The past is past, the future is now!

Good-bye 2009!!! Glad to see you go! Move out of the way for 2010!

My year in review:
Aaron - little motorboat
- sleep, cry, scream, sleep, sleep, sleep, smile, coo - 100 days!!!
- Aaron sick with infant botulism and spending 4 days in the hospital in April when he was just over 6 months old
- learning to crawl
- learning to cruise
- Happy Birthday 1 year old!
- learning to walk
- beginning to babble - nana (banana), baba (lovey), dada (daddy)
- sleeping through the night
- where's your belly, your nose, your fingers, your toes?
- laughing, smiling, playing
joy, joy, joy

Zofia - wind her up and let her go!
- talk talk
- talk talk
- why?
- why?
- Happy Birthday 2 year old!
- sprained ankle from jumping - ouch! - learn how to crawl again to get around
- pretend play and the world of make believe
- frustration!!!! can't do it! need help!
- jumping, leaping, spinning, dancing, laughing, loving
joy, joy, joy

Birthday, Baptisms, and GPS oh my!

Aaron is 1! Saturday we spent his birthday with Brian, JoAnne, Kaitlyn, and Kevin at the Smithsonian museums - American History and Natural History. What a way to spend a birthday!

After they went to bed, I needed to get going on food for his birthday party and decorating their baptism cake. 6 hours later I was able to call it a night and get a few hours of rest before I needed to finish up cooking in the morning (some dishes just cannot be made ahead of time).

Steven and I woke up to 2 very cranky children and one neurotic dog - couple that with 3 maybe 4 hours of sleep and it was a powder keg. 9am or so my mother calls me informing me that her GPS hasn't told her what to do and Tommy wasn't coming. HUH?! Where are you? Did you pass the exit for 495? You see 295? Great exit! HUH?! You're on 50 East? I thought you exited? Yes, you'll have to turn around. click (that's the sound of my mom hanging up because she needs to drive and doesn't want to waste her battery and doesn't know how to use speaker phone). Where are you now? I have no idea where that is. click. Where are you now? You stopped to ask someone? Give her the phone. click. Benning Road?! I thought I told you to stay on 295 SOUTH. I DON'T CARE WHAT THE GPS IS SAYING! geez that is like the WORST part of town. click. You are asking someone else? GIVE HIM THE PHONE - PLEASE HELP MY MOTHER GET 2 BLOCKS TO THE EXIT FOR 295 SOUTH! click. You are on 295 South now? Great! click. You are on 495 now? Great! click. Lorton Road coming up? Great! click.

We made it barely a little late for church and the rest of the day was absolutely WONDERFUL! and I'm sooooo proud of my mom for driving by herself all the way here!

From the time I fall asleep till the morning comes I dream about you baby

Summer's end is approaching. It was a very busy summer with camping, a trip to Massachusetts, swimming lessons for Zofia, swimming with friends, going to the beach, the zoo, farms, trains, carousels, festivals, phew....

Aaron is 10 1/2 months and he's such a beautiful boy. He's got the prettiest blue eyes. His hair color eludes me - sometimes it looks strawberry blonde and other times just blonde. He has pretty much finished his PT this month. He is finally cross-crawling consistently as of tonight!!! He has also been pulling up to stand, cruising around, and can't wait to walk! He is "SOOOO BIGGGG" these days and his appetite is enormous! Aaron is also a keen observer and listener and copies very well. He's more vocal but still no particular distinct words other than 'Ba-Ba' (which can mean his lovey or bottle) and 'Da-Da' (which can mean Daddy, of course, or pretty much anything else he sees). Aaron is so different from Zofia in many ways - he's definitely more gross-motor and has a sharper temper (ugh) , but he's definitely more social. He also has his groove on - this boy jams to music! I love watching him listen to music as he shakes his head and wiggles his body! He's getting over his separation anxiety a little which is a welcome relief for me since I don't have to be in the same room all the time now - I can actually walk to the kitchen without a meltdown. We play chase around the kitchen peninsula and he anticipates which direction I'll be coming from, sometimes I'll surprise him and he'll screech in delight!


