Happy Halloween!!

And we're back....

Wow, talk about taking a break!!  We've had a great summer and fall - working on the new farm property, celebrating Tahlia's 2nd birthday, starting playgroups, spending time with family, having baby alpacas and kittens - the list goes on!!

Tahlia is doing wonderfully.  She really is a total joy.  She is very determined and likes to 'organize' (aka boss) people and animals.  She plays well on her own and with me but we are working on playing with other children her age - she likes to hit.  Some-days I think we are getting there....but mostly I don't think we are.  :-)   

In July we had a wonderful (but too brief) visit with Todd, Laura and Lucas whom we traveled in China with.  We were so happy they called saying they'd be in Winnipeg.  Lucas is the same adventurous, loving, funny boy we met in China.  Tahlia wasn't too sure of everything, until he offered her a chocolate chip cookie!! 

I will write more soon (really I will!!), but I'll give you what you all really want - PICTURES!! 

Checking out the new baby alpaca

Look mom, I can climb up here all by myself!!  Can I drive??

First swing ride!!

Loving all our land!

Why can't I wear my rubber boots mom??

Corn on the Cob at the Threshermen's Reunion in Austin, MB

I'm the kitten whisperer!!  I LOVE kittens!!

 

Just pictures for now....

Over 2 months ago??  I can't believe that's the last time I posted an entry!!  So sorry.  We're just off to swim lessons, but I thought I could get a few pictures up for you all at least :-)

First Alpaca Show - April 2011

Helping Dad on the tractor

Watching tv while having a snack

Busy with Life

I can't believe it's been so long since we last posted!  Tahlia went for a follow-up with the plastic surgeon last week and he said he'd see us again when she's 4 or 5 years old. O.K.....she's healing up nicely and to help the scarring we should gently rub the site for 2 minutes every day for a while.  Seriously???  I don't think Tahlia got the message.  I'm happy if I get 10-15 seconds in.  One side of her lip is slightly higher, but with this rubbing it may help. And as she grow, it may change as well.

6 weeks post surgery

She's a very busy little girl.  She spends her days walking around the house singing, eating, reading, eating, giving the dogs treats each morning, eating, playing tea party.  She currently has 2 molars and 1 other tooth coming in, so there has been a lot of snuggling and carrying her around this week.  She's understanding tons of what we say now - she'll get her ball, take items to daddy, look for the cat.  She's not saying many more words, but is pointing to what she wants, or pulling us over to it.  She's put on 4lbs since November and now 2ft 5inches.  Her hair is growing, but isn't long enough for pig tails yet!  We're starting swim lessons in 2 weeks - we think Tahlia is going to love it!  We've also have started going to a play group in a town close by - great way to meet other mom's in the area and let Tahlia play with other kids!

I need to be picked up!!!

My first chocolate chip cookie!!

Hard work eating two crackers at once!

The Reveal...

The doctor gave Tahlia the all clear and she's eating real food!!  T.H.A.N.K. G.O.O.D.N.E.S.S!!  The last 3 days of puree food and restraints were the roughest - I'm not sure what we'd have done if we had to do this for another week.  She became extremely clingy and unhappy and crying and didn't know what she wanted.  BUT that's over and she's back to her wonderfully funny, loving and entertaining self.  The tape and the nose stints fell off/out on Sunday evening.  She's started exercising her mouth almost right away and has continue to do so. 

We are applying polysporin twice a day on the surgical site and it is looking very good.  There's some bruising but the doctor was very happy with the result so far.  We'll got back in a month for another follow-up and go from there.

Sunday - just after everything fell off

Today - 'Why are you taking my picture again??''

Today - I LOVE REAL FOOD!!

Post Surgery Update - Day 11

Tahlia is still doing well.  From what I can get a look at, everything seems to be healing nicely.  We have post-surgery appointment on Tuesday Feb 15, so we'll find out for sure then.  And hopefully they'll tell us, no more restraints (PLEASE!!!), back to 'real' food, and 'everything looks good, we'll see you in a month'.  Keep your fingers crossed!  I've had to trim the steri-strips on one side as they lifted and were flapping around.  Her nose stints are getting looser but I think they'll probably hang in there until her appointment.  They are causing her to breath loudly and mouth-breath more which causes more drooling.  The syringe feeding is still going well.  In fact, I'm a little concerned she's not going to want to feed herself!  The restaints are a pain.  Tahlia will whimper/cry when they have to go on, even though she still holds her .  Her sleep is very restless as I think she just can't get comfortable.  During the day, we've (I've) been keeping them off quite a bit.  She's not interested in touching her face, it's putting toys in her mouth I need to watch.  But if I tell her no, she's just move it away and continue playing.  I have to spend more time on the ground playing with her instead of doing dishes, laundry, etc but she's much happier, which makes mommy much happier!!

So what does Tahlia do all day??  She loves to hug the cats, play with her little people housing/farm complex, sing, play on the sofa, and most impressive of all......she decided she can walk by herself today!!!  Walked down the hall, from the LR to the kitchen, to the front door.  I think this should continue into tomorrow, but we'll see.  We also went to our first highschool basketball game today.  My niece Elizabeth is playing in a tournament and we got to see her team win!  Tahlia was very good and enjoyed clapping and hearing us encourage the girls on.

Singing while playing on the couch

Getting ready for bed!

Loving my kitty Bob!

Post Surgery - Day 3

Where's my lunch?!?!

Miss T is still doing great.  Eating and playing like usual....except her arms are stuck straight out!  We took a walk outside today as we're finally getting some nicer weather.  And Grandma (my mom) came for a visit.
We continue to be amazed at how well she's doing.  She'll hold her arms out for us to replace the restraints, happily plays and crawls around, and is pretty good about taking her medications.  She's wanting to be babied a little more than usual, but we're more than happy to snuggle and cuddle and reassure her that we'll help her.  She's such a little treasure!!