chicken outfit for the occassion. Addy was very patient with the Toronto driving and managed to travel a little past her two hour time limit in the car, until we could muddle through the rush hour traffic coming off the 407. We rolled into Granny and Grandpa's around 10ish and found Aunt Steph, Taylor and cousin Sidney patiently awaiting our arrival. Sid was so excited to see her new baby cousin and could not wait to hold her and give her a big hug. Addison adored Sidney and was so entertained by her motherly ways. Addy giggled and smiled everytime Sid came near. It was so cute it seemed Sidney could not get enough of Addy and everytime she walked away, she quickly ran back to check and see how Addy was making out. Auntie Steph happily snuggled up Addy and finally got to meet her little niece in person for the first time. It was so wonderful to see the love that they had built up for Addy after following her progress daily on our blog. Auntie Steph is a true mom and just has the knack with all children you can see. Addison picked up on this right away and listened intently everytime Auntie Steph talked with her.

Friday before the three girls had to leave, we got out for a nice walk around the farm and into the bush on Granny and Grandpa's property. Our Quinny stroller was a godsend and got us through all the tough brush and rolling muddy hills. Sid took of on her Strider bike and was a real champ on the hills! She is just so adorable and I know will have Addy's eye as she grows up with her over the next few years. Sadly the girls had to go, but we promised to come up to Ottawa soon and stay for an overnight visit with them at their place. We rounded up the girls and got them to pose with Grandpa and get a photo of him with his three grand daughters all together. Grandpa is so proud and loving of all his girls, they really are lucky to have him. Auntie Steph and Sid loaded up four huge boxes of clothes and toys into our car for Addy that Sid has grown out of and wanted to donate to Addy to play with and use as she grows. Thank you guys so much, it will definitely get used and come in handy in the next year. We snapped this special pic of Sid and Addy together, what cute little babes we have Steph!!!!

On Saturday the rest of the gang arrived and we had a fun filled day. Uncle Sean and Aunt Eleni came with cousins George (also a Prem baby born early like Addy) and (new baby) Liam; born just a few weeks before Addison's original birthdate. Later that afternoon Aunt Rhonda and Peter arrived too. We had wonderful weather and a full day consisting of crafts, a walk in the woods and a wonderful Easter dinner. It was so wonderful seeing everyone and getting together with all the kids.

Sunday and Monday we took it easy and lounged around the farm after such a busy weekend. Dad and grandpa cut up a bunch of wood in the bush and we still managed to get in another wonderful walk around the farm. Look at the large holes the woodpeckers are leaving in Grandpa's trees!!!! You could seriously fit Addy's head into one of them!!! Granny and Grandpa have such a wonderful property and so much to see and do all in the confines of their property line. Addy is going to have a wonderful time growing up and visiting here often. We even got in a little bit of antiquing around the area and got a few good finds for quite a deal. All around a wonderful visit and already planning our next trip back.

You know the famous saying is "you can always pick your friends, but you can't pick your family". Well I would have to say we have lucked out all around as Greg, Addy and I have not only wonderful friends that we surround ourselves with daily, but a family that we love and adore and have so much fun with everytime we get together.