Christmas Partying

Today was a day full of Christmas cheer.  I put on my domestic apron and put together three fruit trays for Anders' class Christmas party.  Anders liked having me there for lunch.  We bickered a bit during craft time, no more than when at home, but we didn't pretend that we sign Kumbaya to each other either.  I had forgotten how much I used to hate crafting.  It's only gotten worse as an adult as my large, clumsy fingers can't do much with those tiny Kindergarten sized craft pieces.  I think I'd rather try to help with high school math than help with a crafting project.  The kids did a Christmas song for the parents.  It was a disaster on Anders' part.  He did his own thing, then laid down on the job in the middle of the production, which would not have been such a big deal had he not been in the center of the number.  I wonder how much of that display was him acting out his misplaced feelings about Henrik and how much of it is being the youngest kid in the class.  Regardless, it will not be a Facebook masterpiece.
Then I drove in to see Henrik.  He remains steady.  Henrik is up to 20 mils on his feedings.  His Christmas photo is framed on the counter next to his isolette.  There is a professional photographer who takes their photos and gives the parents a free framed 5x7.  Christmas Carolers also sauntered into the NICU as I was holding Henrik.  There is also another baby in Henrik's row at the NICU.  This is another tiny baby in an isolette, so I think he will be there for a while like Henrik.  There have been a number of temporary babies that have cycled through, but this one will likely be his long term neighbor.  Henrik did another nice job on the hold, and I've become comfortable enough to put him back after a hold.  He still weighs 2 lbs 4 oz. 
Tonight we attended the St. John's Christmas Party.  Anders was looked after by some student babysitters at school.  He had fun this year and I did not receive a call to come by to reassure Anders as I did last year at this event, so that's real progress.  We ate and mingled outside at the Headmaster's house.  It will never get old to be at an outside event in December, but it does feel less weird than it did a couple years ago.  This is the best weather of the year!  I'm back in shorts and a t-shirt. 
Anders had a meltdown upon arriving home.  He thinks about Henrik all the time and for long stretches he is fine, such as over the course of the past week until last night.  Anders has had a couple of rough nights in a row, but he might follow that up with a great weekend.  Who knows?!  What I do know is that the hour that I hold Henrik, despite the NICU craziness, is the calmest, most peaceful hour of my day.