What to do

So here's the deal. Nick has been sick....ALOT! We honestly thought it was because of adjusting to daycare. Don't get me wrong, most of his illnesses are. Well about three weeks ago, Nick developed a cough that just would not go away. He also had a lymph node that was quit large and would not go away. He had this swollen node for almost three months. The Nurse Practitioner had told me that it may take awhile to go away, but if it was still there in a couple of months to come back. Well I went back and the Doctor not LNP told me everything was fine. She also found a few more that were swollen. Anyways, the very next week Nick continued to have a very deep, nonproductive cough. It sounded horrible. I called to make him an appointment. Once again I had to see the LNP. No problem. FLASHBACK: Last summer Nick had pneumonia. The only way the found out was because they had to do a chest x-ray. So back to the story. I took Nick in and expressed my concerns. He is coughing, not eating well, irritable, has to sleep propped up, has swollen lymph nodes and just isn't acting himself. She checks his ears, nose, throat, lungs. She tells me he is just fine probably just a virus going around that we can't do anything for anyway. I tell her about the pneumonia episode we had back in the summer and how the only way we could tell was through x-ray. She says his lungs sound fine it will just have to run its course. (this is on Wednesday) On Saturday, Nick begins to run a fever. It was anywhere from 99.9 to 101. I gave him the Motrin/Tylenol cocktail (not at the same time of course) and it would help for a little while. He continued to run a fever for the next few days. His appetite was nothing and he was extremely grouchy. On Wednesday daycare called and said he was just not himself and was running a fever of 101.5 and he wouldn't even touch his lunch. Ryan picked him up and I tried to get an appointment with his doctor. Of course they wanted us to see the LNP and they couldn't get us in until the next day. I made the appointment and told them I wanted to see the Doctor. While Ryan had him at home, he gave him Motrin. In two hours his temp did not even go down. He took him to Children's hospital. When they got there his temperature was 103. Ryan told them about the episode of pneumonia the past summer and FINALLY they got a chest x-ray. Nick has pneumonia in his upper right lobe. How do you miss that. I feel horrible for not taking him to Children's three weeks ago. The reassured us that the lymph nodes were not a big deal because he has been sick and that with children they can take a long time to go away. I am glad to finally know what is that has been making him so sick. I just hope it is finally going to go away. I am just so confused about what to do with my Doctor...really her LNP. This is the second time in a year that she has missed pneumonia in my child. It is not even that she missed it, it is the fact that I told her that he had to have a chest x-ray last time to find it and that he was presenting with all of the same symptoms. Should I bring this up with my doctor or just let it go? I am really on the fence here!

Conversation with Nick in the Car

Nick: Mommy, I can't reach dat ting ober dere.

Mommy: Well Sweetie, I'll get whatever it is you want when we stop.

Nick: Boy I sure wish I had monkey arms.

You know you are a parent when:

You are gratified by the acceptance of your two year old!!!!

Sushi and Balloons

A couple of weeks ago Ryan had a member come into the golf shop and hand out some gift certificates to his new restaurant. It is called Sakura. It is one of the newest Hibachi grills/sushi bars in our area. We had been there once and it was fantastic. This time however, we would get to eat for free and we could take Nick. We warned Nick about the fire and overall thought he would probably enjoy the experience. He liked everything until the "fire". That kind of scared him. We had a great time, but will probably not sit at the hibachi next time we take Nick. When we got home Nick and Ryan started playing with balloons. Nick is obsessed! He has been ever since I can remember. I can't even begin to tell you about the laughter we heard for the rest of the night over a $3 package of balloons!

Ready for the "fire".

Testing out the chopsticks.

Being brave once the fire was out!

Ready for some balloon action.

Does this shirt make me look big?

I-L-L........I-N-I

Tomorrow, Ryan and I are traveling to Campaign to watch the Fighting Illini beat up on Penn State. I love Illinois basketball!!!!! I haven't been able to go to any games this year though because of my school schedule. I have clinicals early Thursday morning, but hey, who needs sleep right. Thankfully it is a 6 pm game so we should be home around 11:30 or so. I'll be in the delivery room for all twelve hours of my clinical on Thursday, so that should help to keep me awake! GO ILLINI!!!!!

Nick and his potty

I think it is official that Nick is finally potty trained. He is not longer pooping on the floor. He tells us now every time he has to potty. I am very impressed. He even has dry pull-ups when he wakes up in the morning. Is it time to try under ware at night time?

My favorite Valentine....

Better late than never

Happy Valentines day to all of you "lovers" out there. I wanted to post this on Saturday, but have been way to busy. Hope you all had a wonderful day filled with love and chocolate!

busy, busy, busy

Lets just say I have been more than a little busy the last couple of weeks. I have had two tests in a row and have spent the majority of my waking hours studying. I am in an OB class right now and it is really interesting. I love my teacher. He is also my clinical instructor. The past couple of weeks I have been on postpartum. Although I thought it would be very boring, it is anything but. Next week I get to help out in Labor and Delivery. I can't wait. It should be very exciting. My house is a mess, we eat out all the time because I don't have time to cook, and my husband thinks I am neglecting him. My instructors warned me of this on my very first day. Oh well the reward at the end will be well worth it....wonder what it will be like when I continue for my masters?

Dear Mom,

It has been six months today since I last saw your face. There is not a moment in the day that I do not think of you. I miss you just as much today as the day you left. I miss your wisdom, your smile, your humor, and your compassion. I learned so much from you in the short time I was able to be blessed with you in my life. It still seems so unreal to me. I wait for the day you come to me in a dream to tell me you are okay. I know you are, but I am selfish and want to see you again! This picture of you wearing Nicks little golfin' hat to keep your head cold just reminded me so much of your laid back personality. Because of you I am the woman and mother I am today. Although I can hardly bear the thought of you not being here, it would be harder to watch you suffer. I know you are in a much better place, but that still does not fill the hole I have in my heart! I miss you and love you so much!

Love,
Amanda Rene'e

Thanks Sarah Sellz

I entered the contest at Sarah Sellz and this is what I won. I usually don't win things, but I am so happy to have this! I really needed a new spring purse! Sarah Sellz has great stuff. Check out the website www.sarahsellz.blogspot.com. She will even ship your purchase if you don't live in the area for a VERY small fee! Thanks Sarah Sellz~!