You are now officially a kid with chronic ear infections. About two weeks ago, we thought we were in the clear. You had four nights of consecutive sleep with no screaming, easy going to bed, easy and relatively (for you) frequent naps, no fevers, and no ear pulling. We were ready to do the Amoxicillin happy dance on our way to the beach for Daddy’s birthday, we were so happy. Then we got to Ocean City, and you started having difficulty at night again. For the first two nights I convinced myself that it was just the unfamiliar surroundings and having to sleep in a Pack and Play. Then, after the third night of sleeping difficulty, we started to suspect another ear infection. Our millionth trip to Dr. McIntosh confirmed it.
It was one of the funnier and prouder doctor's visits for me (because my Mommy Instincts, which up until this point I have had great difficulty trusting completely were right on). We were sitting in the examining room, and I was bouncing you on my knee explaining to your doctor your symptoms and how I suspected another ear infection. And there you were, gabbing as if you had just discovered you had a voice AND learned that you only had the next hour to show it off. All of your new words and sounds were on display and as you clapped your hands together for the fifth time, Dr. Mc made an off hand comment about how this could possibly just be a string of difficult sleep nights and how had we been doing with the sleep training (a topic she and I have not always seen eye to eye on in the past).
And then, she looked at your left ear, sat back and clicked her tongue.
“Otitis media. I stand corrected.”
SCORE!
Let me make perfectly plain that I am not at all celebrating in your third ear infection in three months. But I will say that I did experience a moment of pure joy that my instincts on this one were right. And, that there was a reason for your screaming your head off for three hours the night before, as your Daddy and I tried everything to calm you.
So, the diagnostic criteria for ear tubes are three infections in three months or six in 12. On Friday last, we took a field trip to Dupont Hospital in Wilmington to meet with an ENT there. He examined you and we have scheduled you for ear tube surgery in October. If you improve, we won’t need this. If you continue on your present course, then this will hopefully bring you much needed relief from these.
Whew – the musings of crazy Mommy are in full swing today.
Let’s take a look at your month, because it has been about so much more than ear infections. You have been developing at rapid speeds. It seems like every day you change or learn something new.
Most notably, you started using sign language this month, consistently and in the proper context. You know the signs for “more” and “milk” and when you’re hungry you do the sign for food about 50% of the time. It is so much fun watching you get that you are using language that Daddy and I understand, even though you have not yet mastered speech (although you are almost there. I’m convinced you have said “down,” “cat,” and “duck” in addition to your own words and “Da Das” too numerous to count.
Food has been a big thing for you this month as well. We started yogurt recently, which you definitely took some time to warm to, however now you particularly enjoy. So much so that when I sat down on the family room sofa next to you today to enjoy my own Yo Baby, you immediately bee-lined for the spoon and protested loudly until I gave you a bite, then another, then another. When it was gone you were so sad (well, as sad as you get for 30 seconds, before you discovered a book and all of the hurt was immediately forgotten).
You enjoy sweet potato cubes, avocado (another learning curve on this one, but lately has been producing smiles rather than “skeptical face”), poached chicken, and carrots. I am eager to try egg with you next, however Daddy insists that this be when we are both around because he is afraid of allergies. Yesterday, I went to a farm stand on my way home from running errands and it was like buying shoes. I was so excited to pick out new veggies for you to try.
Your Dad and I are preparing for your first birthday party. Daddy still wants to run away to Bermuda for your special day, however I think the posting of the invitations last week locked us in. The more that we plan, the more I find myself in complete disbelief that you have been in our lives for almost a year, and how much you have grown and changed in this short time. I am fully aware that this is only the beginning of time flying, and that before we know it, your Dad and I will be preparing for your high school graduation party.
Oh, Carrie…one party at a time!
I love you. Happy 11 months,
Mommy
