Austin's Ear Tubes (17 1/2 Months and 35 weeks)

Over a month ago we saw a ENT physician that we were not too impressed with.   When we left his office we had more questions than answers and it did not feel right to have surgery with this physician.  After Austin's latest ear infection, we had a detailed conversation with his pediatrician and realized that Austin did need to have ear tubes placed.  However I felt like we needed to find the right physician.

We scheduled an appointment with a pediatric ENT and we had our first appointment with him last week.  I really liked that fact he specialized in pediatrics.  I think that is important because adults and kids are totally different.

While waiting for our appointment last Thursday, there was a helicopter at the medical center and Brian took Austin to see it while I was filling out paperwork.  The helicopter engine started and Brian hoped the helicopter would take off but unfortunately they needed to come inside before they could see it take off.  They did get to watch it for about 20 minutes though while I waited inside for them to call his name.  Austin learned what helicopters are in Virginia Beach and will point them out in the sky, so he liked seeing one on the ground fairly up close.

We met with the doctor and he did an exam on Austin.  After the exam we talked and decided that Austin needed to get ear tubes.  We were comfortable with this now and comfortable with the physician.  While in the office, they also gave Austin a hearing test.  We thought that made sense too.  Austin does have some mild hearing loss but that is because of the fluid always being in his ears.  The doctor says once the tubes are placed that will improve. They will do a follow up hearing test too.

They scheduled surgery for Monday morning.  We were also happy that it was going to be so soon.  They called on on Friday with a surgery time which was at 8:30am.

When I first heard that Austin could benefit from ear tubes, I was skeptical.  Sometimes I think our society is too quick to use medications and surgery when its not needed.  I am not a big fan of medications unnecessarily and would like to try other options before doing so.  However I do realize that Austin has had 7 ear infections and treating him with systemic antibiotics is not good either.  After we had a conversation with our pediatrician and our new ENT, I was confident that ear tubes were the best option for Austin. It is like one of Brian's co-workers said, ear tubes are a mechanical solution to a mechanical problem which is better than repeatedly forcing a chemical solutions (an engineer's perspective on ear tubes).

This weekend, Brian and I went to a movie and dinner without Austin.  My parents were kind enough to watch him for us.  It was nice to get out.  Our lives seem a little crazy right now with Austin's surgery coming up and Sydney coming in about a month.  We have been working really hard to get everything accomplished.  Last weekend we finished up Sydney's room.  We put up stickers for decoration however they are not your average stickers.  They are basically permanently stuck to the wall.  It took several hours to do it.  It turned out beautifully.  I love her room!

Brian also installed the infant car seats in both cars.  He has become quite the expert at installing car seats.  It is weird now because we really no longer have a back seat since they are full of car seats (2 in each car now).  Austin remains on the drivers side of my car however he is on the passenger side of Brian's car.  He used to be in the middle of Brian's car and he really liked that since he could see between the two front seats.  We will see if he likes being on the passenager side.  Brian has also been working on some home projects like new curtains and blinds in our kitchen.  They look nice too.


On Sunday, we went up to Cleveland to a dinner party with Brian's Dads' side of the family.  It was so nice to see them.  Austin had a really good time too.  There were probably about 20 people there.  It is still sad that Brian's dad is not here.  We know he would have adored Austin.

This morning Austin had his surgery.  We kept him up late last night so he could sleep in a little bit.  He could not have anything to eat or drink after midnight (although they said he could have juice up until 5:30am, however there was no way we were waking him up to give him juice!).  He woke up a little after 6am however he did go back to sleep.  Brian was the quiet police this morning making sure I was not too loud because we did not want Austin to wake up.  He then woke up around 7am and we got him out of his crib at 7:15am.  Luckily he was very happy this morning.  We changed him and left for the surgery center.

