Since Justin has gotten the tubes in his ears, he's been SO much happier. He "talks" more, and seems to want to do nothing other than climb on and walk along everything. He was in the same happy and mobile mood tonight, so we decided to set him up on his lawnmower walker to see what he'd do. This clip is only a fraction of the walking he did! We think he might have found the quickest way to get to the dog food!!!
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Friday, July 13, 2007
Full circle....
Well, the stomach bug has made it full circle around our family. Rob came home from work at about 10am with the exact same thing I had on Monday.....no fun :( Hopefully this is the end of it and we can all stay healthy for next weekend!!!! We are going to Kalamazoo for a mini-family reunion. Aunt Cathy and Carl will be in town, Connie and the boys, my parents, brothers & their gf's, grandparents, etc. I can't wait!!!!!! Only 7 days - I'm counting down!
In other news, Justin let me put the drops in this morning with minimal physical force and he was happy as can be before day care. Hopefully the drops/antibiotics are helping and he'll be back to his normal self!!!
Have a great weekend :)
In other news, Justin let me put the drops in this morning with minimal physical force and he was happy as can be before day care. Hopefully the drops/antibiotics are helping and he'll be back to his normal self!!!
Have a great weekend :)
Thursday, July 12, 2007
200th Post!!!
Wow! I can't believe I have posted to this blog 200 times!!! Hope everyone enjoys reading the ups, downs and in-betweens of being new parents :)
Justin did pretty good today! Daycare did not give him any Tylenol and she said that he was a little fussy in the morning, but good the rest of the day - happy and playing with the other kids. He still had some bloody drainage from his right ear (sorry for being so descriptive!) but the Doc said that was to be expected.
Here is Justin's new "look". He started this glare about a week or so ago. Sometimes it's funny and sometimes I think he's mad at me :) Also, notice how his hair is starting to curl above his ears...I think it's cute! When are baby boys supposed to get a hair cut???
Here's my happier baby! He is standing up though because he knows mommy can't plop him back on his butt with a camera in her hands. He always wants to stand up and I don't know how to break him of that!
Also, it's hard to see here, but we had success in getting his ear plugs in and him keeping them in for the entire bath!!!!
Here's Justin's best friend. He loves to lay under his crib. At night when Justin goes to bed if we don't latch his door, Tucker gets in and goes under there. I would let him sleep there, but when he hears noises or gets excited he wags his tail and I don't want him to wake our sleeping beauty! On another note, he has been going to bed much easier (knock on wood!). He usually goes right down. He sleeps until about 5:30am and then we usually bring him in bed with us and give him a bottle. Probably a bad habit, but it's nice to cuddle him for an hour before we get up for the day!
Justin did pretty good today! Daycare did not give him any Tylenol and she said that he was a little fussy in the morning, but good the rest of the day - happy and playing with the other kids. He still had some bloody drainage from his right ear (sorry for being so descriptive!) but the Doc said that was to be expected.
Here is Justin's new "look". He started this glare about a week or so ago. Sometimes it's funny and sometimes I think he's mad at me :) Also, notice how his hair is starting to curl above his ears...I think it's cute! When are baby boys supposed to get a hair cut???
Here's my happier baby! He is standing up though because he knows mommy can't plop him back on his butt with a camera in her hands. He always wants to stand up and I don't know how to break him of that!
Also, it's hard to see here, but we had success in getting his ear plugs in and him keeping them in for the entire bath!!!!
Here's Justin's best friend. He loves to lay under his crib. At night when Justin goes to bed if we don't latch his door, Tucker gets in and goes under there. I would let him sleep there, but when he hears noises or gets excited he wags his tail and I don't want him to wake our sleeping beauty! On another note, he has been going to bed much easier (knock on wood!). He usually goes right down. He sleeps until about 5:30am and then we usually bring him in bed with us and give him a bottle. Probably a bad habit, but it's nice to cuddle him for an hour before we get up for the day!
Updates!
Hi there!
Justin's tubes:
Not 100% sure he is recovering like he should be. We have to give him drops 3 times/day in each ear and he FIGHTS us. He still has bloody discharge from his right ear which Dr. Gootee said would happen from the build up he had in that ear, but it was a lot yesterday. I tried putting his ear plugs in before bath time and he screamed and would not let me anywhere near his ear. Before when he had ear infections, he would squirm when we put drops in, but then lay there when we rubbed his ear. Now both of us have to pin him down to get anything done by his ears....I don't think this is normal? Does anyone have experience with tubes?????
