18 Months!

Wow Mr. Haden! 18 months already! You've been so much fun, think we'll keep you around!

I got to take Haden to the doctor for his well visit yesterday. Boy was that entertaining! He really like to play with Thomas the Train before we even get to see the doctor. They've also got a little "treehouse" in their waiting area. He likes to go in there and do the dishes. Yesterday the faucet fell into the sink and scared him though! Once we got back to the room, he went straight for the toy cupboard and drawers! He knows right where they are. (THAT'S A SIGN THAT WE VISIT TOO OFTEN!) The nurse and I were barely able to round him up for his vitals. He did really good though. I think he's very shocked by the stethoscope. He's always very quiet when they use that on him.

As soon as the vitals were complete and the nurse had left the room, it was a FREE FOR ALL!!! This curious little tyke is. . . well a curious little tyke! He had most of the toys out. He was checking out the exam table. He was knocking on the door with hopes that someone would knock back! This little man can open the doors whit the "push down handle." That is EXACTLY what they have at the doctor's office! I have to stand watch at the door so he doesn't escape! Kinda funny. . . one of the knots in the door had fallen out and one can see right through. Well that's if you're Haden's height. He sure got a kick out of it!

The doctor did his exam. All is going well and great. 21.2 pounds and 33 inches tall! K, the kid is tall - ish. He's in the 40th percentile there, but is in the "less than" third percentile as far as his weight goes. He eats, I promise! He must just have a very high metabolism. I don't know where all the food he eats goes. Even though he weighs so little, he is right on target. He isn't loosing weight, and he isn't at a standstill. The doctor says it's just great.

I also learned the power of potential sugar. Haden had two shots this time, one in each thigh. It has GOT to be intimidating. The nurses (yes that's plural!) say, "Mom, hold each of his hands in yours. and we will get his legs." What? I have to take part in this? I'm not supposed to be the mean guy! So I hold him as I'm told and give him loving praise. I like that there are two nurses and they do the shots at the same time. Quite a quick process. Well, my little man still doesn't like it. It HURTS! So he cried. I held him. One of the nurses asked if he could have a sucker. . . well he sure can! She brought one in and gave it to him, wrapper still on. The crying stopped immediately. We dressed him again and were on our way. Don't worry, not without seeing the suckers on the counter and getting one for the other hand too! Both still wrapped by the time we got to the car. He did really well getting into the carseat, so I unwrapped one sucker for him. Silly, the other one is for me. It's butterscotch. . . my fav!

What memories we make, 'eh?

Parenting. . .

Well folks, this has been quite a long week! James and I, myself in particular, are really learning how to be parents. James has been a pro at this since day one. I think I doubt myself too much. I'm sure I'm a good parent, I just haven't experienced life like this yet.

We doggie sat for Bear last weekend. Daren and Ash had some obligations in Salt Lake that took them from home Friday though Monday. Bear did pretty good. This is a little glimpse of what we caught Saturday morning.



Super cute! Anyway, by Saturday night, life had turned from super cute to almost nightmare-ish. Haden came down with a fever of 104 around 7:30 pm. Bring on the TYLENOL!!! He didn't want to eat and just really seamed miserable. Heck! I would have been miserable too. So we got his sippy filled with milk and went to put him to bed. He pretty well drank all of it and was lying comfortably in my arms. . . when to my duress, he began to cough and thew up!! All over himself, me, the rocker and the floor! This was a first for him. He's never really thrown up before. I felt awful. WE got ourselves all cleaned up and blankets and gross items into the washer. we gave him some water instead of milk and we just cuddled for a bit. He was able to get to sleep by about 10:30.

Don't worry though! More to come! By midnight he was awake again, screaming. With a screaming fever of 103!!! It was back already!!! So began the IBUPROFEN/TYLENOL trade off. James woke up with us and we had some really sweet family time. We cuddled Haden and James gave him a blessing. Then we just laid him on our legs and sang to him while resting a cool washcloth on his forehead and neck. I think we got back to bed around 1 or 1:30 am. He woke a couple more times that night. He also woke early Sunday morning. James got up with him and tried to give him another milk sippy. NOT a good idea. Round two of throw up!! Poor kid was just inconsolable. I had to go to church to teach my Relief Society lesson. So I was able to get Haden down for a nap and James too. They were both so exhausted. When I got home it was more cuddle time. At family dinner that night, we were able to join with all the other priesthood holders in the family and gave Haden another blessing.

After another restless night Monday brought another trip to the doctor. Isn't it crazy that when something wrong is found, we celebrate? Makes me feel somewhat guilty as a parent, but at least we know that he's acting like this for a reason! Turns out he has a lingering ear infection with a nasty sinus infection to top it off! Get new meds, go home, try to help him rest, try to rest ourselves. Doesn't work. Still inconsolable. Just do your best!

Tuesday/Wednesday. . . still unhappy. Will there ever be light at the end of the tunnel? How can I help this poor restless child? Cuddle, cuddle, cuddle, cry with him, cuddle, cuddle, cuddle, MEGAMIND!!!!!! I've lost count how many times we've watched this movie, but it's worth it. He just melts into my arms and pleasantly passes the time with his new favorite movie!

Haden was still pretty unhappy Wednesday night when I returned from my meetings. I decided it would be most appropriate to just take one for Team Tibbitts and stay home with him the rest of the week. I'm so grateful for a job that allows me this kind of flexibility. Granted, I'm working part time anyway. It would be more difficult if I was a full time employee. But we have a good team and will do whatever it takes to help one another out.

Haden started to feel better on Thursday. It wasn't as bad as it has been the rest of the week, but still brought new challenges. DIARRHEA. . . DIAPER RASH!!! He's starting to be more lively, but is just so overwhelming!

It's now Saturday. Haden seems to have a happy disposition. He still has diarrhea, but his rash is clearing up a good bit. He's smiling and playing with the dog again. My little boy is on his way back! We will go in for his 18 month checkup with the doctor on Monday. Hopefully he will be able to tell us if this getting all cleared up up. I just want him to be better. We watched the movie "Life As We Know It" last night. I thought it was going to be really funny. Turns out it just portrayed real life raising a child. I cried a few times. I know, I'm crazy. It's just that this week is so fresh in my mind! The frustrations of not knowing how to help him are real. He's not really talking yet, so can't tell me what he wants. But, maybe I'm not too big of a mess. I'm a parent. We all make mistakes. Though this week has been trying, I feel as I've been blessed to be able to stay home with Haden. I can't make the pain go away. I can cuddle his fears and hurts though! I can shower him with kisses. I can tell him how much I love him. I can pray for him. I get to be the mom, and this week, nothing matters more than that!

I have no idea what to title this post!

But this is pretty cute. .

Haden has discovered a new "like." Lets actually rephrase that to "love."

Yes, this is Haden MESMERIZED!

By what you may ask?

MEGAMIND!

Cutie little boy is obsessed. We Went to the adult session of Stake Conference this weekend and put this movie on to play when Grandma Tibbitts came over to watch him. He found it in the diaper bag yesterday and pulled it out. He followed us around until we put it in. He really does just enjoy watching. I don't know what it is about it, but it's still cute!