Gingersnaps

As i write this, there is gingersnap dough cooling in the fridge.  We discovered this past weekend when we were at Grandma and Grandpa's celebrating Christmas that our little Munchkin absolutely loves Gingersnaps.  We've never seen him inhale a cookie or anything else for that matter in such a happy way.  He was very careful not to drop a crumb.

I'm seeing many many gingersnaps in his future.  I'm glad they are easy to make.

A Sad and a Happy Day

Today was both a sad day and a happy day at the same time.

Today Robbie had his last session with the Occupational Therapist he's been seeing since last spring.  This is due to the structure of funding and the like for the therapy.  He's going to be going on to have his therapy at Bloorview in January.  We are all going to miss having her work with Robbie.  She is fantastic and even though Robbie complains about the therapy he likes her a lot.  I'm hoping that we will be able to work with her in the future.

So that was the sad news.  The happy news is that our little man saw his neurologist yesterday as well and everything still seems to be going very well.  She was really happy to see him walking (with us holding his hand) and trying to get into everything.  We also get to take him off one of the drugs he's been taking so he's now pretty much down to 1 drug + aspirin.

So a happy day and a sad day all in one.

Dear Munchkin,

Today is  your second birthday.  A very Happy Birthday to you!  I can't believe that the time has gone so fast.  You've grown up so much and you are getting bigger and more grown up every minute.

It's been a hectic year for you with your surgery, recovery and learning lots and lots of new skills.  You've always been such a super strong little boy with such a wonderful disposition.  You make friends wherever you go.  I hope that the next year is filled with much wonder and joy.  You are the light of my life and I am looking forward to all the fun we will have this coming year.

Love

Mom

Happy Birthday

Two years ago you came in to our lives with a rush. You were eager to take on what the world had to offer. You have had your challenges, have endured more than any little boy should have to and you have overcame. You faced each challenge with the same happy outlook, a smile that melts hearts, a laugh and giggle that delights all around you, even on your worst days were we could get a smile from you. You have never let your disabilities stop you from your goals, you have simply adapted. For this reason alone, I know you will have many other successes in life no matter the difficulty before you.

Now on the cusp of walking it is hard to believe that just three months ago you learned how to sit up. You are growing up so fast now, trying desperately to catch up to the other little kids in your class. And I know that you will catch them. You have taught me so much in such a short time, you are my hero. I look forward to all that you will teach me as you grow up. Happy Birthday Robbie, my little boy. Love Dad.

Even Closer!!

Munchkin is getting pretty desperate to walk. He wants to walk all the time now and loves nothing more than to climb the stairs if he can con someone into doing it with him. He's going to be toddling along soon I think. Last night at the daycare he took about 8 steps towards me before teetering. And you know once he starts, he'll be off and running and we won't have a moment's peace :)

First Hair Cut

On Monday night we visited Santa, which you seemed to have a great time doing. You even had a very in depth conversation with him that in ended in giggles and smiles. Tonight we visited the barber for the very first time. Your hair has been getting very long in the back and a little crazy on top. It was decided that days before you second birthday would be a good time to get you all spiffy looking. I must say that you are now a very handsome little boy that the girls will be sure to be talking about even more so at daycare.  You were very well behaved, women who was waiting for her two boys to have their hair cuts was very impressed by how well you behaved. Great work little buddy.

Little ones and what they love

It's funny how the little ones get fixated on songs and videos. Munchkin is currently into the most popular video on the planet. The Psy Gangnam Style Video. He loves it and gets all grabby for it on the iPad. The other day his dad played it for him on the big screen and he thought it was awesome.

Getting a Little Closer to Walking

So today was a bit of a banner day for our wee Munchkin. For the first time he took 5 independent steps. It's very exciting. When his Dad went to the daycare today to pick him up our Munchkin was walking around with one of the daycare workers holding him by the hands. When he saw his Dad, he took his hands away from his daycare worker and started walking towards his dad. After 5 steps he fell over (his daycare person caught him). We think that our little Munchkin might be walking soon.

