The First Cut IsThe Deepest

For years I've been hearing about trips to the ER and Urgent Care from my mommy friends. Mostly mommy friends who have boys. I considered myself lucky that we hadn't had to make one of those trips. Until today. We had a completely freak accident in the kitchen. Patrick pulled down a Cuisinart bowl off the counter that had the sharp chopping blade in it. And of course the blade flew out of the bowl and across his cheek. My poor baby! Patrick was freaking out, I was freaking out, Molly was freaking out because we were freaking out. I called Tom just as he was going into a meeting to have him come home and I took Patrick to Urgent Care. The cut wasn't deep enough for stitches, but did need some Dermabond glue. He was actually really, really, really lucky. It could have easily been so much worse.

Patrick thinks his face "looks like a zipper!".



And you may notice Patrick's cape around his neck. He has seriously worn it for the last 3 or 4 weeks straight. He only takes it off for school and to sleep. He is obsessed.



And I took this picture at the park this afternoon. Molly can now climb the slide and go down by herself. She has no fear. She's just like her brother. We may be in for it!

Who's Your Daddy?

Poor Tom caught a stomach bug this weekend and spent a big chunk of the weekend sleeping. Poor guy! All father's day plans were put on hold today, we're going to try for a do-over tomorrow if Tom is able to keep any food down. I was sad for him because he does so much for all of us, I was looking forward to him having a special day. So while it was an anti-climactic day, I want him to know how much we all love him, and how much we appreciate all that he does for our family. Here's hoping for a healthier tomorrow...

Every Breath You Take

My little guy is still having a tough time breathing. We were back in the pediatrician's office today for check-ups, but it turned into a 2 hour visit with oxygen saturation measurements and a breathing treatment by nebulizer. We came home with our very own nebulizer for breathing treatments for the next 2 days and then it's back to the doctor on Friday to check in. At least Patrick is pretty good about taking the treatments, I was never good at doing them.



Today our little Miss Molly is 6 months old. It's bittersweet (like so much of motherhood). I thought the time flew by when Patrick was a baby but now I know what it really feels like to fly through the months. Molly continues to be a sweet and dreamy baby. She absolutely adores her big brother, and he will do anything for a laugh from her including dancing like a monkey. Molly is a pro at rolling (but only from back to tummy), is starting to sit unassisted, and is thisclose to getting some teeth (note to self: take more gummy grin pictures before they are gone). We tried rice cereal this week, and while Molly was thrilled at the spoon the idea of it but the cereal made her completely gag and her first reaction is to spit it out. We got the same reaction on another try with butternut squash, I guess I'll just keep trying. She's still measuring in at the upper end of the charts, today she weighed 16 pounds, 14 ounces (75th percentile), measured 26 3/4 inches long (90th percentile) and those Murphy genes must have kicked in because her head has jumped up to the 90th percentile (44 cm).

Patrick weighed in at 33 pounds (fully clothed) and 38 inches. No clue what the percentiles are on that. He had his first vision test today, instead of letters they used symbols. There was a heart, a star, a circle and other easily recognized shapes. There was also a + sign, and I wasn't sure if he knew what it was called. When the nurse asked him what it was he said "A band aid!" and he repeated it again with the other eye. We both kind of laughed and I wondered where he got that from. One of the doctors was near the nurse's station when this happened and she overheard the exchange. She laughed about it but then realized that there is a red cross on boxes of band aids, and he was associating the cross with the band aids. Isn't that strange and cool? Almost every day I am amazed at how his little mind is working overtime and soaking everything up.

Oh, and I spent another $120 on copays today. That brings our total out of pocket costs this week to $208. And we still have another appointment on Friday. I need a rolling eyes smiley.

Breathe

So last week I mentioned that Patrick has been sick. He was still coughing and wheezy this morning so I called the pediatrician and was able to get him in today to see a doctor. The doctor listened to his lungs and did her exam and told me that Patrick has asthma :( I suppose it shouldn't have come as a big surprise because I have it, my brother has it, and my mom has it. The same thing always happened to me when I got colds as a kid (and actually, it still does). Patrick now has an inhaler, and an aero chamber and a nifty duck mask to cover his nose and mouth so he actually breathes the medicine in. Patrick couldn't be more pleased with his new duck mask and medicine. This coming from the kid we have to sneak cough syrup to mixed in with Sprite. The good news is that he isn't contagious.

