7 Months

Everett is 7 months today and here are a few pics from his little photo shoot this morning. It is hard to get a good comparison shot of him and the bear. He is doing so well with his sitting that he keeps leaning forward. They are pretty much the same size now though. That is a lot of growing my boy has done in 7 months. I had him weighed a few weeks ago and he was 15lbs 10oz. I assume now he is well over 16lbs. That is pretty impressive for a baby who started out at 4lb 7oz.

~ He is just so irresistible ~

~Hey, Give me that camera mom~

~ Close up ~

~ 1 very happy baby ~

~ attacking the teddy bear ~

Yummy Treats

There is a lot of snow here. Even with the sidewalks shoveled and the streets plowed it is impossible to push a stroller around. This is how Everett gets around here in snowville. Usually we just sit him in the sled with a big blanket to prop him up and keep him warm. This day we were on our way to pickup a car so we needed the car seat. It fit prefect and Everett enjoyed the walk through the snow.

This past weekend we did a lot of Christmasy stuff. Saturday we did some Christmas shopping during the day and that night we headed into Virden for Christmas dinner. Ryan's Poppa always takes the family out for dinner before Christmas for a little get together. It was really nice to see everyone again. We had Chinese food then went back to Poppa's to visit. Some of our family friends kept Everett during the dinner which was so nice. I actually got to sit down in a restaurant and visit without being interrupted or have to leave.

Sunday morning Rawley and I cuddled on the couch and watched Home Alone while Everett and Daddy slept. Then we headed to Grandma & Grandpa's. Grandma bought Rawley a gingerbread house to decorate. It was a lot of fun but it was also very time consuming. He was very particular about what candy was used and what pattern was made. I got to help out a bit but only with strict instructions on what to do. The house, path and tree turned out great.

~finished product~

We also iced some more sugar cookies ehich we got to sample after dinner, Yum!

Yesterday I finishes my Christmas shopping and my wrapping. I thought I was done but then I was reminded that I needed to buy Rawley a gift from Everett. My Grandma also send me a letter with money to buy the boys gifts because she doesn't like spending the money to ship gifts. So yesterday Everett and I headed to the mall to finish up.

I have Christmas brunch planned and the groceries bought, The gifts are all wrapped and under the tree, baking was done at mom's and I finally made a decent batch of peanut brittle. Now all I have to do is clean my house for Christmas morning. Maybe I should be doing that instead of blogging. Hmm.

I was Right...

...it was not an ear infection.

Monday Everett woke with a mild cough. Tuesday it was a lot worse. Tuesday night he was up all night coughing and crying. Ryan and I took 3 hour shifts with him till morning. During the night I considered taking him to the ER but called 24 hour nurses line instead. She thought it was croup. So in the morning we went to the walk-in-clinic. Unfortunately the only doctor on was one that had seen Everett previously and didn't seem to know or care much about anything.
He kind of listened to my concerns looked in Everett's ear and diagnoses him with an ear infection. Ryan was a little angry when I called him to let him know. Last time we checked an ear infection didn't cause a barking cough, and wheezing when breathing. I got the prescription filled anyway and asked the pharmacist for his opinion. His reply was, "well I guess it could be liquid in his ears draining into his throat causing him to cough. but I would have him checked again in 48 hours if it does not get better"

Since then it has gotten worse and every breath Everett took seemed mucus filled and laboured. So I decided today to take him back to a different doctor. There is a doctor at that walk in who used to be a pediatrician and he is really nice. I called to make sure he was working then took Everett to see him. The doctor took the time to listen to Everett's breathing for a few minutes. He asked me a lot of questions about his behaviour and how long he has been like this. Then he told me that Everett has Bronciolitis (RSV). http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/commoninfections/a/rsv_bronchiolts.htm

He prescribed a puffer and some nasal drops to use on him. We have been using a cool water humidifier and he told us to continue that. I have also propped up one end of Everett's mattress so he is sleeping on an angle to help him breath.

Everett's Puffer

Everett is not a fan of the puffer but if I get him once he is asleep it is easy going. He also hates the nasal drops but he will have to get over that. If it gets worse he could need to be hospitalized and put on oxygen but Everett is tough so I think he will do great on his puffer.

He has not been eating much at all lately. Solid food he refuses and through the day he snacks on bottles but maybe only finishes 2 or 3 four ounce bottles. I was worried about dehydration but Ryan's mom suggested getting Pedialyte freezies. In the past he has enjoyed sucking on ice cubes so maybe he will take the pedilyte freezie. It may even help with a sore throat if he has it.

The toughest part of having a sick baby is they can't tell you where it hurts or what is wrong. Poor guy. Doctor has said to give him lots of Advil as well because the swelling can be painful. So I have taken all his advise and am praying for a better night with Everett.

I would like to add though through all of this he has still been a joy. He is more cranky, and a little dopey or out of it but that doesn't stop him from smiling at everyone he meets; especially the ladies. He keeps playing with Rawley and reaching out to Daddy when he comes home from work. He still watched the snow plow in awe and bats at his toys in his exersaucer. He really is one tough little guy

~Standing on the couch watching the snow plow~

Holy Cold

A post of tid bits.

It is so cold. I mean not today. Today it is only -12 (feels like -23) not bad at all. Sunday however.. when we woke up at 9 it was -32 without a wind at all. Then when we decided to run a few errands the wind picked up a bit. Seriously I have never in my life felt my snot freeze inside my nose. The whole inside of my nose froze. With each breath in I felt it freeze and then as you breath the warm air out it melts again...On and On. Then later that night we went to the Brandon Wheat Kings hockey game and it was so cold when we left. Brrr.
For the most part it really is not that bad, but when the wind picks up I stay inside.

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Rawley got into his morning program. I am so so happy for him and us. They called yesterday afternoon. It is going to be a long 12 weeks. He has to be there right around the time Everett goes down for his first nap. So it is going to stink going out to drive him to his group and Everett either having a short nap in the car and not napping after or me driving around aimlessly while he has a full nap. Hmmm But the good far outweighs the bad in this situation. Rawley is going to learn so much he is going to have a full time nurse that is assigned to him and then work with all the other nurses on different things. I can't wait till he starts. I think he is going to like it.

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I thought we were done all our Christmas shopping until Rawley came home and said, "I am writting a letter to Everett telling him what I want for Christmas. I bet everyone is already done their shopping for me but I don't think Everett is". He was right. I gave him money to buy Everett a gift but totally forgot to buy him a gift from Everett. So now we are waiting on the letter to come home so Everett and I can go shopping. I got all the gifts ready for my westcoast family and should have them on the bus this afternoon or tomorrow morning. Now I just have to plan Brunch for Christmas day and I think we are set. Oh huge Manitoba bummer...I cannot find Tinsel anywhere. What is a Christmas tree without tinsel? I am so sad. Our tree looks great already but the tinsel is the final touch that makes it glisten. *pout*

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Everett started to get a cough yesterday and today he has a full blown cheast cold. His cough is heart breaking. poor little guy. So far there is no nasty snot face as it is all in his cheast si I can be thankful for that. He is very cuddly though, more so than usual.

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Everett went to see Santa last Friday or maybe Thursday...I don't remember. He loved Santa. He laughed and pulled his beard. Then when Santa turned him around to look at the camera he would not smile. It was hilarious. He did not smile once at the camera girl or her ringing bells. He just wanted to turn around and play with Santa. The picture is still cute, but no smile.


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Ryan worked long hours out of town all week last week and is doing the same this week. I hate it. He leaves about 8:15 and does not come home till after 7. It makes for very very very long days. Dinner is never that great either because Everett always seems to be crabby when it is time to make dinner. Tonight will probably be something simple like spaghetti.

Well baby is awake from his nap and screaming... must go.

What's Rawley Up To..

I love Rawley a lot, but I am not going to bundle up myself and Everett to load the boys in the car and drive a block and a half to school so Rawley does not have to walk in the deep snow. I do feel sorry for him because he is quite short and the snow is quite deep. He is exhausted by the time he gets to school and home he says. So the other day when I was feeling quite energetic Everett and I bundled up and went out to shovel Rawley a path. The path goes right out our back door and across the field between two sets of town houses. From there on Rawley has found a path made by other kids to follow. It was exhausting and I could barely feel my arms afterwords but Rawley was so excited. He thanks me so much for doing it and now when he leaves for school he runs down along the path.

~From our back door, out our gate and to the field~

~across the field to the other parking lot~

Rawley has been getting better each day at curling. He was a very good sweeper right from the beginning but had trouble throwing the heavy stones. Last week the head coach was working with his team and she helped him a lot. Their last end Rawley threw his stone and it went perfectly down the centre and stopped in the house. He scored a point to tie up the game. This was the first time his rock actually made it that far so it was exciting that it did not get bumped out and the team got a point from it. He was so happy and I was so proud.

Rawley is still having some struggles at school but most of his problems are at home right now. The school gets him when his meds are at their peek of working. We get him in the morning when they have not kicked in yet and at night when they are wearing off. It is a bad combination because first thing in the morning I am also irritable and by night fall I am exhausted from the day. We butt heads a lot. Rawley's little jokes and smart ass remarks have lost all humour by this time and are just irritating and mouthy.

He is still struggling a lot with manners, how to act in a social setting and sensing and understanding his own and other peoples feeling. Like if I talk with him and say, "I have had a really bad day and I am in a bad mood. It would be a good idea for you to go find something quiet to do and not bother me because I am grumpy." He cannot understand this. He cannot sense when there is tension and even when he is right out told he still cannot adapt to it. He also has troubles talking about what is bothering him or how he feels at any given time.

A while ago I was talking with a family friend and she suggested counselling for him. When I said we could not afford it she found a place I could call that would help us out. She started the ball rolling that day and we have been getting closer to some help for Rawley ever since. The Brandon Child and Youth Treatment Centre has so many resources and are very willing to help with Rawley.

He is on a wait list to get into 'Morning Group'. This is where he will go 4 mornings a week instead of school for 12 weeks straight. While there he will work with 4 different nurses on many things with 7 other kids. They do drama, interpretive play, work on manners, family relationships, how to make and keep friends, dealing with emotions, anger management, social settings.. and much more. There is play learning, written learning, acting out.. Rawley came with me for a tour last week and he loved it. He is really hoping he gets in too. They do a session and get a score. Then they have break where snack is provided and get to play for 15 minutes. After that they have their second session. I would have to drop him off at 8:30 or 9:00 and pick him up at 11:30. He would eat lunch at home then go back to his school for the afternoon. We are not sure if Rawley will get in at this point. Only 8 kids get accepted. If he does not make it into the January group we can try again for the April one. I am praying he will get in though. I think it would be so beneficial to him.

Even if he does not get in they will still see him for private counselling. they also want to have him tested for sensory issues. Oh and the best part is this is all covered by manitoba Medical

If a child does get into the morning program one of the parents must attend a 'Positive Parenting Program'. In this program we will learn new idea for family management, planning and routines, how to discipline a child with behavioural issues and how to appreciate and acknowledge good behaviour. It sounds like such a great course and even if Rawley does not get into morning group I can still take the parenting program. I am looking forward to this. I don't know how many times I have emailed Ryan's mom or other parents of kids with ADHD and said, "I just don't'know what to do anymore!". Now I will have a chance to learn.

Other than his ADHD Rawley is doing well. He is reading at the top of his class with one other boy. I love it when he reads to Everett. He is still huge help with Everett; loves to make him laugh and smile. Rawley is getting very excited for Christmas. He did his shopping with Grandpa & Grandma last week. On the weekend he wrapped it all. Sunday he helped with Christmas baking, tonight he is going to decorate the tree with me and then he is going to help Grandma & Grandpa decorate their tree.

Date Night

Saturday night Ryan and I finally got to go out without the boys. We were suppose to go a couple weeks ago but I got strep throat, Everett had an ear infection and Ryan's mom got the stomach flu. Guess it just wasn't' meant to be.

Saturday we dropped the kids of around 3:30 and the relaxed for a bit before going to dinner. We went to Applebees for dinner, which for the most part has amazing food and service. That night there was a lot of new staff on and the service was not that great though. After they brought me the wrong food, then cold food, we got my food free. But once they got it right it was still very very good.

We originally were going to go see Morning Glory but the crazy theatre in town only had it playing for 2 weeks. That is a sign that there are too many movies being made if a theatre with 9 cinemas has to get rid of movies after only 2 weeks of showing them. We thought about maybe just renting a movie and coming home but this was our one chance to get out and do something. So we decided to go see Due Date instead. It was kind of funny in spots but the language was atrocious. like unnecessarily atrocious. Even the western union guy that had about a 3 minute part drop about 30 F bombs.

We the movie was over around 9:15 I was home with a glass of wine by 9:40 and asleep before 11. The best part was that Ryan's parents kept both boys over night and I didn't have to get up once. I spelt till 10:45 the next morning. Talk about catching up on sleep. It was so needed.

Thank You Thank You Thank you Mom & Dad!