Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Griffith wrestling the talking dog.
And every time he whacks the dog, it lights up and talks.
Thanks, Michele.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Twas the night before Christmas
It has been a bit of a struggle for the boys today -- they've both been pretty irritable and fussy. I guess it is the strain of being so good for so long. We got every one washed up, cleaned up and ready for bed and read the flap-book rendition of The Night Before Christmas that Bailey sent to the boys. They both loved it. They liked the bright colors and that they each got to open and close flaps. Then we all laid in bed, playing and guessing what Santa might bring. Allan seemed to really like the game and thinks that he is going to get a guinea pig. I sincerely hope that he is wrong. Both boys thought it was funny to say that they wanted woodburning kits, archery sets and J'arts.
Allan finally succumbed and is nestled all snug in his bed. Griff was asleep, too, but then Dad accidentally woke him up and we were back at square one, pulling out all the stops (including a duet of The 12 Days of Christmas, which I LOATHE). We've explained that Santa doesn't come if you are awake, but, as my father used to say of babies, you just can't reason with them.
We got some good pictures of Allan smiling finally. He usually looks pretty stern in his pictures, but he has quite a smile. It is just that when the camera "red eye" light comes on, he knows that there is going to be a flash and he steels himself for it. Anyway, there are a few good ones of him all lit up.
I imagine that we may take a few pictures tomorrow, too. We'll post as soon as we can.
Merry Christmas!
Allan finally succumbed and is nestled all snug in his bed. Griff was asleep, too, but then Dad accidentally woke him up and we were back at square one, pulling out all the stops (including a duet of The 12 Days of Christmas, which I LOATHE). We've explained that Santa doesn't come if you are awake, but, as my father used to say of babies, you just can't reason with them.
We got some good pictures of Allan smiling finally. He usually looks pretty stern in his pictures, but he has quite a smile. It is just that when the camera "red eye" light comes on, he knows that there is going to be a flash and he steels himself for it. Anyway, there are a few good ones of him all lit up.
I imagine that we may take a few pictures tomorrow, too. We'll post as soon as we can.
Merry Christmas!
Cardinals???
Griffith in his Cardinals World Champions bib. Aunt Michele is starting early. Tia Kelly is planning their first trip to a Cubs game to try to balance things out.
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.
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.
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.
I got the first gift!
Griffith, loving the surfboard mat. And the knowledge that he got to open the very first Christmas present.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
I hope that all the pictures bought us some time on the blogging. Sorry for the delay. We actually managed to get a picture for the "holiday" card (note: not Xmas, but not for any politically correct reason) on Friday and I have been busily addressing envelopes in my free time since then. I'm still not making any promises about when/if they are hitting the mail. I'm just saying that the process has been started. "Holiday" could mean New Year's Day, the Feast of the Epiphany, MLK Day or Super Bowl as far as I am concerned and I defy any one to say anything different.
The boys are eight months old today and doing great. Griffith has learned to blow spit bubbles and he thinks it is the funniest thing that he has ever seen/known/done. Allan seems to be getting over his cold and ear infection (finally) and was smiling all over himself when I got home tonight. Mostly he likes to lay on the blanket and watch Griffith, the perpetual motion machine. Not that Allan is interested in investing that much effort in any thing, but it is pretty fun to watch some one else do it.
The boys are eight months old today and doing great. Griffith has learned to blow spit bubbles and he thinks it is the funniest thing that he has ever seen/known/done. Allan seems to be getting over his cold and ear infection (finally) and was smiling all over himself when I got home tonight. Mostly he likes to lay on the blanket and watch Griffith, the perpetual motion machine. Not that Allan is interested in investing that much effort in any thing, but it is pretty fun to watch some one else do it.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Well, we have posted a lot of photos for your entertainment and amusement. This was a long week and a long weekend. And with the holidays and work and everything else (like, oh, you know, sleeping, eating, doing laundry), it has been a little difficult to get the blog updated.
Allan and Griffith had their follow-up flu and RSV vaccines on Monday. Griff had an ear infection, too. Allan had a bad night on Monday and ended up back at the doc's on Tuesday. Seems he got a cold from his brother and was feverish and coughing. Then Allan had to go back to see his opthalmologist. Then, he had a couple of long nights of coughing and sputtering and generally feeling miserable. (Ditto for Mom and Dad. Griffith, the source of the problem, slept like an angel, of courase.) On Friday Allan went back to see the surgeons who put in his peg. (He's doing fine.) He had a bad night Friday night and ended up back at the doctor on Saturday (and missed the UK game). He now has an ear infection as well. Aunt Evelyn hadn't been feeling too well so we all went off to see her (and did a drive by to let John King have a viewing of our very, fine boys.) After a lovely visit with her and Uncles Mark and Dick (and Linda and Bibby,too), we headed back for home. The boys slept the whole way. May all our road trips be so quiet. Griffith slept from about 7:15 p.m. until about 7 this morning. If only Allan had been so cooperative. He just has a hacking, wheezing cough that he can't seem to get rid of, and, just like a regular person, it gets worse at night. He's pretty much slept all day today, recovering from his big trip.
Mom and Griff had quite a time last night. He kept sneezing and shooting snot out all over his face. Just as I would try to wipe it away or suction it, he would suck it all back in and sneeze it out again. The fact that I kept laughing at him did not help the situation. It is no wonder that I didn't become a nurse. The healing arts seem to elude me.
We managed to get Xmas photos taken on Friday night. They weren't wearing the outfits that I bought for that purpose and we didn't get to use the little trees I bought for props, but we got some cute photos and I have even got cards printed from Walgreens. The question remains as to whether I will get them addressed and in envelopes pre-December 25th. Don't get your hopes up. Baby steps.
All is peaceful at the moment. I'm blogging, Allan is sleeping, Griffith is crumpling the Sunday paper that his dad is trying to read. Who could ask for more?
Allan and Griffith had their follow-up flu and RSV vaccines on Monday. Griff had an ear infection, too. Allan had a bad night on Monday and ended up back at the doc's on Tuesday. Seems he got a cold from his brother and was feverish and coughing. Then Allan had to go back to see his opthalmologist. Then, he had a couple of long nights of coughing and sputtering and generally feeling miserable. (Ditto for Mom and Dad. Griffith, the source of the problem, slept like an angel, of courase.) On Friday Allan went back to see the surgeons who put in his peg. (He's doing fine.) He had a bad night Friday night and ended up back at the doctor on Saturday (and missed the UK game). He now has an ear infection as well.
Mom and Griff had quite a time last night. He kept sneezing and shooting snot out all over his face. Just as I would try to wipe it away or suction it, he would suck it all back in and sneeze it out again. The fact that I kept laughing at him did not help the situation. It is no wonder that I didn't become a nurse. The healing arts seem to elude me.
We managed to get Xmas photos taken on Friday night. They weren't wearing the outfits that I bought for that purpose and we didn't get to use the little trees I bought for props, but we got some cute photos and I have even got cards printed from Walgreens. The question remains as to whether I will get them addressed and in envelopes pre-December 25th. Don't get your hopes up. Baby steps.
All is peaceful at the moment. I'm blogging, Allan is sleeping, Griffith is crumpling the Sunday paper that his dad is trying to read. Who could ask for more?
The abandoned Xmas photo shoot
The boys in their outfits purchased for their Xmas photo, demonstrating why that effort was abandoned.
Friday, December 08, 2006
Ready for the weekend
I remember the days when Friday afternoon meant happy hour, a nice dinner out, socializing with friends. These days Fridays are pretty much like any other day except Flora isn't coming tomorrow. Oh well.
