Little Guinea Pigs

The boys and I just got home from Duke University where Drew and David participated in a research study at the Infant Cognition Center. I got a form in the mail from Duke after David was born asking if he could participate in research studies in the future and I figured why not. Just about every time I read about a new study on children, the research was done at either Duke or UNC. I never wondered who had to drag their kids to such a thing but now I know, Mom's who deliver their kids in the Triangle area. A staff member called a few weeks ago and asked if David could come in. She started explaining the study and when she mentioned computer screens, numbers and counting I asked her if she meant to see my three year old instead. But no, she meant David and was thrilled to know that I also had a three year old and hoped I could bring them both. So today was the day and it was actually a neat program. David sat in a high chair in front of three computer screens and watched a bunch of white dots flash on each screen. They were trying to prove that infants know quite a bit about numbers although they can't communicate it. One screen had more dots than the others so they expected him to look at that one more, or something along those lines. I'm not really sure what Drew was asked to do because I wasn't invited into the testing room. I could hear them talking a lot about numbers and I heard Drew count a few times. I also heard him interrupt her to talk about dinosaurs, his baby brother and all of the characters in Madagascar. Actually, she must have had some toy monkeys in the room because she and Drew were both talking about monkeys and then Drew started talking about the monkeys in Madagascar. That led to discussions about Melman, Gloria, Alex and the rest of the clan. All in all I guess the boys were helpful in the study. The researcher said they did great and she gave David a bib and let Drew pick out a toy from the toy box. He had a hard time choosing (they had some awesome stuff!) but decided on a Star Wars lightsaber. I think Drew is a tad smarter just from being in the study or maybe from just walking around the Duke campus. He was playing with a "telescope" (paper towel roll) when we got home and said he wanted two telescopes. When I told him we only had one he said, "Then I'll get my scissors and make two" and that's what he did. I was pretty impressed as I watched him cut the roll in half. I've included a few pictures from this week although I haven't taken many...

David took full advantage of the toys they had in the waiting room while Drew was with the researcher.
Heavy load!

George and David cheering on the USA!

Drew jammin'.

Me-Ma Visit

The last week has been pretty laid back. Judy arrived Friday for a weekend visit. We had a nice, relaxing time and George and I even snuck away to see Valentine's Day. Drew was very happy to see Me-Ma and thrilled that she was willing to play with his animal figurines over and over again. I took Drew to a birthday party on Sunday. Just about every one of his friends were there and they had a blast. He found a crush as well! Carson, a cousin of the birthday girl, and Drew seemed to really like each other. Her Mom, Aunt, Grandmother and I got a kick out of watching them. They adored Drew! While we were eating dinner that night Drew said, "Mama, I have to go back to that party and find that pretty girl." This week has been pretty easy. Drew had a play date Monday morning so David and I ran some errands and I did house work. Tuesday was the usual; preschool and grocery shopping. Today has been a cold and rainy day so we stayed inside. We did lots of arts & crafts and watched a few episodes of Scooby Doo, Drew's current favorite show.

Drew waiting for me to throw the football to him. He loves to throw the ball back and forth and now catches it more than he misses it. He refers to the area between our kitchen and living room as the "football field" and will only play right there. I turned on some tunes while we were playing but he wouldn't let me dance, instructing, "Mama, don't dance. Football players don't dance." Humph.

Drew went to the bathroom and then came out with both legs in one side of his pants. Boy did he think that was funny! Something tells me this won't be the last time!

Drew entertaining David while I prepare David's cereal. Drew has been such a big helper lately! He likes to give David bottles and feed him with a spoon.

Me-Ma and David playing with toys. Drew had to step in and show David how to work it.

David liked the toy but was more interested in following the camera.

Drew and tons of his pals at Reese and Harrison's birthday party. Drew is wearing a blue shirt on the ride side, sitting by his buddy Preston.

Drew loved Planet Child, where the party was held. He found these animals, which are like his figures but much larger, and played for quite sometime.

"Take Me To Your Leader"

Here's a short video of Drew being a robot. He did this completely on his own and I thought it was pretty cute and creative!

David's First Foods

David had his 6 month check up last week and is doing very well! He's growing right on track and is doing all of the things a 6 month old should be doing, including babbling, roling over both ways, holding on to toys, reaching out, and almost sitting up! He gets cuter every day and is so much fun! The 6-9 month stage was a favorite of mine with Drew and it looks like that will repeat with David! We started fruits and vegetables after his appointment and boy does he love them! He took to carrots, sweet potatoes and bananas right away. I can't wait to try more! This is in addition to the rice cereal and oatmeal he's eating. Here's a few pictures of him eating carrots for the first time...

Pretty boy! He opens his mouth as soon as he sees the spoon. He just can't wait for the next bite!

Drew had to get in on the action of course.

Valentine's Week!

