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!