Apartment:
Well, I got my way and Roto Rooter was here to actually fix the drain. Then yesterday they came and steam cleaned the whole apartment and tomorrow they are coming to tear up the hallway carpet & padding, disenfect the subfloor, replace the padding and wash the carpet from the bottom to top. It seems to me like it would be cheaper to replace, but they said that they use this company all of the time. I told her that if I wasn't happy with the results that she was going to be replacing it. I think that they are used to their standard non-English speaking residents who just go with the flow (no pun intended!). Sorry - that's not me!
Other:
Not much. I am super busy trying to catch up with work since I was sick Monday and out with Justin on Tuesday and part of Wednesday. I am calling his doctor as soon as they open today and going to try and get him an appointement for today too. Everyone says that tubes were the greatest thing ever and it's totally worth it - I hope we're saying that soon too. Right now that doesn't look hopeful!
Have a great day!
Justin's tubes:
Not 100% sure he is recovering like he should be. We have to give him drops 3 times/day in each ear and he FIGHTS us. He still has bloody discharge from his right ear which Dr. Gootee said would happen from the build up he had in that ear, but it was a lot yesterday. I tried putting his ear plugs in before bath time and he screamed and would not let me anywhere near his ear. Before when he had ear infections, he would squirm when we put drops in, but then lay there when we rubbed his ear. Now both of us have to pin him down to get anything done by his ears....I don't think this is normal? Does anyone have experience with tubes?????
Apartment:
Well, I got my way and Roto Rooter was here to actually fix the drain. Then yesterday they came and steam cleaned the whole apartment and tomorrow they are coming to tear up the hallway carpet & padding, disenfect the subfloor, replace the padding and wash the carpet from the bottom to top. It seems to me like it would be cheaper to replace, but they said that they use this company all of the time. I told her that if I wasn't happy with the results that she was going to be replacing it. I think that they are used to their standard non-English speaking residents who just go with the flow (no pun intended!). Sorry - that's not me!
Other:
Not much. I am super busy trying to catch up with work since I was sick Monday and out with Justin on Tuesday and part of Wednesday. I am calling his doctor as soon as they open today and going to try and get him an appointement for today too. Everyone says that tubes were the greatest thing ever and it's totally worth it - I hope we're saying that soon too. Right now that doesn't look hopeful!
Have a great day!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Random, Happy Birthday, Tubes & Gross
Random:
I just love this picture :) I love the face Justin is making!
Grandpa Stinky's Birthday Party:
All of the neighborhood kids call Tom "Grandpa Stinky"...I am not really sure where that came from, but it stuck! So here are some pictures from our friends in da hood!
Jeff, Roy and Scott holding down their chairs while Jim cooks!
Justin :)
Tom and Lori playing Bears Baggo
Have another one birthday boy!
Tom with his old man reading glasses!
"Happy" Tina....and not so happy Roy :)
Mommy and Justin - between rounds 2 & 3 of getting sick...this is just before we took him home once we realized it was more than just something he ate :(
Yes - Tom got Heely's for his 45th Birthday :) Can't wait to see him try them out!!!
Justin and his favorite girls - Bri and Erin!
Theresa and Erin
Bri, Justin and Rob
Tubes:
Today was rough. His actual surgery went well. The doctor said that some tissue had formed on his right ear drum (the main source of his ear infections) and he had to remove that before the tube could be put in. That ear is bloody now, but is getting better. It was just a rough day - he was in pain or at least discomfort until about 4:30pm. We got to Methodist Hospital at 7am and we were home by 10am, but he cried all day long. I know that his throat hurt (they put a tube down his throat so he could breath when they put him under) and his ears hurt too, so I felt horrible knowing there was nothing I could do. We just cuddled and cried together! It's hard when you have a baby who NEVER cries to having him cry non-stop. At about 4:30 he fell asleep on my lap on the couch and we both got a 45 minute nap that we both really needed. Then tonight he seemed to be doing much better!
The hospital took a picture of him in his gown (I forgot to take my camera!), but it's not digital and I don't have a scanner. He only had the gown on for about 10 minutes because it gave him a rash - either from the polyester material or the detergent they use. So he was in his diaper and a warming blanket the whole time...he was a happy camper!
