The funny thing about kids...

The funny thing about kids is that none of them are alike...not even a little bit.  You have one kid and you think "Wow.  Ok, I've got this down.  I can handle another one."  And then another one comes and it's like getting hit with a semi truck all over again!

By the time Brookelyn came along, I wasn't in denial about kids being alike any more.  I knew she'd be different than the others.  Sure, some things would be the same, or similar, but there would be a lot of differences too.

Given that my kids are 9, 6 1/2, 3 1/2 and 9 1/2 months you'd like I'd quit making assumptions, right?  Apparently not.

This morning Nash woke me up at 7 am telling me, "Mom.  I'm sick."  Yes, I was aware of this son.  So, I ask, "Why?"  His reply came back as, "I just threw up all over the couch."  Awesome.  On the bright side, I know he didn't eat his dinner last night because his throat hurt so lucky for me, it was mostly water.  I can deal with that.

Yesterday after Caleb's dermatologist appointment I called Cache Valley ENT to change Caleb's appointment that was this morning to an appointment for Nash.  The kid is FOREVER complaining that his ears hurting.  I've had the ENT and the pediatrician look at them multiple times.  We've had his hearing tested (he has above average hearing).  However, he's been complaining for about 3-4 days that he's dizzy.  When we were at the pediatrician's office with Nash yesterday he said that one ear had fluid in it and the tube was no longer in.  In fact, it looked like there was debris in there that might need cleaned out.  The other ear still had a functioning THREE YEAR OLD tube in it (Sam's three year old tube resulted in a surgery to repair the hole from the tubes that wouldn't heal on its own).  I felt bad dragging him out of the house after he'd been throwing up, but I didn't want to lose that appointment.  Especially since I know that the dizzies can make you nauseated.

I dropped Sam at school, called in to work, and left Caleb and Brooke at daycare.  Caleb was funny when I told him I was taking Nash to the dr.  He says, "Not me?"  "No Caleb, not you."  "But MOM!  I still have spots!"

We were scheduled with the PA today at the ENT's office (which is fine because I like her).  We told her what was going on and she has a look in Nash's ears.  Hmm...left ear looks good - tube still in.  Right ear...hmmm...looks like there's a blue shadow behind that fluid filled ear drum.  CRAP.  We had his hearing tested.  There is some negative pressure in the right side (this could cause pain).  He's missing some of the lower tones on the right side (sounds all too familiar - his sister did this).  There is no hole in the right side which means that if the tube is behind the ear drum, it isn't coming out anytime soon (something new here).  Off we go to the other room to look at his ear under the microscope.  The PA called our favorite ENT, Dr. Blotter, in to have a gander at said right ear.  Yep, blue shadow.  What does this mean?  Well, in the 12 years that Dr. Blotter has been doing this, he's had THREE cases where the tubes fell out backwards into the ear drum rather than going out forward into the ear canal where they can then just fall out of the ear.  Only my child would make case number four.  In fact, let's be honest, it's a miracle that the other three cases he's had where this happened haven't been from three of my own children!

So, what are our options?  1-Well, we can leave it alone.  The tube wouldn't cause pain because they put things bigger than a tube in people's ears and they do just fine.  2-We could remove the tube and take the functioning tube out as well.  Then, give it time for the holes in the ear drum to heal.  Or, 3-We can go in, take out both tubes and put two new functioning tubes in.  Given our history, what's the best option?  Why choice number three of course!  Not only was I figuring that, but the ENT came right out and said it was the best choice based on our family history because, "You're family has been pretty bad, pretty consistently."  Couldn't have said it better myself man.  My next question, "Could we possibly schedule him for the same day as his little sister next week?"  "Sure!  I just signed off on her paperwork yesterday."

Even the PA told Dr. Blotter we should have a punch pass for buy nine get one free.  I smiled and said, "Actually, Brooke is getting set 10 for our family so Nash will be getting set 11."  Why couldn't I have just married an ENT?  That would have solved it, right?  Probably not.  They'd probably all have teeth or skin issues and perfect ears if that were the case!

