Sick baby on the mend

As some of you have heard, poor Thomas has been quite sick these last few days. We can't be sure, but the odds are that he has been experiencing H1N1 (since it is the only flu going around these parts). Anyhow, it has been tough for the whole family, most of all Thomas.

I'm happy to report, however, that he's doing better this evening. In fact, he has transitioned from "grateful not to be miserable" to "I want to be outside and watch big machines". And so that's exactly what we did ("... Heaven - I'm in heaven ...").

Still a ways to go before we declare this episode over, but for now it's a relief to be taking another step in the right direction.

Worth a thousand words

One of Thomas' first words was "mess" and he has occasion to use it quite often. Usually we're philosophical about it, but sometimes it's just too much.

Empathy

I am seriously in love with the daily "report cards" from Thomas's daycare. They tell us what he ate, when he slept, what he did, what he liked - so much information on one little half-sheet of paper. But no matter how much I treasure the written word, sometimes there's nothing like a conversation - like today when Miss Tally (Thomas's favourite daycare provider) handed me the report card and then said, "OH, I totally forgot to write down that Thomas has begun showing empathy."

I have to admit I was puzzled. "He has?" I mean, sure when he was a baby he cried when he heard other babies crying, but lately most of his interactions with other toddlers involves bashing them in the head with trucks.

"Oh yes," reassured Miss Tally, "It's so sweet. If one of the other kids is crying he goes over to them and hugs them, and sometimes we find him patting one of them to sleep."

My boy?! I am bursting with pride. I can't believe he's old enough to show empathy!