2 Months Already!

[pictures below]

I have to say I can't remember my workweeks passing so fast!  As much as I'd like to say that it's because of all the obvious changes in my home life, but it's probably more because we're finally seeing an end to the major winter rush (worst infectious winter in a while, in my opinion). 

In any case, it makes David's changes all the more dramatic.  I'm still amazed at how tiny he looks in some of his early pictures.  He's 11 lb, as of last week's well visit: quite a bump from his original 6 lb 9 oz.  And of course his development's dandy.

Early on, I thought I'd have to force myself not to examine David.  I remembered one of the residents back at CHOC, Nivedita More, mentioned that she never placed a stethoscope on her own kids and, even then, I thought that would be something I would strive for.  Funny thing is, except for some pulse checking very early on, I can't imagine wanting to hear his heart or look in his eyes or check his tympanic membranes.  Of course, it's nice that he's been healthy all this time and I may change my mind and check for an ear infection if he cracks a fever, but somehow, that doesn't seem plausible.

The only big exception, though, is that I've been hyper-aware of his developmental milestones and have been itching to see him smile.  He seemed to do little more than eat and sleep.  Waking meant crying.

Almost on cue, the smiling began two weeks ago.  Laughter began shortly thereafter.  We were reminded to do tummy time by our pediatrician (another piece of evidence that I'm definitely not David's pediatrician) and he rolled within moments.

Yes, our David is hitting his 4-month milestones and, yes, I'm bragging. :)

Now, we're working on crib (bassinet) training: some days are better than others, but I'm sure I'll be proud of him about that, too.

Chapter Complete

I, like many people, am overcome with the news of the death of Osama bin Laden.  And it's not because it's a celebration of death, but because it seems to promise that the world will be a little safer when we wake up tomorrow morning.  One of the first things K said to me basically relayed hope that David may live in a safer world now.

I don't for a second think that Osama bin Laden is the root of all evil.  The damage he has done will be long-lasting: he has trained others and those will go on.  He has bred hate and, unfortunately, there has been plenty of fertile soil.

Instead, I see this victory as sign that we are getting the right cooperation from our allies, that we have infiltrated their network, that we can prevent future attacks, and that we can destroy their worldwide machine from the inside out.  At the same time, I hope and pray we can make the world safer by not allowing the world to fall in such disrepair through war, famine, and greed that this happens all over again.

May al Qaeda fall before our eyes.  Forever.