A Year of Gratitude #83

 

A Year of Gratitude #83: Antibiotics and Pediatricians

So last night was the worst night so far with Gus. He was screaming at like 4am and didn't stop crying until after 5:30. He was miserable, we were miserable, and Steve oh so kindly (sarcasm) suggested that I call the pediatrician this morning and see about getting him an appointment.

So I called as soon as they opened and they said they could get him in at 9:40. He didn't eat much of anything for breakfast... and wasn't thirsty. His body felt HOT to the touch and I was certain that he had a fever. When they took his temp, it was 99.5... much lower than I had expected.

I should back up a bit... I actually went to the wrong pediatrician!! I walked in and signed in at Pediatrics of Johns Creek and they were so kind. When the girl at the front asked who the patient was, I said, "Gus Walker for 9:40" and she said, "Are you sure it's with Pediatrics of Johns Creek and not Johns Creek Pediatrics?" I realized that I made a HUGE mistake. She said it wasn't a big deal and people went to the wrong office all the time. DUH. And to make it worse, both offices are in suite 150!!

Anyway, I finally got to the right one and after completing a book of info... we got to go into a room. Gus was weighed and at his November (18 month) appointment, he weighed 26 pounds. Today, he weighed 28. He's in the 59th% for weight. Then they did his height. In November he was 33 inches tall and today he was 35 inches (81st%).

Dr. Bear came in and she was super nice. She listened to his chest and said there was nothing alarming, and his lungs sounded clear. Then she checked his ears and immediately said, "Oh... there it is! He's got an ear infection! Lots of inflammation there." Then she checked the other ear and said, "Lucky boy! You've got a double ear infection!"

She gave him a prescription for Amoxicillin and said he should start feeling better by the second dose. She said he's probably had it for a while and it reached the peak last night. She said he probably has had cold after cold, but that it's a good thing because it helps build up his immune system.

We were on our way after being there for an hour. I got his prescription filled, did the weekly grocery shopping and headed home. We had lunch and I put Gus down for his nap and when he woke up...(only an hour later) he was MISERABLE. He was screaming and crying and wouldn't stop. It broke my heart to hear him in pain and not be able to do anything for him.

He let me hold him and rock him and he fell asleep in my arms. It made me cry... another reminder that I am a mom and have always wanted to be a mom. He is only little once, and the moments where he needs me make me melt. I decided to take him downstairs to our room and he and I snuggled for about a half hour and then he was ready to be up and playing.

Here are some pictures of him playing this afternoon:

By the time bedtime rolled around, he seemed to be feeling better. I am so grateful for antibiotics and pediatricians and that we live close to medial attention. I'm thankful that I have medical insurance and I can take my child to the doctor, just to be sure that he's okay. I could see how someone without insurance would decide to not take their child to the doctor. Had I not taken him, he'd be in pain, and suffering with a double ear infection. I am so grateful that I have so much.

A Year of Gratitude #82

 

A Year of Gratitude #82: Other Bloggers

I'm so grateful that there are other people who are bloggers like me. I enjoy finding a new blog to follow, and have found myself following some really awesome people. 

I have a few favorites that I LOVE to read. My first favorite that I check first when looking for updates, is my SIL Heather's blog. I love reading about what she, my brother, and niece and nephews are up to. They're in Arizona and I don't get to see them hardly at all... so the blog is what I use to see them each day/week. 

I also love reading my friend Adri's blog. She used to blog all the time, and then Dax arrived and she's been a little preoccupied. When she does blog, I love reading her words and she has been instrumental in helping me learn and grow as an adoptive mom dealing with unexplained infertility.

Another favorite is a nameless friend who recently adopted. She had been documenting her journey to finding their baby through adoption. Now that they've adopted, she posted that she's not going to blog anymore... and it makes me sad. I feel like I've gotten so attached to her (no... I don't know her in real life), that I want to keep hearing about her life. I know sometimes people think it's stupid to blog about the boring day-to-day stuff, but to me, that's the stuff that makes life so rich and interesting. What's boring to one, is incredible to another. I hope she considers keeping up her blog... or starting a new one with posts about being a new mom.

I have some friends who USED to blog but don't anymore. When they do blog, I love it, but it's been MONTHS since some of them have post anything, so I've given up hope.

