Allan had a lot of fun watching the other kids sledding.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
upwardly mobile
Allan crawling up on the overturned toy box. Just what I need: two upwardly mobile boys!
Fun foam shapes
Aunt Kathy made a bunch of fun foam shapes for the boys (more durable than flash cards) and this is pretty much what we do with them: dump them out, talk about our favorites, put them in piles, put them in the box, dump them out, start over again. Never gets old.
Hard at work
Dad got a little carrried away with the snowman. The boys and I bailed after about 15 minutes.
Keeping a close eye on Daddy's progress
We had to come in from the cold and leave him to build the snowman.
Love, love, love the bibs!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Showing him how to do it.
Griffith giving his father instructions, complete with hand gestures. Some times you have to make it simple for him.
Ready to face the elements
If you look in the background you can see Allan wiped out on the floor trying to crawl.
Is this really necessary ???
Allan all suited up and ready to head outside. He was really p.o.'d -- he kept trying to crawl, but the suit pants were so slick that he couldn't get any traction and kept wiping out!
Sweet success!!!!
Miss Julie taught Griffith how to get up in the chair all on his own. Now nothing is out of reach. Thanks, Miss Julie!
Oh, and just look at the toes on that kid -- he's like a hobbit!
Spin around and slide down....
We have a little chant to remind Griff of the right way to get out of the chair.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Wow. Didn't realize how long it has been since I blogged. Mea culpa.
Anyway, we have had a big week and a big weekend. No pictures tonight because it takes too long to upload from home. Going to have to investigate that.
We had a big winter storm here Friday and Saturday. Probably ended up with 4 or 5 inches of snow. They kept calling for it so I went to the store on Friday afternoon and got snow suits and boots for the boys. I thought we were going to make it through, but no such luck. As it happened , Christy (one of Griff's favorite sitters) had bad luck on Friday. Her apartment got broken into. Mom had had an early start that morning so she came home as it was starting to snow to let Christy get home. The boys had been especially good for Miss Edie -- Griff had said, monkey, pee-pee (while grabbing his privates), whoopsiee and cheese. Quite a lot of progress. Allan was not nearly so cooperative. He ate some shredded apple, but Miss Edie didn't get it sweet enough before he lost steam on it.
Friday night was family night. It was snowy and foul outside and we all just hunkered down and stayed cozy. Very low-key and fun. Saturday was quite blustery and snowy. I was determined that we were getting out in it, though. Jay headed out for sleds. We waited until the early afternoon before taking the boys into the back yard. Griff liked playing on the sleds inside. Allan hated it. Outside, it was just the opposite. Go figure. Dad pulled us around on the sleds a few times and then we started in on a snowman. The boys and I tuckered out fairly quickly but Dad kept at it. For two hours. No joke. Two hours. They don't have snow like this in England, he says.
Last night was another family night. This morning we got up to "spring forward" and lots of sun. We took the boys to "hospital hill" for sledding and made a couple of trips down and back before heading home.
It is silly to say, but it literally took twice as long (at least) to get the boys dressed and out the door for playing in the snow as they spent playing. The reality is that Jay and I should have gone out and played and let the boys hang out in the house!
Pictures tomorrow.
Anyway, we have had a big week and a big weekend. No pictures tonight because it takes too long to upload from home. Going to have to investigate that.
We had a big winter storm here Friday and Saturday. Probably ended up with 4 or 5 inches of snow. They kept calling for it so I went to the store on Friday afternoon and got snow suits and boots for the boys. I thought we were going to make it through, but no such luck. As it happened , Christy (one of Griff's favorite sitters) had bad luck on Friday. Her apartment got broken into. Mom had had an early start that morning so she came home as it was starting to snow to let Christy get home. The boys had been especially good for Miss Edie -- Griff had said, monkey, pee-pee (while grabbing his privates), whoopsiee and cheese. Quite a lot of progress. Allan was not nearly so cooperative. He ate some shredded apple, but Miss Edie didn't get it sweet enough before he lost steam on it.
