Thank you thank you thank you!!! Mikey's graduation went awesome!! I'm now the proud Mommy of a Grade 5'er and Grade 1'er!! I'm so very proud of you Liam and Mikey!!

There hasn't been too much going on, although for some reason Mikey has been a little more clingy and easily upset. Every morning I've woken and found him in bed next to me. Even when Liam is home (they share a room). I'm hoping it's just adjusting still from not being in school.

Mikey and I have an appointment on July 9th with his PT & OT to see firstly, another mom who is pregnant & found out recently that her unborn baby has a symby hand. Mikey is very excited to show her that he "can still do anything". I pray that he is able to put some of her fears and questions at bay. We then will be meeting with a specialist to try out different technologies to help Mikey with school. He will still be getting a laptop, but my main concern is they continue to encourage him to use both his hands as much as he can. If he tires or is not able to keep up with the workload, then the laptop will be brought in. It is most important though that he use his hands as much as possible. They've not been an impediment in anyway thus far and I think it's important that he maintain the incredible function he has now.

My surgery has been rescheduled (for the third time!) now for July 14th. Just like before, I will have 2 weeks off and in that time I am hoping to be able to update Mikey's blog. We will have a busy July, as Guy's kids will be coming to stay with us! Cloe is coming all the way from New Brunswick and we've not seen her since last August! Since fate didn't bless me with a biological daughter, I am forever grateful to have her in my life. She is the most teriffic "step-daughter" to me. She is also so amazing with Liam and Mikey and they are super-excited she's coming too (albeit I think she is Liam's first crush!). Guy's son Xander will also be with us and although we get to see him a little more often, it's great to see how well our three boys are coming along together. Everyone is very excited that they will see Mikey in the Capital Ex parade representing the Edmonton & area War Amps CHAMPS!!!

Hope everyone has a TERRIFIC Canada Day! Our boys will be decked out in matching outfits (as they always are for this birthday party!) and I will be sure to share pictures!

Mikey's graduation is tomorrow!!! There are no words to express my sheer delight and overflowing love for this most amazing little man.

Mikey, you've fought since the day you were conceived. We knew at only 9 weeks gestation that something wasn't right. Scans, scans and more scans. They became a weekly event for us. We still had no answers, but we had YOU. With all the uncertains we were to face, you FOUGHT. Your movement, kicks, hiccups, resting with your butt in the air pressing so hard on me, but I didn't care. I loved those moments and I will treasure them until my very last day. Baby, you will never realize the love & pride I have for you.

At 20w3d, you decided it would be a good idea to get out of your swimming pool--not a good thing little boy! When my waters broke, I was terrified. After all the tests, this was not supposed to be in the game plan! You and I got right comfy for 3.5 months worth of vacation on hospital bedrest. I will cherish those moments with you too. Little man, you fought-changed your mind-this outside world wasn't ready for you yet. Who'd ever have thought that our waters would reseal & we'd have to get induced!! you play by your own rules Mr Man!!

The moment Dr Mayo put you on my belly I grabbed you. I turned each of your little hands over in my hands. I kissed each little digit you had. I kissed your lips.your hair.your eyes. My baby, before that moment we still didn't know what to expect. You were so very perfect. I kissed each little pea you had, looked you in your barely open newborn blue eyes and told you your were PERFECT.

You've given me insight to a world I never knew before. I am so honored to be in the world I am now. You've opened my eyes to the world of being disabled, but able just the same :) You've shown me, and the whole world "WHO NEEDS 10 FINGERS"? I appreciate life and the little things in life with much more appreciation and love moreso now--thanks to you.

My son, here we are on the eve of your Kindergarten graduation. It's hard to believe that you've already done 2 years of preschool and now this. Baby, so many people-including your whole family-didn't know what to expect from you with school. How many adjustments we'd need to make. You've proven to all of us, that you can do anything and everything!!! Baby, last year I was so heartbroken when you brought home a form that you would be learning sign language in class. I literally heard my heart shatter and I called the school and lost emotions on them. I was so heartbroken that they would give this "insult" to us. At the time there wasn't a hearing impaired child in class (or the school)-it was just to learn--which is absolutley fantastic, but for a child with Mikey's limb difference, was this really nessessary?

Well my precious miracle, you proved Mom wrong again. And the doctors. And all your therapists. Mikey, you signed and spoke me the Hail Mary. My tears were tears of joy, pride, wonder. I love you Mikey--you keep reaffirming to me that life is good and to never take anything for granted. More importantly, you've made me the Mom I am today.

Liam and I are so very proud of you sweetheart. I can not wait to see you in your cap and gown tomorrow. xoxox

Just a quickie post today--only 3 more days till Mikey's Kindergarten graduation!!! He goes to bed & wakes up counting down!

I am so excited (albeit a little sad too) for my BABY to be graduating Kindy. After 2 years in preschool, 1 year in Kindy, I think my boy is ready for Grade 1!! And what is he most excited about in this venture? That he will get to have Lunch Lady every week!!! It's a hot lunch program the school offers every week and Mikey's been upset this year that he misses out on it but Liam gets to participate--I guess in his eyes you are a big boy only once you get have Lunch Lady day!!!

The picture I'm including is a rare one ;) I hadn't wanted to post much with either of our faces, but this picture will be an exception--no doubt who his Momma is!! I've always thought he looks like his dad--until I saw this picture!

The following picture is a masterpiece, that I'm sure any mom would treasure (and have a few of these lying around somewhere!!) But for this Momma, my heart swells with nothing but pride:

(this first picture is Mikey's drawing of Heaven. He's drawn his Poppa Tom & Poppa Herman and a beautiful rainbow)

I am so very proud of the picture below. Mikey made it in December 2008 when we were at Liam's Christmas concert. I didn't have to prompt him. He asked me for a pen & drew this on the back of the concert program. I still proudly have it hanging in my office.

See, who needs 10 fingers?!!

I did post a long update yesterday, but silly blogger (or me!) it didn't save for some reason. Anyhow, my surgery was bumped yet again. Which, aside from causing frustration with work & the kids, it's fine. I really am not looking forward to having my face worked on again.

Mikey is doing well. He graduates from Kindergarten next Friday!! I am so happy beyond words that my little man is growing up and doing so well! I also spoke with one of his school OT's and she let me know that they've decided to go against using the standardized testing (Peabody) and score Mikey against the kids in his class!! This is HUGE!!! Since day 1 I've never understood how they can use those tests, because he'd be deducted for things like not using proper pincher grasp. I mean come on HE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE the digits required for that, so why do they fail him? It's not like he wasn't doing it because he didn't know how--he physically couldn't. Anyhow FINALLY this year his team agrees and my boy will be tested just like all the other kids. And really, it frustrates me too that (and I do know all the kids are watched/tested but Mikey is a bit more scrutinized) because he has this obvious defect he is constantly tested. I mean really, I know kids who have 10 fingers and still have fine motor delay (helloooo-Liam for one!). I hate the spotlight being on Mikey although don't get me wrong, I am very pleased that he is receiving screening. His OT told me too, that his printing is on par with some of his grade 2 peers!!!!

That's my boy-my hero!!! I have some pictures that I want to share--mostly to help other symby families see how Mikey does things; such as putting butter on his pancakes, twirling spaghetti and such. I have to figure out how to take the pictures off my old cell first!

I hope everyone has a great weekend and I will update next week.