Sunday, September 14, 2008

Our week...

I took Kate to the Ear, Nose and Throat doctor this week, and after just coming off antibiotics within the previous few days, she still had double ear infections with an ear drum that looked ready to burst...the doctor couldn't believe how awful her ears looked. We discussed possible causes, and then I decided to go ahead and have the tubes put in her ears. Kate and I showed up at Children's Hospital in the pitch dark on Friday morning and had the surgery done. The doctor said that it's the most common procedure done on children in the US, but it's still hard when it's your own child---the general anesthetic is the hard part...

Heading into the hospital...I decided that we didn't need to be there at exactly 6:00 AM, because that would mean sitting in a chair with a tired, hungry baby for over 2 hours...we got there about 6:30, and we never waited any more than 10 minutes in any one place...it was nice.
Kate loved the purple jammies...and the nurse gave her a Cabbage Patch doll right off the bat! That kept her occupied for a while...



Watching Clifford the Dog on the TV screen while waiting to be taken to the OR---she really was so good the whole morning---she has never cared when doctors look in her ears or listen to her heart (I guess she's used to it by now)...a hard part for me was not giving her anything to eat or drink when she kept asking for it; I was glad we had an early surgery.

Getting a little tired...they gave her an oral sedative right before they knocked her out, and she was getting pretty sleepy...watching Elmo at this point...

On her way to the OR---very drugged out!

The procedure was short--20 minutes and everything went well...here she is trying to wake up.

I made the awful mistake of giving her a banana right after she woke up...she was so hungry and when the nurse came back he mentioned that she might throw up.
Throw up she did...within a few minutes of leaving the hospital--all over everything! I had to pull over on Sunset Blvd and attempt to clean up an entire banana from the car seat, blanket, pajamas and Bobo bunny...all the while with crazies honking at me from the road--not fun. Honestly, the hardest part of the whole thing was from wake-up to getting her home into her crib---she was so groggy and loopy and tired and kept crying about her ears---they claim it doesn't hurt them hardly at all, but if you slit a hole in my ear drum and put in a tube, it would probably hurt, and it obviously bothered her. I didn't have anything to give her until we got home. But, overall, a total success---she is happy and it's nice to know that all the fluid and infection was cleaned out. And the most obvious benefit is that she is finally eating better...we don't have to follow her around with a fork--she ate an entire serving of lasagna tonight, unforced--yay.

And here's sister...she wanted her picture taken...


Saturday morning muffins...

To put it mildly, Lauren hates soccer---Kate and I got to her game late on Saturday morning, and as soon as we got there, she walked off the field and wouldn't go back...


Kate, on the other hand, kept running onto the field for her dad...I think this was half-time, otherwise Lauren wouldn't have been on the field!

The best part for Lauren was the end of the game when the team mom handed out a bag full of treats...is that normal??? So much candy at 9 in the morning, but maybe Lauren will go back now!

Later that afternoon we went to a fun b-day party for a friend of Lauren's from church...the kids had a good time on the water slide and with the pinata...


Ear-infection free Kate...I just thought she looked cute...don't worry, I did take the little white shirt off from under her dress because it didn't look as cute as anticipated--her hair has been quite curly all weekend...not sure what it is...

I'm exhausted tonight...33 weeks pregnant, but I feel like 43 weeks. I did get the front door painted this week, and it looks awesome. Andy's in the dumps over the stock market---hopefully things will bounce back sooner rather than later. Our other big news is that we bought a piano this week--a Baldwin baby grand---I'm very excited. We've had a long saga of owning pianos, putting money into them, hating them, giving them away, and most recently piano-sitting. Now we own our very own nice piano, and it feels good. Hopefully this week will be less eventful...

13 comments:

Becky said...

