Because you asked nicely

I have blog block. Sure, stuff has been happening, most of it good, but I just can't seem to get it from my brain through my hands to the computer. So today I will do what I can to catch up.

"How's that eating thing coming along, anyway?"
We stopped giving Roxanne formula in her tube around Christmas. Last week, we stopped giving her water and medicine in her tube. Now everything that goes to her stomach must enter through her mouth. Her eating waxes and wanes, and she hasn't gained much over the last few months, but evidently, that's not terribly unusual. She's drinking better these days, so to answer another question, I don't think "drinking camp" is in her future. The short answer is that her eating is going great, especially when you consider we started to wean her off the tube only four months ago. I just wish she'd eat more and gain some weight.

Roxanne needs to be independent of her tube for at least three months before the doctors will consider removing it. Of course, we are very reluctant to go back to using the tube and start the clock over again, but if she gets too dehydrated or simply can't gain weight, then we will use it to keep her healthy. But she might get the tube out as early as May or June this year, if everything goes well. Yay!!

"Is she walking now, or what?"
Well, sort of. She can stand up independently, and will take a few steps without support if strongly motiviated, but most of the time, she still prefers to crawl or cruise, holding onto furniture, people, or walls. If that's walking, then yeah, she's walking. She's getting better at climbing, too. And opening drawers and stealing things, like my brush.

"Didn't you guys go to Florida?"
Yup, we were in Pensacola visiting my dad and his wife last weekend. Roxanne was a challenge on the plane. She doesn't want to sit still for 2 minutes, let alone 2 hours. Dan got his exercise wrestling her. He won.

Pensacola was sunny and wonderfully warm, a great break from "the F month," as Roxanne's pediatrician calls it. We all had a good time, especially Roxanne, who was showered with attention, and seemed to mature verbally in just a few days. Since we've returned, every time Roxanne sees a guy with grey hair, she points and says, "Pop-Pop!", what she calls her grandfather. I don't thinks she thinks it's actually HIM, but one of his kind.

Roxy has definately been working her cute vibe overtime, which is good, because she's starting to act more like a bossy toddler. All weekend, she wanted "bup" (up) "dnnn" (down) or "momo" (give me my Elmo). Most of her communication is in the form of commands. Great fun.

"Take me for a walk on the beach, lackey!"