Big Changes

Since February 11 Cindy is back at work. No gradual easing back into the job, unfortunately, but right back into a full week after 12 weeks of being home and taking care of Alex. The hardest part was not getting used to work again, however, but being away from Alex for such a long time. Because both Rob and Cindy are working, Alex is spending the morning and afternoons at daycare. The change was very easy on him. In stead of sitting at home, looking around, crying, eating and sleepiing, he is now at daycare, looking around, crying, eating and sleeping.

Our daily routine has changed drastically. On a typical day we get up at 5:45 am. Cindy feeds Alex while Rob gets dressed, and then Cindy gets dressed while Rob changes and dresses Alex. Cindy leaves to work at about 6:50, and Rob takes Alex to daycare about 20 minutes later. Rob gets to work a little before 8, and Cindy a little before 8:30, and they work until 4:30 pm and 5 pm, respectively. Rob picks Alex up from daycare, usually at about 5:15, and an hour later Cindy comes home (daycare closes at 6 pm, and if you are late picking your child up, you are charged one dollar per minute; hence Rob makes sure to leave sufficient time for traffic and other potential mishap). Cindy feeds Alex soon after she gets home, and a little later Rob cooks dinner. After the dishes are done there is usually a little time to relax, before Alex is fed again and put to bed at around 9:30 pm. That leaves less than half an hour before it is time to go to sleep. Often Alex sleeps through the night, but not always. If he wakes up in the middle of the night, first Rob tries to make him go back to sleep, and if that fails, Cindy feeds him, after which Alex usually falls asleep instantaneously.

Given this busy schedule, it has proven hard to find the time to update this website. However, we will continue to update this website frequently with new stories, pictures and movies. If you want to be informed when this website has been updated, send Rob an email, or send an email to webmaster@robandcindy.net.

Big Changes in Alex

Not only has Rob and Cindy's daily routine changed quite a bit, Alex has changed even more, as you can see from the two pictures below:

Dec 12, 2001 (3 weeks old)	Mar 3, 2002 (15 weeks old)

Tyrannosaurus Rex

Alex is getting stronger and stronger! He is very good with his head now, he can keep it up and maneuver it around with pretty good accuracy. His legs are also very strong, he can support his own body weight with no problem, and he actually seems to prefer being vertical on his own legs over being on his back. He is not very strong in his arms yet. He likes to wave his arms a little, and to make Tai-Chi-like motions with his fingers, but for the rest he is not too keen on using his arms yet. If he is on his stomach, he wiggles his legs, props up his butt with his legs, lifts his head, but he leaves his arms dangling on his side. Alex' emphasis on his legs and his head, and the lesser attention for his arms reminded Rob of a Tyrannosaurus Rex, with its strong legs and tiny arms... Of course, Alex is on his own schedule, and he will focus on his hands when he deems it is time for it.

Defeating the Common Cold

Rob and Cindy both came down with a pretty bad cold, with sore throats, lot of coughing, hoarse voices, stuffed noses, elevated temperature... the works! They were worried that Alex would follow the example set by his parents, and that he would catch the cold as well, but Alex put up a good defense and only suffered from a snuffly nose for about a week or so! This of course much to the relief of his parents, who were spared having to take care of a sick baby. For now...

...But Not a Mild Case of Bronchitis

Today, March 8, went to see his doctor for his first 'sick visit' (as opposed to the 'well visits' during which he is weighed, measured and inocculated). Alex has had a cough for the past few days, and we noticed that we could feel strange vibrations in his lungs. We thought it was a good idea to have him checked by the doctor. Fortunately for us, Cindy's parents are visiting, and they took him to see the doctor. This was especially convenient because Rob is in Madison (WI) at the moment. The doctor thinks that Alex has a mild case of viral bronchitis that just needs to run its course, and that no medication is required. The doctor also checked Alex's ears, which, fortunately, are not infected.

Changes to this Website in the Past Month

Mar 8Added a paragraph to this homepage about Alex's mild bronchitis.
Mar 4 Added 3 new pictures, added Reach out and Touch under first things, added Alex's head circumference chart, and added a closeup.
Feb 25 Added 4 new pictures, added Sucking on his Thumb under first things, updated his length, added a closeup.

Do you think you may have missed something? Check our list of previous homepages, or search this website.