The computer is back (for now)

As I was working on this post last night, the blue screen of death appeared and the computer shut down. I called it a night. Luckily, a draft of my post was saved!

Gene decided to take our computer to one of the tech guys at work to look it over. The diagnosis? It's old.


So, now that I have it back, let's get to the business of reporting the news. Andrew's started pulling up and LOVES climbing over everything, me, my lap, my shoulder, anything. He's also holding our fingers and taking a few steps with our help. He's into absolutely everything these days and loves the air vent, chasing the cats, chasing Austin, and has discovered the bowl of cat food. None has made it into his mouth yet, but I know that's coming.

Another trip to the pediatrician was in order for Andrew. He was still pulling at his ear a little and the doctor said if he was less than perfect to bring him back. So, I did. After 20 days of antibiotics, we've been referred to an ENT, the same one that we used with Austin. The appointment is next week. I'll keep everyone posted on the outcome, but I'm sure we'll be scheduled for tubes in the near future.

Awww...how sweet!

Thanks to my friend Michelle of The Busy Carneys for awarding me a fabulous blog award. I never win anything! So, following her lead I am to admit to five addictions and pick five other people to send this award to. So, here are the additions.

1. Weekly shopping ads. I can't wait until Wednesdays to see what Publix, Winn Dixie, and Bruno's have on sale.

2. BOGO. I LOVE buy one get one free deals especially if I have a coupon so I can save even more $.

3. Bargains. I will keep looking at my receipt not believing the deal(s) I got. For instance, I went shopping for kids clothes for next fall/winter. I went to Old Navy and the Carter's outlet and got so many good deals, but was particularly proud of the $0.98 and $1.49 shirts for Andrew, the $1.49 long-sleeved onesies for Andrew, and the t-shirts for me for $1.49 each.

4. philosophy products. I love this line of skin care and fragrance. Everything is amazing and makes such a difference in my skin.

5. Web sites. I check all my favorite blogs multiple times a day, Facebook, People, UsMagazine, and others. I can't let a day go by without finding out what's going on with my friends or my celebrity "friends."

And the winners are...drumroll please...

Judy at The Cole Journal

Rachel at today's blue plate special

Wendy at West Family Fun

Kayla at Life with the Stanley Family

Beth at Expatriate-izing

Tis the season...

for runny noses, stuffy noses, snotty noses, coughs, ear infections, and pink eye. Last week, I insisted that Gene take Andrew to the pediatrician. Something wasn't right about him. He normally eats like a pig and he wasn't. I just had a feeling that something was wrong. And I was right. He had infections in both ears and was prescribed a 10 day antibiotic which we finished on Thursday.

During the week, however, Andrew developed a really runny nose and a terrible sounding cough. Now, this wasn't enough alone to freak me out. It took a note in his cubby at school this week warning that another child had been diagnosed with RSV and was hospitalized with pneumonia to really freak me out. So, I called the nurse on Thursday to get reassurance that Andrew was OK with the symptoms he had and to find out what I needed to watch for with the whole RSV thing. This morning, he just wasn't any better, actually the cough was worse and the snotty nose was a green/yellow color. AND one of his eyes was goopy.

So, off to the pediatrician we went. Diagnosis? Andrew's left ear is infected (again) and he has pink eye in both eyes. At least this occurred over a long weekend. The doctor wants to see him back after this round of antibiotics to make sure it's cleared up. We'll discuss tubes at that time.

On another note, Austin's got a stuffy nose. For the most part, he's a healthy kid and rarely gets sick. He thinks he has to go to the doctor for this stuff nose. He's told his teachers that he can't take a nap because he can't smell.

Two positive things came out of this day.

1. Andrew was officially weighed today at the doctor's office. He weighs 20 pounds, 13 ounces, almost a whole 2 pounds more than Austin weighed at 8 months old. Did I mention that Andrew's officially 8 months old? I can't believe he's only 4 months away from being 1!
2. The prescription we got for the ear infection is on the free list at the Publix up the road from the doctor's office. The only bad thing is the inconvenience of having to get out of the car and go into the store with a baby in tow. But at least the script was free!

Battle wounds

Andrew has his first bruise. Yesterday, he was sitting up and tipped over and bumped his cheek on one of his toys. Poor little guy.

He's also discovered his tongue. He sticks it out all the time.

I love this

Austin received many wonderful presents for Christmas from everyone. The other night the desk Nonna and Papa got him was delivered (thanks Papa!). We set everything up and got all organized with his markers, pencils, paper, paint, glue in just the right spots. After we finished organizing, Austin got to work. He said "I love this. This is so cool!" Maybe Austin will draw his first masterpiece at the desk!

On the move

Andrew's officially crawling now. He's mostly commando crawling on his tummy. Every now and then he'll get on his hands and knees. He also uses his tip toes to push off. I took these pictures the other night.

Jumping to sleep

Now that we have the Christmas tree out of the living room, Gene brought up the jumperoo from the basement. I knew that Andrew would love it. He's been trying to jump in his exersaucer without much success. Within minutes, he'd jumped himself to sleep.

Almost, but not quite

I think he missed.

Clap your hands

Andrew has started clapping. The claps aren't productive soundwise, but he's figured out that he can bring these two weird things together and make a small noise. I attempted to take pictures of the claps.

Discovery!

Andrew discovered the cats a few weeks ago. Trouble was good about letting Austin "pet" her when he was little and so far she doesn't mind Andrew "petting" her. At least, not until he grabs her hair and pulls! Now that he's mobile, when he spots a cat, off he goes after her. He's pretty proud at finding his new friend.