Heritage Days Parade

Sidney got to be in the local Heritage Days Parade this year with her dance studio. It took a lot of rearranging schedules for her to participate in the practices, but she was determined and really wanted to do it. So we obliged, figured out how to get her to the practices and then, Heritage Days landed on the same day as Regan's state qualifier games for fall ball. Darn it. So with more rearranging of our schedules, we decided that Lincoln and I would take Sid to the parade, while Ryan got Regan to her games and we would meet up for her second round of games later in the day (minus Sidney who then got invited to a birthday party!). As timing would require, I opted to park my car at the very end of the parade route, which meant I had to walk Sidney all the way to the beginning of the parade route to meet up with her group (there was far too much congestion to try to drive there and they don't let you drive anywhere near), and then race back to the end to watch the parade go by. Lincoln got real into the excitement, watching the trucks and waiting for a costumed animal or real animal. 

He couldn't eat much of the candy, which was fine since there were a million kids eager to take his share of it anyway. He sat patiently next to me, until disaster hit. He got stung by a bee; his second bee sting in just 2 weeks. Poor buddy was screaming in pain, the stinger still in his tiny finger, which later made his entire hand swell (24 hours later and it's still swollen). 

Sidney was at the end of the parade, so I did a quick video job and had to pack up so we could snatch her at the end and take off for her bday party (and Regan's games). She did a great job and was so happy to be dancing in a parade; click HERE for a short video. She loses her footing and stumbles while squatting; her poor body was pretty tired by that point :) Way to go Sid!

#5

This sweet face is on another round of antibiotics. For his FIFTH ear infection since the beginning of the year. We're in line to see his ENT again very soon. At this point, the concern is that his hearing might be affected, so we will see audiology for a hearing test first. 

But in the meantime, his adorable sisters will put flowers in his hair for as long as he will allow :)

Silly busy boy

Lincoln is busy. Very very busy. But when he's active, I can't help but smile because it reminds me that at least he's healthy. (A third ear infection since January has made for a tough start of the year). He likes to toss things across the room, as seen in this clip  and make big messes all day long. Oh boy does it make Ryan mad!

We spend many hours each day outside. He likes to ride in his car, sled down the driveway and watch for busses. For hours on end, the boy could stay outside. We get cold far before he does. And often can only convince him to come in with a major distraction (food or dancing).

He plays hard....and then crashes hard 

and when he's battling yet another ear infection, he sleeps with his mouth open because his sinuses are plugged. 

We love you sweet baby boy!

Under the weather

Sadly, Lincoln has been sick for a good portion of the last 4 weeks. We try hard to prevent him from being exposed to anything, but our best efforts sometimes aren't enough. And so, he caught what we first thought was a bad cough. It moved to his eyes back mid-July and I brought him to the doctor for antibiotic drops. Those worked (temporarily) and his lungs sounded clear. 

A week later, he saw the ENT for a f/u on his tubes which thankfully were working well through this cold. 

Another week passed and he was back in for a  9 month well-child. Lungs, ears and throat still clear from his nasty persistent cough. Thanking our lucky stars that he was still happy through his coughing bits (and super thankful that no one else had caught it as bad). 

Another week passed and he suddenly spiked a fever....103.3 fever. 

We panicked a little, because that's a pretty darn high fever for an adult, let alone a baby. 

The on-call Sunday evening nurse said we could monitor him through the night but to bring him in Monday morning. 

He was looking, and clearly feeling, pretty rough. 

It was a pretty rough night for a week. 

The doctor who saw him spent a long time listening to his lungs and ended up with a diagnosis of bronchitis. He prescribed an antibiotic, and albuterol nebs and told us to use those antibiotic drops in his eyes again and more Tylenol. I felt like a pharmacy (oh, and Sid was still battling an ear infection herself so that didn't help!). He did not like the eye drops, nor the nebs and I'm pretty sure the med tasted yucky too.

Sadly, he had a pretty strong reaction to those nebs and I discontinued them after 3 different sessions. He clearly was anxious, screaming for about 45 minutes after they ended, and I sensed it was like I had just given him a shot of espresso. After consulting with a coworker doctor friend of mine, I called back into the peds office and confirmed he was reacting to the nebs. Poor buddy. We have yet to pick up the newest script and give that a whirl, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I was a bit nervous. 

We've pulled out our "A game" as they say, to keep this boy happy and move him over to the healthy side of life. As of yesterday, I think he's finally there, with the exception of a persistent cough that still won't go away and still takes his breath away and has made him throw up he coughs so hard. 

Here's to being even MORE diligent in keeping him healthy. Because clearly he struggles to fight off even just a minor cold. 

Happy he's feeling better and hope we can enjoy what is left of summer!

ANOTHER ear infection

Saturday evening wasn't a great time for Lincoln. He was screaming and we could tell something was wrong. After some searching around online for an open urgent care that would treat a baby, I drove him to a nearby hospital/urgent care. Within an hour of leaving the house, we were back on the road with a yet another antibiotic for his fourth ear infection. Poor baby was not happy, though I'm happy to report he was much better within 12 hours. This picture sums up how we were all feeling that night:

 

here we go again

Sadly, I think Lincoln is following in his sweet big sister's footsteps. At just under 5 months, he's been hit with another ear infection. Thankfully, we caught it pretty early after just one sleepless night. Sunday we traveled to New Ulm and could tell he wasn't his usual self but chalked it up to being out of his element and it being a long day for him. By Monday he wasn't much better and didn't sleep well at all overnight. So on Tuesday, I brought him in and the results weren't surprising: double ear infection. We had thought maybe he was teething the way he was chomping away on his nuk, but the doc says he's just showing normal infant behavior by chewing and drooling. 

So back onto antibiotics he goes; after being off them for only 6 weeks. Now I know people have all sorts of stories about chiropractors and herbal remedies. But we'll go with our experience and if history repeats itself, we'll go back to our amazing pediatric ENT and get the job done. At this point, we aren't there yet and I thank my lucky stars that it's simply an ear infection. I'm praying the spring weather will help. For now, we'll just keep snuggling this growing baby boy who continually repeats "mmmooomm" and gives us all sorts of smiles and giggles! He's into this new toy lately...and having so much fun! 

Wheezing, ear infections and loads of antibiotics

Lincoln is starting early with doctor visits. I would have to look back, but I believe he wins the prize for earliest ear infection. 

Last week, as I held him, I noticed he was wheezing when he was breathing. And for a $10 co-pay, I opted to bring him into the doctor. I know enough to realize when a little one is struggling to breathe. 

She took one listen to his chest and agreed--wheezing. 

Immediately the doctor suggested an in-office neb treatment and an RSV test. 

Afterwards, she came back and said she had "good news and bad news". 

Good news: RSV was negative (whew!!, huge sigh of relief)

Bad news: RSV was negative (huh? why is this bad?)

There was no clear explanation for the wheezing. And so it was home-nebs for treatment. 

She took a look at the rest of him and noticed not one but a double ear infection! 

We had no indication he was battling this infection. He was happy, nursing great, sleeping fine and our all around smiley little boy. So in addition to home nebs, he's on a giant syringe full of antibiotics twice daily. And I say giant, because Sid too was battling an illness and had the SAME exact dose of antibiotic as Lincoln!! In fact, the pharmacist had to call back to the doctor and verify her prescription and then looked at me and said "it goes by weight. Clearly he's a big boy!"

Um, yea, 19 lbs 9 oz at just 3.5 months. 

Gosh darn, he sure makes that neb mask look cute :) 

He's doing great taking them, although I don't exactly believe they are working. He's 6 days into it and still wheezing the same.