5-Months Old and Counting...

Our little guys just hit the big 5-month mark, and they got to celebrate with a trip to the doctor for their final RSV shot of the season. They weren't very happy about the shot, but they really like Dr. Chavez until that part of their visits. Dr. Chavez had a lot of great things to say about each of them, but he did say one thing that we weren't expecting or wanting to hear. He said that RSV season is almost completely over, but the flu season still had some life to it. We have to wait one more month before we can lift the age and flu shot rules. As disappointed as some of you are, trust us when we say that we are moreso. We were really looking forward to breaking out of our little bubble here at home. We had planned on taking them down to the Riverfest for lunches, introducing them to the rest of their families, and having a party at Grandpa Stubby and Grandma Vicki's house. We just figure that now the party can be a pool party though. We hope that everyone understands.

As for each one of our posse, here goes:

Pius continues to do very well with the weight gain. He is now up to 15 pounds, 3 ounces. He is 24 and 1/2 inches long (or half as tall as Godfather Ryno). He won the "best baby" award for around two weeks running, but in the last week has returned to his grumpy ways. Moni and I think that he has some acid reflux issues, but the doctor hasn't put him on any medication yet. (No, we are not already making excuses for our children, he really does spit up after each feed and acts uncomfortable.) We also think that Pius might have learned the "fake cough." He has "coughed" after Forrest's sneezes, and after Laine's hiccups. It is so funny to see because he will be looking at us while we are talking to a different baby about their issues (hiccups and sneezes), and he will stick his tongue out and give a really fake-sounding cough. It is so cute and we turn attention back to him. Last week, while Moni was giving him a bath, he found his boy stuff. He seems to be intrigued by it, because ever since then, we have had to move his hands during his changing time. I guess it starts young for my boys.

Forrest is keeping up with Pius on the pounds. He is 15 pounds, 3 ounces just like Pius. He isn't quite as long, only 24 inches, but he weighs the same. They are both taking in 180 mL (6 oz) at each feed, but Forrest usually keeps all of his down. Forrest has continued to be a great baby (when he is being held). He has taken on the "spoiled rotten" title. He will just sit and smile and talk to whoever is holding him, but the second that person puts him down he will scream. He loves to be held and played with, and that leads us to think that he is going to be our social butterfly. He especially loves the ladies. If a female comes over, he grins and flirts with her the entire time. He has already sucked a couple of our female helpers into holding him ALL NIGHT. He does seem to be the most interactive, though, so no one complains too much. He's developed a nasty little habit of screaming until his nose and mouth turns blue. Dr Chavez said it's breath-holding spells. If you can stand the few minutes of blood-curdling crying, he usually finds his thumb to pacify himself and will pass out from exhaustion. What a little turd.

Danna got a great review from the doc. She is up to 9 pounds, 6 ounces, and 20 and 1/2 inches long. Her height is doing "very well" on the growth chart and her weight is doing "okay. " She got bumped down to the 21-calorie food with the boys. It is so funny to look at her because she has a full-sized torso, but her legs and arms look like little twigs protruding from it. She has been our easiest one to handle, behavior-wise, of the four. She really is the lowest maintenance of all of them. I stand by my assessment that she is like a kitty-cat. You have to EARN her affection. She won't be mean to anyone, she will just be indifferent. She finally trusts her mom and dad, but she still looks at both of us like we are "SOOO DUMB." We will be talking to her and we will do something that she thinks is funny, but she will look to the side to grin. She won't let us see that we made her smile. She continues to be our princess.

Laine is slowly catching up to "The Towers". He is up to 12 pounds even, and 22 and 3/4 inches long. He is still amazed with Daddy's singing abilities and this is the only way that I can get him to be quiet and happy during the evenings. He challenges Forrest for "spoiled rotten" award, but we can still usually figure out a way (without picking him up) to calm him down. The easiest way for Daddy is to sing and make faces, the easiest way for Mommy is just to talk to him. There must be something about a mother's voice. Laine seems to be the moodiest of the four, to me. Tonight, he went from: Happy to see me when I got home from work, to pissed off at the world, to Daddy is the best singer in the world, to I HATE DADDY, to Daddy is a pretty cool guy, to I HATE DADDY AGAIN, to asleep, to thank goodness Grandpa Stubby came over and fed me, all in a matter of about four hours. His mood swings are incredible.

They continue to sleep for 7-10 hours a night and we are so thankful. They have slept through toilets flushing, whatever sporting event Daddy is watching (and yelling about), new visitors at bedtime hours of the evening, even vaccuming. All of our "night helpers" can vouch for the fact that the Graf house never falls silent. We know that when they get mobile and when they "learn Engish", things will change. We are taking advantage of the situation for now, though. Moni and I are still on the same page and are getting along great. We thank God daily for our wonderful family and friends (who have made sanity possible), each other, and our wonderful, healthy kids.

Pictures to follow soon (another miscommunication with the camera)...

B,M,P,F,D,L

P.S. Happy belated birthday to Grandma Vicki last Wednesday. Cousin Steph Graf and friend Michelle Jahn were gracious enough to come over and watch the babies for us that evening so we could go to dinner to celebrate. They got a little taste of the "fussy time" in the evenings, but were still in good spirits when we got home. I had to check the liquor cabinet after they left. Just kidding! Thanks again, guys!

P.S.S. Big thank you to the Bishop Carroll seniors and Mrs. Ramsey for picking up a few service hours by cleaning up our yard! They raked out our HUGE garden and yard, cut the pampas grass and even brought over some flowers to plant in our pots. They accomplished what would have taken us a good 2 weeks to finish in about an hour and a half. Thank you SO much!