It has been kind of a long week. Allan is getting over his cold, but he tends to cough at night. The pediatrician is anti-cough syrup so the little fellow has to hack it out. So, not so much sleep for him or for us. Plus, the little guy had five doctor's appointments this week so he was pretty worn out most of the time. The upshot of all of those exams is that he's doing very well -- his pupil seems to be dilating more, the contact seems to be a pretty good fit, his "peg" has healed nicely and seems to be working as it should. All-in-all good reports.
Griffith is doing very well, too. He's gotten so big. He's eating cereal now and seems very proud of himself. He has learned to squeal which he thinks is about the funniest thing in the world. Especially when he flings his arms and legs simultaneously. He really has the hang of the whole turning himself over thing and can manage to stay seated for a few seconds before doing the Leaning Tower of Pisa off to the side.
No progress has been made toward Xmas photos. I wanted to take one last night - Allan was wailing because I laid him down which I had to do because Griffith had spit up all over himself and the surrounding three square feet. Griffith was furious because he was covered in spit up and I wasn't moving fast enough to address his issue. Not very picturesque but fairly representative of what we have to deal with. If Jay hadn't had the camera in his car, I would have done it.
(That's really unfair. After both boys were cleaned up, they were angels all night and we hung out upstairs, read books and snuggled. Just when you start to think "are there no orphanages? are there no work houses?, they turn sweet and cute and you hang on for another day.)
It has been kind of a long week. Allan is getting over his cold, but he tends to cough at night. The pediatrician is anti-cough syrup so the little fellow has to hack it out. So, not so much sleep for him or for us. Plus, the little guy had five doctor's appointments this week so he was pretty worn out most of the time. The upshot of all of those exams is that he's doing very well -- his pupil seems to be dilating more, the contact seems to be a pretty good fit, his "peg" has healed nicely and seems to be working as it should. All-in-all good reports.
Griffith is doing very well, too. He's gotten so big. He's eating cereal now and seems very proud of himself. He has learned to squeal which he thinks is about the funniest thing in the world. Especially when he flings his arms and legs simultaneously. He really has the hang of the whole turning himself over thing and can manage to stay seated for a few seconds before doing the Leaning Tower of Pisa off to the side.
No progress has been made toward Xmas photos. I wanted to take one last night - Allan was wailing because I laid him down which I had to do because Griffith had spit up all over himself and the surrounding three square feet. Griffith was furious because he was covered in spit up and I wasn't moving fast enough to address his issue. Not very picturesque but fairly representative of what we have to deal with. If Jay hadn't had the camera in his car, I would have done it.
(That's really unfair. After both boys were cleaned up, they were angels all night and we hung out upstairs, read books and snuggled. Just when you start to think "are there no orphanages? are there no work houses?, they turn sweet and cute and you hang on for another day.)
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
So on Monday both boys got their follow up vaccines for flu and RSV. They both got weighed and Griffith is now a whopping 13 pounds 2 ounces. Allan is 13 pounds 6 and a half ounces. I am given to understand that they are both nearly one stone apiece. (Whatever that means.) Cute little Becky the Nurse gave them both their shots. Allan seemed to anticipate that this was not going to end well, but poor Griffith was grinning at her like she was his best friend. That she turned on him so cruelly was infuriating to him. He. Would. Not. Stop. Crying. We are talking full-on, howling at the top of his lungs, hardly able to catch his breath crying. It clearly was not the physical discomfort of the shot after the first couple of minutes. Thereafter it was venom, fury and white-hot anger at having been so misused.
Although he hadn't really shown any symptoms, Griffith was starting an ear infection so he's on an antibiotic. Other than that, he's doing great --growing at the proper pace, doing the proper things. He's even been cleared to start cereal.