Friday night was family night. It was snowy and foul outside and we all just hunkered down and stayed cozy. Very low-key and fun. Saturday was quite blustery and snowy. I was determined that we were getting out in it, though. Jay headed out for sleds. We waited until the early afternoon before taking the boys into the back yard. Griff liked playing on the sleds inside. Allan hated it. Outside, it was just the opposite. Go figure. Dad pulled us around on the sleds a few times and then we started in on a snowman. The boys and I tuckered out fairly quickly but Dad kept at it. For two hours. No joke. Two hours. They don't have snow like this in England, he says.
Last night was another family night. This morning we got up to "spring forward" and lots of sun. We took the boys to "hospital hill" for sledding and made a couple of trips down and back before heading home.
It is silly to say, but it literally took twice as long (at least) to get the boys dressed and out the door for playing in the snow as they spent playing. The reality is that Jay and I should have gone out and played and let the boys hang out in the house!
Pictures tomorrow.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
The boys really were very good last night.
They have started to play with each other more and more. Last night they both had their flashlights. Griff kept grabbing Allan's, running for the living room, flinging them in the back of the big chair and diving headfirst after them so that Allan couldn't get them. Allan would speed-crawl after Griffith, pull up on the chair and grab and snatch at the flashlights or Griffith. Then the whole process would start all over again. They seemed pretty evenly matched and in pretty good spirits about the whole thing so I didn't get involved.
Griff woke up before Allan this morning and kept asking me "Al?" so we would go in periodically to check on him. The last time we went in, Allan rolled over, saw us, grinned at his brother and pulled up on the side of the crib. Griff ran over and reached through the bars, trying to hug his brother and, when I got Allan out and sat him on the floor, came over and put his head on Allan's belly. Allan patted him on the back. It was all terribly sweet.
Almost makes up for Griff kicking Allan in the head the night before.
They have started to play with each other more and more. Last night they both had their flashlights. Griff kept grabbing Allan's, running for the living room, flinging them in the back of the big chair and diving headfirst after them so that Allan couldn't get them. Allan would speed-crawl after Griffith, pull up on the chair and grab and snatch at the flashlights or Griffith. Then the whole process would start all over again. They seemed pretty evenly matched and in pretty good spirits about the whole thing so I didn't get involved.
Griff woke up before Allan this morning and kept asking me "Al?" so we would go in periodically to check on him. The last time we went in, Allan rolled over, saw us, grinned at his brother and pulled up on the side of the crib. Griff ran over and reached through the bars, trying to hug his brother and, when I got Allan out and sat him on the floor, came over and put his head on Allan's belly. Allan patted him on the back. It was all terribly sweet.
Almost makes up for Griff kicking Allan in the head the night before.
Playing keep away
Griffith throwing both flashlights up in to the chair so that Allan can't get them.
Push me, pull you
Allan got both of the flashlights and flung them on the floor, but not without Griff giving him a good shove.
The battle for the flashlights
Allan trying to keep Griff from escaping up in to the chair.Griffith kicking Allan in the head so that he can't get the flashlights.
Allan with his flashlight
I have no idea how he ended up without his pants on. One minute he had them on, the next minute, they were in the floor.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Dad's night out
Dad has the night off.
Both boys are asleep and it wasn't even that much of a struggle. The house is as neat as it gets these days. There is the pleasant hum of the dishwasher and the washing machine. And -- oh, what fun -- the burble of an aquarium!
