Mr. Neb

Tessa has had some congestion in her lungs, so we've been giving her medicine through a nebulizer, a device that turns liquid into an aerosol. We have to hold a mask up to her face for about fifteen minutes while she breathes in the medicine. Usually it is a nightmare, since she is not happy at all about having that contraption around her face. The device, named "Mr. Neb," makes a lot of noise too. I hate it.

The Missus took her to the doctor's yesterday, hoping we were finally done with good ol' Mr. Neb. Tessa is doing much better (and is now 19 lbs.), but will still need the nebulizer for another week. Also, the doctor found some fluid in her ear, so we have to watch her in case it develops into a full blown ear infection. So far, she hasn't been running a temp, she's eating well and smiling, which is good.

Adam is fine and has started crawling, slowly for now, but getting faster all the time. Oh boy!

Merry Christmas

Hope everyone's Christmas was happy and safe. We had a very nice time, though I can't help but wish that the twins were able to grasp what Christmas is. I can't wait until they can, and then I'll get to play with their toys.

Here's a family portrait that we took on Christmas Eve. We probably should have used it as our Christmas card picture instead of the one that I cut-and-pasted together. One of my so-called friends asked me (jokingly, I think) if the kids were Siamese twins.

I'll post more pictures when I get a chance.

Daddy's Night Again

Last night the Missus worked late again, but the twins and I made it through just fine.

Tessa cried a little bit when I put Adam to bed; not because she missed the boy, but because she was hungry and wanted to be fed now. I was concerned about using the nebulizer with her--usually it's a two person job--but since I waited until she was really sleepy, it worked out fine.

Adam is now getting on "all fours." He rocks himself back and forth like he's revving himself up. Once he works out how to move his hands and feet together, he's going to be crawling like a madman. Does anyone know where I can buy a load of foam rubber? I'd like to plaster it all around the family room so he doesn't hurt himself.

People at work have been asking me if the twins are ready for Christmas. Sadly, they still have no idea. I can't wait until they get into it, but for now they are happy just to be fed, have clean diapers, and to fall asleep. Actually, that would make anyone happy, wouldn't it?

A Weighty Post

The Dynamic Duo went to the doctor's today for some shots. Both came through fine, though Tessa has a touch of congestion in one of her lungs. The Missus was given a nebulizer to use to help her get rid of it. Hopefully that will do the trick.

Here are their weights:

Tessa: 18lbs, 10 oz.
Adam: 19lbs, 2 oz.

Oinkers.

Observations

My beautiful little punks are much more observant now. It's pretty cool to see them develop. Every day they learn new skills and do new actions. Sometimes it's a pain in the butt.

Case in point: last night. Since the Missus works late, Wednesday nights are Daddy nights. Adam started crying right after we got home. Miss Buffy at daycare said she had just fed him, so he couldn't be hungry, could he? Of course he was. He gulped his bottle down as usual.

Tessa, playing in her flying saucer, saw me feed Adam, so she decided she was hungry. She starts crying. (Also, she now lifts her arms up as a signal that she wants to be picked up--neat.) I finished feeding Adam, burped him, put him down and picked up the screaming little girl. She has a cold, and is hoarse, so her cries are extraordinarily pitiful.

As I came back from the kitchen with the bottle I made for Tessa. I saw Adam looking at me. Actually, he wasn't looking at me, he was looking at Tessa's bottle. I saw his eyes track it. When I gave Tessa the bottle and not him, he started screaming.

I kept saying "I just fed you!" but he didn't listen. Finally, I had to put Tessa in a seat, and have her feed herself. I put Adam in another seat, opened up a baby food jar of green beans, and started feeding him that green mess.

Tessa watched me feed Adam and decided she wanted some green beans too. She tossed the bottle away and started crying. I tried to get her to take some more formula, but she wanted vegetables. When I went back into the kitchen to get some for her, they were both crying.

I came back and then fed them both green beans. One spoonful for him, one for her. Of course when I gave Adam some, Tessa was upset. When Tessa got a bite, Adam was mad. Finally I got them fed, burped, and back in their flying saucers.

"Everyone okay?" I asked and since noone said no I went to get myself some dinner. When I came back with my reheated Chinese food, I saw both of them looking at my plate, tracking, tracking....

As Promised

Here are some new pictures of the twins. Most of them were taken this weekend while visiting the Grandparents in Bowie. Click here to see the new set of pictures.

Don't Be Rash

We had a busy weekend, going out to bucolic Bowie to wish Grandmom a Happy Birthday. The twins are doing okay. Tessa, or as I like to call her lately "Ol' One Tooth," has a head cold. Adam is feeling fine, but yesterday developed a small rash on his butt and leg. Mom and Dad were somewhat worried, especially because he's been taking an antibiotic. This morning he appeared fine--the rash had gone. For good, we hope.

The twins are more and more aware of each other now--it is really cute to see them interact with each other, touching, smacking, poking, scratching. We hope that they will always be close--and that they don't gang up on their poor parents too often.

The Missus is keeping to her busy schedule, and only going slightly crazy as Christmas approaches. In a way it is a tough time for her, since her folks are so far away.

Dad got his stitches out last Thursday and his finger feels fine. I did have a rash reaction to my antibiotic, and was scratching myself even more than usual for a couple of days. That has cleared up, thank goodness. My doctor says my blood pressure is back to normal, but he does want to see me back after my next birthday. Apparently turning forty initiates all sorts of invasive and embarrassing medical tests. He seemed really happy about it--I was not.

I'll be putting up some more baby pictures soon. Stay tuned.

No Tivo!

A minor disaster has struck. Our TiVo broke down. I'm going to have to try and get it fixed, or maybe get a new one. For now, we're going to have to watch TV the old-fashioned way. Ick! We might even have to watch...commercials!



The good news is that the kids are feeling pretty good. Both of them have made progress in recovering from their colds. Adam can still produce an immense amount of snot. It is quite impressive. It's like a tiny little Niagara Falls. Actually, two of them.

Here are some pics. Adam is modeling his Redskins outfit (perfect for watching football with his dad.) Tessa is taking a snooze. (Another one of Dad's favorite things.)