They looked so grown up in their flannel shirts and corduroys.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Allan and the centipede
It really is a very popular item in our house. We may have to buy another one in case we lose this one.
And check out those eyelashes.
Happy New Year.
Well, here we are back again. We welcomed in 2007 in a pretty low-key sort of way. Jay and I had steaks, mashed potatoes and wine and the boys had, as usual, formula. They didn't seem to mind. And we all watched The Twilight Zone on the SciFi Channel. Big wild night.
Allan has been doing just great. We have halved the dosage of one of his diuretics and discontinued one of his inhalers and it hasn't set him back at all. In fact, his oxygen requirement has been as low as it has ever been. He is more alert and fun these days. He can't quite turn himself over, but he does get over on his sides to reach for toys or to watch his brother. It probably isn't fair to say that he "can't" turn over. With Big Al, it is hard to tell what he can't do and what he just isn't interested in doing. He is making more baby sounds these days and gets tuned up and howls when he is wet or dirty or has been put down when he would prefer to be held. Regular baby stuff. He's smiling a lot these days and loves to play spider-hand and get Eskimo kisses.
Griffith is full of it these days, too. We moved his crib upstairs because he outgrew the bassinet. He absolutely loves to pick his feet up over his head and slam them down in to the mattress. Preferably in the middle of the night. It sounds like a cannon going off. He has also discovered his tongue and thinks it is just grand. Not just when it blows spit bubbles or zerberts. All the time. And he loves for you to stick your tongue back at him. He crows like a little rooster and flaps his arms and laughs out loud at the hilarity of it all. He got a little off-schedule during the holidays and 4:30 a.m. is apparently the new 7 a.m. We hope that he gets over that soon.
We all took a road trip to visit Aunt Evelyn on Saturday and they did very well. At least until the end. Griffith woke up on the ride back and decided that he was not happy with the situation. Waking up in the dark, in the car, wet and tired was not his idea of a good idea. It was not made better by him howling like a banshee for the 27 minutes it took us to make it home. He was mad for an hour after that.
Uncle Luigi and Aunt Diane came and brought many goodies. Most notably, genuine bolas and a whip from Argentina. No ostriches will be safe on our street.
The boys have a doc's appointment on Wednesday, but, other than that, we are all just planning on staying at home and growing.
Allan has been doing just great. We have halved the dosage of one of his diuretics and discontinued one of his inhalers and it hasn't set him back at all. In fact, his oxygen requirement has been as low as it has ever been. He is more alert and fun these days. He can't quite turn himself over, but he does get over on his sides to reach for toys or to watch his brother. It probably isn't fair to say that he "can't" turn over. With Big Al, it is hard to tell what he can't do and what he just isn't interested in doing. He is making more baby sounds these days and gets tuned up and howls when he is wet or dirty or has been put down when he would prefer to be held. Regular baby stuff. He's smiling a lot these days and loves to play spider-hand and get Eskimo kisses.
Griffith is full of it these days, too. We moved his crib upstairs because he outgrew the bassinet. He absolutely loves to pick his feet up over his head and slam them down in to the mattress. Preferably in the middle of the night. It sounds like a cannon going off. He has also discovered his tongue and thinks it is just grand. Not just when it blows spit bubbles or zerberts. All the time. And he loves for you to stick your tongue back at him. He crows like a little rooster and flaps his arms and laughs out loud at the hilarity of it all. He got a little off-schedule during the holidays and 4:30 a.m. is apparently the new 7 a.m. We hope that he gets over that soon.
We all took a road trip to visit Aunt Evelyn on Saturday and they did very well. At least until the end. Griffith woke up on the ride back and decided that he was not happy with the situation. Waking up in the dark, in the car, wet and tired was not his idea of a good idea. It was not made better by him howling like a banshee for the 27 minutes it took us to make it home. He was mad for an hour after that.
Uncle Luigi and Aunt Diane came and brought many goodies. Most notably, genuine bolas and a whip from Argentina. No ostriches will be safe on our street.
The boys have a doc's appointment on Wednesday, but, other than that, we are all just planning on staying at home and growing.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Well, Santa made it in a big way. Griffith was so excited about Christmas that he decided to get an early start. He probably just missed Santa leaving when he got up at 4:30 a.m. It was up and down (literally) from that point on. We had visions of getting the boys in their red velour Christmas outfits and opening gifts, making a nice lunch, playing with toys and taking a nap, but we could not get every one in sync. By the time Griffith went to sleep, Allan woke up, then Allan was tired by the time Griffith was ready to get up and eat. Then we had to start cooking or else we wouldn't have dinner until the 26th. In between diaper changes, showers and general baby-minding, time really flew. Finally, at 6 p.m., the boys were both awake and relatively cooperative so we started the Great Gift Opening. Although the boys liked their loot, they were thoroughly uninterested in the unwrapping process. We might as well have just as well have opened them ourselves while the boys slept. They got some great stuff. You could tell who bought what, though -- Dad bought exactly one gift that doesn't light up and make noise. I am saving all of the instruction manuals so I can figure out where the "off" and "mute" buttons are.
Enjoy the photos. Merry Christmas!
Enjoy the photos. Merry Christmas!
Allan- wrestling the centipede
Griffith fell asleep and so Allan was able to get hold of the centipede.
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.
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