Cheerleaders are serious athletes, too.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Griffith practicing for soccer superstardom
He spends hours knocking them back and forth, under chairs, into corners. Aunt Kathy says that he must be part border collie.
Allan and Uncle Tim
Uncle Tim stopped by Monday evening. Allan thinks it is really funny that Tim says his hair is blonde.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Allan has done great since his heart cath. No ill effects at all. He's full of energy and ready to roll. We aren't quite sure what to make of the whole "one coronary artery" thing. On the one hand, it is good news in that we don't have to have surgery right now. On the other, we were kind of hoping that we might find something that we could remedy and that would make a vast improvement in his condition. As it stands, we aren't any worse off than we were before and we are still just in a position of having to outgrow the oxygen. We go back to the cardiologist next week and, by that time, we should have our wits enough about us to ask the right questions.
I've posted a bunch of pictures from the past two weeks or so. You can see that Griffith hasn't gotten over his distaste for grass quite yet. We went to the jazz concert in the park and he would only venture to the edge of the blanket. It won't last long, but it is nice to know that he has his limits.
Aunt Kathy spent part of the weekend. She came to make sure that we weren't letting Griffith run roughshod over Allan. I think she is satisfied that Allan can hold his own. We didn't get a picture of it, but, one time when Griffith came over to mug Allan and take away whatever it was that he was playing with, Allan grabbed hold of Griffith's curly top knot and gave him a good shake. Typical boys.
She also got to see them playing ball with each other. Rolling it back and forth between. And, occasionally, grabbing it and hogging it until Mom or Dad made them share. As I said, typical boys.
Griffith still hasn't launched across open spaces yet. He walks along every piece of furniture and occasionally turns loose and stands. As soon as he realizes that he isn't holding on to something, though, he takes a knee. Future quarterback in action. He is doing better with his eating, too. He won't let you put any thing in to his mouth, but he will as long as you aren't watching him directly. We've discovered that he does better with a toddler fork because the food sticks to both sides, whereas it slides off the back of a spoon. Which, of course, is the side he wants to have up. Very British of him -- eating from his upside-down fork. Whatever it takes, I suppose. (But I'm not serving him blood sausage -- even if he would eat it.) We are working our way through gruelly foods -- tapioca, cream of wheat, cream of rice. Next week we are on to grits and, possibly, some substance called something like Malt-0-meal. Yum. Who knew kids could be so much trouble?
I've posted a bunch of pictures from the past two weeks or so. You can see that Griffith hasn't gotten over his distaste for grass quite yet. We went to the jazz concert in the park and he would only venture to the edge of the blanket. It won't last long, but it is nice to know that he has his limits.
Aunt Kathy spent part of the weekend. She came to make sure that we weren't letting Griffith run roughshod over Allan. I think she is satisfied that Allan can hold his own. We didn't get a picture of it, but, one time when Griffith came over to mug Allan and take away whatever it was that he was playing with, Allan grabbed hold of Griffith's curly top knot and gave him a good shake. Typical boys.
She also got to see them playing ball with each other. Rolling it back and forth between. And, occasionally, grabbing it and hogging it until Mom or Dad made them share. As I said, typical boys.
Griffith still hasn't launched across open spaces yet. He walks along every piece of furniture and occasionally turns loose and stands. As soon as he realizes that he isn't holding on to something, though, he takes a knee. Future quarterback in action. He is doing better with his eating, too. He won't let you put any thing in to his mouth, but he will as long as you aren't watching him directly. We've discovered that he does better with a toddler fork because the food sticks to both sides, whereas it slides off the back of a spoon. Which, of course, is the side he wants to have up. Very British of him -- eating from his upside-down fork. Whatever it takes, I suppose. (But I'm not serving him blood sausage -- even if he would eat it.) We are working our way through gruelly foods -- tapioca, cream of wheat, cream of rice. Next week we are on to grits and, possibly, some substance called something like Malt-0-meal. Yum. Who knew kids could be so much trouble?
Allan snuggling with Aunt Kathy
Aunt Kathy came to spend the weekend and make sure that Allan wasn't being mistreated by his brother.
