Alden's first solid food

Now I'm not so sure that this was THE official first solid food. Close enough.

Flip

Pop-up

Tyler entertaining Sydney.

Christmas UFO

Strange lights in the skies above our home...

Slideshows

IMG_1888, originally uploaded by RMilstead.

If you want the full set of December photos follow this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rmilstead/sets/72157603357675288/show/

Or choose the 31 photos shot on Christmas Eve and day: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rmilstead/tags/christmas2007/show/

The tiger?

IMG_8159, originally uploaded by RMilstead.

I don't know if this is the tragically notorious SF Zoo tiger that has been in the news of late. This photo is from our visit to the zoo last July. Sad story all around.

Christmas adventure

IMG_2490, originally uploaded by RMilstead.

Some stories are best written if they begin at the end. This is one of the stories.

Alden is just fine.

The rest of our Christmas day (part 1 described below) was great. Millie cooked turkey and trimmings while we all played and watched babies. Dad's flu had retreated enough for him to eat a bit. Neighbor Leah came over for pie and held one or both twins while visiting.

Since I had a noisy and racking cough, Millie took drowsy Alden with her while she tucked Tyler in for the evening. Sydney was wide awake and happy as well as unperturbed by the coughing. She even laughed at my misery.

It wasn't too long before Millie, Alden and Tyler came boiling downstairs. Millie told me that Alden didn't look well and she was right. Yellow bubbles came issued forth from his mouth and nose. He stared quietly at us through eyelids that appeared to be swollen. The call to 911 was made and a police officer arrived in about two minutes while I was still talking to the dispatcher. Two fireman and two paramedics arrived soon thereafter.

Alden was perking up at this point. His eyes tracked the movement around him and, by the time the heart rate monitor was attached to his chest, he started to jump up and down in Millie's lap. Nonetheless, the paramedics just asked us which hospital we preferred. Millie grabbed the diaper bag and I followed her to the waiting ambulance with Sydney in my arms and Tyler padding beside me in his Spiderman PJ's.

Tyler was fine during the commotion, asking questions and talking the firefighters. He was very brave throughout. As we packed up the paramedic gave Tyler Alden's EKG printout. Tyler said, "I will hold this so that I don't miss Alden so much." We watched the ambulance pull away as Tyler waited patiently for a firefighter to give him and Sydney plastic fire hats.

Neenah saved the day once again. I called her and she was more than willing to come to our house, grab Alden's car seat and meet Millie at Kaiser so that she could get home. I bundled Sydney and Tyler into bed with me and prepared for a long wait.

Not so. Neenah called about a half hour later to say that all was well. It's likely that Alden swallowed a mucus bubble and, unable to clear his throat, choked. Millie said that the ER staff kept visiting Alden as an antidote to the screaming, drunk patient down the hall.

Everyone was home in less that 90 minutes. Final punch line: look closely Alden's outfit in the photo. It's the same one that he had on when the firefighters arrived. The pattern is made up of tiny firetrucks. It never hurts to be prepared.

So now both Tyler and Alden have ridden in the same ambulance (Ross Valley M40). Let's hope that's the last time we travel on reliable Medic 40.

Christmas so far

I brought Alden downstairs to feed him about 4:30 this morning. When 5:15 rolled around and he was still very happy I popped him in the swing and fell blissfully asleep on the floor next to him.

Tyler's hands on my face woke me around 7:00 and we started in on presents not long after. More pictures to follow.

Millie put the turkey in before 11:00 am and is happy to be right on schedule. Stay tuned.

No Wise Men

Big baby news today:
-Sydney's first two teeth are on their way - the two central incisors just under the tip of her tongue.
-Alden rolled over multiple times under his own power!! Why am I celebrating this? It was easier when at least one baby stayed put when you put them on the floor.

No wise men were involved in planning the rest of Christmas Eve. After an otherwise quiet morning, we all went to the doctor's so that Millie, Tyler, Alden and Sydney could receive their flu vaccine. Millie and Tyler received a nasal spray vaccine; the babies had to settle for good old shots.

Tyler had asked to speak with Santa and how could we disagree. After the vaccines we made our way to the mall for a very civilized visit with the man himself. Tyler and babies posed for photos. Despite this crazy plan all went well.

Millie tucked Tyler into bed tonight and he instructed her to leave his room and wait for Santa in her own bed.

Once we have wrapped a few presents we will do just than. More tomorrow.

Tylerisms

A few days ago, Tyler told me the following:

"Do you know about "monies"?"
"No, tell me."
"They are skeletons wrapped in toilet paper."

After a beat I realized that he meant mummies.

31 photos

It's December 6th and there are already 31 photos posted from this month alone. Given the photo ops that lie ahead why wait until the end of the month to start enjoying them? There are already pics of crafts, outdoor adventures, sibling love and holiday decorating. All await you in the December slideshow - click here.

Utility Belt

IMG_0762, originally uploaded by RMilstead.

Tyler received Batman PJ's for his birthday. This garment ingeniously includes a cape that detaches for sleeping. Plus, the famous bat utility belt is screened on the front of the shirt.

This morning Tyler and discussed the contents of the belt's four pockets:
"Batman's phone"
"his throwing thing"
"Robin's phone"
"his music"