We all need our share.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Lunch
DAD's lunch.
Mom takes credit for getting him to eat broccoli. It is good actually, something he would never have dreamed he would claim a few years ago. The secret is to rinse or dunk it in cold water once done.
Mom also notes that it stinks up the house when he makes it. It smells like the diaper pail needs changing!
But while that is unpleasant, the broccoli sure tastes good. Plus dad makes enough on the weekend to last all week.
Mom also notes that it stinks up the house when he makes it. It smells like the diaper pail needs changing!
But while that is unpleasant, the broccoli sure tastes good. Plus dad makes enough on the weekend to last all week.
Friday, September 27, 2013
Kindness
HERE the Twins have decided to "help" each other by holding the other's bottle, or so it seems.
Dad knows better. Behind the scenes this is actually a game of "wrestle the sibling's bottle away from him/her" a game they frequntly play.
To be sure, they do offer food and toys to each other - her more often than him. But such was not the case in the above photo.
To be sure, they do offer food and toys to each other - her more often than him. But such was not the case in the above photo.
Buggy's Laugh
BUGGY has an interesting laugh. To Dad it sounds as if she is a villain in a movie laughing as a result of having gotten away with her fiendishness.
Dad calls it diabolical. Mom does not like that description. But if you heard it, you might agree with with him. It sounds like a forced, "Ha, ha, ha, ha!"
Dad calls it diabolical. Mom does not like that description. But if you heard it, you might agree with with him. It sounds like a forced, "Ha, ha, ha, ha!"
Dad Plays Couch
SITTING on Dad's lap is a favorite past time of the Twins. They fight for space (though both are small enough to fit). They'll actually try to push the other out. Recently, they enjoyed a few minutes of children's entertainment, and actually shared Dad's lap, though by the time he got the camera, Buggy had lost interest and moved on to other activities.
She dishes it out as much as she gets it from him. So far there is no malice in their actions, and neither recognizes the other's behavior as aggressive. That'll change all too soon.
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| "Get out of my chair," Buggy thinks. |
Stranger Anxiety!
DURING a recent visit from Grandma and Grandpa Buggy had severe stranger anxiety, preferring to hide from the Grands rather than interact with them.
Though this photo doesn't show it, Dad found her down the hall trying her hardest to disappear into a corner. When he grabbed the camera, she ran to him for comfort.
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| "I would disappear if I could." |
Though this photo doesn't show it, Dad found her down the hall trying her hardest to disappear into a corner. When he grabbed the camera, she ran to him for comfort.
Playing in the Sand Box
NEW Family friend Kim took care of the Twins recently so Mom and Dad could attend to business. She took them to a park with a sand box. They loved it.
Mom and Dad swung by in between appointments to see how they were doing. This was only the Twins second time being in someone else's care. They were more than fine. In fact, neither greeted Mom or Dad with their customary big smile and excited shriek.
What a mess Kim had on her hands afterward! Buddy came home in a different outfit entirely because of the sand.
Mom and Dad swung by in between appointments to see how they were doing. This was only the Twins second time being in someone else's care. They were more than fine. In fact, neither greeted Mom or Dad with their customary big smile and excited shriek.
What a mess Kim had on her hands afterward! Buddy came home in a different outfit entirely because of the sand.
Rediculous
ALWAYS testing the boundaries, EJ decides to "reinterpret" the no breach rule.
These chairs are set up to be a barrier to prevent them from going into the "no go zone." Previously, they would push past them but with ample correction, they ceased that behavior. Now EJ tries a different approach. Dad can here him in his mind, "I have not breached Dad. I am right here, not over there."
PITA.
These chairs are set up to be a barrier to prevent them from going into the "no go zone." Previously, they would push past them but with ample correction, they ceased that behavior. Now EJ tries a different approach. Dad can here him in his mind, "I have not breached Dad. I am right here, not over there."
PITA.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Buggy Behaves
THE rules for the couch are simple, no standing up. They can sit, crawl around, get up onto and down from, but they are not allowed to stand. The risk of falling is still significant and can happen faster than Dad can react.
For the longest time Buggy just wasn't allowed on the couch since she would immediately make a game of it by standing up. Dad would correct her and she would giggle and laugh. Then she would get evicted and put in her bouncer.
It seems she finally got the idea that by sitting calmly, she can stay on the couch. We'll see how long that lasts.
For the longest time Buggy just wasn't allowed on the couch since she would immediately make a game of it by standing up. Dad would correct her and she would giggle and laugh. Then she would get evicted and put in her bouncer.