100th Grey Cup

Many years ago your dad was born on Grey Cup Sunday. This year was the 100th Grey Cup and it was held in Toronto. Even better the Toronto Argonauts we playing in it against the Calgary Stampeders. You father managed to secure 4 very expensive tickets for the game last minute. Your Uncle Rich and Uncle Ron both joined us in going to the Game. unfortunately your Grandfather could not get an earlier flight to join us in this special moment. It was a perfect evening you had lots of fun, you even cheered for the Argos when they scored. You were startled by the fireworks but never got more than restless during the game. Your mom came and got you after the first quarter. Sorry you missed Justin Bieber and Carly Rae Jensen, I am sure I will make it up to you by taking you to see some other pop icon when you are older. You are a good luck charm as the Argos won defeating the Calgary by a lot. Thanks for coming to the game with me.

Boys Weekend part 2

After and exhausting first day Robbie and dad decided to go back to bed after breakfast and medicine. A nice 2 hour nap was just what was needed. Then it was time to get dressed, have a quick lunch and then head to the Rogers Centre to meet up with Big Rob so that Robbie could watch his first CFL  and Argos game. Robbie had fun lasting through the whole first half and Half time. By time the 3rd quarter started he was fading fast so we went for a short walk on the concourse. Daddy bought beers for him and big Rob and when he sat back down I promptly fell asleep and napped until mid way through the 4th quarter. It was  great game as the Argos beat the Eskimos. Daddy asked if i wanted to go to Montreal next weekend. I told him I was not sure i was ready for a road trip.

Boys Weekend Part 1

Finally after 23 months your mother has finally felt comfortable and had the opportunity to be away from you for more than a few hours. Your mommy has gone on daddy's women's football team end of season trip. I am sure there will be many end of season trips for you in the future. So pay no attention to your parents when they tell you to behave on the footy trip. Today Gram ma came into town form Guelph and we went to the Royal Winter Agricultural Fair. Your Gram ma had never been so it was a grand adventure for both of you. You fell asleep shortly after we got there. Just as we got to the sheep pens. Fortunately a short nap and some lunch was all you needed and you were then ready to pet some farm animals. Too bad their were no piggies in the petting farm as I am sure you would have loved them. But you did get to pet a few goats and sheep. You also saw a few horses and cows. Next year I expect that you will be much more excited about the Fair. Tomorrow you get to go to your first Argos game.

Halloween

It would appear that a whole month has past since since the last update so dad is going to try and have a go at this blog. Robbie had a wonderful Halloween starting with the Bloorview Monster March. It is a great fundraiser for the hospital and it was great to see all the kids out enjoying a really great event. Unfortunately the day was pouring rain and cold so the staff at Bloorview spent the morning setting up through out the main floor of the hospital so that the March could go ahead. Trrick or treat stations were setup and lots of toys and treats were distributed to the kids. Robbie was put in his walker and he quite enthusiastically toddled around the hallways in his monkey costume. I would say that he walked at least 80% of the way need a little push here and there. At the end each participant received a finishers medal seen in the below picture.

Robbie continues to visit Bloorview for therapy to help him overcome the effects of the stroke. His balance is ever improving and the use of the right hand and arm while still very limited shows signs of improved usage. He is our little trooper and I am truly blessed by his smile even when his dad is not saving him from his therapist. Only one months to his second birthday and lots of excitement and things for him to do in the coming weeks.

Super Munchkin

A little while back I got our Munchkin a superhero onesie. It's a little unfortunate that he's not going to get huge wear out of it as he's such a skinny guy overalls seem to be the only way to go. But we had him in it a few weeks ago and I thought I would post them here. He seemed to be having fun being a superhero. And you will all be very happy to hear that he's just getting stronger and more active every day. He desperately wants to walk and will try to get you to take him walking every chance he gets. He's also getting around rooms in some magical wiggle, squiggle manner as well. Now on to the pictures.

What a cute little goofball

Tonight I thought I might have accidentally locked the cat in Munchkin's room with him, so I went up to check and make sure I didn't. The sight I saw when I opened the door was just too funny. There was Munchkin folded over on himself. It looks like he fell asleep sitting upright and then slumped forward. It looked super awkward and probably uncomfortable. But funny too. So I very carefully repositioned him so that he would be a little more comfy. What a little goof.

Up and Down and Up and Down

Today is a bit of a banner day. Our wee Munchkin can now get himself up form lying down to sitting all on his own. He's been doing it a little bit over the past week by pulling himself up on the side rail of the change table. Today however he did it all on his own with no pulling on the side rails. And he did it several times. We are so proud of him.

Growing, Growing, Growing

Well it seems that a certain little Munchkin is growing again. I just made a pile of jammies that no longer fit our little guy because he's too long for them. I think it will have to be off to the store to get the next size up in some jammies. It's funny, have piles of hand me downs for our little man, but for some weirdo reason we don't have jammies.

Getting closer to Running!

Our little Munchkin has been "walking" with our help and seems to really want to try and take off on his own. So we thought that tonight we would give the walker a try. He needs a little extra support for learning to walk. So after dinner tonight we got out the walker we got in anticipation of this moment and took it outside (there is no way we can use this thing inside our house). Click here to see how he did. He went up and down our street several times all happy as can be. We're in so much trouble when he really learns how to walk. He already wants to take off in the walker. We are so proud of him and can't wait until he really gets the hang of it.

Mama

Yesterday was a rather neat day here at the cottage. In the morning our Munchkin was playing in the livingroom and as I was heading towards the kitchen to get something, looked in my direction and said, "Ma Ma" with this look of don't go. It came out more muh muh but you could tell that is what he meant.

It was awesome. He hasn't done it since but he'll do it again soon I am sure.




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Location:Awenda Park Rd,Tiny,Canada

Fruity Chicken

As many of you know we've been dealing with our Munchkin not eating very much of anything for a very long time due to the drugs he was on. We were super happy that he started eating again after his surgery. He only likes to eat sweet things though which is a bit of a challenge for getting all the nutrition he needs. He's generally been flat out refusing to eat vegetables and meat. You might get one spoonful in but that's about it. Tonight though we managed to get him to eat a little bit of chicken. It was cleverly hidden in a whole lot of fruit puree, but he ate it and didn't turn up his nose at it. This was super happy making for us. We're hoping for a repeat performance tomorrow and that we can slowly increase the amount of chicken and he'll start to like it. And since I haven't shared a photo lately, here's one of him on his brand new couch. One of our neighbours very thoughtfully gave it to him as a welcome home from the hospital present. He loves it and so do we. He looks like such a grown up kid on that couch though.

Bubble Wrap and Food tossing

I haven't written in a little while, it was super crazy with Munchkin being up at Bloorview and there didn't seem to be enough hours in the day. Munchkin is home now, which is fantastic and is doing really really well. I'm sure I will fill in a few posts with details in the next few days as I have a bit more time. But tonight he was super funny. At dinner he was showing his preferences for food. He started doing this over the past few days. If he doesn't like or want the finger food I give him, he grabs it in his left hand flings his arm out and drops it on the floor. He really didn't like the veggie nuggets and they all were put on the floor as soon as they were handed to him they landed on the floor. What a funny little guy. Then after dinner I put a piece of bubble wrap from a package on the floor and had him stand on it. He had a ball stomping on the bubble wrap. The next time I do it with him I'll have to find the small bubbles since he's not quite heavy enough to pop the bubbles. He is such a cute little goof.

