The Lump

Tyson has a "lump".  I noticed it on December 9th.  I looked at him and noticed the right side of his face was swollen.  Upon further examination, I found a lump.  It was big.  Like at least the size of a quarter.  I freaked a little bit.  This was a Sunday morning, and was also the middle of a Minnesota snow storm.  I called my RN sister in law, and she said she would probably take him in, but I convinced myself it could wait until Monday.  So, Monday morning I called his primary doctor and she was able to squeeze him in.  She checked it out and was pretty perplexed.  She did a few tests.  Strep, checked some blood levels, etc.  She found nothing other than the fact that he had some kind of infection.  She decided to put him on a ten day antibiotic and hope the "lump" would shrink.  It didn't. 
The next appointment included a call to another physician friend of our doctor's, a call to an ENT specialist at the Children's hospital, and a chest x-ray.  So, eventually, she referred us to an ENT doctor at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. 
Fast forward to New Year's Eve.  We took Tyson to his appointment at Children's and the doctor didn't seem overly concerned.  He explained (in a lot of big words) that this was probably an infection.  Something little kids pick up in the summer, but doesn't show up for a few months.  He thought it would most likely need to be surgically removed.  The first step was some blood work, then to schedule a CT scan.  The blood work was done that day.  The CT scan was today.  We never heard anything on the blood work, so I am assuming no news on that is good news. 
For the CT scan, we had to be in Minnetonka at 7:30 this morning.  The two big boys spent the night at my parents' house so that my mom could take them to daycare/school for us.  We got Tyson up early put Ice Age in the DVD player and we were on the road.  The actual scan was pretty quick.  He did need to be sedated, so that process took a little while.  Everything went well, and the results will be sent to his primary doctor and the doctor at Children's.  The nurse from this morning thought we would most likely hear something from Dr. Lander at Children's within one to two days.  Until then, we just hope for the best. 

A two, A three and A five

Well, my number two turned three this week.  Tyler's birthday was Monday.  We celebrated with a combo Tyler-Tyson birthday party on Sunday.  We did a camping theme and everything went really well.  The weather forecast was pretty grim, but by the time the party really got underway, it turned out to be pretty nice.  We were able to do our pinata outside, the kids ran around, the guys fried a turkey and there was lots of eating and relaxing going on.  

The only part of the day that to be a little bit much for me was when we got to the gift opening.  I wasn't sure what the best way to do things was.  Tyler open one, then Tyson open one.  Tyler do all of his, then Tyson do all of his....there were options.  I decided to go with every other one.  Then, things just got crazy.  There was paper flying everywhere.  I feel like I didn't get to see half of the gifts they got and I'm not even sure whos are whos when it comes to some of them.  But they were happy and that's really all that matters.  

*Tyson got a baby and a stroller from Pat and Leah.  He was beyond excited!  As soon as he saw what it was, he was yelling and clapping and smiling from ear to ear!  Once it was open and the baby was strapped in, he headed out the garage door and could have cared less about any of the rest of his presents.  He even insisted on sleeping with the baby AND the stroller!  

Monday was Tyler's actual birthday.  He had his 3 year check up in the morning and he did AWESOME! He was so cooperative I couldn't believe it!  I did ask the doctor about two of the fingers on his left hand that are swollen and have been for a few months.  She seemed pretty perplexed by it and decided to do an x-ray to be safe.  She didn't really find much other than the tissue around the bones is kind of swollen.  She decided we would just keep an eye on it for now.  

After his appointment--because I have an unbelievably flexible job--we were able to stop at Toys R Us for a game and a case for the Leapster he got from Rhonda and Troy, then a quick lunch at McDonald's before heading back to daycare where he celebrated some more!

F-I-V-E

Our little Kayden is five freakin' years old!  Last week, he had a dentist appointment and his five year well-child check all in one morning.  His dentist appointment went well.  They are just watching one spot where a cavity may be forming, but the dentist thought with some consistant flossing, we should be able to avoid a full-on cavity.  

