Sunday, July 01, 2007
Griff with a snootfull
Griff with a snoot-full of water, ready to sneeze. It was all very funny until he was puking on Momma and the couch 3 hours later.
We've had a busy couple of days.
Miss Julie came on Thursday for PT and she continues to rave about the progress that Big Al is making. He pretty much sits up without assistance for as long as he wants to. And he wants to do for longer and longer stretches of time. One of the new skills that we are working on involves reaching down with both hands outside the knee as he sits. Basically a quarter turn and reaching down to put both hands on the floor and then pushing up and back in to sitting. He'll do it, but it feels weird and he doesn't like it much. It isn't that he can't do it. It is that he's afraid that he won't be able to get back up. We are also working on reaching out for things that are at shoulder level and above, making choices, and learning to put things in containers and take them out. Miss Julie says that Allan works harder than any baby she's got. And she pushes him the whole time that she's here. I didn't realize what he was doing, but, at one point, he turned his head away from her and even though she was calling to him, he wouldn't turn his head. This disturbed me. Can he not hear her? Is this a sign of a cognitive deficit? Nope. He was mad at her. She had been making him work and he was tired out it and so he was pretending that she wasn't there. Would not turn for any thing. After a few minutes of cuddling and telling him what a big, stong boy he was, he was in good spirits with her again and back at work. Allan needs his atta boys.
On Friday, Miss Edie came and she was quite impressed with Allan, too. She brought a button toy -- it had nine or twelve buttons in the shape of different animals, flowers, whatever. When you push the button it makes a sound -- the cat meows, for instance. The sound isn't very loud, though. So Miss Edie had Allan lay on his side and had him kind of reach over to fool with the buttons. She didn't really expect him to do much more than bang them, but he would reach very delicately and push the button with his fingers to make it make sounds. She was totally surpised (in a good way) that he wasn't just banging to hear himself bang (like his brother sometimes does). He was clearly exploring the keys and realized that when he pushed there was a reaction that he liked. He also smiled at Miranda when she came in. (Flora was out on Friday so Miranda came to take care of the boys.) Edie was so pleased -- she said that Allan usually will smile at her after she has been there for awhile, but doesn't smile as soon as she walks in the door, but "that may be a personality issue." Yeah, probably. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. There is a little of his momma's side of the family in ol' Allan, too. Like his cousin Bailey, he really doesn't see much reason to go out of his way to win people over. Really the obligation falls on them. You can come in and act like a clown if you want to. That doesn't mean Allan (or Griffith for that matter) is going to find it amusing.
The weekend was big, too. Daddy had to get up early to go to Louisville for work on Saturday and both of the boys decided they needed to make sure that they saw him before they left. Which meant that by 7:45 every one was up and ready to roll. So we decided to take a big, long run. Momma is trying to teach the fellas to say "go, Mommy, go, Mommy, go" but, so far, Allan falls asleep about 1/2 mile in to it while Griff just takes every thing in. One woman said to me, your baby has slumped over. No, not really. He just likes to chew on the strap. If I straighten him up, he just growls and slumps back over again. I just said, "thanks," it seemed easier.
Cousin Jennifer came over to help in the afternoon. She won't make that mistake any time soon again. Both boys were "on" all afternoon. Griffith pooped on her -- twice. Which was at least once more than she was willing to accomodate. The background is that two of Allan's opthalmologists (and future in-laws) were coming over for dinner along with another of Allan's husband and wife medical team. Since Daddy was gone Mommy needed back up. As long as you are man-to-man you have a fighting chance. Once you are on zone defense, it is all over. Any way, Jennifer did a fabulous job, but about 5:15 or so she said, I think Griff has pooped again. Yeah, sometimes he does that. Rather than change him, though, she waited a few more minutes until Jay came in the house (I was prepping some thing for dinner). Jay walked in and started his usual jack-in-the-box, monkeying around with the boys when Jennifer said (slyly), you might want to check him, he may be dirty. Um, yeah. In fact he was SO dirty that there was no recovery with a diaper wipe. Not even a whole box of them. So, 30 minutes before we have company over for dinner we are stripping the Griffster down and throwing him in the tub. And poor Allan. The blessed, blameless lamb. We stripped him in and threw him in the tub, too. No reason to waste all that warm water and baby lotion.