Phone Dump

Today I emailed myself a bunch of pictures from my phone.  In no particular order they are:

Sister has her first pony tail this weekend!

This is how little sister sleeps in the car seat.  Cracks me up every time I see it.

Wild hair!

Gave Brooke a half of a cinnamon roll today.  Sister was in HEAVEN!  Yes, she loved the frosting, but the majority of the roll made it into her mouth as well!  She was so mad when it was gone; it was funny!

The blue paisley shirt my mom made Sam for her birthday didn't fit.  So, Sam picked out more fabric and mom whipped it out in two days (improved from the two years the other one took! ;) )  I think it looks super cute on her.  Mom ended up doing the longer version so that it would be plenty long and she made the size 10!  I can't believe she is wearing a size 10!  Ahh!

And the verdict is....

A viral infection.  It took a trip to the pediatrician and two different dermatologists to get this answer.  My pediatrician had no idea what it was, only that it didn't fit Hand, Foot & Mouth disease or HSP.  Hence the first dermatologist appointment.

Today I took Nash to the dentist to get a filling replaced and he ended up getting a crown.  After his dentist appointment, we headed over to the pediatrician.  He came home from school yesterday with a fever, chills, headache and generally not feeling well (he didn't even eat his cinnamon roll for heavens sake!).  He was complaining about his ears and throat still this morning so I made the appointment.

When we got to the pediatrician's office, I asked him if he got the message I left for him yesterday.  He shook his head (as though in disbelief) and said yes.  He told me he didn't figure the PA would know what it was and that he'd at least call Dr. Young in.  So much for that idea!  I told him I had an appointment with one of the dr.'s at CV ENT tomorrow morning so that we could then get into the allergy clinic.  Dr. Clarke (my pediatrician) said that if they didn't have any good ideas at the ENT's office to see if they could twist the arm of Dr. Hubbord to get him into that dermatology office.  He told me that Nash has a nasty sinus infection and gave me a prescription for him.  He also told me that his right ear still has a tube in it and that his left ear has the tube stuck in it.

Once I left the pediatrician's office, I found the number to Dr. Hubbord's office and called.  I explained the situation and that he was getting worse and that I didn't really want to wait another day to get him in to see someone.  They gave us an appointment for 1:30 pm today.

I went back to daycare and picked up Caleb and Brooke.  Caleb's fingers still had the burn like marks on them.  They weren't getting worse, but there were a bit more on  his hands than there had been earlier.  We ventured home to spend the two hour wait until the next appointment of the day.

When we got to Dr. Hubboard's office, they were great!  I only waited out in the waiting room maybe 10 minutes.  We actually saw Dr. Hubbord and not his PA (although, I do really like his PA.  She's the one that froze Nash's wart off forever ago.)  I showed Dr. Hubbord my pictures and he looked really close at Caleb's hands and feet.  Caleb was really good this time about letting him look - I think it was because he had a spiffy chair that the dr. was willing to "give him a ride" on!

After looking closely, Dr. Hubbord said that it ISN'T eczema and that hydracortisone cream ISN'T going to help anything.  He said that the spots do have some hive like qualities, but they are NOT hives.  He said that because they aren't hives but they do have hive like qualities, they MAY respond to benadryl, but it isn't guaranteed.  He said that it is Caleb's body's way of reacting to a viral infection.  He would have been contagious (if he was contagious at all) prior to breaking out (so Thursday, Friday) or possibly when he first broke out (Saturday, Sunday).  He said that there are a lot of infections like this (chicken pox for example).  Some of the infections like this they have named and figured out and others they haven't.  He said that it's just going to have to run its course.  The rash could last for anywhere from 1-6 weeks.  He said that if they get a lot worse or do something funky to come back in, otherwise, it's just going to have to run it's course.

As I was leaving, the nurse that had been in the room with us the whole time asked me if I had any questions.  I told her no, but thanks because today was much more productive than yesterday because I left livid yesterday (I had told her about what happened).  Her response was "You're not the only one."  Apparently that dermatologist's office has a reputation that isn't a great one!