But I have a rant. We have good medical insurance, probably even great medical insurance. It's a PPO so we have deductibles and co pays but we also have the freedom to self refer and all that jazz. Despite having great insurance, I shelled out $88 today for the copay for the doctor, the aero chamber and mask (devices not covered), and a $30 copay for the inhaler. Seriously? And I know we're fortunate.

And the icing on the cake, I just realized that both kids have checkups on Wednesday, so we had plans to be at the doctor in 2 days and my brain is apparently just that mushy I forgot. I'll have the pleasure of shelling out $40 more in co pays. Sigh.

Cough It Up

Long time no blog. It's been a tough week, Patrick came down with a nasty cough on Monday evening and he is still fighting it. So we've been housebound all week which is not so much fun. He's still in good spirits and thankfully the rest of us have been spared of the bug. Tom came home a little early from work today so I got to go out and run errands. I even sneaked a quick trip into the new Michael's that opened up in town. It is HUGE, and so nice and shiny. Me likey.

Since we have no adventures to report on this week, here's a few pictures.

Oh, What A Night

Actually, it's been quite the week and it's only Thursday. On Tuesday night Patrick came down with a horrible stomach flu, he threw up several times all over his bed and his room. Ick. On Wednesday suring the day he was pretty lethargic, he only had some watered down juice all day before finally asking for something to eat at dinner time. I have him some plain toast and some applesauce. We thought he was getting better until he woke up at 4 am, barfing all over his newly laundered sheets, blankets, comforter, etc. Ick. He was still really tired and went back to sleep, and amazingly slept until 1 this afternoon! I kept checking on him, at one point he asked for water but fell right back asleep. Once he was up, he was lethargic. Today he had a little juice (he refused the Pedialyte, and after tasting it I can't say I blame him) and 1/4 of a bagel. So in 2 days he really hasn't had anything to eat. He went to bed early tonight, and I am really hoping he sleeps through without that bagel making a reappearance. Luckily, no one else in the house has caught whatever bug he has. We're just all really tired.

Tomorrow is Tom's birthday. We haven't left the house in 2 days. Will scrounge the cabinets tomorrow, I'm sure we have enough to make a cake at least.

Take The Pain Away

Yesterday I had two doctor appointments, including another ultrasound and this baby is definitely a girl (two ultrasound techs and a radiologist declaring it makes it so, right?). Everything looks good and baby is healthy, so that was the good news. However, yesterday evening I developed a severe pain in my ear, and of course the pain hadn't been there when I was at the doctor's office. It finally go so bad I was threatening to stick an ice pick in my ear to make it stop. So Tom sent me off to the emergency room where I was found to have a raging ear infection (and a bonus upper respiratory infection). Since I'm pregnant, they took me in right away, even though it had nothing to do with the baby. I'm now on a course of antibiotics but they couldn't give me anything for the pain other than an ear drop that is supposed to help (it doesn't). The doctor said it takes 2-48 hours for the antibiotics to kick in and the pain to subside. I am completely miserable right now, my ear is throbbing in pain, I can't hear out of it, and there is a constant ringing in it. Now I understand why little kids get so miserable with ear infections, it hurts! I would rank it right up there with being in labor.

Patrick knows I haven't been feeling well. He's been so sweet in offering up suggestions to help me. First he offered me some imaginary soup to make me feel better. Then he gave me a kiss on my owie. And finally he suggested we try a band aid, that should make me feel better. Awwwww :)

My Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day!

Patrick decided to celebrate the day by catching a wicked cold and running a 102 degree temperature :( His doctor had ruled out an ear infection yesterday but wants to see him again tomorrow if his fever doesn't break (he still had one when he went to bed). So Tom and I had leftovers for dinner and took turns holding a very clingy little boy. Tom is off to San Diego for the day tomorrow so I hope things go better.

I had Patrick's picture taken for Tom for Valentine's Day but I couldn't post them until today after Tom got his gift. So here is my little Valentine :)

And a belated happy 22 months to our little man.

Oh, and Patrick officially got into preschool for the fall! He'll be going to Montecito School in Los Altos starting August 31. It's just 2 mornings a week for 3 hours, I think it will be really good for him! And who knew preschool was so competitive around here (atually, Monica had warned me about it)? I got one of the last spots for him, parents started arriving for sign-ups in the wee hours or the morning (4:30 am!).