Zofia is almost 2 1/2! She's almost 38" tall and 35 pounds - off the charts! Potty training is still in progress. We are working on getting her to stop peeing in her training underwear. If she's bare, she knows what to do and does it. I've even braved her napping bare (successfully twice but I know I'm just playing odds at this point) and a short car ride but she just can't seem to get it when she's wearing her training pants. So most of the time she's in a dress or shirt and free and loose down below. Zofia recently sprained her foot playing at the play area at Fair Oaks mall and she's recovered. The day after it happened we had to teach her to crawl all over again so that she could get around. She was a trooper through it. Discipline is another item we've been working on especially table manners. Eating has become complete mayhem as of late partly because Zofia imitates Aaron's lack of grace while eating - it's infuriating sometimes! It's bad enough to have Aaron covered in food let alone Aaron and Zofia! Some days it takes all the strength I can to make it through a meal as I dread the next.


Today we celebrated Steven's birthday (which was yesterday) and Zofia helped me make the cake. She has been talking about his cake ALL DAY telling me that she's ready to eat the cake, "Mommy, I'm ready for the cake". She didn't quite understand why we weren't eating it until after dinner. When we finally finished dinner and got ready for the cake she was so excited! We lit the candles, sang "Happy Birthday", and Zofia helped blow out the candles (she actually got 1 of them out!). Grandpa gave Steven his card, which Zofia helped "read" and then gave him his present (again, as she gave it to him yesterday). She ate the cake and wanted another slice but didn't quite understand why we needed to save it. Nonetheless, she gave Steven a great big hug and said "Daddy, thank you for sharing your cake with me".

I poop, you poop, we all poop

Yesterday we took Molly our dog for a walk after dinner. Molly is getting old and in her senior age has become a little more stubborn about things....you know imagine the old people that you know that do things because "hey, I'm old, I can do what I want".

As we were walking down the street to her usual woodline latrine, Molly pooped along the sidewalk without even stopping and left a trail for me to pick up. Zofia was shocked and said "Molly pooped!" I bagged it up and as I walked back to the stroller, Zofia said this to Molly "Molly you pooped! I'm so proud of you!" Then she gave her a big hug and told me that we needed to flush her poop.

Lesson - how you respond to your child is witnessed in how they respond to others

pleppppt!

Aaron is approaching 8 months! He is rolling over like crazy, starting to spin on his belly, making tons of raspberries and sounds, sitting up unsupported and playing, and is intent on keeping track of Zofia and me. Looks like 2 teeth are starting and are bothering him! We've tried solids but so far the only thing that he likes is Stage 1 bananas. Once I find something he'll eat I'll be making his food like I did for Z. He's in physical therapy once a week because of the botulism and according to the therapist is about 1 month behind.

Last month was hell though! All of us came down with a nasty cold. It first started with Zofia who passed it to Aaron and I, then I passed it to Steven. They ran temperatures between 103-105 degrees and got ear infections to boot. I got an upper respiratory infection and all three of us were on antibiotics - ugh.

Because of the antibiotics, Aaron developed thrush and a yeasty diaper rash - good grief. So rather than giving him more drugs, I decided to try the homeopathic approach and use grapefruit seed extract and acidophilous for both of us. It knocked the thrush back but didn't eradicate it. So I then picked up Gentian Violet. It's pretty incredible stuff and in 2 days it was gone albeit we were purple! It came back and at Aaron's follow up yesterday we got a prescription for Nystatin. His right ear is still infected but it's not bothering him too much so I'll wait on filling the script. We are still fighting the diaper rash with Lotrimin and diaper cream but it's persistant!

Miss, Miss, Miss, Hit, Score!

Now that warmer weather is here, I decided to take the opportunity to begin potty training Zofia. For her birthday, her uncle Tommy bought her a potty training book. We also have two potty chairs available and I bought some training underpants from Hanna Andersson. OK, I think I am ready...but is she?

So for the last 1-1/2 weeks we've been in training. I first started out by putting her in the training underpants. However, she called them diapers and used them as such. Gone. So she went butt-naked from the waist down for about 1/2 a day everyday. The first time she used the potty she got tons of praise, high-fives, a phone call to daddy, and the awesome treat to flush the toilet.

So in earnest we started last Friday. We spent the entire day in the studio so that I could make a water-sling for Aaron to take to the pool. She played with her toys and every 30 minutes or so I reminded her about the potty by either taking her there or asking her to tell me where it was or telling me what goes in the potty. I made sure she knew that all of her friends also used the potty. She had 3 accidents that day and about 3 hits. Diapers went on for naps.

The potty chair has been moved around the main floor of the house but has a final spot near the window with a towel underneath to catch inevitable drips - yuck. She is now sitting on her chair without prompting to use it - yeah! Today we tried underpants again but still not working out yet.

Today's score:
Miss: 1
Hits: 3!

