Ah Thanksgiving – my favorite holiday and do you want to know why?  It’s because Thanksgiving is all about family and food – more specifically, my mother’s Thanksgiving feast.  My mom is an outstanding cook and once again, she outdid herself with a delectable array of mouth watering goodness.  The fantastic desserts furnished by my Aunt Lora, and yummy salad by my Aunt Jeanette were icing on the cake.  Bravo Ladies, bravo.

Reasons to be thankful this year – numerous.  The most important being the continued good health of Nicholas, Dexter and my dad – all who have had their share of health scares in the last year(s).  Reason two, Susan, my cousin Scott’s English wife, was finally able to join us for her 1st of many Thanksgivings.  After spending the first 18 months of their marriage separated by the Atlantic ocean because of the stupidity of the U.S. government, Susan chowed down with the rest of us on Thursday!

Reason two, five of the seven cousins made it – missing only Gina and her family (on my dad’s side of the family tree) but I’ll cut her slack because she just gave birth two weeks ago to her second son Felix, and Greg (on my mom’s side) but he was out her for my uncle’s surgery a week ago and needed to get back home.  Again, understandable.  Even my cousin Brigitte was able to join us this year.  In July, she ended a year of deployment to South Korea (she’s a public health officer in the Air Force and I haven’t see her since before getting pregnant with Nic and Dex.)

Reason three, Joel and I are both still gainfully employed and you can’t complain about that.

Reason four, this was Laura, our au pair’s first Thanksgiving too and I had a fantastic time seeing her smile and enjoy the holiday.  (At the end of the day I asked her what her favorite part of the day was and her response – the whole thing!)

Reason five, we, the younger adults got to sit at the “big kids table” (closer to the food) and the older generation sat at a temporary table in the living room by the TV.  It was a win win for everyone.

AND reason six- I GOT TO EAT A HOT MEAL FOR ONCE!!!!!  My mom timed dinner just right to coincide with the boys’ nap.  I was first in line for firsts and first in line for seconds.  It was glorious.  Once Joel and I finished, the boys woke up.  The timing was perfect, though grandpa seemed to think that we should finish the dishes before going and picking up the screaming babies, but you can’t win them all.  ;)

It was a great Thanksgiving.  The boys did a wonderful job of entertaining everyone with the exception of Rylie, the dog.  He wasn’t happy with the competition.  I mean, they showed my mom how they could work her microwave and her dishwasher.  After that, we were banished to the basement to play.   Here are a couple of pictures from the great event.   I was too busy chasing after the boys to take any shots but Laura and Joel got a few good ones.  Enjoy!

Thanksgiving2009

So besides reminding everyone what Australians rock at most forms of sport I just wanted to share and prove proof that I am trying my hardest to corrupt these boys into Aussie loving, footy playing boys!

Carter find a fantastic website that replayed the 4 Nations games the next day and this was the AMAZING SLAUGHTER OF ENGLAND BY THE KANGAROOS! Anyway……..

I was happily watching the game in the lounge room some what quietly when Dex and Nic showed great interest in it. I was more than happy to show them real football And Nic got right into it with me, he cheered TRY! when I did. Pointed at the screen when i mentioned a particularly good looking player that shall remain nameless and even yelled out when England received a penalty that clearly was wrong! That or he yelled because I accidentally started to rant and rave in his ear!

Finally we realised that it would be better for all of us, and my poor lap that was it chair for 2 very sqirmy boys that we connected it all up to the tv…….. bloody brilliant!

So I spent alot of time explaining the important terms Try, knock on, forwarded, grounded and what exactly a scrum is. Also pointing out who was who, who we liked and who to boo. And several chants of aussie aussie aussie!

My little boys *sigh* will sadly be without my corrupting influence all too soon (one month until I leave here) so I will try to get in as much Aussie slang before I go!

If today hadn’t been the sort of day that made the unemployment office seem like a more productive use of my time, then tonight would have been a bit of a riot.  When I got home, Nicholas was actually building a tower out of blocks.  Usually he’ll put a piece or two on top of another, then pull it all apart.  If I help him, he’ll stack them one on top of another, until Dexter notices and comes over and yanks it down.  Tonight, Nic was actually building a tower, all on his own.

And then Dexter was going wild playing fetch.  I suppose I should say it was “catch”, but it wasn’t – it was fetch.  He found a bouncy ball, and brought it over to me, and I tossed it and it bounced across the kitchen and into the dining room.  Dexter squealed with delight and ran after it, and then “threw” it back to me, and this went on for some time.  He was enraptured.

