This is the weekend...

that the Davis family learns to bike!

Gavin was riding his bike last summer, but was having a hard time starting and stopping. Mainly because I bought a bike that was too big for him (ahem). Last night he tried his bike for the first time this year. I helped him get going and that was it. He is riding like a pro. He's riding as confidently as a kid who has been doing it for three years!! Ataboy!

Bronwyn's little bike was broken so we needed to get her a new one. A neighbor offered one of their old bikes. I was worried because it didn't have training wheels, but she seemed to want it. We brought it home and I helped her for about two minutes in front of our house. When daddy got home she asked if he'd help her. So out they went.

I was inside with Mari, who was still getting suited up. They were out for about 5 minutes. Gavin came in and yelled, "Mom, Bronwyn is riding her bike with Dad just jogging beside her." I grabbed a camera and ran.

She is still having some steering and getting started issues, I think the bike is a bit heavy for her. But once again she has amazed us!! She is so determined and just works so hard. I never thought getting my little girl (heart condition and all) to balance on a bike would be so easy. Specially after the drama of trying to teach Gavin to ride a bike (sorry buddy).

Mari has been flying on her little run bike, her balance is amazing and she has no fear. So she'll be riding in no time, I just don't want to get her a normal bike until Bronwyn has had her turn to get comfortable.

I'm going to need to get myself a bike now so I can keep up. I just need to find a really wide seat for my ample butt!

Change can be a good thing... ?

Saturday will go down in our family annuls as, "not one of Mommy's best days." Before I start, in my defense, I was exceptionally tired. Gavin has been waking up in the night with bad dreams for a while now and Friday night was quite a long night!

Gavin was difficult Saturday morning, which was great since his Dad had to go meet with some clients. So I was left, over tired and negotiating a terribly cranky (and in his defence - sickish) kid.

We made it through that, but I was just not feeling myself. There were kids in and out of the house, mostly out.

Finally Wes came home and we had a quick lunch. I decided to have a bath. I wanted to shave my legs as we were going "out." Our neighbors had insisted that we go out, they gave us a gift card to a near bye restaurant and insisted that they would also babysit. Cause they are great like that!

I turned on the water but before I could undress the neighbors came up to our door to admire Bronwyn's brand new scooter (which she is very proud of by the way). I popped out to chat a bit. When I came in I looked at Wes and my face dropped, "The Bath!" I yelled! Wes just shook his head slowly and said, "I turned it off." Whew - disaster averted.

I usually trim Wes' hair for him. He had borrowed Dad's hair buzzer set (whatever they are called). So we sat down, since the kids were all outside and set him up for a hair cut. I am not a hair dresser, in fact I always laugh that I have only one hair cut in my arsenal. I stick a 1/2 inch guard on the buzzer thing and just trim his hair - short back and sides.

Apparently, as I learned, I have two hair cuts in my arsenal.

I got everything plugged in and fiddled with this and that and then starting at the top of his head I took a long swath of hair. It took about 1/2 a second to realize that I had not put a guard on the buzzer. I was staring at a long bald strip down my husband's head. I gasped!! His hand flew up and he laughed and asked what I was doing.

Well, he took it very well - I however, cried and well...

There was no choice, we couldn't hide it. It would take a Donald Trump type comb over to cover the damage and Wes' hair wasn't that long!

So, Wes now has a VERY short back and sides cut! He looks like he is just home from on weekend leave from the army (well maybe they have more hair than he does). Or, that we were treating him for lice! Either way - it was my fault!

We went on our date and I am glad to say that even with his hair buzzed off my husband is still the sexiest man I know!

This morning Mari said, "Mommy, I miss Daddy's hair. When will it come back?"

Soon Mari, soon... I hope.

A display of the health system at its best

When Bronwyn was born I worried a lot. There is often a lot of news coverage about the failing of our health care system. Long waits, inappropriate treatments and other horrors. I had never needed more than a surface understanding of our medical system, and I certainly had not required more than basic services.

We were amazed at how efficiently and quickly the system worked for us. I have occasionally tried to explain to people how the system is set up, but it was truly a bit confusing to me. I knew it was a large network and there was a base of  collaboration and communication.

I found this video while surfing on You Tube. It helps explain the system very well. Oh and many of our favourite doctors are interviewed, as well as many of our favourite staffers are shown in the video. A nicely put together video that shows just how world class the care our children are receiving.

Its a little long, but it is really worth the watch.

Davis family trip

The Davis family was looonng over due for a family vacation. After a very difficult year we decided that we needed a nice break. We flew to Houston to stay with our close friends Mike and Andrea Reid.

They run the nicest Hotel near Houston. We recommend it highly! They are the most gracious hosts and we enjoyed our stay.

I may try upload a few more picts but here are a couple for now.

Busy world

We've been busy! Really busy! Well... I've been busy.

I found this very sleepy dragon in my house one day!

My lovely husband gave me roses! Isn't he wonderful!

Our little scholar!

Gavin playing chess with his Grandpa!

I have been working from home some. It may not be for too long, I'm just not sure at the moment. I got a call from the company I used to work with, before kids. And they asked if I'd be able to help out for a while.

It has been interesting and well, fairly nice to be back in the old loop again. Many of the people I used to work with are still there - they are "good people."

So far it is working well with life and kids and I'm still able to do Wes' stuff.

It wasn't something I was looking for, but sometimes good things come looking for you!

A Facebook chat

I had a facebook chat with a friend, rather publicly on a link I had posted. In case this friend is reading, there was nothing wrong with the discussion AT ALL, it just caused me to reflect and think.

I think, and maybe I am misinformed, but I am speaking from my experiences over the last several years... As I said, I think that there are some misconceptions about Congenital Heart Defects.

The heart is very mechanical, for lack of a better word. The fixes for many of the congenital heart defects are also pretty mechanical. When people ask about Bronwyn, I laughingly say that the conditioned wasn't fixed but that she's been jerryrigged. I elaborate that the plumbing of her heart has been adjusted. Now this is a gross over simplification, but, people don't understand the complexity of the situation, so I don't bother most times.

The most common misunderstanding is that after her surgeries she has been "fixed." Well, she has in a way, but not in a cure kind of way. There are some CHDs that can be cured by a surgery but many surgery is just part of the on-going treatment.

Many kids have issues with other areas of their heart of other organs all together.

What I have found tough, is that even if you find a child that has the exact same set of conditions as another on paper, the journey they take can be extremely varied. It is the unknown element. The little missing piece that decides whether a child can flourish despite their condition or whether they struggle.

What this is I for one don't know? I do know that if medical people could figure it out they would. They would love to see ever CHD case be a success.

Do I have answers? No.

It is just part of the complexity of these conditions and it bears discussion. Discussion and awareness are always a good thing! Always.

Brag a little

I didn't ask permission to share this news story. But... I think I'll just do it and apologise if I have over-stepped. We are pretty proud of Josh and his teammates!