Still sick

James still had a temperature this morning and a wet sounding cough so I stayed home with him. I wasn't too disappointed to miss work today!

Here are some pictures from the first of three outings on Saturday. James had a busy day! He went outside to play three times! It was beautiful outside and he seemed well enough.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

On outing #2 we did a quick walk around the neighborhood/pond and when we got to the corner James kept pointing "That way!" because he wanted to continue down the street to the playground. I was amazed that he recognized the area and knew the playground was really that way! We headed home for dinner but I promised James we would get to the playground later.


Outing #3 on Saturday- a walk to the playground! James loves it there.










James found one of his favorite things- shapes!





So we are home today. James is happily playing with his golf clubs as I write this. He pauses every once in a while to say, "Watch this, Mama!" So cute!

Sick again!

I had messages from Sandra yesterday at noon that James had a temperature of 102, though he was acting normally. She gave him Tylenol and put him down for his nap. Unfortunately I didn't get the messages until later in the afternoon, though he was still fine. I took his temperature at home and it was 101. We still made a doctor's appointment, thinking it could be related to his spots. His spots have miraculously disappeared but we were still worried.

Our appointment at Urgent Care was for 7:15. By that time he was visibly sick and miserable. His cheeks got redder and redder, his face was extremely hot, and he seemed out of it. When they took his temp at the clinic it was 104.1!!! They wanted to get more Tylenol in him immediately to bring down the temperature but they wanted to wait for the doctor to give him a strep test swab first, and they didn't want him upset by the medicine (he always needs to be restrained, forcing the medicine down, ugh). So we waited and waited for the doctor. We took turns holding and hugging James on our laps, worried about his temperature and how he seemed to be getting worse. Finally the doctor came in and asked about his symptoms and the spots. (It was a different doctor than our normal one.)

Finally we needed to restrain James to get the medicine down. He was beyond frantic. The first syringe of medicine was wasted when he spit it out, and it ended up all over me and Jim. His dry lips ended up cracking and bleeding in all that chaos. Awful. The doctor helped with the second try. It was just awful. I was worried that James was getting over-excited but he got over it.

Then the doctor took the throat swab and ordered some bloodwork to determine whether his white cell count was off. That was just as terrible-watching two nurses take his blood out of a tiny little vein, restrained again.

Back to waiting. We waited until 9pm for the test results. Glad they came back normal. So it was determined that James is just fighting off a normal virus and we should expect a temperature for 2-3 days, and maybe some crabbiness.

Well, throughout all this James has been fine. We put him to bed finally at 9:30, he kissed his stuffed animals normally, and was out for the night. I checked on him when I woke up at 3:30am and his forehead felt slightly warm but nothing to be alarmed about. He woke up at 7:15am and has been happy, normal ever since! He has a slight temperature but is otherwise okay. Relief!

We cancelled our zoo plans for today but hope for a good day just hanging out at home. Maybe James will feel well enough for a short walk through the neighborhood later.

Poor Baby

Poor James still has the red bumps. They don't seem worse or better. I called the doctor yesterday and she suggested a stronger allergy medicine called Zyrtec. We're going to try that for a few days and then if the bumps are still there, we're going to insist on allergy or other tests.

The Benadryl didn't seem to do much, but really I only gave it to James a few times. We literally have to restrain James to force it down his throat. Its miserable! For all of us! This morning Jim and I held James down, and forced the medicine down. Luckily Zyrtec is a once-a-day medicine.

This weekend: We're so excited for nicer weather and the zoo! Yay!!!!

Tired

I think we're all tired today. James woke up several times during the night. He was crying for his "blanket", which is different than his blankie. I went in and covered him with the large blanket but he still cried so I don't know what that was all about. I ended up letting him cry it out the other times. (Earplugs come in handy during those times.)

So we slept in this morning. We still made it to daycare by breakfast time, and I was really only running half an hour late. This was all helped along with the fact that Jim is working from home today. Less of a rush this morning!

James is still begging for a "party". Mean Dada tells him each morning that he's going to a party and not daycare! James happily puts on his shoes, jacket, and gloves now. I guess whatever works!

Esme, the Girlfriend

Here is James crying because we would not give him another Thin Mint. I would feel the same way, James!



We headed to Esme's birthday on Saturday night. The Bakkos live in St. Paul. The kids are waiting for CAKE! James scored a seat next to the Birthday Girl!



I wonder what they're saying to each other?



There was probably 12 kids running around- pure birthday madness!





What I didn't capture on camera was James sticking his fork in the uncut birthday cake, sneaking bites of chocolate frosting. Jim said Esme was shooting him "back off!" dirty looks :)

Esme blew out a candle, but not on the cake.





The cake was very good! It was vegan- no dairy or soy- cuz the Bakko kids have food allergies.



James got the hugest piece! I didn't think he would finish it. I was right.



Opening presents. James got Esme a tea set. The set was "green"- made out of recycled milk jugs! They were a pretty pink, blue and purple. *I* wanted them!