After a tumultuous feed, Nic ran into the bathroom, and spent the next 10 minutes laughing uproariously every time Dexter or I would push open the door.  He’d squeal, then shut the door, and then run to the back of the bathroom.  When I started pounding on the door instead of just opening it, he laughed so hard that he stumbled out of the bathroom and just fell over onto me, and lay there giggling.

Later, we went upstairs for shower time, and Dexter made up a new game of running into our closet, turning around, and falling backwards against my shirts (hanging on the bottom level of the closet).  In the shower, he started splashing and laughing himself silly, and then trying to help me wash Nicholas’ hair.

Finally, we made it downstairs to eat a long-delayed dinner.  To keep the boys entertained, we gave them the new fruit-flavored Cheerios (otherwise known as shrunken Fruit Loops, but don’t tell anyone, it’ll ruin the branding).  At one point I told Dexter that since I was a good Dad and loved him so much, if it was too much for his little belly to handle I’d eat all the purple ones for him.  I glanced back 30 seconds later and all the purple ones were gone.

Nic was then refusing to eat his, and holding it out to me, so I decided to mess with him by leaning forward and biting the cheerio out of his hand.  Then all they wanted to do was feed me.  I ate 3-4 that way, but then told them we were done.  Dexter would have none of it.  He started his little hyper-ventilating frustrated noise, holding two out to me.  I said, “fine, but this is the last time.”  I leaned forward, and just as I got close Dexter’s hand darted to his mouth and he ate them.  Seriously, he’s like 4 days old and he’s already messing with me.

Nicholas started acting up after that, and he categorically refused to eat his purple ones.  Katie set the 7 or 8 purple ones on Dexter’s tray (that’s our new threat, and the only one that appears to work – “eat your food, or I’ll give it to your brother”).  Dexter reached out and grabbed one, put it in his mouth and grunted.  And then another, and another, and another, until they were all crammed in his mouth.  Each Cheerio was accompanied by a grunt.  Katie finally grabbed the last Cheerio from Nic’s plate, and put it on Dexter’s.  She tried to fool him, though – this was one Nic had goobered.  Dexter poked at it, inspected it, considered it, for nearly 45 seconds.  Laura, Katie and I were taking bets on whether or not he’d eat it.  And suddenly a grunt, and the cheerio was gone.

And after all this, with the boys still in their high chairs, I got the nail clippers and clipped their finger nails.  They sat enthralled.  Nic kept watching my fingers, then looking up at Katie with a smile, then up at me, then back to my fingers.  When I finished both of them and went to the kitchen to throw away the clippings, they both broke down and started sobbing uncontrolably.  They appeared to be loving the nail-clipping-in-the-highchair experience.

Kind of an odd night.  Just figured I’d share.

-Joel

What is it about boys an the Porcelain throne?  Seriously, what is it?  I’m a guy, and still I don’t know.  I understand the whole taking a magazine into the bathroom thing now, finally, after having children.  It’s called “peace and quiet”, and one of the very, very few times I’m not being asked to do something.

But the boys – it’s not like they even use the toilet, but it seems to hold some odd fascination for them.  They’re enthralled with playing in the bathroom.  Sometimes I’ll find their trucks stuck in the bathroom corner.  Othertimes they’ll have gotten at he toilet paper.  And  the basket Katie used to use for storing extra rolls of toilet paper, we’ll find it randomly stashed somewhere in the house.  They’ll squeal with delight when they’re playing in their, slam their hands on the top of the toilet, giggle at each other, and for all intents and purposes hold a rave in our bathroom.  It’s just odd.

On an altogether seperate note, does anyone have any specific suggestions for rain suits for toddlers?  I’m leaning toward these (http://www.amazon.com/Tuffo-Muddy-Buddy-Overalls-Toddler/dp/B001AHXAUY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1258955586&sr=1-3).  I figure overalls are better then separate pants and jackets – less likely for water to get in, and just less stuff to manage.  Also, it’s pretty much the only pair of overalls I can find for sale in the US.  There are the Togz (http://www.adventurebaby.co.uk/togz-all-in-one-rainsuit-toddler-1220-0.html) and Regatta (http://www.waterproofworld.co.uk/toddlers.htm) suits for sale in the UK, but I can’t find them anywhere in our wayward colony.  We have the boots, I just figure life will go a little easier if we can put them in a dry suit.  Especially Dexter, since he’s not a big fan of physical discomfort.  Anyone have any ideas?