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Patrick had a very eventful night last night. He was up from about 11 pm until 1 am throwing up. We're not sure what happened, the only possible culprit we could think of was the milk we picked up at 7-11 on the way home last night. After he threw up 10 or 12 times Patrick was able to go back to sleep for the rest of the night. He woke up this morning in good spirits and was pleased to see that Santa brought him a shopping cart which he happily pushed around the house this morning. My poor walls don't ever get a break! Patrick seemed pretty bored by the wrapped presents, once we unwrapped them he was happy to see new toys but he never really got into the ribbons and paper.





Tom's mom gave Patrick a cute little vest she hand knit. Tom had one just like it when he was 2 :)



Patrick loved the new ride on bike he got from his grandma and grandpa.



He also loved the Weeble Wobble Treehouse he got from Chuck and Dee. All of Patrick's older cousins seemed interested as well!



My Mom and Michael gave Patrick a ride on firetruck with a bell and flashing light!



But his favorite toy was probably the set of wooden cutting food. The pieces stick together with velcro and it makes a nice crunch when you cut through. Patrick thought it was hilarious to cut the food and laughed and laughed.



So it was a very long day involving 3 houses and a nap for all 3 of us. Patrick seems to be feeling better, and is snug asleep in his bed.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Morning Blues

Can I use this as a forum to whine a little bit about my morning?

This morning when Patrick woke up he puked, Tom thought it was becase he coughed too hard. By 7:30 this morning Patrick had puked 4 more times. All over my new rug, my new couch, and me. Luckily my nose is plugged up with a cold so I don't really smell it. So I clean it all up and get Patrick ready to go get his 18 pictures taken at the Picture People this morning (a month late, oops!). As soon as I got Patrick out of the car in the parking garage at the mall he starts puking again, I'm worried about him getting it all over his outfit so I pick him up and tilt him forward and he pukes all over my shirt. At this point we're close to being late for our photo appointment to I clean us both up with baby wipes and run into the Picture People. I have a huge wet spot on my shirt and I'm sure I smell like puke. Patrick decided he wants to scream and cling to me and will not cooperate at all, he seems terrified of the camera. He starts getting really worked up and I'm worried he will puke again. After about 5 minutes the photographer asks me to reschedule my appointment. So we're going back on Saturday morning when Tom can come and hopefully help out. The rest of the day was better (and puke free!) but I feel like I've been run over by a truck.

To quote one of my favorite childhood books "it was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day".

Open House

Patrick is still sick, but seems to be in good spirits. Today he figured out how to pronounce "L" so he spent a great part of the day repeating "lolololo" and "lalalala". We've started Patrick back on some solids, per the pediatrician's advice. Today's menu consisted of Saltines, applesauce, and dry toast. Mmmmm.

Since it isn't any fun to take pictures of a sick baby, here are some pics from last week....

Spending time with Dad when he gets home


Enjoying avocado


Testing the limits of a toy


And here are some house update pictures...


This plywood is actually covering up the fact that our garage is completely open in the back. I hope no would-be robbers are reading this!


The existing exterior walls are stripped down to the frame


Apparently it takes a lot of nails to build a house

Sick Boy

My poor baby is sick. He was running a fever this morning and has had diarrhea since yesterday morning. We talked to the advice nurse this morning and she said it sounds like a little stomach virus so he's now on a liquid only diet. Patrick got his first cup of juice today as I've been pushing liquids to keep him hydrated. Even sick, he's still been such a sweetie pie, and secretly I like all the extra cuddles I've been getting. :)

Rainy Days and Mondays

If rainy days and Mondays get me down what does a rainy Monday do? We had beautiful weather last week, it hit 70+ degrees a few days, but today was a bust. I'm still getting over my cold and I feel pretty crummy. But enough about me! Patrick is feeling fine, and I'm convinced he has spoken his first words. On three seperate occasions last week, Patrick squealed out "dada" when Tom came through the front door. No fair :(

Patrick has a new face he likes to make. He smiles this huge silly grin and squints his eyes (just like mommy does when she smiles). He's a goofy kid, but I think we'll keep him!