But first, the weekend recap:
Last weekend did not result in the completion of all home improvement tasks undertaken. The bookcases (which, for the record, were all that I requested) were done, but the walls were the same color as when I left. And, of course, I had wainscoting. But only in the living room. And Jay was bound and determined to put up crown molding. And more wainscoting. Fine. Aunt Lee graciously allowed us to come over and hang out all day on Saturday. Katie (her daughter) was a gracious hostess and shared her toys without a whimper. Belle, the bulldog, was also very gracious with the boys and let them pat her and snuggle her. Of course, once we were in to about hour three of that, Belle was weary. (I am with you, Belle!) Griff was fascinated with her stump of a tail. Allan was just delighted with Belle in her entirety. He would squeal and tear out crawling after her. If he could catch her standing still, he would lay his head over on her wide (sorry, Belle!) bottom and sigh. If she were our dog, I imagine that Belle and Allan would spend a fair amount of time napping together quite contentedly. After wearing out our welcome at Aunt Lee's, the boys and I went through the automated car wash. I, foolishly, thought that they would think it was cool. In fact, they both thought it was horrible and terrifying and screamed the entire time. Of course, by the time you are in there, you can't really do anything to hurry on through. I tried to make it better by laughing and acting goofy about it. That drew blank stares, a pause and further screams. Clearly Mom was bat-sh*t crazy. Which only made it worse.
Mom and Dad went out to dinner with Billy and Becky and Miss Miranda came over to play that night. Good to get out of the house.
Sunday morning Dad was back at improving the house (with help) while Mom and the boys were confined to the back bedroom, the hallway and the nursery. They were both fascinated with the cutouts that Aunt Kathy made for them. Oddly, Griff was most fond of the pizza which we both "ate" over and over. In reality, Griff won't eat pizza. There is too much dough for him. We did a webcast with Grandma and Grampy but still had audio problems. Then both boys settled down for long naps despite the best efforts of Dad and his helpers to awaken them. The whole family took a big walk at 4 since the weather was so delightful and we had all been cooped up for so long. Indian take out, baths and tidying up occupied the rest of the evening.
You can see that the paint job is wonderful. There is still a fair amount to do (for Jay anyway). Griff kept wandering about the house saying me-esss (muttering really). Every once in a while he would see something that really impressed him and he would say it VERY LOUDLY. A.Men. Griff. A.Men.
Griff also is saying "teeth" and is trying to say "eggs" (one of our favorite breakfast foods.)
Anna (one of our favorite sitters) was here today and was working on "belly." She also took the boys to the park (it was almost 70 degrees) and they played for hours today.
Allan is back off of the oxygen after being on for most of the last two weeks (he had a cold.) He spends all of his time pulling up and walking these days. And chasing after his brother. It is fun to watch him head out after Griff. And to watch Griff accomodate him. Instead of running, Griff will get down and crawl so that he and Allan are on the same level. He will also go back so that Allan can catch up with him and doesn't get discouraged. It is fun to watch them enjoying each other so much.
The other funny thing that Grif has learned is to hold the flashlight under his chin and cackle, Me -wah-wah-wah-wah. Christy taught him that and he can't get enough of it. I've replaced the batteries in two flashlights this week. He's such a little goofball.
The weather was beautiful today, but storms are predicted for tonight. It is already sprinkling. Dad has made it home and it is time to retire.
Both boys are asleep and it wasn't even that much of a struggle. The house is as neat as it gets these days. There is the pleasant hum of the dishwasher and the washing machine. And -- oh, what fun -- the burble of an aquarium!
But first, the weekend recap:
Last weekend did not result in the completion of all home improvement tasks undertaken. The bookcases (which, for the record, were all that I requested) were done, but the walls were the same color as when I left. And, of course, I had wainscoting. But only in the living room. And Jay was bound and determined to put up crown molding. And more wainscoting. Fine. Aunt Lee graciously allowed us to come over and hang out all day on Saturday. Katie (her daughter) was a gracious hostess and shared her toys without a whimper. Belle, the bulldog, was also very gracious with the boys and let them pat her and snuggle her. Of course, once we were in to about hour three of that, Belle was weary. (I am with you, Belle!) Griff was fascinated with her stump of a tail. Allan was just delighted with Belle in her entirety. He would squeal and tear out crawling after her. If he could catch her standing still, he would lay his head over on her wide (sorry, Belle!) bottom and sigh. If she were our dog, I imagine that Belle and Allan would spend a fair amount of time napping together quite contentedly. After wearing out our welcome at Aunt Lee's, the boys and I went through the automated car wash. I, foolishly, thought that they would think it was cool. In fact, they both thought it was horrible and terrifying and screamed the entire time. Of course, by the time you are in there, you can't really do anything to hurry on through. I tried to make it better by laughing and acting goofy about it. That drew blank stares, a pause and further screams. Clearly Mom was bat-sh*t crazy. Which only made it worse.