His doctor appointment also went fairly well.  Before the actual appointment, they do a hearing and vision check.  I was curious what they would fine in his hearing because we notice that he says, "huh?" a lot, and have been wondering if he is having trouble hearing, or if it is just a habit.  Turns out that is just a habit, because his hearing is fine.  His vision on the other hand, was--just like last year--not perfect.  His left eye was 20-32.  The doctor suggested that we take him back to the optometrist, which we will do.  We took him for an eye exam last year and they thought his eyes were ok, but planned to re-check them yearly to make sure things didn't get any worse.  So, within the next few weeks, we will be headed back to the eye doctor.  

We also got the same lecture we got after his appointment last year.  It seems his BMI is fairly high (100).  Our doctor is fairly weight-conscience, so she made lots of suggestions as far as getting that number down.  And, just like last year, I let all of that go in one ear and out the other.  I do not think that Kayden is by any means over weight!  He is just like my brother was when he was young--solid.  He does not have a single roll of chub on him!  Ugh, it's frustrating.  

Over all, the appointments went well, and the BWW's was well-deserved afterward :)

Problems solved????

In the past month, Tyson has had double ear infections twice.  So, we decided to have new tubes put in his ears, and the doctor also thought it would be a good idea to take his adenoids out thinking that they may be at the root of his endless ear problems.  

So, this morning, we dropped Tyler and Kayden off at daycare and headed to the surgical center.  After a quick 15 minute procedure, he was done and in recovery.  When they called us back to see him, he was cuddling with a nurse.  As soon as she handed him to me, he woke up and cried, attempted to rip his IV out, kicked and screamed and yelled for his daddy, so I handed him over :)  He ended up sleeping on Mike's chest for a good hour before he finally really woke up and drank his juice.  By 11:00, we were sent home.  Mike headed to work, while Tyson and I had to make a quick Target stop for an anti-biotic and some ear drops.  We've now been home for a few hours and he has been running around like a little animal.  I think he really enjoys being able to play with all of the toys without his big brothers stealing things from him.  We had planned on keeping him home from daycare tomorrow, but if he continues to do this well, I think he'll be able to go back to daycare and Mike and I can go back to work.  Let's hope this is finally the end of all of these ear issues for my little guy!

Rite of Passage

If a trip to the ER is a rite of passage for all little boys, then Tyson can check that off his list.  

We came home from a weekend at "The Pink House", and were relaxing in the living room. I was googling, "Why are my baby's fingers peeling?" when I heard the modem for my computer come crashing down off the top shelf.  Tyson had pulled on the cord, and it landed right on his head.  Immediately, his forehead started bleeding with a pretty large cut in it.  We used a rag to get the bleeding to stop.  When we could finally get a good look at it, we couldn't decide if it was a cut, or if it was more of a gouge.  I called Mike's sister Rhonda to ask her for a little advice.  She agreed with Mike saying that if it was a gouge, they wouldn't be able to do anything for it. So, we stuck a Buzz Lightyear bandaid on it, and ate supper.  After supper, I took another look at it, and decided it looked like it was split open or cut.  So, we decided that I'd give him a quick bath and then Tyson and I would head to the ER to have it checked out.  

The wait at the hospital wasn't long, we were checked in, and headed to an exam room.  We waited, saw a nurse or two, entertained the other patients in the neighboring rooms, ate some raisins, read some books, and eventually saw a Physician's Assistant.  They numbed the area, and the PA decided he would be able to glue the cut rather than stitch it.  So, while the nurse and I held him down, the doc did his thing, and we were on our way. 

Tyson was in good spirits the entire time.  He fell asleep on the way home, and slept like a baby ;)

Poor little guy....

Last Wednesday, Tyson had a fever in the afternoon.  I gave him Tylenol, and it came down.  This became the pattern every four to six hours for the next day and a half.  

We decided Thursday night that I would take him to the clinic Friday morning.  We were planning on heading out of town for Memorial Day weekend, and I wanted to make sure his ears were ok before we drove all the way up there to spend the weekend in the camper. 

So, turns out, he had an ear infection, and most likely strep.  So, on anti-biotics he went.  This of course leads to some nights of not-enough-sleep.  I am pretty sure he is getting teeth,  and that is what is causing the ear infection.  He tends to get the infections when he is teething.  So, hopefully the amoxicillan will take care of it, and this teething thing will pass soon!