We checked in and within a few minutes they were calling him back to preop area.  Once in preop, they gave him a gown and took his vital signs.  Brian and I were both back there with him.  Also the anesthesiologist came by along with his ENT physician.  There were also about 4 nurses taking care of him too.  I knew he was in good hands.  Then only one of us could go back to OR with him.  We decided last night it would be me unless Austin really wanted Brian.  Austin has been attached to Brian lately so if Austin wanted him that is who he would have (he can be a clingy monkey sometimes).  Austin did not care this morning so I went back with him.  It was wonderful becuase they allowed me to carry him back and I held him while they put him to sleep.  Austin cried for about a minute and that was it.  After he was sleeping, I placed him on the table, kissed him goodbye, and went to the waiting room with Brian.

It's scary to send your child to surgery because there are risks involved.   But I knew that Austin depended on us to be strong and reassure him.   There was no way I would allow myself to cry or act scared in anyway.  And I was not scared I was really confident in the care he was going to receive and knew this was for the best.  The Cleveland Clinic is a good hospital system.
After being in the waiting area 10-15 minutes the doctor came out and explained that Austin had fluid in his right ear that has probably been there for a while.  The left ear had no fluid which is good.  He said that Austin did great and we could come back and see him.  When he got there he was on a little baby bed.  We could pick him up and hold him.  Austin was not too sure about everything but within 10 minutes he wanted his pulse ox meter off and was acting pretty much normal.  He did not cry.  He drank some water and played with a sticker.  We were in recovery for 30 minutes then we went home.  When we walked out the door to leave, within 10 seconds the helicopter flew overhead because it was taking off.  Austin got to see that.  It was pretty cool and the timing was amazing.

 
The nurses and physicians were great.  I could not be happier with our experience.  Being able to go back with him was huge because if we had to give him to a stranger, Austin would have freaked out.  All of our questions were answered and I never felt like we were a bother.  Austin is an amazing baby and he did fantastic.  

I am home now and Brian went to work.  Once we got home, we tried to fed Austin his favorite food (a banana) but he did not want it.  He was tired so Brian placed him in his crib.  He has been sleeping now for about an hour and half.  This is allowing me to write this blog post and make doctor appointments.  We have to follow up with the ENT in 4 weeks.  Sydney is due in 5 weeks.  This could be interesting.  

Virgina Beach (17 months and 32 weeks)

The last week in June, Brian, Austin and I went to Virginia Beach.  We wanted one last family vacation together before Sydney arrives.  We left Saturday after swim class.  Austin has been going to swim class on Saturday mornings for several months.  He loves it so we've enrolled him in 3 back to back to back class sessions this year.  Once we got home from swim class, we packed up the car and off we went.  It worked out because this is Austin's nap time so he got a nap and we got some driving in.  We decided to drive around Washington DC so there were some minor highways we had to take.  When we were ready to stop, we lost cell phone coverage and we were in the middle of nowhere.  Finally there were a few nice hotels with food options so we stayed there for the night.

The next morning we got up and drove the rest of the way into Virginia Beach.  Virginia Beach is our favorite vacation spot in the United States.  We love it because we can park the car and walk everywhere for the entire week.  There are restaurants and activities to do within walking distance.  At night they have beach street where the city pays for street performers and we have free entertainment.  The bad part is it did not start until 7:30pm but for those few days we just kept Austin up.  Austin really liked it.

Once we checked into the hotel we went down to the beach.  Brian and Austin went into the water and Austin did not like it.  He really did not like the sand.  He did not like the feel of the sand on his feet.  So we only stayed a few minutes and went to our hotel pool.  The hotel pool was indoor but the water was cold. Plus it did not have a shallow enough end so Austin could stand and play in the water.  The shallow end was 3 feet deep so we had to always hold him.  He likes to walk and splash in the water.  It was an important lesson for me to learn about for future hotel bookings.  The pool is very important.

We went to dinner and then watched some entertainment on beach street.  After an hour long show that Austin really liked we went for ice cream.  We even let Austin have his own ice cream cone (although I asked for a baby cone and we ended up with a regular small size cone so he got to enjoy a lot of ice cream).  It was a fun night.

We were in Virginia Beach Sunday though Thursday.  Austin and Brian enjoyed the airplanes from the navy base of Norfolk.  The planes were so loud.  Austin would look in the sky for them and point them out.  It was really neat to watch.  We also would go for walks in the mornings.  Austin loves trash cans.  One morning he got to see a garbage truck go down the street emptying all the trash cans.  We were just walking along side of it for a while and he kept pointing and pointing.  Austin also learned about buses on this trip.  Beach street has its own bus lane so he got to see many of them.  We considered this his transportation learning trip.  He saw a lot of planes, helicopters, boats, buses, and trash trucks.  He really liked it.

