Lola's getting the party started!

After Liam's Advent Celebration at school.

Happy New Year, everyone! (crickets...)

It's been quite a year of ups and downs, but currently we're riding an up. Lola's recovering from croup (down), but right now she's sassy, mischievous, and definitely full of beans (up) and ready to party. We had a nice, quiet Christmas with Grampa Ed, Uncle Sean, Julia and Leafy. We went to see the Festival of Lights Christmas night. It's been unseasonably warm here - like above zero. So much for a white Christmas - sure, there's some snow kicking around, but it's pretty gross looking.

We have so much to be thankful for as we approach 2012. Lola is slowly kicking seizures to the curb. She still has smaller ones throughout the day, but for now (hopefully for good) we are being spared the big, tonic/tonic-clonic seizures which leave her wiped out for the day. We haven't seen one of those since early November. Now that Banzel is fully onboard, we've begun the valproic acid wean - so far so good! We're just so amazed by our girl - and thankful for the good days. She's growing up so fast - all of a sudden, it seems. She still loves to snuggle, go outside (if anyone leaves the house without her, she melts into a puddle on the floor or screams and cries and stomps her feet.), play with her ipad, listen to music, watch Roll Play, youtube videos, and tons of Treehouse.

Liam loves having Grampa Ed visiting - they've played countless hours of Monopoly and various board games, and Liam has introduced Grampa to wii bowling and other video games. Liam's also teaching Grampa how to use his new ipad - he made sure Grampa had angry birds and a few other "necessities" for when he heads back to Ottawa. Riley loves being walked everyday and basically being spoiled. And Lola - what a girl - she has Grampa wrapped around her finger. She brings him books and sits with him/in his lap, and makes him chase after her as she goes from one bit of trouble to the next.....laughing the whole time. It's been a really fun visit.

Steve and I are heading to Vegas on Monday - I'm so nervous! We've never been away from the kids. Even though Grampa's here for Liam, and Dora's here for Lola - I'm trying not to freak out. It's only for three days - OMG THREE WHOLE DAYS WITHOUT THE KIDS?? Breathe....breathe. I'm sure I'll be fine once I'm there....

Okay, well Lola's been as naughty as possible while I've written this post in her room. She thinks it's funny to dump her humidifier on the floor and climb up on top of her play kitchen. She likes the part where I rescue her as she's teetering on the edge of disaster - that's funny stuff apparently!

Happy New Year! Here's to an amazing 2012 full of health, happiness and all the good stuff!