Copper and Xander can now play together (if carefully orchestrated by mommy or daddy). First, I tell Xander to throw a ball, which he does. Then, I tell Copper "go get the ball." She gets the ball and starts to bring it back. Xander and I clap and excitedly yell "yay". Then, she drops the ball near us and we repeat. Loads of entertainment!
Not all is fun and games between this boy and his dogs. Xander discovered the joys of trying to poke Peanut in the eye. He also does this to mommy, but Peanut puts up with it more than me. Also, when Copper is trying to sleep, there is some kind of gravitational force that compels Xander to go tackle her. Poor girl keeps getting up and trying to sleep somewhere else, but he keeps following her around. I suppose its a bit fair though given how many times they knock him over.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Recovering from influenza
OK, it's official, Xander was diagnosed with the flu yesterday. I can only assume that I also was sick with the same thing, but I didn't bother to deal with a separate doctors appointment.
On Wednesday, his teacher's called and said he wasn't really acting like himself. Since I was feeling sick, I figured he probably was too and made an appointment. Unfortunately, because he had no fever, the doctor wouldn't do anything. So, we went home. He was so miserable Wednesday night that I gave him some motrin for pain even though I couldn't tell what was hurting him.
He woke up Thursday morning with a fever so I took him in again. This time, the doctor was willing to do the flu test, which came back positive. So, we started him on Tamaflu. I have never used this product and I am really amazed. It has been really difficult to get him to take it because it tastes very bad, but it seems to have helped a lot. This morning, there was no fever and he seems to be acting normal. He still has a faucet of a runny noise and a cough, but seems to be feeling so much better.
Since we had the previous stomach illness last week, I'm not sure if this is all one illness or two separate viruses. Anyway, I'll be glad when this is all done with. Hopefully, daddy is not the next in line.
On Wednesday, his teacher's called and said he wasn't really acting like himself. Since I was feeling sick, I figured he probably was too and made an appointment. Unfortunately, because he had no fever, the doctor wouldn't do anything. So, we went home. He was so miserable Wednesday night that I gave him some motrin for pain even though I couldn't tell what was hurting him.
He woke up Thursday morning with a fever so I took him in again. This time, the doctor was willing to do the flu test, which came back positive. So, we started him on Tamaflu. I have never used this product and I am really amazed. It has been really difficult to get him to take it because it tastes very bad, but it seems to have helped a lot. This morning, there was no fever and he seems to be acting normal. He still has a faucet of a runny noise and a cough, but seems to be feeling so much better.
Since we had the previous stomach illness last week, I'm not sure if this is all one illness or two separate viruses. Anyway, I'll be glad when this is all done with. Hopefully, daddy is not the next in line.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Red Flying Around the Zoo
We had an awesome trip to the Austin Zoo today. We had never been before, but it turned out to be a great day to go. The high temperature was in the low 60s and it was overcast so we bundled up a bit.
On the way down to the zoo (it's quite a trip from our house), we stopped by the store and picked up a red flyer wagon. Here's a clip of Xander watching Dolphin assemble it in the back of the car so we could use it to ride around the zoo.
Xander liked his new wagon a lot. Not only did he like riding in it over the bumpy gravel, but he enjoyed pushing and pulling it. Here's a video clip of him and daddy pulling the wagon.
The zoo turned out to be small compared, for example, to the STL zoo. One cool thing is that about huge part of the zoo was filled with animals that you can feed: goats, sheep, alpacas, llamas, and deer. I tried to feed them all. I was too afraid to let Xander try because I wouldn't be able to get him to hold his hand right. I didn't want him to get bit. Xander didn't seem too interested anyway. The sweetest animal to feed was the deer. The ickiest was this llama below in the clip. It had these weird teeth sticking out.
There were plenty of farm animals including a rooster that we got to hear and pigs. Well, actually the pigs were pot bellied, which I don't think would really be on a farm. There were also plenty of exotic animals as well with the usual lions, tigers, and bears. I had to squeeze Xander a little bit tighter as we went past the lions and tigers. Ever since, I read about the SF zoo tiger escaping and killing some boys, I am a bit freaked out about large cats.
