second act

Reese and I took a little visit to the ENT yesterday. Sweet boy is still being plagued by ear problems, and his frustrated Mama has had enough.

Our ENT is a super nice guy, very aware of my anxiety issues, and great with Reese. He has two sons, one of whom is Reese’s age. It also doesn’t hurt that I work with his Mom. We talked for a long time about Reese’s situation and our options moving forward. He checked Reese’s ears and found that the right ear was completely plugged with mucus. Because of the plug, the antibiotic drops we have been using aren’t able to reach the infection, hence why we are now back on an oral antibiotic. The tubes are still in place.

Reese had to have his ear suctioned out which was a little traumatic for both of us. I had to lie on a table and hold him, while one nurse held his head still, the doctor used the vacuum, and another nurse welded a light and some drops. It was horrendous.

The ENT and I are in agreement that our current plan is not working. Reese takes and has taken allergy medicines of various kinds for the past year. He continues to have problems despite that. The runny nose doesn’t bother me near as much as the problems the runny nose causes.

One option is for us to continue on the treatment plan we have: allergy medicines, drops for his ears, antibiotics when needed. Then we just hope that eventually he outgrows some of this, although my research indicates that isn’t likely.

The second option is for Reese to have his adenoids removed. The ENT went over the surgery with me, but for a mama whose only experience with surgery is childbirth, I was overwhelmed. From what I understood it is a fairly simple procedure. Similar to tubes he would be put to sleep, although an IV is necessary. They go in through his mouth and scrap out the adenoids from the back of his throat. We are on the borderline {in age} of whether the procedure would be in patient {hospital overnight} or out patient. The recovery period is about four days.

Lofton and I talked at length last night and did some research. Evidently your adenoids are not necessary, much like your gallbladder. In infancy the adenoids filter the germs that enter your sinus cavities. As you age, they shrink because your body is better able to fight infection. The inverse is the adenoids can also trap germs in your sinuses, which is our current issue.

So, there you go-- an overview of our situation.

We head back to the ENT Thursday for a check-up, and to have more discussion about surgery and/or other options. Lofton is going to go with us this time. Until then I’ll be lying awake at night, pondering what we should do. Once again I’ll say—Who knew parenting was this hard?

hair cut, II

Reese has yet another ear infection. I'm considering a "Van Gogh" type intervention. Just kidding. {And if you read this and have/know someone with only one ear, I don't mean to be offensive.}

Moving on.

I was going to write about my frustrations with life--- but instead I'll focus on Little Boo's hair cut.

He is one stylish tot. And he was so well behaved in the chair! Kim said he was a model baby client.

I didn't snap any pictures there, but I did snap a few tonight while he was munching on some dinner.

Adorable.

hello mister sunshine

This Spring Break weather has been the pits. I suppose that's fitting considering Reese has been pretty pitiful himself this week. But finally, FINALLY it was warm and sunny today. The perfect day to run some errands and play outside.

I kept Boo-Boo on the move today despite his window rattling cough { really he is much, MUCH better}. We went to Lowes this morning and bought some plants for the porch. I'm not much on getting dirt under my nails, but I knew waiting for Lofton to plant for me was a hopeless cause.


I think Reese and I did a pretty fabulous job.

Although someone enjoyed sweeping and jumping on the new door mat a little more than actually planting. Oh well, I'm sure one day I'll be begging him to get out the dirt.

We also did some yard exploring--

And some peeking at the pups--

Have I mentioned that we taught Reese to say "hush" when the dogs bark? It is super cute-- except when he hushes us...

Little man also helped me organize our dump drawer and clean out some old files.

I rewarded him by reading a few books--




He doesn't really have a favorite book. He loves them all. The books I stacked on the ottoman are just a few of the many strewn across the house. What can I say? He's a teacher's child, for sure.

I'm a wee bit sad the week has come to an end. I've really enjoyed my time at home. Reese has changed so much since my last long break, I can't wait to see what adventures summer has in store for us.


I rocked him for a little while tonight, and after we said our prayers I asked him for a snuggle and a smooch. He wrapped those chunky arms around my neck and held on tight and I said a silently thank you to God for giving me such a beautiful son. Oh how I love this boy.

hiatus

Hi.

Sorry for the lack of blog posts. I'm sure you've been disappointed. After all, I'm on Spring Break, shouldn't I have posts coming out the wazoo?

