Today we saw the eye doc

Charlie had his first of many check-ups with specialists today...the eye doctor. Dr. N was looking at Charlie's retinas to make sure the high levels of oxygen didn't cause any damage to the blood vessels feeding the retina. After putting drops in his eyes and waiting long enough I almost fell asleep in the exam room, Charlie's peepers were finally dilated. Of course, he was totally sacked out, which made it much easier for Dr. N to look at them.

After a thorough exam, Charlie's eyes are just fine. All the blood vessels are totally normal and healthy. He has some far-sightedness, but that is very common in infants and usually resolves itself. Carter was farsighted as an infant (he had an exam for a different issue), and believe me, now he can spot a "Tom and Jerry" DVD on the rack at Target from 50 yards!!! Unless we notice something unusual with Charlie's eyes, he doesn't have to go back to the eye specialist again!!

Our next round of specialist appointments are in January with the hearing center at Cook Children's (routine hearing tests for all infants who were on ventilators) and the Child Study Center (to make sure he's hitting all his developmental milestones). Charlie certainly seems to be a perfectly normal baby -- thank you God for hearing all the prayers for our son.

Sweet Charlie

Baby Charlie has hit a fun milestone -- he's starting to smile at us. Jason finally caught his sweet grin this morning as I was holding him. How can he already be 8 weeks old on Tuesday!!!





How sweet are his little hands!!




My angel taking an afternoon nap in his crib.




The boys...Charlie wasn't too happy about this photo.




But he was more cooperative in this one:-0

Oh, to be 7 again

Griffin is such a special boy. And does he ever LOVE LOVE LOVE school this year. Tonight when we were tucking him in, he told us he was very frustrated. Jason and I braced for something about how we told him "no" again or fussing about Carter playing with his Legos. What was frustrating him shocked us.

He said he wished he could go back to school right then and that he was sorry tomorrow was Saturday!!! And he was even more upset that Monday is a holiday. He was going to miss a day of learning new things. Of course, we know the real truth. He has his first teacher crush on Mrs. D (I don't use full names on my blog to protect the innocent:-0) He told us he loves her and that she makes learning so much fun that he can't wait to get into her classroom everyday. Why can't all teachers have her enthusiasm and joy for their students. Every child should have teachers like Mrs. D. Now, how many 7-year-old boys do you know who love school or their 2nd grade teacher that much? Griffin blesses us every day with his sweet spirit. I'm proud to be his mother.

One of his latest Lego creations--he just sits in his room and makes them up as he goes. No instructions necessary!!

Carter is so proud

I received a wonderfully sweet and touching book from my friend Kay P. (fellow Southwest Christian mom) as a baby gift for Charlie. The book is about remembering your children's "lasts" instead of their firsts. For example, remembering the last time you help them tie their shoes or rock them to sleep at night. It makes me teary every time I read it as I know I've already passed so many "lasts" with Griffin and Carter. Thanks to this book and Kay, I'm taking more notice of these special moments.

So as luck would have it, a "last" happened for Carter this week. He decided he didn't want his safety rail on his bed anymore, so Jason took it off for him. It's been four nights (and naps) now, and we haven't found him on the floor yet!! He is so proud of himself for not needing the rail. I'm proud too, sniff, sniff, but how can he be almost 4 already? He was Charlie's size just yesterday, wasn't he??

Legos, Legos and more Legos!!

On Saturday, Coco and Papa took the boys on a surprise trip to North Park mall and the coolest store ever for boys...Legoland!! They were in hog heaven since both of them love to build things with Legos. We sent them with some spending money, so they each picked out a couple of sets to build. Griffin also bought extra wheels, tires and ladders, and Carter got extra Lego men. They fight all the time over the silly men, so we were glad to see a few new ones come home. This is a trip we will take them on again...but NEVER again on a Saturday. My dad said it was a zoo in that store with so many little kids and parents. He and I don't like big crowds, so our next trip to the Lego store will be during the week.

Here a few photos my mom took of the trip, including the boys standing near their favorite sculpture in the mall.