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There has been so much sadness and fear for Megan since September when she lost the ability to walk. One day glowing with pride and feeling certain she would make the honour role for her Grade 8 graduation! The next day head spinning and bouncing off walls!

Yesterday morning she faced  and conquered a needle phobia in order to complete a test for Wilson’s disease . Very proud of her and thankful to the full waiting room for letting her get into the test before them. However, after she did the blood test bravely Megan encountered her first seizure..her head rolled back, her eyes rolled back, her head and body started convulsing. Extremely scary to watch as a parent for a whole minute. Then she fainted for 5 minutes and is feeling light headed and off today.

I know that my daughter only wanted one thing, she wanted the ability to walk up on stage to get her grade 8 diploma. That could still happen but I am not counting on that in order to make that day special for her!

I want to make this graduation a day where she feels like a princess. I want to find someone to do her hair, her makeup, make a dress for her so that she doesn’t have to fight with traditional sizes that never fit her right or make her feel pretty!  Flowers, decorations for her wheelchair, shoes, photographs to capture a beautiful girl on a perfect day! I have  photographers  offering their services..a friend who will take the train from Hamilton and spend the night to do her makeup on the day of her prom, and I will focus on finding as many ways as possible to make that day one she never forgets!

Michelle, CHFI listener and blogger

I went to a very nice bridal show yesterday afternoon and the sweet table was overwhelming. The hostess gave everyone sweets to take home.

When I got home, Luke had just got up from his nap and wanted a snack. So I gave him the cake from the shower. Like most kids, Luke is a little cake monster. Any cake is good cake to my kid.

He ate some of the cake around 4pm and the rest after his dinner around 6:30pm.

Luke went to bed at his regular time, 8pm but got up at 2:30am and could not go back to sleep until about 5am. This doesn’t happen often anymore, so when it does its usual for a reason. This time, cake was the reason. We ended up watching In The Night Garden for an hour in my bed until he got tired enough that he went back into his crib. He talked to himself in his room for another hour.

So lesson learned, no sweets after 4pm.

Heather, Luke’s mom and CHFI blogger

Yesterday our little family went to a baptism for one of my husband’s cousin’s kids. It was very nice except the baby had a little cold- poor thing. After the church, we went to a very nice little Italian restaurant for lunch. There was about 50 people and more than half of them had little kids. There were about 5 that we around 2 or 3.

Kids learn at their own pace, some kids walk sooner than others, some speak sooner or better than others.

Here’s what I don’t get. If you’re little 2 or 3 year old is trying to communicate by saying a word like Water for an example, why is it that some parents will allow their child to continue to say the word wrong? It’s not doing the kid any good.

If you’re child is saying Wa-wa instead of Water- correct him. Why some people insist on treating their children like adorable little morons is beyond me.

When my child says a word wrong, we always correct him. For example, we set up a mini hockey net for him the other day and Luke said to me “mommy, where’s the pluck”- so I corrected him- “Where’s the puck”- now he says puck.

It’s for their benefit that they learns the speak properly. Kids need to communicate and most little kids ages 2 to 3 have a hard time still, so why prohibit them from speaking properly.

Remember, bad habits are hard to break. My husband still says libary instead of library.

Heather, Luke’s mom and CHFI blogger

My Little guy is turning 2 on April 8th. I’ve set up a great birthday party for him at this kids gym centre. Little kids birthday parties are lots of fun to organize I think! You almost get to be a kid again. I’m doing a cup cake-cake for him. I learned this from a few other parents (whoever invented this is brilliant!) The cake looks like a cake but are individual cup cakes. That way, you don’t have to mess around with a knife. I’m very excited about making up loot bags! I need to make up about 20 varying in ages from 2 to 11. I have no idea what I’m going to do for the two 11 year olds, money? Either way, everyone is getting bubbles!

It’s funny too, I’ve had lots of people ask me what Luke wants for his birthday? I know there is a few things he seems to really like when the commercial comes on Treehouse, Like Elafun and Chuck My Talking Truck.

It’s lots of fun to watch Luke interact with his little friends. He’s becoming such a big boy. I can’t believe he’s 2 years old.

Heather, Luke’s mom and CHFI blogger.

There’s something to be said about daddies and their sports.  I’ve learned over the last two years that when my husband invites people over to our house to watch “The Game” it means that during that time period he will be totally useless as a dad.  It never fails.

Most recently, my husband had about 10 people over to watch Canada beat the US in hockey at the Olympics.  He said that he’s take care of Luke and watch him – as I’m super pregnant and tired – Whatever!  Luke was all over the place – I was running around after him, not dad.