Mom and Dad went out to dinner with Billy and Becky and Miss Miranda came over to play that night. Good to get out of the house.
Sunday morning Dad was back at improving the house (with help) while Mom and the boys were confined to the back bedroom, the hallway and the nursery. They were both fascinated with the cutouts that Aunt Kathy made for them. Oddly, Griff was most fond of the pizza which we both "ate" over and over. In reality, Griff won't eat pizza. There is too much dough for him. We did a webcast with Grandma and Grampy but still had audio problems. Then both boys settled down for long naps despite the best efforts of Dad and his helpers to awaken them. The whole family took a big walk at 4 since the weather was so delightful and we had all been cooped up for so long. Indian take out, baths and tidying up occupied the rest of the evening.
You can see that the paint job is wonderful. There is still a fair amount to do (for Jay anyway). Griff kept wandering about the house saying me-esss (muttering really). Every once in a while he would see something that really impressed him and he would say it VERY LOUDLY. A.Men. Griff. A.Men.
Griff also is saying "teeth" and is trying to say "eggs" (one of our favorite breakfast foods.)
Anna (one of our favorite sitters) was here today and was working on "belly." She also took the boys to the park (it was almost 70 degrees) and they played for hours today.
Allan is back off of the oxygen after being on for most of the last two weeks (he had a cold.) He spends all of his time pulling up and walking these days. And chasing after his brother. It is fun to watch him head out after Griff. And to watch Griff accomodate him. Instead of running, Griff will get down and crawl so that he and Allan are on the same level. He will also go back so that Allan can catch up with him and doesn't get discouraged. It is fun to watch them enjoying each other so much.
The other funny thing that Grif has learned is to hold the flashlight under his chin and cackle, Me -wah-wah-wah-wah. Christy taught him that and he can't get enough of it. I've replaced the batteries in two flashlights this week. He's such a little goofball.
The weather was beautiful today, but storms are predicted for tonight. It is already sprinkling. Dad has made it home and it is time to retire.
Me-ess
Griffith eye-balling the work in progress. You can see the green (living room) and turquoise (dining room). Griff kept walking around, muttering "me-ess" and, sometimes, exclaiming loudly "ME-ESS" when he was particularly impressed with something.
Dad and the boys
Chatting with Grandma and Grampy. We are still have audio trouble with our webcast.
Griffith and Belle
I didn't get a good picture of Allan with Belle but both boys LOVED her (especially her short stubby waggy tail). Allan kept crawling over and laying his head on her big bottom. Belle was very tolerant, but was worn out with all the loving.
The Barbie princess stroller was very popular
If it makes Dad feel any better, Griff dumped the babydoll out first thing.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
My charming son Griffith woke up about 6 this morning and so he came in to bed with us to snuggle and (we hoped) go back to sleep. Which he did. When he finally woke up about an hour later he was deliciously warm and snuggly and in a wonderful mood. Which improved immeasurably when he passed gas. Right on me. He giggled, strained, did it again. Lather, rinse, repeat. Four times. Until he, well, ran out of gas.... (sorry -- that was too easy). What is it about boys and farts? Why do they think it is so funny?
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
The weather was sort of iffy and Aunt Kathy was sort of icky so the boys and I waited until Saturday morning to head home.
As you can see from the pictures, the fellas had a wonderful time at Cousin Bailey's. They spent most of their time watching her and following her around. She, for her part, was a delightful hostess. She shared her toys and offered to be of assistance -- that offer apparently did not extend to changing diapers although she felt free to offer her opinion (often) about whether someone or another 'stank' and needed changing.