Here is a picture of him with the mask he got to take home and his doctor bear they gave him :)
Gross:
Yes - very gross. This is the drain that you keep hearing about. I don't think that I am being unreasonable at all here! The right side is the hallway carpet which is still darker than normal from being wet and the left side is the bottom of our hall closet. The guy came yesterday and augered (sp?) it out and LEFT IT LIKE THIS!!!! I was SO ticked off. I took this picture and took it to the management office today and asked them if they would like to live in a place that looked like this. So she had a guy come cut the carpet out of the hall closet - baby steps I guess. Then tonight at 6pm it flooded AGAIN. They told us it was from the laundry room, but the guy tonight tested it and no it's not, he said our kitchen sink. We don't run nearly enough water in our kitchen to flood the hall and bathroom 4 times. Ugh. They are coming back tomorrow at 8am so we'll see what they do. The maintenance people are just "jack of all trades". I think it's time for a real plumber and if this does not happen tomorrow I will go above someone's head to get this taken care of. I am so tired of this!!!
I just love this picture :) I love the face Justin is making!
Grandpa Stinky's Birthday Party:
All of the neighborhood kids call Tom "Grandpa Stinky"...I am not really sure where that came from, but it stuck! So here are some pictures from our friends in da hood!
Jeff, Roy and Scott holding down their chairs while Jim cooks!
Justin :)
Tom and Lori playing Bears Baggo
Have another one birthday boy!
Tom with his old man reading glasses!
"Happy" Tina....and not so happy Roy :)
Mommy and Justin - between rounds 2 & 3 of getting sick...this is just before we took him home once we realized it was more than just something he ate :(
Yes - Tom got Heely's for his 45th Birthday :) Can't wait to see him try them out!!!
Justin and his favorite girls - Bri and Erin!
Theresa and Erin
Bri, Justin and Rob
Tubes:
Today was rough. His actual surgery went well. The doctor said that some tissue had formed on his right ear drum (the main source of his ear infections) and he had to remove that before the tube could be put in. That ear is bloody now, but is getting better. It was just a rough day - he was in pain or at least discomfort until about 4:30pm. We got to Methodist Hospital at 7am and we were home by 10am, but he cried all day long. I know that his throat hurt (they put a tube down his throat so he could breath when they put him under) and his ears hurt too, so I felt horrible knowing there was nothing I could do. We just cuddled and cried together! It's hard when you have a baby who NEVER cries to having him cry non-stop. At about 4:30 he fell asleep on my lap on the couch and we both got a 45 minute nap that we both really needed. Then tonight he seemed to be doing much better!
The hospital took a picture of him in his gown (I forgot to take my camera!), but it's not digital and I don't have a scanner. He only had the gown on for about 10 minutes because it gave him a rash - either from the polyester material or the detergent they use. So he was in his diaper and a warming blanket the whole time...he was a happy camper!
Here is a picture of him with the mask he got to take home and his doctor bear they gave him :)
Gross:
Yes - very gross. This is the drain that you keep hearing about. I don't think that I am being unreasonable at all here! The right side is the hallway carpet which is still darker than normal from being wet and the left side is the bottom of our hall closet. The guy came yesterday and augered (sp?) it out and LEFT IT LIKE THIS!!!! I was SO ticked off. I took this picture and took it to the management office today and asked them if they would like to live in a place that looked like this. So she had a guy come cut the carpet out of the hall closet - baby steps I guess. Then tonight at 6pm it flooded AGAIN. They told us it was from the laundry room, but the guy tonight tested it and no it's not, he said our kitchen sink. We don't run nearly enough water in our kitchen to flood the hall and bathroom 4 times. Ugh. They are coming back tomorrow at 8am so we'll see what they do. The maintenance people are just "jack of all trades". I think it's time for a real plumber and if this does not happen tomorrow I will go above someone's head to get this taken care of. I am so tired of this!!!
Monday, July 09, 2007
Sick :(
Hello! I know it's been a while since I've posted pictures - I promise to do it soon. I have been sick all day. I had to be at Washington Schools today to meet with the Superintendent regarding some construction questions we needed answered. They kept going back and forth and then she'd answer her cell phone and then have to return a call...I almost told here that she had about 3 minutes before I lost my breakfast (which I didn't eat!) all over her shoes so she better hurry up! I thought it was just the heat from being in the school for 2 hours, but I got home and it didn't go away. I am feeling a little better now - I miss Justin though....I didn't hold him all day or night because I don't want him sick for this tubes tomorrow morning.
We had a fun weekend back in the hood for Tom's Birthday - Happy Birthday old man!!! :)
I have a lot of pics to post which I will do soon! Justin was sick though on Saturday night for the party which was a bummer. We thought it was just something he ate, but it appears now that he may have had a stomach bug and now mommy has it! We were in bed by 9:30pm...party poopers! All part of being a responsible parent though - Justin comes first!
