ENT Visit...

Finally today, we got some answers about Zachary's recurrent ear infections, speech delay, snoring, behavior issues, hearing and disrupted sleep patterns. We saw Dr Cooter with Greenville ENT - and loved him. Even after another 10-day course of antibiotics, Zachary still had fluid in his ears and his tonsils were enlarged. Dr Cooter recommends placing tubes in his ears for the speech & hearing and recurrent fluid build-up & infections. Since Zachary will be in the Operating Room under anesthesia for this, he also recommends removing his tonsils and adenoids as well since he has had recurrent ear infections, strep and his snoring disrupts his sleep patterns. So, Zachary will have out patient surgery Monday October 12 at St Francis Women's Hospital. He will have a Pre-Op hearing test on Wednesday October 7. I hope this solves all of Zachary's issues!

Many Faces of Will...

So this morning after working all night, I had to go to the bathroom real quick and left him only feet away eating bananas. When I return, literally, a minute later, I find....



Yes, Houdini got out of the seatbelt strap in his booster seat and climbed onto the table to get the breakfast bar brother left of the table this morning. I think Will is going to be the child we have to keep a constant eye on!

Lowes Build & Grow

Today, Zachary and I went with our good friends Mariko and Haley to Lowes Build & Grow Program for kids to Build a Fire Truck. The kiddos got a free apron and coloring books. We made the firetruck with hammer and nails, had Zachary's fingerprints done by the Policemen and sat in a Fire Truck with Ike, a Seneca Fireman. The kids loved it.
Next week... to Home Depot to make a free Fire Truck Bank!

Our friends Mariko & Haley...

Another Zoo Trip!

Today, we went to the Greenville Zoo with friends Jolene & Owen and Stephanie & Parker. The kids had a blast on the playground, running around the zoo and having a picnic lunch. Afterwards, Zachary and I headed to CVS Minute Clinic in Simpsonville where my good friend Todd is the Nurse Practitioner for our flu shots. Zachary did wonderful!

First Cookie...

Zachary and I baked homemade cookies today and decided to give one to Will...no surprise, he loved it!

First Trip to ER

So today, I spent the afternoon with three good friends from work (all nurses) helping one of them decorate her new apartment. Zachary and Will had a great time playing with her children's toys. Well, William is cruising and trying to climb now and he had a little accident of his own. He was standing at an end table and fell, hitting his face on the bottom of the table. I swooped him up and could tell by his face that he was hurt. One of my friends said as I was holding him, he is not breathing and is turning blue. Luckily, I have been around a child who is a "breath-holder" when she gets hurt so I did not panic. I blew into his face a few times and he started screaming. Then, we noticed blood in his mouth. His razor sharp teeth cut the inner part of his lip it is was bleeding - the skin on his chin was also bleeding. All four nurses said, yep, need to take him to the ER.

I loaded him up and headed to St Francis Women's ER. When I got to the ER, his belly was covered in blood from not holding pressure. I held pressure and ice while waiting to see a doctor - the swelling was going down and I finally got the bleeding to stop. Still a big gash on this inside of his lip. After almost two hours, we were sent home to monitor. The doctor said a stitch or two would help but it will most likely heal up on its own and that it seemed that the table cut his chin and not his tooth penetrating through (but with blood and a screaming baby, none of us wanted to wait and see). All makes for an exciting day! I am glad we went - better to be safe than sorry.

Mr. Turtle...

Zachary and all his animal and bug exploration...this is what he was so interested in today!

Ear Infection Update

Today, Zachary is feeling much better. He cried all night Tuesday complaining that his ear hurt when lying down...so he did not want to lie down. He slept in a chair in my arms for a while and then in our bed propped up on several pillows. Wednesday morning after only sleeping a few hours, he insisted on going to school...and he did fine. Nap time Wednesday, he cried and cried but finally fell asleep. Last night, he slept all night and woke up this morning with no complaints. Hopefully, we are past the rough parts of this ear infection.

We will go to Greenville ENT after he completes his 10 day course of Omnicef. I hope we can figure out why he complains so much about his ears...and find a treatment that will not only make him feel better but also help his sleep pattern, daytime behavior and speech development!!!!

Rainy Day Fun....

Zachary loves riding his Big Wheel...especially in the rain!

Rainy Day Fun....

Most of the day today it has rained so we decided to just play outside anyway...and the boys loved it. Will loves running around in his walker and follows Big Brother Zachary everywhere...

Big Boy Seat!

I know William is not even 10 months old yet but he is learning things so much faster as a second child. Today, we got rid of the highchair and put him into a booster seat at the table. He really enjoys feeling like he is at the table with us (I think..)!

Cooking with Zach & Will...

A sneak peak as to how the boys behave together!! This is there favorite activity while I am cooking supper!!

Another Ear Infection...

For several months now, Zachary has been awaking during the night saying his ears hurt. His snoring has increased and he does not seem to be hearing as well. He also still has issues with his speech. He only complains at night and says it only hurts lying down. He never has a fever and never has a cold or congestion. During the day, he is running around playing and never complains of his ears hurting. But the lack of sleep has really affected his behavior during the day.