Home Sweet Home

The last week has been a blur. Last Tuesday we still didn't have a definite diagnosis but Aaron was improving. We were also waiting on the latest EEG results from the hospital regarding Bill. Steven and I switched shifts at the hospital so that I could get packed up, take Zofia to her 2-yr checkup, pick up my sister at the airport and get to Dover on Wednesday. That night in my own bed was peaceful beyond belief! No beeping, no nurses.

Zofia went to her 2-yr checkup and Teresa was very happy with her development: 36" tall and 30 lbs! Frank came over later that afternoon so that I could get packed up to go to Dover. Just after lunch, Steven called to tell me the test result came back positive for Botulism! I was relieved and sweetly justified.

I picked my sister up at Dulles and we worked our way to Dover during rush hour in the rain - ugh - in order to be with our family as my mother faced a difficult decision.

Steven called Thursday morning to let me know that Aaron was getting discharged and could continue his recuperation at home - yeah!!!!

We are home now - home, sweet home

Minor changes

I snapped a couple photos of Aaron to document his progress.

This one was taken Sunday

This one was taken Monday

wax and wane

Every hour brings something new. Wax and wane. Net: 0

They FINALLY got a stool sample from Aaron but they worked all night and into the morning and they basically irrigated his colon to get it (and people pay money for that?). More blood draws to get to the lab. Despite this, Aaron looked pretty good this morning (it's all relative) compared to yesterday and I thought for sure he was on the upswing. He looked so good that Dr Bergman took him off the IV fluids - wax. The physical therapist came in shortly afterwards and agreed with the neurologist's assessment that it was mild - wax. The speech therapist came by at 10:30 and observed a feeding to check his swallowing and airways in order to evaluate the need for a tube - wax. As the afternoon progressed, however, he looked more listless and droopy. He didn't nurse well or take a bottle well - wane. The neurologist came in and did an evaluation. The first question she asked me was whether there was any construction in my neighborhood...

well, yes, actually there is. Now Aaron is still only breastfed and not eating solids yet so we know he didn't get it from food so the only other reasonable explanation is outside. So the construction question made sense. We are getting a new storm water retention pond in the neighborhood and they've been digging for a couple weeks. The neurologist said in that digging they stir up the dirt and the spores. The spores are then released in the air. Makes perfect sense...

Anyway, the neurologist continues and says that even if the test comes back positive for botulism they probably won't give the anti-toxin since it's been over a week now (besides the fact that they have to ship it from CA and it costs $45,000). She says she'll be back tomorrow.

Lunchtime rolls around and Aaron is napping. I head out to get lunch and aspirin. I have a migraine that won't quit. I go to the cafeteria without really wanting to eat anything. Pizza? not again. Burger? ugh. Salad? maaaybe. I settle on chicken parm, broccoli, and a roll. I pay and decide to take the time to eat away from the room and call Tommy to check on Bill's status and confirm what my sister said over the phone about brain activity. He doesn't know much about the results and I call my mom. They finished the test and she hands the phone over to Jim Jackson. Bad news. No response. Wane.

I try feeding Aaron again and he's not interested - wane. Another doctor arrives to perform the nerve conduction test but he tells me that it's very uncomfortable and Aaron should be sedated. ummmm. He confers with the doctors. I call Steven and tell him what the doctor said and to try to get here quicker. The resident comes in after consulting with Dr Bergman and we all agree that it's not necessary to do the test right now and we'll wait until the lab tests come back. I try feeding Aaron a bottle this time - wane. I ask the Resident to restart Aaron's IV as a precaution. I don't want him backsliding. Steven arrives, yeah!, and we catch up. He feeds Aaron and this time Aaron takes the whole bottle - wax. I hit the road worried about rush hour traffic to get home and do dinner, bath, and bedtime with Zofia. Thank God for everyone who is helping us right now. Brigitte made us dinner and Mary Lane offered to hang out in the house until Steven gets home tonight.

I get a call from Tommy. The neurologist told my mom that they will perform another brain test tomorrow and if there is no response they will not do any further testing. He tells me that my mom has asked for his opinion on what she should do and, wisely, my brother reminds her of their living will. Wane.

I drive back to the hospital and Aaron is delighted at the new toys from home I brought - wax. He finally conks out and sleeps - wax.

and I am reminded of the wheel of life.

Are you there God? It's me, Anne

Things happen for a reason. So they say and I have little doubt about that. You have to have faith and take that leap. Let go and take that step and in that letting go, answers appear for good or bad. 12 years ago I took that step, walked away from my life to begin again and here I am.

