Best Friends (most of the time)

Claire and Natalie are best friends (well, their moms are anyways). So, we play at least once a week with them. The girls are 6 weeks apart and get along pretty well. Claire loves to talk about Carla and Natalie. She also loves to boss Natalie around and take things from her. Natalie pretty much ignores her and does her own thing. I think that is why they are best friends. To many fun playtimes together on Thursdays! We love you Natalie!

Music Class

What you talking about Willis?

Jack, Claire, Natalie, Clarissa

Emeri

Leah

Natalie

Claire and I took a Mommy-and-Me music class on Thursdays this spring. Claire LOVED it and finally starting singing the songs during the last class :) We loved seeing our friends every week and getting to learn new songs. Now, we can't wait to start on new art class on Thursdays.

Wordless Wednesday

Picnic at the Park

Alan, Troy, and Claire

Troy (8months)

Michelle and Ann Thompson (2 months)

Cosby (4 months)

Megan and Cosby

Claire trying out the bumbo seat.

Elyse and Troy

Carla, Natalie (2 years), and Kathy

Friday, Claire and I went on a picnic with some of our dear friends. We enjoyed sitting, eating, and playing. Hopefully it is not getting to hot to do it again soon! Claire keeps talking about it.

The Worst is Over...

On Monday, Claire started running fever again. I was at the beach, so Bucky and his mom had to handle everything. Wednesday, she went to our pediatrician (per ENT request) where she tested positive for strep AGAIN and had an ear infection. He gave her a shot and said she could still go into surgery. Thursday, Bucky and I headed up to the hospital at 7am with Claire. We had a short wait and Claire was in a pleasant mood. Everyone was very nice and accommodating. We took her back. The worst part was her leaving to go into surgery. They told us we should be back with her in about an hour. Well, about 15-20 minutes later they came and got us. The surgery was over and we met with Dr. Stiles. He said her tonsils were a 4 out of 4 in size and her adenoids almost took the entire space. That alone told us we had done the right thing. Her ears were okay, just a little fluid behind them. Overall, he thought everything went well and that we may be able to come home later in the day. After about 20 more minutes they came and got us because she was waking up. All in all we were only away from her for about 40 minutes.

The worst part of the whole day was for the next hour. Coming out of anesthesia was the WORST. It really upset Bucky to see her like that. Her little face was swollen and she had a lot of drainage coming out of her mouth. All she could do in cry and try to pull out her IV. She was totally out of it. Once they got us to her room, it seemed like about 30 mins before she came to. The rest of the day she cried and slept, but refused to drink or eat. During her nap, Bucky and I took turns holding her. When she started to wake up, I noticed blood. I almost passed out. I had no idea where it was coming from. Luckily, she had pulled out her IV during her nap accidentally. The nurse said it was fine, she just had to start drinking.

Around 5:00 she was inconsolable. I thought for sure we would have to spend the night. I got her calm while everyone ate dinner. My mom brought a sandwich and I asked where the chips were. Claire hopped down and said "I want chips." Instead she ate some of my chicken salad sandwich, 2 nutragrain bars and some juice. She immediately felt better. So, we were able to come home and sleep in our own beds. Claire slept all night and has had a touch-and-go morning. I know she is in pain. We are trying to get the pain management worked out because she can't have Motrin. Our only options are Tylenol or Lortab.

Overall, everything went better than Bucky and I expected. Claire is really tough. She is a trooper and I can't imagine how much pain she is in and has been in. We are definitely on the rode to recovery and hope to see a HUGE difference in Claire's health. Thanks to everyone for prayer, thoughts, concerns, and phone calls. We really appreciate it!

Thanks especially to Grandma and Gran for all your help!

Please Pray

We have so much to be thankful for. We could never count or name our blessings. I know we don't face anything compared to families in other parts of the world. I am trying to keep everything in perspective. Claire has been fighting ear infections and strep throat for the past 2-3 months. As soon as she finishes as round of antibiotic, it seems like everything starts all over again. After scarlet fever and RSV on top of strep and an ear infection, Bucky and I decided to take her to an ENT. We went Friday and he recommended tubes and to remove her tonsils and adenoids. We are trying to schedule the surgery for this Thursday. Because she is so little, we have to spend the night in the hospital because there is a risk of bleeding after removing tonsils. I am nervous but ready for her to have some relief. I know she won't understand or remember this, but I sure do wish it was me instead of her. I will keep everyone posted. Prayers are appreciated...