In the never ending cold war between the forces of anarchy and order, order is losing.  Just when we figure out how to hold them at bay in some small way, the buggers go and build a few more neurons and suddenly figure out how to get around the barriers.

Recently, the boys have been starting to show a strong desire to climb up on, well, everything.  It’s like taking a dog for a walk – every time you come near a tree or fire hydrant the dog lifts a leg – and every time the boys come up to something their knee comes up and they start trying to get their leg up and climb on top.

We’re trying to keep them off the couches, first because we aren’t eager to begin the trips to the emergency room, and because it’s the last barrier to the *adult* spaces, the places we haven’t had to baby proof yet.   The books on the mantle, the electronics, the kitchen counters, the cameras and remotes…

This last barrier has proven adequate for the last several weeks, but it’s beginning to crumble.  It’s worked well because the boys just aren’t quite tall enough.  The problem is, what they lack in size, they make up for in determination and cunning.

A couple of nights ago, while Katie had abandoned me and left me alone with the boys, I was cleaning up after a tumultuous feed.  Dexter was very frustrated, trying to get up on the couch.  He then ran off and played for a couple minutes in the living room. He grabbed his truck and came driving around the house.  I looked up again, and saw this sequence of events:

See how much trouble we’re in?  What they can’t manage on their own, they’re  building ways to overcome.

THEY’RE  BUILDING  SIEGE  ENGINES!

He didn’t quite manage to get onto the couch – the truck slid away from under him, but he was *so* close.  We’re doomed.

Last Sunday, I needed to go to the grocery store.  Fred Meyer coupons were burning a whole in my pocket.  Well, not quite but we did need food.  Laura was going to go with me, leaving Joel home to watch the boys, and in frantic desportation he suggested, why don’t we all go?   The boys had been cooped up, sick for the past 2 weeks, and this was just the thing we thought they needed to stop the whining and general fussiness.  So, Laura, Joel (with camera in hand), Nicholas, Dexter and I all piled into Kanga, our mini-van and we were off.  The crying stopped once we left the garage.  Ooh – the plan was working.

Very few people grocery shop at 9am Sunday morning so this was perfect.   Laura and Joel both wanted the boys to sit in the fancy shopping cart that looked like a racing car.  Of course these kind of carts don’t fit as much food, but I was overruled.  We thoroughly wiped the cart down with bleach wipes and plopped the boys into it.  The first sign of trouble occurred then.  Nicholas did not want to ride in the cart.  He cried and twisted around letting us all know he was not happy.  We all ignored him.  My thinking was as soon as we entered the store, Nic would settle.  OK, so we also had to bribe him with food but that did the trick.  They were quite and alert, taking the fruits and vegetable aisles all in.

Everything was cool until I had to run off to the bathroom.  That’s when Nicky cracked.  By the time I got back, his face was red, his cheeks were stained with tears and I crumbled, picking him up.  That boy is heavy.  What a sucker I am.  I had to hold him for the rest of the trip.  No wonder I have a bad back.  ;)  As for Dexter, he was a model of perfect behavior.   I think I have a fellow shopping buddy in Dex.

Enjoy the picture from our first grocery store visit with the boys.

Hi all – so sorry we’ve been slacking at updating you on progress made or lost on the home front.  The boys have pretty much recovered from their colds / pneumonia in Nicholas’s case.  Dexter had a pulmonary follow-up appointment yesterday and all looks good there too! 

That said, we totally need to take and post some videos for you and us of the boys running around.  Their little waddle walks are awesome and the faces they make now are super sweet.  

Have any of you experienced parents out there dealt with picky eaters?  I swear, what they like and dislike changes by the hour and it’s driving us all mad.  Nicholas and Dexter both had simultaneous melt-downs in their highchairs last night.  It took stripping them down to their diapers for the sunny dispositions come back (and I’m not sure what that says….).   I will take all and any advice thrown our way.  This whole transition to finger foods is not going as well as I would have hoped.

Lastly, for any of you who have visited us lately, you’ll know that the main floor of our house has been converted to one big area for the boys.  Joel and I are now limited to having a tiny little den for our belongings.  This past weekend, we converted the 3rd bay of the garage to an “outdoor” play area.  My folks got new carpet and we asked for their old carpet pad and carpet to decorate the garage with.  Here’s what it looks like (after an apparently exciting afternoon with Laura). 

