Tid Bits from the week

* Katerina received four shots this week including her first of two flu shots. After her first vaccination run, she ran a very high fever so we expected the worst after the last one and this one. Nothing at all. I hate watching her get shots and cry but obviously it's for her best. She also got a xylophone as her toy for this set of shots.

* I get a bit disappointed when people do not say "hi" back to Katerina at the mall or when we are out. She is a very outgoing little girl. She says "hi" to just about anyone. When people do not hear that is one thing. But when they do and ignore it, I feel kind of sad for Katerina.

* We got to play outside today as the weather was so nice. Into the 60s which was needed for me. I had been a bit ill this past week so I needed the fresh air. Katerina loved going for a ride in her wagon and playing on the slide.

* We are preparing for Christmas which will be very big. While Katerina will only be 22 months old, and next year's will probably be cooler for her, but her first with us will be big nonetheless. Lots of books, puzzles, toys, etc. Our little girl will be spoiled for at least a little while (probably much longer than that by her dad).

* This would make a few of my friends happy from my past job at the American Hockey League. While watching the Bruins lose in a shoot out to the Blues, Kelly decided she would be okay with Katerina playing Hockey. I shudder at living the hockey parent life style. Maybe we will stick to soccer ha ha!

Randy & Maggie have a great day tomorrow - Katerina has a tough day ahead tomorrow

Congrats to our friends Randy, Maggie and little P who will finally be together tomorrow and on their last step in Russia before coming home a brand new family!!! A very good day indeed. From my blog I notice the weather even looks decent in Moscow right now. Even a bit warmer than in New England. Good luck and I hope you guys are able to take in some sights while you are there.

Katerina, on the other hand, had a tough day tomorrow. She gets the last of her immunizations for awhile and also gets a flu shot. She has a cold right now as does Dad thanks to her. So I guess as good a time as any for her to get these shots. That being said, her cold which entails stuffy and runny nose has not effected her otherwise. Still acting the same as she always does. I wish I could the same for me. I catch her cold and it hits me much harder than her: lucky little girl.

Tough Day for Katerina

It has been a few days since I posted. I apologize. The jet lag and looking after little Kat has me quite tired. My sleep patterns are atrocious and annoying. I can;t wait to get back to my normal sleep pattern and then have that interrupted by Katerina. She is sleeping through the night and has nothing to do with my horrendous sleep.

Now enough of about me because no one cares about me. Katerina is the important one. We brought her for a check up today. Was a tough day for the little tyke. She received four shots plus the Tb test (I always forget the actual name...ddp or something like that). Then we needed blood drawn and Kelly and I agreed it was better to get it all out of the way at once rather than spread it out over multiple days. So we went to the lab which had a difficult time with her little arms. Although it only took two tries, I was getting annoyed watching them move the needle from side to side and in and out while attempting to find a vein. Katerina was screaming and I just felt so bad for her. I hate knowing I am helpless to help with a bad situation. I would assume all parents feel this way. The great thing about Kat is that a half hour later she was back to normal and smiling, although a little tired.

This did however lead to a first for Katerina. As a reward for her bravery, she got her first soft serve ice cream. And boy did she like it. She was licking mine while in the car and then ate half of the kiddy cup we got her when we got home. While in Russia she was never fed any sweets or anything cold. So this was a double first. She probably can't believe what she was missing.

I suspect she will be sore tomorrow in her legs where she received the vaccinations and in the arms from the blood draws but at least we will be able to have everything done for now. Her next vaccination as part of the MMR will not be needed until she is four years old.

Most importantly, the doctor was quite nice and every thing seemed fine health-wise although there are a few follow ups we have to do. We also learned she is a petite gal (short and light) for her age. Although this could be genetics but the weight could be a orphanage thing as well.