Three weeks ago, he did not sleep all night one night and was in a lot of pain so we took him to the doctor -- of course, he had an ear infection and was put on antibiotics. Since then, he still gets up at night complaining but never complains during the day. I have consulted several doctors and friends and had planned on taking him for a consultation to discuss all our concerns with his ears and speech development -- could it possibly be fluid that is causing the discomfort as well as affecting his speech development. Would he benefit from tubes in his ears?

Today, Zachary complained all morning of his ears hurting. He was in a lot of pain so I took him to the MD -- of course, another ear infection. This is three or four since April that have been diagnosed -- he has probably had many that come and go. So, he is on antibiotics and we will go back for a recheck in two weeks. The doctor today said that once this ear infection clears, we need to visit an ENT and having a hearing test. Whoo...

Bryson Apple Orchard

Today, Zachary's class went to Bryson Apple Orchard to pick apples so Will and I went along with them. There letter this week is "A" so it was a great trip. We had two bags to fill and came home with lots of great apples! We plan on going back another day to pick more great apples...if you want a bag, let Zachary know - he can fill bags real quickly!

Bugs, Bugs, Bugs...

Zachary has turned into a real boy...an outdoors boy...a dirt playing boy...a bug holding boy...a boy that needs two baths per day! He loves catching worms, centipedes and grasshoppers with his bare hands. He "hunts" for spiders and ants but leaves them alone. Today, he caught a few slippery worms, a great big frog (or toad) and found the following grasshoppers....


I told him to leave them alone...I told him I am no bug expert but I have to say they are busy right now!

First Homework Assignment!

Zachary and I had a lot of fun with his first homework assignment which will be hung in the hallway outside his classroom so that everyone can learn about him! We had to put pictures of Zachary, what he liked to do at home, what he like to do at school, what he liked to do in the community, his favorite movie, his favorite book, his favorite song and so much more. They will share them with everyone in their class.

I am excited about his new class. His teachers are Mrs. Angie and Mrs. Sabrina - both are wonderful. There are 15 students in his class and plenty of boys this year. He has already made many new friends. Each week, they will study a Bible verse, attend Chapel and have a letter of the week. This weeks letter will be "M" - monkey, marshmellow, man, money and moon! Fridays are Show & Tell. They also have many field trips planned...Apple Orchard, Tree Farm, McDonalds, Brooks Center of Performing Arts and a few others. At school, they will have many things were parents are invited...Grandparents Day, Donuts with Dad, Mother's Luncheon, Christmas Party, Thanksgiving Feast and a classroom party for each holiday! Even though he only goes three days a week, Zachary is invited to all the events or parties even if they are not on his schedule day!! I think Zachary is going to enjoy his new class!

Dunkin Donuts!

This morning we took a trip to Dunkin Donuts - Zachary's favorite place! Zachary enjoyed a powdered donut and William ate two small donut holes - both boys ate them like I was starving them! I wish I had my camera to take a picture of what Zachary looked like after the donut!

Sidewalk Paint

Uncle Michael & Lauren came over to visit and listen to the Clemson game. They brought Zachary some neat craft supplies including Sidewalk Chalk Paint. Zachary has loved it. I have caught him several times body painting...

Thanks Michael & Lauren!

Home Depot Kids Workshop!

Every first Saturday of the month, all Home Depot stores offer a free children's workshop to teach children wooden crafts. Today, Zachary and I went with our friends Mariko and Haley. The nice people at Home Dept provided Zachary with his very own work apron, a button and a certificate for participating. Together, (with Marikos help) we made a bean bag toss and then came home and painted it yellow. The kids were able to use wood glue and a hammer (mom made most of it but that was okay). It was really neat and Zachary has put a lot of time into trying to throw the bean bag threw the hole. Next month, they are doing a Firehouse Piggy Bank and we will be there for sure!

Clemson First Friday Parade!

Zachary, Will and I attended Clemson's First Friday Parade with our good friends Mariko, Jason, Haley & Hunter. We took our dinner and had a picnic across from Bowman Field. The kids loved playing with soccer balls and footballs while we waited for the parade to begin. The parade lasted about an hour and Zachary had many favorite parts: cows, horses, a tractor, an old timey firetruck, a white firetruck, the band, cheerleaders and two Clemson Tigers (one in which he gave a high five to)! We came home after the parade to meet David and enjoy a few drinks with Mariko & Jason while the kiddos enjoyed staying up late! Joys of parenthood...




This was Will's expression watching the band go by...it was so loud but he did not seem to mind. The just gave them a good stare the entire time!!

Getting Ready for Clemson Tigers!

Many of Zachary's teachers are Clemson fans so today we dressed in our best Clemson attire for school and treated everyone to orange Clemson Tiger Rice Krispie Treats! The kids loved them! After school, we took a picture of the boys together in their Clemson attire!

William's 9 mth Checkup!

This morning, William had his 9 month check up at the pediatrician's office. Everything looked great and the doctor said his cognitive abilities were excellent. Will is still a little small for his age but the doctor did not seem concerned. Here are his 9 month stats:
Weight: 17 lbs 3 ozs
Height: 27.75 in
Head circ: 44.5 in