Jim and Alice arrived (thank God) fashionably late with Miss Ginny Beth who is two whole weeks younger than the boys. The little vixen showed up with her hair in a top-knot She will have a hard time choosing between the boys later on but , fortunately, that day has not yet arrived. To be frank, she's a little advanced for the boys. You know how girls are. Not only was she drinking from one sippy cup, she had two going at the same time. Forward little thing.
Mommy and Daddy had a nice time with (part) of Allan's medical team. Miranda and her husband came over to keep an eye on the guys. Every one made it threw the night smooothly. This sleeping through the night stuff is starting to get to be a habit. Allan had a bit of a stomach ache and was restless through the early a.m. hours. Dad and Griff got up early and read the paper and other books for a while. Mom and the boys went for another long run while
Dad worked on the back deck. Then we all had lunch and took a nap. Dad and Allan racked out on the couch while Mom and Griff went upstairs. Griff woke up and thought it would be good fun to stick his leg through the slats of the crib. Which is was, right up until he got his leg stuck and couldn't get it out. That's what Momma's thighs will get you, baby. So Mom had to hold him while Dad pulled and tugged and stretched. It was almost more than a guy could stand. Especially right after waking up. But all's well that end's well and we didn't have to cut a slat out of the bed.
We also got an opportunity to take a swim this afternoon. Both boys managed to do face plants at different times. Griff apparently took on so much water that he has spit up all over Mom 3 times. Once so much that she had to take a shower while Dad stripped Griff and changed every thing that he owned. If he sleeps through the night it will be a miracle.
Right now they are both asleep upstairs with Dad. He finished shingling the posts on the deck tonight while Thing One and Thing Two and I used the front porch swings and did the Neighborhood Watch. The weather couldn't be any more perfect and, if it weren't for the fact that Griff is going to be up at either 4 or 6 a.m. and wailing like a banshee, I would hang out here in Flora's swing in the backyard forever. As it is, it is bed time. I will try to post a few photos and then hit the hay.
Miss Julie came on Thursday for PT and she continues to rave about the progress that Big Al is making. He pretty much sits up without assistance for as long as he wants to. And he wants to do for longer and longer stretches of time. One of the new skills that we are working on involves reaching down with both hands outside the knee as he sits. Basically a quarter turn and reaching down to put both hands on the floor and then pushing up and back in to sitting. He'll do it, but it feels weird and he doesn't like it much. It isn't that he can't do it. It is that he's afraid that he won't be able to get back up. We are also working on reaching out for things that are at shoulder level and above, making choices, and learning to put things in containers and take them out. Miss Julie says that Allan works harder than any baby she's got. And she pushes him the whole time that she's here. I didn't realize what he was doing, but, at one point, he turned his head away from her and even though she was calling to him, he wouldn't turn his head. This disturbed me. Can he not hear her? Is this a sign of a cognitive deficit? Nope. He was mad at her. She had been making him work and he was tired out it and so he was pretending that she wasn't there. Would not turn for any thing. After a few minutes of cuddling and telling him what a big, stong boy he was, he was in good spirits with her again and back at work. Allan needs his atta boys.