I'm just glad I know what it is from and that it isn't anything permanent or serious.  He may react this way to viral infections for awhile, but, if I know that's what it is, I won't freak out any time soon over it!  I think Caleb will be glad to have me quit saying "Let me see your hands and feet!" and to be done with dr.'s office visits for awhile.  I, on the otherhand, am headed over to the ENT tomorrow morning with Nash to get that ear looked at and figured out!  He keeps saying he's dizzy and the pediatrician did say that there's fluid in his ear.  Hopefully they can get it cleaned out and that will help...Let's cross our fingers he doesn't end up with another set of tubes...that would be his FOURTH like his big sister!

Let's assume

Let's assume, for just a minute, that I'm not a complete idiot and I do in fact know what I"m talking about when it comes to my child.  What, exactly, am I talking about?  Caleb's spots.

At 10 am today we had an appointment with the pediatrician.  I love my pediatrician and it will be a very, very sad day when he retires.  I showed him the pictures I had taken of Caleb's spots yesterday.  As luck would have it (or doom, rather) when we got to the dr.'s office this morning I noticed he had something on his fingertips.  After close examination, it looks like burn blisters on the tips of each of his fingertips.  He said they don't hurt.  But man, they look awful.  The pediatrician was stumped.  He said he doesn't feel like it fits Hand, Foot & Mouth (Fifths Disease) or that it fits HSP.  He called every dermatologist in town.  All but one dermatologist was out of town.  So, my pediatrician scheduled an appointment with that office for me.

I left Caleb & Brooke at daycare while I went to work for a few hours.  I returned a little after 2 pm to pick them up.  Caleb had refused to eat anything at daycare and still had the weird burn marks on each of his fingertips.

Come 3 pm, we have an appointment with Dr. Robert Young's office.  When we get there, the girl can't find Caleb in the computer.  Why?  The nurse had put his birthday in wrong.  AND, the person that scheduled the appointment hadn't hit the "next" button to confirm the appointment.  Since there was a note about him in the computer and the appointment had already been "okayed" the girl at the counter told me, "I'll just put him in."  Great.  Off to a lovely start.  Now, I've been to this dr.'s office before.  I don't care for ANY of the dr.'s in the office EXCEPT Dr. Young himself.  In order to see Dr. Young I think it must be a matter of life and death.  I am informed we will be seeing the PA, Craig.  Not awesome.  After a THIRTY minute wait with 2 very difficult children (Caleb & Brooke) I finally asked how much longer we were going to have to wait.  I was told we were "next on the list."  After FORTY minutes in the waiting room, we were finally taken back.  I gave the medical assistant his medical history.  Then in comes the PA.  I describe all the symptoms - from six weeks ago as well as this time.  I showed him the pictures I took.  I showed him Caleb's hands.  He busts out his medical dictionary thing and asks if the spots have ever looked like targets.  Um, no.  He asks if the spots have ever looked like "these" - No dude.  I showed you pictures & he's here in front of you.  "Those" spots look like my eczema.  The diagnosis?  Eczema.  WTH?  I am the freaking eczema Queen.  I know what the heck eczema is.  If you don't know what's wrong with my kid, tell me!  I am not an idiot!  I told the PA that I know what eczema is, this is not eczema.  I told him to look at the scars on my hands.  I told him that I use to see Dr. Young for my eczema.  I told him that I buy paraben and fragrance free everything for my house!  The kid DOES NOT have an eczema breakout!  Yes, he has eczema, I know that.  But this CURRENT condition, is NOT eczema!!!  His solution to fix the problem?  "Well, there are a lot of things we can do, but this is the least obtrusive and obnoxious."  I don't care if the poking and prodding is obnoxious!  Tell me what the hell is the matter with my child!  He prescribed a 2.5% hydrocortizone (which I filled to use on his actual eczema on his bum).  He wants me to put the hydracortizone on the spots, then put Aquaphor or Eucerin on top of that.  Then, cover with socks when he goes to bed.  Oh, and give him Benadryl every 6-8 hours.  Why am I giving my child Benadryl when his spots DON'T ITCH?!  Seriously man!  Did you listen to a single word I said?!

