Less Words Wednesday

This was supposed to be a weekend wrap up but the week happened and now it's turned into a Wednesday post. Carson has been dealing with an ear infection all week (actually for 2 weeks now) and I have had the worst headache all day. I actually worked in my office with the lights out today. It's kind of been a tough week. But...we had a fun weekend with grandparents! Miles got to continue this birthday celebration with presents from Marmee.

She got him an archery set. It was love at first sight. He shot his bows all weekend.

Granny & Pa came down on Sunday to give Miles his presents. We just couldn't work out a party for him b/c of volleyball and baseball. I need to remember next year that his party needs to happen before volleyball starts.

Granny & Pa gave him a new fishing pole. He was very, very excited about that.

Sunday night Carson started saying that his ear hurt again. There has been lots of snuggling over the last two weeks.

We had a little bit of time over the weekend to relax b/c baseball was canceled due to the threat of rain. It was much needed.

Carson has been out of sorts with his ear infection. His sleeping, napping, eating, and overall behavior has been off. Lots of fits.

He's started coming in our bed every night somewhere around 2am. We finally had to limit him to only bringing his beloved cow and baby doll (which was mine as a kid...he calls her Jennifer) to our bed in the middle of the night. This is everything he brought the other night...in one trip. It's hard to tell but there are 5 things and 1 fell on the floor. I don't know how he managed it all.

He's on his third different antibiotic. As soon as his ear clears up, we are going to the ENT. I already have the appointment scheduled. His tubes are twisted. His pediatrician thinks they might need to come out. We are just hoping that we don't need another set. Fingers crossed. That was more than I intended to write b/c my head is still splitting wide open. Forgive me for even more typos than usual!

Happy Birthday, Miles!

1-0! Double digits deserves a big celebration. We planned a big day and I'm proud to say that everything went exactly as planned. 

The morning started with donuts. Darrin was super creative at 5:45am and ordered a long John and a donut so it looked like '10'.

Then it was off to school. He's carrying a Case It binder (think Trapper Keeper) instead of a backpack this year. I predict that it won't last long, but for now, he thinks it's really cool.

We went to eat lunch with him and surprised him by bringing Panda Express. He said that us eating lunch with him was the best part of his day. When I told him we were coming to eat with him, his level of excitement was similar to when we told him he was going to be a big brother. I kid you not.

He celebrated at school by buying ice cream for his classmates. $6.75 for the entire class is the cheapest party ever. 

After school and work, it was time for gifts. He didn't ask for anything, but through conversation I picked up that he would like ear pods and an electric scooter. He also got the next book in the series he's reading. My mom bought him a John Grisham book for kids and he really liked it, so we got him the next book. It's a step up in terms of challenge, so I'm so glad she bought it and that he likes it. He's always been intimidated by longer books so I told him that I would pay him $25 if he read it. I just wanted him to realize that he was capable of reading those kinds of books and also that it would open up so many other books to him. It took him all summer b/c he didn't have much time to read and he tends to be outside more during that time. He finally finished it last month and I gave him his money the next day. Side note, I have no idea why Carson is laying on the counter. 

Miles was very appreciative of his gifts. This was even before we gave him the scooter. 

This is how Carson felt about not getting any gifts. Miles did let him help pull the paper off and that helped a little.

He said the scooter was the best gift he's ever gotten. We happened to have this little scooter and helmet for Carson. It didn't take him long to realize that Miles' scooter was much different than his (because it's electric).

Miles has been into Oreos lately so I made him a dirt cake instead of a regular cake or cupcakes, which is what we usually have. I think random desserts might be a new thing for birthdays. It was much better than cupcakes.

One of my new favorite pics of the boys.

After dessert, Darrin had volleyball practice and Miles had baseball practice. His team sang happy birthday to him too.

I surprised him by bringing Sonic slushies for his team, orange and blue of course. We included the siblings b/c they are troopers and they are definitely part of the Hornet family. I had to get a babysitter to watch Carson while I went to get the slushies and deliver them to practice. Thankfully, I was able to get him to sleep (thanks to Melatonin) before I left the house a little after 8pm, so he never knew the difference.

We ended the night by playing a new game that Uncle Steve and Aunt Crystal got him for his birthday called Shut the Box. He got to stay up late and soak up every last minute of his special day.

The day was very busy and full of sugar, but it went off without a hitch. I feel certain that he went to bed feeling very loved and celebrated. I think sometimes Darrin and I take him for granted b/c he's all we have known, but he is very special. I know everyone feels that way about their kids, as they should, but he really is. He is smart, responsible, conscientious, and caring. Living with him is like having three adults in the house. The years sure do go by fast, but every year with him gets better and better. Happy birthday, Miles. We love you!

Weekend Wrap Up

We.Are.Exhausted. It's a toss up as to who is the most exhausted. Darrin started preseason last week, which means long days and nights. 

He told his dad the other day that he didn't even know what day it is and I believe it. He leaves while we are still in bed and gets home after we are asleep. 

He is very excited about this year and has been for a long time. 

This group is special and I have a feeling they are going to do great things this year and in the years to come.

Granny & Pa are probably tired b/c they babysat Carson from last Thursday until today. And, he was getting over a sore throat, which means weird sleeping patterns and a little grumpiness. They said he was really good for them, but no matter how good he is, it's still a tiring job to take care of him. 

I drove over 600 miles for work last week, had multiple meetings in different cities, worked extended hours, and had some not so fun moments. So, when I went to bed on Friday night, I was hopeful that I would wake up feeling rested and ready to go. Instead, I felt like I'd been hit by a truck. I got myself together, drank some caffeine, and Miles and I drove to Tupelo, MS for a baseball tournament. 

This was their first fall tournament after taking a month and a half off. 