Allan didn't fare so well. He didn't react very well to the vaccines and at about midnight (none of these things ever happen at 2 p.m.) he started to run a fever, breath faster and cough. And desat, causing the alarm to go off. Apparently he was on a verge of a cold and this just put him over the edge. He didn't sleep for more than 20 or 30 minutes at a time all night. (Nor did we.) We took him to the doctor the next day just to make sure that he wasn't getting pneumonia or something worse and that turned out all right. Still, the poor little guy was pretty puny acting. He's bounced back today, though, and is acting more like himself.
He goes back tomorrow to have his eye and new contact evaluated. Dad and I are still not what you would call adept at getting it in and out, but we are getting better (at the risk of jinxing it.)
We continue to consider the possibility of taking Xmas photos, but, frankly haven't had the strength to repeat our earlier efforts. Suffice to say that there will be photos -- eventually.
Although he hadn't really shown any symptoms, Griffith was starting an ear infection so he's on an antibiotic. Other than that, he's doing great --growing at the proper pace, doing the proper things. He's even been cleared to start cereal.
Allan didn't fare so well. He didn't react very well to the vaccines and at about midnight (none of these things ever happen at 2 p.m.) he started to run a fever, breath faster and cough. And desat, causing the alarm to go off. Apparently he was on a verge of a cold and this just put him over the edge. He didn't sleep for more than 20 or 30 minutes at a time all night. (Nor did we.) We took him to the doctor the next day just to make sure that he wasn't getting pneumonia or something worse and that turned out all right. Still, the poor little guy was pretty puny acting. He's bounced back today, though, and is acting more like himself.
He goes back tomorrow to have his eye and new contact evaluated. Dad and I are still not what you would call adept at getting it in and out, but we are getting better (at the risk of jinxing it.)
We continue to consider the possibility of taking Xmas photos, but, frankly haven't had the strength to repeat our earlier efforts. Suffice to say that there will be photos -- eventually.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Well, things didn't go so well with the Christmas photo shoot. Everything was set up and in place, but no one told the boys that they had to cooperate. Neither of them was his usual happy self that morning. If one was looking in the right direction, the other one was crying or had his head turned or was trying to eat fake snow. We worked like field hands for about 45 minutes and then just called it. Took off the cute like overalls and decided we would try later. Every time the camera comes out, things go to hell. You may get a Christmas card. You may get a New Year's card. It may be Valentine's Day or Flag Day for that matter. Just please, please don't ask where your card is.
After we quit pestering them for photos, the boys had a good weekend. Allan and Griff are paying more attention to each other these days. Not that it is always a good thing. Saturday afternoon I had them both on a blanket in the floor with toys between them. Allan would grab something. Griffith would grab from the other side and then he would roll over, taking whatever the toy was with him, deposit on the side away from Allan and roll back over to repeat the process with whatever other toy Allan got. This went on for nearly an hour. We think it is probably a preview of coming attractions.
Allan's contact came and we managed to wrestle him in to and out of it. So far it is a two-person operation. Although he doesn't seem to mind the contact once it is in, Allan is not at all interested in having it put in. And getting it out is quite the rodeo. Still it seems to be helping him track with that eye and we hope that the grudge matches settle down once he is a little more used to the process.
Allan's hearing was tested again today. Before he was discharged from the NICU, they tested him and concluded that he had a fair amount of hearing loss in his left ear. Still, because he was so little, they recommend re-doing the test. Today they have concluded that he has a little hearing loss in each ear, but nothing profound.
After we quit pestering them for photos, the boys had a good weekend. Allan and Griff are paying more attention to each other these days. Not that it is always a good thing. Saturday afternoon I had them both on a blanket in the floor with toys between them. Allan would grab something. Griffith would grab from the other side and then he would roll over, taking whatever the toy was with him, deposit on the side away from Allan and roll back over to repeat the process with whatever other toy Allan got. This went on for nearly an hour. We think it is probably a preview of coming attractions.
