How Elizabeth Amazes Us

Elizabeth continues to amaze us every day and brings us so much joy. Her amazing spirit and outlook on life is what is so remarkable to us. Elizabeth rarely cries, pouts or has a temper tantrum, she is always singing, smiling and finds joy out of every experience. I think this is what we are most thankful for. Her perseverance, all of the normal milestones have provided a challenge for Elizabeth but she continues to persevere and will work until she can do what she wants. Nothing is a challenge for her in her mind. Her curiosity, she soaks up new information like a sponge and will remember the most intricate detail of anything. Her passion for life, she loves nature, animals and her friends (She just recently while going for a walk stopped to introduce herself to an ant and tell it is was nice to meet it). Lastly her endless energy, she never tires she is up to any challenge or activity everything for her is fun.
We are so blessed to have her in our lives. She makes the rough days better as she is such an easy going child who never lets anything bother her.

In the first picture she's relaxing with Owen. In the second picture Elizabeth is riding a pony for the very first time.

Summer is going by too fast... Elizabeth has been a busy girl. She's been to see the animals at Bronte park and the African Lion Safari, she's gone to Niagara Falls, her grandparent's cottage (with best friend Owen), she has also been swimming, playing at the sprinkler pads and has just kept her parents busy. Along with having fun, she has also worked very hard. To prepare for nursery school, she has attended a morning playgroup on her own twice. Her teachers couldn't believe how bright she is. Hopefully, she can attend preschool in the fall, but since she is not walking yet, this maybe a problem. Elizabeth is still attending all of her therapy and is doing great. She also has a worker (Erin) who comes to the house to help with Elizabeth. She loves hanging out with Erin.

Elizabeth and auntie Maria.


Posing with mommy.


On the red carpet.


Chillin' with pals Avery, Ashton and Olivia at Olivia and Avery's 2nd Birthday Party. It was a blast!

Our Party Girl

Elizabeth has been busy as usual ,she is enjoying the warm weather and is spending lots of time outside playing. Elizabeth has been quite the party girl and has attended many social events; Olivia and Avery's 2nd birthday party, Owens birthday party and Auntie Maria's wedding. Elizabeth was a flower girl at Aunt Maria's wedding and did a wonderful job at walking down the aisle with Mommy and loved dancing on the dance floor with everyone. When Elizabeth got into her pretty dress and saw Mommy in hers she said "ooh Mommy and Elizabeth are princesses".
Elizabeth has wowed everyone with her talking and recently was scored as having language skills between 36-40mths which is amazing for her as she is only 27mths. Walking for Elizabeth is still a challenge but she is getting better each day, she can now walk across the room to her parents independently, she is getting proficient at bending down to pick up toys and is getting up with minimal help. Mommy and Daddy have to be creative to get her to walk independently her favorite games are playing mailman, grocery shopping and playing garbage man.
Elizabeth still continues to have problems with her reflux and still requires medication, we were hoping she would outgrow it by now but it still is a problem for her. Elizabeth also is waiting to see an ENT Dr. as she continues to choke and has to be watched closely while eating. We are not sure whether she has some scar tissue which is causing her difficulties or if she might be aspirating at times, as she can get quite panicked when it happens and she often goes bluish.
We are daily wowed with our princess and all that she has overcome.

Today was humid

At 27 months, little Elizabeth keeps her parents very busy. She's very chatty and likes to talk from the time that she wakes up until she goes to bed. She can count up to 5 and recognizes familiar words.
A couple of weeks ago, Elizabeth had her hearing tested again at Sick Kids and the results were consistent and showed minor hearing loss in the high frequency, so she has difficulty hearing and repeating "f", "s", "sh" sounds. Overall her hearing is amazing. As with the rest of her preemie follow-ups: her eyes are doing great, although she barfed on her eye doctor because she was upset.
Recently she has met all 3 of her pediatricians and all of them are not sure why she is unable to walk. She doesn't seem to have spastic diplegia CP as was thought previously. It seems that she is having problems with balance and we are going to see a neurologist. Her Dr suspects that she may have ataxic CP or has had an injury to her cerebellum and that an MRI will be necessary.
She is progressing with physio and can walk while holding on to only one hand.
She has some new faviourite activities: rides in a bike trailer and getting dirty in her new sandbox.

Easter past and present

Playing dress-up

Easter is coming

Elizabeth has been home for 2 years! We are very proud of what she's accomplished and the many challenges that she has overcome. From the moment that she wakes up until she finally falls asleep in the evening she never stops talking and singing her favorite songs. She is starting to talk in short sentences and even recognizes letters and the words Mama, Dada & Elizabeth. Elizabeth continues to work very hard at all of her therapies. She loves the treadmill at physio and has a great time at Medek therapy.
Elizabeth has also been very busy shopping for her spring wardrobe at the mall using her walker.
Her eating has improved a great deal. Elizabeth still needs to be watched while eating to make sure she doesn't choke, however she is experimenting with new foods and new textures. Loves the jello! (two months ago she would have thrown up if she touched it)
As result she is now 23 pounds.
Elizabeth can't wait for Easter. She is decorating the house with her Easter crafts and humming Easter songs.