Miles played his usual array of positions including third, short, pitcher, catcher, and second base for the first time. I asked him how he liked second and he said, "I had no idea what I was doing." :) Thankfully nothing came to him.

The heat index was a 105. It might have been one of the hottest days we've every played in over the last four years. They played on turf infields, which are really, really hot.

They had to play back to back games on Saturday. Towards the end of the second game, Miles got put in to pitch. He only pitched to a couple batters and then they pulled him out. I didn't think he was doing that poorly, but then I realized that they were concerned about how hot he was. He told me later that he couldn't do anything else and he felt like he was going to fall over. 

One of his coaches put him in a chair behind the dug out, in the shade, with a frog tog and some water. I walked over to give him some Motrin and I was a little alarmed. His face was beat red and he looked glassy. Someone suggested that I pour water over his head, so against his wishes, I did. At that point, I figured he was okay. It was a little concerning for a few minutes. We will do a better job of hydrating in the days leading up to the tournament this coming weekend. 

I was very thankful to his coaches for taking good care of him. They said that he never had a break from playing on the turf b/c he played infield all day, plus he had all the catcher's gear on for a couple of innings, so that's why he was so hot. 

They won one and lost one on Saturday and then it was time for pizza and swimming at the hotel. This is the real reason they play baseball. Miles is quite proud of his biceps.

He was grounded from electronics all weekend, so he spent some time reading in the hotel. When we were leaving the pool, he was telling everyone that he was going to read his book. I wish he realized how much he enjoys that and willingly choose it over electronics. Unfortunately, I don't think that will happen for a long time.

We went back today for day 2. They came up short and were eliminated after the first game after leading for the first four innings. It was a tough loss. We were much smarter about the heat and they all did okay today.

Miles struggled at the plate this weekend, but managed to get on base today. Every little bit of confidence helps and he was very happy!

He made some solid plays on defense.

Such good teammates. They were congratulating and consoling their friend after getting pulled from pitching. He did a fantastic job and they were proud of him.

I'm not sure what is going on here, but Miles and Will are such sweet friends. Miles made an origami ninja star in the car on the way to Tupelo. He was so proud of it. He told me that he was going to show all his friends. He said they probably won't think it's cool, but I do. Then, he said, "Well, Will will probably think it is cool b/c we are a lot alike." Turns out, everyone loved his ninja star and that made his day.

Darrin's parents were kind enough to bring Carson home, so they were here when Miles and I got home. Darrin is still working. So, I don't really know who is the most exhausted, but I am about to fall over as I type this. I'd love to think that I'm going feel better after a good night's rest, but I think I know better than that. Ready or not, Monday is coming!

Less Words Wednesday

Thank goodness it's Wednesday b/c I don't have the energy for a lot of words. Preseason officially starts tomorrow which means we've seen the last of Darrin for a while. He's actually been busy the past two nights, so we are already in deep.

Carson developed an ear infection over the weekend which has had him out of sorts.

Late night cuddling instead of sleeping makes for extra crankiness the next day.

He's also been in our bed even more than normal which means more crankiness for me b/c I haven't been sleeping well.

I had to pick him up a little early on Monday b/c he just didn't feel good.

When I picked him up from daycare today I had a note saying he had not been nice to his friends today. I know he still doesn't feel good. He keeps complaining about his tongue hurting, which I think might be his throat. I just can't figure out why the antibiotic isn't healing his throat too, if it's that.

He had an accident in his car seat as soon as we pulled onto our street and pretty much cried all night.

Miles had an issue with an older kid at after school that left him a little scared to go back tomorrow, so I had to deal with that tonight too. Carson is up crying now....probably his throat...I better go check. Jesus, take the wheel!

3 Year Check Up

Carson and I went last Friday for his 3 year check up. He loved the fish tank in the waiting room. While we were waiting to be called back, we walked out to the car to get a book and a toy to help entertain him. I am the worst about taking snacks and toys when we go places like this. I never learn. When we were walking out to the car, I walked out first and he was behind me. He delayed for a minute and his face got smashed shut two doors. He started screaming at the top of his lungs b/c the door slammed so hard. I was afraid that he was hurt badly. It took me a little while to console him and then he finally calmed down and we went back inside. 

He weighs 35.5lbs (82nd percentile) and is 37 inches tall (35th percentile). I feel like he will hit a growth spurt soon and those numbers will reverse. Although, I do think he has the potential to be more stout than Miles. For comparison sake, Miles weighed 32lbs and was 39" tall at 3 years old.

The only issue that I had to report to Dr. Amy were the red bumps on his face. He's had them his whole life. They come and go, but they were really bad last winter. I've been wondering lately if his face is actually scared from having the bumps so severely all winter long. She said that it is just a form of eczema that is worse in the winter and can be bad in the summer from chlorine. It basically comes out with dryness, which I guess is like all eczema. She said to keep it moisturized, which we have always done. Unfortunately, he may not grow out of it until adulthood. 

He was so cooperative for the whole visit. It was one of those days when being a mom is so fun and enjoyable :) Again, because I wasn't prepared, we had to be creative in order to pass the time. I tore off some of the paper on the exam table and found some highlighters and a pen in my purse. That did the trick while we waited. Dr. Amy was so busy b/c of back to school exams, but we were in and out pretty quickly.

He had to get a finger prick and two shots at the end of the visit. I decided to prepare him and tell him that it would only hurt for a second rather than pull the sneak attack. He winced for both shots, but when we told him they were over and sat him up, he never cried. You could tell it hurt and he kept telling me that it did, but he was such a champ. The whole visit, minus getting his face smashed in the door, was such a pleasant experience. We can only hope that he won't have the extreme fear of doctors and shots that Miles does.