Reading today: Soon I will read homework for my grad class.
Music today: The dance mix I burned for Roman
TV today: Survivor is on at 8pm!
-----------------------------------

Willy Wonka... or imagination, if you'd like to call it. It made a quick visit in the living room this morning. We have animal puppets that we play with Roman, but he always reacts to them - never plays with them. Today I had the skunk on my hand and Roman was kissing it... then he pulled out the fox and actually put it on his own hand! Let me tell you, this is a huge step. Then he bent over and kissed the skunk again, and then held out the fox to my face - he wanted me to kiss the fox! I did, and he giggled. Then he hit the skunk with the fox... then got bored and grabbed a book. But STILL... he's initiating his own play some more.

He also chose this morning to stay upstairs and play in the living room, rather than go back to the basement after breakfast. This is a HUGE step, because he always wants to watch Blue after breakfast.

We had to go to the doctor today for two reasons: 1) our last Hib shot (meningitis prevention) and 2) cough lasting 2 weeks and congestion also. Some back story: when we first began to take Roman to the doctor, he didn't really mind. He loved the doctor, he laughed and giggled, he allowed the men to look in his ears, eyes, etc., and didn't even cry the first few shots. No reactions. Dr. told me today that Roman's behavior actually worried him at first, because of what he must have been put through in Russia. Today, however, the Dr. was happy to see Roman's reaction - he HATED the visit. The ears got us cranky, the nose upset us, and the eyes and throat made us SCREAM! Tears streaming down Roman's face, out of control yelling. I felt so bad!

During the rest time in-between (before the shot) Roman kept grabbing my hand and trying to pull me to the door, so we could leave. When the shot came, he was very cautious - and then he jumped when the needle went in and the tears and screaming started again! It was so traumatic, he fell asleep in the umbrella stroller soon after; he has never done that before because he loves being out and about!

Diagnosis: Seasonal rhinitis (allergies). Keep a close watch over the next couple years, he will probably develop seasonal allergies. Treat with pediatric antihistamine / cold remedies.
HEIGHT: 31 inches (I don't believe them, I think he's taller).
WEIGHT: 26.5 pounds.
GROWTH CURVE: Almost 50th percentile.
OTHER: Ears are both clear for the first time since we arrived in April. Dr. pleased with development. We're watching language. Won't hurt him to continue with bottle as long as he drinks it. As for sleeping, or lack of it recently - welcome to parenthood!