Allan's contact came and we managed to wrestle him in to and out of it. So far it is a two-person operation. Although he doesn't seem to mind the contact once it is in, Allan is not at all interested in having it put in. And getting it out is quite the rodeo. Still it seems to be helping him track with that eye and we hope that the grudge matches settle down once he is a little more used to the process.
Allan's hearing was tested again today. Before he was discharged from the NICU, they tested him and concluded that he had a fair amount of hearing loss in his left ear. Still, because he was so little, they recommend re-doing the test. Today they have concluded that he has a little hearing loss in each ear, but nothing profound.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Sorry for the delay in posting. We've had a busy week. Jay and I had a night alone in lovely Clarksville, Indiana (there was a convention in Louisville and all the hotels were booked). Allan and Griffith partied like rock stars with Caitlin and Rachel. Caitlin said that Griffith talked all night long.
The immigration interviews went about as well as could be expected. If he gets deported it may be all my fault. I'm not terribly well-suited for responding to those sorts of questions (Q:"Does your husband have any previous marriages? Any other children?" A: "Not to my knowledge." Q: "What?" A:"Not to my knowledge." What more do they expect? He's got about 35 years unaccounted for.... Q:"Does his family like you?" A: "I really can't speak for them, but I should hope so." Q: "Does your family like him?" A: "They seem to." It isn't as if we have asked them directly. They ask you to swear to tell the truth and then look at you as if you have antlers when you do.)
We took Allan to have his eye looked at again and to be fitted for a contact. He did very well. We put it in and took it out and he really didn't fight too much. Of course, we only did it twice and he wasn't sure what was going on. We'll see how it goes once he's figured out what's coming.
Aunt Evelyn came for a short visit and was quite impressed with how big Griffith has gotten (his face has really filled out -- I think that means he's getting fat) and how alert and active Allan is.
Allan has really picked up steam lately. His breathing has been better and, consequently, he is more active. This is manifested in many ways, not the least of which is that he, too, is learning to pitch fits when things don't go to suit him. He will now howl like a banshee when you lay him down and he tried to shout the walls down at the pediatrician's office. I blame Griffith. He's a bad influence. Still it is fun (for now anyway) to see Allan feeling lively enough to act up.
We are going to try to take Christmas pictures this weekend. The odds of everyone being dressed, clean, happy and looking in the same direction are slim, but we are giving it a shot. It may take awhile. They may end up being Valentine's Day cards by the time we are through....
The immigration interviews went about as well as could be expected. If he gets deported it may be all my fault. I'm not terribly well-suited for responding to those sorts of questions (Q:"Does your husband have any previous marriages? Any other children?" A: "Not to my knowledge." Q: "What?" A:"Not to my knowledge." What more do they expect? He's got about 35 years unaccounted for.... Q:"Does his family like you?" A: "I really can't speak for them, but I should hope so." Q: "Does your family like him?" A: "They seem to." It isn't as if we have asked them directly. They ask you to swear to tell the truth and then look at you as if you have antlers when you do.)
We took Allan to have his eye looked at again and to be fitted for a contact. He did very well. We put it in and took it out and he really didn't fight too much. Of course, we only did it twice and he wasn't sure what was going on. We'll see how it goes once he's figured out what's coming.
Aunt Evelyn came for a short visit and was quite impressed with how big Griffith has gotten (his face has really filled out -- I think that means he's getting fat) and how alert and active Allan is.
Allan has really picked up steam lately. His breathing has been better and, consequently, he is more active. This is manifested in many ways, not the least of which is that he, too, is learning to pitch fits when things don't go to suit him. He will now howl like a banshee when you lay him down and he tried to shout the walls down at the pediatrician's office. I blame Griffith. He's a bad influence. Still it is fun (for now anyway) to see Allan feeling lively enough to act up.
We are going to try to take Christmas pictures this weekend. The odds of everyone being dressed, clean, happy and looking in the same direction are slim, but we are giving it a shot. It may take awhile. They may end up being Valentine's Day cards by the time we are through....