Allan and the shiny pompom (II)
He really loves it -- it is shiny and makes a cool noise when he waves it.
Allan and his shiny pompom.
Okay, so it isn't exactly what his father had in mind, but, if he wants to be a cheerleader, there's nothing wrong with that. Check out Action Griffith getting ready to do a drive-by.
Allan, looking pensive again
We went to Ecton Park last week for a jazz concert. Allan took it all very seriously.
Griffith getting the hang of this eating stuff
Or, more accurately, getting the hang of playing with his food.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Big Al's heart
Big Al did great with the heart cath today. He's not home yet, but should be discharged some time this evening. Until then, Grif and I are just hanging out, watching dvr'd Veronica Mars episodes, and blogging.
In Allan's peculiar way, what they found wasn't what they were looking for. They expected to find an AP window or a coronary artery fistula, but what they found was that he has only one, not two, coronary arteries. There really isn't any thing that they recommend doing about it right now. We'll keep an eye on it and it will probably require surgical intervention later, much later -- like when he is ten or maybe even later. Apparently this is the same type of defect that Pete Marovich had. So, it doesn't mean that Allan isn't going to be a basketball star. (Being built like his mother will probably be the end of that, but it won't be his heart. )
So, we are looking forward to a peaceful (we hope) night of sleep. More later.
In Allan's peculiar way, what they found wasn't what they were looking for. They expected to find an AP window or a coronary artery fistula, but what they found was that he has only one, not two, coronary arteries. There really isn't any thing that they recommend doing about it right now. We'll keep an eye on it and it will probably require surgical intervention later, much later -- like when he is ten or maybe even later. Apparently this is the same type of defect that Pete Marovich had. So, it doesn't mean that Allan isn't going to be a basketball star. (Being built like his mother will probably be the end of that, but it won't be his heart. )
So, we are looking forward to a peaceful (we hope) night of sleep. More later.
Friday, May 25, 2007
No real news. The boys continue to be excellent in nearly every way. We need to talk Griffith out of waking up every night between 3 and 4 (he's decided that he really wants that bottle that he dropped weeks ago), but, other than that, he's a pretty reasonable guy as long as he is getting his way.
Allan continues to impress the therapists. He can sit without support and turns his head left and right for sounds without a problem. He and Griffith have been having a good time with each other and we are working on rolling the ball back and forth between them. Every once in a while Griffith decides that it is HIS BALL and whacks it away from Allan or grabs it and holds it, but Allan isn't content to just sit there. He's pretty good about grabbing the ball and holding on to it himself.
We are looking forward to a long holiday weekend. Aunt Kathy is coming for a visit and that's always good for a lot of fun. She knows lots of songs and stories and always has time to play.
Allan has his heart cath on Tuesday. We have to be there at 7 a.m. so Flora is going to come and spend the night on Monday. She's looking forward to spoiling Griffith "after hours" and we are looking forward to her being the one to deal with 4 a.m. waking.
The very helpful nurse called today to see if we had any questions about when, where, how, etc. and to make sure that we knew that Allan would need a driver. Um. Yes. Make sure he doesn't drive home. Check. Thanks. You've been very helpful.
We are allegedly the second case on for the day and (allegedly) should go back about 9:30 or 10:00. They will put a wire in through his femoral artery and up in to his heart. They will measure the pressures and inject dye and look for where the hole is. Start to finish the whole thing should take about an hour and a half. If Allan does well, then we should be home sometime Tuesday afternoon. We should also know if what we have is an AP window or something else. They'll take the results and probably forward them for review and then we'll know whether we are off somewhere to have it patched.
We will blog as soon as we get a chance and let every one know how things have gone.
Have a great weekend!
Allan continues to impress the therapists. He can sit without support and turns his head left and right for sounds without a problem. He and Griffith have been having a good time with each other and we are working on rolling the ball back and forth between them. Every once in a while Griffith decides that it is HIS BALL and whacks it away from Allan or grabs it and holds it, but Allan isn't content to just sit there. He's pretty good about grabbing the ball and holding on to it himself.