This time the answers aren't as clear. On the way back home from the hospital, I call my brother to find out more about Bill. He fell getting out of the shower and hit his head on the toilet. Knocked unconscious and not breathing. My brother and responding officer performed CPR until paramedics arrived to take over. They continued until they got to the hospital where he was finally resuscitated. He's on a ventilator, not breathing on his own and still unconscious.

So. Why? I am trying not to wallow in the circumstances. It's so easy to ask "Why me?" but I'm keeping my attitude in check and think it cannot be about me. I tell Steven the situation when I return. I tell him I feel awful because my mom needs me and I need her right now but neither of us can help each other. Steven understands and says maybe it's the way it's supposed to be in the fact that I cannot be there. Yes, he's right. It's not about testing me. It's about my brother and my mom - Tommy taking a larger role in the family now. It's about my mom and me - and how we communicate. It's not about being present physically. Does my mere presence help? No. There is nothing that either of us can do to improve either situation. No, a new type of support is called for. I cannot "do" for my mom this time - no home repairs to make life easier, no company sitting on the sofa, no Korean soap operas, no cooking, cleaning or eating. No, I will need to find a new way to support her and my brother.

I need crutches.

beep beep, beep beep

This is the sound of the monitor when Aaron's respiration drops. beep-beep, beep-beep. In my previous post I discussed Aaron's lackluster physicalness. As the week progressed, I noticed a tiny improvement in his latch and was hopeful that whatever was bothering him was on it's way out.

But I was wrong.

Saturday we spent the day hanging around the house and getting chores done. Not a lot to do since the morning was very rainy. I baked some blueberry muffins and delivered some to church since I couldn't stay to help out with spring cleaning or Easter egg stuffing/hiding. During one of Aaron's last feedings of the day, I noticed something strange with his mouth. It was hanging open and the tip of his tongue was sticking out. beep-beep, beep-beep. Odd. So with the list of physical symptoms as they were and not improving (listlessness, weak, no muscle tone, pretty much a floppy baby) and now this new thing, I hit the web.

What could it be? MS? CP? Downs? What else looks like this? Then a hit.
Constipation? check - he hasn't pooped in 8 days
Flat facial expression? check - hardly smiling and droopy lids
Poor feeding (weak sucking)? check - this is one of the reasons we went to the doctor earlier in the week
Weak cry? check - is this what was bothering him?
Decreased movement? check check check
Trouble swallowing with excessive drooling? not so much
Muscle weakness? triple check again!
Breathing problems? hard to say

Infant Botulism

Eureka! Dammit! I consulted with Steven and we both decided it was best to call the on-call pediatrician. After 40 mins or so he called back and I explained what was going on and what my research had brought to light. beep-beep, beep-beep. He told us to go to the Fairfax Emergency room and get it checked out. Quick call to Frank, gobble dinner at 9:30pm, and off we go.

hmm. hmm. Apparently we've puzzled the ER Pediatric doctor. I again explained my assumption and he said it's rare and he's seen it once in the last year. We don't get to go home, we have to admit, get tests (poor guy), and consult with a neurologist in the morning. Hang out until we get a bed assignment beep-beep.

Sunday. Dr Atiyeh, the on-call pediatrician stops by. I again review the symptoms and he says it sounds like infant botulism but we'll do more tests and see the neurologist. beep-beep. Dr McClintock comes in later in the morning. I review the symptoms and he listens. He evaluates Aaron and is pretty certain it's infant botulism - as rare as it is, in his 20 year experience I can only have faith that everyone (including my initial assumption is correct - damn the internet). I want them to rule out everything on the planet before we commit to an initial diagnosis. He reassures me and says we'll do a nerve conduction test tomorrow, run some more blood tests to rule out other neuro-muscular problems, and we'll need to get a stool in order to get it tested for botulism. beep-beep.

What is it about baby poop anyway? Mothers and doctors obsess over baby poop. How often, what color, what consistency, good grief. Aaron got an abdominal x-ray to be sure there was no intestinal blockage causing his constipation. Later that morning the nurse gives him a suppository, obviously no blockage. beep-beep. 2 hours later, nothing. Another suppository. 1 hour later nothing. OK, are you going to just keep giving him suppositories? Steven, Frank and Susan and Kyrksen took Zofia to church and the Easter Egg Hunt in the morning. He really needed to do that with her and she had a blast (she's such a trooper). Pastor Kim stops by to see how we are doing. We talk about what's been going on. beep-beep. OH! YAHOO! POOP! The nurse collects it and it's not enough - you're kidding, right? I doubt the lab actually NEEDS that much. beep-beep.