Unfortunately, Boo Boo has been a wee bit under the weather. The nasty flu-bug bit him over the weekend. Instead of running errands and having lunch with friends, we've been doing a lot of this:

Resting in the cozy coupe.

The timing couldn't have been better. I feel fortunate to be here with him when he feels so yucky. I have also been climbing the walls a little, too. Being trapped in the house for four days was not what I intended for my break.

No need to complain though. It is what it is.

Since I've been confined to the house, I've actually been quite productive. I've cleaned {a little, not much}, changed over my closet from winter/fall to spring/summer {sweaters be damned-- I am not wearing another one-- don't care if it's cold}, and rearranged.

I've also spent lots of QT time with my little one.

Even sick, this guy brightens my day. He has been super cuddly and extra sweet {for the most part}. There is absolutely no place else I'd rather be:: snotty nose and all.

crazy lady

Bad news, friends. Reese has an ear infection. I can hear it now:: You are all yelling, “WHAT?!!?”
I yelled too. First at the receptionist who couldn’t figure out how to make an appointment or give me a phone number and then at the nurse who wasn’t going to let me see the doctor.

Luckily, our doctor saw me making a scene and ushered me back to a room—pronto.

It all started when I picked Reese up from school yesterday. He was short one boot so I sat on the floor to wrestle it back on. My eye was in direct line with his right ear {his yucky ear}. I was a little taken a back to see it clogged full of wax and what looked like thick green snot. You see, I check his ears religiously for signs of obstruction, and until yesterday there had been none.

I knew what I was seeing was not “our normal.” As we pulled out of the school parking lot {his school, not mine}, I called the Pediatric Clinic.

I politely asked the nurse if our doctor was working. Her response, “It’s four o’clock.” No joke lady, I can tell time, that is NOT what I asked you. I asked my question again, albeit not as politely. She told me yes he was working but in the Auburn office. “Does he have any appointments left this afternoon?,” I asked. The nurse said she couldn’t tell me because her computer was down.

At this point I’ve pulled over to the side of the road. It seemed silly to continue driving toward Opelika when I knew the doctor was in Auburn, although I still didn’t know if he could see us.

I then ask for the number to the Auburn office. She tells me she can’t give it to me—they don’t take appointment calls.

Well, heck. What’s a girl to do?

Turn the car around, drive to the Auburn office, and insist the doctor see her oozy eared son.

The nurse at the Auburn office was not very friendly either, but at this point I was almost in crazy mama mode. Luckily, Dr. Glaze saw me and we were shortly thereafter escorted to a room.

The result::

An ear infection- probably caused by his allergies. He has had a very yucky nose and as usual it drained into his ears. The only saving grace is that the tubes are causing the infection {i.e. green stuff} to drain out of his ears, not into his ear canal. We hope this stays true. We have been prescribed some antibiotic drops and if things don’t look better by Monday we’ll start an oral antibiotic too.

The doctor also switched his allergy medicine and upped the dosage to accommodate his increased weight. We have been on the same dosage/medicines since last April. Clearly Reese has grown since that time!

Speaking of growth…

My chunky monkey is not really getting huskier but he is getting taller. The doctor could tell without even measuring and his jeans are looking a wee bit “flood-like.”


Dear Spring,

Please arrive soon. I refuse to buy more pants.

Love,

E

while daddy is away...

Lofton has been gone the past few days to Charlotte on business. Reese and I were left alone to entertain each other. It’s gone pretty well except for two minor incidents.

The first was Sunday.

I was grading papers on the couch and little man was sitting in his chair, leisurely reading Southern Living {upside down}. I saw him sneak a few glances my way, checking to see if I was paying attention to him. When I ignored his attempts to get my attention, he inched himself over to the space heater.

{Side note: I know space heaters are dangerous. These are not hot to the touch AT ALL. However, in the interest of safety we do not allow Reese to touch them.}

Just as those chubby little fingers were about to make landfall, I called out to him.

“Do NOT make Mama get off this couch and spank your leg!”

Sassy pants looked at me, touched quickly, and then proceeded to slap his own leg. Mr. Dramatic pretended to hurt himself, furiously shook his head no, and then threw his body on the ground and fake cried.

It was all I could do not to wet my pants. It was really that funny.

Here he is-- punishing himself:

It’s been pretty smooth sailing since then. I dragged Reese’s crib into our bedroom so that he could protect me from the boogie men that invade the house when I’m alone. We both slept fabulously Sunday and Monday night.

