Homeward bound

Another full weekend of breathing treatments and machines beeping away here at the Children's Hospital.

While the baby smiles were hard to find on Friday and parts of Saturday, they've returned full force here on Sunday.

Friday afternoon, Daniel brought Thomas and Jacob to the ER, where I met them. Events leading to this: Jacob brought home a mild cold last week and so Thomas got it, too. After a day of nasal symptoms, it quickly moved into a respiratory issue.

Some good news is that we're likely heading home here in the next few hours (as you can see the O2 is not needed and the IV is not plugged-in) and Thomas has a sweet big brother who helps love on him.

It's hard being the older brother and not getting all the attention; but Jacob got a weekend with his Didi and Yaya...and we hear cake was involved.

The not so great news is that with 2 hospitalizations by 6 months for respiratory issues, having food allergies and eczema, plus a family history of asthma ...Thomas has earned his own asthma diagnosis. And there is nothing we can do about avoiding this sort of occurrence (hospitalizations) than wait for him to "outgrow it". So here's to avoiding germs until he's "outgrown it".

Dad's Day

Happy Father's day to all the Papa's out there. You're talking to a proud one right here. Jacob (thanks to days of study with Ma and the Preschool) can name each letter and tell you an animal that starts with nearly every letter. He has decided that he doesn't want to take naps anymore, but over and again naps tend to find him one way or another.

Both boys taking a snooze.

Thomas is growing like you wouldn't believe, then again, maybe you would. He celebrated his six month birthday this week.

Ashley and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary with fancy dinner and a night at the hotel. Jacob, Thomas, and Grandma celebrated with a night at the same hotel. We had a wonderful time on our stay-cation. Although, to be honest, all four of us are looking forward to an actual vacation. It feels like summer outside, it hit 106 today, but we're still working and summer keeps passing us by. We will be glad to get to Texas, NJ, and even a trip to MN to see some of you lovely people.

Until we meet again,

D, A, J, and T.

Making up for lost time!

I'm not sure where May went. At work, I have to schedule clients 3 months out...and I'm struggling to remember that is scheduling for a time when we'll be back in Berkeley!

In the past few weeks: Thomas began sitting independently for 20+ seconds and tasted his first solid (just last night), while Jacob ended his first school year and is now on "vacation"! Ma arrived on Wednesday to help us during the "vacation" time...as only Jacob gets such fun while mom and dad have to keep working. And, as seen....everyone is in love.

More videos are being taken as the boys start to truly interact and Thomas shines his hilarious personality! Enjoy.

Dancing, singing, mild sitting involved.

Video contains little white bodies in the tub.

Last night, without any grimacing, gagging, or even mild nostril flaring, Thomas ate his first solid: avocado! He appeared to love finally having something other than mom's milk on the spoon and was grabbing my hand for more. He acted as if he'd been eating it for months....