We took Austin to the beach two days.  We got a shade tent before we left home which worked out well.  Brian set it up.  Then we all went inside and played in the sand.  The first day Austin was on our laps for about an hour before he finally let us set him down in the sand to play.  He didn't like how it felt on his feet and that the sand got him dirty.  We had a whole set of sand toys for him. Brian would get a bucket and fill it with water and Austin would play in it.  Then next day at the beach he only had to be on our laps for about 15 minutes then he would play sitting in the sand.  Brian and I really don't like the sun much so our shade tent really allowed us to enjoy the beach for a long time (a couple hours). Prior to this, we've never spent time on the beach.  We would go in the ocean, but then leave.  We've never seen the point in just sitting on the beach.

On this trip we made sure Austin had his nap in the afternoons in his crib.  It worked out because he would sleep from 2-4 or 5pm.  Then we would go to dinner and then go to beach street for a few hours.  We got back to our hotel around 9-9:30pm every night. We really had a great time together.  Our vacations allow us to spend great quality time together.  Brian made a highlight video of our trip.  Here is the link:




Video Highlights of Our Trip

We drove home all day Thursday.  We left at 6am and we were home by 4pm.  With Austin and being pregnant we had to stop to eat and potty breaks.  Austin also developed this bad rash while we were gone.  It started before we left on the trip but on Wednesday and Thursday it was really bad.  It was red and had spread from his arms and legs to his face.  It also itched.  I called the doctor while we were there and was told to give him some Benadryl which we did.  Then we went to the doctors on Friday once we got home.


By the time we got to the doctors on Friday, the rash was completely gone.  Brian was annoyed that we were there but it was too late.  The doctor examined Austin and found out he had a bilateral ear infection again.  We also had a nice conversation with him about ear tubes.  After the appointment, Brian and I realized that we had to get tubes for Austin.  It was something we were trying to hold off on hoping he would outgrow it.  Since he had yet another one (#7), especially in the summer, it confirmed we needed to do this for him.  We are still working on finding a doctor and setting up the appointment for surgery but hopefully it will be done before Sydney is born.  

Austin seems to have enjoyed his vacation.  He's already exploring options for his next trip.  Little does he know that the new baby will keep us home bound for the next few months.  A baby can dream though, right?

Sydney continues to be active mostly a night.  I have been really lucky this pregnancy because the only real issue I've had is a rash for about 2 weeks (which turned out to be an allergic reaction to our sunscreen).  I am so glad that is better however I refuse to wear sunscreen or put anything other than basic lotion on my skin.  I really think it was a allergic reaction to sunscreen but I am not about to go through that again right now to find out for sure.  I have gained about 22 pounds right now.  I have been lucky with that as well since it's mostly in my belly.  I have gotten a little wider but nothing too bad.  I feel well.  Of course I am tired but for being pregnant, working, and taking care of Austin I don't think that is too unreasonable.  I am getting excited for her arrival.

Trip to Cincinnati and Father's Day (Almost 17 months and 30 weeks)

Brian had a business trip to Cincinnati on Friday.  Before he scheduled the trip, we talked about Austin and I going.  I was all for it.  It sounded like a lot of fun.  I really enjoy our short trips and it would give us some family time together.  When we are at home, it's easy to get caught up in things we have to do so we don't spend time as entire family.  Usually just one of us it playing with Austin.  However we do go grocery shopping every week together as a family and Austin loves it.

On Friday we left for Cincinnati around 3pm.  We stopped outside of Columbus for dinner at McDonald's.  Austin loves the parfaits there.  He got to run around a play for a little bit.  We arrived at our hotel around 7:30pm.  It was a nice business hotel with plenty of room.  We got Austin ready for bed and called it a night.

