First Day of Kindergarten

Last night, Jakob was so excited to lay out his clothes in preparation for his first day of Kindergarten. I'm not going to lie, I was super emotional about the whole thing. He chatted, and chatted about all the friends he was going to make, about how his brain couldn't wait to learn French, and that he hoped I wouldn't miss him too much while he was away learning. Ah, he's a sweetheart for certain.

He says the funniest things, I should seriously start to carry a notebook with me. Yesterday's gem was "I have a voicebox, Mommy, did you know that?" I said I did know, to which he said "I didn't have one when I was a baby..." no? "No, I had a cry box! Aren't you glad I exchanged it?".

He went to bed like a big boy, in his own room, with the door closed a lights off. I went to bed (DH had Ellie downstairs waiting for the nurse), and looked through old photos of him as a baby. I can't believe that my little baby is going to school, BIG boy school!

This morning, we got up early, and all had breakfast together as a family. Jakob got himself dressed, and posed for the obligatory "back-to-school" photo.

Jakob as a baby

Jakob at One

Jakob at Two/First Day of Preschool Year 1

Jakob's first day of Preschool Year 2

Jakob's first day of Kindergarten

Honestly, this all feels like it has gone by in the blink of an eye. Next year, Ellie is going to start Preschool, and then life is really going to get busy. But, before I get too ahead of myself, I have to adjust to this new change, having my boy away all day, every weekday, and soccer on Saturdays. Should be a fantastic year!

One SMALL Step 2013 Recap

Our walk this year was a way bigger success than I had anticipated, thanks to the army of friends and family that came out to support us, to volunteer, and put on a great event!

September 3, 2013 Total!

I was thrilled with the coverage we got through the media, and I have many ideas for next year!

Before I get ahead of myself, I'm going to take some time to adjust to having a kindergarterner (OMG!) and to going back to work. Busy, busy!

A few photos from our day:

We had two registration booths this year, pre-registered

...and new walkers. GREAT volunteers!

Face-painting and the Clown were popular!

Lots of puppies came out for the walk

The Lady of the Day :)

We had a huge silent auction, which raised over $1100

Not as big a turnout as last year, but still terrific!

Our PWS families

The warm out, Ellie was so into it

Warming up, thanks to our fitness volunteer Shauna!

And, she's off!

Couldn't have been a better day!

Pink Apple Juice with Jakob

Great delight in making up stories about the apples being sliced!

Apples, Sliced Apples, Apple Cores!

I want to do it all myself!

He is so capable!

Boil with some water until mushy

Strain through sieve

Strain again through Coffee Filter!

Wait forever for it to run through, then refrigerate!

Prader Willi awareness | Watch GlobalNews Videos

Prader Willi awareness | Watch GlobalNews Videos

D-Day 2013

Today is the two year anniversary of Diagnosis Day. Two years since I sent an email to everyone I knew to tell them that I needed them to help me fix her future. I can't quite believe it's been two years since the phone call that changed my direction in life. SO much has changed for me, and it's undeniable that we've been through quite the journey thus far.

A week after her diagnosis

Ellie inspires me every single day.

Ellie at 27 months

For the past two weeks, Jakob has been on vacation with my MIL and cousins, up 7 hours away from here, with no cell service. Needless to say, I can't take Ellie somewhere with no easy hospital access, so the two of us (and DH when he's been off shift) have been really able to enjoy each other.

I've lost track of the number of new words she's acquired, they've all come on so suddenly! She blabbers and chats all day long, and now I understand what she wants most of the time. It's unreal! I can't wait for her next speech therapy appointment, her slp is going to be blown away with the progress.

This bodes well for my plans for the Fall. Jakob starts preschool in *gasp* just a few short weeks. That means I have alone time with little E every weekday! Time to sign her up for some toddler classes, and really get her back on track. We have gymnastics, swimming, and play groups lined up. Should be an adventure!

Today, we walked maybe 10 houses down from us, and back home, and she did it all on her own, she didn't even want help coming up the curbs. Seriously, progress!!

We got her, on the recommendation of her pt, a Strider bike. Love at first sight! Strider was the only brand that had a frame short enough to fit her, and she's still needing to be on tippy toes at the lowest setting. That's alright, for the time being we intend to only let her practice on the carpet and on the lawn. She doesn't need any more skinned knees or bonks to the head.

Best Present Ever!

Our walk is coming up quickly! Yesterday we had the privilege to do a catch-up interview with the reporter who has been covering our story since the beginning. He came to take new photos of Ellie, and marveled at her progress.  I'm excited to see how many people come out, even though we haven't spent as much time planning or promoting the event. If you haven't already, check out our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/OneSmallStepLadner

Ellie's New Room

It's been very busy, unpacking, vacationing, and unpacking again. I am in LOVE with our new house, and find myself constantly on the go doing something. This afternoon,  Ellie graced me with a nap, and having finished the vacuuming,  I was able to paint her a canvas for one of the walls in her room.
Ellie's favourite song is Darius Rucker's Wagon wheel. It seems fitting for my little country girl.

I used my dusty old Cricut, to cut the lettering out of leftover vinyl shelf liner. Please excuse the terrible photos, my proper camera is in a box!

Cut out vinyl and stuck to canvas

Painted using a piece of paper towel

Let dry, and Peeled off the lettering

. 

Hung!

End of June

The past few weeks have been heavenly. As close to feeling normal as I think we have felt since Ellie was born.  I can't tell you how incredible it is to have her walking! It was our biggest goal,  and it took way longer to reach than we thought it would to reach; although, she did reach it a full year  before the doctors thought she would when she was first diagnosed.

As with everything,  she had to do it in her own time. 

Since my last update, Ellie has had her hearing checked, and is hearing normally! The surgery worked! She has issues listening because she missed out on so much time when she should have been hearing properly, so now we have to really work to get her attention. But, at least she CAN hear.
Today, we had vision testing, and follow-up for probable strabismus (fancy word for lazy eye). It took eight months to get in to see the ophthalmologist. Eight months of waiting is pretty brutal. But, she was a trooper at her appointment! Funny little thing giggled when she got her eye drops in! Most children cry their eyes out when they get the drops, because they apparently sting a fair bit. I suppose there's a benefit to having a much higher pain tolerance than normal, and less sensory reception. What should have taken 2 hours, took less than an hour because she was so cooperative. It turns out that she's quite far sighted, so we made a stop off at the I glasses store (the same place I got my glasses when I was little!) to order her first pair. Since her face is so small, there were only two frames that would fit her! We decided pretty quickly on which ones to buy. Doesn't she look grown up?

We are moving this week!  I'm so glad it's summertime, and that we're going to have the space to really enjoy the outdoors with her this year. We've been going for lots of long walks, exploring our new neighbourhood, and all the dyke trails and farms around us. Being outside, in the fresh air does wonders for all of us!

Stay tuned for an onslaught of posts, as we settle into our new house, and I get to redesigning our living space :)