Oliver's been so darn cute lately, Brian was about to have a conniption fit if I didn't start documenting his cuteness. Oliver's been sick, for one, which always gives my kids that endearing, helpless, cuddly quality I find so irresistible, at least most of the time. He's got some sort of viral respiratory thing -- bronchialitis is what they're calling it. He's been pretty miserable -- bad cough, fever, runny nose, labored breathing, you name it. Last night, he said to me pitifully, "Mommy, you need to change my batteries -- I'm broken."

This evening at bedtime, he had to position me just so -- my arm over his head, my shoulder by his ear, his face snuggled into my neck. I said, "You're such a sweet Oliver," and he replied, "You're such a sweet Mommy." He was just so obviously where he wanted to be, with me. As I walked out of his room, he started singing Ring Around the Rosey with his little lisp: Ring around the rosey, pocket full of posies, asses, asses, we all fall down!"