On Friday, Miss Edie came and she was quite impressed with Allan, too. She brought a button toy -- it had nine or twelve buttons in the shape of different animals, flowers, whatever. When you push the button it makes a sound -- the cat meows, for instance. The sound isn't very loud, though. So Miss Edie had Allan lay on his side and had him kind of reach over to fool with the buttons. She didn't really expect him to do much more than bang them, but he would reach very delicately and push the button with his fingers to make it make sounds. She was totally surpised (in a good way) that he wasn't just banging to hear himself bang (like his brother sometimes does). He was clearly exploring the keys and realized that when he pushed there was a reaction that he liked. He also smiled at Miranda when she came in. (Flora was out on Friday so Miranda came to take care of the boys.) Edie was so pleased -- she said that Allan usually will smile at her after she has been there for awhile, but doesn't smile as soon as she walks in the door, but "that may be a personality issue." Yeah, probably. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. There is a little of his momma's side of the family in ol' Allan, too. Like his cousin Bailey, he really doesn't see much reason to go out of his way to win people over. Really the obligation falls on them. You can come in and act like a clown if you want to. That doesn't mean Allan (or Griffith for that matter) is going to find it amusing.
The weekend was big, too. Daddy had to get up early to go to Louisville for work on Saturday and both of the boys decided they needed to make sure that they saw him before they left. Which meant that by 7:45 every one was up and ready to roll. So we decided to take a big, long run. Momma is trying to teach the fellas to say "go, Mommy, go, Mommy, go" but, so far, Allan falls asleep about 1/2 mile in to it while Griff just takes every thing in. One woman said to me, your baby has slumped over. No, not really. He just likes to chew on the strap. If I straighten him up, he just growls and slumps back over again. I just said, "thanks," it seemed easier.
Cousin Jennifer came over to help in the afternoon. She won't make that mistake any time soon again. Both boys were "on" all afternoon. Griffith pooped on her -- twice. Which was at least once more than she was willing to accomodate. The background is that two of Allan's opthalmologists (and future in-laws) were coming over for dinner along with another of Allan's husband and wife medical team. Since Daddy was gone Mommy needed back up. As long as you are man-to-man you have a fighting chance. Once you are on zone defense, it is all over. Any way, Jennifer did a fabulous job, but about 5:15 or so she said, I think Griff has pooped again. Yeah, sometimes he does that. Rather than change him, though, she waited a few more minutes until Jay came in the house (I was prepping some thing for dinner). Jay walked in and started his usual jack-in-the-box, monkeying around with the boys when Jennifer said (slyly), you might want to check him, he may be dirty. Um, yeah. In fact he was SO dirty that there was no recovery with a diaper wipe. Not even a whole box of them. So, 30 minutes before we have company over for dinner we are stripping the Griffster down and throwing him in the tub. And poor Allan. The blessed, blameless lamb. We stripped him in and threw him in the tub, too. No reason to waste all that warm water and baby lotion.
Jim and Alice arrived (thank God) fashionably late with Miss Ginny Beth who is two whole weeks younger than the boys. The little vixen showed up with her hair in a top-knot She will have a hard time choosing between the boys later on but , fortunately, that day has not yet arrived. To be frank, she's a little advanced for the boys. You know how girls are. Not only was she drinking from one sippy cup, she had two going at the same time. Forward little thing.
Mommy and Daddy had a nice time with (part) of Allan's medical team. Miranda and her husband came over to keep an eye on the guys. Every one made it threw the night smooothly. This sleeping through the night stuff is starting to get to be a habit. Allan had a bit of a stomach ache and was restless through the early a.m. hours. Dad and Griff got up early and read the paper and other books for a while. Mom and the boys went for another long run while
Dad worked on the back deck. Then we all had lunch and took a nap. Dad and Allan racked out on the couch while Mom and Griff went upstairs. Griff woke up and thought it would be good fun to stick his leg through the slats of the crib. Which is was, right up until he got his leg stuck and couldn't get it out. That's what Momma's thighs will get you, baby. So Mom had to hold him while Dad pulled and tugged and stretched. It was almost more than a guy could stand. Especially right after waking up. But all's well that end's well and we didn't have to cut a slat out of the bed.
We also got an opportunity to take a swim this afternoon. Both boys managed to do face plants at different times. Griff apparently took on so much water that he has spit up all over Mom 3 times. Once so much that she had to take a shower while Dad stripped Griff and changed every thing that he owned. If he sleeps through the night it will be a miracle.
