Trivia Donovan's Reef: In the beginning, Gilhooley tells the captain who "shanghai'd" him that they were supposed to be at the island "on the 7th". Taking into account the time-line of the movie, ending on Christmas, that would make Donovan (John Wayne) and Gilhooley's birthday as December 7th, the anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Merry Christmas from Duke. He got a white Christmas for his first one.

"Let's say I hope that I appeal to the more carefree times in a person's life rather than to his reasoning adulthood. I'd just like to be an image that reminds someone of joy rather than of the problems of the world" -John Wayne

December 17th-24^th: Duke is a machine at moving and rolling now. Going from back to side is common and he will show off his back, side, belly roll to those he find worthy (i.e. not many people have witnessed this). I am the only person to see the full back, side, belly, side back roll; which he has only done once. These are amazing things he SHOULD not be doing at 3 months more less 2 months gestationaly.

       His widow’s peak is defiantly there and not going anywhere. The funny thing is he is now naturally having a perfect Mohawk in the morning. He is a rebel in so many ways, and I am proud of him.

      He is up do 8 lbs 13 ounces, is in 3 month clothing and is sleeping at night for 5 hours straight. His sense of humor isn’t there, but he has laughed……once…..at my brother. He smiles during our 5 am feedings from ear to ear when we are cuddling in bed.

      So what did Duke do for Christmas eve, he got his hepatitis b shot. Poor baby L But it is what is best for him and his health. He has been watching his cousins running about since they got here on Wednesday, which I am sure will lead to a fun and tiring Christmas Day tomorrow.

"Let's say I hope that I appeal to the more carefree times in a person's life rather than to his reasoning adulthood." -John Wayne

December 16th:Duke is 3 months old today. He is up to 8 lbs 11 oz and 21 1/4". He is drinking from a bottle only for almost a month. He is in 3 month old clothes (I have to go through the newborns today to box up). And Tuesday night he rolled back, side, belly, side, back. He smiles....when he wants to and not on que and we are working on his personality. I LOVE this little guy and love playing our staring game at 3am.

(babies 1st mohawk)

" Listen, I spoke to the man up there on many occasions and I have what I always had: deep faith that there is a Supreme Being. There has to be, you know; it's just to me, that's just a normal thing, to have that kind of faith. The fact that He's let me stick around a little longer certainly goes great with me, and I want to hang around as long as I'm healthy and not in anybody's way."- John Wayne

December 9th- 11th: My dear boy is getting ready for his first Christmas. He has been watching me wrap gifts when I have been home with him. We decortated the tree tonight and addes his Baby's first christmas ornaments on the tree. He loves the lights on the tree and the lights outside the house.
Uncle Charlie giving the thumbs up!

He was smiling, it's hard to catch.

Deer But!!

       I will say I am thankful for insurance again. I got the final figure from Children's Hospital for Dukes stay $365,247. I do have to pay a slight balance, but still....better than that 6 figure number!

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We are at 4,000 views!!!!! Holy Cow! Thank you for your faithful reading :)

"When people say a John Wayne picture got bad reviews, I always wonder if they know it's a redundant sentence, but hell, I don't care. People like my pictures and that's all that counts." -John Wayne

Decemeber 3rd-8th: If you haven't noticed, and I apoligize for the lack of notice, I will be writing the blog weekly now, unless their is HUGE news (i.e. rolling over 100%, tooth, crawl, etc). The reason behind the weekly updates is though I love my son every day writing he was just cute today as the only update is redundant for the readers. So here is what happened this week with Duke. His weight is up to 8 1/2 pounds. Dr.Schneider is so impressed with hims as is the nurses. He as released the nurse because of his progress and the oxygen will be out of the house soon too. Duke has rolled from left side to belly and then head from right to left. This is not what a almost 3 month old should be doing, but with the therapies he has had in the home they said it wasn't a surprise that he is overdoing his motor skills. I just am impressed by this movement because I remember him not movind as the reason for inducing my pregnancy.

When it comes to Dukes attitude I have come to realize Duke is very serious, he went through a tramatic experiance in the hospital with all the equipments and tubes and he needs time to just feel loved and comfortable. Though Duke is serious I am seeing more smiles lately. He likes to creep them in while I look away and I catch the tale in. My precious boy is an amazing little guy who I love to have staring contests with.

I will say one things about Duke, he loves music. When he fusses humming or singing comforts him. He recognizes specific songs and he calms down quicker, but I often try to sneak a new song in to get him familiar with the music. He also has enjoyed the Christmas cartoons as of late, he may not understand them but he likes to stare at the screen at the colors moving by.

The Nightmare Before Christmas held his attention the most....my little star!

Ranked #11 in the 100 Most Influential People in the History of the Movies, according to the authors of the Film 100 Web site.

December 2nd: Duke and I hung out and played on the floor today working on stretching his neck. He is getting hungrier earlier in the day so bottle tend to come out a 1/2 hour before feeding time and at nigth he doesn't want to get up. His neck gets stronger by the day. He was been doing an exceptional job. I make sure I tell him how proud he is daily.

Who wants to see a Bear Butt?

"The Greatest Cowboy Star of All Time" was the caption to a series of comic books dedicated to him. The "John Wayne Adventure Comics" were first published in 1949.

December 1st: Duke decided to play fireman today. He squirted at Pop Rock three times today when he was changing him. At first it was funny and he got a new outfit and his blanket went into the washing machine. This second time it was a shame on me moment. The third time Duke got Pop Rock's feet and the floor. It's a good thimg my dad is being a good sport about the whole thing. He seemed to enjoy telling Grammy and I the story that evening.

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