We got home to discover that a drain had backed up in our apartments. The whole hall carpet and one of the bathrooms was wet/flooded. So we called the emergency maintenance and he shop vac'd out what he could and said they would send the steam cleaners in today. Then last night it did it again :( So I told them there was no point in cleaning it until they fix the drain. They did that today supposedly and the carpet cleaners came too. He told me that the carpet will be "damp to the touch" for a few hours. We still SQUISH when we walk in the hallway. They are replacing this carpet/paddding. I am sure there is mold growing as we speak. I am not going to have a 10 month old crawling around on that. If they give me a hard time, I will be going to the health department, becuase I am pretty sure an open drain in a closet to accomadate the laundry room next door (that the whole building uses) is not sanitary. I will scrape the little mold spores out and take it to be tested...... I am pretty sure we'll get new carpet. This sounds like a lawyer's dream if the apartment management wants to screw with us!!!
Okay...I'm going to take an hour nap and then try to wake up Justin to eat something. He can't eat after midnight and his surgery is not until 8:30am....poor guy! He went to bed at 9:30, we can' t make him go 12 hours without eating! I don't know if he'll wake up to eat though if he's not yet hungry. We'll see!!!
We had a fun weekend back in the hood for Tom's Birthday - Happy Birthday old man!!! :)
I have a lot of pics to post which I will do soon! Justin was sick though on Saturday night for the party which was a bummer. We thought it was just something he ate, but it appears now that he may have had a stomach bug and now mommy has it! We were in bed by 9:30pm...party poopers! All part of being a responsible parent though - Justin comes first!
We got home to discover that a drain had backed up in our apartments. The whole hall carpet and one of the bathrooms was wet/flooded. So we called the emergency maintenance and he shop vac'd out what he could and said they would send the steam cleaners in today. Then last night it did it again :( So I told them there was no point in cleaning it until they fix the drain. They did that today supposedly and the carpet cleaners came too. He told me that the carpet will be "damp to the touch" for a few hours. We still SQUISH when we walk in the hallway. They are replacing this carpet/paddding. I am sure there is mold growing as we speak. I am not going to have a 10 month old crawling around on that. If they give me a hard time, I will be going to the health department, becuase I am pretty sure an open drain in a closet to accomadate the laundry room next door (that the whole building uses) is not sanitary. I will scrape the little mold spores out and take it to be tested...... I am pretty sure we'll get new carpet. This sounds like a lawyer's dream if the apartment management wants to screw with us!!!
Okay...I'm going to take an hour nap and then try to wake up Justin to eat something. He can't eat after midnight and his surgery is not until 8:30am....poor guy! He went to bed at 9:30, we can' t make him go 12 hours without eating! I don't know if he'll wake up to eat though if he's not yet hungry. We'll see!!!
Friday, July 06, 2007
Welcome to the world!!!!
Ian Carl Letherer was born at 5:07am (Arizona time)!!!!
He was 6 pounds 8 ounces and 18" long.....both Ian and Erica (Nelko for most of my family that know her!) are doing well!
Here is a picture that Jeff (Indy) sent from his cell phone - I am sure she will be posting more when she gets a chance.
Congratuations Jeff & Erica - we're so happy for you!!!!!
Love,
Rob, Melissa and Justin
Justin's First 4th of July!
It feels like we just had a weekend and now it's Friday! It doesn't get any better than that :)
We had a nice 4th of July - just relaxing and hanging out with our little family! I think back on the 4th of July when I was growing up and I have SO MANY MEMORIES! I remember going out on the river on our boat and tying up together with Grandma and Grandpa Metzler's boat. And we can't forget when Grandpa's boat anchor came loose and we almost crashed into the Bay City Belle! As we got older, we still chose to go to the fireworks as a family and I think that said alot! I remember the 4th of July when Ryan first brought Amanda around to meet everyone - that seems like SO LONG ago....oh wait; it was :) I only hope that Rob and I can create as many memories for our kids as my parents/grandparents did for us!
The biggest complaint that people had about the combined show between Peoria and East Peoria was the parking situation. There were just not enough spots. Rob works downtown in a lot that had the gate down....so he just took his swipe card and we were one of 3 cars in the big lot! I hope they don't get smart and charge admission next year!
I don't care if it's my first 4th of July Mom - put the camera away...I have not even had my coffee yet!
He loved his glow necklace - and surprisingly did not try to eat it too much!
Some of the crowds on the Peoria side of the river. This was the first year that Peoria and East Peoria joined together for the show. The fireworks were great! Not as long of a show as Bay City's, but they also shot more at one time...
