Being Sick is No Fun!

 Tuesday evening Beau started running fever over 102. We were surprised since he has already been on strep antibiotics for 5 days and figured we were over this! Wednesday came and the fever stayed with the addition of diarrhea. We were thinking maybe we just needed to finish the antibiotic and maybe he'd perk up. He was getting up almost every hour at night all week coughing and was coughing throughout the day. By Thursday morning he looked so awful I was thinking maybe we needed to go back to the doctor. When he threw up all over me a little bit later, I called Brandon and we made the choice to take him in. It was a good thing we did! The doctor tested him for strep and flu and while thankfully the flu test came back negative, the strep came back positive. Doc told us Beau's body had apparently not taken to the antibiotic so his body had had all that time to let the strep fester. In addition he also had an ear infection, poor guy! So they gave him a big shot for the strep, a week's work of a different antibiotic for the ear infection and a cough syrup. He spent a lot of the day crying and sleeping; it's been a sad day around here. But, now that we have the right meds we're expecting a quick recovery to the boy's old self! (I'll do his 20 month stat tomorrow)

Outside Play, Outside Bear

 The boy went outside to play in the yard for a bit today. After being couped up in the house from a case of strep, he was itching to get out. So, after bundling him up in his coat and super fun bear hat, we headed out!

Yard work maybe?

Maybe I'll mow.

I sure do like my 4-wheeler!

Swinging's fun too!

Now to relax after a fun afternoon outside!

Almost comfy enough to sleep...

Major Big Boy Haircut!

 Today was the day of Beau's big haircut. We had given him a trim in the past, but it had gotten far too uneven and the back was tangling far too easy. So, sadly, this momma made the call to get his hair cut. I made sure to bring some M&Ms to make the experience smoother...and boy did it! I held him for it, so I didn't get any pictures of the actual hair cut, but here are some befores and afters.

Hanging out before we left...

Let's go get my hair cut, Mom!

Waiting in the waiting room ever so patiently...

The hair before...

And after!!

Check out my new 'do!

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for...

ICE CREAM!!

Park Time!

It was still a little cold and windy today, but we bundled up and braved it to spend a little time together at the park. Beau had so much fun running around chasing ducks! 

His Daddy and he decided to swing... (Yep, Brandon's sitting on top of the baby swing)

                                                   Watching the ducks with Mama...

                                                 Climbing the "mountain" with Daddy...

Do It All By Himself!

I had spent the evening with a close girlfriend of mine and when I got home, this was what the boy had set up for himself...needless to say, I was pretty impressed. I was also a little sad to realize just how big he's getting...May will be here before we know it and then we'll have a TWO year old on our hands; unreal!

Buzz and Bug

Beau hadn't been feeling himself totally this morning, so he spent some time just laying on his beanbag watching his beloved Toy Story. What else sounds much better than relaxing and watching your favorite show when you're not feeling 100%?

Random Cuteness

Loves the camera...

Loves his Buzz...

                                                                Loves his letters!

My Shaggy-haired Boy

This shaggy-haired little boy and I spent lots of today playing. We played with his cars, we played in his playroom, we played everywhere! I managed to get him to sit in my lap JUST long enough for one picture of the two of us! He got this bomber jacket last year at Christmas, and he always gets compliments every time we go out on how tough he looks (and how cute)! What do you think?

Dare devil...I see potential ER visits in our future!

18 Months

Beau,

You are 18 months old today. How is it that we're halfway to two already?? It amazes your dad and I to realize time, indeed, is going so fast with you. I see many families with new babies and it seems like only a week ago we were bringing you home from the hospital. These last six months have been quite trying for you medically, and emotionally for your dad and me. You've been to so many doctors, been through multiple procedures (many involving having to put you under anesthesia), numerous blood draws, and still have some to go but you carry through so well. We laugh when nurses tell us how well you step on the scale to take your weight or when they marvel at how you know to put your arm upright after a draw to keep pressure until they bandage you. You're one tough little boy. You're OUR tough little boy. You motivate your dad and I to keep strong for you, because there are many moments when we feel very small and very helpless. It has broken our hearts to have to see you go through so much, to have to physically pin you down for procedures, to see you hurting, and to feel utterly helpless in how we can make you feel better. It's caused problems with how we discipline you, many times because when we discipline you because of what we think is defiance, only find out later that it was because you were hurting. Those kind of revelations completely tear at our hearts, but we also worry because we know how essential this time is for setting your heart to be disciplined. Though you dealt with so much, we're still coming up on a major surgery in just over a week. And the rest of the month is filled with several other doctors to see. Your dad and I have full faith that God is holding firm to you and that His will will prevail in all of this. I have spent countless times praying that God guides your dad and I in the choices we make for you and that our judgement not be clouded. I pray we don't put you through more than what is needed. We also pray for your heart and your relationship with God.

Here are some things that you're doing right now:

• You LOVE your Bible songs and always remind us to start our meals with a prayer by waiting quietly with your hands folded; what a wonderful encouragement!
• You're enjoying Bible class more and more. You get a little upset when we first start to leave, but within a few minutes you're settled and having so much fun!
• You are so affectionate! You love giving kisses to everyone and are always hugging and holding hands with someone.
• You're beginning to talk more and can say quite a few words now including "mama," "dada," "lulu" (Lindsey), "pahs" (Pops), "mee-mee" (Meme), "up," "down," "hey," "hello," "bye-bye," "cheese," "hoooot-doooog!" "peese" (please), "moh" (more), and several others. We just love hearing your sweet voice!
• You love your puppies so much and eagerly run to hug them in the morning. ("huh"-Huck, "ah-iee"-Annie)
• You adore your Gran and Pops. They are two of your most favorite people, hands down.
• You're an outdoors boy! I think if you could live outside, you would. We usually have to drag you back in.
• You're a hit and miss on the eating. One day you'll eat great, the next, it may be hardly anything. You wear either 3-6 mos pants or some 6-9 mos, just depending on if they have a tighter waistband. Your shirts are usually 6-9 mos, but we put you in some 12 mos just so you can be comfy (and we simply roll the sleeves up). You've already worn several things you wore last year, so at least we're getting some great wear out of your clothes!
• You're starting to sleep a little better, finally! We're pretty thankful for that and it now makes it much easier to cope on the nights you have a hard time.
• You love music. You love listening to it and you really love moving to it. You crack us up with your moves!
• You're starting to like reading much more, which I love.
• You adore Elmo! You walk around saying "Mel-mo!" It's the cutest.
• You know your dad's office. When we walk up the side, you know right where you're going and run to try to open the door.
• You're climbing up on everything and jumping down as well. This can scare me!

Beau, we love you so very much and are so thankful for the blessing God bestowed on us when He gave you to us to bring you up in His ways. You are our joy!

Love,

Mom