It has been a very busy week for us.  I've been running around trying to tie up loose ends before Alex and I go and visit the grandparents.  I'm really looking forward to seeing Mom and Pop, and I know they will be so happy to see Alex and how much he has grown.  The last time they saw him was at his 1st birthday.  Now he is 16 months old and running around the house causing mischeif.  He has this giant playpen in the living room, that I occassionaly straighten out between the couches to give him more room to roam.  He has figured out how to escape though.  No matter what I put between the barrier and the couch, he removes, or pushes out of the way, moves the gate and sneaks out.  Since I'm always sitting in the room when I separate the joints of the playpen, I always catch him performing his 'David Copperfield' act.  Sometimes he spys me watching him, squeels and runs back into the play area and puts the gate back into its original position.  This kid is smart.  I'll have to be on my toes when he is older, as he'll probably take the car out and put it back in the garage in the exact same position.  Ha, ha, ha.  Joke is on me.  Alex is a handful, but a very good baby by all standards.  Believe me, I've seen much worse in the mall!

Alex has an excellent short and long-term memory, and can pay attention for long periods of time.  Much longer than most children his age.  Guess I don't have to worry if he might have inherited Mike's A.D.D.!  Sometimes I wonder what he'll like to do when he's older - will he be gifted in music like Mike? Or will he prefer to play sports like his mommy?  Will he excel in math & science, or history & english class?  Guess we will have to wait and see!  Hopefully he will find something that he really enjoys doing.