Upper Holley -
In startling news this weekend (Ed. The news is not startling), two cases of varicella zoster virus were discovered in two young children. This rare disease (Ed. The disease is not rare) has affected twins from the same family. The ailment, commonly known as "chicken pox," resulted in itching and general irritability in the tots. The source of the infection is suspected to be a nosocomial in nature, a result of their one-year vaccines (Ed. The infection does NOT meet the definition of nosocomial, our intrepid reporter just likes that word). Remarkably, the tots are already on the road to recovery (Ed. The recovery, while rapid, does not meet the definition of "remarkable") and are expected to be back up to full speed within days.
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In other news, Emma has been walking for almost two weeks. JoeJoe, while he enjoys walking with assistance, his confidence is not quite ready. However, he gets quite frustrated when he sees Emma walking around and he's not. He made a few tentative steps over the weekend when he didn't realize he was without support. It shouldn't be too long, however, before they're both running us ragged.
Pregnancy Ticker
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Say, It's Your Birthday
Let's all think back to an earlier time. A time of wonder, joy, and possibility. I think you all know I'm referring to "The Month Before This One."
[wavy screen and chimes]
The Twinks 1st birthday party was held the Saturday after we got back from the frigid hinterlands the locals call "Chicago." We left JoeJoe's hair long so everyone up there could see his curls. Of course, the air is drier up there, so what are curly locks down here end up being just a mullet in Chi-Town. Since his actual birthday had passed, and we wouldn't get the "but-you-have-to-let-it-grow-for-a-year" routine, we took him for his first haircut. We took him to Toni, the only person (besides Sarah) who has cut my hair since I was in 11th grade (that's late '91 for those scoring at home). We actually snuck in ahead of my dad's appointment, but he was game. JoeJoe was game, too, for he did not know what fate had in store for him.
We went with a scissor cut, because clippers would have left his fine, blond hair looking rather insubstantial.
After a while, he began to get worried. This wasn't nearly as fun as sitting on Daddy's lap and looking at the mirrors. He was led astray!
Lo, there was wailing, and gnashing of teeth. Betrayal! Yea, by his own father! And his father's father!
At last, the torment ended, and he was a big boy!
Onward we pressed to the party itself. Sarah and our friend (The Twinks' babysitter) really decked the place out with yummy food and a wall o' photos.
If you're wondering about that photo at the top of the wall o' photos, there's a story in it. In late 2006, The Twinks' two older cousins were born. Maddy's birthday party was on December 9, 2007. Since she was turning One, in the winter, her mom made very cute invitations to the "Winter Onederland." However, many people missed the pun, as the "O" in "One-derland" had a picture of Maddy in it. This caused some to read the invitation as being to a "Winder Nederland." I, of course, found this fantastic, and decided that any child who had a first birthday in December should have a Winder Nederland. As it happens, The Twinks were born on the day of Maddy's party, so we didn't get to go. However, we payed homage to the idea, with our own twist.
Rambling aside, let's get back to the party. The kids were dressed in some classy duds and the proceedings began. JoeJoe got to show off his new haircut, and Emma's hair was done up as only Auntie Hope can do it.
Friends and family came and we ate too much. We'll have to show the kids pictures when they're older so they can appreciate who came to their party. In the meantime, Sarah and I are very appreciative of all who came. It really was great.
We suited the kids up in their IKEA cake-slickers and let them stare at the candles. They don't know how to, and we really didn't want them to, blow out the candles on their own. Besides, these candles (from my friend Joe and his fiance Sara) will be their candles once they know what to do with them. We chuckled as we thought of The Twinks at 14 saying, "Gosh, Dad! Do I have to use my baby candle?!?! All the kids will laugh at me! It's got a rubber ducky on it, for pete's sake!"
JoeJoe watched Emma at first, to see if he liked her technique.
He did. She observed to make sure he did it right.
They received many excellent toys, some very cute clothes, delightful books, and even a Radio Flyer wagon. I have some personal favorites, one of which I bought and the others which my cousin, Jenn, bought, but I'll have to upload the pictures later. Needless to say, when your dad is a microbiologist, there are certain toys that you'll have that most other kids won't. Which is fantastic.
[wavy screen and chimes]
The Twinks 1st birthday party was held the Saturday after we got back from the frigid hinterlands the locals call "Chicago." We left JoeJoe's hair long so everyone up there could see his curls. Of course, the air is drier up there, so what are curly locks down here end up being just a mullet in Chi-Town. Since his actual birthday had passed, and we wouldn't get the "but-you-have-to-let-it-grow-for-a-year" routine, we took him for his first haircut. We took him to Toni, the only person (besides Sarah) who has cut my hair since I was in 11th grade (that's late '91 for those scoring at home). We actually snuck in ahead of my dad's appointment, but he was game. JoeJoe was game, too, for he did not know what fate had in store for him.
We went with a scissor cut, because clippers would have left his fine, blond hair looking rather insubstantial.
After a while, he began to get worried. This wasn't nearly as fun as sitting on Daddy's lap and looking at the mirrors. He was led astray!
Lo, there was wailing, and gnashing of teeth. Betrayal! Yea, by his own father! And his father's father!
At last, the torment ended, and he was a big boy!
Onward we pressed to the party itself. Sarah and our friend (The Twinks' babysitter) really decked the place out with yummy food and a wall o' photos.
If you're wondering about that photo at the top of the wall o' photos, there's a story in it. In late 2006, The Twinks' two older cousins were born. Maddy's birthday party was on December 9, 2007. Since she was turning One, in the winter, her mom made very cute invitations to the "Winter Onederland." However, many people missed the pun, as the "O" in "One-derland" had a picture of Maddy in it. This caused some to read the invitation as being to a "Winder Nederland." I, of course, found this fantastic, and decided that any child who had a first birthday in December should have a Winder Nederland. As it happens, The Twinks were born on the day of Maddy's party, so we didn't get to go. However, we payed homage to the idea, with our own twist.
Rambling aside, let's get back to the party. The kids were dressed in some classy duds and the proceedings began. JoeJoe got to show off his new haircut, and Emma's hair was done up as only Auntie Hope can do it.
Friends and family came and we ate too much. We'll have to show the kids pictures when they're older so they can appreciate who came to their party. In the meantime, Sarah and I are very appreciative of all who came. It really was great.
We suited the kids up in their IKEA cake-slickers and let them stare at the candles. They don't know how to, and we really didn't want them to, blow out the candles on their own. Besides, these candles (from my friend Joe and his fiance Sara) will be their candles once they know what to do with them. We chuckled as we thought of The Twinks at 14 saying, "Gosh, Dad! Do I have to use my baby candle?!?! All the kids will laugh at me! It's got a rubber ducky on it, for pete's sake!"
JoeJoe watched Emma at first, to see if he liked her technique.
He did. She observed to make sure he did it right.
They received many excellent toys, some very cute clothes, delightful books, and even a Radio Flyer wagon. I have some personal favorites, one of which I bought and the others which my cousin, Jenn, bought, but I'll have to upload the pictures later. Needless to say, when your dad is a microbiologist, there are certain toys that you'll have that most other kids won't. Which is fantastic.
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