Whoa! That is quite the week. Yay for Kate. Surgery, I've decided, is a hard thing for a mother's heart to endure...even if it's been done a million times.
CONGRATULATIONS on the piano. That is so awesome! You'll have to post a picture. My Dad just gave my sister their piano. I am kind of sad about it, but happy for her. We won't have a place for a piano for years. C'est la vie.
BTW - I've loved seeing all of the pictures of your house. Very fun!

Anonymous said...

Give our love to Kate. She seems to have come through it pretty good. It was fun to see your pictures. You have such a good way of writing, it sounds just like you talking. That's neat on your piano. Take care at 33 weeks along. We're excited about your little boy. Love, Jan

Becky J. said...

Shannon! I tried to find you yesterday at church so I could ask about Kate. I can't believe they got you in Friday after all! That's so great and I'm so glad everything went well. I'm going nuts not having my phone--I've been wanting to call you all weekend to see what happened--but I'll have it back tomorrow, thank goodness!

Cool about the baby grand! Big purchases are scary but so fun! Can't wait to see it!

dietcokegrrl said...

Man, do I remember those purple pajamas...not a good time for us. Sounds like she did really well and hopefully her ears will better from now on.

Montgomery Family said...

I'm glad Kate's surgery went well. I sorry, but I think it's so funny that Lauren is all decked out in her soccer uniform, her dad's the coach and she won't even stand on the field. Hey at least she looks dang cute! That's all that matters, right?

Shelley said...

What a week. Kate certainly did look cute through it all. And how ironic that Lauren hates soccer and Andy is the coach. Go figure, right? Now you are committed. I'm sorry I haven't called in a while. Having school in the morning has left very little down time; that and having 2 kids with no help is kicking my butt. I'm sooooo tired all of the time. I didn't realize how much help I was getting-- but really, I hadn't done it alone from the time Ella was born until we got back to Japan. The thought of you 33 weeks prego, teaching lessons, keeping up with 2 kids, and painting the front door makes me feel like I want to go take a nap!! I'll try to call soon.

Kizzycakes said...

poor kate! what a trooper! (you, that is -- kids can deal with anything, it's the mom's that suffer.) glad all is well now -- and that picture of her at the end is too cute! and i love the picture of lauren storming away from soccer -- yeah, the end of the game treats are the only thing my kids like about playing sports, too. is it really worth it? you've got a lot goin on these days -- especially for an 8-month prego lady!

The Facks of Life said...

Aw! Poor little Kate. Glad she's feeling better. And hope you're doing ok too. You're almost done...hang in there!

Marcy said...

Wow Shannon! I had no idea you had this week coming when I spoke to you last! lol

You will LOVE...I mean, LOVE ear tubes with Kate. Leda's had them twice (once at 9 months, another time at 2) and they are heaven sent for a child who has chronic ear infections. Leda's second set of tubes have already fallen out, so I'm a bit nervous about this winter. I just loved not having to wonder about her ears when she had them in. Yay for Kate!

And that soccer pout is just priceless! ROFL!

Anonymous said...

Okay, wow! That was quite a Saturday. You had a full day. I hope Kate's ears get feeling better. Nate had to have tubes in his ears as a baby too. He still has very sensitiv ears. I'm excited for your new piano. Baby grands are beautiful. Hopefully Lauren will start to like soccer now that she got all those treats. Good luck with the end of your pregnancy.

megan said...

I'm so glad she did so well!! I actually really like the white shirt under the black dress!!

Congrats on the piano!! Your house looks sooo great from all of the pics I've seen! You are living the dream shannon :-)

and, speaking of soccer...I've wanted to get caden in, but haven't found anywhere for his age where I don't have to play with him...do you know of any??

Allison said...

Lauren's hate expression is priceless.

Jessica Hughes said...

OH Shannon I am so glad Kate is doing good what a procedure. Had no idea. I'm glad you got you piano how exciting! I'd love to take lessons been wanting to for couple years But, I don't have access to a piano. We enjoyed you guys at the b-day party and by the way you look great!