Cream of Potato Soup

I hate to start a post like this, but here goes. Evan has had awful diarrhea since Sunday morning and for a bit there his little butt was so red he wouldn't even let me wipe it. We also noticed some red spots on his torso about the same time the pooping problems emerged--and last night we noticed that the spots seemed to be multiplying. Fearing flesh-eating disease, I called the pediatrician this morning.

We got in to the doctor this afternoon and found out what the problem was. Ev seems to have caught some kind of bacterial thing that kids get from swimming pools. I can't remember what it's called, but if I think of it I'll write it down. So we got orders to watch to make sure things in the diaper department don't get any worse, and a prescription for an antibiotic cream to help the spots heal and disappear. We bathed and creamed Evan earlier this evening and he's now sleeping comfortably.

I remarked to Mike that parenting is hard because it's always new. Just when you learn how to do your job, it changes. When you master the duties that come with an infant, the kid starts to crawl or walk or eat solid food. Just when you figure out all the one-year-old stuff, he goes and turns two and becomes a completely different person again. You're never an old pro because the game keeps changing. Like the different levels of Super Mario Brothers, but with puking and stitches and tantrums.

Posted by jenny at 10:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We three are home again, after a fun and relaxing four day weekend. Mike and I got to spend lots of time alone, and Evan got to spend lots of time being king of the castle. The days went fast but we all had a great time--Evan's exhausted from all his adventures, but we have a quiet week coming up to make up for it.

The only bad part of the weekend was when I got pulled over by the police in a small Ohio burg for speeding. My first ticket! It was so wrong too--I was trying to merge with traffic and I sped up, and it was along a stretch where it goes from 50 mph to 35 really quickly. I know, excuses excuses, but I think I was wrongly accused! Anyone ever go argue a ticket and win? I'm thinking about it. Where's my lawyer when I need him?

Okay, off to unpack and settle back in. I'll write more when we do something of note.

Posted by jenny at 09:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

It's finally summer here. The weather is warm, the humidity is high, and we've been outside non-stop--swimming and walking and playing. Tonight we're headed to the Crawford County Fair, and tomorrow starts four days of fun. Mike's taking some much needed vacation and we're planning some fun family time.

Mike scheduled the vacation days a while ago, because tomorrow is our fourth wedding anniversary (we don't do gifts for anniversaries, we try to do something fun like take a little trip--memories in the making). It's strange to think we've been married four years, and stranger still to think we've been together for over 10.

We were both 17 when we started dating (oh that sounds so young when I write it down)--and it's so nice to be with someone who has known me for so long and shared so many of life's big moments with me. Mike was my best friend first, and he's been there through it all--death, divorce, graduations, break-ups, sickness, celebrations and babies. I am lucky to have such a funny, smart, and caring person to share all of the ups and downs with. I know I might complain sometimes (marriage isn't always easy) but in the end I'm very happy with the life that we have built together.

So here's to four years, and 50 or 60 more. Thanks to my loving husband, and our wonderful family and friends that shared our wedding day with us and continue to share in our lives today. We'll just keep moving right along.

Posted by jenny at 11:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Today (or rather yesterday, as it's just after midnight) Evan and I had therapy, took a two hour walk around Meadville, went to the beach, and ran errands.

Yesterday, Mike went into work around 8 am and he still isn't home. There's a big server problem at work, and he's been trying to help fix it all day (and night). I dropped him off some dinner around 7 pm, and the last I heard from him was around 9. He said they weren't sure what the next step was, and not to be surprised if he doesn't come home tonight.

Evan went to bed at 9:30, but I've been busy fretting over my poor husband and have been unable to relax. I know I need to go to bed, but I just can't seem to get there. I've been watching tv instead, talking on the computer, cleaning the bathroom. Poor guy--he's going to need a vacation after this week. I hope things get straightened out soon. I also hope "The Golden Girls" is on in case I can't fall asleep.

Posted by jenny at 12:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Evan pooped in the potty for the first time today. Film at 11.

Just kidding.

But he did ask to sit on the potty, and then went poop and pee and then showed me! I was so proud. He was praised quite a bit, let me tell you. Now, I know that it's going to be a while before he's ready to give up diapers, but this is such a positive step. He's doing all of this potty stuff without any pushing or direction from us, so I'd say that's pretty good.

Go Evan! (but only on the potty!)

Posted by jenny at 04:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I guess it's time I wrote the long awaited entry I promised last week. There's been some developments on the speech front, and I thought I should share.