Good thing he's so tough!

Yesterday was Tyson's appointment with his doctor at the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic.  His pediatrician referred us back there to try to get to the bottom of this ear infection problem he has. 

He was at the regular clinic last Wednesday, and his ears were not infected(he was still on his antibiotic at that time--finished it Friday). So, yesterday when Dr. Hanson looked in his ears, I expected them to look fine. Nope. Infected. Both of em.  One tube is blocked.

So, he is back on an antibiotic and ear drops, and will go back to the ENT next Friday.  The doctor said he will try to fix the problem first, but may end up needing to replace his tubes. 

I am assuming we'll be replacing the tubes, since it has been plugged once before, and was cleared, but is now plugged again. 

Poor little guy!

Daddy's Eyes

Apparently Kayden did not inherit my perfect vision. 

At his preschool screening, they suggested that we have his eyes re-checked.  So, at his 4-year appointment, they checked his vision, the doctor recommended that we take him to an eye doctor.  

So, that appointment was Tuesday.  Since I have never been to an eye doctor before, I decided to take him to the same doctor Mike goes to.  

His appointment was at 3:45, and I assumed it would take maybe 30 minutes or so.  Boy was I wrong! We were there for over an hour.  What a process!  They must have done at least 20 different tests to check his eyes.  By the end of the appointment, he was literally falling asleep!  The doctor said it was because his eyes were dilated, and it was normal for that to make kids feel sleepy.  

I think they just wore him out!

The final result:

He does not need glasses.  For now.  He is a little far-sighted, but doc says that's normal for kids his age, and it may correct itself. Once he starts reading, we'll have to pay more attention to it, but for now he is fine.  Thank God!

He was such a trooper through the whole, long appointment.  He got to choose two prizes from the drawer at the eye clinic, and he got to get Skittles when we went to the drug store for Tyson's Tylenol! 

What a week!

It has been a strange week in the Frericks household.  

It started Tuesday morning when I got a text from our daycare provider that Tyson was coughing, wheezing and his temp was 100.6.  

So, I told her to let me know if things got worse, or if she wanted me to come get him early.  I didn't hear from her again, but I decided to call our pediatrician, just to find out if she wanted to see him, or if I should just increase his nebulizer treatments.  So, I left a message for her, and by lunchtime she called me back.  She asked a few questions and then decided that we should just increase his nebs.  

My mom picked the boys up for me that day and met me in Albany because I needed to take Kayden to the eye doctor.  

During Kayden's appointment, I got a text from my dad that I better stop and get some Tylenol for Tyson.  By the time I got to my parents' house, he was burning up and wheezing worse that ever!  I gave him some Tylenol, snuggled him for a bit and headed to my meeting.  

By the time I got back from my meeting, it was bedtime for the boys, so we got them in their pj's and gave Tyson his bottle, and headed for home.  When we got home, we did his nebulizer treatment.  

And so began night number one of zero sleep for Tyson and Mommy.  

It was rough. 

He was miserable.  He gets sick a lot, but he is always still a happy baby, so I knew things were bad when he wasn't smiling, and crawling around after his brothers. 

I had decided(I think around 3:00 a.m.) that I was going to call in sick on Wednesday, and take the poor baby to the clinic even though our doctor said she didn't need to see him.  I wanted, number one, to have someone else's opinion, and number two, I wanted someone to listen to his breathing since it was worse than any other time.  

5:30 a.m. my cell phone rang, to tell me that due to a March snowstorm in lovely Minnesota, school was closed for the day.  Perfect.  Saves me a sick day.  

So, after the boys were all awake, I got Kayden and Tyler to Sharon's and Tyson and I braved the storm, and headed to the clinic.  

To my surprise, we were one of two families in the usually over-flowing walk-in clinic waiting room.  (Fun tid-bit:  the only other child in the waiting room was named Tyson too)

They called us back, and started a nebulizer treatment right away.  

By the time the doctor came in, his breathing was sounding better already, but she did order a chest x-ray and a flu test, just to be sure.  

