Ear Infections on the mend

After 5 full days on Augmentin, Brian is returning to his former, happy self. Weeks of fussiness from his milk allergy/sensitivity were followed by a nasty cold that led to bronchitis and double ear infections. But now, he's smiling and babbling once again, and is beginning to talk and walk with great zeal. He's growing more and more confident in his ability to stay upright while moving, and he now walks more than he crawls. Today, we purchased his first pair of real "walking shoes", traveling almost an hour from home to maintain tradition, buying his shoes at the same store where all three girls went for their very first shoe fitting. He's now finding that it's a bit more difficult to walk with clunky white shoes on his feet, and he took quite a few tumbles before he got the hang of lifting his heavy feet up a bit higher with each step.

He has lots of party tricks, too. He can appropriately answer the question "Brian, where's your hair?" by touching his head, he gives a loud growl in response to "Brian, what does a dinosaur say?", and he boisterously shouts "HI!" when someone walks in the door. We're all enjoying this fun time with him.

Thank goodness for antibiotics. It's a happy household once again.

Happy Birthday, Beth!

Seven years? SEVEN YEARS?! How can seven years have passed since you entered our life, Beth? You're growing into such a happy, friendly, competent little girl. Daddy and I are so very, very proud of all that you have accomplished. You're never afraid to try something new, whether it's joining the choir with all the big kids, or competing on the gymnastics team with athletes so much older than you. You're reading like a champ, and making so many friends at school. We're right behind you, applauding all your accomplishments. Congratulations on your big day! Happy Seventh Birthday!!

Off He Goes

Brian is finally walking.

I mean really, really walking. He is so very proud of his new skill, and he pads around the kitchen floor, hands held up for support, smiling and babbling away. The girls are still in awe, and each time he walks into the room, they shriek, "Brian's walking! Look! Brian's walking!" At times, their exuberance frightens Brian, causing him to wobble and fall, so I'm trying to gently remind them that Brian will probably be walking all the time now, and therefore there's no longer any reason to shout each time he toddles by.

But, I know exactly how they feel. Each time he walks by, I feel a surge of pride, and want to grab him into a hug and praise him for his efforts. Watching a baby move from those first wobbly, unstable steps to real, steady walking is such an amazing thing. I remember marveling as each one of the girls began to walk, and it's no less incredible to me now, with baby number four. One year ago, he was a little two-month-old bundle, and now he's on his feet, playing with his toys, and laughing with his sisters. Truly amazing.

He's talking a bit, too. Today, when I handed him his Thomas-The-Tank-Engine sippy cup filled with juice, he broke into a broad smile. "AHHH!", he screeched. "CUP"!

We all stared at him in shock.

"Did he say 'cup'"? asked Amy in amazement.

I believe he did. And his adoring fans cheered and clapped.

I think we're going to be doing a lot of cheering in the days to come. Brian's coming into his own. Congratulations, little man!