Five months old!

Today was Alyssa's five month check up. She is now 12lbs 2oz, 60.5cm with a head circumference of 41cm. She grew almost 2lbs and almost 2cm in the past month and I'm pretty sure she's going through a growth spurt right now, as she seems to want to eat all the time now.

She loves to stand on your lap. It's a different position for her. She watches Riley and Darcy like a hawk when they come into her line of sight and smiles when they wag their tales in front of her.

London's Rib Fest

Last weekend we went to London's Rib Fest at Victoria Park. We chose the vendor with the longest line as we figured it was long for a reason. They ended up being the best damn ribs we've ever had! Alyssa loved it, she slept right through it! Can't wait for next years!

Proof that I was there!

Alyssa's new bunny. She's still so small next to it!

The Finish Line!

Well, he did it! Craig crossed the finish line for the 4th year of the MS Ride! We are so proud of him as it is a feat that not many are willing to do!!! He's feeling good today, just tired from the ride itself. Alyssa and I were there to send him off and watch him cross the finish line. Craig's brother and niece, Mom and Grandma were also there to wish him congratulations and give him support for doing such an amazing thing.

MS Ride from Grand Bend to London

Today and tomorrow is Craig's ride for Multiple Sclerosis from Grand Bend to London. In total it is a 160km ride. There are as many as 1700 riders this year and Craig is part of the TD Green Machines. There are about 60 people on his team. Even though he wasn't as prepared as other years for this ride with the babies and all, I know he'll do a fantastic job. Alyssa and I gave him the big send off this morning and followed him for a bit. I think Alyssa wants to go back on vacation, she slept better there than here! Here are some pics of him and his team and on the road. Please keep your thoughts and prayers with him to get him home safe and sound and without too much pain!

"yay dad!"

Week at the Cottage

Here are some pictures of our vacation at a cottage near Bayfield. We had a great week and really only had about half days of rainy weather with one day of excellent weather. Alyssa was fantastic and nearly slept the whole week! She's such a great traveller! Can't wait to do it again next year!

The side of the cottage that we rented! Plus mom in her tent.

The long way down to the beach.

About as close to making sand castles as she could get!

First time on the beach.

Riley borrowed Jessy's lifejacket because when we both swim, he comes out and swims with us and wears himself out!

Loved the carrier. I should really use it more often. Made going down the stairs much easier!

Darcy liked the water, but only about up to her knees. This time she tried to go out and get Riley's water toy before he could, but then realized she doesn't like to swim and tried to jump on for a ride back to shore.

They wore themselves out, big time!

Waiting for the baby skunk to come back for a visit.

My new favourite picture of Riley

Preparing for chicken kebobs! Yum!

Uncle Adam changing his first diaper!

Big Girl

Well as promised, here is the report from today's doctors appointment. She weighs 10lbs 6oz and is 58cm long with a head circumference of 40.5cm. She has almost reached the percentile chart for weight for babies of her same age, so that is a good thing. She is in the 10th percentile of four month old babies in terms of height. Give her another few months and she will look the same as all her 4month old friends. She got her shots today...not pretty. I can handle her cries, even the nighttime ones. But this one was pretty sad. She had actual tears but once we got into the car, the movement put her right to sleep. Then I was getting ready to feed her and she was laying on her change table smiling away! She has a short term memory, just like her Mom!

Four months already, can you believe it? So much has happened. Toronto just doesn't even feel like it happened. Mya is very real and still very close to our heart, but the events leading up to their births are a blur. I haven't mentioned anything of Mya on here, but I would like everyone to know that we are doing ok. She is always on our minds and in our hearts and every little thing reminds us of her. I often wonder what we would be dealing with right now. Would we still be in Toronto awaiting her recovery? Would she be home by now? Would she be smiling now like Alyssa is? Would she be fussy like Alyssa at night? These are things we just don't know. It's things like reaching 4 months that makes us really miss her! But we are hanging in there. And when we are having a bad moment all we need is a smile from baby girl and we remember Mya's purpose on Earth for there is a little bit of her shining through Alyssa's beautiful blue-gray eyes!

Love,
Lindsay and Craig

Four months old today.

Alyssa's four month birthday was celebrated with some of her godparents, Dustin and Christy. It had been a long time since they've seen her, and she sure has grown lots! She was so happy to see them! Love them both!

Here are some stats at four months in case some of you are wondering what she's been up to:

• She holds her head up on her own about 90% of the time
• Smiles back at you when you're smiling at her
• Loves being talked to
• Burps REALLY easily
• Is sometimes really fussy at nights (possibly colicky)
• Kicks really hard when you're changing her
• Is able to stand on her own, and feels better when she does
• Drinks 3-4 ounces every 3 hours and drinks much quicker than she did in the hospital!
• Loves her soother, but will suck on pretty much anything that reaches her mouth
• Eyes are blue-grey
• Sleeps through the nights almost every night
• Still loves her swing
• Is very alert and looks around at things (especially lights)
• Lifts her head when laying on her stomach

As far as weight goes, we have a doctor's appointment on Wendesday and I will post on here how much she weighs then.

Until then,

Lindsay

July Updates

Alyssa had her second DFC (developmental follow-up clinic) appointment on Thursday of last week. The physiotherapist is quite happy with how she's progressing in terms of development. She does pretty good with holding her head on her own and she does a good job keeping it straight when lying down. She is amazed at how she follows objects and faces really well. I am finding she likes to be held outwards as opposed to inwards so she can look around. She comes by the 'noseyness' honestly :) We don't have to go back until she's 4 months corrected, so that's really good news.

I had another Echo on Friday at the hospital for my heart. The cardiologist wanted his own pictures. The scan was much more thorough than the Echo I had previously. The cardiologist is not too concerned with what's going on. He says some people have what I have and never thinking anything of it and only because they saw it in my c-section am I getting it looked into. He can put me on beta-blockers, but it will just slow me down and quite frankly, I'm tired enough as it is.

Saturday was Carol and Don Langford's 40th anniversary and most of the Stuart clan were there. It was great seeing everyone again in a much more relaxed atmosphere than the last time we saw them. It's amazing how quickly the kids grown when it's been months since you've seen everyone. I am truly blessed to have married into such a great family.

Sunday we went to Ipperwash beach to take the dogs swimming. Alyssa found the beach so exciting that she decided to sleep right through it! The dogs however, had a BLAST! Riley loved chasing after his new water toy and Darcy loved chasing after Riley. They made a new friend. Scout, a flat-coated retriever. LOVE this dog! She looked just like Riley but was black. Once we sell Darcy, this is what we're getting (kidding!...)

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

The Family on Canada Day!