alien big head

alien big head
Originally uploaded by mskat

Damn. This was taken when he was just one. He used to be so damned cute.

Huntington Apple Photo

DSCN3989.JPG
Originally uploaded by shiras

Taken on November 22, 2007.

Apple of my eye
Originally uploaded by mskat

Taken on May 29, 2008

Huntington Gardens Apple
Originally uploaded by mskat

Taken on February 1, 2009

Huntington Gardens Apple Photo
Originally uploaded by mskat

Taken on September 19, 2009.

Your apple SUCKS.
Originally uploaded by mskat

Taken in November 2009. Grace thinks this entire apple thing SUCKS.

Huntington Apple Photo
Originally uploaded by mskat

Taken in March 2010. Grace still doesn't really get the tradition and it's hot in the sun and this apple doesn't seem hygienic. MOMS get me down!

P1090034
Originally uploaded by mskat

Taken in January 2011. But maybe it's not so bad after all

The perils of tube feeding

Originally uploaded by mskat

Grace had to poop. She doesn't like to poop sitting down. She hopped off the chair and fiddled with her tube just as she was being fed. And, lo and behold, this is the result.

Whatchu Talkin' 'Bout, Santa?

Whatchu Talkin' 'Bout, Santa?
Originally uploaded by mskat

On Saturday, we took the twins to see Santa. There are, as ever, myriad issues with this.

1. Saturday was day three of a giant storm system. We went to the Americana because they have a nice Santa House. The Americana it outdoors. We got wet. The upside? No one goes to see Santa in torrential rain so we were first in line for Santa's 9:00 AM opening.

2. Santa didn't arrive on time. Apparently the rain + the first day of 9 AM openings was too much to handle.

3. Katie and I both kept thinking of David Sedaris's Santaland Diaries while we were there. Which makes me giggle.

4. I told Noah that Santa didn't exist. So what's with the hypocrisy of seeing Santa? I don't know. Plus, he doesn't believe me anyway.

5. Neither kid really performs on demand, as the pictures reflect. This is actually sad as both kids are tiny with GIANT heads which would be perfect for a film career at a later date.

6. Santa is pricey. I do like that you get your photos on a flash drive, though.

Our Red Wagon contribution

Our Red Wagon contribution
Originally uploaded by mskat

At Noah's school, they solicit donations for a big raffle called the Red Wagon. Families donate whatever as prizes.

We're not a big spending family, nor do we really have anything of value (like someone donates a weekend at a vacation home) to barter.

What I do have is stuff I have canned all summer. I went to target, bought a basket, a dish towel and cute coordinating dessert plates. I then prettied up 6 jars of preserves (Apricot, Lemon Curd, Apple Butter, Strawberry Rhubarb Jam, Strawberry Jam and Cranberry Curd). I was thinking about throwing in a gift card to Panera for yummy bread.

Our contribution is at least Not!Martha attractive. I hope whoever wins it isn't disappointed. I think it's pretty and delicious.

(For perspective there are also toys donated, and someone donated a child's sherling - perhaps faux? - coat. I would be happy to get consumable/edibles, but that's me).

Second view

What a meal for Grace looks like

Grace's Thanksgiving Meal pre-blend
Originally uploaded by mskat

As you know, Grace's food is provided through her g-tube via the Vitamix. We have been really recipe-bound on occasion. And at times we've treated Grace as the person who eats the leftovers.

This year, we wanted Grace to partake of a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Here is her blend for the day. It includes mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole with the marshmallows removed, spinach, apple crisp, cranberry relish, a french roll, turkey and a slice of pumpkin pie.

Blend during the blending
Originally uploaded by mskat

This is the blend mid-blend. You can see that the cranberries and the pumpkin/sweet potato combo looks like it might make the blend orange.

Blending the video
Originally uploaded by mskat

Here's an action video of the Vitamix doing its business.


The spinach beat the cranberries
Originally uploaded by mskat

In the end, the spinach wins.

Katie says that it smells bad. But it tasted like cinnamon and sweet potatoes.

For those of you who think this looks gross, I assure you it's grosser in YOUR own tummy than it is in this blend.

I think I might make a pumpkin pie milkshake for me later!

Time to cook!

Time to cook!
Originally uploaded by mskat

Noah went to cooking school party. I ADORE this photo, but wish in full screen it wasn't so fuzzy.

They made pizza and cupcakes. He had a GREAT time. Loved every minute of messy gooey fun.

Go, Gracie! Go!

Go, Gracie! Go!
Originally uploaded by mskat

Mobility ahoy! This week she's been crazy for standing and walking. Granted, she hates leaves on the ground and keeps trying to levitate around them, but in the house, it's been all walkabout all the time. It's super exciting, but also a little daunting.

Dots and stripes

Dots and stripes
Originally uploaded by mskat

In completely shallow news, Grace wore tights today for the first time. Years ago, when i dreamt of my ideal daughter, she often wore cotton tights and cute little dresses. She'd have on Mary Janes and she'd go skipping through that world.

I never really imagined my Grace born at 25 weeks. I remember reading a preemie book, after they were born, and being emphatic in my inability to understand what it would be like to have a toddler on supplemental oxygen with a nasal cannula. I cried when I was told she might need a trach because there was no way we could do it.

Grace has always shattered expectations in ways both good and bad. But here she is, in the tights I'd always dreamed of, glasses on, balancing on one leg and ready for school.

Stripey girl at stuntacular

Stripey girl at stuntacular
Originally uploaded by mskat

Busy like crazy weekend.

So, here's Grace. She's a different kid than she was 6 months ago. Moreso than even the normal kid growth changes.

We went to an event in Sherman Oaks this evening. She wanted to walk, so walk we did. When the event started, Grace kicked up a fuss because attention wasn't on her.

She's a terror.

She has people who are normally immune to the charms of children wrapped around her finger. For example, C, Noah's former daycare provider and an Enforcer of Rules lets Grace break everyone of them. She goes into the kitchen. She is picked up and carried. She even pulls C's hair!!

When you tell Grace no, her lower lip trembles and she works up a single tear.

The flip side? She's pretty okay at mostly listening.

Other Grace traits? She and Noah hold hands in the back of the car which is heartachingly sweet. She has a sign for I Love You. She can sign for toys and blocks and books and gentle.

She is generally good natured, but man, she can throw a tantrum.

She is beloved.