Heart check up today for Ashley

We are heading down to sick kids to see Ashley's Cardiologist and Endocriologist today. She's going to have an echo and an ECG and I believe some bloodwork. I have a feeling the doctors will have something to say about her weight. She growing but not putting any weigt on so I worry she is getting skinnier if that is possible. She likes eating a lot actually but I think all the food goes into her hollow leg or something.

Well I just hope the doctors aren't too concerned.

-- Post From My iPod

Time to Play

I was missing James and Damon this weekend it sure seemed so much quieter around our house without them. Saturday was nice and warm and Ashley got to enjoy her water table and sunday was cooler but we still headed out for a nice walk with Taylor in the back of the Phil&Ted stroller. I love this stroller!

Heading out for a walk on a cool sunday afternoon.


Water and bubble play to keep me busy while my brothers are away.

Schools out and the summer has begun

It's been very busy around my house lately so I've neglected my blog due to lack of time. I'm so proud of my oldest two boys completing grades 3 and grade 1. James was so thrilled when the last bell finally rang he was running around the schoolyard in total delight. It was nice to see him and his brother so excited for the summer.

We also had a great visit from my nephew Blake this week. The three boys had lots of fun together all sleeping together in Damon's room and traveling back to Ottawa with my parents yesterday. Today was the boys first day of Vacation and they spent it swimming in my mom's pool this morning, out for lunch, and then watched the movie UP this afternoon. Doesn't that sound like tons of fun. I'm jealous. Tomorrow they are heading out to the east coast with my parents.

Unfortunately Ashley was sick this week with another ear infection but we caught it right away and started her on antibiotics monday morning. She appears well today with the exception of a runny nose. Even more scary Taylor had a running nose and fever come wednesday i was concerned as he is so young and bad thoughts of RSV ran through my head right away but he clearly he had no signs of respiratory distress and managed to even breast feed problem free. I'm happy to report he's better now just 2 days later.

I even enjoyed a night out on the town last monday Taylor in tow. I had dinner with six of my former co-workers. Most of us are approaching 40 (scary eh) and boy do we lead different lives it was fun hearing everyones stories. Clearly I don't get out much compared to my friends I guess 4 kids will cause that effect but i won't change anything being mom to 4 is the best job in the world and really is fun believe it or not.

Here's a few pics from the week
Ashley exploring her house now that she's moving about. It's so exciting to find her at the front door.

Taylor enjoying some toys

James loves his brother... it's so much fun to have a baby in the house

My kids with their cousin

Breakfast for the last day of school

Class of 2009

Preschool Graduation! - Already for my baby girl

Ashley you played, danced and sang along side your friends all year. I can't believe how fast the school year has gone by and now you have graduated preschool. I'm so very proud of you. Mommy can't believe your soon starting junior kindergarten this september. The Little School House had a really sweet graduation ceremony this morning for the children in Ashley class here is a short clip from the ceremony.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Another week another illness

Well Ashley has been managing to stay on the healthy side for a little while however I'm just getting over my second case of STREP throat. Hey i just had it 3 weeks ago the same time as Ashley so I wasn't due for any illness. I've already had my fare share 2 cases of mastitis and 2 case of strep now in the last 5 weeks it's a bit much for me. I've finished off a big bottle of tylenol I only purchased last month. (it's suppose to be safe when breastfeeding I certainly hope so!!)

My job doesn't have sick days not sure why not because at times they are badly needed. As I'm suppose to clean the house, make lunches drop off and pick up kids, change diapers, feed and play with kids with a fever of 102. Silly me I still tried to do my best I never cancelled any of Ashley therapy appointments just play and cleaning was pretty much non existent but everything else had to happen. I'm feeling better again thank god!!! However now I have a house badly in need of cleaning, a mountain of laundry and I'm hoping there isn't another infection waiting for me around the corner.

This weekend with two days of antibiotics in me i managed to take Ashley and Taylor to Naomi's Birthday party she is Ashley's nurse daughter she was so cute and very pleased Ashley was able to attend. Naomi and her sister sat had lunch and played with Ashley for quite some time until their Daddy arrived and he was more popular with the girls. It was really nice. Taylor also got a lot of attention from Sarah's mom and aunts.

I also took James to a local Canoe Club for an open house he got some Kayak lesson and was able to go kayaking for about an hour he loved it. The coach told James he was a nature. That comment and the speed of the boat had James hooked he is very excited to go to their camp this august. They train rowers there year round and I'm thinking perhaps this is a great sport for James to work off some of his energy and have some fun. Silly me I didn't bring my camera to this event so no photos to share but he looked great out there on the Kayak.