If your kids have ever had a chest x-ray, you know how miserable that whole procedure is, and this was his second one in a month!

So, eventually, we were sent home with instructions to continue his nebulizer treatments, and Tylenol for his fever.  If things aren't better within 3 days, we should go back.  

I later got a call that the flu test was negative, and as far as the chest x-ray, I'm assuming no news is good news.  

On a good note---his ears were not, I repeat, NOT INFECTED! This could be due to the fact that he was currently on an anti-biotic....=)

By Tuesday night Tyson was better already.  It's amazing what the nebulizer can do. He still isn't sleeping at night, but we'll keep working on that.  

His pediatrician also put him on an "Asthma Action Plan".  She has diagnosed him with "asthma due to infection".  So, basically, when ever he gets a cold, his asthma kicks in. 

Just another trip to the clinic

I'm pretty sure the Target pharmacists and I are officially on a first-name basis.  It seems like I am there at least once a week for prescriptions for someone in my family. 

Yesterday I was at the clinic.  Kayden had his 4-year well-child check, and Tyson was there to have his ears and lungs re-checked.  

Let's start with Tyson. Dr. Peitso listened to his lungs, and decided that we should keep him on his nebulizer "until the lilacs bloom". That's like, May.  Ugh.  

Then, she looked in his ears.  Left ear, perfect.  Wahoo!  Right ear, waxy. She cleaned it out.  Behind all that wax?  Wait for it:::::: ear infection!  WTF???  Seriously!  So, she is treating him with drops and an anti-biotic, and referred us back to his doctor at the ENT.  It's getting a bit ridiculous.  I can't wait to see his doctor at the ENT, and see what he has to say.  

Then, there was Kayden.  When he went in for his 3-year appointment, he didn't cooperate for his hearing or vision check, and didn't even let them weigh him or measure his height. So, I had been preparing him for this appointment for the past week or so.  We talked about the doctor checking how big he is, testing his hearing and vision, and maybe shots. I was pretty sure she had told me last year that he wouldn't need shots at his four year appointment, but I wasn't making any promises because I know how things can change.  

So, first stop was the little room for his hearing and vision check.  He had done both of these at his pre-school screening, and had cooperated, so I was hoping he'd do ok. 

**side note:  at his preschool screening, they had suggested I have his vision re-checked, so I was curious what they were going to come up with at this appointment**

After some brief instruction, he did great on his hearing test.  Then, the woman explained the vision test to him and got him started.  He held the little pirate-patch-looking thing over his left eye, and recognized all of the shapes. Then he moved it to his right eye.  He did fine on the bigger shapes, but once she got a little further into the test, we noticed him peeking out from behind the little eye cover.  The woman reminded him to keep his eye covered, and he said, "But mommy, I can't see if I do that"::Uh oh::

So, we had him cover his eye and do his best.  Once he kept his eye covered, he had trouble recognizing the shapes.  She said she'd let the doctor know, and then we'd decide if he should be seen by an eye doctor. 

Next, we met with his regular doctor.  They had him put on a little hospital gown(way cute, but apparently not very cool, because he immediately wanted his blanket to cover up his exposed legs--whatev).  She checked his ears, eyes, tummy, breathing, etc.  Everything looked fine.  The only "concern" was that based on his weight and height measurements (39 pounds and 39 inches) he is "almost in the zone of overweight".  WTF??????  Are you serious?  So, quick lecture on giving him skim milk and healthy snacks.  I listened, but pretty much let that go in one ear and out the other. He is by no means overweight! I am still in shock over it, but whatev(again). I could go on for days about this, but I'm not going to let it bother me,and I'm just going to forget she ever said it.  

The doctor mentioned that he could get all of his kindergarten shots today.  I think the total would have been like five or six shots.  I told her that I hadn't really prepared him for shots, so I thought doing all of them might be a bit much.  We decided to do two shots and wait until his 5 year appointment for the rest.  So, out goes doctor, in comes 2 nurses for shots. This is where I got a little nervous.  I wasn't real sure how he was going to take this.  But, I laid him up on the exam table, talked to him and held his arms while he got one shot in each thigh, and believe it or not::::NO TEARS!  I couldn't believe it!  He did awesome!  

