Summer's end

As most of you already know, Abby's pregnancy didn't turn out as we all had hoped, but still things are better than last summer.. Griffin Jerrold Saunders was born July 17, 2005 at 27 weeks and 5 days gestation. He weighed 2 lbs. 2 oz. He was on the ventilator off and on for about a week, but is now breathing well with the help of a little added pressure through a nasal cannula. He's tolerating feeds, and doesn't even have an IV! Hopefully soon he'll figure out how to eat from a bottle, and get on the road to going home with his family where he belongs.... It really stinks for Abby & Ryan, but so far things look good, and he should escape this without complications.

Really not a whole lot new for us to report. The kids have been home now with Chad all summer, but will be returning to daycare tomorrow, I think everyone's pretty much ready for that.

The big news for Madison is that her black tooth in the front needs to be pulled. As you all remember, she face-planted when she was about 2 1/2 and one of her front teeth "died." Now it's infected, and will be pulled on Tuesday... We're trying to decide whether to let her walk around without one of her front teeth for 2 1/2 more years, or put a bridge in. I'll keep you all in suspense.....Of course we'll take some pictures of her without a front tooth and put them on when we can. Here's a picture from last summer with the black tooth.

We laughed at Evan the other night. He looked just like the Greenkeeper from Caddyshack...He got his bucket hat, flipped up the brim, and started carrying around a little golf club. "18th hole at Augusta....Cinderella story....."

He's really getting big, at his 18 month visit, he was 35" and weighed 28 lbs, 9 oz.... Off the chart for height, following in the family's footsteps. He's great at communicating, but I'm not sure that anyone understands his language but us:

Gook = drink

Nini = pacifier

He can also say a lot of things the right way, like "sissy," "poopy," "kitty," "ball," "more," and "mommy and daddy." It's so fun to watch him learn about things...

Much to Chad's chagrin, Evan LOVES playing with my old dance costumes. He's become especially fond of one black and pink ruffled skirt which fits him like a dress. He always wants us to put it on him.

Evan & Madison have a lot of fun trying on different outfits and dancing around in the basement.

Anyway, I'll sign off for now..... Take care!

Jen