This first one is a bit blurry, but you can kinda see the darker red spots on the tips of his fingers.

This is the best one.  If you look at the tips of his fingers you can see a darker red spot.  To me, it looks like when you touch the tray in the oven and burn yourself but it doesn't burn it bad enough to blister above the skin.  He has these on the tips of all 10 fingers.  Most fingers there were multiple darker spots on the tips.

This one is a bit blurry too.  I took this when we got inside the dermatologist's office to show the red spots after he ate the chocolate.  A lot of them had already gone away by the time we got in, got checked in and settled down enough I could get my camera back out.

You can kinda see the spots on the tips of his fingers in this one too.

I was a very irritated mother when I left the office.  What a waste of an hour and a half and a $30 co-pay.  Oh, and don't forget, "We want to see him back in 7-10 days."  So, I schedule an appointment for next Monday, knowing FULL WELL, I will call on THURSDAY to CANCEL it!

I went to the pharmacy to fill the hydracortizone to use on his actual eczema.  Then, I got on the phone and called my pediatrician.  I left a message for my pediatrician to tell him what happened at the dermatologist's office.  I also let him know I have an appointment at the Specialty Hospital for Wednesday morning.  CVENT has their allergy clinic but in order to be seen/treated at the allergy clinic you must first be seen by one of their physicians (of course you do!).  I'm thinking he's got to be having an allergic reaction to something.  What confirmed that suspicion to me is that on our way to the dermatologist's office, he ate one of the fun size Hershey's milk chocolate pieces of candy.  As soon as he was done eating it, his hands were plastered in red spots.  I thought it was kinda funny when the nurse at the pediatrician's office that I was leaving the message with asked me "So you don't think it's eczema."  My response to her was "I'm 110% sure it's not eczema!  I have eczema!  Besides, Dr. Clarke can identify eczema!"  She kinda laughed and said, 'That's true."

My ever gracious mother had picked my kids up from daycare to take them to piano (which was later rescheduled).  When I got to her house to pick them up, she informed me that Nash had a fever, the chills, a headache and generally just did not feel well.  Awesome!  His teacher had called me earlier as I was coming out of the pediatrician's office to ask if anyone at home had had pink eye recently.  I told her not for about a month or so.  However, he spent the night at my in-laws on Saturday and was allowed to stay up until at least midnight.  He also got in the hot tub and was opening his eyes under water.  I told her to call me if he was complaining about his eyes and I'd come get him since I was going to have to leave work early anyway to make this second dr.'s appointment.  She said she thought he'd be fine.  So much for that theory.

Let's see, that leaves Sam & Brooke & myself as the "healthy ones".  I'm fairly certain that is' Monday all around today.  What else could go wrong?  Perhaps I shouldn't ask that out loud?  I know why this is happening.  It's because Travis doesn't come home for another week and I told the kids I couldn't miss any work between now and the end of March since I'm taking a week off to go to CA with Sam and her dance group.  Great.  Just stinking great.  Here's to hoping the week flies by!

Today's Photo Challenge Pictures

Got Milk?

Let the hair torment begin!  Little Sister had her first ponytail today!

 Yesterday Caleb had a total of about 5 1/2 hours of sleep.  At 11:30 pm he started complaining that his hands, feet & ears were hurting.  I took him into my bed with me.  I then proceeded to rub hands and feet every hour until 4 am.  I chalked it up to leg/foot cramps like Nash gets when he gets tired.  This morning, he had spots again!  Tomorrow I am calling the allergy clinic to see if I can get him an appointment.

 This one you have to look closely because the spots are faint, but they cover both feet all over the tops of his feet.

A few random spots going up the side of the poor kid's leg.