It seems she finally got the idea that by sitting calmly, she can stay on the couch. We'll see how long that lasts.
Arghhh! A Cousin's Pirate Birthday
THE NEw Family was invited to Cousin Logan's 2nd birthday party where the theme was pirates.
EJ, while cute, was not too impressed at first with all of the new sights, sounds, and people. He and Liesel eventually became comfortable enough to wander and explore on their own.
Liesel rode the rocking horse for all of about a minute before getting off and wandering elsewhere.
EJ, while cute, was not too impressed at first with all of the new sights, sounds, and people. He and Liesel eventually became comfortable enough to wander and explore on their own.
Liesel rode the rocking horse for all of about a minute before getting off and wandering elsewhere.
Buddy dons Thudguard
NOW that Liesel is much more sure footed on her toes (she doesn't walk on her feet), she has less need for the Thudguard. So EJ decided to wear it. He took it upon himself to plop it on.
Hmm. This is not quite right.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Cool Weather, Warm Kitchen
THE New Family has finally experienced some cooler weather and the time to do some cooking. Now is a great time to heat the house by making soup.
Dad had some fresh garden tomatoes on hand that needed to get eaten. The Family also had leftover broiled chicken bought from the local Cost Club store. So chicken soup seemed obvious.
Two things. First, the lack of noodles or rice is a choice Dad makes to keep carbohydrates to a minimum. When the Twins are old enough, it will have egg noodles, rice is to hard to separate once added.
Second, adding tomatoes to the soup was a risk, but one that turned out well. However, there is more to the story.
Dad made the broth by removing as much of the meat from the bones as possible and pressure cooking them (along with the skin and fat) per the cooker's directions. Unfortunately, a roasted chicken does not have nearly enough gelatin as a raw one. So it would need additional.He chopped and reserved the meat for later.
Because of reasons not worth mentioning, the tomatoes had been previously cubed and stewed along with oregano and basil (both dried, but kept in a cool, dry, dark environment). Once softened, Dad added salt and sugar to taste, turned the flame off, and then added dried garlic. The residual heat in the copper bottom pot let it bloom without turning it bitter.
Dad strained the broth of the inedible stuff, passing it through a sieve, chilled it slightly to let the fat congeal on top for easy removal, and reheated it.
He added chopped carrots and cooked until softened. He added chopped onion and the stewed tomatoes. He tasted. It needed salty, sweet, and body. He added a chicken bullion, a packet of gelatin, and some more sugar.
After bringing to a boil, he tasted again and added the previously cubed and reserved left over chicken meat.
The tomatoes brought a welcome acidity to the soup.
Dad had some fresh garden tomatoes on hand that needed to get eaten. The Family also had leftover broiled chicken bought from the local Cost Club store. So chicken soup seemed obvious.
Two things. First, the lack of noodles or rice is a choice Dad makes to keep carbohydrates to a minimum. When the Twins are old enough, it will have egg noodles, rice is to hard to separate once added.
Second, adding tomatoes to the soup was a risk, but one that turned out well. However, there is more to the story.
Dad made the broth by removing as much of the meat from the bones as possible and pressure cooking them (along with the skin and fat) per the cooker's directions. Unfortunately, a roasted chicken does not have nearly enough gelatin as a raw one. So it would need additional.He chopped and reserved the meat for later.
Because of reasons not worth mentioning, the tomatoes had been previously cubed and stewed along with oregano and basil (both dried, but kept in a cool, dry, dark environment). Once softened, Dad added salt and sugar to taste, turned the flame off, and then added dried garlic. The residual heat in the copper bottom pot let it bloom without turning it bitter.
Dad strained the broth of the inedible stuff, passing it through a sieve, chilled it slightly to let the fat congeal on top for easy removal, and reheated it.
He added chopped carrots and cooked until softened. He added chopped onion and the stewed tomatoes. He tasted. It needed salty, sweet, and body. He added a chicken bullion, a packet of gelatin, and some more sugar.
After bringing to a boil, he tasted again and added the previously cubed and reserved left over chicken meat.
The tomatoes brought a welcome acidity to the soup.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Buggy's New Tooth
WHILE EJ keeps pushing out new molers (he now has four, two in the top and two in the bottom), Buggy is just now pushing up a new front tooth on the bottom.
Pretty soon these people will be ready for hard solids to crush and chew.
Oh, and those aren't bruises on her face. It is dirty from lunch. Dad missed some spots (like all of them).