The sad thing is the carpet in the garage is nicer that what we have in the house.  Once the boys stop baptizing the inside carpet, maybe we can finally replace it in, what 18 years???????

That’s about it for now.  More to come……

Thats right folks I finally corupted the children and fed the VEGEMITE HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’ve been eager to feed them the blacky goodness since I first came but have shown amazing self power and hadn’t until today! I was sure the boys would hate it, after all the sight of it makes Joels stomach churn and Katie tried it once and won’t go near the stuff again.

My friend and fellow Au Pair Naomi came over and since she was fresh from a short visit to her home town of Cairns, Australia we were naturally talking about all the good Aussie food we desperatly miss from home. And I pulled out my special Aussie food stash, musk sticks, left over meat pie that I had made and then we pulled out the vegemite!!!!

Vegemite and toast! Every the kids favourite breakfast! Ok so Vegemite and anything is fine by me! Vegemite and cheese, Vegemite and avocado, Vegemite and tomato rocks as well!

SO I GIVE YOU, THE HAPPY LITTLE VEGEMITE SONG

We’re happy little Vegemites  As bright as bright can be

We all enjoy our Vegemite for breakfast, lunch and tea

Our mothers say we’re going stronger, Ever single week

Because we LOVE our Vegemite,

We all ADORE our Vegemite

It puts a rose on every cheek!!

AND SOME PHOTOS FOR GOOD MEASURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On the plus side, Nicholas is doing much better.  He still has a lingering cough, and it taking his meds, but he’s drinking again, and eating well, and acting like our favorite first born again.

On the so-so side, Dexter is sliding sideways a bit.  He has a tiny bit of a wheeze, so we’re Nebulizing him now, and giving him the same Prednisolone as his brother (and his Grandpa Carter, for that matter).  He’s doing fine with that, but he threw up twice yesterday and once the day before, so it’s really not smelling all that pleasant around here.

And on the minus side, we may have killed Laura.  After enduring a week of Nicholas and Dexter being sick, she succumbed yesterday, and told us this morning that she feels like death.  And we were *so* close to finishing the year without killing our Au Pair…  <sigh>  Well, maybe she’ll recover.  Stranger things have happened…

So, a month ago, we had our 15 month well child visit. Yes, yes, I’m just getting around to telling you the results now. Getting ready for Halloween and then getting sick over-shadowed this post. Anyway, at that time, Nicholas weighed in at 24 lbs, 14 ounces and Dexter was 21 lbs, 7 oz. Somehow, we managed to keep a 4 lbs difference between the two. This put Nic right smack dap ~50% for his non-age-corrected weight. Woohoo – my son is totally average! Dexter continues to remain on the charts at 6% for weight and I continue to try to fatten that boy up. As for height, Nic was 31.5 inches and Dexter 30.5 in. Not too shabby. They continue to grow and amaze us. They are still not talking but showing uncanny ability of understanding when we ask questions or request actions (which they demonstrate by doing the opposite of what we asked). And, Dexter has perfect comedic timing. Just last night, Nicholas was refusing to drink and was playing with his sippy cup – you know, slamming it down on the tray to his highchair. Joel, a little irritated with his son, took the sippy cup and slammed it down onto the kitchen table. So Dexter, being a great brother, took his sippy cup and slammed it down onto his brother’s tray so that Nic could have another sippy cup to play with. He’s just that kind of a guy.

I wanted to share the above stats before I sharred my weekend with you. Oh, I had a mental breakdown last night. All weekend long, Nicholas’s cough sounded bad to me. Then he stopped drinking fluids and Dexter started to cough. Our nights were filled with restless slumber and children needing nebbing in the middle of the night. During the day, Nicholas couldn’t have been any sweeter. Lots of cuddles and smiles. He and his brother just wouldn’t eat or drink to my satisfaction. The NICU nightmare is still too recent for me and that led me to crack on Sunday night when Nicholas refused his night time bottle and thus had consumed less that 1 ounce of fluids all day.

This morning I took him back to the doctor. Three chest x-rays later and it looks like he might be in the beginning stages of pneumonia. Oh joy. We are loaded with drugs and hopefully, everything will be back to normal soon. Wish me luck in feeding him the nasty medicine.

Dexter still just has a snotty nose and we got the call that he’s qualified for the RSV shot again this year. I’m very thankful for that fact.