I hope it's something that is an easy fix and nothing contagious.  I don't think it's Hand, Foot & Mouth disease because there are no sores or spots by or in his mouth.  I've started writing down what he had to eat Friday, Saturday & today.  I'm wondering if it's a reaction to a virus or something.  If I can't get him in to the allergy clinic I'm going to take him in to see his pediatrician & I'm taking my photos!  Last time this happened his spots were gone by the time we got to the pediatrician's office!

In the words of my sister...

In the words of my sister, "My challenge has become challenging."  Yep.  Sums it up over here too!  One reason I didn't get 10 today is because I am down to TWO children instead of my usual FOUR.  Plus, I've been so busy & Caleb has been sick.  I feel bad because most of the pictures I've taken for the challenge have been of Brooke.  The older kids mostly run & hide.  Caleb acts like a goof & bats his eyelashes four hundred times so I can't get a good shot of him!  Guess I'll take what I can get!

And what do I get?  TROUBLE.  Notice she's got 2 cookbooks on the floor?  She goes for that pink one EVERY TIME.  It's an Usborne Fairy Cookbook my mom got for Sam for Christmas.  Not sure if it's the color or the pictures that she likes.  Maybe it's just that it's the right size to fit in her chubby little hands?  Also notice the bar stool she's managed to pull on top of her walker?  Amazed she didn't knock herself in the head with it!

Sam had a dance showcase on Friday night.  She did good.  It lasted two hours and she only did one dance.  She was dance number TWO.  Grandpa Scott & Grandma Kris showed up around dance number FIVE.  They did stay for the whole thing though & talked to Sam after.  I was happy because it meant that I got a break from the "Bouncing Bob" on my stomach!  She was cute.  I held her up so she could see the girls dance and as soon as the music started she started jumping!  I think I have another dancer on my hands!  As soon as I handed her off to Grandma, ZONK.  Sister was OUT for nearly the rest of the show!  None of the pictures I took of Sam dancing turned out very good because they were all moving so much.  I tried though!  Sam's head is down on this one.

She's the second from the left.

Sam's face is right behind that arm!

Second from the left with her face turned to the right.

Sam is exiting stage right & one of the girls is doing backflips across the stage on the left.

She was excited to tell me she saw her school teacher.  I asked her if she talked to her and she said she did. She told me that she was there watching "her grandchild."  I love that girl's vocabulary!  

Modeling her other birthday dress that Grandma Terri made her.  Love the totally fake smile she has going on in both the pictures!

Caleb & his jail.  All snuggled down on a pillow from my bed with his blanket over top, eating a SpongeBob fun dip!

And speaking of Caleb, that kid cracks me up.  He has inherited his older sister's vocabulary.  Tonight I was washing dishes.  He pulls a bar stool over to help me and says, "Wow mom.  That's terrifying."  Seriously?  Terrifying?  What THREE year old says terrifying?

Because I am in fact one of THOSE kinds of mothers

When I walked through the halls at the kids' school today I saw a poster announcing the upcoming Literacy Night.  We are reading Frindle with some of the other schools in the district.  On the day of Literacy Night the kids are encouraged to dress up as a favorite character.  Some may recall the moment of insanity I had last spring when I made a Kirsten (from American Girl) dress for Samantha in 3 days while having contractions.  Well, this year is no different.  I asked the kids what they wanted to dress up as.  Samantha wanted to go as Samantha from American Girl.  So, after dance we stopped at JoAnns.  I didn't know if I'd be able to find any costume patterns because it isn't October.  Fortunately the McCalls patterns are currently on sale for $1.99 & they did have a costume section.  Unfortunately, I couldn't find any patterns for a dress that looks like it was worn during 1904.  I did find a pattern that I could have altered to make it similar, but nothing exact to the pictures of what Samantha wears in the movie or the book.  I told her I'd be willing to make the pinafore to go to the dress I made last year and she could go as Nellie (Samantha's best friend).  Nope.  Nothing doing.  So, what does she end up picking?  Alice.  From Alice in Wonderland.  She hasn't even read that book!  (She will after this because I'm going to make sure she does if I'm making the stinking dress for it.)  So, we got all the fabric and the notions and the pattern picked out.  My mom is going to drop it off after work tonight.  As we were leaving JoAnns I told Samantha, "You know you're going to be Alice for Halloween this year, right?"  Her reply?  "Yep."  I'm just glad I got her convinced she did NOT in fact want to be the Queen of Hearts!

