Fabulous, Great

The past couple of weeks have resulted in a lot ups and downs, leaving me to feel emotionally drained from life. I love being a mom but it is also by far one of the hardest jobs, especially when both boys are so dependent on my love. Mom is mom and they boys constantly are fighting for my attention, need me to hold them, fighting and pushing the other away, saying no me, only one. This will then send the other brother off crying hysterically simply because they both need me. I would not trade it for anything, being a Mom that is not to mention I am happy my boys need this from me. I try all the time to sit on the floor to snuggle with them both but what can I say, they are smart. They want nothing to do with me sitting on the floor because they want me to stand so the other is not with “us”.  No, I am not bragging, but what I am voicing is how this makes me feel on the inside. They weigh 30lbs each and cannot hold them both…I could, but only for a minute. Mom’s [parents] always want the best for our children and we struggle day and night ensuring we are making the best decisions. I would like to think we have thus far, but as we experience some challenging times we might question ourselves as parents [hmmm, what if, or should we], especially as others’ are quick to add their two cents not to mention we all are receptive to body language/expressions and sometimes this can get the wheels spinning too.

As we are faced with our responsibilities day in and day out, I have found myself almost at times to throw in the towel. The reality is I just could welcome a little break from the hustle and bustle.  A week in Mexico or Hawaii sounds enticing; envisioning myself sitting on the beach with a Pina Colada with my feet in the sand, sleeping in, or just sleeping on the beach under the sun.

I noted about 3 weeks ago the boys had double ear infections. Well, as we learned over the weekend their ears never fully healed. How did we learn this you ask? Let me fill you in. Steve picks me up from work for Friday date night. As I sit down he informs me that Zach woke up from his nap at school and threw up…A LOT. As Steve’s parents were driving home with them, little Zach threw up again. In my mind I am thinking fabulous, great. They just got over ear infections…now this?! Instantly I thought we cannot catch a break. So, his parents were going to try and get the kiddos down for bed. As we were midway through our dinner Steve gets a text [insert here…it was a little on the funny side and we will have to steal this line one day] “SOS SOS MAYDAY MAYDAY”. Steve called his dad, no answer, his mom no answer, and after another attempt he got in touch with his mom. Jack had thrown himself into this meltdown of a tantrum that even his Papa could not help dissolve. Jack was in need of Mama and Dada. We zip home, thankfully only 10 minutes away, and Zach was sound asleep as he just was exhausted, and there is Jack with red eyes and big alligator tears. He jumped into my arms and he calmed down. Again, as draining as tantrums can be the biggest payoff is the love you get from your children; they really do need you. We snuggled for a little and he watched a little of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and he then said nighty night.

I was nervous heading into Saturday but Zach never had anything else occur and Jack appeared to be fine. We try to get out Saturday night with the intent the boys would stay with Steve’s parents so we could try to sleep in. We get a text at dinner, no not SOS, but that Zach wanted to be home. We didn’t blink an eye and wanted to be there for our boys so we packed up and went home. They were sound asleep in their bed and were happy to see us the next morning.

Sunday was a bit different in that their demeanor was off. Zach was very needy and just crying all the time. We had already had their checkup (post ear infection follow-up) scheduled with their new Pediatrician for Tuesday and was thinking it was all perfect timing. BUT, I felt like Zach was getting worse as the day went on. Back to the Minute Clinic we go. Sure enough the RN indicated that Zach’s ears were totally infected, meaning they probably never healed from the occurrence three weeks ago. The RN prescribed him another antibiotic and indicated oh it taste good he will like it. NOT. Since we went Sunday afternoon and have to give the medicine twice a day we wanted him on an evening/morning schedule so we divided the dose up to get something in his system. That seemed to have gone okay. Zach did okay sleeping but woke up Sunday around 3am probably because he has not had much of an appetite and was hungry, but nothing sounded good. They are always good about going back to their bed and falling asleep even after I ask if they want to snuggle with us, no mine is their response.

