Late Birthday Gift ~~~ Early Christmas Gift

It's official!

Jacob is officially walking!! I told him I wanted that for my birthday a couple of weeks ago, but he just wasn't up to it, so I told him it would be a nice Christmas gift. He walked across the room several times today! He's been taking several steps over the last week or so, but he really took a turn today. He was even wearing PJ's that were too big for him all day and still did it. His orthotics came in last week and he is doing well with them, but the shoes are heavier, so he is a little leery, although is cruising fine with them and also some walking. I'll put them on him tomorrow.

His other accomplishments today: Learned how to switch a light on. Both Jacob and Robby have been able to turn it off fine, but today Jacob started doing both. He is quite pleased with himself when he does something new. He also is able to get on the coffee table w/out standing on anything. He is pretty funny because he does it once and immediately gets down and tries again. He does this over and over, even though he struggles each time to do it.

The other fun he had tonight was pushing the rocking chair/recliner around and around...WITH me in it! I had my legs up and it just cleared the window sill, so around and around he went laughing hysterically. Robby pretty much watched him and laughed.

They have both been great with the Christmas tree, until tonight. Jacob started taking off the lights and Robby followed right along. Robby has been very intrigued with the ornaments and I have mostly all non breakable ones towards the bottom because he likes to take them off and look at them. He attempts to put them back on the tree. They have both been throwing balls and toys in the tree in attempt to decorate it, which is fine.

It was a cold day here today and we stayed home for the 4th day in a row (we did venture out to my work and the grocery store yesterday), but other than that...we are home bound. It has been a bit of a challenge.....I've been good about dripping the cold water on my faucets and leaving the cupboards open 24 hours a day since it got cold. I found out that you need to let the hot water drip too. My kitchen and main bath don't have hot water! My washing machine and 2nd bath both have it. It's livable, but not ideal and I just hope the pipes don't burst when it warms up.

We all have colds, Robby especially didn't feel good today. It's about time for bed for me too!

Christmas Time!

I have been horrible about blogging and to think my job revolves around blogging! The boys are at G&G's this weekend so I can get out all the Christmas decorations up without having 4 little hands helping me. I got the majority of my Christmas shopping done today, got the tree up, but not decorated and busy doing laundry, dishes, cleaning....all the things I can't get done during the work week and then some. I was up until 5am this morning doing things and the same will probably happen tonight.

We saw Santa early this year. He was so much friendlier than last year.....We went to a different mall to make sure we didn't see Grumpy Santa. The picture didn't turn out too well, but they were both just kind of dazed. This picture was actually taken by the mom that was in front of us. I didn't bring a camera to take my own, so she did it for me and emailed them to me.

My brother and his wife of 1+ years flew in from Kuwait last week. She is very nice and "warm"

is the way I would describe her. Here is the family picture we took. They will be here until January 1st, but are traveling around to see Jeff's old friends in Hermiston and Bellingham.

Update on Robby & Jacob.....

Robby is walking and running everywhere. A few nights ago, I was in my office working and I always listen to the monitor. I heard too much silence, so I went to investigate. Jacob was in their bedroom playing and I could find Robby! I was freaking out and running through the house looking for him. I had the alarm on, so I knew no door had been opened. I found him in the playroom...he had closed the door and was sitting in the dark silently.

Jacob is still not walking, but is taking up to 7 steps at a time. He cruises everywhere, but just doesn't have the confidence to walk w/out touching a wall or furniture. His orthodics still aren't in. The first pair were too small and then shipping problems. I'm praying once he gets them he'll be off and running. He is tolerating his oxygen most nights, but we've had some rough nights putting the tubing on. I really need to start working on this CPAP machine, but I know it is going to be really tough to get him to wear that and he can easily take it off, so he will have to sleep in my room. He has been much more perky and awake since he has been on the oxygen. I hope he outgrows the apnea or can have surgery and not have to wear anything at night. I constantly tell him that it isn't fair he has to wear it, but I still have to be the mean one to put it on his face and tear the tape off his face in the morning.

My mom took their 19 month pictures and I don't have copies of them yet. Hopefully I'll get their 18 and 19 month pics on before they are 20 months.