Bailey's fish were quite a hit. Both of the boys were fascinated with Ariel and Calico. Donna has given us a small aquarium that she isn't using any more and we are going to give it a try just as soon as we can figure out how to secure the darned thing so that the boys can see and enjoy it, but not spill Flounder out in the floor.
Finger-painting was pretty much a "miss." I had acrylic paints and real canvas and high hopes that we might do handprints and footprints for posterity. I decided we might want to start with fingerpaint, just to see how that worked out for us. Good thing. Griffith (not entirely to our surprise) refused to cooperate at all. He was not about to put his hands in that stuff. It didn't matter that Steph and Bailey and Allan and I all had our hands covered (in Allan's defense, he didn't do it voluntarily). Griff wasn't having a bit of it and when we put his hands in it, he immediately wiped them on his shirt and held his hands out to be cleaned. This is something that we have been working on with his occupational therapist -- apparently lots of preemies have sensory issues and don't want to have strange sensations on their hands. Griff will put YOUR hand in the shaving cream, but he is having none of it himself. We'll keep working on it, though.
Allan was a doll on Saturday, but on Sunday Aunt Steph and Cousin Bailey were trying to get him to sleep while Mom and Griff were working on a nap in the front room (Saturday night with Griff was quite a tussle -- nothing was right -- the sounds weren't right, the bed wasn't right, on and on, it took 2 hours to get him to sleep and, even then, it was only up next to me.) Well, Big Al showed his true colors: he drowsed, but wouldn't sleep. Then he took to dropping Lamby so that Steph would have to pick it up. Then so that Dick did. They both finally tired of the game, but Bailey picked it up a time or two.
Dad got lots done while we were gone, but (naturally) not as much as he would have liked. When the boys and I rolled in, he was on his hands and knees vaccuuming frantically. Furniture was piled as high as an elephant's eye in both the living and dining rooms. The bookshelves, as promised, were done. The wainscoting (which was not requested) was up and had one coat of paint. The walls? Nada.
The bookshelves look great, says I. I wasn't expecting you until six, says Jay. It was 5:40 p.m., for the record. I guess the 7 Dwarves were scheduled to show up and finish the paintind, etc.
At any rate, The boys and I will probably head for Aunt Lee's for a while on Saturday and see if Dad can't finish up the living room while we are off on an adventure.
As you can see, Griff really put his back in to helping his Dad out moving the furniture back. Honestly, he did it all himself and we didn't encourage him to push at all. He is just so interested in helping that he naturally jumps right in.
What else have we been up to? Griff now has a potty chair although he has yet to pee in it (last night he sat on it for quite awhile and then, when I turned to see what Allan was doing in the tub, Griff jumped up and peed on the floor. Quite right. Don't want to pee on our new chair.) At any rate, Griff now knows to call his willie a "pee-pee" and has told me "pee-pee, uh-oh" after wetting himself. He also says "beads" (for the Mardi Gras necklaces he loves to play with), "pretty" (when holding my necklace or, sometimes, patting Allan on the head), "car", "book", "ball", "hi", "bye-bye" and (my personal favorite) meh-ess ("mess") which is what he said when he saw the state of the house last night.
Allan isn't saying much but he is Mr. Action these days. He sees what he wants and he takes off to get it. He doesn't see much point in chatting about it. He is our Stealth Baby. He has started taking juice from a bottle in abundance (for Allan) and we are encouraging it as much as possible. He went to the hearing specialist today and, once again, we don't think there is any thing wrong, but we are going to do a follow up test in May. The problem is that Allan really doesn't need to chat or listen at the moment -- he is able to get where he wants without dealing with you. Of course, it is little hard to distinguish between disinterest and inability when they are that small so we just need to keep checking.
That's pretty much what we have at the moment.
As you can see from the pictures, the fellas had a wonderful time at Cousin Bailey's. They spent most of their time watching her and following her around. She, for her part, was a delightful hostess. She shared her toys and offered to be of assistance -- that offer apparently did not extend to changing diapers although she felt free to offer her opinion (often) about whether someone or another 'stank' and needed changing.
