Mean Ole Ears

James has inherited not only his uncles' height, but apparently also their susceptibility to ear infections. Boo!!

I was feeling pretty good - we made it to six months without any health issues. A runny nose here and there, but nothing crazy. Then, like magic, James hit six months and got an ear infection. Infection cleared up (after antibiotics), within a week, back at the doctor's office with another fever and snotty nose. Ear infection #2. While taking a new antibiotic for that, the fever came back and so back to the doctor's office we went. This time, they gave him the magic antibiotic shot. Poor James. Poor Mommy. It was awful.

As soon as he was off the antibiotics from EI#2, fever came back. This time, it brought not only a snotty nose but snotty eyes as well (see below). I guess the infections wanted to pop in for Mother's Day and say "Welcome to parenting!"



So James and I spent Saturday morning in the doctor's office, yet again. After another shot of antibiotics (and crying by both of us), we came home feeling better despite double ear infections. We went back for a follow-up visit and second shot Monday, at which point we were referred to an ENT doctor for a consult regarding tubes. DOUBLE BOO!

Now, I must say, James is catching on to the nurses' wily ways. As soon as two women walk into the exam room, he grows suspicious. Once on the exam table, he starts whining and talking sternly to all involved. Poor baby. He knows what's coming.

I'm kinda worried about the tubes. I know its a simple and quick procedure, but the idea of my baby under anesthesia is not a pleasant thought. Only seven months old and already needing something like this. Poor sweet baby.

Those mean ole ears!

Girls like skills...

... and boy does James have them!

We've passed the six month mark, and James is charging ahead with all the fun things he can do now. Not only am I amazed that he's been with us for six months (and survived two newbie parents), its so much fun watching all his new tricks.

He's rolling over from back-to-tummy and tummy-to-back.


He LOVES giving kisses. My sweet little boy cups your face in his hands and zeros in to plant a big wet one on you. Now, usually the recipient (me or dad) will have to wipe the slobber off our face and onto James' outfit, but still... it's so sweet.


He's started scooting around. He can't quite crawl, but I know that trick is on the horizon. Right now he tucks those knees under his belly and kinda pushes himself forward. I wouldn't say its an organized effort, but he's definitely moving across the room.

My baby's got skills!

Just right

I never really thought much about the speed at which we as humans "grow up." Matt jokes that he wants James to be potty trained tomorrow, and we both want him to learn to sleep through the night, and of course it will be nice when ____ (fill in the blank). As though we wanted him to hurry up.

I realized today that he is growing up at the speed of "just right." I can't imagine having come home with a baby that already knew how to roll from one side to the other. I could barely change a diaper without him peeing on us both. I can't imagine what I'd have done if the task had been further complicated the first couple of weeks by him rolling from side to side. And thank goodness he can't talk yet - I'm still working on controlling my speech to be child appropriate. Heaven forbid he repeat what I said in the car when I got cut off on the interstate yesterday.

Don't get me wrong - I miss the wee baby who couldn't stay awake long enough to finish eating and who fit in my arms quite perfectly. But I don't miss the total and complete sleep deprivation when he was getting up every other hour to eat.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that this family is growing together "just right" - both parents and baby. And isn't it amazing how that works out?