Double Ear Infection and Shots

Kevin had his 6 month check up today. When I picked him up from daycare yesterday, they said he had been pulling at his ears and had a low grade fever. His fever continued to go up through the night. Sure enough at his check up they checked his ears and he has a double ear infection. Poor baby is miserable. We have him on a different and stronger antibiotic this time.

Kevin weighed in at 16 lbs 9 oz and was 27 3/4 inches. He is in the 90% for his height but only in the 25-50% for his weight. He's going to be tall and skinny. She is not concerned about his weight and said to continue with what we're doing. He doesn't have to eat baby food if he doesn't want to and we can try some soft table food. He got 5 yucky shots but hardly cried at all. Such a big boy. His doctor was very impressed with his development. She was shocked that he could sit up by himself and was almost crawling. He also learned this week how to lay on his belly and sit himself up from there. He is very proud of himself!!!

Enjoy this cute video of him in the tub and I'm playing catch up on posting pictures....

My 1st Mother’s Day

My weekend was wonderful! I have a great husband and an adorable baby that pampered me this weekend. I went to my parents on Saturday to celebrate Mother’s Day with my family. They all loved on Kevin and wore him out! When Ben got home on Saturday, he dropped me off at a Spa near our house and I got a manicure and pedicure. I haven’t had a pedicure since the day before we got married (almost 7 years ago!). It was very relaxing and a guy there totally had me in shock. Long story short….the Spa was packed. I asked a girl there if it was always like or was it the weekend and a Mother’s Day rush. The guy that worked there turned around and informed me it was because of Mother’s Day and prom. Apparently one of our High School’s Prom was Saturday night. I said “oh really, prom?” The guy then floored me when he said “Isn’t that why you’re here?” I laughed out loud. He just stared at me. I thanked him for thinking I was 10 years younger than I am. I have been mistaken for my age as long as I can remember. Bad thing is I was married at 20, so you can imagine how young I looked. He made my day!

When I came home, a beautiful bouquet of flowers was waiting for me on the table and Ben fixed dinner Saturday night. I could not have imagined a better Mother’s Day. Thank you, Ben, for being a loving and God-fearing husband. You made me feel so special this weekend and I love you for it. Thank you, Kevin, for giving me a reason to celebrate Mother’s Day!!! You are such a special baby and truly a miracle from God. Mommy cannot imagine her life without you. You have amazed me the past 6 months and I look forward to many more wonderful years with you.

My baby is 6 months old!

Splish Splash...Kevin's taking a bath in his new big boy tub!




Crazy Uncle Dan entertains Kevin



Sleeping on Uncle Dan




Playing with daddy



Can I help you?



Cheese!



Playing with Hannah



Loving Joshua




Cute pic with Hannah



Read me a book



Playing with the family

Words of Encouragement:

My mom, grandmother and I went to the mother/daughter banquet at church this weekend. The lady that spoke is the pastor’s wife at Friendship Baptist Church in our area. Her small 10 minute message touched my heart!

She began by speaking words of encouragement to the young mothers that were present. Us young mothers with small children at home that keep us up late at night and are early risers. Those of us mothers who are constantly doing laundry, washing dishes and cleaning bottles. Those of us that haven’t had a hot meal since our children were born. Those of us that worry about our babies and still wake to check on them in the middle of the night.

She then encouraged the mothers of children who have started school. Those mothers who are rushing to appointments, soccer games, cheerleading and school events. Those mothers who stay up and help with homework and school projects. Those who are realizing that their babies aren’t babies anymore.

She then encouraged the mothers of teenagers and young adults. She said mothers of teenagers and young adult still pray for their children….probably more than they did when they were infants! These mothers realize that their “babies” will soon grow up and have babies of their own. And the lack of sleep continues even at this age!

And last, she encouraged the mothers who are now taking care of their parents. The parents that once cared for them as infants, are now themselves being taken care of. These mothers are taking their parents to doctor’s appointments, scheduling surgeries and some are having to visit and choose nursing homes. The same lack of sleep, pile of dishes to wash and constant laundry continues – it’s now doing their laundry and washing their dishes. It’s feeding them when they once fed you. It’s holding their hand when they are scared before surgery. It’s making sure they are inside before the sun goes down and that their refrigerator is full!