Griffith in his new toboggan
Griff and great-great aunt Evelyn. And his new hat courtesy of cousin Edith.
Monday, November 27, 2006
The weekend recap -- Thanksgiving.
The boys have had a most excellent Thanksgiving break. The weather has been wonderful and we have taken long walks every day, trying to take advantage of it while we can.
The boys were very disappointed that the Cats blew it against Tennessee, but they wore their hats with pride any way. Who would have thought that the season would have gone as well as it did? And we still have a bowl game to look forward to. And, even better -- basketball season is ready to start in earnest.
Aunt Kathy dropped by on Saturday and immediately pronounced Griffith to be "fat" which made him laugh out loud. She also got to witness a full-on temper tantrum when he decided that his (second) lunch was late. She laughed and laughed and laughed. I think I heard her say something about revenge being sweet. I'm not sure what she meant by that, but I think she is implying that our pride and joy is just a little bit of a handful. Still you have to respect someone who knows his own mind like Grif and manages to convey it so clearly. He can pretty much roll over at will these days and scoots all over the place. He still wakes up happy as a clam and jabbers all the time. Flora swears that he says 'hi' (he does say something close) and that he said "da" today (which I refuse to accept -- it would be very ungrateful of him to do so.)
Allan has been doing just great since his surgery. His eye looks better every day and his belly doesn't seem to be bothering him at all. He still isn't eating much better, but we have been wearing him out with doctor's visits and walks and such. He did eat quite a bit yesterday for his dad -- who was feeding Griffith at the time. Allan kept watching and squawking and would suck down Griff's bottle any time his dad offered it - which then caused Griff to squawk. The two are going to be a little jealous, we're afraid. Still, Allan is a little love bug and snuggles down any chance he gets. He watches his brother when Griff is doing all of this talking and moves his mouth like he is trying to figure out how to answer him. Good luck getting a word in edgewise.
We have doctors' appts and work and immigration appointments today and Wednesday so it may be a while before we post. Enjoy the pictures!
The boys were very disappointed that the Cats blew it against Tennessee, but they wore their hats with pride any way. Who would have thought that the season would have gone as well as it did? And we still have a bowl game to look forward to. And, even better -- basketball season is ready to start in earnest.
Aunt Kathy dropped by on Saturday and immediately pronounced Griffith to be "fat" which made him laugh out loud. She also got to witness a full-on temper tantrum when he decided that his (second) lunch was late. She laughed and laughed and laughed. I think I heard her say something about revenge being sweet. I'm not sure what she meant by that, but I think she is implying that our pride and joy is just a little bit of a handful. Still you have to respect someone who knows his own mind like Grif and manages to convey it so clearly. He can pretty much roll over at will these days and scoots all over the place. He still wakes up happy as a clam and jabbers all the time. Flora swears that he says 'hi' (he does say something close) and that he said "da" today (which I refuse to accept -- it would be very ungrateful of him to do so.)
Allan has been doing just great since his surgery. His eye looks better every day and his belly doesn't seem to be bothering him at all. He still isn't eating much better, but we have been wearing him out with doctor's visits and walks and such. He did eat quite a bit yesterday for his dad -- who was feeding Griffith at the time. Allan kept watching and squawking and would suck down Griff's bottle any time his dad offered it - which then caused Griff to squawk. The two are going to be a little jealous, we're afraid. Still, Allan is a little love bug and snuggles down any chance he gets. He watches his brother when Griff is doing all of this talking and moves his mouth like he is trying to figure out how to answer him. Good luck getting a word in edgewise.
We have doctors' appts and work and immigration appointments today and Wednesday so it may be a while before we post. Enjoy the pictures!
Griff in his Pooh robe
Allan fell asleep before I could give him his bath. We'll have to get his picture later.
Griffith - looking startled
Since I am always posting pictures of Allan looking like he has been goosed, I felt that I had to post this one of Griffith.
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