We are looking forward to a long holiday weekend. Aunt Kathy is coming for a visit and that's always good for a lot of fun. She knows lots of songs and stories and always has time to play.
Allan has his heart cath on Tuesday. We have to be there at 7 a.m. so Flora is going to come and spend the night on Monday. She's looking forward to spoiling Griffith "after hours" and we are looking forward to her being the one to deal with 4 a.m. waking.
The very helpful nurse called today to see if we had any questions about when, where, how, etc. and to make sure that we knew that Allan would need a driver. Um. Yes. Make sure he doesn't drive home. Check. Thanks. You've been very helpful.
We are allegedly the second case on for the day and (allegedly) should go back about 9:30 or 10:00. They will put a wire in through his femoral artery and up in to his heart. They will measure the pressures and inject dye and look for where the hole is. Start to finish the whole thing should take about an hour and a half. If Allan does well, then we should be home sometime Tuesday afternoon. We should also know if what we have is an AP window or something else. They'll take the results and probably forward them for review and then we'll know whether we are off somewhere to have it patched.
We will blog as soon as we get a chance and let every one know how things have gone.
Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
The boys have been having a high old time. The good weather has been excellent for everyone. Saturday afternoon we walked down to the farmer's market and got tomatoes and onions and cucumbers. Having proved that we could make it downtown and back without disaster, we pushed our luck Saturday night and took the boys to Portofino's for a real grown-up meal (for us, not them) on the patio. They couldn't have been better behaved. Our two were much better behaved than some of the adults. Things will no doubt become far more complicated once they figure out walking, but we will take what we can get.
On Sunday we went to Greg and Alice's and checked out farm life. The miniature donkey was completely disinterested in the boys, but William, the horse was very keen on Allan. Who was equally keen on William. He smiled and patted him and seemed delighted in general. Griffith was distracted by all the grass and the possibility that we might make him walk in it. Next time we may saddle up and see how that goes. Never too early to start.
Griffith has taken to shaking his head and muttering something that sounds like "ni-ni-ni" when he is crossed. For example, he likes to 'hide' toys under the sofa and chairs and behind the dresser and then go back later and 'find' them. Flora, for some reason, decided that she needed to straighten this up and kept pulling his toys out. He would put them back. She would take them out. Finally, in utter disgust, he began whacking the rings and balls from the living room toward the dining room and muttering "ni-ni-ni-NI!" He had clearly had enough of her interference and was trying to get away from her meddling. It is ridiculous how much attitude that kid has.
Allan is doing great. He's so full of energy and does better every day with sitting up and playing. Flora finally heard him laugh when he was looking at the flashcards. When he saw the one of the baby, he just lit up and kept patting it and pulling it close. We kept telling him "that's Allan" and "that's a pretty baby." He just couldn't stand it and let loose with a little goofy chuckle. He has always been the most vain little guy. It is a good thing that he is legitimately pretty or else he would have a rude awakening some day.
On Sunday we went to Greg and Alice's and checked out farm life. The miniature donkey was completely disinterested in the boys, but William, the horse was very keen on Allan. Who was equally keen on William. He smiled and patted him and seemed delighted in general. Griffith was distracted by all the grass and the possibility that we might make him walk in it. Next time we may saddle up and see how that goes. Never too early to start.
Griffith has taken to shaking his head and muttering something that sounds like "ni-ni-ni" when he is crossed. For example, he likes to 'hide' toys under the sofa and chairs and behind the dresser and then go back later and 'find' them. Flora, for some reason, decided that she needed to straighten this up and kept pulling his toys out. He would put them back. She would take them out. Finally, in utter disgust, he began whacking the rings and balls from the living room toward the dining room and muttering "ni-ni-ni-NI!" He had clearly had enough of her interference and was trying to get away from her meddling. It is ridiculous how much attitude that kid has.
Allan is doing great. He's so full of energy and does better every day with sitting up and playing. Flora finally heard him laugh when he was looking at the flashcards. When he saw the one of the baby, he just lit up and kept patting it and pulling it close. We kept telling him "that's Allan" and "that's a pretty baby." He just couldn't stand it and let loose with a little goofy chuckle. He has always been the most vain little guy. It is a good thing that he is legitimately pretty or else he would have a rude awakening some day.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Griffith showing Allan the ropes
Griffith explaining to Allan how to operate the controls on the bouncer.