Once the shots were done, we packed up and headed out the door, since I had to get Tyson home and get Kayden to school.  
So, since we were REALLY short on time I took my apparently overweight kid through the McDonald's drive through, and we were on our way.  What?  I got him apples instead of fries.  Geez. 

Sick baby (again)

For some reason, my little Tyson just can't stay healthy!  Although he is one of the happiest sick babies I've ever seen, it seems like he's always got something going on.  

Toward the end of last week, he started a little cold/cough.  It seems like whenever he gets a cold, it goes right to his lungs.  I picked him up from daycare on Monday, and Sharon had a look of terror.  She explained that she had to give him the "baby heimlich".  She said that he was sitting on the floor, then started coughing and couldn't catch his breath.  She had to flip him over, and hit his back.  Nothing came out, so she stuck her finger in his mouth to make sure there was nothing in it, and then he just threw everything up. He's been sounding really wheezy, and when things were getting worse rather than better, I decided that I'd take him in yesterday afternoon. 

We waited for about half an hour in the germ-infested walk-in clinic waiting room before we were called back.  The doctor that saw him found an ear infection, and said his breathing sounded really bad. She decided to treat him for the ear infection, asthma and possible pneumonia. 
So, I headed to Target to pick up FIVE different prescribed medications.  He is on drops for his ears, an anti-biotic for his ears, his albuterol in his nebulizer, a steroid in his nebulizer and prednizone.  I literally, had to make a schedule for his daily medications so that we can remember when to give him each one.  It's going to be a miserable two weeks....

Tyson::9 months

Tyson had his 9 month appointment on Friday.  His ears were clear of infection, his breathing was back to normal, and he is a healthy 21 pounds!  I don't have all of his stats handy right now, but he was in the 50th-60th percentile in everything.  I was kind of wondering about his weight, because he has really gotten kinda chubby in the past month, but I guess he's normal :)   

He also is pushing his second tooth through, which has made for a couple sleepless nights!

My Motherly Instinct

Poor little Tyson has just NOT been healthy lately!   A week ago Friday, his ear started draining a lot of yucky stuff.  I let it go, and figured his tube was just doing it's job.  By Thursday, he was pretty congested, and his breathing was sounding really rattly.  Not terrible, but not normal. We were headed to Arrowwood for the weekend, so I talked myself into taking the afternoon off on Friday to take him to the walk-in clinic to have it checked out.  For my own peace of mind, really.  I called the clinic Friday morning and talked to a nurse about his symptoms, and she said I should bring him in.  So, I left work at 11:30, and picked him up at daycare.  We spent the rest of the afternoon at the clinic. Chest x-rays, RSV test, flu test, nebulizer treatment, the list goes on. By the time we left we had a diagnosis of an ear infection :::insert annoyed groan here::: and pneumonia.  We were sent on our way with prescriptions for ear drops, albuterol by way of nebulizer, and augmentin.  I got to the pharmacy and talked them out of making me buy new tubing for the nebulizer we already have, as well as $144.00 ear drops which I still have left over from one of Tyson's other 500 ear infections. 

I had planned to make a quick trip to the clinic, a possibly stop at Target for a prescription, a quick stop at Cobourn's for groceries for the weekend, then home to pack the last minute things for the weekend, then pick up Kayden and Tyler on our way out of town, and  be to the waterpark before supper time.  Things didn't exactly work that way.  Instead I spent the entire afternoon at the clinic, went to Target to hand over my pay check in exchange for some drugs, then ran through the grocery store, and got home in time to hap-hazardly throw a few things in a suitcase for myself, whip up some sloppy joes for the weekend, feed Tyson a bottle, and make our way out the door.  Needless to say, we didn't get to the hotel until about 7:00. 

Back to the subject at hand--Tyson does seem to be feeling better.  That nebulizer really works.  He was up twice last night, but I'm not sure if that was because of his ears, his breathing difficulty, new teeth, or just because we've been gone for a few nights and out of routine. 

