Don't tell Mom the Babysitter is Dead

Don't be fooled by CT's blog posts. This my friend, is reality. Sweet dreams ...

Home Alone

I just left CT at home with Clara and Wilson to go into work for a meeting. I hope everyone is alive when I get home!

Backing Up

In case you were not following the blog last year at this time, thought I would take a step back to explain what is going on here.

I am CT. CD, Morgan and I went to college together. CD and I were Morgan's boss in college. Then they started dating. And she moved to Louisville. Then they got engaged and married. Then I moved to Louisville. Then I lived with them for a few months. Then I moved to Chicago. Then Clara and Wilson arrived. A little early. I came here last year at Thanksgiving time to meet the kids and hopefully help (all of my previous posts can be found here). And now I'm back.

And that's what's going on.

I just poured another glass of wine so I think I'll try a second post tonight. Here are some other things that have happened since I landed late last night.

Today we went to Huber's (kind of like Eckert's in St. Louis) and the family farm is now closed on weekdays. Instead of seeing a whole farm of animals, we saw some ducks and said QUACK more times than I ever have in my whole life combined, shopped in the farm market, got ice cream, and Clara screamed in the winery.

We walked the double BOB (that thing is a machine) to the grocery store today.

I saw the week's meal plan on the countertop and asked if that were the kid's meal plan or our meal plan. CD said "well, both [long pause] but you don't have to eat the snacks." I told her I was really looking forward to three bites of cheese + a kiwi on Wednesday morning.

Tonight we were upstairs about ready to start bath time and I neglected to close the door that goes down the stairs. CD says to me [nicely but urgently]: make sure he doesn't go down the stairs! I'm thinking OH SHIT. Then I realize I have a glass of red wine in my left hand. So I'm trying to save the wine, save the carpet, and save the child in a matter of seconds. And I did it! Small victory.

There has been more laughter tonight than I can possibly describe or recreate.

Photo time...

Evidence that having kids changes things. This used to be the TV room. Then it was the office. 

Now it is the playroom. 

Hi beautiful girl.

Now I'm really going to bed,

CT

I'm Baaaaaack!

Much to Morgan's dismay, I am back in town and have resumed residence in the guest room. That means I've also resumed control of the blog. YESSSSSS!

I've been here for approximately 20 hours and I don't even know where to start with this post. Probably because I'm so tired. So I think I will start with my scrolling internal monologue today.

1. Holy cow these kids are so big! I mean I see them on FaceTime but they are little people!
2. They are B.U.S.Y. DO THEY EVER STOP MOVING???
3. Is it naptime yet?
4. Is it too early to start drinking?
5. Will drinking give me energy or make me more tired?
6. Are they up from the nap already? 
7. Don't they want to sleep longer? 
8. How do CD and Morgan do this over. And over. And over. 
9. How often do CD and Morgan have to clean? 
10. I am so glad CD takes the time to give the kids whole foods and not crappy processed foods.
11. I cannot believe, in the midst of everything else she has to do, CD made homemade play doh this morning. IS SHE SUPERWOMAN OR SOMETHING??
12. Thank God for FaceTime. Today they saw Mimi, Uncle Dave, Mac, my aunt Cheryl, and my parents (Mama T and Clark).
13. I can't believe CD and Morgan have two kids. This is crazy.
14. Could Clara be any more beautiful? Those eyes and that smile!
15. I still want Wilson's eyelashes and his big eyes! So handsome.
16. This is like a small ship. If this were my ship, I would need a dozen seamen. Somehow they do it with the two of them + Michelle.
17. Michelle must be exploding with patience and energy. God bless her.
18. I can't believe I'm back here.
19. I can't wait until it's time to go to bed.
20. This is crazy awesome.

Ariel view of dinner tonight: spaghetti and broccoli

I'm off to bed,

CT

Looking Back

Ummmm . . . so, how are you? Oh, I guess it has been a while since we last spoke. Really, over two months? Wow, I guess it just doesn't seem like that long ago. Well don't worry, I mean really, what all could happen in a few short months? Oh, that Wilson started walking . . . and we celebrated having them home for a year . . . and Halloween . . . and one year check-ups and, ok, you're right we probably should have posted something. To make matters worse, we started several blog entries but never got around to finishing/posting them.

