First "Cookie"

Okay, so it wasn't a REAL cookie. It was a teething biscuit, but hey he doesn't know the difference! Apparently he LOVES these. He can be just as fussy and I can give him a cookie and he's good. . . for a WHILE! Which helps me cook supper or do laundry! Don't worry I am keeping an eye on him while I do so! He did bite off a chunk the other day but I'm not surprised, have you seen his chompers?

My doctor appointment and the weekend

I had a doctor's appointment last Thursday afternoon, and as it happens I was feeling Horrible. Sore, scratchy throat, I was running a little low fever and just felt bad. He checked me out and said I had Strep throat (and no he didn't swab me-Jarrod wants me to be clear) so I guess he just saw the back of my throat (it must have looked bad) and assumed that with my symptoms I had strep. But we can't be positive that is what it is. . . Either way, he put me on an antibiotic. He decided to keep me on the same stomach medicine right now, since it does seem to be getting somewhat better, he wants to see me back in a month. Anyway,things with me went from bad to worse, I felt horrible Friday and most of the weekend. And then when I did start feeling better it didn't take long to wear me out! I am back at work today, but not feeling so great. Stratton on the other hand seems to be doing much better! He still has a runny nose and some coughing, but acts like he feels a lot better.

Friday night I convinced Jarrod to run me into Hobby Lobby so that I could get somethings so I could work on Jennifer's shower while I was inside feeling crummy. . .well while we were there the tornado sirens went off and we had to go to the back of the store to wait together. It was a little frightening. I mean Hobby Lobby is NOT a place you want to be in the midst of a tornado! Think of all that ceramic and iron stuff!! Well it was no big deal and we just stood in the back for about 5 minutes until it past and then we went right on back shopping. We weren't in there very long at all, but when we got there it hadn't started raining yet and by the time we left the parking lot was flooded!

Saturday we pretty much took it easy. And I stayed in all day Sunday. I definitely  wasn't going to church and share my germs! Jarrod left this morning going to Harrison. He will be gone till Friday night. I hope I can handle Stratton by myself! He has been a handful lately!

Here are some pictures from last week, when we gave Sadey a bath and let her stay in the house for awhile, till she dried off good. She was so good letting me bathe her and then we used the blow dryer on her. She wasn't a fan of that, but at least she let us (yes, that part took both of us) dry her for a few minutes! She spent the most of the time in the house chasing the cat. Or should I say "stalking" the cat. . . 

As you can see, she doesn't get too close to Taki- I think she's been swatted a few too many times and has learned her lesson! She confiscated one of Taki's toys, the cat doesn't play with it anyway! It's a stuffed fish with a squeaker inside. Isn't she cute carrying it around?! She has already grown so much in the last few weeks!

 

First Ear Infection and more

It's been a rough few days (yawn. . . ) Stratton started running a fever late Friday night/Saturday morning. And was sick all weekend. So, we took him to the Dr first thing Monday morning and they said he has an ear and sinus infection. Great. He has been taking an oral antibiotic and cough medicine along with alternating tylenol and motrin since then. We have kept him at home, of course. My mom watched him Monday afternoon and Terry and Margie came yesterday. Yesterday he was still running a fever off and on and last night he was still running a low fever and kept us up some during the night with his congestion and coughing. So Jarrod took off today to stay home with him and took him back to the Dr this morning. They gave him a shot of antibiotics, even though she said his ears looked better.  I guess with two infections it just takes more time and more meds to take care of it? Anyway, Jarrod and have been not getting enough sleep and are both dealing with colds of our own now. Ugh. [Lack of sleep + allergies & colds + working all day = tired, cranky parents!!]

Hopefully (crossing my fingers!) he won't run a fever today and he can go back to daycare tomorrow. I hate that he is sick but I hate even worse paying for a week of daycare that he hasn't even been there for! I digress. . .

 

Stratton's 9 month check up

I totally forgot that he didn't have to have shots this time! What a nice surprise! As soon as we laid him down on the scale the nurse said "He is the biggest 9 month old I have ever seen!" and she sees like 15 babies a day?! The doctor said the same thing, and then the receptionist said it to! If we had a dollar for every time someone made a comment about his height or how large his hands are, we would have Stratton a nice college fund started! Lol! Not that it matters- He will be on a football scholarship anyway, right?! Ha-ha! {No pressure, baby!!}

His stats at 9 months:

Weight: 21.5 pounds (75th percentile)

Height: 30.25 inches (97+plus percentile) I guess once you hit the 97th % they quit counting the nurse put a 97% and an up arrow on our paperwork!

Head circumference: 17.5 inches (50th percentile)

He is eating about 5 containers of baby food, 5-6 tablespoons of cereal and taking about 5 bottles (4-6oz) a day. We are gradually going to start on some table foods, that should be fun! And while he still won't hold his bottle by himself, he is doing better with the sippy cup that has the straw! He likes water a lot! But I have to be careful, he wants to drink it too fast and then gets choked!

