Can someone call the CDC?

It's been a rough week around our house.  Last week we noticed that Cooper's ear was draining.  They told us that once he had tubes the ears would drain, though he could still get an ear infection.  After hemming and hawing over it, I called the pedi and Jason took him in Thursday night.  They gave us an oral antibiotic and some ear drops and sent us on our way.

Friday when I picked him up from school Miss Sabrina was pretty worried about him.  See, Miss Sabrina has been with Cooper since the beginning.  She's the "floater."  She goes wherever she's needed and in the evening she hangs out with the kids who have parents that abandon them work late.  Since day one, it's been her and Cooper alone for the last hour or so of the day.  Meaning she spoils him, but that's ok with me.  Anyway, she was worried because he'd thrown up.  Once we talked, I figured out it was all phlegm and really wasn't worried.  He does that pretty well with every ear infection, however she did mention another kid in school was sick Thursday & Friday.

Saturday Cooper felt ok, but he wasn't himself.  He sure wasn't eating what he usually does!

Then Sunday came.  Sunday.  A day that will live in infamy.  (until I get to Monday & Tuesday)  Coop woke up about 6:15.  I could tell on the monitor that he'd peed out of his diaper (again) so I couldn't count on him going back to sleep.  I got up, changed him, realized he blew out of his diaper, cleaned him up and brought him to my bed.  Thankfully he went back to sleep until 7:30.  He started playing with Bridget and suddenly sat up and gave me this look of horror.  I somehow knew what was coming.  I pulled him off of Bridget and close to me and he proceeded to vomit all over my bed.  Saturday's breakfast at that.  Poor Cooper had this look of "what the what???" on his face, I screamed "Oh my god" and Bridget jumped up.  Then Cooper cried.  I owe Bridget.  A lot.  She grabbed him, I cleaned up the vomit and we gave Cooper his first bath of the day.

It went downhill after that because I'm pretty sure he had 3 more baths and I changed his pants 6 times.  Once after I stripped him down in the front yard and rinsed his legs with the water hose.  Don't worry, I checked the water temperature first.

Monday I stayed home with Cooper.  If I had sent him to daycare, they would have sent him home.  We managed the day with only 3 clothes changes, but I did have to spot clean the carpet.  Then I started feeling bad.  It was at that point I realized he wasn't having a reaction to the antibiotic.  It was a virus. 

Tuesday morning I woke up with 101.5 fever.  I don't think I've had fever in 10 years.  Honestly.  I couldn't figure out why I was so clammy and achy.  I felt like death.  And we had to wash Cooper's bedsheets again, if you get my drift.  By 2pm Jason was sick.  We were both on the sofa and Cooper was finally feeling better.  I wanted to pay someone to come get him, but I remembered I like my friends too much.  I felt so bad for him.  He wanted to play and go outside and we couldn't move.  It was probably the worst parenting day ever.  Combined with lots of toys and a few episodes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Hard to believe that one little kid at school could manage to take down another toddler and 4 adults.  Yeah, because both my mom and sister, who were over Sunday, have been sick.  How Bridget managed to avoid it, I don't know.  But I'd like to bottle her immune system and keep it on hand for future invasions.

I did tell Cooper that if he wanted to push the kid who gave us this sickness, I'd be ok with it.  Don't worry, though, he's a lover not a fighter.

15 Months Old!

Last Wednesday, Cooper turned 15 months old.  Monday was his 15 month doctors appointment, so I decided to roll both posts into one.  Mostly because I've been busy.  Baby showers, bridal showers...I've been busy.

We've hit a few new phases around the house.  First, we've got to spell certain words.  "Outside" and "milk."  We also have to be a little careful with what we say, since we've got a little Speak-N-Spell living with us now.  And finally we're in the middle of tantrum central.

Cooper is obsessed with being outside.  If he hears the word, he drops everything, grabs his shoe and starts walking around yelling out-ide, out-ide until one of us stops what we're doing to take him outside.  He knows he can't go out without shoes, but other than that...we're in big trouble.  Outside is what also causes many, many rivers of tears.  He'll follow us in, but as soon as the garage door closes he's on the ground crying, rolling from side to side.  Drama queen?  Probably.  I learned quickly to walk away and ignore him.  It takes a while, but he gets over it.

I think his favorite current phrase is "no-no-no."  He may or may not add in a pointing finger when he says it.  I have no idea where he got that, though.  Apparently last week at school the teachers were telling the babies not to do something and my kid decided to join right in on the "teaching."  Bossy?  I'm going to just sit back and think about what family member may have passed that on.

The pediatrician seemed to think we're on track with all of his developmental things.  He loves to stack things, but not nearly as much as he loves to knock them down.  I'll apologize to all of the little girls he's going to upset in the future by knocking over their Barbie houses.  He does ok with the shape sorter things and will sit down to "read" a book at times.  He's still a fan of cheese and most fruits, some veggies, and he could eat his weight in tomatoes.

15 Month Stats:
34" tall - 99%
28lbs 3oz - 90%
49.5cm head circumference - 96%
Pretty sure I have a child the size of an average 3 year old or something.

Rodeo Time!

Saturday morning we took Cooper to the rodeo to check out the livestock show.  Reagan & Abby met us there (with their parents, of course) and we went right for the petting zoo.

Cooper hasn't been fond of animals larger than a certain teacup poodle, so we were not quite sure how he'd do.

He was a little nervous at first.  He did a lot of pointing and yelling and screaming when they came close.  Eventually, though he warmed up to them.  With some help from Reagan.

After the petting zoo, we moved over to check out some of the larger animals.

We checked out all of the learning exhibits, but Cooper seemed to really love the chickens.

We finished checking out the animals and headed over to look at any farm equipment we may want to purchase.  Cooper & Reagan were particularly fond of the tractor...although I think Scott was a little worried!

Maybe the smaller equipment would be a better choice...

We had a great time and I love the fact that Cooper warmed up to the animals.