Allan, having a good time with Flora
He laughed out loud at the picture of the pretty baby. He was sure it was of him.
Allan and Flora looking at flashcards
This one is one of his favorites -- a pretty baby. We kept telling him that it is Allan.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Allan looking very disapproving
Allan isn't really sure why we are making such a fuss over Griffith splatting potatoes and yogurt everywhere. Don't worry, buddy, your turn comes tomorrow.
Jay and I are going to have to start wearing HazMat suits to get through dinner.
Not exactly according to Miss Manners, BUT
Whatver it takes right now. We'll work on using cutlery later. He doesn't put his elbows on the table, though. So we've got that going for us.
All the news
Another good week for the boys. Allan is making real strides with his motor development. He is able to sit up without support for 3 or 4 minutes at a time and can play with his toys while doing it. He can also sit unsupported and turn his head to follow objects. It may not sound like much, but it takes a whole lot of balance to be able to do that. He likes the bouncy chair, but not quite as much as Griffith does. It is going to take him a while to develop the leg strength necessary to really get the full effect of the lights and sounds. (And he really doesn't have to jump in his to get lights and noise because his brother is acting like an Irish step dancer over in his. All of the entertainment, none of the effort. Allan knows how to make it easy on himself. ) He's sort of up-and-down on his eating, but we keep on keeping on and are going to start feeding him in his booster seat since he is doing so well with his sitting. He will get to play with his food, too, just like his brother.
We went to see the nutritionist yesterday and she took one look at Allan and said, "Well, he certainly looks well fed." I am taking that as a compliment. This time.
Griffith ate mashed potatoes last night! After weeks of trying to get him to just play with his food, he finally smashed his meaty little fists in to the pile of potatoes and dragged his toys through them. We would have been pleased enough with that since he wouldn't even get his hands dirty before, but he managed to stick about a half-teaspoonful of them in his mouth and choke them down. He was uncertain at first but our cheering seemed to spur him on. We are hoping this is the start of a trend.
Griffith, for all that he is a bit of a terror, is pretty reluctant to try new things. I took him outside to look at the garden a couple of nights ago and tried to put him down in the grass. He had only one sock on (being my children, both he and his brother take their socks of continually) and would not put his foot in the grass. He was balancing like Barishnikov, but finally set it down for a few seconds.
No big plans for the weekend. Just keeping on with more of the same. With any luck we will get some walks in, maybe a nap or two. Possibly move on to playing with/eating creamed corn.
The world is our oyster.
We went to see the nutritionist yesterday and she took one look at Allan and said, "Well, he certainly looks well fed." I am taking that as a compliment. This time.
Griffith ate mashed potatoes last night! After weeks of trying to get him to just play with his food, he finally smashed his meaty little fists in to the pile of potatoes and dragged his toys through them. We would have been pleased enough with that since he wouldn't even get his hands dirty before, but he managed to stick about a half-teaspoonful of them in his mouth and choke them down. He was uncertain at first but our cheering seemed to spur him on. We are hoping this is the start of a trend.
Griffith, for all that he is a bit of a terror, is pretty reluctant to try new things. I took him outside to look at the garden a couple of nights ago and tried to put him down in the grass. He had only one sock on (being my children, both he and his brother take their socks of continually) and would not put his foot in the grass. He was balancing like Barishnikov, but finally set it down for a few seconds.
No big plans for the weekend. Just keeping on with more of the same. With any luck we will get some walks in, maybe a nap or two. Possibly move on to playing with/eating creamed corn.
The world is our oyster.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Allan waiting for something to happen to Griff
He kept watching as his brother got wilder and wilder in the Jungle Jumperoo -- it was like he was expecting something bad to happen at any moment.
Griff and the Jungle Jumperoo
The latest addition to the overwhelming collection of toys. This is a little more advanced than the Bounce, Baby, Bounce in that you can bounce harder, higher and more to the sides.