Rhonda came over last night to babysit while Mike and I went to dinner with some friends, and she said Tyler sounds like he's getting something.  Maybe bronchitis.  

Really???  

Ugh! 

Pray for me people.

GERMS!

This weekend will be spent cleaning and disinfecting our house to try to get rid of all the yucky germs that have been lurking, causing lots of runny noses, coughs, head-aches, and over all crankiness in our house.  

The cold symptoms started for all three boys on Monday.  Tyler definitely had it the worst to start out with (I think for him, it was a combination of the cold, and new teeth coming in).  I took Tyson to the clinic yesterday because his breathing sounded horrible, and even our daycare provider (who doesn't worry often) said that it worried her a little, and she'd have it checked out.  Turns out he has an ear infection (yes, even though he had tubes put in just one week ago) and croup.  So, he's back on ear drops, and a steroid for his croup. 

As of last night, Kayden is really starting to feel the symptoms too.  He was home with Rhonda while we went to my sister's basketball game, and she texted me to see what she could give him for his cold/cough/aches. 

I, also started to feel some of the cold-ish stuff coming on last night, but I am the least of my worries:)

So, we'll spend our weekend relaxing at home (with the exception of my dad's family's Christmas celebration tomorrow) and try to get everyone healthy before the highly anticipated Christmas time finally arrives next week! 

3 for 3

Well, we're 3-for-3 when it comes to tubes in our kids' ears.  

Kayden got them at about 15 months, Tyler was about 9 months. 

Tyson went in yesterday morning.  We were supposed to be there at 5:00 a.m.  I say, "supposed" to be there, because, well, for some reason, my alarm never went off, and I just happened to wake up at 5:02 a.m.  In a slight panic, I told Mike that we needed to get up, because we were supposed to be there "right now!". So, I quickly threw on some clothes and went into Tyler and Kayden's room where Tyson was sleeping (Kayden and Tyler stayed at my mom's), flipped on the light, got him up, and while I had him on the changing table, getting dressed, I called the surgical center to let them know that we'd be late, but we WERE coming.  Within 15 minutes we were out the door, and in the car. 

By 5:30, we were at the surgical center, and by 6:00, he was in surgery, I think it was about 5 minutes later, he was out, and by 6:30, we were in the recovery room with him, and by 6:55, we were on the road, heading home.  

The whole process is so quick, and as far as I know, painless.  With Kayden and Tyler we were in the room when they "put them under", but this time, the Anaesthesiologist just took Tyson back, and said he'd just hold him and rock him until he was asleep.  

I know there are LOTS of people who think that tubes should be a last resort for the wee ones, but I am all for them!  My kids have constant ear infections, and once the tubes are in, it's like some kind miracle---no more infections, or any of the crap that goes with them:  sleepless nights, fevers, crying....it's all over. 

So, here's to hoping for better sleep at night, a healthy household, and happy kids (which makes for a happy mommy).  ;)

An unexpected week-long vacation

I am back at work today for the first time since last Tuesday.  That's right.  I had a whole week off.  

I was off last Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday for Thanksgiving.  Monday, my daycare needed the day off, so I stayed home with the boys.  We thought about having Mike stay home, but then I decided that I get 10 sick days per year.  If I don't use them, I can carry them over to the next year.  The only problem:  I am about 90% sure there won't be a "next year"--at this school anyway.  (That's whole other post).  So, I plan to use each and every one of my sick days so that I don't lose them.  So, Monday, the  boys and I stayed home most of the day.  They ALL had doctor appointments in the afternoon, so my mom met me at the clinic to be my assistant for the day.  Tyler had his 18 month appointment, and Kayden and Tyson needed their ears re-checked, and flu shots.  Overall, the appointment went well.  Tyson still has fluid in his ears, I talked the doctor into referring him to ENT so that we can possibly do tubes before the end of the year (we've obviously met our deductible already for this year).  That appointment is Monday morning (hopefully Mike will be taking him).  

After the appointment, my mom took Kayden to school, and Tyler and Tyson and I headed home.  I got supper ready, ate quickly, and then headed to volleyball.  

