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We all knew Mom had been having issues with dementia, but I don't think even I knew how bad it was until this past weekend. When taken out of her comfort zone, she lost it. For the first time I think she realized it herself. It was a little scary, and a lot sad. She was okay at first, but when things got a little confusing it was like something cracled.

We went by train to see my sister and her daughter in Chicago. It was probly too short of a trip, up one day home the next. We were in and out of their apts, and she had a melt down. At first I just thought she was mad, but then she broke down crying that now she knew how her mom felt. I got her settled down and started getting our stuff together for our trip home. She found a small bag of my sisters and started filling it. She packed my sisters pictures, glasses, anything that wasn't nailed down, to help me. We left it and just took our own stuff. Once on the train she calmed down, but was still confused. She didn't know where we were, and kept trying to get off at each stop. We are home now, and she is back to her normal. In familiar surroundings, but now I realize things are worse than I thought.

老爸

老爸今年74，略微发福但是神清气爽。干了一辈子革命工作，管了一辈子的人，退休后居然能屈尊为我带孩子。估计我们小时候，她都没洗过尿布，没喂过奶，现在带着小外孙女，居然也有模有样。难为他了！：-P

老爸生了三个女儿，我们三个女儿又为他生了三个（现在是4个）外孙女。本来我生老大的时候，点燃了老爸要男孩的最后希望，茅台酒都准备好了，结果还是让他失望了。这次生老二，又是个丫头，在此打击了老爸。不过看来他也是被打击惯了，这次倒是没有上次反应那么大了。我也不好意思生第三个了。免得。。。。

最近老爸跟着我学炒股，可来劲了。每天九点开始盯盘，涨跌一分都激动得不了。不过每次都是涨一点就卖，卖了以后人家准时连着几个涨停。所以人送外号：卖了就涨！老爷子心态好，回了我一句：那也比买了就跌强吧！对于这样一个每月退休金只有1000多块的老人来说，跟着牛市赚点钱，真是开心呀！上个月入账一万多，这可了不得了。腰也直了，背也不驼了。老妈让他帮忙倒点水，人家来了句：我现在也是高薪一族！忙着呢！这两天大盘涨的太厉害，老人家是在怕了，口口声声说，清盘，我可不拿保命钱玩了。可昨天刚刚清盘，今天就忍不住要买了。说：不买点啥，没什么可惦记的，多闷呀！算了，就当花几万块钱，给老爸找个乐子吧！有个惦记的事，也不容易老年痴呆不是？

希望老爸永远开心！

5/23/07-Woke up at normal time. Ate all meals well, two time outs (one for not getting in his carseat and one for not following directions). Highlights of the day included a trip to the nursery to look at plants (smelled them, touched and felt differences in leaves, picked out a tomato to take home and plant). Then went to the duck pond and fed ducks (apprehensive at first, but then really enjoyed it and tried to throw bread as far as he could) and then took a small walk around the duck pond. Followed by going to the park to play and have a picnic. Played with sister or by himself at first, but after lunch some other kids came and he played and tried to interact with them. He dug in sand with a sand crane, climbed ladders/stepping stones (all by himself!), slides, played with a piano and also walked half the distance of a 6 ft long balance beam all by himself!

Earnedreward stickers for following directions at the nursery and the duck pond. When it was time to leave the park he ran away from me and told me no when I called him, so he didn't get a sticker and had to go in a time out when we got home. Had his rest time, and then we freeplayed and did some painting (foam brushes with water on aquadoodle mat). Also did some compression activities and he also did some heavy work at the duck pond (pushed sister in the stroller). Had a bath, played with squishy foam and had water play/bubbles. Went on a ride with Dad after dinner and was put in a time out when he got home for not following directions and getting in his carseat. Bedtime at normal time, fell asleep within 5 minutes.