For anyone who has been wondering how Fraser's swim lessons are going, Keekey and Grandpa came to his lesson on Monday and look lots of pictures (see happy swimming Fraser at right) and a very cute video of Fraser practicing his dolphin jumps (which you can access through the Fraser Video's link on the far right). Overall he seems to enjoy the pool, although "floating" on his back still really seems to freak him out.

Keekey and Grandpa came to visit for the whole weekend before and, along with their camera, brought Fraser a whole bunch of new toys. The weather was beautiful (before this heat wave from hell hit) and Fraser had a great time crawling through his tunnel (almost), driving his car (sort of), swinging in his swing and going down his new slide. (There is also a great video of Fraser squealing with delight as Keekey sends him down the slide).

Also, for anyone who has been concerned for the past week, Fraser's doctor's appointment went very well. He did cry a little during his shots and when the nurse had to prick his thumb to get blood for his lead test, but overall he was a real trooper. Even the nurse commented on what a tough little guy he is. Fraser's pediatrician is also somewhat concerned about Fraser's verbal development at this point, particularly since he doesn't make the noise "mama" even in a non-specific way (figures that would be the sound he develops a mental block about). So, it looks like we'll be getting a visit from a developmental specialist soon who can help us determine if Fraser will need some structured early intervention. The doctor also had some of the results from Fraser's blood work, and it looks like his IGG 4 level is low. Basically this means that his body has trouble remembering an infection that he has already had, and therefore has a harder time fighting off the same infection when it comes around again. Since IGG 4 is only one IGG subgroup, there is some disagreement in the medical community about whether we should treat Fraser with low dose antibiotics at all times, or just wait for him to outgrow it. So it looks like we'll be getting a referral to an immunologist as well. Apparently Fraser and I are going to spend a lot of time in the next few months conversing with doctors.

The only problem we had at the doctor's appointment was after the finger prick. Fraser kept trying to chew the band aid off his finger and, aside from being concerned that he might swallow said band aid, I was horrified to discover that even the sight of Fraser's finger blood (smeared over his hand and around the side of his mouth) made me feel nauseous. I really really hope this is a side effect of my pregnancy because I am going to be in big trouble if I want to barf every time the poor kid skins his knee.

And speaking of pregnancy, I felt the baby (aka Kiwi) kick for the first time last night. The kicks weren't as hard as I remember Fraser's kicks being, but that may just be because I recognize them as kicks earlier in the pregnancy this time. Ironically, I felt the kicking just after Fraser kicked me in the side in his sleep. Apparently Kiwi does not intend to be pushed around by his/her older brother.