Alex loves the phone

I knew that the phone would be an object of fascination for Alex because Max was all about the phone. Lately, Alex has been putting shoes, remotes, and phones up to her ear as if she is actually on the phone. It is really cute because she also mumbles, like she is talking.

Well today, she moved the phone use up a notch....she called Robin. Apparently, Robin had called at some point (note she was not the last person to call) and showed up in the caller id. Alex scrolled through some numbers and all of a sudden we hear Robin say hello on speakerphone. So Alex managed to push the previous calls button, scroll to find Robin's number, and push the speaker phone button. Initially, I interrogated Robin if she called, etc. Nope, Alex just wanted to see what was up with Aunt Ro.

Housekeeping...

For those who are interested (and those who have been badgering me), the six month plus photo album (left) is up to date through Alex's first birthday.

Coming soon: One year plus album!

Stop me if you have heard this before...

Wes, Bob, Robin and I are on a diet. Sure we were also on one last year but we lost that diet somewhere along the way. Well here it is, 2009 and we have found it again.

Wes and I were always tired and stressed. So we decided we need to do something about it. The truth is, we were less than cute. We snookered Bob and Robin into this deal and we are hoping that the group effort will make us successful.

We are already showing marked improvement already and it has only been a week. The real trick if finding time to work out. I know, very cliche but it is truth. The exercise part of the equation has been missing during the past attempts and so now, success is sure to come. Wes and I did this once with success and were able to maintain the weight loss prior to the cancer thing. That gives me confidence that we can do and show Bobin the way!!!

But I will say right here that unless we are achieving success, you won't hear another word about the diet!!!

I't a bear...

Okay, so we just went out to dinner and the little girl sitting at the next table (she was like six and wearing what appeared to be a wedding dress over her jeans and sweater) came over and gave this picture to Alex:

Michele overheard her talking to her mother about how she was learning contractions, so the grammar is a bit off... but how cute is that?

Dada...

Finally Alex seems to be feeling a little better. No fever Monday or Tuesday, and she went to daycare yesterday and today. Still has a cough and runny nose, but she is acting more like herself everyday.

That said, she has been more clingy and whiny the last few days. Bedtime usually isn't a problem but has been more of a fight for a couple nights. Last night we were going through the normal routine and she seemed to be asleep. Then she was crying. Michele reset her and she feigned sleep again. Then she was crying. We decide to just let her cry it out for a few minutes.

The next thing I know, she is standing in her crib sobbing and screaming, "Dada...dada...dada..." over and over again. For the record, I'm a sucker. I went back in and she finally went to sleep for good (and slept through the night for the first time in a week).

I think I'm in trouble... she already knows how to manipulate me...

Hey, guess what...

Still with the fever. Apparently we are just going to ride it out. The good news is that she may have turned a corner after sleeping most of the day today. Hopefully Michele and I can turn the corner before we have to work tomorrow. But, if you need to find me, I'll be home with Alex. She has to be symptom free for 24 hours before returning to daycare.

Buenas noches.

Buy stock in Kleenex...

Tuesday afternoon daycare called to implore us to pick up our child... she had a fever, 103. We rushed over to get her and she was hot, but in good spirits. Lots of fluids, lots of sleep... I'm sure she'll be OK tomorrow.

Wednesday... fever. Canceled our New Year's Eve plans and hunkered down. By mid-afternoon, instead of better, she was worse. Still high fever (between doses of Tylenol and Motrin) and miserable. Took her to the after hours clinic (they know us by name) just to make sure that it wasn't her ears again. Ears look fine. Just a cold. Lots of fluids, lots of sleep... I'm sure she'll be OK tomorrow.

New Year's day... cancel those plans too. Still with the fever, still with the miserable. Runniest nose ever... cough, cough, cough. Lots of fluids, lots of sleep... I'm sure she'll be OK tomorrow.

Yesterday she woke up and continued the streak... fever, 102. Make an appointment to see her pediatrician. First thing open is 3:50pm. Ugh. She was happy and playing while dosed on droppers full of heaven, and miserable in between. Inconsolable. Poor little face chapped from snot, spit, and tears. Her doctor tells us she most likely has RSV. Nasty virus that causes a fever for a few days, and a cough and runny nose for up to two weeks. Great. And, as a special bonus, it is highly contagious and presents in adults as a very bad cold... which both of us are now experiencing. Lots of fluids, lots of sleep... if the fever is still there tomorrow, she may have to have a chest X-ray or be admitted, but I'm sure she'll be OK tomorrow.

This morning dawns after a long night of Michele gets up with her, I get up with her, Michele gets up with her... etc. Fever, 102. The office opens at 9:00... man I hope she'll be OK tomorrow.