Ear Infections, Tubes, Antibiotics, and Nuthatches

Well, it's finally happened. The day the doctor told us to go to an ear, nose, and throat specialist to get Anastasia's ears checked out. She has had 4 ear infections since August and discomfort on days when the weather changes (frequent waking up).

Went to Dr. Epstein on Tuesday and he recommended she get tubes put in her ears to remove the fluid buildup from all the infections. The fluid just stays there until the shape of the inner ear changes at about two years old and it is like an incubator for bacteria. Hence the constant ear infections. Some kids get it worse than others. Since it runs in our family, not surprised that she will have to have them. We are scheduled for surgery Feb 11, it's outpatient. Must admit I'm not looking forward to putting her under the anasthesia but what can you do? This is where trusting God becomes important. I know it's a small surgery but try telling that to my nerves! Don't think I'm a nervous wreck, though - I'm really looking forward to knowing that our daughter is hearing normally, not like she's underwater. I can't wait to see how her speech will be impacted! She already knows so many words, but still I just am looking forward to her not being uncomfortable from all the fluid buildup.

As I write there are titmice, nuthatches, and finches at the bird feeder. We've discovered the nuthatches are hiding food in the cracks of our brick (in between the brick and in chinks in the mortar). It's crazy, you can watch the little guys hiding the food in the brick from the window - they are about 6 inches away and don't care that you're staring straight at them. I've seen pics on the Web of people feeding nuthatches out of their hands, they are undaunted by human presence as long as there is food to be had! Unfortunately this means we're going to probably be hosting an insect population in our brick as well in the spring - pretty sure those cute little birdies aren't gonna remember where they stashed their seed, but the bugs will certainly find it!

Later!

Winter and Snow

We are supposed to get snow tonight for the second time this week. It's so pretty when it first snows but then it starts to melt. What can I say? And that means the playground is not an option unless I take plenty of gear to clean off the slide and make Anastasia wear mittens (not!).

All is well other than that. We are enjoying the new roof and siding and have uploaded photos of that in our slide show.

Also, Anastasia has added "peas" to her vocabulary. I can also tell she understands more words, such as upstairs/downstairs...and toy chest....we are working on putting things back into paper sacks once she's gotten them out (the sacks are her version of a purse!), working the light switch, and climbing up onto furniture and back down. I'm still afraid of her on the bed but it seems she's picking up the concept that she has to slide feet first down to the floor (with my help).

Bobby and I are delighted to be part of Anastasia's life and continue to find parenthood a wonderful blessing, albeit a lot of work!

I almost forgot...Anastasia is into mimicking Mommy right now. Sometimes I put her in a back carrier so I can do things like cook, etc., well, she decided that Teddy needed to be put in the carrier as well. She put teddy in there then started pushing the carrier around the house all the while adamantly saying "GO!" I had to get a picture of it so I got both teddies and put them in there, but it was her initial idea. As you can see she was enjoying every minute of this game.

Exhaustion

Oh the joy of family illnesses! The first stomach bug hit us this past week. I'll spare you the details.

We are feeling better but Anastasia got it on Friday night, Mom on Monday (Bobby took care of A the whole day, bless his heart), and Bobby on Tuesday. We are feeling a lot better now. This made a long week of making up for the two days we lost, kinda exhausting.

Anybody else have fun getting their toddler to drink enough liquid? Our trick was to dip a straw in Pedialyte then put our thumb on the end of the straw that was sticking up out of the cup. That retains the liquid and then you can release your thumb when you get the straw in the mouth of your toddler. Kinda crazy, but it worked.

The gutters and new siding went on the house this week. I'll post pics later when I feel like actually hooking up the camera to the computer and downloading everything...it looks pretty good. I don't feel like this looks like our house anymore, it is being transformed. :-)

Oh yeah and Anastasia started her Music Together playgroup this week; it was a lot of fun. She loves the songs they sing and the movement.