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....

Our gigantic baby.

Yes, Thomas is huge. (and so are his lovable cheeks).

We thought Jacob was gigantic...and he was.

*Refresher picture*

But, we just took Thomas for his 4 month check-up (at 5 months because at 4 months he was in the hospital...yay, it's been a month already!). The child was 17 pounds 6 oz. and 26 1/4 inches; he's longer than ~65% of the kids his age...and obviously quite well-fed. With his allergic system, he won't be getting foods until at least 6 months; fortunately, that doesn't appear to be a problem for him!

Random photo: this is from Monday morning before I left for work. I had been afforded the 6" to the left of Thomas and Daniel had the space on the right of Jacob. Ridiculous (Jacob had joined us only about 15 minutes before I had to get up for work anyway....I complain but actually LOVE the snuggle time).

Little of this, little of that.

Jacob's spring show for preschool was Friday... and it was adorable! Jacob had fallen asleep on the way home from school and since the show was early evening, the first 3 songs were a bit deadpan from him. Fortunately his energy picked-up mid-way through the show.
Here's Thomas excited about seeing Jacob sing!




A few snippets for your enjoyment:





And totally unrelated, here's Thomas cracking-up...and cracking us up.

so many blessings.

We've had a good share of chaos and unrest sprinkled through 2011 so far (and we can add croup for jacob to the growing list of issues...), but it's so easy to find the bright shining blessings in our sweet boys. Please, laugh along with us!

Jacob got these awesome stomp rocketes from uncle Dana, oh what a hit.

Happpy Belated 3!

Between the hospital and Holy Week, we have gotten behind on posting about Jacob's birthday. His party was April 2nd, at a local park that has a train. Jacob's friends TJ, Colby R., and Mickey joined us, Thomas, Ms. Phyllis (the boys' nanny and secretary at our church) Didi and Yaya, Uncle Luke and Aunt Sara, Gigi and Grandpapa, and parents, for a great day. Here are some of the pictures of that day.





















Didi and Thomas ride caboose with Luke and Sara, TJ (and his mom) and Jacob, Colby and his mom (and soon-to-be sibling), and in front is Mickey and Breezy riding the train at Jacob's 3rd birthday party.









Ashley made "car" cakes at the request of the birthday boy.










Jacob wearing the tie t-shirt he picked out for the day, racing Uncle Luke down the slide.
On Jacob's birthday at Chili's with Uncle Luke and Aunt Sara.







The boys are their loot.


















The week before, our friends the Ode's (including Tavin!) came for a visit. Jacob and Tavin loved their reunion.

I have video to share with you all, but it'll have to wait. Thomas is doing quite well. He's the only 3month old I've ever heard about that gained weight in the picu. He's been home for 10 days, and while he's not quite 100%, he's gaining ground every day. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

Happy 3rd birthday Jacob and Happy Easter to you all!

-D, A, J, and T.