The Snowy Day

Christmas at the Zoo

Duplo?

LATCHES!

Vroom!
(Note the clever height mods - which lasted maybe 20 minutes.
He seems satisfied just to walk the bike for now.)


It's a... thing!

A merry Christmas was had by all. Hope your holiday was full of fun!

Cousins for Christmas

Monkey had a Christmas party with his cousins (first and second):

There was dancing:

Cookie-making:

and fort building:

And then a very messy pasta dinner. A good time was had by all.

It's Christmas Time in the City

He's With the Band

Last weekend we attended a local orchestra's holiday concert. Grandpa T just so happened to be playing in the French Horn section, and Monkey had a great time listening to the music and watching the all the different instruments. After the concert he even got to try some out! He knew just what to do:

King of the Snow Castle

We had a very merry trip to our local children's museum this week. Hope your days are similarly joyful and bright!

Feeling Better

Monkey, in Happier Days

Unfortunately, Monkey has had a rough week. It started with a runny nose and goopy eyes last Wednesday. By Friday, we were paying a visit to the local ER (doctors office was closed for the holiday) for croup, although of course he didn't cough or wheeze while he was there. This weekend we experienced coughing so violent as to empty his stomach (usually all over Mrs. Z), accompanied with a persistent little fever. A visit to our doctor's office today revealed that Monkey is experiencing one of the most unpleasant of childhood illnesses: his first ear infection. Despite our frequent doctor visits, this is his first antibiotic prescription. The doctor (not our regular Brilliant Pediatrician) was very impressed that he made it to 17 months before reaching either of these milestones.

Monkey was 18 lbs, 6 oz today, which was quite impressive given this week's events. We are officially done investigating his slow growth as none of the experts have found any reason for it other than he is very busy. He will continue with his Axid, Pediasure and high calorie diet and that will be that. If in a year or so he still isn't growing, we have the option to follow up with the endocrinologists for additional hormonal testing if we feel that it is necessary.

Let's just say we don't usually leave a doctor's office feeling as confident and impressed with Monkey's health and well-being as we did today. It's a nice change, even if he is a very sad and sick little Monkey right now. We know he'll be feeling better soon.

Playdate #2

Our second playdate of the day was with Mrs. Z's friends and all of their lovely kiddos, some from as far away as San Diego! It was a big party: five tots aged 5 years to 6 months (and one little guy who will be born in the next few weeks!)

Playdate #1

Our first playdate of the day was with Cousin R at Grandma and Grandpa T's house:

Sunshine Day

Playing around at the park with Mrs. Z's new camera: