It has been so long since I've updated the blog (via my personal tech support known as Amber) and I have heard through the grapevine that people actually go on and check to see if there are any updates on Baby G and family. That truly warms my heart and I still so appreciate that people want to see what he (and big sister Regan) are up to. Although not surprising, it is nevertheless humbling that he made such an impact on everyone. He sure continues to do that for our family. With that said, I will try and briefly (never my strong suit) summarize what's been going on. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind for sure. It seems that the winter viruses have decided to get a jump on our family this year, and it feels like Regan has been coughing for over a month. She had her first course of antibiotics just a few weeks ago (pretty remarkable since she's 3 1/2, and quite a change from her brother who has already sampled ampicillin, gentamycin, vancomycin, ancef, keflex, and vigamox in his first 2 months!). It has been a struggle to try and keep Griffin from picking up whatever she's brewing, and, as I'm sure anyone who has had a new baby in the house with an older sibling can attest, it's a balancing act between trying to keep him well, and not cause resentment on her part by trying to make sure she doesn't cough all over him ("Regan, PLEASE be careful around baby brother")! Even so, she is as much in love with him as the rest of us, although the other day when G was screaming and Papa said, "what should we do with him Regan?" her answer was a sigh and a resolved "I guess we're stuck with him."
To date Griffin's forays out of the house have been pretty limited to doctor's appointments, although we did take him to a party at Amber's Mom's Susan's house on Labor Day. She had a small gathering at her house, and I decided to bite the bullet and attend. For anyone who DIDN'T know me when Regan was a newborn, this might seem like no biggie, but let me just say, if I could have encased Regan in a bubble I would have, and the fact that I took my ex-NICU preemie, ex-septic kiddo to a party is a HUGE accomplishment, if you will. It means I am so much more relaxed with this little guy than I ever was with Regan -- contrary to popular opinion ;).
Susan went above and beyond to make me feel as comfortable as I could, and this included keeping the guest list limited to just Amber's family, and Aunt Cathy's family, and anyone who knows Susan knows what restraint this took because this woman likes to throw a mean party and entertaining on a grand scale is her forte! We had a wonderful time, enjoyed some delicious food, Griff acted like a perfect angel and Regan and her BFF Maddy got to act crazy with each other, leaving Amber and I to shudder at what they will be like in a few years. Jack definitely took advantage of the opportunity to try and put the moves on Regan, leaving us to shudder at what HE will be like in a few years! Here's some photos to commemorate the event, and I have to steal Amber's quotes for a lot of them b/c they are just too perfect!
Aside from getting to go to his first party, Griffin has been growing and developing right on target. He is so much a part of our lives that I truly have trouble remember what it was like before he became such a huge part of it. He is smiling now and I defy anyone to keep a straight face when he is grinning at you -- it is just too adorable! He is not a fan of 'tummy time', but guts his way through it as long as someone hums the "Rocky" theme song or 'Eye of the Tiger' for him. Regan spends a lot of her play time these days being a mini-Mommy and we often here things like "Oh, I've got to change my baby's diaper; he made a big poo poo AGAIN," complete with an exasperated sigh, and if Griffin is crying, there is always a cute little voice piping in with "It's okay, big sister's here, big sister's here." If I am wearing Griff in a baby carrier, she will rig up whatever she can to imitate me, and one of our friends who makes them created an adorable one that is perfect "Regan-size" for her to carry her babies.
Here are some more photos of the Mading kids over the past two months:
