Sickness: Transparency

I might need to buy this book. I know it's for people with chronic illnesses, but I think it might just apply to families who have small children as well. If it doesn't apply, there needs to be a book out there that does - I have a feeling it would be a topseller!!!

I've felt a little sorry for myself this week...

To start with, we were at the ENT Tuesday with Miles. He ended up telling us he didn't need tubes. That was kind of dissapointing to me - after 5 ear infections in a month and a half, that is not what I wanted to hear. Not that I wanted my 6 month old to have surgery - I wanted a solution...not the chance of more ear infections! The ENT thinks it was one long ear infection that we couldn't get to clear up rather than 5 separate ones. It makes sense, and I've come to grips with the fact that it's better this way. I realized he was tired, not sick. That's why he was acting so fussy. I wouldn't let him cry long enough to settle down and get good sleep bc I was fearful he was sick!!! I buckled up and conquered a few days of successful sleep training, and he and I both started to feel better.

Just when I got the ear infection thing settled with Miles, last night Carter developed a terrible case of hives that sent us to the ER. Late night. He looked better this morning...Yay!

"His mercies are new every morning" Lamentations 3:23

That is until this afternoon...called to inquire about another development with our hives situation, and ended up scheduling another doctor's visit for after naptime. They weren't terribly concerned, but they do want to see him...

The bad mom in me is screaming, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!"

We've spent hundreds of $$$ on medical bills in the last 2 months, and I'm really just plain tired of waiting in their offices with a 2 year old and a baby - HOWEVER...

I calmed down long enough go read this blog today which encouraged me. I don't struggle with chronic illness, but I do struggle with kids who are constatnly sick this Fall/Winter. The article gave me this verse to claim for today...

"No, in all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37

I am more than a conquerer through Him, and it is only through Him!

Have your kiddos been sick lately? Is your patience just about gone? Have you had late nights and early mornings? If so, please join me in this prayer...

Lord, give me compassion and tender love for my children when they are sick. Give me words of healing to speak to them - block the impatient and tired words that flood my head at times. Grant me patience and grace with the nurses and doctors with whom I come into contact. Lord, heal my family and make us well! Thank you for the medical help you have blessed us with. Please be with those mama's around the world who do not have or cannot afford medical help. Give them a miracle, Lord, and heal their sick children. Help us all to know that in all things, we are more than conquerors through your love. Fill me with your love. 

Amen 

6 Months Old

Dear Miles, 

You are half a year old! I cannot believe that. You are such a cute and cuddly bundle of joy at 6 months old. We grow to love you more every single day. You have been very sick during the past month. We've been battling ear infections. We went to the doctor again today, and he is sending us to an ENT to see if you will need tubes. We hope to get an answer and get you well soon. You are a really good baby even though you've been sick though. We couldn't ask for a more patient little guy! Mommy is working really hard to make you feel better - rest assured!!! On a more positive note, we have had a lot of fun - despite sickness this past month. Sit back and enjoy our month...

Here are your 6 month pictures:

Here's you and your dog. You realized he was sitting over there and decided to take him down :)

Here's a picture of you and your brother - he's 27 months old. He really likes to show you things and teach you things. He says that he is "a big boy" and that you are "little" or "a baby." You two are going to have some fun together.

Miles, here's how you make a monkey face...


When he's gentle, he's HILARIOUS!

Here are some of the things we did this month: 

• We traveled to 2 new states!
• Nonnie passed away this past month. We were so glad that she got to meet you before she passed away! She thought you were so precious. We went to her funeral in North Carolina. 
• We went to Daddy's cousin, Julia's wedding in Jackson, Mississippi. You did great during the wedding. You slept at the reception. You are not a night owl - at all :) Nana was there to hold you though, and she loved every minute! 

• We found a playground for our back yard through Craigslist! We bought a baby swing for it, and you and Carter have been LOVING it! 

• We went to our church's Fall Festival! You dressed up like a puppy dog, and Carter was Mr. Incredible. It was too cold for you to get out of the stroller, so you stayed warm and bundled up the whole time :)

• We went to Tate Farms to pick a pumpkin! Again, it was FREEZING there, but we bundled you up, and we had a good time. 

• We carved a pumpkin, and we tried to put you inside of it!!! You were a little too big. Carter was 3 months younger than you at Halloween, and he fit. You're growing to be such a big boy, we couldn't squeeze you in :)

Carter on the left / You on the right...

• We went Trick or Treating with friends. You dressed as a puppy, and Carter was an Auburn Football Player

Here are some things you are doing now: 

• You weigh 17lbs. 3oz. and 27 inches long!
• You nurse about 5-6 times a day and you now. 
• You eat all kinds of baby food. You're up to 3 jars a day! 
• You sleep about 10 hours every night. You LOVE to go to sleep at night. You like for mommy to put you in your PJ's and nurse you to sleep in your room. You are very specific about this. You will not nurse unless we are in your room. 
• You take two 1-4 hour naps a day. One in the morning and one in the afternoon. You ear infections have made you not like to take naps as much. It's hard for you to fall asleep sometimes. When you do sleep, you sleep really well! 
• You chew on EVERYTHING! Especially your thumb. We say that you fishhook yourself with your thumb. 

• You hold your head up when you are sitting. You can balance for a few seconds - you're so close to sitting up! 
• You roll from your stomach to your back ALL THE TIME! It's hard for you to fall asleep because of this problem!
• You get up on your hands and knees and rock back and forth. This is the way you soothe yourself to sleep. You get to things by flopping forward! 

• You like to pull up from a sitting to standing position. You bear your weight on your legs. 
• You love to put your feet in your mouth. Good thing they don't stink yet :)
• You grab and hold onto things. You really like your ball and rattles. 
• You like to see yourself in the mirror. You think you're funny looking - I think you're adorable!
• You talk a lot now. If you are awake, there's a good chance you are making noise :)
• You love to watch your brother, Carter. He teaches you so much! You think he's so funny. 
• You also think Fischer is hilarious! 
• You bounce and bounce and bounce in your bouncer now! You love it. 

• You know your mommy and daddy. When daddy comes in to tell you night night (while we are nursing), you give him a BIG SMILE! No matter how bad you feel!

Here is your typical schedule...ear infections have made you hard to figure out/schedule! We do our best....this is VERY approximate and changes every day :)

4:30 - 6:30 am - You still like to nurse at some point during these hours. Sometimes you go back to sleep - sometimes not...
7:30am - Mealtime (Nurse and/or Cereal/Oatmeal/or Fruit) then Play - if you ate at 4:30, I'll nurse you...if you ate at 6:30, I just do baby food.
8:30am - Naptime (2-3x a week this nap is in church nursery) - this nap usually lasts 30 min - 1.5 hrs
10:00am - Nurse then Play / Chores / Bible Study / Grocery Shopping / some type of activity
11:30-12noon - Lunch (Fruit or Veggie) when brother eats lunch then play
1:00 pm - Nurse & Naptime (I nurse you to sleep here because that's what works for us = best nap of the day!) - this nap usually lasts 1.5 - 4 hours
4:00-5pm - Mealtime (Nurse & Fruit or Veggie) then Waketime (if your second nap was short you will sometimes take another nap...if it was longer, you will probably stay up at this time)
7:30pm - Bathtime (on bath nights) / Nurse (in your room, of course) / Bed
REPEAT...

I can hear you waking up from your nap now! You slept 3.5 hours. I can't wait to see your sweet little smile peeking over the side of the crib :)

Love,
Mommy

PS. This is what your brother did when he was 6 months old.