Time is a blur. What day is it? When did we check-in? What day is it? Steven and I coordinate and he comes over at dinner-time. I give him a quick update and head home to see Zofia, feed her dinner and do the bedtime routine. I'm fried. My eyeballs hurt. I call my mom and get some bad news about Bill (more on that later). I get home and am glad to see Z and it's mutual. She "tells" me about her day. I fix dinner for her and Frank and then go take a shower. I want to stay in the water forever. It's always amazing the power of water. I feel refreshed and catch up on emails, coordinate childcare for the morning because Steven has to go to work, and pack up to go back to the hospital. I call Kathy from church and ask her to hang out so Frank can go home and get some sleep.

Back at the hospital, Steven and I catch up and I send him home. beep-beep. I start writing this post and can't stay awake to finish.... good night. beep-beep

mon pauvre bebe

Baby Aaron is sick. Not like anything I've seen in him before or anything I've ever seen with Z. He's been listless for the last couple days (I would describe it as lethargic but the pediatrician promptly corrected me upon seeing Aaron since there are other implications for a "lethargic" baby). He's not nursing, sleeps all the time, and is a droopy guy... the sparkle is gone.

I'm worried sick over this. I went to the pediatrician yesterday and called again today. The pediatrician didn't see anything on physical exam and isn't concerned but I'm a complete mess. I keep going over in my head, on the computer, with Steven, with friends about what could possibly be wrong with my little guy - am I missing something? did you ever see this? what could it be? how long will it last? what if I'm missing something very serious? It's as if his lightbulb is dimmed and I'm sooooo saddened because I don't know what is wrong or what it'll take to bring him back to me - maybe he will nurse, maybe he will take a bottle of expressed milk, maybe he will take formula, maybe he will eat cereal? Will he eat anything?

So I wait. I wait for him to wake up, for him to eat, for the sparkle to reappear. And in all this waiting I'm brittle.

Human beings spend on average one third of our lives asleep

Except me.

Aaron has gone through a sleep regression over the last month. He used to sleep up to 8 hours at night but that changed and he was waking up 3 times a night - 11pm, 2am, 4am. He also was really irritable for a couple weeks so I took him to the doctor hoping it was an ear infection. She said it wasn't and that his night waking was because he was hungry - hmmm. She suggested starting solids.

So I panicked because in the month since his last appointment, he apparently hadn't even gained an ounce. I left the office and went to the grocery store and picked up formula (to supplement) and rice cereal. I tried rice cereal when I got home and he hated it. The more I thought about it I realized that #1 - yes, he probably is hungry, #2 - he isn't ready for solids considering he can't sit up yet (why she didn't recognize that I don't know), and #3 - supplementing with formula was a complete over-reaction.

See lack of sleep makes you process information a lot slower.

So I decided I would forego solids since it doesn't make ANY sense and I would nurse him more. He seems to have gained some weight and he is definitely less grumpy. His sleep seems to have turned the corner a little and he is waking up twice now - between 11pm-12am and then again around 4-5am......

one day I will return to sleeping one third of my life away

1-month and counting

Zofia's 2nd birthday is next month! I have less than one month to figure out what we'll be doing this year for her birthday. I have to do something this year since her 1st birthday was pretty low-key....OK, I was a complete loser and it crept up on me.

This year I'm going to decorate her cake (at least that's the plan) so I am looking at cake ideas for inspiration. Party planning to include: power wash the deck, guest list, invitations, buy supplies for cake and party, make cake decorations in advance (practice, practice, practice), birthday outfit, etc etc etc.

Surprisingly, there are not a lot of places in the area to get Wilton supplies. I'm relegated to Michael's or Bed Bath and Beyond. I wish I were in Delaware, then I'd go to Sheila's Party World...they have everything!!

The magical world of make believe

While Aaron is giving me fits of screaming, Zofia on the other hand has been keeping me ever mindful that 'this too shall pass' and is beginning pretend play!

Yesterday we were outside (who wasn't) playing in the grass and she said "pretend to eat grass". I said OK. She came up to me with her empty palm up and started feeding me "grass". I asked her what it tasted like and she said "grasshoppers".

