Antibiotic resistant parrot

Thanks to a recent bacterial infection of the ear and eye, Emmett channels his inner pharmacist and (with a little help) utters his most impressive words yet.  Cool party trick, just in time for the holiday season.

Irreversible damage

After a few days of barely being able to lift his head off the couch, Emmett seems to emerge victorious from his first illness of 2011.

Emmett's dad, however, notices some not-so-subtle changes to Emmett's response time while playing 'ball'. Dad reviews film from earlier in Emmett's career, and the effects of the seemingly routine daycare cold are obvious: Where once Emmett boasted an impressive save percentage, he can now only muster bloopers for the highlight reel.

(Grampa, it turns out, saw this coming... and outfitted Emmett for a sport that has no net.)

Another good yield from the viral driftnet

One otherwise quiet night this week, Emmett's parents listen to the heart-wrenching sounds of a dying kudu that has just been taken down by a pride of lions out on the savanna.

Crikey, that's no kudu. It's a pathetic Emmettilius stranmccannii who brought home the first malady of 2011. And moaned for hours about it.

Twenty-four hours later, not even a luxurious bubble bath can break his malaise. Woe is Emmett.

StranMcCann Shop of Horrors

Short list of potential 2010 Halloween costumes for Emmett:

1. Inflating-head Oenophile

2. Dwarf/Hobbit Hybrid

3. Pediatric Eye Infection (parents hide your children)

4. Blood-smeared Zombie*

* Smearing of blood may cause eye irritation. See costume option #3.

Six months old

Emmett bailed on his six month photo shoot today. With a low grade fever, sad eyes, flushed cheeks and drool dripping from his mouth, he and his mom opted to cuddle on the couch instead. Teething time. They would have stayed in their jammies all day, except that Emmett had his six month checkup with the doctor. On this milestone birthday, he weighed in at 16 pounds, 11 ounces, and measured 72cm long. Time for a new car seat...he is bustin' out of his bucket.

Emmett sniffs some salty snacks

Emmett's parents picked up a cold over Christmas, and by New Year's they had passed it along to Emmett. With advice from a HealthLink nurse, and assistance from Auntie Clare, they irrigated the little guy's nasal passages with sterilized saline solution.

"Gross!" everyone says.

Everyone, that is, except Emmett.