Immediately before hurling on me.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
oh, yes, we have bananas....
we had some bananas today. Allan tried bananas today. Dad tried his hand at feeding. Both were first-timers.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Big Al and I had a big day yesterday. We had an appointment with the cardiologist at 8:45 and NICU Graduate Clinic after that. What with one thing and another, we didn't get home until 2:30. He was worn out (so was I). Anyway, we had good news -- the echo and EKG showed that Allan's heart is doing things that only healthy hearts do. His cardiologist and pulmonologist were delighted with how well Allan is doing. (Dr. Kanga was also happy to check out Allan's tooth.) We are taking him down and off of some more of his medicines. We'll keep you posted.
Then we were seen by a variety of folks at the NICU graduate clinic. We were supposed to do Big Al's developmental assessment. Well, I pretty much knew how this was going to go. As a preliminary matter, Allan is perfect and he is doing great. That having been said, he isn't yet doing all the things that a baby of his age is meant to be doing. Breathing and eating take up a lot of his energy. As that improves, he grows more active and he will catch up (the statistic is that 90% of babies born at the same stage as our boys are indistinguishable from other kids by the time they start kindergarten). That's the first thing. The second thing is that, by the time that they started trying to test Allan, he was worn out. And, finally, as we all know, Allan is not exactly the most cooperative of individuals. In fact, he can be downright difficult when he puts his mind to it. So, it was no real surprise (to me anyway) when he essentially refused to participate. The Very Nice Physical Therapist (hereinafter "VNPT") began by trying to prepare me -- we'll be asking him to do things that are above his level (like what-- algebraic equations?), don't get upset or worried. We just want to see what he can do (again, like what? skip rope? Fail a test?) and, good luck to you on that seeing-what-he-can-do thing. Now, mind you, Allan spends half of his time these days playing with his hands, wringing them like the villan in a silent movie. You wouldn't have known it yesterday. As soon as the VNPT hit the door, he dropped them to his sides like they were lead weights. And he can clearly hold on to things and put them up to his mouth. Nunh-uhn. Not yesterday. Hands? I have hands? I'm sure that there will be a note in the report that the mother responded with inappropriate laughter, but when she got behind me and started ringing this bell to see if he would turn his head and he didn't turn his head, but did cut his eyes at me and heaved a big ha-rumph sigh, as if to say that this was irritating and, really, couldn't I do something about her? Finally, since I wouldn't do any thing about it, he took refuge in sleep. It was his only defense. Allan, 1, VNPT, 0.
I hope this is not indicative of his future academic career.
Then we were seen by a variety of folks at the NICU graduate clinic. We were supposed to do Big Al's developmental assessment. Well, I pretty much knew how this was going to go. As a preliminary matter, Allan is perfect and he is doing great. That having been said, he isn't yet doing all the things that a baby of his age is meant to be doing. Breathing and eating take up a lot of his energy. As that improves, he grows more active and he will catch up (the statistic is that 90% of babies born at the same stage as our boys are indistinguishable from other kids by the time they start kindergarten). That's the first thing. The second thing is that, by the time that they started trying to test Allan, he was worn out. And, finally, as we all know, Allan is not exactly the most cooperative of individuals. In fact, he can be downright difficult when he puts his mind to it. So, it was no real surprise (to me anyway) when he essentially refused to participate. The Very Nice Physical Therapist (hereinafter "VNPT") began by trying to prepare me -- we'll be asking him to do things that are above his level (like what-- algebraic equations?), don't get upset or worried. We just want to see what he can do (again, like what? skip rope? Fail a test?) and, good luck to you on that seeing-what-he-can-do thing. Now, mind you, Allan spends half of his time these days playing with his hands, wringing them like the villan in a silent movie. You wouldn't have known it yesterday. As soon as the VNPT hit the door, he dropped them to his sides like they were lead weights. And he can clearly hold on to things and put them up to his mouth. Nunh-uhn. Not yesterday. Hands? I have hands? I'm sure that there will be a note in the report that the mother responded with inappropriate laughter, but when she got behind me and started ringing this bell to see if he would turn his head and he didn't turn his head, but did cut his eyes at me and heaved a big ha-rumph sigh, as if to say that this was irritating and, really, couldn't I do something about her? Finally, since I wouldn't do any thing about it, he took refuge in sleep. It was his only defense. Allan, 1, VNPT, 0.
I hope this is not indicative of his future academic career.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
January 8th - A Very Big Day
Griffith has been drooling, gnawing on his fist, chewing -- everything you would expect of someone who is trying to cut teeth, but it was Allan, stealthy Allan, who cut the first tooth. Last night I was feeling around on his gums (yeah, I don't know why either, but I was, go with it.) It is just barely peeking through, but Big Al has (while no one was looking) cut one of his lower front teeth. I would try for a picture, but I think all you would see is gum. Maybe in a week or two.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Typing is a little difficult Dad has gone out for a few minutes so. naturally, all h-e-double breaks lose. They both were tired, both wanted to be held, and both wanted to be on my chest. They have fallen asleep on my chest and are all nestled together, sleeping soundly. I am sort of like the little boy and the dike. I guess I'll stay put until the calvary arrives. I am typing with one hand so it is slow-going with the blogging.
Aunt Kathy stopped by yesterday and visited for a while. She was quite impressed with our big boys. Griffith showed off how well he can do pushups and Allan managed a few shy smiles.
Uncle Luis and Aunt Diane came over this afternoon and took on baby duty so that Jay and I could have a few hours to celebrate his birthday. They were apparently on their very best behavior. When they are good, they are very good. When they are bad.....
Nothing big on the horizon this week. No doctor's appointments or anything. Here's hoping for a long stream of boring days.
Aunt Kathy stopped by yesterday and visited for a while. She was quite impressed with our big boys. Griffith showed off how well he can do pushups and Allan managed a few shy smiles.
Uncle Luis and Aunt Diane came over this afternoon and took on baby duty so that Jay and I could have a few hours to celebrate his birthday. They were apparently on their very best behavior. When they are good, they are very good. When they are bad.....
Nothing big on the horizon this week. No doctor's appointments or anything. Here's hoping for a long stream of boring days.
Griffith - big number 8
Apparently if you are number 8 on the rugby team, you are the biggest, roughest guy at the back of the scrum.
Griffith - reading his bear book
Aunt Kathy made a cloth book for the boys about bears and transportation. Griffith is delighted with the bright pages.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)