Ugh.

Well, there was some croup for the boy that migrated to the chest and settled in for a while causing the doctor to rattle around words like chest x-ray and pneumonia. Then, just as he was on the mend and back to his usual self (pinging off the walls), Lily and I were treated to the head cold part of it. We are still on the mend from that. The head cold isn't that bad for me, but sweet little Lily could. not. sleep. at. all. So, Dan and I are still in recovery from the sleep deficit and she is still hacking up gunk and fighting the zzz's. I think a few more days of unbridled sick-induced crankiness are ahead before she returns to napping in the crib and going for those nice, long, stretches at night....we hope.

With everyone at least partially on the mend, we took advantage of the first crisp, cool morning (a sure sign of the impending change of seasons...if you can call it that in Florida) to head out for a little jaunt. That's Harold running ahead with his purple crayon (chalk). He was drawing little oases (is that correct plural of oasis?) complete with pond and palm tree throughout the neighborhood. And, marking all manner of things with the letter they start with...like "F" for fire hydrant. Sometimes you have to practice to get that "F" going in the right direction.

More and more of Lily's sweet little self are shining through the stuffiness and congestion. I even managed some shots without any goop on her face-although she does have seriously bleary eyes. She turns five months (really???)  today. She has been really showing an interest in food lately. She is completely captivated watching us eat while she sits in the middle of the table like a centerpiece in her bumbo chair. Yesterday, I gave her the tiniest, little bit of mashed banana off my plate. At first, interested...some lip smacking...then a grimace...but then tried it again. Ben, of course, was absolutely tickled watching this whole process. Maybe not quite ready, but soon. Time to bust out the high chair. It will be nice to have her included as part of the family meal rather than trying to entertain her throughout.

Here is a picture of Ben "eating Lily like a corn on the cob." She was positively cackling with delight. Maybe I'll try to post the video clip. She finds everything that Ben does either magical and captivating or hysterical. I stopped admonishing him about yelling GOO, GOO, GAA, GAA in a somewhat possessed-sounding tone in her face because, well, she loves it.

Comments

[tanya]

okay -- who is harold? and yes, I do think Oases is the plural of oasis.

glad things are getting better there!
we had highs in the low 70's last weekend. back to 90 this weekend. sigh!
I just want to sit around and eat pumpkin-choc-chip squares and drink cinnamon coffee!

soon enough, soon enough

[jen]

http://www.k-state.edu/english/nelp/purple/books/harold.html

Gasp! You were never exposed to Harold in your own youth? Hmmm, definitely put it on the read list for your future children...great for stimulating the imagination. Tonight a dripping wet Ben stood in the doorway of Lily's room and said, "Harold is really cold and needs a real towel." I guess he decided to get out of the bath on his own (he usually calls out when he is ready for a dry off) and his imaginary towel wasn't quite doing the trick!