I love how he sets his jaw when he concentrates.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Big push
Griff LOVES to be the big boy and push Allan in the swing. He hasn't quite mastered getting out of the way, though. We are working on that.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Uh-oh, foot!
So the other night the boys ended up in bed with me. I can't recall the exact circumstances, but it was while Jay was gone and first one and then the other "needed" to be in bed with me. Or I needed to sleep and that seemed the most direct route.
At any rate, I laid Allan in between Griff and me and settled down. This worked right up until I was almost asleep again and Allan decided to start swatting Griff in the nose.
Me: Quit it, Allan!
Allan: Swat. Swat.
Griff: No! No!
Me: ALLAN. Quit.
Swat.Swat.
So then I angle him so that he can't reach Griff. Almost asleep again.
Griff: Uh-oh! Foot!
Me: What?
Griff: Uh-oh --- foot!
Allan: (pretending to be asleep).
Sure enough, Allan is reaching with his little pudgy legs and trying to kick his brother.
Brat.
At any rate, I laid Allan in between Griff and me and settled down. This worked right up until I was almost asleep again and Allan decided to start swatting Griff in the nose.
Me: Quit it, Allan!
Allan: Swat. Swat.
Griff: No! No!
Me: ALLAN. Quit.
Swat.Swat.
So then I angle him so that he can't reach Griff. Almost asleep again.
Griff: Uh-oh! Foot!
Me: What?
Griff: Uh-oh --- foot!
Allan: (pretending to be asleep).
Sure enough, Allan is reaching with his little pudgy legs and trying to kick his brother.
Brat.
Summer nights
The weather has been so wonderful that the boys and I have been spending nearly every night out in the backyard.
Jay has been working late every night on The Table of Inordinate Size (due for delivery on Monday) and rounds in just before bath time. In order to keep the house tidy(ish), I pick up while the boys eat dinner, load the dishwasher and shoo them out the door as soon as they are done. We then spend an hour to an hour and a half playing on the deck, on the playset, in the sandbox. This serves many ends: the house stays at least as tidy as I left it, we all get fresh air, and the boys get worn out.
Allan is getting more and more mobile every day. He still lacks the confidence to head out solo but he now knows how to use the garden cart to keep his balance and get across the yard. This is not his preference, however. He would much rather you hold his hand and go where he steers you. The other night I kept putting his hands on the garden cart and telling him, Allan do. He got so damned mad that he turned, started yelling and, without realizing it, took about eight steps toward me without holding on to anything. You could see the shock on his face as he decided he had better stop that. Right now. And sat down.
Jay has been working late every night on The Table of Inordinate Size (due for delivery on Monday) and rounds in just before bath time. In order to keep the house tidy(ish), I pick up while the boys eat dinner, load the dishwasher and shoo them out the door as soon as they are done. We then spend an hour to an hour and a half playing on the deck, on the playset, in the sandbox. This serves many ends: the house stays at least as tidy as I left it, we all get fresh air, and the boys get worn out.
Allan is getting more and more mobile every day. He still lacks the confidence to head out solo but he now knows how to use the garden cart to keep his balance and get across the yard. This is not his preference, however. He would much rather you hold his hand and go where he steers you. The other night I kept putting his hands on the garden cart and telling him, Allan do. He got so damned mad that he turned, started yelling and, without realizing it, took about eight steps toward me without holding on to anything. You could see the shock on his face as he decided he had better stop that. Right now. And sat down.
Making headway
Allan made it all the way across the yard using the garden cart for support. I nearly have two fully mobile toddlers!
Just out of reach.
I had to hang the radio on the flower hook because Allan wouldn't leave it alone.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
chatty post
Things have been quite hectic at Casa de R lately. Jay has a big project due on Monday that is taking up all of his (and my) time. On top of that, he headed off last weekend to the PGA tournament in Detroit (in his defense, the tickets were purchased last year.) He headed out at the crack o' dawn on Thursday. That was the day that T1 and T2 were scheduled at a local DQ for Miracle Treat Day.
Every year local DQ' s donate the proceeds from the sales of Blizzards that day to the local children's hospital. Last year, our hospital received over thirty thousand dollars (can you imagine that many Blizzards in one day????) Anyway, some of the stores like to have kids make an appearance and sometimes "local media" come by (if it is a slow day) to do a story about this or that Miracle Baby. Apparently the coordinator at the local hospital had not seen what a disaster our two were in January for the March of Dimes and asked if we would do an appearance. Sure. Why not? We have no dignity to lose.
At any rate, we had a good group rally for dinner of ice cream.
My children, while not on TV, still managed to embarass me. The local managers were so nice and offered us anything that we wanted. Griff caught sight of bananas and kept yelling for those so they made a Banana Cream Blizzard which he refused to eat. If we had dipped the banana in arsenic he could not have been more dismissive of it.