My week

It's been a busy week Ashley's Kindergarden teacher and teachers aid for school next year came to visit her at preschool. They are both wonderful, they had some good questions and are looking forward to having Ashley in their classroom. Ashley who has been struggling at preschool had a great day and was mostly smiles. Which was wonderful and a timely change for her I'm sure it's related to her health.

Taylor is now 7 weeks old and so sweet he is awake much more now and enjoys checking out his surroundings. I was brave enough to take all four kids to a good friends birthday party after school on thursday. It was a breeze except for the fact that James got injured playing and we went from the party to the urgent care clinic because he had a cut on in his fore head.
It wasn't too serious they cleaned it with alcohol swaps and taped it closed with special bandages. I even managed to take all 4 of to the clinic as Daddy was on his way home. Daddy met us at the door of the clinic as we were leaving. They were all great at the clinic for the hour wait the loot bags from the party occupied them. James just laid back and let the doctor clean his wound .. he was very brave and didn't mind the alcohol i swear he wouldn't have let me clean his wound that way. I'm starting to feel like i can manage pretty much anything with four kids in tow which is good news because I guess that will be the case few years to come.

This week i also managed to survive another case of the dreaded mastitis and book James for some camps. I'm also ready for summer break.

My girl on a walk this morning to Starbucks

My baby on a walk to pick up his brothers from school yesterday.

The birthday boy with his yummy cup cakes.

Ashley is really moving around and earlier this week I caught her getting close to Taylor she even leaned in and rested her head on him. Like she was cuddling him. I think she is warming up to him.

Things are looking up

My Damon thinks it's warm enough for a bathing suit but it's actually 15C or 60F brrr for june

Taylor is already outgrowing his newborn clothes. The selves are a little short. I even had to buy him size 1 diapers this weekend.
He is growing I know that is good but it's a little sad for mommy.


Ashley feeling better today and was her usual self smiles and giggles at physiotherapy


James has made some great progress on his Rip Stik

6 weeks old today and smiling :)

My little guy Taylor such a sweetheart smiling right on schedule!



And my darling lunch was served a little late due to a meeting. A sleep while eating at 1pm

The Rip Stik

It's been raining here the 2 days following James birthday. He was still determined to learn to ride his new Rip Stik. Check out his progress last night it's paying off.

Happy Birthday James

Today my oldest turned 9 years old. I can't believe it's been that long since he was born. He is growing up so fast he wanted a skateboard for his birthday, we got him a Rip Stik. My mom came and made him a money cake decorated to look like a volcano. It was a big hit. My parents gave him and his brother pogo sticks which they loved. They bounced around for close to 2 hours after school i couldn't believe it entertained them for that long. The Rip Stik is going to take some time to learn but Daddy enjoyed testing it out and James is excited about it.

James I hope you enjoyed your special day. Mom and Dad thanks for coming all this way to help celebrate. I couldn't have made his day so special without all your help.

James cake:

My parents and my four amazing kids. Ashley was a little uncomfortable today as she is still fighting her ear infections, Taylor's sleepy and the boys can't wait to get those presents open in the photo below.

The fun learning to POGO around.

My Tulips

Here's my tulips that i dreamed about last winter they were looking so pretty. I took these a week ago they have already started to fade so I'm glad I took these when i did. I love spring.

Strep, double ear infections & 10 days of fever

On a lighter note..

Here Ashley latest haircut photo's
it's been a while and badly needed...

getting it chopped off

the final product


Well it's been a little while since i found time to blog I've been busy figuring out what's bothering Ashley to no end and keep my up with the boys.

After many trips to the doctor, 10 days of fever which would come and go we still had no idea why Ashley was so sick and miserable. Last week her left ear rum burst the following morning her right ear drum burst. She also started eating less because her throat was hurting. Finally at the urgent care clinic she was diagnosised with bi-lateral ear infections as well as strep throat. She started 10 days of amoxicillin and she is much improved. I was never so thankful for antibiotics. After just one day of it she would allow us to put on her shoes again. I think her ear infections were bothering her for many weeks it just wasn't so obvious at first. I'm not sure why her Doctor didn't see the infection, he suspected she had one but he couldn't see it at 3 visits. Thankfully she is doing so much better now though.

Taylor doing well eating all the time and growing. He has lost most of the hair on top of his little head though.. and now just has hair on the sides and back like a middle aged man. Oh my i hope it grows back quickly.

James also had his share of bike collisions these past 2 weeks as well. He managed to lift his thumb nail right off when he went over his handle bars after rear ending his brother. His thumb is also now on the mend. And i believe he a little more focus on watching where he is going.

Our Rainbow

This was outside our door this evening.

Sensory overload

Well Ashley definitely appears to be healthy today however I have another concern.. which i think started a little while ago before Taylor was born. Ashley appears to be very easily overstimulated. I think her Sensory system perhaps isn't functioning so well she is having lots of melt downs which at times can go on for a long time. I know she has had a growth spurt since starting to eat table food and it was suggested to me perhaps her sensory system is out of sync now. Which seems to make a lot of sense to me.