We had breakfast at the hotel in the morning.  Then I took Brian to work for the day.  I met up with my friend from college, Natalie, her husband, Danny, and son, Owen, at the zoo.  We walked around the zoo for several hours.  It was a lot of fun.  We did not see everything because the Cincinnati zoo is huge.  After the zoo, we all went downtown and had lunch at Johnny Rockets.  After lunch, we walked to an interactive water fountain that the kids could play in.  Austin absolutely loved it.  He had a great day.  By this time it was after 2pm and Austin was exhausted.  I drove Austin back to the hotel and he of course fell asleep in the car.   Around 5pm I went and picked up Brian.  Then we went out to dinner.  It was a nice dinner and we got Austin some macaroni and cheese and he loved it.  By this time, it was Austin's bed time.

On Saturday morning, Austin woke us up nice and early before 6am.  We got up and ready for the day.  We once again had breakfast at the hotel.  Then we were not sure what to do.  One of Brian's business men told us Blue Ash had great community parks.  We found it online and it was only 5 minutes from our hotel so we took Austin there.  Austin played on the playground for about an hour.  He had fun.  He enjoyed the bigger playground.  He loved climbing up somewhat of a rock wall.

After the park, we decided to take Austin to Todder's Otterville in Otterville KY.  It was about a 30 minute trip.  It is basically an indoor play area for toddlers.   Austin played with blocks, water table, and miniature grocery store. There was a small area outside to get wet.  I was hoping it was bigger but none the less Austin had fun and got wet.  We had some pizza for lunch there and then drove towards the hotel.  Austin did not fall asleep so we decided to stop and get some ice cream.  We got Austin a strawberry cone but of course he liked Brian's Cotton Candy cone better.  I got Buckeye ice cream which has peanut butter in it so he could not have mine.  After ice cream we went back to the hotel to swim.  We were disappointment to find out the hotel pool was closed for an hour due to maintenance.  We did not realize that until after we all walked down there in our swim suits.  Poor Austin was so sad and did not understand why he could not go swimming for a while.  Finally we went swimming.  After swimming we went to dinner at Skyway Chili.  It was surprisingly good.

On Sunday, we took Austin to the park then needed to drive home.  Austin once again really enjoyed his time at the park. I need to look into playgrounds around home but have not done so yet.  Once back at the hotel, we were finishing packing up and Austin was playing on the bed.  He somehow bite his tongue severely.  He does stick his tongue out a lot normally.  He really bit it pretty bad.  He started crying and blood was everywhere.  I washed his tongue with clean towels and tried to get the bleeding to stop.  We were not sure what to do.  Brian told me to load the car because we were leaving either to the hospital or home.  I took our suitcase down with some bags.  I left Austin's suitcase in the room.  Right after I left, Austin decided he needed to take down his suitcase to the car.  It was a great distraction.  The bleeding had slowed but not completely stopped.  We got some ice for him to have and decided to start driving back home.

When we got around Columbus Austin woke up from his nap and Brian could see a mouth full of blood.  We did not know how much it had been bleeding.  I told Brian to get to me the Children's Hospital in Columbus.  Luckily it was right off I-71.  We we got there I looked at Austin's tongue and it had stopped bleeding again and decided it was best just to drive the rest of the way back home.  I was keeping up with the speed of traffic and got home in about 3 hours.

Once home I called our doctor's office and asked what we should do.  Austin was acting like his typical baby self.  The cut though was pretty bad looking and very deep (at least 1.25 inches long and 1/4 inch deep).  Nothing really bothers him though.  We had not seen any blood since Columbus and after talking to the doctor we decided not to take him to the hospital.  The whole experience was scary but Brian and I remained calm.  This tongue looked really bad but it was not bothering him so we were glad we did not go the the hospital.  

Once home we ran to the store and picked up dinner.  We had to unpack which is a little harder to do with Austin since he wants to play too but it was worth it.  We just have Austin help us with things and he really enjoys that.  For example if I need to do laundry, I pick him up and he throws the clothes in the washer.  It keeps him happy and I am glad I get work done.   We had a great trip to Cincinnati and so glad we got to spend some family time together.

Video showing Austin's bitten tongue

Happy Memorial Day (16 months and 29 weeks)

Two weeks ago, it was Memorial Day weekend.   Brian and I had a three day weekend and it was great.  It seems like our weekends are always so busy and we are always running around.  It was really nice to have that extra day together and not have any significant plans.