Today she made me soup - all different kinds of soup. Butter soup, green soup, rice soup and boy was it yummy! She also served me some tea and had some herself. She shared her tea with "the boy" (a magnet doll) that was sitting in a chair.

Where did my baby go?

one minute he's the sweetest thing on earth - I just want to gobble him up; the next minute he's a screaming machine and NOTHING consoles him. I swear he screamed for 4 hours tonight. Teething? maybe. Ear infection? maybe. So then I'm left struggling with the decision of whether to drug him up or not. Pacifiers don't help, neither does rocking, singing, or bouncing. In lieu of medication, the only other option is to nurse - so then I worry about starting habits that I'll have to break...ugh. I nursed him to sleep, poor guy.

I'll have a decaf latte, no foam please

Those who know me know that I LOVE MY COFFEE. I can't think straight without my first cup o' joe in the morning...sometimes just the smell of coffee perks me up. I used to get terrible migraines when I didn't have my coffee. Since having children, I've had to switch to a 1/2 regular-1/2 decaf mix and have staved off withdrawal issues pretty successfully.

Cut to a couple months ago on our way back home from visiting Dover. We stopped at a Dunkin Donuts on Rte 50 so that I could nurse Aaron. While I nursed Aaron in the front seat, Steven brought Zofia to the front seat and she got to play around in the driver's seat. Then she saw my coffee travel cup and said "mmmm, coffee tastes good". Bear in mind that those words never come out of my mouth - though I think it all the time.

Now just the other day, Zofia was playing and brought her sippy cup of milk over to the table and said "decaf". I was like - huh? So I asked her to repeat and she said "decaf milk".

I couldn't help laughing.

Sleep, perchance to dream...redux

man. Aaron will be turning 4 months next week and I am desperately trying to remember Zofia's sleep at this age. Was she in her crib? What did we do to get her to sleep? Aaron is still in the co-sleeper next to our bed at night and naps in it during the day in the living room. I know, I know...you're thinking "living room?!" Well it's not that easy with Zofia to have him nap in her crib as she still uses it (albeit less and less these days since she's on a napping strike - ugh, more on that later).

So I went back to her blog and read about her sleep somewhere around 4 1/2 months. Lo' and behold, screaming and crying! yeah! Now, why would I be happy about that? I'm happy about that because Aaron's screaming and crying will pass too, just like Zofia.

Now, on another note. Zofia's napping strike.... not good (for me anyway). I soooo look forward to having just a little bit of quiet time (although the incessant panting of my dog Molly is making this out of reach). For the last week, she's been refusing to nap. She'll fall asleep in the car, but put her down in the crib? FORGET IT. She's too young to skip naps, in my opinion, so I'm now adjusting her nap time to later in the day - even if it's only for 30 minutes.

CYA

The other day Zofia decided she had enough of being inside and was going somewhere. She grabbed her little 'purse', put it on her arm and said "Good-bye". I asked her where she was going and she said "work" and walked over to the stairs. I called her back and a few seconds later she said "Good-bye", so I asked where she was going. She said "Kristi's house".

Here are the photos....

Aaron @ 100 days!

Aaron turned 100 days on January 18th! He's all smiles (and very ready for the Superbowl!)

“When words are scarce they are seldom spent in vain”

Zofia is 21 months and Aaron is just over 100 days old this month! We had an enjoyable Christmas. Auntie Miyong came home and stayed with us for about a week. Zofia and Miyong had a great time together.

Zofia(or "ZZ" as she calls herself) has been talking up a storm and is able to communicate her wants/desires/needs very directly. She has turned into quite the toddler. She now is able to speak about her thoughts about what other people might be doing (Oliver is at home, Oliver is sleeping, Aaron wants this, Aaron likes this, baby Abby (her doll) is hungry). She often refers to Aaron as "little boy" and frequently wants to kiss, carry or hold him. We go to music class every Friday for 45 minutes and she loves it - although I think it's not so much the class as much as it is being out of the house and seeing new faces. She knows her colors and is working on her letters (z,w and v are particular favorites). She also is counting up to 4 (imperfectly but is getting the idea of quantities). And when Zofia really likes the flavor of something, she will tell you that it tastes good - rice tastes good, soup tastes good, apple tastes good, you get the picture.

Aaron is just over 3 months and he really lights me up! His smile is completely infectious! He's been giving me about 6 hours of sleep at night for the last couple weeks (yeah!). I keep forgetting how quickly the time goes by. Aaron is beginning to settle into a sort of rhythm so it is getting a little easier for me.