Since his last checkup, 3 months ago, he has gained about 2 pounds and grew almost 3 inches! I am hoping he will slow down soon! The Dr. assured me that he would soon, between now and 12 months they don't grow as much-thank goodness! We are heading into the 12-18 months sizes. His torso is so long that most of his 6-12 month stuff is getting a little tight. I am still having trouble with pants. Most 6-12 are a little big in the waist, but he can usually keep them up, but they are too short! I am glad it's almost time for shorts! Girls have it so much easier- if you have a tall girl she can wear dresses and leggings and it's no big deal! I am glad that I have some gymbucks to redeem this weekend, my growing boy's got to have some new clothes!! We are going to have to start training him for his football career- I have already had a request from my boss, Kelly, to be his agent! ha-ha!

We got right in and out of the doctor's office pretty quickly, so we went to Cracker Barrel and had brunch. Jarrod had to hold Stratton most of the time. He isn't a fan of their highchairs. Again, he is just too skinny for the belt to hold him in and he slides in it. We gave him a little of my scrambled eggs and he didn't act like it impressed him too much! I think it's just the texture of whole foods that is freaking him out a little, but he doesn't turn anything away that is coming towards his mouth! I gave him some puffs last night for the first time and he did spit the first one out. It took him a couple of times to figure out that it tasted good!

Jarrod and Stratton were headed to the farm after they dropped me back off at work. S isn't going to daycare today since we have to have him there by 10am if we are going to bring him. That worked out fine anyway, my grandma and grandpa are going to watch Stratton this afternoon while Jarrod is helping my dad. They love getting to keep him, so I am sure he will be spoiled rotten by the time we get him back! They haven't seen him in a couple of weeks and he has really started being so much more active lately, he is likely to wear them out!!

We moved his car seats around to face forward a couple of days ago, and he loves it! Especially in Jarrod's truck, because it will only fit in the middle, so he can see out the front window! It's so much easier to get him in and out, too!

Look at our big boy! He just looks so big sitting there!

I am so glad it is Friday! This has been one stressful and long week! We don't have any major plans, we are having my mom's birthday dinner at my grandma's Sunday at lunch, but nothing other than that! I would like to work out in the yard again. I did get my weeds pulled and moved some of the shrubs last Saturday, but I didn't get to plant my annuals or re-mulch yet, so I might work on that. Jarrod will be helping my dad again on Saturday, I'm sure, so we will have to see about what I decide to do- A pedicure sounds like a good idea to me!

Daycare is exhausting!

This was about 6pm last night, right after we got home, I hadn't even fed him yet! They told me he took a bottle at 4:30 so I was going to wait awhile to feed him and I sat him in the highchair while I started supper. He was just playing with his toys and then next thing I know I look over and he is asleep. It didn't last long though, he soon woke up and was mad. So then I did feed him!

The daycare situation is going good. Jarrod actually picked him up Monday evening, since he got off before me. So last night was the first time I picked him up and he was SO happy to see me. It's never really happened before, like that. One of the teachers was holding him and the other one was talking to me and showing me something so I didn't immediately go in and pick him up-Well, he let me know real quick that he wasn't ok with that! He started screaming and then when I picked him up he was fine! Haha!

We had an unexpected visitor last night. One of Jarrod's buddies from college is in town (he is actually moving here) and dropped by around 7pm. I am glad I was actually cooking supper last night and had enough for three since Jarrod invited him to stay for dinner! I don't know that he will be coming back- he is single, and I'm sure being with us for a whole evening was a shock to him! I am pretty sure all we talked about was Stratton and after dinner we sat in the living room and watched him play in the floor with American Idol on in the background- what an exciting life we have! haha!

The puppy is still with us. I guess we are going to keep her. She is a sweet dog, but I have forgotten how much work they are. I have been trying to work with her on sitting and fetching. But you know how puppies are. . .she can't focus because she see's a bug and has to chase it, or gets distracted by a noise. . .ect. . .It's going to be an adventure. I hope we can at least train her to be a decently behaved dog. There is nothing I hate worse than when you go to someone's house and their dog jumps all over you and chews on you. I think she thinks her name is "NO!" since she hears that a lot. But I think we are going to call her Sadey. It seems to fit her!

Good news, Bad news.

The good news is that my doctor's office just called and my blood test came back negative- I don't have H. Pylori, like he thought. The bad news is, while the new meds he gave me are making me feel some better, I still don't feel like the issue is resolved. I go back next Thursday, April 22nd, for a follow-up. I don't know where he will want to go from here? But like I said the meds are doing some good, so at least I am not in as much pain and I am not as nauseous as I have been, so that is a blessing!

"D"- Day

We dropped Stratton off at Day Care this morning. Jarrod and I both went, mainly because I had a ton of stuff to take! But also for emotional support. I didn't cry, but came real close. I am flooded with emotions this morning so I spare you the details, but it was harder than I anticipated. I am already counting down the hours till 5pm! I might try to sneak by around lunch, if I have time. But I am worried that if I drop in it might just make it worse for me! The good news it that we dropped him off at 7:30 and I was at the office at 7:50, I even swung into McD's for an iced coffee (my weakness, but I needed some caffeine to get me going) and was still early! Today can't go by fast enough!