Speaking of which, she has graduated from the ThudGuard. She now falls safely. Most of the time. There have been no face plants in a couple of weeks. Ironically it was EJ that decided recently to lay prostrate and bang his face into the floor. He did it once and looked up at Dad. Dad waited to see his reaction. He smiled. Dad decided not to intervene. Then he did it again. The bruises did not appear for a while thereafter. So Dad was unconcerned until they appeared.
Dad is okay with bruises on arms and legs resulting from tumbles and falls, but he does not tolerate facial bruising. If necessary Buddy will be wearing ThudGuard.
Pretty soon these people will be ready for hard solids to crush and chew.
Oh, and those aren't bruises on her face. It is dirty from lunch. Dad missed some spots (like all of them).
Speaking of which, she has graduated from the ThudGuard. She now falls safely. Most of the time. There have been no face plants in a couple of weeks. Ironically it was EJ that decided recently to lay prostrate and bang his face into the floor. He did it once and looked up at Dad. Dad waited to see his reaction. He smiled. Dad decided not to intervene. Then he did it again. The bruises did not appear for a while thereafter. So Dad was unconcerned until they appeared.
Dad is okay with bruises on arms and legs resulting from tumbles and falls, but he does not tolerate facial bruising. If necessary Buddy will be wearing ThudGuard.
Summer, Your Days are Numbered!
THE New Family won't have much more opportunity to enjoy nice weather like this for much longer.
The chairs were bought a year ago. This is there first use. They sat in them for a nanosecond before wandering off.
Buggy likes bugs (and twigs, and leaves, and all the other debris). She also thinks nothing of putting it into her mouth.
EJ got some Grandma time. The Grands were in town for a visit. The popcorn popper were gifts from them, as were many other things.
Wagon time. They act remarkably well when strapped into the wagon. But to try and get them to sit in a grocery cart for more than a minute is a challenge.
The chairs were bought a year ago. This is there first use. They sat in them for a nanosecond before wandering off.
Buggy likes bugs (and twigs, and leaves, and all the other debris). She also thinks nothing of putting it into her mouth.
EJ got some Grandma time. The Grands were in town for a visit. The popcorn popper were gifts from them, as were many other things.
Wagon time. They act remarkably well when strapped into the wagon. But to try and get them to sit in a grocery cart for more than a minute is a challenge.
Friday, September 13, 2013
15 Months Old!
IT is hard to believe, but the Twins are 15 months! My how time flies.
They are starting to understand simple words and use them. They are babbling to Mom, Dad, and each other incessantly. He has Holy Molers! pushing through on the top and bottom of his jaw. She no longer wears Thudguard. She still tumbles, but she goes down on her butt instead of face planting.
Their 15 month visit with Dr. Pedia was uneventful. Dad's only concern was that Buggy prefers to walk on her toes and her feet have an inward pitch. The Dr. said that was nothing to be concerned about. She should outgrow it.
Elizabeth is 32" long, 19 lbs. 8 oz. with a head circumference of 17.76". She is darn near the 90th percentile for height and the 26th percentile for weight.
Ethan 32.5" long, 21 lbs. 13 oz. with a head circumference of 18.27". He is near 90th percentile for height, and 37th percentile for weight.
Their diet includes a variety of solid, semisolid, and liquid foods. Favored solids include macaroni and cheese, carrots, sweet potatoes, cheese, soft fruit and grain bars, a variety of puffed carbs ranging from cereals to Funyuns. Semisolid foods are whole milk yogurt based smoothies with added fruit. Liquids are whole milk (fresh) and powdered milk supplemented with toddler formula. This last is more for convenience to the Parent's than it is for their benefit. Powder stores easily and safely for long times and is in the baby backpack always ready to go. When they are out on errands, making a bottle to satisfy a hungry tummy is sometimes favored over snack bowls, and less messy.
Everyone comments on how well behaved they are. And Dad ensures that they are but insisting that they get adequate naps. A well rested toddler is a pleasant toddler. This has not done much to build relationships because it has kept him and them home more often than it has allowed everyone to venture out.
He is an early riser (like his Mom). She likes to loaf in bed for a while after waking (like well you know who). She pretty much sleeps through the night and self soothes back to sleep when she does get up. He still, on rare occasion, needs help going back to sleep. For him, he craves the security of being held. It is not hunger, though sometimes it is a dirty diaper.
They take two lengthy naps per day usually going down within a few minutes of each other, but only occasionally rising within a few minutes of each other. She'll take a short morning nap and long afternoon one, while he'll do the opposite.
They are extremely active and loved to race each other up onto the couch where they regularly violate the "no standing up" rule. Buggy chose to dive off face first once or twice before deciding lowering herself feet first was better.
