Bleh!

What a weekend! And not in a good way.  Friday afternoon, I had just wrapped up a community service event from work and got a call from the daycare that Chase had the poopies. So, I get to the daycare about 2:30 and bring both boys home.  Hopefully it would stop at just the poopies, but we weren't so lucky.  After Chase napped at home, he got a bottle and then some snacks to munch on. As I was just about to pick him up from his high chair, he projectile-vomited all over himself, the kitchen, and Mommy.  Happy Friday. After stripping him down, I got him into the bath and cleaned up.  He played in my lap for a few minutes and then off to bed.  Surprisingly, he slept rather well, but I continuously checked on him in fear he would throw up in his crib.  After sleeping in til about 9am on Saturday, the boys and I got up.  Chase had just finished drinking his bottle, and I put him in his highchair to feed him some fruit, and deja vu. Ugh, more vomit.  Poor thing was just not feeling well.  Back to the bath for clean-up again.  After getting him dressed, I just held him in the glider in his room and he quickly drifted off to sleep.

The rest of the day, he just kinda laid around, munched on some snacks, and drank Pedialyte.  But you could tell he didn't feel well.  My biggest fear this whole time was that Austin would get this stomach bug, too.  I tried to keep him away from Chase as much as I could. Before going to bed, Austin said his tummy hurt. So, we caved and let him lay down in our bed with us.  Then, I wake up at 1:30 in the morning to him throwing up everywhere in our bed.  Not a pretty sight.  We stripped the bed, got Austin all washed up, and all moved to a pallet in the living room. After watching Shrek for about 20 minutes, we were back to sleep.  Austin tossed and turned most of the night, and I didn't sleep well. I heard him sit up, I grabbed the bucket, and he got sick again at 5:30am. I couldn't take much more.  Shrek again for 10 minutes, and then back to sleep again.  After sleeping in a little bit this morning, we got up and I feared another day of sickness.  We just laid around the house today, and neither one of them ate too much.  But I could tell this evening that both of them were mostly back to their playful selves.

Hopefully we've seen the last of it, and Mommy & Daddy won't get the next round.  My tummy has been a little queasy all day. But I can't decide if it's from cleaning up all the vomit or the bug getting me.  Knock on wood, I will be spared.

The Date is Set!

After Chase's consult with the ENT this morning, we have set a date for his ear tube surgery.....Oct. 3rd.  It was a quick meeting for him to review his history of chronic ear infections, noted he was a 'daycare kid', and woolah, we were a great candidate for the surgery.  I'm nervous about it, but ready to get it over with.  I can't imagine what cold/flu season will be like if we don't get this done before then.  And it's the same Dr. that did Austin's surgery, so we're familiar with him and the procedure.  Hopefully it will be a speedy recovery, and he will be a happier baby afterwards!

Daddy trying to entertain him as we waited

He looked like he was ready to take off running!

Happy baby!

Crazy Eight!

Happy 8 months to my little big boy, Chase Cooper!  I'm not even going to say that it's flying by, because I would just be repeating myself from last month. :)  He really is just a happy, mellow guy, and his personality is just shining through all the time now.  He cut 3 teeth on the top about two weeks ago, and the other top one is due to break through any minute now, which will make a total of 6.  He could practically eat a cheeseburger now, probably would if I let him!  He weighed in at a little over 21 lbs. yesterday at the Dr.'s office, and I feel the weight of every single pound while toting him around in my arms. 

He still loves to eat and devours all of the purees I've been making for him.  And he loves to munch on some Gerber puffs or yogurt melts in between meals.  Another accomplishment this month: he holds his bottle to feed himself.  I love this new development, because it allows me to have my hands free to do other tasks.  His favorite spot is leaned back in his high chair with his legs propped up while he drinks it.  This past weekend he has started to really put pressure on his legs and stand up and hold onto things.  The sight of this breaks my heart, knowing he will be fully mobile really soon.  Not sure I'm ready for my baby to grow up!  As far as being mobile right now, he does an army crawl, but really prefers to just roll across the room to get to where he needs to go; it's the funniest thing.

Austin and Chase play together often and we've been working with Austin on sharing his toys with his little brother.  Some days are better than others. :) But I love to watch them in the bath together.  A friend at work brought me a bath seat to use for him and he loves it!

We had a rough weekend, especially Monday night.  He slept all of about three hours all night.  It was our roughest night as parents to date.  Took him to the pediatrician yesterday, and what-do-you-know; another ear infection.  We were referred to an ENT and will meet with him next Wednesday.  He was the same doctor that put Austin's tubes in, so we pretty much know the process from here.  Most likely we'll get them put in before the end of the month.  The thought of putting him under scares me, but I know it's necessary to make him feel better in the long run.  Especially before we get into cold and flu season where he'd be more likely to have ear infections. So, if you can spare some, we'd appreciate any prayers you can send our way. I'm sure I'll have an update next week after we meet with the ENT. 

Here are a few pics from the past month.  The first two are from my fancy new camera, with a little editing by Photoshop.  Photography is one of my new hobbies. :)

 Daddy and Chase

Love those beautiful blue eyes! 

All smiles (and muscles!)

Foot propped up and chilling while Mommy cooks dinner

 Growing up too fast!

Playing cars with big brother

Austin showing Chase how to color in the bath 

Loooooove those cheeks!

Slightly Addicted

Okay, 'slightly' may not be the correct adjective here. Truly addicted, probably, to the greatest internet idea ever (well, at least one of the top).  Pinterest.  My neighbor mentioned it to me a few weeks ago, when she was looking for ideas for her son's 1st birthday. So, I created an account, started following people, and woolah! I was in heaven! For those of you who aren't aware of the greatness, it's basically 'pinning' recipes, DIY, gift ideas, etc. into categories on my board, and all my friends can see.  Okay, well, that didn't make it sound all that wonderful, you have to look it up yourself.  I have found some amazing recipes, ideas for the boys' birthday parties, easy & cheap holiday decor to make, and lots more!  Last night, I made some s'mores cookies I found on Pinterest and they were YUMMY!

And then tonight, I made a creamy pasta w/chicken, too. I'm in love.

I'm sure you'll see many more creations in the upcoming months with the holidays and both boys' birthdays.  If you're not on Pinterest, get on it!  Especially you crafty mommies! :)