We had a visit to CHOA again this past Wednesday, and, as usual, it was a good visit. They continue to be pleased with Ian's growth and development. He showed good weight gain, which we were concerned about since he has stopped drinking milk (more on that in a moment). Ian was a great traveller, but he's certainly eaten better (more on that, too, in a moment). He is typically exhausted when we come out of our appointments because it is right smack dab in the middle of his naptime. He fell asleep about five minutes after we got on I-85, and slept until Gaffney, SC (which is over two hours driving time).

More on the milk situation. We have taken away the bottle, finally, and that was how he was drinking milk. Since that moment, he will not drink milk no matter what we try. The doctors have said that it is a matter of time before he gives in, but I'm not so sure at times. He has his mother's stubbornness (because I am obviously completely innocent of being stubborn). He loves yogurt and cheese, however... so much so that we cannot use those words in front of him. To offset this small problem, we use the czech word for cheese (syr - pronounces 'sear'), and have to substitute goy for yogurt because the czech word is the same as english.

Most times Ian is a pretty good eater. For example, last night he ate two full pieces of cheese pizza (see, the cheese strikes again!). He does not, however, do well in restaurants. On the way home, we stopped at the Arby's in Gaffney and got him a junior roast beef sandwich. The little stink ate the top bun, but wouldn't touch the roast beef. Why is that people tend to leave behind the best stuff at times?

We live in the southwest part of Virginia, about 15 minutes from Virginia Tech (my wife and I both completed degrees at Tech). We are saddened by the events that transpired this past Monday. Our prayers go to the victims, survivors, and families. My father-in-law is a professor at Tech and Elaine and I both know many people associated with the school. This is one of those things that is incomprehensible to me, and when it is in your backyard and at a place familiar to you, it becomes surreal and almost dreamlike. Again, our prayers of faith and for healing go to all those affected by this tragedy.