Swimming

As a bit of an update, we've changed locals. We were at Sick Kids, got to go home for the weekend (yay!) and then checked into Bloorview yesterday for our stay here. All of the therapists seem quite pleased with how well he is doing. This is fantastic as far as I'm concerned. Hopefully it means we won't be here for too too long. He's remembering that he likes food. Today he ate more in one sitting that he did some days before the surgery. That was awesome. He's super picky about what he will and will not eat, but we're hoping to pack the pounds back on. We still have to work on him drinking more or he'll have to have his nose tube put back in. We're hoping he won't have to have that happen. The best part of today though was swimming. They have family swim here at Bloorview 2 nights a week. We were able to get signed up for tonight (apparently that's almost unheard of to get clearance that quickly). I wasn't sure how he would be in the pool. The last we had him in one, he kept trying to fall asleep. It was right after we started some of the seizure drugs. He does like baths though so I figured he might like it. Like it was an understatement. He screeched with joy, giggle and had a great old time for the hour we were in the pool. He didn't want to leave. He even figured out how to kick without me really showing him how. I think we are going to be signing up for sure for swimming every time it's offered.

Healing and getting better

So our little guy is doing better and better every day. My sister was telling me that the change in 3 days was huge. She had been here on Friday and came back to see him on Monday. As I post this he's playing in his crib. And he is becoming more and more my wee little boy I had before the surgery. I like that he's starting to be his cheerful self again. We still have a ways to go. He's not particularly interested in eating which means he might have to get his NG tube put back in. My poor skinny skinny little guy. We are hoping that in the next few days he will be transferred up to Bloorview so he can start his rehabilitation in earnest and can come home sooner rather than later. But overall he is doing well and his surgeon is pleased with him. So that's good.

A picture

I thought I would post up a photo of Munchkin. I took this a day ago.




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Location:Sick Kids

A Munchkin Update

Apologies to all about the lack of updates about our wee Munchkin. He's been a snuggle monster and just wants to snuggle all of the time which doesn't leave much in the way of time to update the internets. He's doing reasonably well. He is very grumpy and would like to sleep all the time. He's also got a rather delicate tummy and wants to throw up at least once a day. He is slowly getting better. Today he was giggling a little at the bubbles his therapist was blowing.

It's Weird Without Munchkin

Tonight Munchkin is in the ICU and it's really strange not having him in the house. He's doing well the last we saw him before we came home. He was asleep with some buddies watching over him. It was a stressful day, but my Munchkin seems to be doing very well and we're so grateful it went well. Sophie, Hudson and Bunny are watching over him tonight.

Surgery a success

We just spoke without surgeon and the surgery was a success. So we can see him in about half an hour.

Yay


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Today's the Day

We've just left out little Munchkin in the good hands of his surgeon. And now we wait and worry the whole time.


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Location:Sick Kids

Munchkin goes on a Bike Ride

Today Munchkin went on his first bike ride. He road with me in the Ride for Heart. Super early this morning we packed him up in the bike trailer and off I went to do the ride with the team from my office. For those that don't know, Ride for Heart is an annual event in Toronto where the Gardner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway are closed for the morning so riders who have signed up and done fundraising for the Heart & Stroke foundation can ride up and down the highway that is usually congested with cars. You also have a choice of three distances, 25k, 50k or 75k. This year we did the 25k. I thought that 50k would be too much for the little munchkin and well for me since I haven't really done much in the way of bike riding this spring. Munchkin did pretty well. He had a little meltdown when we got onto the Don Valley from the Gardiner. The helmet was pretty heavy on his head and his head kept flopping forward. Once we had a little snuggle and he calmed down, I got him rearranged with some blankets so his head would stay upright and comfy. He promptly fell asleep and stayed that way for the rest of the ride. All in all it was a good ride. I managed to raise $1378 for the Heart & Stroke Foundation. This was the best year yet for donations. It was so wonderful to be able to bring Munchkin with me this year. It's become an important event for me to take part in because of him and this year especially so because I wanted to do something in honour of his honorary grandfather Charlie who passed away this past March from heart issues. Munchkin's Mom. PS. I'll post some pictures tomorrow.