And what did my son want to go as?  Something simple?  Oh no!  My kids don't do simple!  He wanted to go as a LEGO man from one of the LEGO books.  I told him I had NO idea how to do a costume for that.  So, what is his second choice?  Darth Vader.  Dude, I can do that.  He was Darth for Halloween two years ago & still fits in the costume.  The only down side?  He can't wear a mask.  I kinda think a light saber might be considered a weapon too.

And while I was at JoAnns, I got a completely random (but totally funny text).  I heard my phone beep but didn't recognize the number.  I had been texting Trav's cousin earlier and thought it might be her, so I opened up the text.

Unknown Texter: Congratulations!  That's so exciting!
Me: For what?  I'm confused.
Texter: Your mom told me your pregnant!  Or is she crazy?
Me: This is Misty.  If I'm pregnant, I'm in big trouble because Travis is fixed.
Texter: Oh!  I must have the wrong number!  I'm SO sorry!
Me: No problem!

I thought it was pretty funny and it made me smile.

And on a random side note, baby sister got to be turned around in her car seat.  Yep.  My baby is almost (I'm in denial) no longer a baby.  She is, in fact, turning into a big girl right before my very eyes!

Picture Challenge Day 20 & 21

Little sister was being a ham again last night.  Don't mind my dork face in the photos.

This little girl LOVES her tub time.  I do believe I have another water baby on my hands.  Hard to believe after how much she screamed every time we put her in the lake at Lake Powell this past summer.  I think she's gotten over it now though!

Chewing on her piggy Mr. Sloshy

Yes, she's chewing on a cup.  It's the cup I use to wash hair.  Apparently, this one is going to be like her 3 yr old brother & enjoy drinking her bath water.  Disgusting, I know.

She kept standing up and then trying to decide if she wanted to sit down or not.  I thought she looked like a spider all hunched over like this.

Craft Night is BACK!  Wahoo!  I didn't go in December because it was canceled (too much going on with the holidays.)  I didn't go in January or February because I was too dang broke after Christmas!  I just couldn't stay away any more though.  I got some cute St. Patty's day decorations done tonight & Sam had a blast playing with one of my fifth graders from Millville!

I love this wreath!  The center board comes out (it's just tied onto the wreath with the fabric).  On The Avenue does a different center piece for each month/holiday.  Now I'll have to get those in addition to doing my bead board ones (above).  Can't wait to see what's on the blog for next month!

And, a random side note about On The Avenue.  They are doing doing a blog post on Saturdays on their blog (not the Super Saturdays with Mandy link, the actual On The Avenue link above on the left under favorite links) about how you can decorate your home using their products (or similar products).  Mandy said tonight that if we took pictures to show how we used our items to send them to her & she'd share.  She loves seeing how people use the stuff they make!  I told her I'd get snappin'!

Not the greatest picture on this one.  I took the picture with my phone because I didn't have my camera.  We gave my mom this puzzle for Christmas.  It's hard to tell, but each piece has a picture of a tiny tractor on it.  You put all the pieces together & you get a picture of a big tractor.  My mom loves doing puzzles.  In fact, she got about 6 for Christmas.  I hate puzzles.  They drive me nuts!  Especially ones like this where you have to look at only the shape of the piece and nothing else!  Guess I get it from my Grandpa Russ!  Well, mom finally got this put all the way together last week & if you look close, there's a piece on the lower left that's missing!  When we gave her the puzzle I told her we wanted to glue it together & put it in a frame so we could hang it in the boys' room.  Tonight she told me she was going to take the vacuum bag & dump it out to see if she could find it in there.  I hope she finds it.  The boys (or at the very least Caleb) would love having this in their room!