Both wagon and zoo turned out to be a big success. On the way home, Xander slept the whole way. We happened by a Hey Cupcake stand on the way home and had some marvelous treats. Yum! It was a great day!
On the way down to the zoo (it's quite a trip from our house), we stopped by the store and picked up a red flyer wagon. Here's a clip of Xander watching Dolphin assemble it in the back of the car so we could use it to ride around the zoo.
Xander liked his new wagon a lot. Not only did he like riding in it over the bumpy gravel, but he enjoyed pushing and pulling it. Here's a video clip of him and daddy pulling the wagon.
The zoo turned out to be small compared, for example, to the STL zoo. One cool thing is that about huge part of the zoo was filled with animals that you can feed: goats, sheep, alpacas, llamas, and deer. I tried to feed them all. I was too afraid to let Xander try because I wouldn't be able to get him to hold his hand right. I didn't want him to get bit. Xander didn't seem too interested anyway. The sweetest animal to feed was the deer. The ickiest was this llama below in the clip. It had these weird teeth sticking out.
There were plenty of farm animals including a rooster that we got to hear and pigs. Well, actually the pigs were pot bellied, which I don't think would really be on a farm. There were also plenty of exotic animals as well with the usual lions, tigers, and bears. I had to squeeze Xander a little bit tighter as we went past the lions and tigers. Ever since, I read about the SF zoo tiger escaping and killing some boys, I am a bit freaked out about large cats.
Both wagon and zoo turned out to be a big success. On the way home, Xander slept the whole way. We happened by a Hey Cupcake stand on the way home and had some marvelous treats. Yum! It was a great day!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Update on illness
Ok, so, it's looking like just another virus or bacterial infection going around and probably not a form of flu. A kid in Xander's class was diagnosed with pink eye and that is caused by a virus or bacteria. Apparently, in this case, something other than influenza. Xander seems to be doing a little better. Eating fairly well. He's still got a bit of a cough, and I hope that doesn't turn into an ear infection. No sign of pink eye yet, and let's hope that symptom doesn't show up.
Darn those nasty bugs! As I walked through Xander's school, every door had a little note posted to it as a warning to what contagious illness had just been diagnosed in that particular class. It's that sick time of year when kids are back and school. Then, they bring home the illness to their little brothers and sisters. Those kids pass it to Xander, and Xander passes to us! I think we are usually dead ends though because most of our interaction with other people is virtual. As far as I know, viruses haven't figured out how to cross that barrier yet. Otherwise, you, blog readers, are in trouble.
Darn those nasty bugs! As I walked through Xander's school, every door had a little note posted to it as a warning to what contagious illness had just been diagnosed in that particular class. It's that sick time of year when kids are back and school. Then, they bring home the illness to their little brothers and sisters. Those kids pass it to Xander, and Xander passes to us! I think we are usually dead ends though because most of our interaction with other people is virtual. As far as I know, viruses haven't figured out how to cross that barrier yet. Otherwise, you, blog readers, are in trouble.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Everybody sit
I was trying to keep Xander entertained the other day by having the dogs do tricks: down, sit, shake, and stand. After a while, I asked Xander "can you sit?" and did the sign for sit...the human ASL sign, not the dog gesture. He sat down and said sit. This ought to come in handy...assuming he listens!
Swine flu?
Not sure if it is swine flu or not, but our little bug has a bug. He's had a sniffly nose for a few weeks, nothing major. Then, a day or two ago, he started to cough a little.
Last night, he lost his appetite and wouldn't eat any dinner even though it was one of his favorite meals, ravioli with marinara sauce. He was a little extra crabby, and we couldn't figure out why. Then, right as Dolphin was putting him to bed, Xander threw up big time, and kept throwing up for a couple of hours. He made it through most of the night without throwing up, but he was moaning and miserable. BTW, yes, I did hold my hand out for him to throw up in...how's that mommy instinct for you!
In the morning, he threw up just one more time and hasn't since then. He nursing all day and eating a few bites of food, but his appetite for solid food yet is not really back yet.