Hanging out with Flora
Allan in the Bounce, Baby, Bounce and Griffith kicked back in the rocker. Flora says they were watching Baby Einstein, but I'm pretty sure it was Judge Judy.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Can't believe I forgot....
Griffith learned to say "Ma-ma-ma" just in time for the big holiday. It would be more heartwarming if he actually associated it with me, but I'll take what I can get. He's also working on "uh-oh" which we have a lot of occasion to use.
In an update from the annals of Cain and Abel, Griff came over and began trying to wrest the cloth book away from Allan. Allan grabbed it with both hands and his teeth and wouldn't let him have it. He's small, but he's wiry. And wily.
In an update from the annals of Cain and Abel, Griff came over and began trying to wrest the cloth book away from Allan. Allan grabbed it with both hands and his teeth and wouldn't let him have it. He's small, but he's wiry. And wily.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Happy Mother's Day 2007
Well our second Mother's Day is nearly over and it has been a good one. As always, my thoughtful boys managed somehow to get out and pick up some flowers. (At least this year they didn't pick them from President Todd's garden.)
Griffith decided to get an early start to the holiday and woke Mom up at 5:30 to make sure that she didn't miss a single minute of fun. What.a.Good.Boy. (He went back to sleep after a bottle, though, so there's that.) Then both boys got up a little before 7. Daddy decided that it would be kind to let Mom have a sleep-in and so the boys all adjourned downstairs. At the more civilized hour of 9, we began our day for real.
We were going to try to make it to MayFest, but first one thing and then another intervened. In the end, we decided to take a long walk at the arboretum. We came home, did some gardening, and grilled out.
Allan was having a nice leisurely soak in the sink when Griffith began to have a real go-to-pieces. There was no consoling him. I tried bringing in to the kitchen and starting the laundry. No dice. Tried to hold him and bathe Allan. Couldn't do it. (Jay was finishing up gardening in the back yard.) It finally occurred to me that we have two sinks for a reason. The boys had a great time. Allan was kicking and squirming. Griffith was splishing and splashing. It was a rousing success, but definitely required two adults working full-time to pull off.
It is all very peaceful right now. Allan is laying in my lap playing with a cloth book. His brother keeps crawling over and either taking it away or trying to take it away, despite having access to every other toy in the house. Allan is holding his own, though, and he and Griffith have engaged in some pretty fierce tug-of-wars.
Much more fun than last year.
Okay Griff is attacking. Time to stop.
Griffith decided to get an early start to the holiday and woke Mom up at 5:30 to make sure that she didn't miss a single minute of fun. What.a.Good.Boy. (He went back to sleep after a bottle, though, so there's that.) Then both boys got up a little before 7. Daddy decided that it would be kind to let Mom have a sleep-in and so the boys all adjourned downstairs. At the more civilized hour of 9, we began our day for real.
We were going to try to make it to MayFest, but first one thing and then another intervened. In the end, we decided to take a long walk at the arboretum. We came home, did some gardening, and grilled out.
Allan was having a nice leisurely soak in the sink when Griffith began to have a real go-to-pieces. There was no consoling him. I tried bringing in to the kitchen and starting the laundry. No dice. Tried to hold him and bathe Allan. Couldn't do it. (Jay was finishing up gardening in the back yard.) It finally occurred to me that we have two sinks for a reason. The boys had a great time. Allan was kicking and squirming. Griffith was splishing and splashing. It was a rousing success, but definitely required two adults working full-time to pull off.
It is all very peaceful right now. Allan is laying in my lap playing with a cloth book. His brother keeps crawling over and either taking it away or trying to take it away, despite having access to every other toy in the house. Allan is holding his own, though, and he and Griffith have engaged in some pretty fierce tug-of-wars.
Much more fun than last year.
Okay Griff is attacking. Time to stop.
Allan sitting up without any help
He can do it for about 2 or 3 minutes before he loses his balance and topples over.
Allan working on sitting up
Allan is mastering sitting up all by himself. It is easier when he has a toy to lean on.
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