Right now they are both asleep upstairs with Dad. He finished shingling the posts on the deck tonight while Thing One and Thing Two and I used the front porch swings and did the Neighborhood Watch. The weather couldn't be any more perfect and, if it weren't for the fact that Griff is going to be up at either 4 or 6 a.m. and wailing like a banshee, I would hang out here in Flora's swing in the backyard forever. As it is, it is bed time. I will try to post a few photos and then hit the hay.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Now that it is routinely in the 80's and muggy, Flora is satisfied that the boys won't get a chill and she has instituted a morning walk. This suits the boys just fine. Allan can sleep in the stroller as well as any where else. And Griffith is so nosy that being out and about is almost more than he can stand. In the afternoon, they usually spend some time on the front porch in the swings. Just think of them as our miniature version of the Neighborhood Watch.
Both boys have new teeth -- that makes nine each. I think. They both now have a lower left molar. Allan is working on one on the right, too, but we can't tell about Griffith since he fights and snaps like an alligator. After the first few teeth, the excitement has worn off for us all and it just doesn't seem worth the effort to confirm or deny another tooth. Still we'll be going to the pediatrician again soon and I will feel like a failure as a parent guess-timating how many teeth my kid has. Nine? Ten? Ish? Something like that.
Allan has learned to roll over more than one revolution at a time which is quite an accomplish. He has also become quite adept at pulling off his wires with his toes. He oxygen requirement is way down despite how much more active he has become and we are hoping this represents progress toward coming off the oxygen entirely. Allan has managed to mark himself; we hope not permanently. He has marks on both of his little thumbs from where his sharp little teeth rub them. It doesn't seem to deter him a bit, though. He is a thumb sucker through and through.
Griffith continues on his merry path of destruction. It is as if someone let a monkey loose in the house. He has learned to open the drawers on the dresser. We thought (hoped) that it was just a fluke. Maybe he was holding the pull and kind of fell back and pulled it out. On accident, as Thomas would say. So we closed it. And he immediately grabbed the pull with his meaty little hand and jerked it back open. Great. He also managed to open the door on the front of the entertainment center. Flora was telling me about THAT and, while she was in the middle of her story, he crawled over and grabbed the handles and jerked on it -- as if to say, "See? Like this." Our very own living, breathing demonstrative aid. Then, yesterday, he was working on the door on the washstand in the living room. I've decided to abandon that entirely. Just empty it out and let it be his cabinet. If he is any kin of my brother, he will start sitting in it and playing for hours. Whatever it takes.
Griff has taken to telling me off, too. If I cross him (which I seem to do on a regular basis), he furrows his brow, makes a fierce face and jabbers in a way that makes clear that I am not suiting him. He throws in the occasional "Ma!Ma!Ma!" just in case there is any question of what he considers the problem to be. (I tell him that I don't need it from him. That's what his father is for. But he keeps on giving me what for any way.) He gave me a good telling off this morning because I was making Allan cry. (Allan does not like to be messed with in the morning in any way. He doesn't want to have a wet diaper, but he doesn't want you to change it, either. So he howls like you taking the skin right off of him.) The only consolation is that Griffith apparently feels some solidarity with Allan.
Both boys have new teeth -- that makes nine each. I think. They both now have a lower left molar. Allan is working on one on the right, too, but we can't tell about Griffith since he fights and snaps like an alligator. After the first few teeth, the excitement has worn off for us all and it just doesn't seem worth the effort to confirm or deny another tooth. Still we'll be going to the pediatrician again soon and I will feel like a failure as a parent guess-timating how many teeth my kid has. Nine? Ten? Ish? Something like that.
Allan has learned to roll over more than one revolution at a time which is quite an accomplish. He has also become quite adept at pulling off his wires with his toes. He oxygen requirement is way down despite how much more active he has become and we are hoping this represents progress toward coming off the oxygen entirely. Allan has managed to mark himself; we hope not permanently. He has marks on both of his little thumbs from where his sharp little teeth rub them. It doesn't seem to deter him a bit, though. He is a thumb sucker through and through.