TUESDAY, I had my first SNOW DAY of the year!  How lovely!!!!  I got a call at 5:54 a.m. from my principal saying that school would be two hours late.  Around 8:00 he called again, to say school was, in fact, CLOSED!  So....I let Kayden sleep in, made breakfast, cleaned up a bit, then took the boys to daycare so that I could head into St. Cloud to get a few more Christmas presents and groceries before my 3:30 doctor appointment.  

By 5:00, I picked the kids up, we headed home for supper, and then went to Auntie Mazih's first basketball game of the year.  She is a 9th grader this year, and this was her first time STARTING  a varsity game!  She played well (although, she wouldn't necessarily agree with that statement), and they did win.  Kayden and Tyson did well, Tyler was a bear!  He did well for a 1 1/2 year old on the top row of bleachers in a loud gym, but, by about 8:30, his time was up!  It was his bedtime, and he wasn't shy about letting everyone in the gym know!  I'm thinking we'll have to make alternate arrangements for him when we go to some of the games in the future.  Auntie Rhonda???????????

Home games aren't so bad, because there is room for him to run where we usually sit, but when it's an away game, I just never know what to expect. 

Appointments

My little planner is full.  Next week, appointment on Monday for Tyler's 18 month check up and Tyson's 2nd flu shot.  Tuesday I have an appointment---no, NOT a pre-natal appointment! 

I need to make appointments fairly far ahead of time, since I have to be kind of picky on times and days.  I can't take a lot of time off work, and I only have so many scheduled days off between September and June.  Thank God, my principal is fairly flexible, and lets me leave school a little early if necessary without having to use sick time. 

AND, this is the list that sits on my desk of appointments that need to be made.  Soon. 

Ears: Kayden and Tyson.  (They need to have them re-checked after their ear infections 2 weeks ago. )

Flu shot (or hopefully mist):  Kayden

4 year check up: Kayden

9 month check up:  Tyson

4 year pictures:  Kayden
Dentist:  Kayden

I guess I kinda needed a day off anyway....

Tyler fought a fever all day on Sunday.  By Monday morning, he seemed ok, so I sent him to daycare, and told her to call me if she thought he seemed sick.  I warned that they'd had a LONG weekend, and they would be tired.  I texted Sharon (our daycare provider) later in the morning, and asked how Tyler was doing.  Her reply was, "Tyler seems fine.  Kayden's temp is 101.2".  What the ??????   Ugh.  So, she had Kayden take a nap, and I picked him up at our normal time.  We got home, and he was pretty sluggish.  Laying around on the couch.  We talked about skipping pre-school, but in his mind, that was NOT an option!  So, as soon as Mike got home, off to school we went.  He seemed fine at school.  He even got to stay and watch me play volleyball.  

We got home, put him to bed, and I checked his temp in the morning.  It was 100.3.   So, I decided I'd keep all the boys home, and take all three of them to the walk-in clinic that morning, and as long as everything was ok, I'd go to work after lunch.  

I was a little nervous about taking them all to the doctor, by myself.  They did amazingly well!  I loaded Tyler and Tyson in the double stroller, and explained to Kayden that he needed to be a big boy and be my helper for the day.  Thank God, Tyson slept through everything until the very end of the appointment when the doctor was ready to check his ears.   Verdict:  Kayden has an ear infection and (as he says) "a pink eye".  Tyson has an ear infection, and Tyler just had a virus, and is still trying to recover.  

Next stop, Target.  We shopped around a bit to give the pharmacist time to fill the prescriptions.  Kayden chose a $3.00 toy, and we picked up our prescriptions and were on our way home by noon.  Tyler fell asleep on the way home, and took a 2 1/2 hour nap, Kayden played with his new toy while he watched a movie, and Tyson had a bottle and took one of his longest naps to date!  All of this gave me some time to catch up on laundry from the weekend, dishes, etc. 

This morning, I took the kids to daycare, just like any other day.  Kayden had a strange meltdown as I dropped them off, but I figured he was just tired and a little cranky.  Sharon distracted him while I snuck out the door.  

My latest text from Sharon, "Kayden threw up.  He seems ok now.  That explains his behavior this morning.  I'm making him soup".  

Ugh!