Alivia to the Rescue!

The worst part about Grayson's pink eye and ear infection is that we had to forfeit a family trip to our subdivision's Easter Party. Each year, our association puts on a big party for the little kids. The Easter Bunny makes an appearance, kids can search for eggs, and they even bring in a petting zoo. While I was super bummed that we couldn't go as a family, I was able to get Alivia, our regular, wonderful babysitter, to come and take Griffin while I stayed confined in the house with Grayson. Thankfully she took our camera, so she was able to snatch a few good pictures.

While they were gone, Grayson and I hung out upstairs. Because our downstairs is so small, I am trying to have the kids play upstairs more. Our bedrooms upstairs are way bigger than we could ever need, so I am trying to keep more toys upstairs so that we aren't always down stairs in the family room/kitchen. Despite being sick, I think the pictures show that he had a good time hanging out with just Mommy!

Sometimes Life is Frustrating

I just got back from Urgent Care with Grayson. I took him in because his one eye was gunky and getting red. I thought we would be in and out and get some drops to fix a little case of pink eye. Well, we got the drops, but unfortunately we also got a second set of antibiotics. Despite having clear ears on Tuesday at his well-child check-up, today he has ANOTHER ear infection. In case anyone is counting, that's six ear infections since December:(

I'm not going to lie. I feel defeated. It seems as though we can only go 1-2 weeks before Grayson or Griffin is sick with something. I have already used 12 sick days at work---none of which were "mental health" days. The maddening thing is that I try to do a lot to keep our family healthy. We go to the chiropractor on a regular basis. I breastfed both kids for as long as I could handle it given the circumstances. I give my kids vitamins. I use Clorox Wipes like they are going out of style. My house is definitely cluttered, but it is definitely disinfected on a regular basis. I wash the kids' sheets often. I just recently scrubbed our two bathrooms upstairs so hard that my knuckles started to bleed. I also know that some believe the more kids are exposed to germs the better, so I let them eat off the floor sometimes. I put them in Target carts without that bacteria cover thing. They play in public places like the park and the McDonald's Play Land. I try to be well-rounded when it comes to their health, but it just doesn't seem to be working.

So here we are again. Back to two syringes of medicine for our little peanut and little chance of sleeping through the night.

Praying the ENT has some answers for us on Thursday. Not sure my mental status can take it anymore.

12 month check-up!

Grayson had his 12 month doctor's visit today, and all is well! Weighing in at 19 lbs. 1oz, he is in the fifth percentile for weight, but we aren't too concerned. He is moving and eating way better than he ever has, so we just have a peanut on our hands. As far as height is concerned, he is still taking after Brandon being 28.75 inches tall.

The best part was that today was the first time since December that Grayson did not have fluid in his ears or have an ear infection. However, because of how many ear infections he has had in the last few months, we are still scheduled to see an ENT on April 1st. Tubes may be in the future, but we won't know until we see Dr. L. I am a bit concerned that he isn't hearing as well as he should and that his verbal development might be behind, but hopefully the ENT will help us sort all of that out.

Believe it or not, my favorite part of the visit was when Grayson had to receive his vaccinations. Before you go psycho on me, keep reading. Griffin was so concerned for Grayson, and it was a very proud parenting moment. When they drew blood, Griffin kept saying, "It's okay. It's okay. Mommy and I are right here." Then, when it came time for Grayson to get his shots and he started crying, Griffin started bawling. Really bawling. Then he blubbered out, "I just want to take care of my brother." It was the cutest thing I have seen in a long time. Grayson calmed down first, then Griffin followed a few minutes later. Thankfully we were tear free by the time we left!

All in all, my boys are doing well today!

I LOVE the way he prays...

Griffin's Prayer from last night:

Dear God,
We love you.
Thank you for loving us.
Thank you for my family.
Thank you for letting me have fun at Gail's house.
Please help me never get in trouble.
(PAUSE)
Oh, and I love my bat.
Amen.

Griffin's Prayer

Last night, Griffin's prayer went like this...

Dear God,
We love you
Thank you for loving us
Thank you for Mommy, Grayson, and Daddy
Thank you for all my toys
Thank you for all my necklaces
Amen.

Grayson's Birthday...Part Two

Think Spring

Although it was up in the air...