Interestingly, he does not have a fever, which kind of makes me think it is not the flu. While he is more crabby than usual, he's not bed stricken or anything. He was playing most of the day, but just had a short fuse for grumpiness. That part doesn't sound very flu-like.
In addition, I'm getting a bit of a cold going, too, but it is very mild. So, who knows what we have. So far, it is not bad enough to merit either of us going to the doctor. Let's hope it stays that way.
Last night, he lost his appetite and wouldn't eat any dinner even though it was one of his favorite meals, ravioli with marinara sauce. He was a little extra crabby, and we couldn't figure out why. Then, right as Dolphin was putting him to bed, Xander threw up big time, and kept throwing up for a couple of hours. He made it through most of the night without throwing up, but he was moaning and miserable. BTW, yes, I did hold my hand out for him to throw up in...how's that mommy instinct for you!
In the morning, he threw up just one more time and hasn't since then. He nursing all day and eating a few bites of food, but his appetite for solid food yet is not really back yet.
Interestingly, he does not have a fever, which kind of makes me think it is not the flu. While he is more crabby than usual, he's not bed stricken or anything. He was playing most of the day, but just had a short fuse for grumpiness. That part doesn't sound very flu-like.
In addition, I'm getting a bit of a cold going, too, but it is very mild. So, who knows what we have. So far, it is not bad enough to merit either of us going to the doctor. Let's hope it stays that way.
Monday, October 5, 2009
So I think Xander can dance...
Xander is such a dancer! In the video above, he rocks out to a remix of the Killers' "Somebody told me".
This weekend, we were in Barnes and Noble. They were playing some kind of classical-ish guitar. Xander heard it and started spinning around in circles. He had his elbow held up in the air like he had an invisible partner that he was spinning with. He's already a better dancer that mommy.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
What to do on a rainy day...
We've been getting SO much rain the past week. I feel sorry for the folks who were at ACL this weekend. Although it would have been nice to go the park, we tried to make the most of our rainy weekend.
Today, after lunch, we had a huge down poor. Xander and I played a bit in the rain. Although, it was really warm outside, the water was really cold. After our puddling skipping, we dried off and I dressed Xander is this cute warm outfit. This doggy print outfit was one of our baby shower gifts that just now fits perfectly.
Inside, we played in the toy tunnel, took turns throwing balls for the dog, looked at books, played with every single toy at least once. What a bummer when there is no outside time!
Some more words...
Some words and sounds seem to be easier to learn than others. This morning, I was really impressed by Xander's ability to repeat back some words at breakfast. "Hot" and "eggs" sounded just like they were supposed to. One of the new words that Xander can use, in addition to repeat, is "up". He uses it if he wants to be picked up, but he also repeats it when he hears me say it in a phrase like "we need to put this up here".
Some words are harder though, when he is finished eating, he will say "da" or "ada" instead of "all done". His word for door is "doh," and his word for open is "op" plus some random constant sound. One of this favorite things, pushing buttons, comes out as "buh".
Even if he doesn't pronounce words clearly, he's finding many ways to communicate. He'll pull on me and make a face to get me to come play with him. He points at door handles when he wants to go outside to play. He'll run in the kitchen and point at the refrigerator or pantry when he wants something to eat.
It certainly it is getting easier for me when he can communicate what he wants. Of course, sometimes he wants something and can't have it, which results in a mini-meltdown. Those are the less fun moments.
Some words are harder though, when he is finished eating, he will say "da" or "ada" instead of "all done". His word for door is "doh," and his word for open is "op" plus some random constant sound. One of this favorite things, pushing buttons, comes out as "buh".
Even if he doesn't pronounce words clearly, he's finding many ways to communicate. He'll pull on me and make a face to get me to come play with him. He points at door handles when he wants to go outside to play. He'll run in the kitchen and point at the refrigerator or pantry when he wants something to eat.
It certainly it is getting easier for me when he can communicate what he wants. Of course, sometimes he wants something and can't have it, which results in a mini-meltdown. Those are the less fun moments.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
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