6 Month Check-up & Another Ear Infection

Brecken had his 6-month check-up on Thursday.  I knew before we went that he had another ear infection (or really that the 3 shot he had gotten the week before didn't really work).  The 3 usual signs of Brecken having an ear infection came back - 

1.  Fussy (which he isn't now that he is over his reflux)

2.  Waking up in the night (which he doesn't)

3.  Throwing up (so much fun)

When the doctor checked his ears, the first one was great.  He couldn't see into the second ear at first because of tons of wax.  But once he removed it, he said it looked horrible.  I am so glad he goes to the ENT next Monday.

Besides ear infections, Brecken is doing great.  He is healthy and doing great.  He can roll over (at least from his back to his tummy) and he can kind of sit up.  Here are his stats:

Length:  27" (only the 50% - what a shorty)

Weight:  22 lbs 1 oz (97% - not a surprise - he is very chubby)

Head Circ:  46.2 cm (97% - big head)

Brecken is starting to be so much fun!  He is a great addition to our family!

Brave or Crazy?

Last week, I promised the boys that if they were really good (helped me, made their beds every day even though it was spring break, etc) I would take them to Chili's.  Dallin loves their hamburgers and fries and Matthew loves it because they have cheese pizza.  I mentioned it to my friend Carol.  Her husband was out of town for a few days so her and her three girls joined us.  Amazingly, it went pretty well.  No one cried.  No one threw food.  And, by the time we were all done eating, it was time to put the kids to bed.  All and all, it was fun and I would do it again!

4th Set - UGH!!!!!!!!

My poor little guy.  Brecken started acting like he might be getting an ear infection a few days ago - he starts waking up at night, crying a lot, and throwing up (so much fun - lets just say that last night was a long night).  So today, when my cute little babysitter called this morning to say Brecken was acting like he didn't feel well (throwing up, crying), I took him to the doctor.  And just like I expected, he had double ear infections - his FOURTH set since January, and he is only 6 months old.  Because he has had so many in such a short time, they had to give him a shot.  And, he has to get another one tomorrow and a third one the next day - I feel so bad for him but the doctor said the shots will be the most effective.  Needless to say, I already called our ENT (I say our ENT because we have already done 5 surgeries with her - 3 sets of tubes and 3 tonsil/adnoid removals - once tubes and tonsils/adnoids at once) and Brecken has an appointment to see about getting tubes on May 5.  I can't wait for him to get tubes - he is just so miserable!

You've Got to Be Kidding!

So let me just start by saying that Ed left on Sunday and is going to be gone for almost 2 weeks.  He is in Switzerland and Italy for 2 weeks with his UofU Executive MBA class (yes - he is ALL done when he gets home!!!!!).  Anyway, it is Spring Break this week - and it was suppose to be nice weather all week.  Well, yesterday was the nicest day of the year - it got up around 70.  But then today - horrible weather!  First wind, then rain, and then the rain turned to snow.  What fun!  At least the boys got to play outside one day.  If this weather continues, then the next 2 weeks with Ed gone, are going to be really really long.

Dallin's First Piano Recital

I can't believe it, Dallin (6) had his first piano recital last night.  It was so much fun to watch my little guy play the piano.  He did such a fabulous job - especially when you find out he has really only been playing the piano since January!  Even his teacher (one of my buddies, Lisa) said he did great and that Rubber Duckie (his second song) had sharps and flats all over the place.  He did mess up a little when he started playing Rubber Duckie (which is strange because he has no problem with that song and it is his favorite) - but he didn't let it get to him, he just kept going.  I am so proud of him and so excited to watch him progress.

Brecken is 6 Months Old Today

I can't believe that Brecken is already 6 months old and "trying", with some success, to roll over. He is so happy and so much fun. It will be fun to watch him learn new things over the next few months. And in 2 weeks he has his 6 month check-up - I always am interested to see how big they are.

Yes - I know Easter was 2 weeks ago - but . . .

Every year (at least for the past 4 years), I have had a big Easter Egg Hunt for our friends (mostly in the neighborhood). I usually have it a week before Easter to not interfer with family parties. But this year, with Easter so early (it won't be this early again for 220 years), I was going to have it the Saturday after Easter. Well, that didn't work - the weather was horrible. It wasn't snowing (like today) or raining, but it was so WINDY and FREEZING - it just would not have been any fun for the kids. So, I postponed it until this past Friday night. And boy did we luck out. The weather was fabulous (could have been a little warmer but I am not complaining). I had over 1000 eggs for the kids to find (or really gather, there aren't lots of places to hide eggs in my yard yet). Since it was dinner time we got Little Caesars pizza for everyone and everyone brought a side dish or dessert. It turned out to be a great party!

First Time Sitting Up

Yeah! Brecken did it! He sat up by himself! He doesn't get much time on the floor with 3 older brothers - it just isn't very safe. So I wasn't sure he would ever figure out how to sit up - but he did. And boy was he (along with the rest of us) so proud of himself. Poor little guy is teething - see all the drool on his shirt. He already has 2 teeth but I guess more are on their way. Anyway, what a big accomplishment for the little guy!

What Every Mother LOVES to Hear

Tonight, Gavin looked at me and said,

"Take me to bed Mom."

And he actually meant it. We went upstairs, brushed his teeth, went the bathroom, put pjs on, and he climbed in bed. I LOVE this little guy!

Brecken's Room

Brecken has been sick since Thursday with a high fever. I finally took him to the doctor on Monday and he has an ear infection (third in three months - he is on the road to getting tubes). Needless to say, he hasn't been sleeping well so I have spent a lot of time in his bedroom rocking him. During all that time, I was so happy that (after 6 years) I had redecorated the nursery. I love the feel of the room. Ed would laugh but Brecken's room just makes me happy. So, I thought I would share it with everyone.

Enchilada's and Black Bean Salsa

We had Ed and Matthew's favorite dinner tonight - red sauce enchilada's and black bean salsa. The enchilada recipe is from my mom - the ones she made when I was little. And the black bean salsa recipe I got from my sister-in-law Beverly. Everyone loves the black bean salsa recipe - and it is really easy. Matthew ate 3 enchilada's tonight! I can even get Dallin to eat a little. And all 3 of the older boys will eat the black bean salsa!

*** If you have the Jolley Family Recipe Cookbook, cilantro is missing in the black bean salsa recipe.

FREEZING Soccer in the Spring

Soccer started up again this weekend. You would think that with it being Spring soccer and almost April that it would be nice weather. No such luck! It was FREEZING! The wind made it even worse. Dallin's game was at 9 but I think it was even colder and winder at Matthew's game at 10. Luckily, since Matthew is only 4, they didn't play for very long - it was too cold! But the boys still had fun and Dallin even scored 2 goals! Hopefully we will have better weather next weekend.