Allan was fascinated with the crease between the back of the seat and the booth (which, to their credit, was remarkably clean) and kept sticking his 1) hands 2) feet and 3) nose in to it. Unless he was squalling to have someone hold his hands and help him walk around the store and check out the freezer case. That's what I get for letting him climb in my refrigerator.
Griff devoured some popcorn shrimp and french fries (would you like something fried with that, sir?) and we headed home.
Michele stopped by to help with baths and Allan suckered her in to walking around the backyard. It was clear that she thought that I was a bad mother because I elected to sit on the deck and say, oh, no, I'm not getting involved in THAT. Michele has a huge "s' for sucker on her forehead that Allan can see clearly. If Michele's back wasn't aching from the (largely unnecessary) effort of waltzing Big Al from Point A to Point B, then she is a stronger woman than I.
Friday seemed fine-ish. I had a mediation that ended about 3:30 and I hit the grocery and liquor store in anticipation of a long weekend without Jay and without back-up (but not without milk, diapers, bread, cheesy poofs and wine!) I headed home to enjoy the beautiful weather. The boys were off on some adventure with Jesana and Nicole and I sat on the deck, listening to NPR, talking about who-knows-what and enjoying a glass of wine. I was ready to ease on in to the weekend.
After a smooth, I don't know what, forty-five minutes, the wheels came off. (Sort of.) Jesana came rolling in, Allan's peg had come out. Perfect. The new company will only give us one at a time and, although we had one on order, I didn't have a replacement. So I call Dr. Joe to have him meet us at the hospital. God love him, he was on his way back from some meeting in East Jesus and despite the fact that he has a family and other shit to do, said he would meet us at the hospital in a half-hour. Poor Nicole got drafted to manage Griff while I headed off in the most foul of moods.
Perfect. Just perfect. I can see the medical records now: Mother appears agitated and smelling of ETOH. After an hour and a half of waiting on the delivery of the new peg, Dr. Joe had Allan all fixed and on his way. Baths, bottles, books, bed and we were done. A-freaking-men.
On Saturday, we got up and started to get things ready for the day and for the arrival of Sister Kate. The weather was perfect and, after visiting for a while, the boys and I took a run while she caught up on the Olympics. A little lunch and naps all around followed.
As you can see from the photos, the boys were quite taken with "MamaKaki" as Griffith dubbed her. This affection extended only so long as I was present, however. Should I disappear back in to the house to get a bottle or use the bathroom or whatever, Griff would immediately melt down and run screaming in whatever direction he had last seen me. Of course, considering that Kathy let Allan do a header off of the deck (even though she was sitting right beside him) and let Allan eat leaves until he gagged (ditto), it is no wonder that Griff was disturbed at her being left in charge. What I find so amusing about it is that he does not have a similar reaction when no one is left in charge. When it is just the three of us and I go back in the house or he loses sight of me -- nothing. No yelling. Nada. He would rather be left alone than in the charge of someone who so clearly does not love the babies.
Every year local DQ' s donate the proceeds from the sales of Blizzards that day to the local children's hospital. Last year, our hospital received over thirty thousand dollars (can you imagine that many Blizzards in one day????) Anyway, some of the stores like to have kids make an appearance and sometimes "local media" come by (if it is a slow day) to do a story about this or that Miracle Baby. Apparently the coordinator at the local hospital had not seen what a disaster our two were in January for the March of Dimes and asked if we would do an appearance. Sure. Why not? We have no dignity to lose.
At any rate, we had a good group rally for dinner of ice cream.
My children, while not on TV, still managed to embarass me. The local managers were so nice and offered us anything that we wanted. Griff caught sight of bananas and kept yelling for those so they made a Banana Cream Blizzard which he refused to eat. If we had dipped the banana in arsenic he could not have been more dismissive of it.
Allan was fascinated with the crease between the back of the seat and the booth (which, to their credit, was remarkably clean) and kept sticking his 1) hands 2) feet and 3) nose in to it. Unless he was squalling to have someone hold his hands and help him walk around the store and check out the freezer case. That's what I get for letting him climb in my refrigerator.
Griff devoured some popcorn shrimp and french fries (would you like something fried with that, sir?) and we headed home.
Michele stopped by to help with baths and Allan suckered her in to walking around the backyard. It was clear that she thought that I was a bad mother because I elected to sit on the deck and say, oh, no, I'm not getting involved in THAT. Michele has a huge "s' for sucker on her forehead that Allan can see clearly. If Michele's back wasn't aching from the (largely unnecessary) effort of waltzing Big Al from Point A to Point B, then she is a stronger woman than I.
Friday seemed fine-ish. I had a mediation that ended about 3:30 and I hit the grocery and liquor store in anticipation of a long weekend without Jay and without back-up (but not without milk, diapers, bread, cheesy poofs and wine!) I headed home to enjoy the beautiful weather. The boys were off on some adventure with Jesana and Nicole and I sat on the deck, listening to NPR, talking about who-knows-what and enjoying a glass of wine. I was ready to ease on in to the weekend.
After a smooth, I don't know what, forty-five minutes, the wheels came off. (Sort of.) Jesana came rolling in, Allan's peg had come out. Perfect. The new company will only give us one at a time and, although we had one on order, I didn't have a replacement. So I call Dr. Joe to have him meet us at the hospital. God love him, he was on his way back from some meeting in East Jesus and despite the fact that he has a family and other shit to do, said he would meet us at the hospital in a half-hour. Poor Nicole got drafted to manage Griff while I headed off in the most foul of moods.
Perfect. Just perfect. I can see the medical records now: Mother appears agitated and smelling of ETOH. After an hour and a half of waiting on the delivery of the new peg, Dr. Joe had Allan all fixed and on his way. Baths, bottles, books, bed and we were done. A-freaking-men.
On Saturday, we got up and started to get things ready for the day and for the arrival of Sister Kate. The weather was perfect and, after visiting for a while, the boys and I took a run while she caught up on the Olympics. A little lunch and naps all around followed.
As you can see from the photos, the boys were quite taken with "MamaKaki" as Griffith dubbed her. This affection extended only so long as I was present, however. Should I disappear back in to the house to get a bottle or use the bathroom or whatever, Griff would immediately melt down and run screaming in whatever direction he had last seen me. Of course, considering that Kathy let Allan do a header off of the deck (even though she was sitting right beside him) and let Allan eat leaves until he gagged (ditto), it is no wonder that Griff was disturbed at her being left in charge. What I find so amusing about it is that he does not have a similar reaction when no one is left in charge. When it is just the three of us and I go back in the house or he loses sight of me -- nothing. No yelling. Nada. He would rather be left alone than in the charge of someone who so clearly does not love the babies.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Tip-toes
Getting that little extra stretch so that he can reach the buttons. I'm pretty sure he's got his tongue stuck out, too.
Kicking back
Allan thought Kathy looked so comfortable that he would join her in a quick snuggle on the sofa. Of course, the only place he wanted to be was on top of her head.
Daddy's home!!!
Jay returned from his long, long, long weekend trip last night about six. He was greeted with much rejoicing.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
All caught up -- for now....
Well, since these were added today and not last night, you can pretty much tell how cooperative the boys were.......not that they were bad, just busy.
Jay was working all weekend so the boys and I had to amuse ourselves. Katie and Lee came over for a playdate on Saturday morning. Allan is really warming up to the playset these days. He was a little hesitant at first, but is an old pro now -- crawling in the tunnel, going down the slide (he is always very careful to "turn around and slide down" just like Miss Julie taught him) and climbing up the ladder (with a little assistance). He needs to learn to lift his head up as he slides down, though, or else he is going to rub the skin off the end of his nose. Still, he is far more adventurous with the slide than Griff is. Griff wants to go down slowly and in control. Allan is happiest when he is shooting down at top speed. We all got in to the act -- Griff kept pushing me over to the top of the slide and saying, "Slide, Mama, slide!" and then we would slide down together -- sometimes with Allan in front and Griffith clinging to my back like a monkey. Allan, while still not talking, would grab my hand and pull me over, too, so his message was clear. After Lee and Katie left we were supposed to have naptime, but neither of the boys were very interested. Allan slept for about 40 minutes, but woke after Griff came charging in the nursery, yelling, "AL!" Griff dozed a time or two, but refused to drop off. This did not put any of us in a very good mood.
Miss A and her mom and dad came over to grill out Saturday night, though, and the boys had a great time. They weren't even whiny considering that they had had no naps. At about 8, though, it all started to unravel. You would have thought we were dipping them in vats of hot oil and not tepid bathwater. They both fell asleep early though and snoozed through the night. Which ended at 6:26 a.m. Allan, who always sleeps until at least 8, had had enough and was ready to snuggle at 6:26. On a Sunday morning. You.Have.To.Be.Kidding. Griffith soon followed and we were all up before 7. The weather was good so we took a run, got home and the boys played on the playset while I weeded the beds. Then I read the paper and tuned in to the silence just in time to realize that Griffith was relocating the sand from the sandbox to the yard and beyond, one spadefull at a time. While his father would no doubt diapprove, I decided: 1) he was happy; 2) Allan was happy; 3) I was happy; and 4) sand is cheap. Have at it, buddy.