This is what happens when we say "look back"

Today we have extra incentive to report Clara's and Wilson's recent adventures. Our good friend, Christen Terry ("CT"), arrives tonight and will be here through Thanksgiving. You might remember CT from her visit last year. Not only is she a dear friend, but she is the queen of social media and, as she did during her previous visit, will probably want to use this space to write about her time with Clara and Wilson. Since we don't want to be worse parents for Clara and Wilson than our single friend who lives in Chicago Accordingly, we feel compelled to bring everyone up to speed on Clara's and Wilson's development. Starting with their most recent activity, below are some of the things we should have posted over the past couple of months.

Growing Pains - November 17, 2012

Clara and Wilson get bigger and stronger every day. We constantly rejoice in their progress but, as with any babies/toddlers, their natural progression has its consequences . . .

Wilson's feet got in front of him and he did a face plant into
the corner of the door. After consoling him we engaged in a time-honored
McGarvey family tradition and took embarrassing pictures.

"Hehe, nothing to see here! And ignore
all those dishes on the floor."

"They'll never notice me . . . ."


 

Wilson is the Ricky Bobby of the baby slide:
"I wanna go fast!"

 

We finally had to move the baby monitor system and clock radio
to higher ground.

Even Mimi and Mac have taken drastic baby-proofing measures.
Nothing says "stay outta our stuff" like their self-made baby guard.
Now that's Kentucky proud.

Happy Halloween - October 31, 2012

Last year Clara and Wilson had barely been home from the hospital for a month and were on house arrest for Halloween. This year we were able to dress them and take them trick-or-treating for the first time.

Morgan came up with the idea for the costumes but Chris
did all the work and actually made them. Hey, every relationship needs
an "idea guy."

Clara and Wilson went as the chicken and the egg. We walked to two houses close to ours
before hitting the road.

And Clara was excited to show off her costume!

We stopped  by Ellie's and Ian's house.

And ended the night at Mimi and Mac's house. Dad came to the door and,
when he saw who it was, joyfully shouted "it's ours!"

The Chicken finally had to go home but we think she is already excited
about dressing up next year.

First Year Final Exams - October 24, 2012

On October 24th we had possibly our most important doctor's visit to date. Clara and Wilson met with the developmental psychologist and, for the first time, were evaluated for cognitive skills.

We were surprisingly apprehensive while walking down the hall from the "normal" doctor to the developmental psychologist. Regardless of the report, we were about to receive our first official opinion of how Clara and Wilson were progressing mentally.  

Wilson was the first to be "tested." He sat down with the doctor and she encouraged him to pick up sticks and place them upright into holes along a flat board. We sat behind him and have never been more nervous. He didn't make it the first try and we were on the edge of our seats. It was all I could do to keep from standing up and shouting "are those pegs regulation size!?!" Although it was agonizing at first, Wilson began to enjoy himself and did really well. Clara was up next and used this as an opportunity to show off. She was doing things we had no idea she could do.

That's exactly what we wanted the developmental psychologist
to see Wilson doing. Yep, he is our child! 

It might look like they're in prison, but we prefer to believe Wilson had some
encouraging words for Clara before she was tested.

All in all, the prognosis was good and further affirmed what we we've seen at home; Clara and Wilson are doing better than we ever thought possible. The doctors officially ruled out the possibility of cerebral palsy and several other potentially severe mental challenges. Most importantly, Clara and Wilson are right on track, if not slightly advanced, for their corrected age. The doctors are optimistic they will be completely caught up by the time they are three or four years old.

We know this first round of tests is just that - the first in a series of guideposts to let us know how Clara and Wilson are developing. However, we are thrilled with the result and will continue doing all we can to help them beat the odds. At least today, one more time, our prayers were answered.

Fall 2012

What you don't see is both of us standing behind our friend
doing everything in our power to get them to look in the same direction and smile.

Without the concerted effort mentioned in the caption above,
you get a trip to the pumpkin patch and not a single picture of
both kids looking at the camera at the same time.

We took a picnic dinner to Big Rock during Highlands Week
and Wilson was only interested in feeding us.

We were able to take the kids to Family Day at Yum this year.

Wilson and Clara playing with their friend Jackson.