A Munchkin Medical Update

I've been putting off writing this post for awhile. Many of you know already,but some don't that our wee little Munchkin is going to need some brain surgery to correct his seizure disorder since all of the drugs we've been giving him haven't been able to completely control the seizures. He had some testing done back in January that indicated that he would need to have the surgery. The surgery is going to be happening in just a few weeks in June. He's going to have what is called a functional hemispherectomy. If you are going to google it as I know some of you will, make sure you put the functional in front and ignore any articles about just hemispherectomy. That is a different surgical procedure and a really nasty one and you don't want to have happen to our Munchkin. Basically it means we are disassociating his right and left brain. All of his seizures are in the left side of the brain. And apparently over time the left brain can teach the right brain how to have seizures too and that would not be good at all. Also, in a large number of cases this surgery gets rid of the seizures completely. It's pretty scary stuff, but it should help him get better. They are predicting that he will get back to normal afterwards with therapy etc. He will at least temporarily lose the ground he's gained with his right arm, but they feel that he should do well. We don't know when the surgery is going to be, but we'll keep you updated. Our poor little guy has a long road ahead of him, but he's a little fighter and he's going to be just fine. Here's a link to some info about the surgery. Also we have apparently "The Guy" for our surgeon so that makes me feel a little better. Our little guy just loves scaring us to death. http://www.webmd.com/epilepsy/functional-hemispherectomy I've set up a "care page" with Sick Kids which I believe we can use for sending out notices and the like. If you would like to get updates just shoot me an meal and I can add you to the list.

Swinging in the Park

Today while out and about on errands and walking around we ended up near the park in Kensington Market.  So we decided to have a break to have a swing.  Munchkin really really loved the swing.  He hasn't been in awhile and had lots and lots of fun.  The higher we pushed him the more he giggled.

What a funny little eater

Our little guy is not so much on the eating of solid foods.  We're slowly getting him to try things, but for the most part he's not much into eating.   We've been trying all sorts of different foods to see what he might want.  And what does he seem to want to eat?  Tomatoes.  Raw tomatoes.  He has a fun time popping  a tomato in his mouth and squishing it around.

And then there were Nine

This morning as I was applying "teethy gel" to my Munchkin's sore gums I discovered that tooth number nine has arrived! Let's hope that the other few little white bumps pop soon so he doesn't have to be so uncomfy.


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Yay for the Heart

Good news is good news.

Today our Munchkin had his heart checked out.  He needs this done periodically just to make sure everything is working as it should.

So after spending most of the day at Sick Kids (these things always take longer than they should) we got the good (expected) news that his heart is just fine and they don't need to see him again for another year and a half.

Yay!

Munchkin & Tabitha

Just thought I would share this one.  It's kind of cute.  Tabitha loves her little boy.

What a Funny Munchkin

Munchkin is such a funny little boy.  As I think almost everyone knows, he has consistently refused to drink out of a bottle since birth and has only recently agreed that drinking out of a cup and a sippy cup are ok things to do.  We're actually still practicing with that.  Well there is a specific time period where he will drink out of a bottle it would seem.  This happened a few weeks ago and again today.  Both of these times he was absolutely miserable and only wanted to nurse all day long.  I have a small problem with that because he also has a tendency to bite when he's teething too.  So needless to say I was trying to figure out an alternative so I offered him a bottle.  Surprisingly he will take it.  But only when teething.  If you offer it at any other time he will flat out refuse.

Of course I had to take a picture for proof.  

Some Happy

March hasn't been a very happy post month, so I bring you....

Ride for the Heart 2012

This year I am participating in the Ride for the Heart again in June 2012.  A big part of the reason I do this event is my Munchkin since as you all know he was born with a heart defect and had a stroke on the first day he was hanging around.  I don't want other families to have to go through what we have to try and get our Munchkin well.

This year I have an even more special reason.  A very special friend who was like Robbie's 3rd Grandfather passed away yesterday from heart troubles rather suddenly.  This makes it even more important to me to go out and try to get the research done so we can beat heart disease.

