Tooth number seventeen is half way in and all the way through the gum. So when Simon spent time throughout last night crying we went in to check on him and felt a sharp bump under the gum on the upper left side (directly above tooth number seventeen). In addition to all the symptoms of tooth number seventeen (runny nose, watery eyes, sleeplessness, irritability, pain), tooth number eighteen has the audacity to provide Simon with diarrhea. Because of that unpleasant turn of events, Simon ended up with diaper rash. Earlier in the day he slipped and bit open his lip, and later he snapped two tight rubber bands around two of his knuckles causing them to inflame, and wondered several times, "Where's Mike?"

Despite his suffering, most of the time Simon continues to be adorable and fun and incredibly silly. He entertained himself and the "Feefadders" (Grandparents' Kagle) yesterday during a video conference by yelling words into the microphone and collapsing into giggles when he heard his echo: "bugs!" (giggle giggle giggle) "fire!" (giggle giggle giggle) "stars!" (giggle giggle giggle) "pumpkin!" (giggle giggle giggle). We also played "Costco" yesterday; Simon gave Mommy a piece of paper and then directed Mommy to "Take it to Simon." To make things even better we actually took him to Costco where he was able to give the receipt to the person at the door who drew a smiley face on it (per the Costco way). Costco is high on the list of Simon's favorite places (we imagine it is because of the free snacks).

Simon is back in school today and after five mostly toddler-free days, he seemed eager to return.