The Fab Four, Part II - September 24, 2012

One year ago today we brought Clara home from the hospital. This is the date the doctors use for their corrected "birthday" and it is the date we will always remember for our family being together for the first time. We didn't have a parade this year but we're just as happy.

This isn't such a bad picture for using the self timer button setting on the camera.

Walk This Way - September 22, 2012

Wilson started walking today. He has been taking a few little steps for a while but he finally put it all together. We don't have pictures, but Chris was able to capture the event on video on her phone.

Say Goodbye to Our Breast Friend - September 14, 2012

The pump received an award at the end of its tour of duty

After 15 months it is time to bid adieu to pumping. We use Clara's and Wilson's corrected age for most of their developmental milestones, including what and how they eat. As we officially approach their one year "corrected" age, the doctors have finally given Chris the green light to put away the breast pump! Although it might only feel like a year to Clara and Wilson, Chris has been pumping like a champ for 15 months. This pump has been used in the car, at work, at people's houses, even in an occasional public restroom. Not only was this no ordinary pumper, this was no ordinary pump. There are hospital grade pumps and then there is the industrial strength hemi-powered pump Chris used. This thing was built for speed instead of comfort and you could hear the motor whirring in the other room. But that's all behind us. No more pump, no more pump parts, and no more bottles!

The Grateful Dad, Part II

One year ago today we brought Wilson home from the hospital. It remains one of the happiest moments of our lives. We wrote about it here and won't take too much time now to reminisce. The last year hasn't been easy, but we can already say it has been rewarding in ways we never imagined. What a long strange trip it continues to be!

Getting ready to leave the hospital on September 4, 2011

Getting ready to leave the house on September 4, 2012

Summer Break Is Over

We realize we haven't updated the blog in quite sometime. Please don't think that means the past 2 1/2 months haven't been interesting . . . in fact, it is quite the opposite. Clara and Wilson blossom with personality, curiosity, and ability daily. We know you'd probably rather see pictures than read stories (and it's easier for us), so here you go:

Shortly after our last post, we started going to all the
one year checkups with various doctors.
Clara was happy to show off her new weight and proudly
entered the 7th percentile of weight.

Don't jump Wilson, the doctors have good news! We don't have to go back to the eye doctor or heart doctor for a year and the neonatalogists and pediatrician are also happy with their progress.

From July through August, we enjoyed our first complete month without a doctor's appointment.
So we started swinging into summer . . .

We opened the pool at the Strathmoor Village Country Club (SVCC)

With the extreme summer heat wave, we also utilized our "indoor pool"

When the kids had too much bath time, we got creative.
Yep, that's the baby pool filled with spaghetti noodles.

But don't think we just stayed at the house. Once we got the "okay" to go out in public, we hit the town.
The most fun thing was getting to have them around other kids. 

Wilson saw Caysen eating with a fork and immediately wanted to try.

Wilson and Clara finally got to attend their baby shower at Morgan's work

and they still really enjoy going to Mimi and Mac's.

Clara and Wilson love the zoo

And we did finally take them to a real pool.

We also started taking big steps at home.

Which means Clara and Wilson are now into everything

But they also have settled into somewhat of a routine.
Every morning around 8:00 a.m. Wilson climbs into or around these cabinets
for his morning constitutional. Eventually, we started leaving a book in the cabinet for him.

And things continue to just roll along.

As you can see, everything is going well. Clara is still in physical therapy, and will likely require additional therapy for her fine motor skills, but she is gaining weight and developing a hilarious personality. Wilson is on the verge of walking and you can't turn your back on either of them for long. We were getting ready for bath time the other night and only had Clara's diaper off for a second before putting her in the tub, but it was enough time for her to leave us a present. They are also incredibly adept at finding electric outlets, loose change, or anything else that could be remotely dangerous. We have taken all the precautions but child-proofing the house is daily chore . . . and they aren't walking yet.

We also just had our first illness go through the McGarvey house. We all felt miserable, looked worse, and are glad things are clearing up. We reverted to being paranoid first time parents and made at least three trips to the pediatrician within a week. Unfortunately, I don't think we can blame our craziness on not feeling well. It was also interesting to see how Clara and Wilson handled the virus differently. Clara had more severe symptoms in her chest and had to go back on breathing treatments. This isn't a long term treatment but does serve as another reminder of the problems Clara experienced at the very beginning.

Thanks for checking in!