Staceytown: 48 Weeks

So after a good 4-month run of healthiness, Josie was struck down by another virus this week. She had a fever Friday through Saturday, with a rash developing Friday that has almost cleared up today (Wednesday). I had thought her fussiness and fever was likely just due to teething, since she's drooling like crazy right now and about to cut her two upper teeth. But then it seemed it might be more than that with her rash and because she was basically inconsolable Friday night... as in, she was screaming and unable to fall asleep for hours, and only stopped screaming - and finally fell asleep - when Ryan stuck her in the carrier and went on a walk with her. Which worked well until she woke up again, and then he had to head back out in the middle of the night since she was screaming again :(

[Josie's arm rash]

She seemed to be doing a bit better over the weekend, but I took her to the pediatrician on Monday to see what was going on before sending her to daycare, and they confirmed that she has hand, foot, and mouth disease (note, this is different from hoof and mouth disease!). This is apparently a fairly common childhood virus, characterized by fever and a rash on the hands, feet, and mouth, although in Josie's case, she pretty much had spots all over (including the back of her throat - hence all the screaming), except her trunk. And I tell you what - I understand better now why she was so miserable on Friday. My fever started up right after we got back from the pediatrician's, and after getting up to 102 degrees within a couple of hours, with malaise and a sore throat too, I was definitely hurting on Monday. I've luckily avoided the rash for the most part (except for a couple of spots on my fingers and toes), but the last few days were no fun.... except it was nice to have this as my view when I was working from home this week:

[Listening to the ocean? No, just pushing her face against the mesh because she's silly]

[Josie hugging on my leg - super cute, but not conducive to working ;)]

In other news, Josie seems to be edging ever closer to mobility. She pulled herself to standing with the couch, and pulled herself to sitting with the bedrail (looking quite pleased with herself, too!). She also stood on her own for maybe 10 seconds this weekend, but then has been quite reluctant to even walk with holding onto one hand now - the kid knows what she likes, and that does not include falling down.

[Standing!]

[She does not seem as happy about her accomplishment as we were]

Josie's babbling seems more questioning now - most of what she has to say seems to end in a lilt, which makes her sound like she's saying "huh?" or "what?" all the time. She is still saying "mama" and "daddy" pretty indiscriminately, and possibly "baby" and "hi" too.

[Apparently, "mama" also can be used to address her hamper...?]

Miscellaneous cuteness: