32 Months

This month, we instituted Family Movie Night. Patrick takes a bath and changes into jammies before dinner, and we break the rules by eating dinner and popcorn on the couch. The first night we watched Cars, then Toy Story a couple of weeks later. The first of many!

Patrick's imagination has really taken off lately, as he loves to pretend. It's fun to overhear full conversations with trains in playroom or dinosaurs in the sandbox. Because he's not allowed to throw baseballs in the house, we play pretend baseball instead -- donning real gloves and batting helmets, we throw and hit a pretend ball.

He's had a hard time adjusting to his new classroom at school. Changes at home together with changes at school make for a difficult drop-off these days. We often talk about it on the way home. "I was sad today. I not know why. But I was happy too."

After a rough couple of weeks, Patrick has adjusted to sleeping in his "Thomas Bed," thanks to a new bedtime routine. After bath, teeth, and jammies, we read a couple of books, then when "the little hand is on the eight and the big hand is pointing straight up," it's lights out for a made-up George the Elephant story mirroring the day. Then we say that as long as he stays in his bed, we'll keep the door open, and he stays put until morning. Unfortunately, morning comes earlier these days. He used to sleep until 8:00 or 8:30; now it's usually 7:00 or earlier.

Cousins Four

Smiths in Delmar

Another Weight Check

9 lbs, 3 oz. Still not on the chart yet, but getting closer...

Perfect Eyes

James had another eye exam today, and everything looks good. Preemies on oxygen are at risk for ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity), so he was examined several times in the NICU and at last got the all clear. Of course he has two parents who needed glasses in elementary school, so he's as doomed as his brother...

Three Months

James was due to be born today. Instead, we have been lucky to get to know him over the past three months. For the next year or two, all milestones will be based on his "adjusted age."

We're so happy to have him home, and we're all settling into our new routines. James is nursing well, and enjoys being held or hanging out in the Bjorn or Patrick's beanbag chair. He sleeps a lot during the day, and is up every 1.5 to 2 hours during the night to nurse. We're convinced he's used to all the activity of the NICU, and it's too dark and quiet at home to sleep. Hopefully he'll figure it out soon.

He's supposed to get formula with his breastmilk a couple of times a day, so Michael (or Gran-D, Gigi, or GrandBob) stays up late to give him a bottle, so Robin can get a chunk of sleep.

Patrick's learning to share with his brother, giving him his first cold. James has been a little stuffed up with a runny nose, but doesn't seem to be too bothered by it...

Shirts from New Zealand

Craig's mom made these wonderful shirts for the Dailey boys.

James at Home

Moxie's with Gigi and GrandBob

Weight Check

7 lbs., 8 oz. 20" long. 0% for both (go figure).

Splash at the Town Pool