So a report just came out about preemie boys and brain development. This could be a clue as to why Evan is as he is. Unfortunately, it doesn't offer a lot of help, but a little explanation is good too. I'm hoping to maybe get in touch with those doing the study, just to let them know we're out here.

We've also been trying something new and tasty with Evan-- fish oil! Sounds yummy, doesn't it? We've been giving him some each morning for the last week or so. I had been reading a book about late talking children and it talked about nutritional suppliments to aid brain development for speech. Well, a lot of kids seem to react well to this fish oil, chock full of good omega 3 fatty acids. They're supposed to help make those pathways in the brain that are going to allow Evan to start talking. So far, no major change, but we're going to keep giving it. Ev is still very vocal and pointing a lot, and I'm hoping that words will follow shortly.

We also had our first transition meeting this week. Once Evan turns 3, he no longer can get therapy in home. We have to place him in day care or a preschool in order for him to continue services. I think we're going to look into a day care that's on Allegheny's campus, as well as a special speech classroom in town. That class is offered by the Intermediate Unit one day a week for kids with a 25% or greater speech delay. It might be a good fit for him until he's ready to start "real" preschool next fall.

Okay, that's it for now. I've given you all enough to chew on I think! I'll write more later, maybe a funny story to balance out all this academic talk.

Posted by jenny at 04:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I think Evan needs one of these.

Not so much that he needs a tricycle yet, but because it looks really cool.

And only $149! Sold!

Posted by Mike at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I have a great big entry that I've been meaning to write for the last few days, but it will have to wait until later. Cool Evan stuff, new things we've learned, etc.

Right now I just wanted to say that my husband is awesome because he's downstairs vacuuming and cleaning up while Evan and I chill in the office. I haven't been feeling so hot since yesterday (no, I'm not pregnant) and I just didn't feel like doing the housework--and it needs done since we're getting company tomorrow.

Michael J, you're the best. Thanks for taking care of things and letting me lay around. I really appreciate it. You're a great husband and a wonderful dad.

Posted by jenny at 08:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Evan's been a lot more verbal lately. He's been pointing at stuff and saying "oouh" because he wants us to tell him the name of what he's pointing at. He's babbling a lot, and using lots of different sounds. He's following directions more accurately and is able to point to some things when we ask, like "where's the airplane?".

All of this is stuff that I see kids between 12-15 months old doing. I know that doesn't sound like something to get excited about (since Evan is twice that age), but Mike and I are pretty thrilled. Evan's finally on the "spectrum", if that makes sense. I can find him on the development chart. He's doing something that I know comes before real, actual speech. This is good. We're feeling more positive about his progress.

I've also been reading more. I'm trying to find some new things to do with him at home to encourage speech. He's getting tired of the same old therapy stuff! The more frequent therapy visits are working out well, though. Evan is getting used to seeing a therapist at his door in the morning, and getting used to the flow of each session. He is more comfortable and knows what is expected of him, and he is becoming more cooperative.

I'm also hoping that we'll get some ideas about his future next week at Evan's first transition meeting. He's done with in home therapy as of his third birthday (five months away!) and we have to start now to get him ready to get into a preschool program. This scares me. I still see Evan as my little baby--it seems crazy to think of him being in school.

Posted by jenny at 09:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The summer marches on and Evan grows taller and his hair grows lighter. I think he'd be blonder still if we had more sunshine--today, like many days this summer, it's 60 and raining.

It was hot and sunny the past three days or so though, and we took advantage. Sunday was our family reunion, held every two years at a picnic grove on Lake Erie. The day was sunny and the turn-out was good--in fact, I think this is one of the first years that families within our family reunion actually talked to each other instead of staying in their own little pods.

It was a great day, and Evan enjoyed himself immensely. He played on the playground, dragged his Grandpa around by the hand, and gestured grandly at the expanse of lake before him. We took him for a walk in the creek that runs by the picnic grove and empties into the lake, and that was the highlight of his day. I thought Ev would be afraid, because the waters were high and moving swiftly after a week of rain. But no, Evan charged right into the creek with his clothes on, and soon was seated in the water, finding just the right rocks to throw in. He had a wonderful time, but had to spend the remainder of the picnic in only a diaper--he didn't seem to mind at all.

We also took a trip to the beach Monday with the Faulkner clan, and that was a great success. All three boys enjoyed the sand and surf, and all four parents were glad to let the boys run themselves ragged. Evan loved being able to play in the water by himself--being independent is a huge thing for him these days. He also liked playing in the sand so much that he brought a whole pile home on the floor of the car. We got some cute pictures, I'll try to post them soon.

Posted by jenny at 01:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)