It's pretty upsetting to see her out of sorts at activities she used to enjoy like physio and pre-school. She seems to be triggered by loud unexpected noises, her baby brothers crying (which doesn't happen to often) but when it does is very upsetting to her. The noisy classroom of 15 preschoolers, even physio with a therapist she's been seeing since an infant and used to giggle and smile through therapy sessions with. She is also very sensitive to any shoes being on her feet now this is new and even her beloved My little Pony sneakers which she has been wearing since Christmas and they still fit her.

I was told that i should look into the brushing therapy to help her relax and help her with her sensory issues. I've email her Occupational therapist for some advice on this. I was also told she having tantrums and to place her calmly in a safe place like her crib or playpen to calm down and it works however she gets upset again when we take her out. Which leads me to believe this more of a sensory issue then a tantrum. Any advice on this is welcome especially if you've been through this. Ashley has also been so easy going and happy this change is a little rough on her and mommy.

Ashley's feeling better already!!

Yesterday morning starting out badly with Ashley being sick. She spent the entire day sleeping even though she didn't have a fever and i didn't give her any tylenol. She was clearly fighting something. But she got up at four pm and was complaining ..for food. She ate a light meal watched some tv had more food when we had dinner and was back sleeping by 9pm. This morning she woke in good spirits and is finishing off breakfast. I've seen my boys be sick for 24 hours before but never Ashley usually gets the long extended version of every illness like 6 - 10 days. I'm shocked she just finished a yogurt and oatmeal and is happy we are heading off to physio shortly I can't believe it!!! This is wonderful. All is well with Ashley :)



Friday was a professional development day for the teachers so my boys stayed home since i wasn't feeling well my sweet Damon decided to pick me these beautiful Trilliums from the woods across the street. The flowers look so gorgeous but these are protected flowers in Ontario and I had yet to explain to him it's illegal to pick them. Opps but i am enjoying them



Mighty mom thanks for calling yesterday it was so nice to talk to you again.

more stomach flu?????

Sunday morning and well i guess it was inevitable but Ashley couldn't keep down her water which i give her before breakfast everyday. I decided she needed to skip breakfast based on that i think she now has caught the stomach flu. Will i ever get a break from this. Here's Baby Taylor sleeping while mommy makes blueberry pancakes for his brothers.

Yippee I won a contest!!!

Just when i thought i was having a rough week. James had a bad case of stomach flu and stayed home 3 days come Wednesday i developed a blocked mik duct pretty uncomfortable it's slowing getting better and manageable thanks to Advil. To top it off Damon woke up today with Stomach Flu.

However I just got some fantastic news it's my lucky day. I entered a contest at a local baby store Dearborn Baby that carries top of the line baby products in the beginning of April and I won!!!! a new high chair worth $150 yippee!!!! This is so great. :) I'm so excited i just had to share. Taylor gets a brand new high chair lucky boy.

Click on the link below to see what i won.
http://dearbornbaby.blogspot.com/2009/05/april-blog-contest-winners.html

Ashley & Taylor a saturday morning together.

Here's a clip of Ashley playing this morning. She was feeling more like herself today. Also on this video is baby Taylor sleeping he tries to wake for the video and opens his eyes just briefly.

One Week Old

It's been seven days with my forth child he is just a joy to have around. He is very busy sleeping much of the time. Waking for feeds and quickly falling back asleep.

My three others have all had a little something all week. It started with the chicken poxes for James late last week. Damon came home from school on Wednesday cold and feverish he stayed home thursday. Ashley also hasn't been herself had a fever earlier in the week .. and has been crying much more then normal. I took her to the doctor today and he couldn't find anything that needed to be treated but suggested perhaps she's having cramps and to give her tylenol if she seems to be in pain and bring her back if she gets a high fever. I hope it passes quickly it's so hard when she can't tell me whats bothering her and she's clearly uncomfortable and unhappy it breaks my heart.

Baby Euphoria

I was told today I must be having baby euphoria after a friend saw me out and about.

I think she may be right I feel so thrilled to be home with baby Taylor he is just so precious and sweet. I do feel great despite little sleep these past 4 days with a new baby at home. Any concerns i may have had about raising four children seem to have melted away the minute i held him. Today we were back to Ashley busy schedule Daddy and I surprised Ashley physiotherapist by showing up with baby Taylor in tow for therapy. Taylor slept most of the last few days away waking just to feed and drifting back to sleep. He likes cluster feeding over night but i not feeling tried yet i guess that will hit me when baby euphoria ends. Ashley and Damon don't seem to interested in their new brother just yet but big brother James can't get enough of him.

Here's more pictures look how little he is...