November…We had a true Southern California Thanksgiving in Manhattan Beach this year! We went to meet and welcome the newest addition to our immediate Branagh family, Miss Tegan Grace. She was born Nov. 14th to proud new mommy, Nicole. We had a great visit…great time with Nicole, Jenn, and Tegan; a couple of beautiful beach days filled with sand castles, splashing, sledding (Cali-style!), swinging, and walking; a grand Thanksgiving dinner at Nicole and Jenn's new house; and a day with Grandpa and Cheese on the golf course! Grady and Malin had a blast together…we rented a house and all stayed together. They had slumber parties, read together at night, watched shows together in the mornings, ran around like little crazies all over the beach, and spent hours jumping on the big trampoline in the backyard. Lots of fun! Henry and Josephine had fun watching them, but also got in on the fun themselves…Josephine was walking and after spending 4 days with her, Henry gained the confidence he needed to try taking some steps himself. By Christmas, he was walking!!!
Grady got to hit balls with Grandpa at the driving range and work on his putting…we will consider this his first official golf lesson!
December…I had grand intentions of being prepared for the Christmas season before we went to L.A., but of course, never got around to it. Since it was a short season anyway because Thanksgiving was so late, we hit the ground running when we got home. The house transitioned from Fall to Christmas within the first week of December. And it was actually cold so at least it felt like winter. We all enjoyed the tree this year. The newest addition to our decorations was outdoor lights…red and white little lights around the tree in our front yard. Our street is so great…nearly every house had lights this year. Grady anticipated his advent calendar again this year, asking everyday "what person was going to be in his house", meaning what characters from his nativity would he find. We had a Christmas dinner party with dear friends, went to our town's tree lighting ceremony, caroled around our neighborhood, baked treats for others, watched a lot of Polar Express, built and decorated a gingerbread house, and saw Santa at Nana and Papa's house. Grady's obsession with Santa continued, a little more mild I'd say, but he was star struck when he saw him at Nana and Papa's…when Santa walked in the door, all the cousins scattered, but eventually made their way closer to see and talk to Santa…not G…he hid under the table the whole time (except to open his presents)! Henry, on the other hand, didn't seem to mind Santa. He even sat on his lap! Which I was surprised because the week before at Chick-fil-a, an enormous Santa Cow walked around the restaurant and he screamed at him the whole time!
With as much as Grady likes to perform, joke around, and be silly, you wouldn't think that he had a shy bone in his body. And I'm not sure that he does, but he clammed up for both of his Christmas debut performances this year :) He was supposed to sing at church and decided he didn't want to and wouldn't go up with the other kids. Then for his school's program, he didn't sing a single word the whole time! No hand motions, no dancing, hardly any smiles unless he caught my eye and I smiled big at him. Maybe he likes a more intimate audience ;)
Santa dessert party at Nana and Papa's...Henry on Santa's lap while Grady is under the table!
I had cute matching shirts for the boys, but didn't get a single picture of them together! Not even really a good picture of them separate! Grady is wearing the shirt above, minus the tie...it was hard enough to get him to wear this "handsome" shirt, he wouldn't even consider wearing the tie! He is so picky about his clothes...anything that has buttons, a collar, or fitted anywhere, has gotten coined as "handsome clothes" and reserved for special occasions (i.e. church and school). The boy would prefer to live in comfy pants and a t-shirt (or underwear and a t-shirt!), no matter the weather or the occasion!
 |
| The cousins with Nat |
Christmas Morning...
The hit gift of the year was a real Polar Express Train that chugged itself around the track and even blew smoke out of its smokestack! Given by WhiWhi and Adam. Grady and Henry both thought it was the coolest thing. We left it out until the end of January and told Grady we would get it back out next "winter". I can imagine it will be something fun to have for many years to come, even when they boys get too old to actually play with it, we will enjoy having it around our tree for the season.
While waiting for the trolley in San Francisco, we ran into the Banjo Man! For you non-49ers fans, the Banjo Man has been playing his banjo up and down the aisles at Candlestick Park for the past 30ish years. He is an icon and definitely something to see and hear. And an interesting fact about him...he created and patented the twirling hat that he is wearing! It was kinda special to see him this week because John had just seen him at the last Niner's game ever in Candlestick Park just three days prior. It was a big emotional week for Niner's fans and all things related. By the way, Henry loved the Banjo Man!
Sunset and hot chocolate at the Ritz!
Tilden Steam Trains
SF Zoo train :)
Brief Henry update...we visited the cardiologist just after the first of the year and received another good check up...things were the same as they were in November. He is officially walking, which has been so fun. Week by week we can literally see him getting stronger, more stable, and more coordinated. He has been sleeping pretty good...which is a great relief. And eating better too...the most exciting news is that he has been without his tube for over a month now! Meaning he has been eating and drinking everything by mouth. So far, he seems to be doing well...not losing weight and a healthy appetite. It is truly amazing to see the things he is eating. We just never would have thought...This has been a huge relief in so many ways, physically and emotionally. It has freed up a lot of time and energy each day, alleviated so much stress and hassle, and made for a more restful night. On top of those obvious things, I can't tell you how relieving it is to go places and know that everyone isn't staring at you, wondering what is wrong with your baby. I know that seems a little vain, but I didn't even realize the burden it was until now looking back. Having the tube on his face was such an obvious, hey look at me something isn't normal. Now you'd never even know what he has been through...he looks great and now that he is walking, his developmental delays aren't too noticeable from the outside.
He nearly has all of his baby teeth. He is getting more vocal about his opinions. He wants to try things on his own, and let's you know if he doesn't like something. His favorite books right now are Dog, Freight Train, Cowboy Small, and 8 Silly Monkeys. He loves crunchy, salty things like veggie stick chips and potato chips. Loves hummus and sausages and deli meats. And he really does like to play trains. He also likes playing catch, hide and seek, tackle, trucks and cars, anything bouncy, and tickling. Remember when Grady used to "tickle tickle" everyone?!?! Henry isn't doing that yet, but this week he started reaching off the changing table, pulling up the bottom edge of my shirt, and tickling my side. He will not be left in a nursery/childcare setting, screams and cries before we even try to set him down. But he is totally fine being left at home with familiar people. And he loves anything that his brother is doing...wants to follow and play whatever Grady is in to, making my job as referee all the more challenging!
Christmas morning backyard baseball :)
I will do a big Grady update next post, for we celebrated his 4th birthday in January...