Monday was here super fast, and figured both were in good spirits. Steve was having a hard time giving Zach his medicine and eventually after a couple of unique tricks he had to force it on him. All I can say is easy in easy out just like that. Yep…he threw it up all over Coco/blankey, me, the counter, floor, and cabinets. Fabulous, great, is what entered my mind as I see it soaking into my watch. We got him cleaned up, both of us changed, and after he calmed down he “appeared” fine. We just kept saying we are going to see the doctor Tuesday. Well, we made it 5 minutes from our house and he threw up his Gatorade. Fabulous, great entered my mind, while I am sure other words entered Steve’s since we were in his car.  We turned around and decided I will stay back with Zach and take him to the doctor and Steve would take Jack to school. Jack always appeared to be fine, but he did not want to go without bro…this is what they call each other now and it is ridiculously cute. So Steve did his best to get as much of the car cleaned up and off to work he went. I could tell he was drained as I was from the weekend and now this. Steve’s mom was gracious to come over to lend a hand knowing the plan was to take BOTH boys to sick call. I put both boys in the tub because all I could do was smell throw up. Thankfully I was able to wash both of them because a minute after that Zach [insert: this is funny] farted and along with bubbles came some liquid poop. I apologize for the graphic details but this would not be quite the entertaining story if I left this interesting detail out. Zach saw this and then Jack quickly noticed and both jumped out of the tub like no other. All I could hear was poop no, no, no poop. Ahhhh. Fabulous, great entered my mind along with what else could go wrong today. Stay tuned and you will learn. Steve’s mom showed up as I got them dressed and bless her heart she offered to clean the tub with our little helper bees. Poop, no…poop no as the boys commented. I was then able to call the doctor office since they had just opened. I was able to get the boys in to see a nurse practitioner with their new doctor. We eventually made our way over to the office. Since this was the boys’ first visit what has to happen? I got to fill out all new paperwork for both boys, which took some time. There were only a couple of forms online that I would have been able to fill out in advance to their first appointment, so timing is of the essence. Eventually we were called in, about 30 minutes late. It was a busy office with sick kids. Coastal Kids is their new office and I could not be happier. It reminds me of Lake Forest Pediatrics back in our hometown. I love it. The nurse practitioner was great, and I felt assured knowing Zach was going through this that he was in good hands. As the “NP” is asking questions she begins evaluating the boys, starting with Jack. Wow…a temperature and double ear infection. What…did not know since we did not have him checked out on Sunday but more so he was not showing any signs.  In any event, I am happy that I just decided to have both examined. It was Zach’s turn. The outcome was his ears were really bad and since he was having a reaction to the med that morning, she was concerned that he would have the same reaction given the history. Then it gets worse, simply because I was not prepared for the next step. The nurse indicated she would have to give him two injection shots of antibiotics to help get him through this hurdle and he will not be happy. This is the worse shot any toddler can have because it is painful. Fabulous, great entered my mind. Anytime I know there are shots I tend to bring their Tylenol to help ease the discomfort, but did not have it with me. However, because of the pain children can endure with ear infections they both were given Motrin/Tylenol.  While waiting for Zach to get his shots, the boys were so exhausted that they fell asleep in our arms, curled up to us. Fast forwarding he get his shots and he was not happy but about 5 minutes later he stopped. He just looked at me and said boo boo. I know. We stayed a little longer to make certain he would not have an allergic reaction to it. But I would say the initial shot started to work, because it was injected into his blood stream. Thank goodness. We did not get home until around 1ish, tried to give them something, but they both ended up wanting to take a nap. Zach slept for about 3 ½ hours, poor little boy. It was a long day needless to say and I was looking forward to sitting down.

The boys stayed home Tuesday to rest and we had another doctor appointment for that afternoon with their Pediatrician more so to examine Zach. That appointment determined if he was ready for an oral antibiotic or if he required another series of shots. Since he was not getting “sick” the doctor was able to prescribe him the same thing as Jack. I really like their new doctor and he really is engaging with the boys, I would hope so, right? Thank you, Tara, for the referral. I am very happy. He asked us a lot of questions, asked if they were in school/day care or something and we said yes, and told him where they go. I was surprised to hear him say, “Oh, I know the Anneliese School very well---- great pick”! Hearing a well known Pediatrician to many across Southern California say this brought a big smile to my face. He followed with a laugh noting every family endures this when starting school (the trail of illness that is)---they will get through this. Part of me felt like crying because I was feeling overwhelmed with a lot of other things happening too, and I needed to hear this…and I am happy to have heard it from my boys’ doctor. Check him out for yourself, Dr. Steven Abelowitz at CoastalKids.

Shortly after we got home from the doctor’s office, the doorbell rang. Sitting on the front step were balloons for the boys and beautiful flowers from my mom. Thank you, Mom, for always being thoughtful and taking our minds off the challenges presented our way. It means so much to me!

The boys slept great  the past evening, and I feel we are on the mend with the exception of diarrhea from the antibiotic. Not even a half a day goes by with the boys back in school today and I get an email from the Director informing me that Jack has it bad.  Fabulous, great enters my mind…

Love,

Julie