This last one really hit home. My grandma was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and had surgery. My mom never left her side. She was there when she entered surgery and there when she went home. She spent the night at her house for several nights to make sure she was taken care of. She made her meals, cleaned her dishes and took care of the house. How funny when the roles are reversed. I am so thankful for a mother who is an example to me of how to be a good daughter. And I know when the time comes, I’ll be doing the same for her…as my pastor would say…if the Lord tarrys His coming!

Overnight Baby Food Eating Machine

That’s a mouth full which is exactly what Kevin has when he is inhaling his baby food. I don’t know if it’s a growth spurt he’s going through or just the realization that he can eat baby food but holy cow…this child can eat. We were a little concerned that he’s yet to double his birth weight. I have a feeling he’ll be close to it by his 6 month check up on May 13th.

In the past his eating has consisted of maybe 5 or 6 bites of food before refusing to open his mouth. Now he eats an entire jar of baby food…yes, an entire jar in one sitting. It’s the funniest thing to see him swallow and open his mouth real big for the next bite. I remind him that this is not his last meal – he can slow down and enjoy the food.

I’m buying the frozen fruits and veggies and will be making his food this weekend. I am so excited!! Starting Monday, I am sending a jar of food with him to school to have at lunch time! My baby is eating big boy food at school now. Where did the time go? After his check up on the 13th when we’re given the thumbs up to start juice, we are buying sippy cups, too. Yay!!!!

He’s on his own little schedule of now waking me up at 4:00 instead of the other way around. It’s kind of nice that we’re waking up when daddy gets up. He gets to enjoy Kevin for a little bit in the mornings.

No more...I give up!

Why does it seem like everything falls apart at the same time? Our beagle,Jersey, is sick. We took her to the vet today and they think she has a herniated disk which can be treated with a steroid shot and anti-inflammatory. We're still trying to get her to eat..which she hasn't since Friday. Daddy gave her meat and cheese to take her medicine so I'm sure she's loving that!

Kevin throat is better but now he has a horrible cough. It keeps him awake and is making him miserable. Will this ever end? He was acting better over the weekend but daycare reported that he has been very fussy today. No fever yet so I'm hoping it's just a cough this time.

We had a great birthday party for my grandma on Saturday. I will post pictures later. My favorite conversations of the day....

Grandma talking to my aunt about Ben before the party:

Aunt: So what's Ben up these days?
Grandma: Oh, not much. You know he's a fireman now?
Aunt: Really? When did that happen? We just saw him at Christmas.

My crazy grandma thought that Ben was a fireman. She sees him ALL the time. We go to church with her for crying out loud. She's a mess!

And my absolute favorite:

My cousin Hannah told me "You know the next time you see me at Thanksgiving or Christmas...whichever comes first - I'll have glasses and braces. I laughed out loud when she said "whichever comes first!" She's too cute.

And not to leave out another cousin - who in all seriousness asked if "Kevin's squishy part on his head was still there". He was terrified of his soft spot at Christmas and wanted to make sure he was safe to touch. Sweet Joshua!

Kevin loved seeing everyone and was a great baby. He took a nice little nap on my uncle's shoulder who quickly let me know that he didn't want me to put him down - he wanted to snuggle with him a little longer : )

I have such a great family!

Clear ears but yucky throat

Kevin's doctor's appointment went well. She said his ears are perfect but he has 2 ulcers in his throat - resulting in the fever and fussy baby. His right eye is also red and the same virus he has in his throat is causing the pink eye. Basically it's the strep throat virus..which means antibiotics do nothing at this point. That's not a bad thing since his last medicine made him sick every morning. Poor little guy!

We are to mix 1/2 tsp of Maalox and 1/2 tsp of Benadryl for the ulcers. After that we start giving him allergy medicine because thanks to his family..he has allergies. Yuck! He's acting like he's feeling better and is eating very well. Just hoping for a good night with lots of sleep.

And apparently Ben was offended by my last post when I implied that he doesn't help me at night. That's far from the truth. Ben is a great help and usually only goes to bed 30 minutes before us. Most of his days are 12 hour shifts so I am the one sending him to bed..he doesn't abandon us. Thanks for all you do, Ben. We love you!!!

Glad it's the weekend and we get to rest while Kevin gets better.