I am astounded at how quickly Logan progresses all the time. Just reading back on what I wrote a couple weeks ago, I can see that Logan's communication skills have improved. For example, when Logan woke up from his nap today, he called out "Mommy. . . " I went in and he asked "Where's Da?" (partially with the sign for "where"). I hadn't yet had a chance to reply when he said "work"! When Logan and I go walking in the morning, Logan usually spends about twenty minutes looking through his picture books. As we walk I'll ask him where the X (clock, spoon, bear or whatever) is. He can point to lots and lots of words. His speaking skills improve daily too. Last week I was making him oatmeal for breakfast. He was getting upset so I asked if he wanted to look. "LOOK, LOOK" said Logan. Since then he's used the word "look" frequently. It seems that once he can say a word, it's often adopted right into his vocabulary.

This past month, we've also had a good turn of events with our discipline methods. We've been using "1,2,3 Magic" in combination with LOTS of praise for the things he does right/well, pointing out when he is helpful, uses good manners, did a good job putting on his shoes or whatever. When he's hitting (throwing, doing something he shouldn't) we'll say "That's 1" without emotion. If he continues, "That's 2." And if he still hasn't stopped, "That's 3. Take 5." He then is put into time out (in the bedroom or in the corner). Almost immediately he began to catch on. Often now when we say, "That's 1." Logan will say, "NOOOooooo. . . " with great desperation in his voice and stop his behavior. What a great thing to have a method that *works* on these toddler tantrums! Of course, we know not all kids would respond to this method, but we're very happy to have found something that works for us!! :)

Here are a few of the highlights from this past month:

March 23 -- Logan woke up not feeling well. He threw up for a couple of hours and had a temperature between 101 and 103 degrees all day. Luckily, it was a one-day sickness and he bounced back quickly!

March 27 -- Easter: We decorated eggs and met friends at the Telegraph station for a picnic and Easter egg hunt.

April 1 -- We went camping with friends along a dry river bed outbush. We had the good fortune to see the fiery re-entry (and break up) of a Russian Proton K rocket body hull that was launched two days earlier. It was a spectacular fireworks scene that went from one end of the horizon, right over top of us and disappeared at the other horizon. Anyway, the weather was so nice and we had such a good time that Tony took Logan out for another night. Liesl took the opportunity to sack out from 4pm until 7am! Tony and Logan weren't so fortunate -- as the night was hot and muggy. They sweated and slept fitfully all night. The next morning Tony took Logan to the town pool where they finally cooled off!

April 4 -- Liesl started teaching her Modern American History Class (an upper level class). It ends in July and then she'll take time off until sometime after the baby is born.

April 7 -- Our friend Kristin had a baby boy!

April 15 -- Liesl and Logan spent a night out-- We went swimming, fed the wallabies, and spent the next morning at the Desert Park. Tony had some time to himself for the first time in MONTHS!!

April 22 -- Logan got his first bike helmet. We all went out on a bike ride with Logan in the bike trailer behind. We road to Sammy's Pizza which has a climbing gym for kids. We all had a great time!

On a different note, Liesl felt the baby move for the first time a couple weeks ago (April 7). That was VERY early on (roughly 14 weeks into the pregnancy). It lasted about ten minutes and was in one localized spot on my right. VERY cool! Everything seems to be progressing well. I'm not as tired and never did have any morning sickness. I'm into maternity clothes now, but mostly because I have a very large scar that is irritated by clothing (with an expanding midriff, it's just more comfortable to wear looser pants!) We won't know the gender until June or so, but are looking forward to finding out!