Rocephin

What in the world is Rocephin you ask? Well, if our lives were a novel, it would be the dominant character of the week. Sometimes it was the hero (as in: Rocephin will help us!!!), and sometimes it was the villan (As in: Oh no, more Rocephin!).

Rocephin is an antibiotic injection used to treat an infection that won't clear under normal antibiotics. We had to take Addie into the ped this week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for shots of this stuff. Addie did very well actually. She of course hollered and screamed when getting the shot, but I think that was mostly from being held down against her will. She would cry hard for about 30 seconds and then be done. What a trooper!

I must explain, though of course it is just to brag on my great kid, that Rocephin is notorious around the doctor's office for being a very painful shot. I guess it really hurts. Each nurse that had to administer the shot would come into the exam room with a look of pitty and regret on her face. She would apologize to Addie, to me, then to Addie again. They have NEVER done this when Addie gets her vaccinations, so I knew something was different. And both nurses we had did this.

After the shot, Addie wasn't allowed to leave the doctor's office for 20 minutes, to monitor for any reactions to the shot. "What reactions?" I asked. Oh, a rash... or aniphylatic shock. "OK" I said, "we'll just wait here then." There is a special waiting area in the back hallway of our doctors office for just such an occassion. We would sit on the padded benches and watch a video while all the doctors and the nurses of the practice walked by on their way to treat other patients. So we saw almost everyone of our other family this week. They all know what that special waiting area is for so they would walk by and say "Oh no! Why are you here? Poor baby!" One doctor was confused about why we were there because Addie was sitting so calmly watching the video. When I said that yes, she had just had a shot of Rocephin, he couldn't believe she was so calm.

Sometimes I forget how tough Addie is, or how much pain she feels due to her reflux and ear infections. It's been awhile since I had bad heartburn or an ear infection, so I have to remind myself how intense that is. Usually I have to remind myself when she is acting out from pain or won't go to sleep and I'm frustrated. I also wonder what she will be like when she isn't in pain anymore (will that EVER happen?). Hopefully after her surgery next week, her reflux will have a chance to calm down (each infection irritates her reflux worse), and then we'll get a peek at what our healthy kid is like.

Answer to Prayer

Just posting a quick update about Addie's surgery to put tubes in her ears. We were able to get a cancellation appointment to have the procedure done sooner! So instead of April 18th, she will be having surgery on April 5th!!! (That is next Thursday). We are hopeful that with the shots this week, we can make it to next Thursday without another infection. Let's hope!

Black Monday

Greg named today Black Monday.... let me tell you why.

You read about Addie's doctor appointment this morning. Well, I was pretty exhausted after that. We managed to get through most of the afternoon uneventful, but then I guess the exhaustion caught up with me.

You see, we were outside playing, I was chatting with Brooke and Addie and Grant were playing near each other. Brooke had a cup of tea, and I thought to myself, that would be nice....
So I went in and put the kettle on.

And then I forgot it. Completely forgot it.

About 30-45 minutes later (NO I'M NOT KIDDING) I walked into our apartment and was greeted with thick smoke. After a moment of confusion, it dawned on me. Brooke watched Addie while I ran in to find my kettle disinegrating under the heat. The potholder I used to move the kettle off the burner scorched at the touch of the melting plastic.

THANK GOD that the kettle (or the house) did not catch fire, nor did I ruin the cooking range.

I did, however, melt the thermometer/timer that was nearby (the really nice Williams Sonoma probe thermometer that Greg found for $5 at a garage sale!!!!!) and burn one of my favorite potholders.















Now I must emphatically declare, as I said to Greg later, that I AM NOT this girl! This psycho-scattered-fried-burn-down-the-house-out-of-carelessness-cry-to-the-doctor girl!!! (yes, today I cried at the Pediatrician).

Just after this, and before Greg brought home McDonalds (and flowers) for dinner, I was also fielding phone calls from our pastor, sister Jessie, and later Addie's Gastrointerologist and ENT doctor!

Bless Greg's heart, coming home to a SMELLY house, not only did he bring home dinner and flowers, but he also cleaned up all the mess from the incineration episode. Here he is vacumming the ashes out from under the range top.



















Just so you aren't TOO worried for us, our evening did perk up. After dinner, Addie seemed to be feeling really good- so maybe that shot will do the trick! Greg and I also got to get out of the house tonight (thanks Kropfs for sitting for us!!!) and clear our heads a little. Whew! I think I am ready to face tomorrow, after all- what else could go wrong?

Still More Visits to the Doctor

After a LONG weekend of a miserable kid, Niki took Addie into the doctor this morning. Addie has had an ear infection for a week now and the doctor confirmed her suspicions this morning- the antiobiotic wasn't making it better. Addie now has a double infection and she had to get a shot of antibiotic this morning. The doctor said they rarely have to do it- only when everything else doesn't work. This was one of those cases. Did you know they even did that? I didn't! We have to go back on Wednesday for another shot. As far as we are concerned, those tubes can't come fast enough!

On a much nicer note, here is Addie sporting her Denver Broncos dress from Auntie Amy! Notice she is even accessorizing with a football! Enjoy Amy!
 
 

Can you hear me now?

A Washington Thing

If you were a child in Washington state, then you are very familiar with these sandals. If you were NOT, then let me explain. These are saltwater sandals. They are part of a healthy childhood.
 
Addie's feet are finally big enough for her first pair, and we were proud to put them on her.

Mean, Green, Cuteness Machine

 

Here is Addie a few days before St. Patrick's day, sportin' her best attempt to look like a frog.