Bailey's fish were quite a hit. Both of the boys were fascinated with Ariel and Calico. Donna has given us a small aquarium that she isn't using any more and we are going to give it a try just as soon as we can figure out how to secure the darned thing so that the boys can see and enjoy it, but not spill Flounder out in the floor.
Finger-painting was pretty much a "miss." I had acrylic paints and real canvas and high hopes that we might do handprints and footprints for posterity. I decided we might want to start with fingerpaint, just to see how that worked out for us. Good thing. Griffith (not entirely to our surprise) refused to cooperate at all. He was not about to put his hands in that stuff. It didn't matter that Steph and Bailey and Allan and I all had our hands covered (in Allan's defense, he didn't do it voluntarily). Griff wasn't having a bit of it and when we put his hands in it, he immediately wiped them on his shirt and held his hands out to be cleaned. This is something that we have been working on with his occupational therapist -- apparently lots of preemies have sensory issues and don't want to have strange sensations on their hands. Griff will put YOUR hand in the shaving cream, but he is having none of it himself. We'll keep working on it, though.
Allan was a doll on Saturday, but on Sunday Aunt Steph and Cousin Bailey were trying to get him to sleep while Mom and Griff were working on a nap in the front room (Saturday night with Griff was quite a tussle -- nothing was right -- the sounds weren't right, the bed wasn't right, on and on, it took 2 hours to get him to sleep and, even then, it was only up next to me.) Well, Big Al showed his true colors: he drowsed, but wouldn't sleep. Then he took to dropping Lamby so that Steph would have to pick it up. Then so that Dick did. They both finally tired of the game, but Bailey picked it up a time or two.
Dad got lots done while we were gone, but (naturally) not as much as he would have liked. When the boys and I rolled in, he was on his hands and knees vaccuuming frantically. Furniture was piled as high as an elephant's eye in both the living and dining rooms. The bookshelves, as promised, were done. The wainscoting (which was not requested) was up and had one coat of paint. The walls? Nada.
The bookshelves look great, says I. I wasn't expecting you until six, says Jay. It was 5:40 p.m., for the record. I guess the 7 Dwarves were scheduled to show up and finish the paintind, etc.
At any rate, The boys and I will probably head for Aunt Lee's for a while on Saturday and see if Dad can't finish up the living room while we are off on an adventure.
As you can see, Griff really put his back in to helping his Dad out moving the furniture back. Honestly, he did it all himself and we didn't encourage him to push at all. He is just so interested in helping that he naturally jumps right in.
What else have we been up to? Griff now has a potty chair although he has yet to pee in it (last night he sat on it for quite awhile and then, when I turned to see what Allan was doing in the tub, Griff jumped up and peed on the floor. Quite right. Don't want to pee on our new chair.) At any rate, Griff now knows to call his willie a "pee-pee" and has told me "pee-pee, uh-oh" after wetting himself. He also says "beads" (for the Mardi Gras necklaces he loves to play with), "pretty" (when holding my necklace or, sometimes, patting Allan on the head), "car", "book", "ball", "hi", "bye-bye" and (my personal favorite) meh-ess ("mess") which is what he said when he saw the state of the house last night.
Allan isn't saying much but he is Mr. Action these days. He sees what he wants and he takes off to get it. He doesn't see much point in chatting about it. He is our Stealth Baby. He has started taking juice from a bottle in abundance (for Allan) and we are encouraging it as much as possible. He went to the hearing specialist today and, once again, we don't think there is any thing wrong, but we are going to do a follow up test in May. The problem is that Allan really doesn't need to chat or listen at the moment -- he is able to get where he wants without dealing with you. Of course, it is little hard to distinguish between disinterest and inability when they are that small so we just need to keep checking.
That's pretty much what we have at the moment.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Big push
Griffith got home last night just in time to help Daddy put the furniture back in place. Allan conveniently slipped off in to the nursery.
Allan's happy place
It was like heaven: a television at his eye level and on nearly all the time. Why can't home be like this?
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