Grassland Liberation

Today I met up with Barb and her ADORABLE kids Naveen and Prachetas. It took us weeks, and weeks, and weeks to finally get together (damn sick kids) but it was worth the wait. We grabbed a coffee at 'Bucks and fed the kids some brunch. After a while all 3 kids got a bit squirmy so we walked over to Sapperton Park. I'll be honest, I wasn't a huge fan of the park before, but It kind of grew on me today. I usually walk the extra 10 blocks to Hume Park (which I adore, this park has everything) but we were on a tight schedule, and Sapperton Park was right next door. So we walked over and put the kids on the swings. An adorable photo op... but I forgot. Prachetas giggled away, Miss K watched him with a smirk, and Naveen ran wild. Then we went over to the big swings, another great photo op, but I forgot. I watched Prachetas walk around, occasionally sitting and playing with the grass and I laughed at how uptight I am. I wouldn't let K sit/crawl on the grass in case she got wet/dirty. How stupid am I? She is a kid right? So I let go. I let her crawl, and sit, and fall in love with the grass. She ripped it, tossed it, and I think even sampled a few blades. She was adorable, and I fell even more in love with her. 

(she looks a little unsure... but seconds later she was all smiles)

Kahlen LOVED having Naveen there, and I think Naveen was enjoying having another little girl around. Kahlen and she sat, sometimes snuggling side-by-side, enjoying the sun and the grass. As soon as I picked up the camera Naveen played shy, lay down and covered her eyes. SO cute! Kahlen, was totally oblivious to me and the camera... "can't smile mom, eating grass."

And finally we walked (yes all of us walked... K with some help though) over to a grassy area and the kids helped themselves to an impromptu picnic. Kahlen clutched her new snack cup (a wonderful invention) and Naveen sprinkled the contents of a second snack cup (which I had no idea was in the stroller basket) on the grass for her and her brother to share. They sat snacking, and I stood watching, dumbfounded by how big our little premies have become (P was a 26 weeker). 

I find it so exciting and heart wrenching when I watch her grow up, or more accurately, when I turn around and realize she has grown up without me noticing. I am hoping the weather is nice tomorrow, I am in the mood for another park day!

First Trip to the Park

We have been having unseasonable warm (and DRY) weather as of late, so Miss K and I headed to the park with good friends of ours Candace, Kayla, and Hayley! This was Miss Ks first trip to the park and I think I was more excited than she was! When we got there Miss K took her first trip on the swings. At first she wasn't too keen about the whole thing, but she warmed up the the idea after watching pseudo big sister Hayley show her how fun it can be!

After some time on the little kid swings we headed over to the big kid swings. Miss K and I shared a swing and Hayley sat beside us, chatting with us and making Miss K smile.

When we had all had enough swinging, we headed over the the quasi elephant shaped bouncy see saw thing and took a ride (much less kinky than it sounds... ha ha ha).

It was a great day, and Miss K sure enjoyed the park and some time with BFFs Kayla and Hayley. Miss K and Kayla go way back to the NICU days, and Hayley is Kayla's big sister. The 3 girls are too cute together. I think, in the not so far future, Hayley might find herself being the object of a little hero worship from the 2 younger girls.

Hayley and Kayla

Candace and I had fun too, and I have Candace to thank for all the pictures (I forgot my camera).

Fancy Friday

Today some of us NICU mom-babe teams headed over to Jessica's for a play date. I've already blogged about the good, bad and ugly of a play date so I won't bother with that. This time we took some pictures of the kids, all together, so we could document their friendship from the get-go.

(Starting in the top left hand corner going clockwise:

Kayla, Abbigayle, Sophia, Cameron (our stud) Kahlen and Josie)

We lay the kiddos down on the floor with their heads close together. Getting six kids, all of whom can roll over, to stay on their backs was surprisingly easy. Then again, our kids ARE insanely smart, so it wasn't THAT big a surprise. It was a great time, and Im so glad we were able to get some pics of the kids together. Next time we need to organize a get together with ALL the NICU grads :)

Play Date 2009

Okay, Im behind on the blog (big surprise eh?). And maybe worse than being behind, I've become a thief. The pictures you are about to see are stolen... well maybe I should say 'borrowed' because I have a feeling the person I 'borrowed' them from won't mind (I hope!!).

So, the post...

On Dec 30th Kahlen and I hosted her first playdate. Naturally I invited some of the NICU mommas (I love these women) and the worlds cutest premature babes over. I frantically cleaned before their arrival, trying to make the impression I am a good house keeper (which is a huge lie...and I think they fell for it!) and that I can juggle and balance all the elements of my life successfully (what a joke!). But eventually, I managed to hide all our junk in the nooks and crannies of our home. I put out the spread of goodies. Sadly it happened so long ago I don't even remember what amazing things I bought and then put on a plate and pretended I made. Yes I do that! AND... the girls and babes came over.

We chatted, and ate, and admired each others kids. I may be biased but we have REALLY good looking kids. I mean really.. these kids are going to grow up to be HOT! Anyways, I digress. We chatted and relaxed and swapped horror stories. Poonamis, puke, sleep deprivation, and all the glamorous parts of motherhood. Jokes aside though. These women reassure me, support me, advise me, laugh with me, and make my life better. I am thankful for them, and oddly enough, thankful that our kids were all premature and that we had the chance to meet, bond, and develop freindships. I fell as though I have known some of these women my whole life, and most I have known for less than 10 months. Our kids have literally grown up together and I am grateful that Kahlen's first friends come from such loving, caring, and genuinely wonderful families!

First Date

Where does the time go?

Yesterday: learning to make farting noises with your mouth.

Today: Your first date.

Okay... calm down. It wasn't a REAL date.

There were chaperones!

Ha ha ha.

So Kahlen and her Man (Adam) went on a movie date, and agreed to let their mom's tag along. We went to Silver City Coquitlam and took in the 'Stars and Strollers' movie (its just for moms/babes and has lowered volume, more lights on, change tables, and stroller parking). The kids were VERY well behaved and aside from a random fire alarm which made me panic, pick-up Kahlen, and knock over the popcorn and my drink... I..*ahem* We, had a great time!

Ahhhhh. They grow up so fast!

Walks at Rocky Point

In an effort to loose my 'baby weight' I have been making an effort to walk every other day. Kahlen always joins me and is a cheerful and motivating walking partner. Other Mom/Babe combos walk with us when they can and its nice to catch up and get some fresh air.

This is Kahlen and her partner in crime Kayla in their 'big girl' strollers for the first time.

The girls taking in the view at the end of the Rocky Point pier!

Aren't we cute?

Oh the places you'll go....

I have given much thought to how kahlen has changed our lives. I think other than the obvious joy and sense of purpose she give me, her early arrival has given me the chance to meet and bond with other people, whom I might have otherwise never known. I have met a mother of 4 who inspires me with her love, strength, and ability to forgive and celebrate circumstance. I have met a mother of two who helps me laugh at myself and feel good about the smallest milestones and silly quirks. I have met a tiny babe and her parents who keep me grounded by reminding me to celelbrate the present and the future..." oh the places you'll go". I have met 2 first time mommas who remind me that babies change and get big so quick, and how to enjoy the littlest and most adorable parts of Kahlen while she is young. I am so thankful for every momma and daddy I have met through the NICU. I honestly own them big time. Without them my sanity would be a thing of the past. So thank-you moms and dad. Thank you for helping me understand how a serries of unexpected events can bring people together, and for being strong for me when I needed it most!