Jack and Sam today

Jack

Jack went back to the Infectious Diseases department of Texas Children's Hospital today, and we got good news. Even though his fever isn't down, they said that it's positive he's not feeling any worse. That may not make much sense, so let me put it this way:

Jamie and I were worred about what might be wrong with Jack's immune system, because after five weeks he still has fever.

The ID groups said that it's amazing what's right with Jack's immune system, because he's far less sick than many kids with cat scratch disease. They said it's not uncommon for kids to be in the hospital for quite a while and receiving intravenous antibiotics to help them fight the bacteria. Jack hasn't needed that.

Bottom line: we feel much better today, although Jack is simmering as always. His lack of other symptoms and his general demeanor signal that his body is going to beat this thing on its own.

Samantha

Tonight was my turn to put her to bed, and she decided to read to me tonight, instead of the other way around. She chose "Guess How Much I Love You', a favorite of ours from about a year ago, although it's back in the reading rotation lately.

Get this... she didn't miss a single word. She can't read yet, of course, being 3 years old, but she had the entire book memorized precisely. She knew when to turn the page, and even when to look from the left page to the right page. Every noun, verb and inflection was right on. To illustrate my pride, I present the entire text of "Guess How Much I Love You', all in a single paragraph. This is what she recited from memory tonight (hopefully this isn't some kind of trademark violation):
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Little Nutbrown Hare, who was going to bed, held on tight to Big Nutbrown Hare's very long ears. He wanted to be sure that Big Nutbrown Hare was listening. Guess how much I love you, he said. Oh, I don't think I can guess that, said Big Nutbrown Hare. This much, said Little Nutbrown Hare, stretching out his arms as wide as they could go. Big Nutbrown Hare had even longer arms. But I love you this much, he said. Hmm, that is a lot, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. I love you as high as I can reach, said Little Nutbrown Hare. I love you as high as I can reach, said Big Nutbrown Hare. That is very high, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. I wish I had arms like that. Then Little Nutbrown Hare had a good idea. He tumbled upside down and reached up the tree trunk with his feet. I love you all the way up to my toes, he said. And I love you all the way up to your toes, said Big Nutbrown Hare, swinging him up over his head. I love you as high as I can hop, laughed Little Nutbrown Hare, bouncing up and down. But I love you as high as I can hop, smiled Big Nutbrown Hare -- and he hopped so high that his ears touched the branches above. That's good hopping, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. I wish I could hop like that. I love you all the way down the lane as far as the river, cried Little Nutbrown Hare. I love you across the river and over the hills, said Big Nutbrown Hare. That's very far, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. He was almost too sleepy to think anymore. Then he looked beyond the thornbushes, out into the big dark night. Nothing could be farther than the sky. I love you right up to the moon, he said, and closed his eyes. Oh, that's far, said Big Nutbrown Hare. That is very, very far. Big Nutbrown Hare settled Little Nutbrown Hare into his bed of leaves. He leaned over and kissed him good night. Then he lay down close by and whispered with a smile, I love you right up to the moon -- and back.

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