I was certain that the boys would nap well on Sunday -- they'd had a big day the day before and started the day off early, why wouldn't they nap? I have no idea. Because they could tell that I really, really wanted a nap? Brats. Allan did sleep on schedule and for 2 hours, but Griff was noncompliant. So we played, did laundry, cleaned out the frig and made dinner. Then we got ready to go to the pool. Bag packed, sunscreen on, suits on. Headed for the pool. Got there only to realize that I left the pool bag at home. Rats. Back home, back to the pool, turn around, Griff is sound asleep. Rats. So we drove around for an hour (since gas is cheap) until I had to go to the bathroom. Called Jay at work and stopped the car, hopped out, Jay hopped in and took off. No dice. Daddy! Daddy car! How do they know it isn't a stop light?
Anyway, the boys and I went back home (too late for the pool) and Michele came over and we played on the playset again.
Allan is really doing great with climbing up the ladder. He is a little on the slow side -- Griff will often go down, come around and climb up over him and go down again before Allan has made it to the top, but he is determined and pushes on through.
Jay was working all weekend so the boys and I had to amuse ourselves. Katie and Lee came over for a playdate on Saturday morning. Allan is really warming up to the playset these days. He was a little hesitant at first, but is an old pro now -- crawling in the tunnel, going down the slide (he is always very careful to "turn around and slide down" just like Miss Julie taught him) and climbing up the ladder (with a little assistance). He needs to learn to lift his head up as he slides down, though, or else he is going to rub the skin off the end of his nose. Still, he is far more adventurous with the slide than Griff is. Griff wants to go down slowly and in control. Allan is happiest when he is shooting down at top speed. We all got in to the act -- Griff kept pushing me over to the top of the slide and saying, "Slide, Mama, slide!" and then we would slide down together -- sometimes with Allan in front and Griffith clinging to my back like a monkey. Allan, while still not talking, would grab my hand and pull me over, too, so his message was clear. After Lee and Katie left we were supposed to have naptime, but neither of the boys were very interested. Allan slept for about 40 minutes, but woke after Griff came charging in the nursery, yelling, "AL!" Griff dozed a time or two, but refused to drop off. This did not put any of us in a very good mood.
Miss A and her mom and dad came over to grill out Saturday night, though, and the boys had a great time. They weren't even whiny considering that they had had no naps. At about 8, though, it all started to unravel. You would have thought we were dipping them in vats of hot oil and not tepid bathwater. They both fell asleep early though and snoozed through the night. Which ended at 6:26 a.m. Allan, who always sleeps until at least 8, had had enough and was ready to snuggle at 6:26. On a Sunday morning. You.Have.To.Be.Kidding. Griffith soon followed and we were all up before 7. The weather was good so we took a run, got home and the boys played on the playset while I weeded the beds. Then I read the paper and tuned in to the silence just in time to realize that Griffith was relocating the sand from the sandbox to the yard and beyond, one spadefull at a time. While his father would no doubt diapprove, I decided: 1) he was happy; 2) Allan was happy; 3) I was happy; and 4) sand is cheap. Have at it, buddy.
I was certain that the boys would nap well on Sunday -- they'd had a big day the day before and started the day off early, why wouldn't they nap? I have no idea. Because they could tell that I really, really wanted a nap? Brats. Allan did sleep on schedule and for 2 hours, but Griff was noncompliant. So we played, did laundry, cleaned out the frig and made dinner. Then we got ready to go to the pool. Bag packed, sunscreen on, suits on. Headed for the pool. Got there only to realize that I left the pool bag at home. Rats. Back home, back to the pool, turn around, Griff is sound asleep. Rats. So we drove around for an hour (since gas is cheap) until I had to go to the bathroom. Called Jay at work and stopped the car, hopped out, Jay hopped in and took off. No dice. Daddy! Daddy car! How do they know it isn't a stop light?
Anyway, the boys and I went back home (too late for the pool) and Michele came over and we played on the playset again.
Allan is really doing great with climbing up the ladder. He is a little on the slow side -- Griff will often go down, come around and climb up over him and go down again before Allan has made it to the top, but he is determined and pushes on through.
The sweet spot
Griffith sitting in the pile of laundry, fresh from the dryer and right in front of the fan.
Getting ready for his date with Miss A
Primping for the ladies. It starts early. The best part was that he kept chasing Allan around, trying to fix his hair. He finally succeeded in brushing it all straight down on Allan's forehead -- he looked like a Beatle.
What happens when it gets all quiet
Really, I knew better, but it was so nice to sit on the deck, listen to the radio and read the paper. Little did I know that Griff was going to relocate all of the sand.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Sorry for no new pictures. I hope to get some posted tomorrow. We had a very busy weekend. Dad was working on some enormous table so I was solo-ing. This does not leave a lot of extra time for posting, as you can imagine. And I left the camera at home this morning so I couldn't post here at work. Whether I add anything tonight or not depends on how cooperative the boys (all three of them!) are.
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