CC arrived last Tuesday and Drew, David and I happily welcomed her at the airport! Drew had to take his rolling backpack which he thinks is a suitcase because everyone else there has a suitcase. I managed to get him out of the car without it but as soon as the double doors opened and he saw somebody walk by with their suitcase he insisted on going back to car to get his. Ugh! We ate at Red Robin on the way home and then played until bedtime. George was on a business trip so it was awesome to have CC's help with the boys. Wednesday flew by and it was quickly time to go to the airport to get Day Day! The Watson's came over and we had a fun evening hanging out. We missed George though! Thursday was Drew's preschool Valentine's party which I helped plan. It was so cute to watch the kids pass out their Valentine's. George got home Thursday evening and Day Day made dinner. Then we all watched TV and ate cookies, it was a relaxing and fun night! Drew is a big fan of Survivor! I haven't watched that show in years but wanted to give the new "Heroes vs Villains" series a try and I'm glad I did. What a riot! Drew was bummed when I finally made him go to bed around 9, he was really digging the show! On Friday Day Day and CC joined us for Little Kickers and got a "kick" out of watching Drew! Dad said that Drew thinks he's playing football instead since he picks the ball up so frequently. We all agreed that although Drew isn't the best one on the team, he is definitely having the most fun! CC and Day Day went to Cristie's on Friday evening to stay there for the weekend but we saw them again on Saturday morning at Mae Mae's house. She had us over to decorate cookies and eat lunch. It was lots of fun! The cookies turned out really cute and they were delicious! On Sunday we went to Cristie's to hang out for a few hours and have lunch. It was actually warm enough to be outside which was a wonderful change. We are so ready for Spring around here; especially since we woke up to more snow on Saturday morning. I took Daddy to the airport Sunday evening and we miss him already! CC will stay a couple of more days and watch Whitley so hopefully we'll get to spend more time with her before she leaves. Here's some photos from our Valentine's week and weekend....

Out to eat with CC after we picked her up at the airport.
Drew and his teacher, Angie, doing a craft at the Valentine's party.

Day Day gives little David a bottle.

Drew bought a monster truck toy with his Valentine's money from his grandparents. Thanks CC, Day Day and Me-Ma!!!

Playing it with Daddy!

Whitley gets ready to make some cookies!

Drew was really good with the rolling pin!

CC and Drew play with Whitley's figurines on Sunday.

Sweet Aunt Cristie got an exersaucer out of the attic and David had a blast!!!

Enjoying the sun on Cristie's deck.

A Lot of Sickness, A Little Fun

The boys have been pretty sick the last week. David was diagnosed with RSV and although we didn't take Drew in, it's safe to assume he had the same thing. They both had severe wheezing, fevers and cold symptoms. David was on Albuterol breathing treatments but we discontinued them after a couple of days because the medicine wasn't helping. RSV just has to run it's course, which is a very long course! I took David back to the Doctor yesterday because I knew something else wasn't right, he was pretty fussy which isn't like him at all. Sure enough, he had an ear infection which I was told comes along with RSV much of the time. They are on their way to recovery and I am very relieved! We did manage to squeeze in a little bit of fun the last few days as well! Drew and I went to the movies Saturday afternoon. We saw Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel . We had a good time although the movie wasn't all that great, certainly not as good as The Princess and the Frog which we saw a couple of weeks ago. On a side note, I highly recommend that movie! It is darling, has a great message and is set in New Orleans. Drew said the cutest thing on the way home from seeing "the chipmunk movie." There was a preview for a movie called Dogs vs Cats. A hideous, hairless cat is the "bad guy" and they did a good job of making the cat look pretty darn scary. When we left the theater I asked Drew if he liked the chipmunk movie and he replied, "Yes, maybe we can go see it again tomorrow. But Mama, will you bring your clicker so you can fast forward through that cat commercial? I don't like that yuky cat!" I got the biggest kick out of that! Sunday night we went to a Super Bowl party and had a great time cheering on the Saints with friends! CC is arriving shortly so I need to get busy with some last minute things around the house...

George feeds smiling David.
Drew with the chipmunks after the movie.

My fellow southerner, Phi Mu, and who dat friend Ashley. We both shopped at Old Navy for our Saints shirts :)

We got 6 month pictures of David taken and here's one of both boys.

Sweetie pie!

Snow Day #5!

Well, this area obviously isn't used to Winter weather because it has taken quite sometime to get back to normal around here. Today was the 3rd day of canceled school. Drew's preschool follows the Wake County schedule so he hasn't been to school this week. There will be a delayed opening tomorrow so he will go from 11-1. Whoopty doo! All other activities have been canceled as well so we've had a pretty laid back week thus far. We have played with every toy in the house at least once and watched a few movies as well. It's actually been really fun and we haven't experienced too much cabin fever. We ventured out for a walk around the neighborhood on Monday afternoon and Drew loved simply walking in the snow. He also slipped on ice a couple of times which he also thought was super fun! Drew and I went to dinner Tuesday night with Sharon and Preston. She was looking to get out of the house and we gladly tagged along. David has been sick so he and George stayed behind. David has had cold symptoms for a couple of weeks but woke up wheezing today so I took him to the Doctor right away. It could be RSV or it could be asthma, I guess we'll know more once we see if it's a recurring thing. We're doing breathing treatments which are no fun at all but they do seem to be helping. I feel so sorry for sweet David! He's been such a trooper, just as sweet and fun as ever but I know he must be feeling terrible. I sure hope he gets well very soon!

David really likes rice cereal now and usually eats two servings a day, one for breakfast and one for dinner.
Laughing at his silly brother.

Playing dinos.

Watching funny videos on You Tube. Just another avenue to kill time!

Drew and I on our double date with Sharon and Preston. My hair is greasy and I look like a slob but Drew looks cute so I posted the pic anyway. Something about snow days makes me not want to spend any time getting ready.

Hot chocolate after a long walk in the snow.

Playing doctor. As you can see, all of the babies wanted to play!

Dr. Drew trying to make baby brother feel better. He's been so sweet and concerned about David. During one of David's breathing treatments today, Drew kept telling me to stop because David was crying. He was repeating, "No Mama, David doesn't like it!" He was so sad to see David upset.