From Bad To Worse

Ugh!!! I'm so over this/these nasty viruses, ear infections, head congestion, chest congestion, eye infection, head aches, coughs & miserable children!!!

This is certainly not the worst the boys have ever been sick but it's most definitely the longest!

Just when I thought we were all on the upswing of the original cold/virus we all had the boys suddenly took a turn for the worse. When I say suddenly I mean we went out to the island in the morning (first time out of the house for the boys in 2 weeks) to watch ships & play & by the time they woke up from naps they had fevers, Caden's eyes were covered in green goop & they were miserable. 

Caden

Apparently this nastiness is going around, I had a hard time getting Kellan into the dr for his initial ear infection & Wednesday I couldn't get through to a nurse or the receptionist at all :( I left a message with both & it was a day by the time they called back. I didn't wait for the call though, Donna & I decided we needed to go ahead & take them to a walk in because they seemed to be in pain.

The walks-ins in our area are the worst when it comes to treating kids. The doctors don't even pretend to like treating them. I won't go into details but pray that we are able to be in a better area soon for everything kid related!

Garren & Eason 

The boys all have ear infections, Garren a double. Caden & Garren had some "chest congestion" & Caden's eyes were also infected. We were given prescriptions for antibiotics all around, a cough medicine & antibiotic eye drops. Our regular pharmacy was completely out of the antibiotic & had to call 2 more pharmacies before they found one that had enough to fill at least one of the prescriptions so we could get the boys started on them while we waited for them to get more in. Just one more sign that 'its going around.'

It's been a few days now & the coughing & chest congestion a seems to be gone along with the eye infection bit the boys are still cranky & still seem to be having some pain from their ear infections or maybe just headaches.

Kellan

We have a follow up appointment with the boys pediatrician tomorrow & will hopefully be putting all this behind us by the end of the week, HOPEFULLY!!! I'm not only ready for the boys to feel better but to get out of the house, I think we all have a major case of cabin fever! 

Speech Therapy Update II

Well, we have been on a waiting list for speech therapy through the children's hospital for 2 months now. Someone from the children's hospital called & told me it would be a couple months before they could get the boys in so in the meantime we've continued therapy with the current therapist. I didn't want the boys to have a big lapse in therapy & possibly fall further behind. Our appointments have not been any better as far as the therapist canceling & rescheduling at the last minute. She took the last 2 weeks of December off & since the boys have been sick the past 2 weeks we have not had therapy since before Christmas.

Just before the holidays the boys 6 month re-evaluation was due.

I'd love to say that all 3 boys passed with flying colors but those of you that have kids in speech therapy know it's not that kind of test but even if it were, they would have not only failed but they would have been kicked out of class for misbehavior, lol...

The boys did not want to cooperate with the therapist at all! She tried sitting them at the table (like she does unsuccessfully for therapy) & asking them questions but they just kept getting down from the table & wondering away. Then she sat on the couch & tried asking them questions & they would laugh or screech & take off running down the hall.

She told me some of her concerns & the areas they didn't score well in (I can't believe she scored them at all) none of which did I agree with. I know that they know the things she asked like naming body parts or pieces of clothing. Of course they know their body parts & they know what socks & pants & hats & so on are! They also follow 2 step instructions & can name tons of objects on flash cards or in books but they did none of these things for the speech therapist.

As far as their actual speaking goes, Caden & Kellan have really taken off over the holidays! They are repeating EVERYTHING & are also starting to talk in sentences. They love to say everyone's names, even characters in books & on TV. They are getting really good about saying what they want & along with speaking more they are signing more, weird how that worked out. I love hearing their little voices & that despite the majority of their sessions being canceled or rescheduled they are still progressing very well on their own.

I'm considering canceling our service with early intervention now. I really really hate watching the power struggle between the boys & the therapist & Donna & I have decided there is absolutely no way we will be sending them to the preschool here for therapy after they turn 3. The good news is my sister is a speech therapist & has been able to coach me in how to continually work with the boys & encourage them to talk more until we do get in with the children's hospital.

Rough Start

We have had a rough start to our new year. All 5 of us have been sick. We apparently picked something up in Florida over New Years and it has had it's way with us all. Luckily only Kellan needed antibiotics for an ear infection but we've all been loaded up on Benadryl, cough medicines & ibuprofen/Tylenol for over a week now.

Kellan & Caden 

Sleeping on the couch never happens around here but Kellan was out seconds after this photo, I was trying to get him dressed to go to the doctor

Another sofa sleeper, Garren just curled up & passed out one morning, they usually never slow down long enough for this to happen & have only ever fallen to sleep in their beds.

On top of being sick the weather has been crazy! It got super cold (well for us in South GA / Florida. & it has rained all but 2 days I think, making getting outside for fresh non-contaminated air pretty much impossible. We did however make it out to the park Saturday afternoon for a walk (that's run in toddlerland) & I think we are finally starting to feel better.

Eskimo Kellan heading to the doctor

Kellan, Garren, & Caden, checking out the ducks on our walk.

Happy Happy New Year!!!

We spent New Year's Eve with my Dad & Bonus Mom, I honestly can't remember not spending New Year's Eve with them? Anyways, it's always a fun evening with good food & company.

Marie, my bonus mom made tacos & her famous taco dip for dinner & she hooked us all up with our favorite alcoholic beverages for the evening, lol...

The boys played, played & played some more with their new Thomas track & all the tracks Aunt Meg & family have left at Grandma & Grandpa's

After we got the boys dressed in their pajamas we decided to take them for a walk to see the Christmas lights that were still up on my parents street. The boys LOVED them along with the fireworks someone was shooting off on the next street! It's good to know they like fireworks since they haven't been to an actual fireworks show yet :) 

It was a bit of a struggle getting the boys to fall asleep with all the fireworks & hoopla going on outside but we finally did. I finished up some laundry & we watched a multitude of New Year's Eve programs (because my dad doesn't believe in watching commercials & changes the channels back & forth) :) I think we all struggled to actually stay awake but we did it, we twisted the New Year, kissed and went straight to bed, lol...

We had a great New Year's morning with my parents, we enjoyed a great breakfast & lunch before getting on the road to come home. It rained ALL THE WAY & the 3 hour drive seemed to take 6. Everyone including the cat was happy to be home! Now I just need to find space for all these new toys the boys got!!! I purged before Christmas, I may need to purge some more...

Hope you all had a fabulous New Year too!!!