December 19, 2010

Sick Day

Last night we headed out for a nice family dinner - just the four of us.  I thought Walker looked rather smashing in his red and black.  Happy boys below:


Today, however, Walker was not so happy.  He has come down with something.  He spent the majority of the day hacking and coughing and snotty and ragged.  So, we made a bed for him on the sofa where he watched cartoons and drank his weight in juice.  Get well soon, sweet boy!

December 16, 2010

Why am I smiling?


Because I just got my test results from the Geneticist.  And guess what?  They're normal.  Across the board.  No blips.  No abnormalities.  No syndromes.  No disorders.  Just a bunch of ordinary, everyday chromosomes.  Booyah!

December 15, 2010

The Bundle

We've had a few cold days - cold for Dallas at least - and Charlie has been bundled up in this fuzzy suit handed down to him from a friend.  Ah... these are the photos we'll pull out on Prom Night. 


However, today is beautiful and mild, so we'll skip the fuzzy suit.  Instead, we'll cuddle on the sofa.



And check us out!  With a little help from his brother, Charlie is propped up in a seated position.  He's got enough head control to snap a few face-forward pictures!  Yay, Charlie!  Yay, Walker!  Everything is a little easier when you have help.


December 11, 2010

High Flying

Jack's classes are over, his finals administered, and all that's left in the semester are some student evaluations and last minute faculty business.  We celebrated the beginning of Jack's winter vacation with some free time as a family at the park.  It was a little nippy out, but we managed to have some fun! 






Walker tells us he'd like to go HIGHER!

Oh, how I love this photo!


Joe Cool.


December 9, 2010

Boys in Bed

Yet another gratuitous photo session.  We've just spent the last hour together on the bed reading, singing, playing, nursing, hypothesizing and discussing the finer details of Christmas.  Now, at 10am, its finally time to put on some clothes and greet the day!



You can get a sense of just how long Charlie is in this photo.








A video discussing presents under the tree...


A video pretending we're a fish family...

December 6, 2010

Christmas Came Early

Charlie had a big big day.  First up, a pediatrician appointment to commemorate his fourth month.  A few vaccinations, a few measurements, a little chatting and we were happy to be done.  I always have a hard time watching my kids get stuck with needles.  No fun.  Here's the skinny on today's appointment:  Charlie is 17 pounds, 11 ounces (2 ounces heavier than Walker was at his four month visit.)  His length is 27.5 inches (almost three inches longer than Walker at his four month visit.)  He's in the 95th percentile for weight, and off the charts for height.  His head circumference, which is being closely monitored because of his cranio-fuse, is in the 10th percentile.  Growing steadily but not placing pressure on his brain.  Our doc is still watching for signs of possible cerebral palsy.  She's still concerned about his lack of tone in certain muscles and overtone in others.  There is no way to diagnose a baby so young with something as complicated as CP, but its good to be on the lookout so that we can gear Charlie's physical therapies towards his special needs.  Overall, our pediatrician said he looked "amazing" and that she was very pleased with his "extraordinary progress".  Yay Charlie!  After returning home from the doctor's office, both boys hopped in the tub.  Gramie Betsy snapped a few shots. This is their first bath together!







After bathing, Walker and Gramie headed to the neighborhood park so that I could feed Charlie and bake some Christmas cookies.  Shhh... don't tell Walker.


Gramie Betsy returns home to Seattle tomorrow, so we thought we'd do a mini Christmas gift exchange tonight.  Walker is learning how to give and receive gifts - a tall order for a boy who is newly three years old.  But Walker handled himself beautifully!  We're so proud.





December 5, 2010

Christmas Tree is UP!

We have a tree!  A really real live real tree!  We're so excited to be spending the holiday at home this year.  Don't get me wrong... we love traveling to see friends and family for Christmas, but after years and years of hopping on a plane, we're so ready to stay home and enjoy some calm.  Here is Jack unwrapping the netting from our tree.


Charlie watches on...


...while the rest of the family helps align the tree.



We invited the Friedli Family over to help us decorate our tree.


Charlie watches on...


...while the rest of the family scurries around the tree.


After a dinner of stew, bread and beer (how very British of us), Emmawyn and Walker decorated star shaped sugar cookies.  Yum yum and yum.




Walker is styling the tell-tale Greenman tongue.  
This means he is focused and very serious about getting it right. 


Let the Christmas season begin!