Weekend full of soccer

I think the girls may be exhausted! Avery played 5 games of soccer in two days. Brennyn played 2 games, and she actually played this time. It took her all season to get on that field and actually kick the ball, but she did it. Sadly, she was also involved in a collision with another little boy and has a huge bruise on her temple (I'd hate to see the other boy's bump, because I am not exaggerating when I say Brennyn has an extra hard skull). Luckily, that was at the end of the game and her coach asked her team to give her a big hug (after we held her for 5 minutes while she screamed at the top of her lungs) and she was so happy!

Avery played in goal for all 5 games. She was amazing. Her team was in third last place at the start of the tournament (only won 2 games all season) but they came together and ended up in the final game. They won 4 out of 5 games and came in second place.
Like I said on facebook, Avery may be small, but she is mighty! Those big girls come running at her with the ball and Avery has no fear, she dives for the ball every time. I was starting to feel stressed for her, but she was awesome!
Most of the girls on her team, aren't really into soccer. There were 3 other girls who had the same love for the game as Avery and they really tried. Trust me, I would have been like the other girls, picking flowers, or daydreaming and kicking the ball the wrong way. It's just nice to see kids having fun and getting some fresh air.
It was also nice to see a team, who was just as happy to come in second place (actually, they would have been just as happy to come in last, the girls just wanted to have fun).

Avery never smiles while in net, so she looks unhappy, but she claims she must concentrate!

Blair and Avery are at the Science Fiction Convention (just can't make myself go, it's not my thing, although, I do love Star Wars and Dr. Who, Star Trek conventions just don't do it for me) today in Toronto, so it's just Brennyn and I hanging out.

Let's see, so far we've walked to Dairy Queen for a blizzard, hit up the local dollar store for a treat and bought some fresh corn and a giant steak for dinner. We've also ran up and down some hills for fun and now are going to hang around in the back yard and maybe blow some bubbles.

How quickly buildings can be destroyed

The beautiful town that we always visit when staying at the trailer has been damaged. A tornado ripped through the town of Goderich yesterday afternoon, destroying large parts of the downtown circle. I am in shock, looking at the pictures of the devastation. Just a month ago we were sitting in the park eating our ice cream cones, now that park is covered by tree limbs, cars and other debris.

I just can't believe how quickly a storm can blow in and destroy everything. We've often watched the clouds building over the lake, and I'm sure everyone thought it was once again, just blowing over. Not this time, unfortunately.

My thoughts go out to the people of Goderich Ontario and to your beautiful town.

2 weeks until school starts

Both girls will be in school this year. Avery seems excited about going back, I just hope we've worked enough on the talking to other kids situation. She's had a few playdates over the summer and she's had no problems, she's even said hello to a little girl at the park (trust me, this is huge).

Brennyn, well, she won't have any problems in the speaking department, it's the sitting still and listening area that has me concerned.
I'm really starting to get worried. I know teachers are used to dealing with children who may have learning/behavioural issues (not saying Brennyn has this, but we are starting to wonder).
She just has a difficult time doing what someone asks (I know, what child doesn't). With Brennyn, she gets distracted and curious about everything else she honestly can't stay still (unless it's to eat).
I love my daughter and I really do love this about her personality. It's who she is. She is the most loving, funny, outgoing kid but it can be frustrating.
Time outs don't work, taking toys/privilages away doesn't work (she just forgets about the toy and moves on to something else, bribery doesn't work (not that I ever bribe my children, never, okay, maybe once or twice), consequences don't work. She just gets into the moment of an act and it's like she can't help herself (for example she ripped up a book, and when we asked why she would do that she said "I wanted to").

Let's just say it's going to be a very interesting year!!

My new favourite Doctor

Love, love, love Brennyn's new dermatologist. Yes, we only saw her for 5 minutes but she was so down to earth and very knowledgeable. We always spend most of out doctor visit with the residents/med students, Sick Kids is a teaching hospital after all. In our case, the actual doctor always corrects the resident because nobody has ever seen a case like Brennyn's so the poor residents have no chance.

This doctor actually knew so much about Ectodermal Dysplasias and even seemed to have an understanding of what Brennyn has. Honestly, she spelled more out for us than anyone has thus far. I almost had tears come to my eyes, I just finally felt like someone understood.

Of course, as usual, all the doctors working in the dermatology department came in to take a look at Brennyn when we were finished the appointment. Our doctor asked our permission and explained how unique Brennyn's syndrome is.
I still feel kind of weird about this, but I also understand that this is how the medical profession teaches and learns. I just hope Brennyn won't feel like some kind of circus side show, with everyone wanting to look at her hands, teeth and skin.

Oh, and Brennyn was her usual charming self. Although, she did ask one doctor "why are you so dark, and black". I think I kept calm, trying to explain that everyone has different skin colours, you know like we've talked about".
The doctor kindly explained the same thing to Brennyn and the two of them talked forever. Brennyn has a new best friend (seriously, the doctor thought Brennyn was hillarious).
One thing about Brennyn, she says it like it is, and really does not have a filter. I really don't think this will change either. She is who she is!

more pictures

Sick Kids again

We finally have our appointment with the dermatologist at Sick Kids on Friday. This is the specialist I've really been waiting to see. I hope he/she can provide us with a magic cream that will take away Brennyn's "itchies". Trust me, I've tried them all. I'm also going to ask if there is something besides Benedryl to help with her nighttime episodes. Sometimes Brennyn wakes up in the middle of the night crying because she is so itchy. I think she has had some sort of nightmare before this happens and she reacts by feeling itchy.

We have noticed that when she gets upset at anything, she gets itchy. Brennyn will be crying about her sister (for example) and the next thing she will be crying because she's itchy.

Brennyn also has white patches on her face/arms/back. Most people who have ADULT syndrome (not that there is much research to go by, since the amount of people who have ADULT syndrome is in the 100's throughout the world) have freckling, but I think Brennyn has developed the patching of her skin instead (she doesn't have a single freckle).

I just hope we can find the best cream to take away the itchies!

Been hanging around the park all summer!

Uploaded some pictures and what did I discover, someone has been playing with mommy's camera again. Although, I think she had an accomplice this time.

I think I'm having writer's block, well except I'm not a writer. I've started countless posts only to erase them after 1 sentence. Not that there isn't a lot going on around here, I just don't feel like blogging about it.

I have joined QQ (chinese version of facebook) and have been chatting with one of Avery's birth cousins. He has been so gracious in answering my 500 questions about Avery's birth family and he has also passed on my messages to Avery's birth father.
In turn, I think I'm helping him with his English. I really don't have the hang of QQ at all, but I can manage the chat part.


The girls have been enjoying their summer, although Avery really wants winter to come back. She really does not like the heat and misses the snow. I still find it amusing that my mid-southern Chinese girl loves the cold Canadian winters.
Brennyn, on the other hand, is not a fan of winter or really a fan of the hot summers. She`s more of a spring or fall kind of a girl!

My kids are growing up

For the first time ever, Brennyn said she didn't want to hold my hand. We were walking on one of the local paths yesterday and I went to grab her hand like normal and she turned to me and said "no mommy, I don't want to hold your hand. I'm a big girl".

Yes you are, but to me you'll always be my little girl!

It's amazing what fun you can have with an empty suitcase!