Tristan's Story

Happy Birthday, sweet baby Tristan!

My little one is officially 16 months old today. And while I don't always celebrate these occasions, I'm feel somewhat nostalgic about this one. I can't believe how big (and my smart) my kiddo is getting!

He says over 30 words: doggy, mama, daddy, nana, nena, annie, go, bye, teeth, eye, zebra, lion, monkey, penguin, elmo, mickey, no, uh-huh, bubbles, balloons, turtle, elephant, gator, juice, eat, fish, ball, car, truck, gunner, apple, banana, cookie, beaver, peacock, and probably a LOT more that I can't remember right now.

He has 9 teeth and is cutting 2 more molars.

And he just amazes us every day with all the new things he learns!

I'm working at Tristan's daycare now. He still can't quite figure out why I would come to his school during the day and stay there, instead of picking him up and going home. On Thursday and Friday, I worked in the Pre-K room, but yesterday, I was with Tristan in the infant room. He loved being with mommy, but wasn't too sure about sharing me. Either way, it was nice to see my sweet boy 'in his element' at school and it's nice to have a job this summer, of course!

I've been thinking a lot lately, how becoming a mommy has made me a different person, a better person. My sweet baby boy turned 15 months old today. And not a day goes by that he doesn't absolutely amaze me. He already has so much more personality than I will ever have -- he has an amazing sense of humor and can make all the girls smile. He dances like a professional and has this crazy, infectious laugh that will brighten your whole day. He's learning so much these days... he can point to all of his most obvious body parts and calls all of his favorite people by name. He has 9 teeth, and a full head of gorgeous (but thin) curly hair. He loves to cuddle with his "doggy", Gunner. His favorite toys are his Little People farm animals and any book that he can get his hands on. I know that these are the days I need to hold near to my heart, that I need to remember forever. His sweet baby hugs that can make you cry, and his slobbery kisses that make you laugh.

I've been reading this blog: http://www.remembermaddie.com - and it has made me realize, again, just how incredibly blessed I am. I have a happy, healthy, smart, sweet baby boy and I take him for granted all too often. I know that my busy schedule is necessary - I'm trying to give him a better life. But I just hope that I don't forget to live this one, in the meantime.

I know that being a mother can happen to anyone. But being a *mommy* is special. And it changes your life.

Tristan had an appointment with his new ENT, Dr. Keech, this afternoon. As of today, Tristan will be getting tubes in his ears on March 16th. He has a lot of fluid in both ears, and it's causing the the back-to-back ear infections. Hopefully, this will take care of that problem and he won't be in so much pain all the time!

Today was Tristan's last day of his latest round of antibiotics... he woke up with splotches on his face. As the morning went on and we started getting ready for school, they turned darker and spread all over his neck, tummy and back. =-0

Annie came home from work to look at them, and then his dad came back so that I could head off to school. I was so worried about my sweet boy! Brandon took him to the doctor at 10:30 and she confirmed that it was hives - he has a sulfa allergy, apparently. So we're discontinuing the antibiotics and giving Benadryl until his rash goes away. My sweet boy is itching and scratching and miserable, but it does seem to be getting a little better with each Benadryl dose.

He got a referral to the ENT, so we should be having that appointment soon... Hopefully we can come up with something that will keep him from having an ear infection all the time.

Tristan was up all night last night... he would just wake up screaming. I brought him to bed with me, but he just tossed and turned. I gave him some Tylenol this morning so that he could rest and it seemed to help a lot. I still really just thought that he was teething, since he hasn't had any fever or congestion.

Much to my _____, I took him to daycare this morning. I thought the change of scenery would do him some good and really, I needed a break. When I got home, I called and made him a doctor's appointment.

I went back a couple of hours later and picked him up (they said he did great). As it turns out, he still has a double inner ear infection. His chest is clear this time, at least. He had another really painful shot of Rocephin and they gave him a new prescription and some ear drops. She said that if this doesn't clear up, or if it recurs again in the near future, then he's headed to an ENT, to possibly get tubes in his ears. I would hate for him to have to do that, but he just can't seem to get rid of these ear infections. :(

He's asleep now, with his nana. Hopefully he'll feel better soon!

I do realize that Tristan's birthday party was over 10 days ago and that I never came back with an update. I'm a horrible mommy. Being a full-time mom and student is getting to be a little harder than I imagined. Though I just spent the better part of 36 hours reading this blog: Matt Logelin and that makes it seem like I have such a simple job.

Tristan is doing great... he had his 12-month check-up and shots, which broke my heart. He's older now so all the emotions just seem more real. Also, as of 1/27, he moved up to the "big kid" (12-18 mos) room at daycare. He now only takes 1 nap a day, goes to recess, does art activities and is just generally growing up right before my eyes.

On all other fronts, he's doing great. He now has seven teeth (for the most part). He can walk, run, climb and a number of other special maneuvers. He LOVES to read his (huge array of) books and now divides his time between reading, riding his 4-wheeler and sweeping/mopping. He's going to make some girl a wonderful husband some day. ;0)

I'm adding some pictures from his birthday and party, to make up for the belated update.