Medically Alex remains quite fragile. He still suffers from intermittent apneas, some of them quite serious. We have had quite a few scares that have landed us in hospital but I am learning to manage these episodes at home more. I am still desperately seeking answers on what is causing the apneas but so far no real luck. One thing that I am looking at is that it is some form of dysautonomia.

Alex just loves animals! His best friend is Jasmine, his golden retriever. Jassy shares everything with Alex they are inseparable. She is the first one he greets of a morning and they get up to all sorts of mischief together.

Billy Boy is his budgerigar and the latest addition to our menagerie. Alex revels in the times when we let Billy Boy out of his cage. It is a time to laugh at both the antics of a small boy and the bird. Unfortunately Jasmine feels that Billy Boy would make a lovely meal!

Alex also has a few "adopted" pets that live elsewhere. His aunt and cousins have numerous cats. Alex in particular loves "Baby". Baby was once a tiny kitten that is now rapidly growing. Bandit, Tosca and Shaggy are also targets of his affection. Alex enjoys nothing more but to go visiting and to sit with Baby or Bandit on his lap and pet them. I am not sure that they appreciate the attention though. Because of our respect for Jasmine we have not attempted to adopt any kittens at home.

His Aunt also has numerous frogs and Alex can often be found "leaping" around the floor calling "ribbit".

Alex is a very typical 3 year old. He laughs and enjoys life to the fullest. Outdoors he loves to run and climb and like most 3 year old boys knows no fear. We are fortunate to have a large yard for him to play in. He has his own swing set, climbing fort and sand pit. For his birthday Rotary gave him a toy ute and he can often be seen loading the back with his toy golf clubs and pedalling around the yard, usually with Jasmine following faithfully at his heels.

Indoors he loves cars, lego and videos. His all time favourite video is Bananas In Pyjamas, followed closely by Brum and Thomas The Tank Engine. In fact he is quite a Bananas fan if you had not already guessed. His bedroom is almost a shrine to these lovable ABC characters.

His speech and language are still delayed but he is making remarkable progress daily. At the moment he talks constantly even if its not always clear. He follows quite complex commands and is a real "imp". Today I told him to go and get his shoes out of the bathroom and not to feed the dog my toast on the way. He turned and laughed at me grabbed my toast gave it to the dog and went and got his shoes. Yes it is all worthwhile, Alex is my pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!!