I made a rule to all guests in our home that there was to be NO yelling or swearing of any kind as Luke now repeats everything and also scares easily.  My husband’s solution was to turn up the volume on the TV so Luke won’t hear the swearing.

Next time, I’m taking Luke out.  It’s like I never get to enjoy the game – No mommies don’t get to enjoy much of anything.  Love this gig!

My toddler gets up in the middle of the night at least twice a week. I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before, however; the frustration is mounting on me. I’m fat, pregnant and always tired anyways.

I don’t know why he’s getting up. I figure it’s either because he’s hungry, wet or scared. Once I’ve eliminated these factors- I’ve got nothing other than I toddler who just doesn’t want to sleep.

Getting up in the middle of the night with a baby is one thing and even once in a while to get up with Luke is fine, however- I’m working still so when Luke finally goes back down he sleeps as long as he wants.

I still have to get up at 6am and when the kid is up from 2am to basically 6am- I just want to cry.

The thought of having to take care of a brand new baby who will be up 3 to 4 times a night and than the possibility of Luke waking up too- well that just scares me a bit. My Husband takes the back end of the night. If I can’t get Luke down by 4:30AM he takes over.

When will this be over? Sometimes I wish these kids could instantly be 4.

Heather, Luke’s mom and CHFI guest blogger

In the last few months my little guy has taking a liking to TV and movies. At first Luke was all about the Baby Einstein (my hero)- now he’s into actual Disney movies. My husband is concerned that we will be affected long term by his TV watching. Now keep in mind that Luke doesn’t watch anymore than 20 minutes at the most at a time. His attention is still very limited. I told my husband to relax- it’s winter. What do you do with kids in the winter. He’s starting pre-school in March, and to be honest, I am perfectly happy to let Luke watch Dora if I need to get dinner ready.

I watched TV as I kid and I’m fine- I think? As soon as the weather gets better- Luke will be out all the time. He loves to be outside! I think right now, he’s a little board and that’s why he always wants to watch a movie. Its not like we don’t play with him. We’re constantly playing with him, doing arts and crafts and playing sports in the basement.

He’s a smart boy. He speaks very well for his age and its not like he’s watching anything not appropriate, he’s watching the Jungle Book, on repeat and only certain parts of the movie (he doesn’t like the monkey’s)

Heather, Luke’s mom and CHFI blogger

Picking a pre-school is a lot harder than I thought it would be. Luke is now 22 months and is very active and really does need to be around kids more than once a week. I am hoping to place him in the next month. I’ll have him go twice a week in the mornings then in September he’ll go Monday to Friday in the mornings.

So the first school we looked at was in a century home that looked as if it was going to fall down. It was also a little dirty. The owner and staff were very nice and I felt that I could trust them with my son, however; that really isn’t enough. There appeared to be less structure than I wanted in the toddler class. All the toddlers were doing their own thing instead of in a group. I really want Luke to start to interact in a group setting now.

My husband asked the obvious questions that I forgot to ask. Did all staff have background criminal checks? Do you have any men working here? This was something that really concerned my husband. Are all staff properly trained in CPR?

We meet with another pre-school this week, hopefully its perfect for Luke. Luke really needs to play and mommy really needs that break!

Heather, Mom and CHFI blogger

On my last entry, I asked for help with my toddler with regards to what to do when a new baby comes into the world as Luke already knows that something is up.

Thank you for your suggests. I will absolutely include the new baby in Luke’s life. I never really thought about having Luke hold the baby and having Luke help out with the baby. Luke will be able to come into the hospital after the baby is born- and I thought that is would be a good idea for Luke to see me each day that I’m not at home. I never really thought about the integration factor. Also- a gift from the baby to Luke is a fantastic idea.

I think I’m making progress with Luke already. When I ask him who’s in my tummy, he lifts up my shirt and says “Baby Leo!”. Now not for nothing, but Luke often lifts up my husband’s shirt and asks him if baby Leo is in his tummy too. (Daddy’s not impressed).

I think that perhaps I will be more worried about the arrival of a new baby more than Luke. I think the trick will be to show no fear. Right now- I’m totally terrified.

Heather, Mom and  CHFI blogger

So my little toddler has taken on a new personality. I think he knows something’s up. Ever since my belly started growing, Luke has been very clingy and a little protective. He doesn’t seem to want to take a nap without falling asleep in my bed first. He’ll still go down at night without any issue – but nap time, he wants to be with me. Also, he’s climbing on me (my belly) something he hasn’t done since he was very small. When its play time, he pulls me right down to the floor right next to where he’s playing.

Everyone says he can sense that something’s up. The advice I keep getting from parents of two or more kids is to make a really big deal out of Luke and almost ensure that his life doesn’t change that much.

Any thoughts?

Heather, CHFI blogger