Happy Birthday to me

Today was a wonderful birthday (well, as wonderful as it can be when your nearing 40).

We had family all come over and celebrate it with us and we had some moments today that made it extra special.

One being that Payton is pulling herself up to a standing position (1st time in the bathtub today).  Personally I don't think she's ready to do this.  I think she's far less stable than Livy was but maybe that's because my water mark for stability is a 2.75 year old (unlike Livy where I didn't have anything to compare with).

On another note, Payton's 3rd tooth just broke through (one on top) and by all indications there's 3 more right behind.  In the next 2 weeks this baby is going to go from big gummy grin to a big toothy one.

To wrap it all up the Canucks won their 1st playoff game keeping themselves from being eliminated in the 1st round.  While I can't say that I'm overly enjoying the hockey season, at least one game won beats a clean sweep elimination.

All in the last year was good but with a few rocky moments.  We made it though and it has set us up for this next year being pretty stellar.

Here's a few photos since its been so long.  Here's a shot of the Toddler's version of Man Land being too much for Livy.  This was her 1st evening watching Aladin on her new set up.

Best Friends (for now).  Notice Livy's hair is FINALLY growing.  I fear we have the same x many years ahead with Payton as well.  Now the dilemna is whether to cut Livy's into something that's short but neat or let it continue grow albiet unevenly).

April Update

We're doing well.

April's been another busy month with the days getting longer and all of us starting to dip our toe into Spring and testing the waters as to whether we can jump in yet with both feet.  Weather on the coast teaches us to be patient but take advantage of it when we can. 

So Wilma's been out with the girls on the grass having picnics and Dwayne and I have started tackeling biking to Vancouver (or from Vancouver to Squamish) during days where the sun is shining and our shedules allow for it.

On another note, on April 11th Payton had her follow up appointment at BCCH which included a visit to the Occupational Therapist, the NeoNatal followup and Audiology. 

It was a good appointment and it was determined that Payton is right on track (in some cases ahead)with the expected development of a baby who didn't have the challenges she faced. 

We also learned that Payton's fluid in her ears has cleared and while we weren't able to test her ears individually, she passed the hearing test just fine so for all indication, it seems her hearing was due to the fluid.

Recently Payton's been progressing through her crawling stage like wild-fire. I think its one of my most favourite ages since things move so incredibly quickly.  She's just learning to mimic (and will sort of wave or clap back) and her crawling yesterday took a turn for 'the better'.  She'll now scoot on her bum for short distances to keep from committing to dropping on her tummy.

That will be short lived as yesterday, I also picked her up from her crib after a nap and she was sitting up.  Dwayne noticed she was doing the same last night and again I saw her doing it.  She's now going from lying belly down into a sitting position.  For those who aren't aware, this is the start of her pulling herself up.  Where before she didn't have many options to pull herself up now she can crawl (scoot) to an object and get into a sitting position to pull herself up.

Livy has been as entertaining as always and we're learning quickly that a 2.75 year old can be very stubbron and clever.  She's already getting a 'no' from one parent and going to the next one asking the same question (or to Wilma if she's in the vicinity).

We're also one step closer to finishing "Man's Land" for toddlers and we have the small TV mounted in the play room so the girls can watch movies there and we can have less Muppets and Princesses' on our main TV.

We also bought Livy a peddle bike last week.  We took her out riding and thus far she needs a lot of work but we're trying.  I think physically she is able to do it but mentally its a challenge (a lot for a 2-year old brain to process) especially since Dwayne took off the training wheels before she even got on it, so she doesn't even have the practice of turning the pedals before we cut her loose.

All in all our little family is doing well and we're so incredibly excited for summer (well I am anyway)!!!