It's RSV Now

Keira was tested positive for RSV this past week. It's a virus that can cause respiratory issues in babies - bronchiolitis and pneumonia, for example. Fortunately, she's got a mild case of it, so it's been manageable. She's been great through it all despite being congested and having a cough. We won't do anything differently other than treating her symptoms and making her as comfortable as possible. You really wouldn't know she's sick. She's got a fabulous attitude and disposition! Let's hope this is the worst of it. After the stomach/intestinal bug she had in Dec, I'm ready to be done with illnesses.

She's trying out some finger foods - puffs and now wagon wheels. Check out these photos. Clearly, she doesn't quite know what to do with the food - not yet, anyway. Maybe one day she'll get over the need to examine her food and will move on to actually eating it!

Here are some other fun photos.

She's always got a mischievous look on her face.

Modeling her Energizer Bunny outfit. Aunt Rachel sent this for Keira many months ago, but she's just now able to wear it.

Miss Laura at daycare says the Bunny is perfect for Keira b/c Keira keeps going and going and going...She's been this way since birth!

Keira's 8 Months Old

I can hardly believe that Keira is 8 months old. It has been quite the journey for Mark and me. Parenthood has definitely changed us, but for the better - excluding the lack of sleep, which is still getting better, by the way. I am amazed each and every day by the things that Keira is learning. Just in this last month she has taught herself to do so many things. She's actively crawling all over the place, she's eating and is starting some first finger foods, she's pulling herself up and standing on anything she can, she likes to make music and enjoys pounding the piano, playing on the xylophone, shaking rattles, she growls at us and we think she just might be trying to wave (or perhaps she just enjoys flapping her arms around)...This has been an amazing month for her and for us!

Phuong B. Nguyen Memorial Scholarship

This past Thursday our family awarded an Inver Hills Community College student a memorial scholarship in my Mom's honor. It was such an incredible way to remember her and her own educational endeavors while supporting the education of a deserving student. I said a few words on my family's behalf with Linh and Vinh by my side and my Dad sitting in the audience. It was difficult to get through as I choked up right at the start. In the end, I got through it and sharing our memories of my Mom felt great and I think those in the auditorium got a glimpse into the life she led. We also had the opportunity to meet the young man, Anthony Janos, who was awarded the scholarship. We think he is the perfect recipient, not only because he has done well academically, but b/c his long-term goal is to graduate from the Carlson School of Management with an MBA. Is it really a coincidence that I graduated from there with my MBA and Linh is the assoc director of recruiting and admissions for all the MBA programs associated with the school? I think not!! We like to think my Mom is finding subtle ways to remind us that she's still around and with us every day. We hope to find a way to make this memorial scholarship continue on in her honor for years to come.