Just An Update

I has been a little while since we posted an update, so here goes!
-Greg is good. His work hours were a little exhausting this week, but overall all is well.

-I (Niki) am good too! I taught a seminar on Nutrition to a small group of ladies from church last night. Since our church is right next door to Master's College, the seminar was held in the home ec department, my old stompin' grounds. It was good to be back in the department, and brought back a lot of memories of oral presentations and meal management labs. It was a nice opportunity to do something outside of the house- although tiring!

-Addie... well.... she has her 7th ear infection. I know, so pathetic. The doctors finally agree that the acid reflux is causing all the infections. That means that her stomach stuff is going up her esophogus and into her eustacian tubes. Then the fluid in her ears gets infected. Ikes.

So this week we saw ANOTHER specialist- a Ear Nose & Throat doctor. I talked to him yesterday and he says it's time for ear tubes. We scheduled her surgery for April 18th. Though it is a minor procedure that will (Lord willing) bring great relief, it was still so yucky to be scheduling my kiddo for surgery!

So yesterday I was on the phone with all three doctors- the ENT to confirm the tubes, the pediatrician, because her current antibiotic is giving her diahrea, and the gastrointerologist, who increased her dosage of tummy medicine because obviously that rotten reflux is still making problems.

Thankfully, the doctors are all good, and all talking to one another. Our dear Dr. Al (pediatrician of the year I say) is coordinating all the efforts. He is so sympathetic and encouraging. However, despite his telling me otherwise, I have now formed the opinion that this will all never end. Now stop- I know some of you are ready to post an encouraging comment assuring me it will all be a memory one day- but SAVE YOUR BREATH! I do not, and will not believe you. :) I have accepted my destiny as pediatric nurse to one and am good with it.

We will try to pull out the camera soon and take pictures of something, anything, to post soon. Bye!

Strummin'

Greg has had a hankering lately to get out his old guitar and brush up on his skills. It has turned into a favorite daddy-daughter activity.
 
Addie is enthralled. She will sit, fascinated, and watch every move Greg makes.
 
Then she'll dance a bit.
 
Greg also helps her use the pick to strum a little and she loves it. I can usually hear her screaming with excitement from the other room! 

Cuddling

 
My Daddy is such a good cuddler! 

Reunion

 
On Saturday night we enjoyed a mini-reunion of some good times in Chapel Media. Three of the students who worked with Greg in Chapel Media from 1999-2002 came over for some reminiscing.

Tyler Sultze and Nate & Ashley Murray were a big part of our lives while we were dating, engaged, and first married. We hadn't seen Tyler since he graduated in 02 and moved to Texas. It was so good to catch up and laugh about old times!

(In the piture, Tyler is telling us how much he's missed us) 

Love my Lambie

 
Addie says: My Grammi sent me this lambie and I LOVE IT! I like to hug it and cuddle it. Thanks Grammi! 

Shocking!

 
Addie now LOVES to ride in the "caw" when we play outside. She can get herself in and out. Sometimes it's a hair-raising experience. 

A kid, a cat and a laser

This clip reveals that laser pointers have a larger audience than cats.

The Stairs

Addie's most recent victory: climbing Mount Spangler (also known as our stairs)

 
I had kept her away from them for a long time, but the time has now come. She can go up pretty good, but we are working REALLY HARD on her learning to come down safely. Until she gets that lesson, I am watching her like a hawk. The other morning I came out of the kitchen and no Addie- I found her halfway up the stairs and just about wet my pants.
 
"Mom! You're Upside Down!" 

Slouch

 
Do you think the chair is just slick, or is Addie a slouch? 

"Dress"ing Up

I have been anxiously awaiting the day when Addie would finally fit into this dress. She was given it at my baby shower (a hundred years ago I think) by my friend Lori Wellons, who made it by hand.
 
Can you tell she just woke up? She has "nap face" written all over her!
 
I think she does the dress justice, don't you? 

Here is Addie in the midst of signing and saying "cat"

Driving Miss Addie

 
Hey YOU!
Yes, YOU!
 
Don't you wish you looked so good driving your car?
 
Watchout world! Here I come! 

I Feel Silly

While getting Addie's socks on the other morning, she spied her hat. She excitedly said and signed "hat" so I put it on her. She wore it all day and had a ball! That night, feeling good, she got very silly and we had a great time tickling and wrestling.
 
 
 
 
Besides a runny nose, she does seem to be feeling pretty good. Her ear infections have mostly cleared up and she has started a two-week routine of low-dose antibiotic to hopefully keep her from getting sick again.

Her reflux is still there, but not dominating life (at least today!).

We got the results of some lab tests to find out if there are any issues with her immune system and everything came back normal. That is GOOD news- her immune system is fine and so she will most likely outgrow this fun game of constantly getting sick. 

Banana Lover

Addie has really taken a liking to bananas lately. She not only is signing banana, but also saying "nana" all the time! And of course, we see everywhere- in the grocery store, on tv, and in just about every children's book we own. So here are some shots of her downing bananas (she will eat a whole one in one sitting).

 
shove it in!
 
like my hair?
 
 
I swear mom- it's all in my mouth. Can I have more now? 

Good Times With Grant

Our neighbors the Kropfs were gone on vacation for a few weeks and boy did we miss them! Since they've been back, Addie and Grant have been playing together (or at least near each other) a lot.

Here Addie and Grant watch a signing video.

 


 
Greg makes sure that Grant gets tickled no matter whose house he is at.