Justin laying on my lap watching the fireworks
Mmmmm.....corn on the cob!
His trusty high chair side kick Quincy. He was fast to learn that he who stands closest to the high chair gets the prize :)
I love spaghetti night - it always means good food and bathtime; what more could a guy want???
Excuse me Tucker - you're in my way.
We took the boys to a dog park in Morton; not too far from Peoria. It's really nice - 3 acres fenced where they can just run free. It went pretty good - there was one psycho dog there that Tucker did not like, but that's not bad for there being about 10 dogs there. They also separate the big dogs and little dogs which is nice!
Tucker and Rob playing frisbee
This little Jack Russel Terrier puppy could squeeze under the fence to the big dog side and he did not want to play with the little dogs! It turns out that his owner just graduated from Tech - he was a Delt Sig (Tyler Pagel)...anyone know him?
I love this picture of Tucker - he was pooped out!
We had a nice 4th of July - just relaxing and hanging out with our little family! I think back on the 4th of July when I was growing up and I have SO MANY MEMORIES! I remember going out on the river on our boat and tying up together with Grandma and Grandpa Metzler's boat. And we can't forget when Grandpa's boat anchor came loose and we almost crashed into the Bay City Belle! As we got older, we still chose to go to the fireworks as a family and I think that said alot! I remember the 4th of July when Ryan first brought Amanda around to meet everyone - that seems like SO LONG ago....oh wait; it was :) I only hope that Rob and I can create as many memories for our kids as my parents/grandparents did for us!
The biggest complaint that people had about the combined show between Peoria and East Peoria was the parking situation. There were just not enough spots. Rob works downtown in a lot that had the gate down....so he just took his swipe card and we were one of 3 cars in the big lot! I hope they don't get smart and charge admission next year!
I don't care if it's my first 4th of July Mom - put the camera away...I have not even had my coffee yet!
He loved his glow necklace - and surprisingly did not try to eat it too much!
Some of the crowds on the Peoria side of the river. This was the first year that Peoria and East Peoria joined together for the show. The fireworks were great! Not as long of a show as Bay City's, but they also shot more at one time...
Justin laying on my lap watching the fireworks
Mmmmm.....corn on the cob!
His trusty high chair side kick Quincy. He was fast to learn that he who stands closest to the high chair gets the prize :)
I love spaghetti night - it always means good food and bathtime; what more could a guy want???
Excuse me Tucker - you're in my way.
We took the boys to a dog park in Morton; not too far from Peoria. It's really nice - 3 acres fenced where they can just run free. It went pretty good - there was one psycho dog there that Tucker did not like, but that's not bad for there being about 10 dogs there. They also separate the big dogs and little dogs which is nice!
Tucker and Rob playing frisbee
This little Jack Russel Terrier puppy could squeeze under the fence to the big dog side and he did not want to play with the little dogs! It turns out that his owner just graduated from Tech - he was a Delt Sig (Tyler Pagel)...anyone know him?
I love this picture of Tucker - he was pooped out!
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Get ready Country Trails....
...we're coming to town tomorrow! We are going to spend the weekend in the 'hood.
Tom's birthday is Saturday so we're coming to help him celebrate. We want to see everyone, so please feel free to stop over if you see our car there! We're excited to see everyone and Justin is excited to see his favorite girls - Bri and Erin!!!
Yeah!
Tom's birthday is Saturday so we're coming to help him celebrate. We want to see everyone, so please feel free to stop over if you see our car there! We're excited to see everyone and Justin is excited to see his favorite girls - Bri and Erin!!!
Yeah!
Monday, July 02, 2007
Random thoughts....
Sometimes I wish I could blog about everything that I want to. However, I am going to censor myself and make this blog as positive as possible, so I will focus on the happy points - and what happier than my little angel?!?!?!
I know that Mommy pushes a few buttons and then I get to talk to Grandma; now only if I could figure out which ones they are.......
I have heard a few quotes lately that I really like....
I know that Mommy pushes a few buttons and then I get to talk to Grandma; now only if I could figure out which ones they are.......
I have heard a few quotes lately that I really like....
- *"You know you have a great life when your family becomes your friends and your friends become your family"
- *"If you success is not on your own terms, if it looks good to the world but does not feel good in your heart, it is not success at all"
- *"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody"
- *"Maturity is not measured by age - it grows with life experiences you have along the way"
Hope everyone has a great 4th of July! We are planning to just relax with friends, BBQ and go to the fireworks show......
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