Griffith continues on his merry path of destruction. It is as if someone let a monkey loose in the house. He has learned to open the drawers on the dresser. We thought (hoped) that it was just a fluke. Maybe he was holding the pull and kind of fell back and pulled it out. On accident, as Thomas would say. So we closed it. And he immediately grabbed the pull with his meaty little hand and jerked it back open. Great. He also managed to open the door on the front of the entertainment center. Flora was telling me about THAT and, while she was in the middle of her story, he crawled over and grabbed the handles and jerked on it -- as if to say, "See? Like this." Our very own living, breathing demonstrative aid. Then, yesterday, he was working on the door on the washstand in the living room. I've decided to abandon that entirely. Just empty it out and let it be his cabinet. If he is any kin of my brother, he will start sitting in it and playing for hours. Whatever it takes.
Griff has taken to telling me off, too. If I cross him (which I seem to do on a regular basis), he furrows his brow, makes a fierce face and jabbers in a way that makes clear that I am not suiting him. He throws in the occasional "Ma!Ma!Ma!" just in case there is any question of what he considers the problem to be. (I tell him that I don't need it from him. That's what his father is for. But he keeps on giving me what for any way.) He gave me a good telling off this morning because I was making Allan cry. (Allan does not like to be messed with in the morning in any way. He doesn't want to have a wet diaper, but he doesn't want you to change it, either. So he howls like you taking the skin right off of him.) The only consolation is that Griffith apparently feels some solidarity with Allan.
Griffith - ticked off
It is hard to tell in profile, but, if you look closely you can see the furrowed brow.
Flora in her walking gear
Flora, getting ready to head out with the guys. Griffith thinks her hat is really funny. She's always threatening to run off with the babies so we are glad to have a good picture of her for the police.
Walking with Flora
Flora has instituted a daily constitutional with the fellows. They are pounding the pavement daily now.
Allan and Jen
Jen was one of Allan's NICU girlfriends. Although he is his usual solemn self in the photo, he was delighted to see her and was all smiles for her.
Future babysitter.
Jen's daughter Shelby came over and took right up with the boys. We are trying to secure her as a babysitter, but she has plans to be a FoodNetwork host instead.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Mom had to go out of town last week so that's why it has been so long between posts. Dad, the boys and Flora were on their own for 3 days and fared very well. The only thing is that Griffith has turned in to a real Momma's boy and follows me around and cries when he can't find me. I guess he figures that he'd better keep an eye on me. You never know when she'll be gone for days on end.
Julie (PT) and Edie (OT/Speech) were very impressed with how much progress Allan continues to make. He's noticeably stronger, more energetic and more vocal. We always knew he had it in him. He just needed a little more energy to be able to act on it.
Allan loves to play on the therapy ball. As soon as you sit him on it he starts to bounce his bottom up and down. He does great balancing and shifting so that he doesn't fall over. The love of bouncing extends to whenever he is sitting on your lap. Just like his brother, he loves to "ride the horsey" and bucks and kicks to make you keep on doing it. He also loves a new game that we have developed that we like to call "Oh, no, the baby's gonna fall!" This involves Allan sitting on my leg and being slung left, right and center, back and forth, side to side. All the while saying "oh, no, the baby's going to fall!" and "someone help the baby!" and other nonsense. He can't get enough of that. In fact, today we did it so much that he spit up all over the place. That's the price you pay for a good time.
Allan is also making more sounds these days and he and Griffith sometimes get in to real shouting matches. The first of many. Allan also likes to shout whenever Griffith is asleep. It is uncanny how he gets completely loud and tuned up when you most want him to be quiet. Still, I feel a little bad shushing him since he has worked so hard to become vocal.
