Debbie's Diary Entries Diary Navigation: Choose A Diary Entry -------------------- Latest Entry: 1/3/01 -------------------- 11/15/00 10/30/00 9/20/00 8/9/00 7/26/00 7/5/00 6/21/00 5/31/00 5/10/00 4/26/00 4/19/00 4/5/00 3/29/00 3/15/00 3/1/00 2/9/00 1/26/00 1/18/00 1/5/00 -------------------- Debbie's Introduction

March 15, 2000

Hello everyone, I know it's been awhile since we've checked in, but as usual our lives are so busy. Of course, we are not too busy to start taking advantage of the recent mild weather, so we get outside with Nathan as often as possible. It's so neat to watch him enjoy the outdoors. Last summer we always had him in the stroller because he couldn't walk very well yet. Also, when we put him in the baby swings at the park last summer sometimes he liked it but sometimes he was just terrified. This year he's been walking around outside on the sidewalk, but more so on the grass, and he's loving it. We can't wait until they complete the renovations to the park so we can see how he tolerates the swings this year!

As long as I'm talking about summer fun, there is a subject that worries me. Recently on an Oprah show I saw the stories of parents whose children became ill (one even died) after becoming infected with the E-coli virus. These children contacted the disease from being in public pools that were contaminated. Not only did I sympathize with the parents, but I now have a heightened sense of concern for my own little one. Last summer we did take Nathan to a couple of different public pools and he really seemed to enjoy playing in the water. Of course, this summer we were looking forward to doing more of the same, but now I don't think that's going to happen. Rich and I think the solution might be to buy one of those portable backyard pools and let him splash around in that until he's old enough to understand how to be safe in the water (i.e. don't swallow the water). That's the route we're going to take for now... still, I'm sad that he'll have to miss out on the fun of being at a public pool with lots of other kids. But we're not willing to take the risk.

On a lighter note, our little Nathan continues to babble pretty much all day every day. The difference now is that he even throws in a couple of words here and there. His most favorite phrase right now is "oh no," which he says randomly regardless of the situation. He also likes to point to body parts. He's got "nose" down pat, now we are working on "eyes." All in all, it's nothing but pure joy to watch him discover new things everyday. Some days can be quite frustrating, and then I wonder whether I should go back to work. But most days are a lot of fun and I know I wouldn't want to miss out on his journey for anything in the world.

Oh well, time for Barney. Talk to you all next time,

Nathan, Debbie and Rich