Fun Filled Saturday morning

Our bank was hosting "youth week" this week, ending the week with a visit from Happy D. Klown. I thought this would be a good chance to introduce Ralph to clowns, thinking it wouldn't be too crowded. Ralph was the only child at the bank when we arrived. He was a little timid in the beginning but "Happy" toned down his act a little and once Happy started making balloon animals Ralph was a little more at ease. Ralph received a puppy, turtle, and bear balloon animals. Then Happy did a magic trick with audience (Ralph) participation. By the time we left Ralph was at ease enough to tell Happy "Bye Bye".


Following the visit to the bank we traveled over the Tractor Testing Museum at East Campus. We had a tour guide that enjoyed visitors (us) and provided us a narrative of the various tractors on display. Ralph was as patient as a two-year-old could be and probably took more much pleasure in seeing a kitty cat as he did seeing the tractors. (Henry was as patient as a four-month-old could be and slept during most of the visit.)

Ralph: Celebrating 25 months

Last Tuesday marked Ralph's 25 month. I wasn't going to keep posting updates but I can't seem to stop.

Ralph continues to enjoy basketball - he points out basketball hoops we drive by, he knows baskets are worth two points, and tries to turn about anything into a basket so he can play basketball. There is a small basketball in Henry's room at daycare. He seeks it out everyday and tries to get a few shots in before we go to his room. He either exclaims "Made it" or "Miss it!"

More often than not he wants things his way. He is a cross between Mr. Independent and a Drama Queen. If one of his friends at daycare tries to help him get his coat or open the door for him at the end of the day Ralph seizes the opportunity to let everyone know he wanted to do it. In the photo he pulled his stool from the bathroom to the hall tree to hang his hat up.

"Give it back to me" is the longest phrase he says. . . maybe soon we can make it a little longer by adding 'please' to it. He is starting to sing along to certain songs, very softly. Mike & Ralph have started to say prayers when going to bed and Ralph will repeat the last word in each line.

Ralph is usually a pretty good boy at church but sometimes he gets a little inquisitive with a "where's father?" at the beginning or end of mass. One other time as Father is leaving mass Ralph waves and keeps saying "bye bye Father." I think we provide ample entertainment for those around us. I did catch Father cracking a smile at Ralph months ago.

We almost have one more tooth to count. Last Monday he woke up 4 times during the night. It took us until the 3rd time to even consider teething. Sure enough you can see the right canine getting close to breaking through.

Eating is a struggle more times than not. Ralph is not usually interested in eating and would rather be playing. . .which is what he usually tries to do with his food - I have heard him say "throw it" and "shovel" while eating before. We have tried bribery with stickers and going outside, along with timeouts. It's definitely a challenge.

Ralph loves to be outside now that it is nice. Mike and him will go outside after supper whenever they get the chance. They have met many of neighboring kids.

Following in big brothers shoes, I mean, hat.

Grandpa & Grandma could not let Henry go hat-less any longer. Henry now has his own "I Hunt for Hugs" hat. He still has some growing to do so it fits but if he is anything like his brother, dad, and grandpa he will not be hat-less for long!

Thanks Grandpa & Grandma!

They are 2 Already!

Back on April 11 we had a reunion with the families from the child birth class we took when we were expecting Ralph. Once again, it was fun to see everyone - and to see the similarities and differences in our children, most of whom were born within the same week. We were short one family since they had just had their 2nd child the week before. Another family just had their 2nd child this week. We hope to have another reunion this summer to meet the new siblings. Trying to get everyone to cooperate for the group photo was nearly impossible . . . .

Well Child Check-ups

Ralph & Henry had their respective well child check-ups today.

Ralph - 24 mo
Height: 35.5" (77%)
Weight: 26 pounds (24%)
BMI: 14.57 (3-10%)
Ralph's head size is average also. If the pattern holds, Ralph will be a long, skinny person. He turned a little bashful when the doctor came in and wasn't very talkative but was cooperative. Very surprisingly he didn't utter a peep when his finger was pricked for the lead test. Luckily he only received one shot - he wanted to carry on more than he was given the opportunity to but with one shot there was not much time to react and it was done.


Henry - 4 mo
Height: 25 3/8" (66%)
Weight: 12 pounds 14 ounces (13%)
Henry's head size is also average. Doctor still thinks his head will work itself out. Unfortunately any method of sleep training isn't encouraged until 6 months so we will continue to be patient. We were given instruction to try dark karo syrup or prune juice to help with gas/daily bowel movements as Henry sometimes only has dirty diapers every other day. Henry received various immunizations but they were contained to two shots - he squawked a little and with very little consoling he was done. . . another sign the boys have very different personalities.

Henry also had his 2nd visit to the chiropractor this afternoon. The session was very relaxing for Henry. He was asleep on arrival and continued to sleep the whole time. She did all she could while he was in the car seat and we had to take him out to work on his spine and sacrum. He was very relaxed the whole time and even let out a big sigh towards the end. She thought she noticed changes in his head. The sacrum area was still tight.

(photo taken a few days ago on Easter)

Henry: Celebrating 4 months!

So many changes in the last month. As of last Wednesday night Henry has not been swaddled and is sleeping in a sleep sack. Unfortunately, it still does not mean he is sleeping all night. We are still following the "back to sleep" campaign when we put him to bed but he is usually on his side next time we see him - and sometimes he has scooted himself half-way around the crib. He continues to get up at least once a night to eat - and its clear he is hungry when he wakes up.

This past Monday night Henry transitioned from the mini-crib to the big crib. Nothing note worthy to report except he'll now have more room to scoot around in the middle of the night.

Last Wednesday Henry made his first trip to the chiropractor. We took him based on a recommendation from a friend and my fear that the right side of the back of his head is a little flat. This chiropractor does craniosacral therapy. This type of therapy has shown to be effective in misshapened heads. I had consulted his pediatrician a month ago who, at that point, thought the flat part of his head would work itself once he gets more active. My thought is that the chiropractor can't hurt and maybe it'll help in other areas too.

Last Friday morning Henry rolled from his back to his tummy. We sat there watching him for awhile since I wouldn't consider it official until he got his arm out from under him. He has continued to roll whenever given the chance.

Henry is much more active than I could have predicted. He was not a big mover in the womb but there is no stopping him now -between the rolling over and kicking his legs he is quite active. He is a very social boy who loves to interact with others - he hands out smiles easily, is quite a jabberbox, and is starting to stick his tongue out too.