Saturday morning Austin woke up at 5:30am.  I really hate when he starts the day off so early but there was nothing I could do.  I just had to get up and start the day.  So I decided after breakfast we were going outside to weed and cut bushes.  I really hate weeding  but unfortunately it needed done.  It was nice outside and Austin loves to be outside so it worked out well.  Austin and I weeded and had fun until he decided to eat some bird poop.  I could not believe he did that.  It was only a very small amount but still.  So I ran him inside to wash is mouth out and his hands.  He does like putting stuff in his mouth but he has been really good at not eating rocks but for some reason he thought bird poop was a good idea.  He did not like the taste so he should not be eating that again.  

Brian got up and came out to join us for some fun.  Brian needed to clean out the gutters so that is what he worked on.  Of course, Austin wanted to help him but that was not an option.  We worked outside for a bit and then all of a sudden I did not feel very well.  Austin and I went into the house and then I needed to go to the bathroom.  Brian was on a ladder outside somewhere and I did not have time to get him so Austin came with me to the bathroom.  Austin goes to the bathroom with me a lot (especially being pregnant) but when you don't feel good it's really not much fun to keep him entertained too.  But I had to do what I needed at that moment.  

I was worried on why I was so sick.  I had not been that sick since the day before I gave birth to Austin. I was nervous that Sydney was trying to come early.  Plus my stomach hurt.  It was not very much fun.  Sydney kept moving around like crazy so I knew she was fine (as long as she stayed inside me) but I really did not understand what was going.  Plus I have been constipated since becoming pregnant.  So I definitely was not use to any sort of diarrhea.  I decided to take a nap and relax and Brian and Austin played for the afternoon.  

I was still sick Saturday night and early Sunday morning but I was starting to feel better.  We decided to take Austin to see Thomas the Train and the Cuyahoga Valley Railroad.  We had never done it before so we wanted to see what it was like.  There were all kinds of kids activities.  There was balloons so we got Austin an orange fish balloon.  He loved it.  We went on the train ride.  It was a half hour which was just about perfect.  Too much longer would be too much work to kept him entertained.  It was a nice morning to do it.  

Sunday it was really hot so we took Austin swimming at the rec center.  We were going to use his pool but it started to thunder so we decided the rec center was best. Austin loves swimming!  It was nice because Brian worked out then he came and swam with us.  Monday was another really hot day in the 90's.  On Monday, we did go swimming in Austin's pool.  I love Austin pool.  It is the perfect size for him and us too!  Monday we kind of relaxed a bit and enjoyed the day.  

My parents were in Texas for my nephew Zach's graduation over Memorial Day.  We went to Texas in February so we did not go down for the graduation.  I felt bad but being pregnant it was best for me to stay close to home.  Usually we have a cook out or something on holiday weekends but no one was in town so we just stayed close to home and enjoyed our time together. 

Last weekend, my dad painted Sydney's room pink.  It looks so good.  I love it with the white baseboards and pink walls.  Then on Saturday, we went and picked up her dresser.  Her dresser is white and looks beautiful.  I am getting excited for her arrival.  We ordered her crib and that should be in this week.  Her room is coming together nicely.  

Austin now likes to climb the stairs holding on to your hand.  He no longer likes to crawl up or down them.  He also loves turning on and off lights.  He is an expert at pushing the garage door button too.  It is amazing what that little boy can do.  He knows where things go and he is always eager to put them there.  For example, we keep a wireless keyboard and mouse for our TV under the couch (to hide it from Austin).  If we leave it out overnight, first thing in the morning he will gladly put them back under the couch.  He knows the TV remotes go on the fireplace.  If he sees one out, he goes and puts it away.  He loves putting away the dishes from the dishwasher.  He puts the silverware in the drawer and likes it if you pick him up so he can put the plates away.   He also throws his own diapers away and if its poopy he knows it goes outside in the trash and he walks it out there and throws in the trashcan.   I hope he stays our little helper.

This weekend we are going to Cincinnati for a business trip.  I need to start getting ready for it.