The boys had a good time in the tub together, but giving them a bath at the same time is definitely a two-person operation. Still, considering the amount of water that they throw on the kitchen floor, the bath tub makes sense. Unless the floor needs mopping, in which case, two birds, one stone and all.
Griffith still refuses to walk without holding on to something - even if it is only lightly. Several times he has caught himself standing without assistance and he drops immediately to his knees.
The guys have begun sleeping through the nights again. We don't know how long it will last, but we are ready to ride it out as long as possible. They both slept until nearly 10 this morning. I would like to report that Jay and I got a lot done, but all we accomplished was laying in bed, dozing and wondering when our luck was going to end (about 9:38, roughly). It was good while it lasted and while Dad went to do some work, the boys and I went for a run with the jogging stroller. The effort of encouraging me apparently wore Griff out because he promptly passed out for an hour as soon as we got home. Allan, of course, slept for the entire jog and so he was fired up and ready to roll when we got home. I swear, they NEVER sleep at the same time for me.
That pretty much gets every one updated. Oh, I almost forgot, KK sent the cute Cubs outfits to balance out the Cardinals gear from Aunt Michele. I'm not sure how we can play this to our advantage, but I see trips to St. Louis and Chicago in the near future.
Julie (PT) and Edie (OT/Speech) were very impressed with how much progress Allan continues to make. He's noticeably stronger, more energetic and more vocal. We always knew he had it in him. He just needed a little more energy to be able to act on it.
Allan loves to play on the therapy ball. As soon as you sit him on it he starts to bounce his bottom up and down. He does great balancing and shifting so that he doesn't fall over. The love of bouncing extends to whenever he is sitting on your lap. Just like his brother, he loves to "ride the horsey" and bucks and kicks to make you keep on doing it. He also loves a new game that we have developed that we like to call "Oh, no, the baby's gonna fall!" This involves Allan sitting on my leg and being slung left, right and center, back and forth, side to side. All the while saying "oh, no, the baby's going to fall!" and "someone help the baby!" and other nonsense. He can't get enough of that. In fact, today we did it so much that he spit up all over the place. That's the price you pay for a good time.
Allan is also making more sounds these days and he and Griffith sometimes get in to real shouting matches. The first of many. Allan also likes to shout whenever Griffith is asleep. It is uncanny how he gets completely loud and tuned up when you most want him to be quiet. Still, I feel a little bad shushing him since he has worked so hard to become vocal.
The boys had a good time in the tub together, but giving them a bath at the same time is definitely a two-person operation. Still, considering the amount of water that they throw on the kitchen floor, the bath tub makes sense. Unless the floor needs mopping, in which case, two birds, one stone and all.
Griffith still refuses to walk without holding on to something - even if it is only lightly. Several times he has caught himself standing without assistance and he drops immediately to his knees.
The guys have begun sleeping through the nights again. We don't know how long it will last, but we are ready to ride it out as long as possible. They both slept until nearly 10 this morning. I would like to report that Jay and I got a lot done, but all we accomplished was laying in bed, dozing and wondering when our luck was going to end (about 9:38, roughly). It was good while it lasted and while Dad went to do some work, the boys and I went for a run with the jogging stroller. The effort of encouraging me apparently wore Griff out because he promptly passed out for an hour as soon as we got home. Allan, of course, slept for the entire jog and so he was fired up and ready to roll when we got home. I swear, they NEVER sleep at the same time for me.
That pretty much gets every one updated. Oh, I almost forgot, KK sent the cute Cubs outfits to balance out the Cardinals gear from Aunt Michele. I'm not sure how we can play this to our advantage, but I see trips to St. Louis and Chicago in the near future.
Griffith refusing to cooperate
He would NOT let me get a picture of the two of them in their outfits together.
Goofball
He really can't stand it that Allan has a booster chair and he tries to get in it at every opportunity.
Cheryl and the fellows
Cheryl came to check in on the fellows. Flora made sure that they were on their best behavior. And dressed a like.
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