This morning, though, someone woke up with a slight attitude problem. He didn’t want to get dressed, did NOT want to wear socks, and thought that backhanding me across the face for putting his socks on his feet AGAIN was a good idea.

Needless to say we were both huffy when I plopped him up on the counter to put on his kicks.

Everything happened so fast it’s hard to recall who did what, but I’m pretty sure that while I was tying Reese’s right shoe, he squirmed too far to the left. Like I said it happened quickly, but the next thing I knew, sweet boy is falling FACE FIRST toward the tile floor. I caught him by the back of his overall straps just in time.

Talk about being scared. He started crying {even though he wasn’t actually hurt}, I started crying, and we just sat on the kitchen floor and had a moment before we left for school.

And now, Daddy is home so all is right in the world.

novice

"In spite of the six thousand manuals on child raising in the bookstores, child raising is still a dark continent and no one really knows anything. You just need a lot of love and luck - and, of course, courage."
-- Bill Cosby

I hijacked this off someone else's blog because it perfectly fits this post--


This whole parenting thing didn’t really come with a manual, so it’s a little bit trial and error. Recently it’s been a little error heavy.

If you read my friend Laura’s blog then you might have seen her post about the sad mat. {Side note: Her twins are hilarious and adorable and she is an amazing woman to manage two toddlers. One is about to kill me.}

We {and by we I mean me} decided to try and implement a sad mat in our house.

The plan was for me to introduce Reese to the sad mat when he was not in trouble. I put the mat on the floor, away from his toys, but where he could still be visible to us. I sat him on it and began my serious talk, in my serious teacher voice.

“Reese, this is the sad mat. This is where you are going to have to sit when you make mama and daddy sad. This is a very bad mat. You do NOT want to sit on the sad mat.”

I even “spanked” the sad mad for added effect. {Lofton was in the other room laughing his tail off, I might add.}

After I finished my serious talk, I was pretty impressed with myself. This sad mat was going to be our ticket to discipline city.

I let Reese up to go play. He toddled off, only to turn around and dive onto the sad mat, laughing hysterically. Then he picked it up and ran around the room superman style like it was a cape.

is it spring break yet

I hate when I end up doing a weekend recap… they sound so uninspired, but if elementary school has a “busy season” I’m in the midst of it now. Preparing these little minds for the blizzard of standardized testing is getting the best of me and consuming my every thought. I apologize.

Reese did fabulously the remainder of the week {last week} and was equally as happy when I dropped him off today. I guess he has figured out that I’m eventually going to come back. He walks in like he owns the place and blows me kisses when I walk out. It has helped lessen my anxiety—a smidgen.

His little brain amazes me. I shouldn’t be surprised, but he is quite the clever stinker. Without thinking, I always remind him to say please. It is part of my southern way, I suppose. I’ve done it since he was an infant. A few weeks ago, when “peas” become a part of his vernacular, I never imagined it would come back to bite me in the butt.

Now all I hear is “peas”:: when he wants to drink out of my cup, when he wants to hold my bracelet, when he wants a snack {i.e. marshmallows} from the cabinet. I’m a sucker for a southern gentleman so I generally give in. His future bride will appreciate his manners.



We are barreling headfirst into this whole discipline thing. I only thought infancy was the hard stage. Sheesh. As my mom so gently told me on Saturday afternoon, “He’s testing you.” Yep. Got it.

When he looks me dead in the face, grabs a handful of dirt from the plant, and throws it on my freshly vacuumed floor—he’s testing me. And when he slings his food onto the dining room rug because he doesn’t want to eat it—he’s testing me. Again. I’m ashamed to say he went to bed having only eaten a few crackers for dinner last night. I was tired of fighting the battle.

Clearly he is also testing the strength of my hand. It’s getting a workout. And it is really making me lose sleep over how to be the “best” parent.

I want to cultivate his curiosity and stimulate his mind:: I also want to tame his sass and teach him right from wrong. It's a hard line to walk-- much harder than anticipated.

In other news:

Boo Boo and I went to the ENT today to have his tubes checked. His ears look perfect. We are still going to be referred to AU for a hearing analysis, but mainly to ease Lofton and I's mind, not because Dr. Whatley thinks something is wrong. I am so relieved that this loooooooong ordeal is finally over. Maybe I can actually start to accrue some sick days!