So this happened...

I have heard from a number of people. But I thought that you were married?
We were as close to actually being married as you could be, without actually being married. Common-law for 9 years, legal name change, two children and a life together. Just no priest, no ring and no paperwork.

Well that changed and in a week we decided to get married.
We didn't tell anyone, just immediate family, Jennifer the kids daycare provider, my best friend Lisa and her kids, and a friend from work, who found out we were getting married and couldn't stay away (unless you count getting lost).

All of these people came together and brought something to make our wedding perfect.
We didn't really have a wedding party, everyone who attended was a part of the wedding.

In a week of running around and working regularly, with some appointments in the mix and a big paper due, the day arrived and we were getting married!

Hair and makeup done and ready
Melissa made me get my makeup done, I said that it wasn't necessary (but it was)

At home we had a handsome boy looking all dapper in a bow tie (because bow ties are cool) and some suspenders

And a new dress and a gorgeous little girl.
And the kids did some crafts before the wedding so that Nick and Katheryn could act in their respective roles

Then it was off to the church!

Flowers were provided for everyone by my mother-in-law, and a lucky horseshoe

And my dad to walk me down the aisle

Katheryn was not very happy about going in first

And none of the kids thought this whole wedding thing was very exciting

After 9 years, we didn't just do it quietly at city hall or anything.
We were in a church, with a Catholic Priest. And a Catholic ceremony (which may or may not have been involved in the above pictures)

Can't forget the rings

 It was very small and intimate, about 20 family

But really it was just Kyle and me

We had some papers to sign

And we are done!

Oh wait, one more thing

And the official (really, really official) Mr and Mrs Ridding

All of the photographs were taken by family, the scenic ones were taken by Lisa my designated photograph (I wish my camera had worked better for her)

We got a couple of quick family pictures
(Kyle and I had a class immediately after the wedding, so pictures were cut short)

Katheryn was very specific about when we could take her picture. Luckily we got one before everyone had to leave for dinner

We went to the Keg for dinner of course, just a family dinner (Thanks Dad)
 There was even a kids table

All of the photographs I got was thanks to people who were there.
And a typical wedding picture taken by Melissa

 We even had a wedding cake, Thanks to my sister Laura

But a little exhausting... 

It was a perfect wedding day for us!

Urodynamics

We have been trying to get some answers regarding Nick's bladder and leaking. We are getting some additional tests about Nick's bladder after clinic in July. So today we headed out to Sick Kids.

We are collecting information about the bladder so that we can make some decisions for next steps.
We had 2 tests. VCUG where they took some x-rays of the bladder when it was full of contrast and as it emptied. It takes about 15-20 minutes. It gave us an understanding of Nick's bladder capacity.

Then it was Urodynamics. This test is a little more involved, it measures filling the bladder with fluid and measuring what the bladder does. It goes very slow, becuase it is looking as bladder movement and spasms it is important to stay still for most of the time, but then also they asked Nick to cough to see if there would be any leaking.

Nick never wanted to cough when it was time. This was something we should have practiced ahead of time, but I never thought about it. They looked to see what the bladder would do when it was completely full. Nick doesn't usually feel when he bladder is completely full, but after his bladder infection a couple of weeks ago I think he recognizes what he feels.

When the bladder was  full Nick got very uncomfortable and started crying. The good news is that even though it was full, it didn't leak. Now that was with Nick lying down and coughing, not as he is running around and being a kid.

After the tests we got to wait to see the doctors.
Nick and I found some things to distract ourselves with. Like an Avengers Uno game.

And some homework

In the end we didn't really leave with a plan. I had wanted to talk about how to get the bladder leaking to stop. But the tests showed a bladder capacity that was normal and no real leaking when it reached the capacity. So it didn't really help us get some answers.

What we left, it was with a plan to cath every 3 hours instead of every 4 and to measure output for a couple of days and have this information with us at our next visit in January. I'm not really happy with this, but at the same time it isn't any type of surgery. So I guess I am happy.

We talked about what our options are as well. There is botox, injected into the bladder to prevent spasms, but from the tests that doesn't seem to be the answer, because the bladder didn't spasm. The other is a bulking agent, which it put into the mouth of the bladder and bulks that part up so that there isn't leaking.
When we talked in July they mentioned that it is considered to be a surgical procedure (operating room, general anesthetic). Not because it is an operation but because it is an invasive procedure on a 6 year old boy. Which is acceptable.

So our plan right now is to cath every 3 hours and as we get closer to January start measuring and have some actual data to bring to our appointment. And then go from there.

Usually when we go downtown to Sick Kids we go to one of the fun attractions. But this was a really busy week (big stuff doing on tomorrow), so instead we just visited the Disney store.

Captain America was very happy with that plan!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was full of lots of fun with the kids!
We were all up at the cottage, and did some cottage jumping for the weekend as well.

We had some Avengers with us

And some quiet peaceful moments

Rory and Sam love it at the cottages.
At Orr Lake we had 4 dogs, 4 kids, 5 adults in one cottage. And all of the other cottages we full too

 

Katheryn actually let me take some smiling pictures

We went to the pumpkin patch (the same place we've been going to the last 3 years)
Nick had lots of fun running all over the place

The pumpkin patch has some fun toys for the kids to play with.
The giant tires were a hit (and I was trying to ignore the fact that tires are latex)

Katheryn got to ride some tire-horses

The boys played Avengers

Nick and Kyle had some races

Nick had some time with Grandma

Katheryn loved the jumping castle. She would get up so high!

Nick had no desire to jump, he was happy just jumping in his walker.

How much do 4 kids weigh?

Nick got brave and went in to feed the sheep. He let them eat right out of his hand!

Nick didn't want to go out into the field to pick his pumpkin (Kyle and Katheryn did though).
But he had his eye on the one he wanted

He just had to lift it up

Good try!

After a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner it was time for the Kushog Lake cottage
And a whole bunch of new cousins!
This time it was 5 dogs, 9 kids, 12 adults and 1 cottage. The weather was fantastic so we all ate Thanksgiving outside!

Katheryn is growing taller every day! I remember when she couldn't do this last year

Rory decided to explore the shoreline

And Nick just to rest

What is more fantastic that a pile of dirt at the cottage?!

Katheryn decided she was going to be queen

 

And baby Gwenny was all smiles as usual

 

Nick's ramp held up really well!

It was a great Thanksgiving, with lots of cottaging!

And the turkey song!
Gobble gobble, gobble gobble, gobble gobble, gobble get.