If you can donate, I would really appreciate it.

Do it for these guys!

Another Goodbye

Dear Robbie,

I am so terribly sad to tell you that today a very special someone in your life died today.  Your "Grandpa" Charlie who was really as far as we were concerned your 3rd Grandpa passed away very suddenly this morning.  He loved you very much and considered you one of his grandkids.

I am so very very sad that you are going to have to grow up without him in your life.  He was one of the most kind, generous and fun people in the world. He had such plans for fun with you.

Your first Meeting.  You were a little skeptical at first, but then decided he was great

You had such a wonderful time when you were with him.  He gave you your first taste of ice cream and was looking forward to taking you with him to town with all the kids on the beach for ice cream when you were up at the cottage.  You had great little chats together.

All covered in chocolate ice cream

He had some heart surgery earlier year and was excited about comparing scars with you the next time he saw you.  I so wish he was still here so you could do that.

My heart goes out  to his wife, children and grandchildren who have lost him.  The world has lost one of the most wonderful person in it  and there is a void there now that I don't think can be filled.

He will never be forgotten and is very missed.



Love Mom

Goodbye Cranberry

Dear Robbie,

When you're older you won't remember one of your first pets.  When you got here we had two cats, Cranberry and Tabitha.  Sadly today was the day that Cranberry had to leave us.  She was quite ill and in lots of pain.  I am so sorry you won't get to pull on her tail and chase her around the house when you are a little older.    She was a funny cat.  She was very shy but super snuggly.  After you came along she was always competing with you for time on my lap.  She wanted her lap time so badly that she would often get up on my lap while you were there and would squish herself in to get her cuddle time.  And she would let you smash her with your hands while the three of us would be snuggled up together.  She will be missed.

2003 to 2012

Love Mom

First Art Project

Yesterday my Munchkin worked on his first art project.  The daycare gave it to us today so we could have the first one.  Apparently he had a great time mucking around with the paint.

I present to you Robbie's masterpiece!

Horay for Eating and Drinking!

For the past little while we've been battling our little Munchkin's lack of appetite and having no desire to learn how to drink out of a sippy cup.  It's mostly been the newest medication we've had him on.  One of the side effects is a lack of appetite.

It was a bit frustrating that our little guy didn't want to eat.  But in the past two weeks that seems to have changed.  He's been eating more and more almost every day and this week he decided that drinking out of  a cup and a sippy cup isn't so bad and that he was rather interested in it.  He still has a ways to go.  It's still a messy unpredictable affair, but he's getting more out of the cup and into him than ever before.

Now we have to work on his menu choices a little bit, but that will come with time.  Currently all he really wants to eat is vanilla yoghurt, mangos, banana and strawberry.  I think he needs a little variety:)

I promise to take some pictures and post them this weekend.  We've been so busy being back at work and daycare that there are less opportunities.

A Whole Year!

Wow,  one year ago today Bruce and I were so excited.  It was the day we got to bring our little Munchkin home.

I still can't believe how the time has flown and how much he has grown.

Tooth Number 8

It looks like tooth number eight should be making it's appearance any moment now.  I think tooth number nine will be hot on it's heels.

The month of January

January was a long long month for our poor little Munchkin. It seems like he was sick all month. That wasn't really the case, but it seemed like it. He ended up having a bout of gastroenteritis which was no fun at all. We felt so horrible for him.

Then this past week just as he got over that it seems he managed to get an ear infection. So he's on antibiotics for that. But he does seem to be on the mend and is starting to turn back into our cheerful little boy again. This makes us happy.

Here is hoping that the month of February will be much better.





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This time last year!

This time last year, we had just finished visiting our little boy in the ICU after the surgery to repair his heart.  He was full of tubes and had beeping monitors all around him.  

Today I'm watching him play and laugh and smile and giggle.  It's a much better day.

I can't believe it has already been a year.