James left with two party favors. He left with a huge yellow balloon that he continued to have fun with, even the next day. And then in the car he played with a glowstick. It reminded me a lot of a lightsaber!

Thank You

Thank you Jiminy for recognizing that I was overwhelmed with love this week and I probably needed a Mama break. Dada and son are down in the Men's Den, playing and giving Mama some quiet time. So I write this!

James likes to cuddle with a blanket and pillow, sometimes watching TV, but sometimes just pretending to nap.



Just some cuteness...



James and I experimented with the timer on my camera.



On Friday it seemed warm enough to get out the wagon and walk to the nearby park. Ummm... it was colder than I thought. James was fine because I bundled him but I was ill prepared. We played quickly and then practically ran home! It was nice to get out in the fresh air though!












James practices with his fruit.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Later that night, James and I had more fun with the camera. He is laughing hysterically as I growl, "Say cheese!"











Jim and James in a cute moment.





Oh, I love my boys!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Later, Esme's birthday party!

Stop it!

James was singing. I think the Happy Birthday song. So I joined in. He yelled, "Stop it!"

I am not insulted, I don't think its MY singing necessarily. I think he just likes things his way. He was singing a solo and I butted in!

Well, I tried to explain that it wasn't a nice thing to demand. It could have been followed by PLEASE, but I don't think that got through.

What about NOW?

Eating a banana!

It is constant eating, dishes, and toys around here...

And NOW?

And now? After begging for an early lunch, James posed for this picture. Saying "Cheese Mama!"

A very hearty appetite- he ate his whole package of mac n cheese, a yogurt, and a banana. Oh, and two mini cookies.

Busy busy day

James loves his PB&J!





It was a full, busy day. We went to the doctor yesterday again. James still has those mysterious spots that look like mosquito bites. I grew concerned because they were on his arms, his chest, and even one spot on his face! So I called and they suggested I bring him in again. Gladly!

So they really didn't tell us what it is. Its most likely viral. They ruled out chicken pox, measles, other skin issues. Its not a reaction to new laundry detergent. Our doctor is so kind and great with James. He cried for a bit but then was eagerly walking around the exam room, playing with the wood bead toy on the wall, and then was so good about letting the doctor check his ears, his heart, lungs, and then check his spots. I was glad that she even had another doctor come in and check the spots, a second opinion. Both doctors were very reassuring that he was fine and not contagious. We started him on benadryl.

James cried before the doctor came in. He was fine after she started to talking to him.



James impressed the doctor by identifying a "purple square" on the tile floor. She said that was very good for a 2 year old. James is a smarty pants :) I bragged that he also knew diamonds, circles, triangles, octagons, moons, stars, and pretty much all of his colors!

Oh and James has gained ONE whole POUND since last week's visit! He has been eating nonstop, always wanting snacks and proclaiming hunger. He is getting chubby, we noticed. His pants are a little snug, the other day I had to change him from his jeans to sweats when I noticed they were kind of bugging him. He is now in the 70th percentile for weight at 30 pounds 14 ozs. Whoa!

We met Grandma Bucka yesterday for lunch after the doctor. It was very cute when we saw Grandma through the car windows, he pointed and kept saying, "Hi Bucka!" Yay for Grandmas! She was very happy to see James. He happily chatted, played at the table, and ate TONS. We'll see her again on Sunday :)

James had napped a bit in the car before lunch, and then again after lunch. We drove to the Galleria mall for a bit of shopping. We walked around in a borrowed stroller. James likes to shop :) We found a great present for Esme's 2nd birthday party on Saturday! James also acquired a new toy. We also went to a great toy store called Wonderment where we found a set of wooden fruit. They "slice" with a wooden knife and velcro pieces. James played with the fruit non-stop for an hour and a half when we got home. Its a great quality toy so I'm glad I splurged and bought it.

He really got into slicing and I caught him in the utensil drawer trying to find other gadgets. Busted! Unfortunately most of our drawers don't lock anymore. The locks eventually loosen and then fall off. James is getting old enough that he doesn't explore as much and get into the drawers, but this particular drawer holds his interest- it has measuring cups, mixing spoons, and other odds and ends that he likes to play with. Maybe he's going to be a great chef one day?



Today's plans: Not much! We're hanging out. I need to get this little boy back into a nap routine. He's gone without a real substantial nap for two days. I hope he goes down. It will be nice to get some things done around the house.

Tomorrow: We're meeting my friend Erin for lunch! Maybe Anna too. They love seeing James :)

This weekend: Saturday- I don't know what we're doing during the day, but that night we're going to Esme's birthday party! Yay for vegan cake! (Esme and her sibling are lactose intolerant, and the little boy may be allergic to wheat and things. Challenging.) And on Sunday the KTH challenge crew are coming over! The Koldens, Tauers, and Hulletts are getting healthy starting Monday :)

What's James doing RIGHT NOW?

Its 9:30 and James cuddled up on the couch with a blanket and pillow. He's watching Sesame Street.