Tubes

Andy, Hannah and I met with the ENT today to review Hannah's recurring ear infections.  Since January, it seems as though she had had one long ear infection that just won't completely go away.  It was a quick appointment.  They did a quick pressure test in her ear.  We learned that even after 4 days of strong antibiotic fluid remained in her middle ear.  Dr. said she would be a great candidate for tubes.  We signed right up. 

We have only heard great things from friends and family about tube experiences.  Once your child gets them in, the ear infections go away and they can live pain free finally.  No more pressure build up in their little ears.  April 12th is the surgery.  It is painless and Hannah can go back to the sitter that day if we want her to.  The day can not come soon enough. 

Moving Day

Moving day has come and gone.  We have been in our new place for one week.  With all of our families help,  we pretty much got every single box unpacked by the end of last weekend.  We made the decision to hire movers this time around, which paid off as well.  My dad said it was very nice to watch someone else move the very heavy items up the stairs this time!

This weekend with Andy's help we got stuff hung on the walls, and many finishing touches completed.  I organized many cupboards, drawers, closets, and dressers.  There is still work to do, but we are almost there.  It is so nice for the kids to have their own rooms, have a guest room, a three car garage for all our junk, and more space. 

Andy relaxing after a hard days work.  

Living room 

Formal dining.  

Playroom/Office  

Kitchen 

Master 

My favorite - 2nd floor laundry with a sink!!  (I now have a place to soak my babies clothes from the nasty stains they produce!!)

Dancing Queen

Earlier this week Hannah and I were inside playing while Andy and Henry took a trip to the store.  With the big move on Friday we have packed up most of the kids toys.  Mr. Leap Frog was left out so I played him a few times.  I then noticed that each time I would start up the ABC's Hannah would start dancing.  It is quite possibly one of the cutest things I have ever seen. 

I had to tape most of it from behind her because she now comes after the camera each time she sees me get it out and will stop what she is doing.  Part of their every growing curiosity. 

I play the song every night we get home now and get the same cute little wiggle.  It was no accident - this girl is a dancing queen and has quite the rhythm. 

Sibling Love

Henry and Hannah sitting on Henry's couch.  Henry was tickling Hannah's tummy making her laugh so hard.  It was too cute!

Kisses!!

Hannah 8 1/2 Months Old

Hannah is 8 1/2 months old.  She has big beautiful eyes, she never sits still, and is learning so many new things every day. 

New things that Hannah has learned since she was 7 months old are:

• She crawls, very fast, and gets into everything!
• She is sleeping much better ever since her ear infection has healed up.  She slept from 7:30pm - 6am last night!
• As of today, she is completely on formula.  No more nursing.
• She eats like a champ.  She easily finishes a container of stage 3 baby food each meal. 
• Other food she loves is avocados, peas, graham crackers, pancakes (1st time this morning), muffins, toast, and Cheerios.

 Hannah weighs a little over 17 pounds.

She loves playing with her brother's toys.  And of course Henry is at the stage where sharing is very difficult.

Here is Henry at 81/2 months:

It is crazy to think that this little boy has now turned into this:

Happy Saturday!

 

Sisters Lunch

I manage 801 Grand, the tallest, most beautiful building in all of Iowa.  I am proud to be the property manager and consider myself very lucky. 

You want to know what is even cooler?  My sister Danielle works on the 20th floor of the building.  At anytime of the day I can stop in and see her.  We often take walks through the skywalk, run errands together, get coffee, and just stop by and chat.  How many people can say the work in the same building as their sister?  Yesterday morning I got to work and realized I forgot to put on deodorant!  How awful!!  The best part is I emailed Danielle, found out she had deodorant in her gym bag and just had to take the elevator up and see her.  She saved my day as she has many times before!   

Brianna, aka 'little sister', works just two blocks south of us.  She just got a well deserved promotion which has given her the flexibility to take lunch anytime she wants.  We all three met for lunch last week and it was so fun to catch up, without the crazy kiddos interrupting us.  We now have a reoccurring 'sisters' lunch on the calendar that I will look forward to each month. 

Have I mentioned before how lucky I am to have family so close??

Video Follow Up - Hannah Playing with Henry's Legos

Hannah's new favorite task is to remove every single block from Henry's Lego car.  I can put them all back in over and over again and it never gets old for her!  So funny.

Round 3 - Antibiotic Shots

We visited the Dr. again this morning to take a peek inside Hannah's little ears.  The Dr. said the infection is gone, but the drums are still a little red.  To make sure we totally kick all the strong bacteria that is causing the ear infection the Dr. recommended the third, and final, shot of Rocephin.  Hannah did not take it well at all.  She screamed, and screamed, and then fussed for the entire 20 minute waiting period.  There is nothing worse than watching your child in pain.  I stood there the entire time wishing it was me they were giving the shots to.   Hopefully this does the trick. 

In other news - remember my baby girl that just started crawling a week ago?  Well, she is already pulling herself up on everything.  Her new favorite trick is to pull herself up on Henry's Lego car and pick up and throw out every single one of his Lego's.  It is pretty funny. 

We have her 9 month check in three weeks when they will check her ears again and hopefully find them to be perfect, just like her.

**For my stats - today she weighed in at 17 lbs on the dot**

Bieber Fever

Wednesday night was girls night.  Kelly, Erin and I all secretly wanted to see the Bieber movie.  We all have young girls, but not old enough that we can take them to a teeny bopper movie quite yet.  So we decided to go to the movie together.  Luckily we were the only ones in the theatre, and bonus - it was 3D!

The movie was great, and since Wednesday I have had the song 'Baby' in my head, singing out loud at times.  I didn't realize just how often I was singing it until Henry asked to sing 'Baby' tonight.  Hilarious.  I downloaded the song and we have been playing it over and over tonight at Henry's request.  He even has the killer dance moves to go with it.  Possibly our next Justin Bieber????

Mother's Instinct

Hannah has been on antibiotics for her ear infection since last Wednesday.  She has been eating fine, but a little more fussy, and has not been sleeping well (which isn't out of the norm).  My mother's instinct has been telling me that something has still been bothering her.  Since the kids were scheduled to go to my parents this weekend I decided to take her to the Dr. to peek in her little ears yesterday afternoon.

Sure enough, her ears are still infected.  Both of them.  Poor little girl.  The Dr. recommended a shot of strong antibiotic called Rocephin, which should clear the ears up.  The only bad thing is that it is three sets of shots.  I had the choice between the stronger oral antibiotic augmentin, or the shots.  I panicked on what to do so called my mom, who recommended the shots as well.  The chances are the augmentin wouldn't work either so I would be back here next week doing the shots anyway, prolonging the healing of the infection.  So I had to hold my princess while they gave her the shots.  The antibiotic is pretty thick so they split it into two doses, one in each thigh.  She screamed.  It was awful.  Henry was watching, playing commentary on how Hannah has an owie.  A little comic relief for me.

One set of shots down, two to go.  I really hope this works and I get my little Hannah back.  I really think this explains why she hasn't been sleeping either.  Her poor ears have been plugged up. 

We still sent the kids to my parents house since Hannah has been acting ok.  The good news is that she was so worn out from the shots that she only woke up for my mom once last night! 

Let's hope these shots work and it is the last of these horrible ear infections.