Friday, December 22, 2006

Santa Claus is coming.....

It has been a full week in our household. Daddy brought in a tree on Sunday (and, apparently a whole slew of mosquitos with it.) We managed to get lights on it by Tuesday. It took us until last night (early this a.m. actually) to finally get the ornaments on. It really doesn't sound like decorating the tree should take a full week. It isn't the tree at Rockefeller Center, after all, but that's what it took just the same.
Allan had an eye check up yesterday. He seems to be doing very well with that. They still can't tell any thing much about what he can and can not see with it, but from a gross anatomical standpoint, it looks good. He also had an appointment with his buddy, Dr. Kanga (pulmonologist) who was well-pleased to see him. He thinks he is doing very well and we are starting to cut back on some of his medications. We are to try to wean him down and off the diuretics, etc., and then we will work on getting him off of the oxygen. We are looking at the spring before that happens, though. They did height and weight on him and he is 13 pounds 9 ounces and 23.25 inches long. Quite the big boy. We don't have a weight on Griffith at the moment, but it is close to 13.5 pounds. He is about 26 inches long though, so he doesn't look as round as Allan.
We are just planning on a quiet Christmas at home (sort of quiet any way -- Jennifer and Eric have already committed the sin of giving the boys some toy that plays songs. Karma will get them.) We will try to get some good pictures of the boys and their gifts -- provided that Santa comes and leaves something other than switches and coal.

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Last night

Griffith is currently in full melt-down mode. Dad declared that he (Griffith, not Jay) was hungry and started fixing cereal. Generously (and foolishly) I offered to hold him and Jay gladly passed him over to me. The kid clearly, unmistakably, inarguably had a full, dirty, nasty diaper. I refuse to be held responsible. The rule is that if you are holding the baby when he poops, it is yours to deal with, but there has to be an exception for willful blindness. (Or willful whatever you call it when you pretend that you can't smell. )
Flora had an appointment today so I was on Momma duty all day. We started early with Allan who spit up at 6:30 with a loud GAK. Up through his nose, out his mouth, the whole nine yards. And mad. Absolutely furious. Not sure what happened but certain that it was someone else's fault. (He's a lot like his brother that way.) Despite our best efforts, Allan wailed so much and for so long that he woke up Griff. Great. Some days they sleep until after 9, but the day I'm supposed to be home, we have to start at 6:30. Super. As Jay sailed out for work at 7:15, I thought for sure that I was sunk. Unexpectedly, though, they both fell back asleep and I did, too. We didn't get up until nearly 9:30. Then everyone ate breakfast, got cleaned up, got dressed and headed out for a long walk - like an hour and a half long. Although Flora would have disapproved, it was in the 50's and sunny. How could we stay in? By the time we got back, our friend Jennifer came over having escaped The Mall and bearing Thai food. In the moments before her arrival, sweet, peaceful Allan decided that he was very mistreated (I laid him down to change Griffith) and threw an absolute fit to protest the situation. She probably has social services on speed dial.
At about 4, Griffith decided that he could bear it no longer. He was exhausted, but refused to fall asleep (this is his pattern of late). He did everything but stand on his head. He kicked, he howled, he turned red and cried real tears. There was no consoling him. Finally, I plunked him and his brother back in the stroller and we headed out for another walk. When it started to get dark, we headed for home. Allan was awake but Griff was slumped over in the stroller and, instead of rousing the dragon, I left him in the stroller in the dining room and Allan and I played in the living room and made fun of him. Griff's neck should be killing him because he slept slumped over until nearly 6:30 by which time Dad was home and we had a one-on-one situation.
Dad had Christmas gifts hidden and just couldn't stand it and had to go get Griff's tummy time surfboard. Apparently this means that it doesn't count against the budget. Somehow. The government works on that same accounting system.

The boys in their new fleece jackets from Uncle Mark. Perfect for walking (or riding.)

I got the first gift!


Griffith, loving the surfboard mat. And the knowledge that he got to open the very first Christmas present.

Griffith's first Christmas present


Griffith on his Tummy Time Surfboard. Dad just couldn't wait.

Christmas - alt X


christmas - alt IX


Christmas - alt VIII


Christmas - alt VII


Christmas - alt VI


Christmas photo shoot - alt V


Christmas photo shoot - alt IV


Christmas photo shoot - alt III


Christmas photo shoot - alt II


Christmas photo shoot - alternate view


Sunday, December 17, 2006

multitasking

Dad is downstairs writing out Christmas cards and the boys and I are upstairs hanging out. It is surprisingly peaceful for the moment. That kind of thing can turn on a dime around here though.
We had a good weekend. Dad worked very late on Friday and the boys and I retired to the "master suite" early. Things worked well with Allan who was asleep by nine, but Griffith was ready to cut loose for a wild weekend. He finally gave it up after 10 (I realize that does not qualify as "late" in real world terms, but I was REALLY, REALLY tired and we were upstairs in and in bed by 8. Work with me.) Dad came home to find his side of the bed occupied by the boys. Dad had an early morning Saturday and headed off for work before the boys were up. We fared very well. We took a lovely walk (it was in the 60's and sunny) and then watched UK beat U of L. Actually Griff and I watched it. Allan slept most of the time. Last night Momma got to do some Christmas shopping while Dad and the boys hung out. We all slept in this morning and then took a walk to get coffee and muffins.
And now here we are.
Griff is sitting in my lap, watching me type and playing with his foot. Occasionally he gets overbalanced and topples over. Allan is laying across my lap and seems contect to suck on his hand.
All in all, everything is good. Dad got a tree today and we hope to decorate it tomorrow night.

share and share alike (II)

share and share alike


Griffith chewing on Allan's hand.

Another wild Friday night.


Dad worked late and Mom and the boys racked out early.

I love mommy


There is an I love Daddy shirt but he was off working and Allan fell asleep. History is written by the victors. Half of life is showing up. blah, blah, blah.

Allan in his pooh bath robe