I am praising God that I survived budget cuts and still have a job next year!!! YAHOO!

Happy First Birthday, Grayson!

One year ago today, our youngest son was born. Our family of four became complete as Dr. C placed Grayson Andrew on my belly and confirmed that he, indeed, was a boy:)

Twelve months seems like a long time, but I can remember so many details of that hospital stay. I remember pacing the halls trying to speed up my contractions and dilation to reassure that I truly was in real labor. I remember texting friends and family letting them know I was actually, for sure, going to deliver Grayson. I remember the pain because my epidural didn’t work properly and only numbed one side of my body. I remember not being able to breath when the epidural went too far up my back. I remember being told one minute that it wasn’t yet time to push, but less than 15 minutes later he was born. I remember being scared at first because he wasn’t crying, but then reassured that he truly was breathing and just fine. I remember Grayson meeting his big brother for the first time. I remember helping the nurse bathe him for the first time and then watching the nurses perform his hearing test. I remember nursing him in my hospital room while I stared out the window and watched the snow fall. I remember watching sections of High School Musical each time he needed to be fed in the middle of the night. I remember being visited by Kelsey, Melinda, Chad and Angie, Becca and Nick, The Vosberg Family, Marie and Katie, my sister, Henry, and Ella, and Holly. I remember that on the way home from the birth of BOTH of my boys, we stopped at the Carter’s Outlet store!

Fast forward to now, and I write to remember a year from now. I want to remember being able to rock him to sleep. I want to remember having to hold him while he drinks out of his sippy cups. I want to remember his smile as he accomplishes so many new things like RUNNING. I want to remember that this week, he cut his ninth and tenth tooth and stopped drinking out of a bottle. While I dislike it now, I want to remember having to comfort him in the middle of the night because of his ear pain. I want to remember that I was ABLE to comfort him. I want to remember the pure joy on his face when he opened up his gifts...not because of the gifts themselves but because of the tissue and wrapping. I want to remember that inquisitive look as he played with, but didn’t eat, his birthday cake. I want to remember that he HATES to be changed right now and squirms all over the place. I want to remember that he absolutely LOVES bath time-perhaps even more than Griffin ever did. I want to remember that in October 2009, he wasn’t so sure he liked being pushed in a swing, but yesterday he couldn’t get enough of it. I want to remember how ticklish he is. I want to remember that devilish grin he gets on his face when he does something he knows he isn’t supposed to do. I want to remember how much he ADORES Griffin.

I remember and want to remember quite a bit, and I hope it stays that way in the future.

Happy First Birthday, Grayson!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Clothes Courtesy of Papa Tom

I can hardly believe...

that I just registered Griffin for his Kindergarten Screening!!!

Grayson's First Birthday Party

This weekend, we celebrated Grayson's First Birthday with family and close friends. We got the party started early on Friday by going to Brunswick Zone with Le'Dean, Henry, and Ella. While my sister is not the biggest fan of bowling, I think I can say we all had fun watching the kiddos attempt to bowl.

Saturday was the true party, but before the festivities began, we took Grayson to get a BIG BOY haircut. I can't believe how much older he looks now :( He was a pro at the salon, and he barely even flinched.

Brandon's mom and sister, my sister and her children (Henry and Ella), The Scalia Family, and The Oberg Family were in attendance once the party began at 4:00. While sometimes I get stressed out when hosting guests, yesterday proved peaceful for me. In the end, I gave up trying to get the house perfectly clean (something that is close to impossible when Brandon is never home...only having after bed time to clean limits the amount of cleaning one can do), and I just focused on the fact that those we love were here to celebrate my son. Laughing and playing children mess up the house anyway, right? We had tacos, (thanks to Andrew, I think I will always make tacos for big gatherings:) ) chips and salsa/guacamole, fruit, and a cupcake cake decorated in a jungle theme. We ordered a Diego cake, but then changed it up a bit with our own decorations.

For once, I just let Grayson get dirty and have at it with his cake. It was pretty amusing to watch, especially since there wasn't ANY cake that actually made it into his mouth. After a quick clean-up in the bath, we opened presents and wound down with our guests. I hope everyone enjoyed themselves as much as I did!

Oh, and I hope you enjoyed my 100th post!