Happy. So happy.

My baby boy joined a new club today. The club grows by 600,000 babies each year, as doctors across the U.S. place tubes into their teeny tiny ear drums.  Today was Bryson's turn under the care of Dr. Vaidya.  Poor guy was diagnosed with his first ear infection months ago.  Antibiotics were dispensed and life resumed as normal; or so we thought. We soon learned that the meds didn't remove the infection, so we got another rx. And another. And five rounds of different prescriptions later, with Mommy 720 miles away, Daddy accompanied our lil man to the hospital at the break of dawn this morning.  At the first appointment with Dr. Vaidya last month, Bryson and I were giggling so loud that I was worried someone in that quiet office would file a noise complaint. Then the doc came in and confirmed the existence of his double ear infection, noting that the right eardrum looked as if it were about to burst. He then confirmed what I already knew: what a happy baby boy we have!  He and everyone in that office was complimentary of Bryson's cheerful disposition. "I can't believe he's sitting so still and happily in your lap!"  What a good baby you are, Bryson.  And it seems he proved to be a joyful trooper while recovering from surgery today:

Here are some factoids for the nerds like me that have to understand the 'why's'...or for first moms learning that it's not just recurrent infections that render this surgery.

Eustachian tubes connect our ears to our throats to let fluid drain out of the middle ear and prevent fluid from building back up. When the tube is blocked – caused by colds, sinus infections, allergies – and the fluid gets trapped, a haven for bacteria and viruses is established, and infection occurs. When too much fluid builds up in the middle ear, it can put pressure on the eardrum until it ruptures. Signs of infection can be tugging or pulling on an ear, crankiness, trouble sleeping, and loss of appetite (it's painful to swallow).

• Babies are more susceptible because their tubes are shorter than adults’ and they're horizontal, preventing necessary drainage.
• Using a pacifier may increase the risk of middle ear infections in babies and young children. In one study, the incidence of ear infections was 33 percent lower in babies who did not use a pacifier.
• Recurrent ear infections or fluid that just won’t go away can cause hearing loss and a delay in speech.
• Babies with even one ear infection that lingers for months despite antibiotic treatment may be good candidates for ear tubes. 

I can't wait to get home and rock my baby...love you Bryson!

Happy Easter (belated, of course!)

Happy birthday, my boy!

The moments leading up to the birth of Bryson will always be vivid memories for both Jackson and I. A sleepless night that put an end to the nine months leading up to the announcement we would hear at 8 a.m. that Tuesday morning. "IT'S A BOY!!" Wow. 

Although they're not as consistently documented as Brooklyn's, Bryson has surpassed numerous milestones in his 12 months of existence. By 4 months, he had his first tooth. By 8 months, he had 8. He was also crawling by then. He's been laughing and smiling since he entered our lives...and intensely watching his sister's every move along the way. He loves his bottles. And although he continues to tip the scale more than the majority of kids his age, he doesn't care much for baby food. Finger foods are fun for him...rather messy for us. He usually puts it in and spits it right back out before deciding whether or not he likes it. Must be a texture thing. Gross, nonetheless. When you lift him up from the highchair, you'll also lift up chunks of half-eaten or soggy food stuck all over his little body. He hates medicine, but in an attempt to be like his sister, sometimes he'll open wide. And then realize again how much he hates it! His favorite time of the day is bath time. This child dunks his own head under the running water, and splashes with such might that I get wet when I'm standing several feet away from the tub. It actually scared Brooklyn for a short period of time. She would tell me that she didn't want to bathe with him! Needless to say, he loves his sand and water table:

 

And what a time he had at his birthday party!  Initially appearing shy as the crowd sang Happy Birthday, he soon realized all eyes were on him & he clapped along! 

He may not like food much, but cake?  That's another story!  He devoured his cake!!

 The sugar high was wearing off toward the end:

Happy happy birthday, my boy!  You are such a happy spirit and the reason for such joy in our hearts and lives!  Mommy loves you, Bryson.

Brave?

Maybe I haven't left work on time every day, but I can honestly report that I am making it a regular habit to hit pause every day.  I take a step back and really absorb the moment that I'm living, at that very second.  Wow, what a difference it has made!  I find myself really living in the moment instead of in Auto Pilot mode more often than not.  It's so simple to do, and something I think I used to do until our lives became so chaotic...now I have to think to do it!  Or is it an age thing...?

Jackson coaches baseball once a week, so it's just me & the kiddos those nights. We normally head straight home from work/school, and we'll either play at  home or go to the neighborhood playground before dinner & bathtime.  I recently chose to use the pause button just after picking the kids up from school.  This caused a moment of irrational thinking.  Rainy day; can't go out and play; let's go to Chik-Fil-A!  As we arrived, I noticed a birthday party was going on, so I adjusted our plans - no inside play; just order food & go home to play. I place our order in the drive-thru.  That's when she spotted it. "PLAYGROUND, MOMMY! I SEE A PLAYGROUND!" Okay, okay...let's eat in the car & then go in and play. 'I can do this!', I tell myself.

Three bites into my sandwich & 2 grilled nuggets later for her, "I need to go potty." Are you sure? Can you wait? "No, potty right now, Mommy!"  (I wonder why I was ever excited about potty training.)  Leaving my food in the car for later, I rush to unload both kids, diaper bag, and Brooklyn's food. It's a pretty short window of opportunity with a toddler in training.  With Bryson on my left hip the whole time, we survive the potty break and find a table for her to finish eating. Balloon interrupts her already interrupted meal, presenting Brooklyn with a ladybug (which she calls a bumble bee). This causes Bryson to fall into a magnetic force field, being drawn across the table to attempt to steal the red spotted balloon from his sister's wrist.  Diversion: let's go to the playground...now!  We load up. Relocate. Finally. I enjoy sitting still. Maybe my sweat will begin to dry off and my aching feet will feel relief.  Bryson's all over the place playing with the maze on the wall. Brooklyn's climbing up the slide for the second time. Peace!  And then I hear it again, "Mommy, I need to go potty."  "Are you sure?" "Yes, right now!"  And the story continues...

In 45 mintues, we had 12 bites of food between the 3 of us, 3 potty breaks, a diaper change, 7 mins of play time, 9 mins of trying to find the courage to give the cow a high five, and a restaraunt full of people wondering: "Is it bravery or insanity that brought this woman here alone with these two?"

Whatever it was, we get loaded back into the car, turn up some beats and head back to my comfort zone as Brooklyn nods her head to the beat (this makes Jax very proud) and Bryson watches his sister's every move.