Here's the buzz

Yesterday was the annual trunk or treat extravaganza for the Santa Monica stake. We decided that we had better start practicing being involved, because apparently when you have kids, you no longer have a choice.

Lex was the cutest bee in the crowd, and she was more than intrigued as she watched all the kids run around in their colorful costumes. In fact, she took one look at batman's perfect cardboard abs, and let's just say that David is no longer the only man in her life.
To sum the evening up: she thought Tinkerbell was slightly flighty, she wanted to tickle Elmo, the dinosaurs told her they were too old for her, she thought Superman was a little two-faced, and she was not sure why everyone was so impressed with the pirates little booty.

David was very excited to walk her around to the trunks and collect candy. She had no idea what was going on, but that was hardly noticeable to those handing out the treats. I finally caught on to the genius of the whole situation as car after car all anyone asked David was, "what's your favorite?" At least we weren't transparent in our intentions....

Once home we did a careful inspection of her loot - letting her be involved in the process of course. Sadly, there were defects in all her candy, and for her own good Mom and Dad had to confiscate everything. I guess she will have to wait one more year before she can fully enjoy all that Halloween has to offer.

One month to go

As many know, we decided shortly after Lexi's birth that we were not going to give her sugar until her first birthday. It has been a temptation at times - more so when grandparents are around - but, miraculously she has survived 11 months sugar free. I think a lot of her success can be attributed to the support group and 12 step program.

I have no doubt that once sugar and chocolate are introduced, she is not going to need a great deal of coaxing concerning whether or not she likes it... I'm certain it runs in the family. However, David sat Lex down and explained to her than her birthday is coming up, but she can't have any of her cake unless she learns to properly brush her teeth. Tough break kid, guess that means more cake for Mom - that's what happens when your Dad is a dentist - he he he ... ocd dds.

She took this heart-to-heart seriously and makes time daily to practice. As parents we are learning to pick our battles. My question is: why David picked brushing teeth. It's not like it would be helpful for me if she could change her own diaper, get herself dressed, or even drink milk out of the carton like everyone else.

Amber alert

I'm not sure where she gets it, but Lex is what you would call an explorer. She is captivated by seeing new things, going new places, and meeting new people. I can already tell she is going to be one of those kids who takes apart the toaster to see how it works, and is knee deep in another project before remembering to put it back together. (sound familiar Matt?)

Shortly after learning to crawl, Lew decided it was time to explore the outside world. Here in Cali the weather is fairly predictable: blue skies, breeze off the ocean, 75 degrees. Often, due to these harsh weather conditions, I leave the door and windows open, so that we don't have the air conditioner running all day.

On one such day, as I was trying to cook dinner, I suddenly noticed that the house was far too quiet: red flag 1. Thinking nothing of it, I called Lexi's name and listened for the sounds of her shuffling away from whatever she was doing, that she wasn't supposed to be doing. Nothing happened: red flag 2.
I quickly pulled my hands out of the raw chicken and looked around the house... still no sign of David Copperfield. I looked outside the door, to cover all my bases, but told myself she wasn't near fast enough to get further than right outside the door, so no need to check around the corner: red flag 3.

I was fairly certain that in order to file a missing persons report I would have to tell the police that I did in fact leave the house to look for her, I decided to check all the hallways. Wouldn't you know, as I turned the corner, there she was just reaching the top of the stairs. As my heart stopped and I yelled her name - she thought it was a game to have mom running towards her, and broke out in grins and giggles as she started down head first. I grabbed her just as she started down, and she got a nice parting gift from the top stair as her cheek connected.

That night when David got home and I retold the story, he was pretty unsettled by the whole ordeal. He had a lot of questions about what had happened. The first as I recall being, "Do you have any idea how dangerous raw chicken can be? You washed your hands right?"

Where have you been

Its been a while, so here's what's going on...

David
Is back in the swing of all things dental. He is really enjoying the chance to be in the clinic, and have patients to call his own - what we're looking for next, is patience with patients. At the clinic, there are 2 appointments possible each day: 9AM-12 and 2PM-5; with class lectures at 8AM and 1PM. On Fridays the clinic is not open, so he is in lectures all day.
With this great new schedule, he is usually able to make it home in time to see Lex for about an hour before bed. He is hard at work on research projects and other extra curricular activities; so make no mistake, he is still crazy busy. Even though UCLA is pass/fail, things are incredibly competitive.
He has also recently taken up swimming. There is a nice lap pool on campus that he uses. He is trying to get me to join him, but the mental image of him doing the butterfly stroke supplies me with all the workout I need.

Me
I am currently working very hard at trying to make my daily schedule sound exhausting and important. So hard that, in fact I think I'd better take a break and get some water before I pass out. Ah, better.
I am still getting the family cookbook together - my partner in crime is holding me back a little. Not to name names of course, but you know who you are and what you did (or aren't doing really). It is coming together nicely, and I have taken the chance to try out a few of the recipes. In fact, now that I have all the recipes - which was what I really wanted in the first place - I'm not feeling the need to rush. Again, may need another break here quick...
My day consists of trying to anticipate the mind of an 11 month old - sounds easy, right? Ya, go ahead and give it a try. I'd be willing to bet a large sum of money the "easy" assumption would lose - however, if by some chance I lose the bet my money only comes in red...

Lexi
Now for the main attraction. Tomorrow marks Lexi being 11 months old. I honestly can not believe how quickly the past year has gone... it feels like just yesterday that I was cussing not being able to see my toes, having a bowling ball permanently attached to my stomach, and drinking caster oil to make it all end! She is finally back on a sleep schedule - and once again sleeping through the night. I swear 3 months of teething were almost more than I could bear. Seriously, so she had teeth ripping through her gums in 6 places - does that mean we all have to be miserable?!
She eats anything she can get her hands on. That includes both edible and non... More than once a day I find myself shoving my finger in her mouth to retrieve something. As I was cleaning the bathroom recently, she took the liberty of washing her own mouth out with my face soap. Masochist or self-starter... tomAto - tomato.
She continues to grow up, but not so much out. I think that she will be crawling till she's about 2, because right now she shows no signs of realizing she is not a puppy. She is still incredibly social - and is able to smile pretty much on command. I think she is destined for the big screen, cause she can't get enough of herself.
She has an appointment with Dr. Jones (her hand surgeon) in November. At which time, we'll plan the first surgery. Everything with Dr. Jones has worked out better than we could have expected or hoped. The new hospital he is at will accept our medical insurance (where UCLA would not have if he'd stayed)... so we feel very blessed that it has worked to have a world renowned surgeon doing the work pretty much for nothing.

I think that about sums up how things are going around here. But, give me time, and I'm sure I can come up with something else...

Hot Headed

Lex woke up with a fever yesterday. She peaked at about 105, but stayed around 102-103 for most of the day and night. This morning her temperature has dropped by a half a degree (102.2); so, that's a start. I think that because there are no other symptoms, this is just another joy of teething. I was hoping that since her sleeping is getting back on track, the side effects of teething were behind us, but looks like I may have been wrong.

Ways that this experience has changed Lexi's life: Poor kid is now afraid of the bathtub because her last 3 trips there have been cold. She is surprisingly unaffected when I shove the thermometer up - you know where - to get her temperature. And, she is now addicted to grape flavored Tylenol. On the up side, this has greatly increased her desire to cuddle. She wants nothing more than to lay her head on a willing shoulder, and refuses to sleep alone.

Her fever is very timely, as LA is in the middle of an abnormally hot spell... perfect cuddling weather. See prayers are answered... and, there is a sense of humor involved.