Speaking of learning cause and effect, for awhile it seemed that he was developing really well. Only recently has he decided that banging his face on the hardwood floor would be fun and profitable (if you consider pain fun and bruises on his cheekbones profitable). Dr. Pedia sternly lectured Dad about his non-interventionist policy claiming that the boy may be too young yet for a lesson in natural consequences. Dad wondered if she offered that advice as a Dr. or as a mother. Anyway, Dad made remedies and will actively prevent him from repeating self destructive behavior, at least where face bruising could occur. Arms and legs are still fair game.
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| Holy Molers! are barely visible. |
They are starting to understand simple words and use them. They are babbling to Mom, Dad, and each other incessantly. He has Holy Molers! pushing through on the top and bottom of his jaw. She no longer wears Thudguard. She still tumbles, but she goes down on her butt instead of face planting.
Their 15 month visit with Dr. Pedia was uneventful. Dad's only concern was that Buggy prefers to walk on her toes and her feet have an inward pitch. The Dr. said that was nothing to be concerned about. She should outgrow it.
Elizabeth is 32" long, 19 lbs. 8 oz. with a head circumference of 17.76". She is darn near the 90th percentile for height and the 26th percentile for weight.
Ethan 32.5" long, 21 lbs. 13 oz. with a head circumference of 18.27". He is near 90th percentile for height, and 37th percentile for weight.
Their diet includes a variety of solid, semisolid, and liquid foods. Favored solids include macaroni and cheese, carrots, sweet potatoes, cheese, soft fruit and grain bars, a variety of puffed carbs ranging from cereals to Funyuns. Semisolid foods are whole milk yogurt based smoothies with added fruit. Liquids are whole milk (fresh) and powdered milk supplemented with toddler formula. This last is more for convenience to the Parent's than it is for their benefit. Powder stores easily and safely for long times and is in the baby backpack always ready to go. When they are out on errands, making a bottle to satisfy a hungry tummy is sometimes favored over snack bowls, and less messy.
Everyone comments on how well behaved they are. And Dad ensures that they are but insisting that they get adequate naps. A well rested toddler is a pleasant toddler. This has not done much to build relationships because it has kept him and them home more often than it has allowed everyone to venture out.
He is an early riser (like his Mom). She likes to loaf in bed for a while after waking (like well you know who). She pretty much sleeps through the night and self soothes back to sleep when she does get up. He still, on rare occasion, needs help going back to sleep. For him, he craves the security of being held. It is not hunger, though sometimes it is a dirty diaper.
They take two lengthy naps per day usually going down within a few minutes of each other, but only occasionally rising within a few minutes of each other. She'll take a short morning nap and long afternoon one, while he'll do the opposite.
They are extremely active and loved to race each other up onto the couch where they regularly violate the "no standing up" rule. Buggy chose to dive off face first once or twice before deciding lowering herself feet first was better.
Speaking of learning cause and effect, for awhile it seemed that he was developing really well. Only recently has he decided that banging his face on the hardwood floor would be fun and profitable (if you consider pain fun and bruises on his cheekbones profitable). Dr. Pedia sternly lectured Dad about his non-interventionist policy claiming that the boy may be too young yet for a lesson in natural consequences. Dad wondered if she offered that advice as a Dr. or as a mother. Anyway, Dad made remedies and will actively prevent him from repeating self destructive behavior, at least where face bruising could occur. Arms and legs are still fair game.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Services for Egon (Dad and Opa)
The New Family wishes to express sincere gratitude to everyone that supported Mom and her family during this process.
Having been through this once before, when Mom's Mother passed, Dad knew that these pictures would have to be taken to have a record and to express gratitude to gift givers. From top left to bottom right: 25th wedding anniversary, family portrait 12/2005, Hanasik's wedding 11/2003, Opa and his brother a few years ago, a drawing of Opa done by Hailey Winkleman 12/2011
Pictured above on the left is when Opa and Heidi's brother took a trip to Las Vegas and on the right is Oma & Opa's wedding day - March 24, 1973.
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| Mom's coworkers sent her a fruit basket "floral" arrangement. |
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| Thank you TJC Team One! |
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| It came with chocolate dipped apples, strawberries, bananas. |
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| At the funeral home, Dad took pictures. |
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| Mom and her siblings put the picture boards together. |
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| Pictured above is Egon and Dianne in young love. Opa was a huge Beatles fan so Mom's sister bought the frame, "All you need is love". |
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| There were beautiful flowers everywhere. Opa's Mom (Oma Theresa) passed on her love of flowers to him. |
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