Friday, September 28, 2007

Since the last post was mostly about Griffith, this one will be mostly about Big Al.
Allan had PT with Miss Julie on Thursday. She was out sick the week before and two weeks is a long time in the life of Allan. He was VERY impressive in how much he had advanced. He supports himself on all fours very well now and is rocking back and forth, trying to work out this crawling stuff. He manages a few moves backward, but forward is still hard for him to figure out. He is also working on how to shift his weight on to 3 points so that he can reach for things. Miss Julie was quite impressed with how far he had come since her last visit. They even worked on crawling and pushing a ball in front of him. She, of course, wanted him to reach for it and roll it with his hands, but he figured out that he could head-butt it, have the same effect and not run the risk of toppling over. Big Al is always thinking.

They also worked on standing up at the chair. Allan loves to stand, but likes having someone support his bottom and is a little loosey-goosey in his hips if you don't remind him to tighten up the glutes. After a few minutes of that, Miss Julie let him practice plopping on his bottom so that he would get the idea that, if he didn't do it, he was going to fall. Talk about offended. He was outraged that she let him fall (it was just on his bottom and didn't hurt). He was so mad that he turned his head away from her and refused to look at her for several minutes. That'll teach her. Ol' Meanie.

This weekend should be a busy one. We are all running in the Race for the Cure (the boys are boob men, after all.) Then brunch with Grandma and Grampy and on to the football game (the boys are staying with Miss Miranda). We may even try to add Oktoberfest (we do like polka music and polish sausages!). On Sunday, we are headed for the farm to play with Greg and Alice's horses and dogs. Sunday night, we collapse.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Up, up....

Everything is "up" with Griffith. And his enunciation is perfect. "Up" means lots of things. It means "pick me up," of course. He generally walks over and stands with his nose almost touching your knee and says it. It also means "let me in your lap." Especially if Allan is already there. Sometimes it means something akin to "come on and do _______" -- throw the ball, play with me, whatever.

Griff is doing a little better with his eating. He still won't let you put any thing in his mouth, but he is getting more coordinated with feeding himself. And more interested in different foods. He loves gingersnaps and vanilla wafers. Last night he had ham for the first time and I thought he was going to founder on it. I had to give him 3 servings. This was in addition to some mashed potatoes, some bits of Ritz cracker and diced up cheese. (Actually, it was all kind of smushed up together, sort of like a croquette.) We still can't get him to drink from a sippy cup (we probably have a hundred and fifty dollars' worth of the things.) We are making progress though. It is all a matter of perspective.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

All worn out


Big Al knows how to relax. Like father, like son.

Allan and Heather at the Festival Latino


Practicing standing. That's Miranda (in the shades) and Evan (in the hat) in the background.

Momma's boy


Allan with the giggles


I don't know what was tickling him so, but he was full of it.

rough housing I


If only we had known that sitting up on Dad's shoulders and being tipped over was going to be so much fun, we wouldn't even have had to leave home.

rough housing II


rough-housing - III


Monday, September 24, 2007

Gingersnaps

Griff really does like them, despite the look on his face.
His shirt reads "Hands off, I'm having a naughty day." Not that he ever does.

Grampy and Grandma


Griff all kicked back enjoying his grandparents.

Happy guy


It is good to be Griff.

Oh, please

So we have this incredibly expensive screen to keep Griff in on the front porch so that he can roam at will. Where does he want to be? Under his brother's swing. Does this make Allan happy? Not at all.

The boys on the porch


Big Al checking out Griff chasing the ball.
Thing One and Thing Two have been having a good time with Grandma and Grampy. Flora let them accompany her on her walk (she wasn't going to let 'her boys' out with the grandparents solo!) on Friday. Miss Miranda came Friday night and looked after the guys while we went out to dinner. Apparently Griffith resented being left out because he was very fussy about going to sleep. And then he woke up about 4 or so and fussed some more.

On Saturday, Jay and his folks walked the boys downtown to the farmer's market and took in all the sights. Then we all headed downtown again for the Festival Latino. The boys seemed to enjoy all the activity. Griff, of course, was completely in his element, whirling around to make sure he wasn't missing anything. Allan, of course, was largely skeptical of the entire affair. He was taking it in -- from a distance. He wasn't entirely thrilled with the drumming and clacking of the huraches on the plaza.

Grandma and Grampy weren't nearly as adventurous as we hoped they would be with the food -- they didn't appear to have any interest in eating the grilled blood sausage that the Colombians were serving. The pollo and carne asado were pretty tasty though.

We finished up in time for everyone to see most of the football game. Griff was too tired to watch, but Allan (being the night owl) was right in his element, sitting up between Grandma and Grampy with an unimpeded view of the TV. He couldn't have planned it better.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

All cleaned up and ready for bed


Allan - Bad to the Bone


Cute pj's from Uncle Luigi and Aunt Diane. Allan was watching the end of the game last night and you can tell that he was very concerned about how it was going to end.

I'll spread my arms wide...


..and whack him on the head!


Griff's first piggy-back ride


Heather and Griff enjoying the scenery


Festival Latino dancers


Festival Latino


Fancy hair styles for the ladies from Panama.

Flags from the Festival Latino


Griff in his new jersey.


Both of the boys are excited about the good start the Cats have made.

A matched set


In their game-day attire, ready to head out to the Festival Latino.

Allan - ready for the game


In his new jersey and white clamdiggers. There's only a limited period in a boy's life where he can get way with that kind of get-up.