Then I have a whole slew of blogs that I follow that are adoption related. Either fellow adoptive parents, or birth moms, and I even have a birth father's blog that I follow and love.

I'm thankful that there are others who like to share their story with strangers. They don't all use real names, some use initials or nicknames for their posts. 

Just this week, one of the bloggers that I follow, posted a blog about hopeful adoptive couples. She posted our story and I'm so thankful that she shared our profile, and our family with her readers. You can see the post at Letters to You. Her blog is honest, heart-felt, and beautiful.

I feel like I grow more and more as a person, as an adoptive mom, and as a writer by reading what my favorite bloggers write. I'm thankful for each one of them for taking the time to post to their blogs, and for not being afraid to share their views, pictures, and lives with sometimes total strangers.

A Year of Gratitude #81

 

A Year of Gratitude #81: Our Zoo Atlanta Membership

 

Roman, Ryan, Gus, and Aubree

This past Wednesday, Gus and I headed to Zoo Atlanta with some friends from our playgroup. We picked up Kathryn and Aubree and met Christy and her boys, Roman, and Ryan at the zoo. The kids had a wonderful time together and I had a blast walking around the zoo with some friends.

The weather could not have been more perfect. It wasn't too cold, and wasn't too hot, and there was a slight breeze and no rain. It was awesome.

Steve's dad and Sue Ann gave us a zoo membership for Christmas and this was the first time that we've been able to make to to the zoo since receiving our gift. The good thing about them giving us a gift card is that we cashed it in on Wednesday and I believe (I could be wrong), that our year started on Wednesday... when we cashed it in, and not back in December when it was purchased for us.

Anyway, I'm so grateful for this membership. It's a companion membership, so two adults get in free and children under three are also free. I was able to take Kathryn and Aubree and save them $20+! I love that the parking is free at the zoo... it's really nice.

I hope that Steve is able to come to the zoo with us at some point... we'll need to go during the weekend, since he's always working during the week. Maybe this fall we can go as a family. I'm certain that Gus would absolutely LOVE spending the day with mama and daddy at the zoo.  :-)

Here are some cute pictures from our trip to the zoo:

 

Gus and Ryan checking out the panda

 

Gus checking out the baby panda

 

Gus and Roman being monkeys 

 

Gus and Aubree reading the sign

 

Gus pulling Aubree in the wagon

 

Giraffes!!

 

Lion King Gus

 

 

The kiddos

 

So strong!

 

The kids and the gorilla statue

 

Mr. Personality

 

 

Ryan and Gus having snacks

 

Gustafer

 

Aubree

 

Aubree

 

Gus and Aubree

 

The kids and the Kimono Dragon

 

Gus was not happy on the train!  :-(

 

Drinking my drink

 

Ryan

 

 I'm also thankful that we have friends here. I know I've said it again and again, but I am REALLY thankful that we have friends. I would be miserable if I still had not met anyone and was sitting at home every day with no playdates and no friends for Gus to play with.  :-)

A Year of Gratitude #80

 

A Year of Gratitude #80: Recipes on Pinterest

I'm addicted to Pinterest. I've found so many wonderful recipes, craft ideas, gift ideas, inspiration, teaching ideas, and parenting ideas... it's incredible. If you've not discovered Pinterest yet... you're seriously missing out.

Anyway, I made one of my goals for this month (my goal list also came from something I saw on Pinterest), was to make 10 new recipes. I'm on #7 and have another week left before the end of the month.

On Monday, I made a brown sugar garlic chicken dish that was surprisingly delicious. I wasn't sure how it'd turn out, but it was really yummy.

Then yesterday, I made crock pot orange chicken and it was absolutely scrumptious. It tasted better than what you get when your order take-out. The only thing I'll change for next time (and there WILL be a next time) is I'll add some veggies to it. 

I'm thankful that I've discovered new recipes and there are always new ones popping up. I like that I've rediscovered my crock pot and how much joy it brings me. Seriously, there's nothing better than putting everything into the crock pot and letting it do all the work.

I'm thankful for Pinterest, and thankful for all the people who pin such delicious, inventive, easy, and creative recipes!!

A Year of Gratitude #79

 

A Year of Gratitude #79: Face Time

I am so thankful that Apple created Face Time. Not only is it awesome for talking face-to-face to Steve on our iPhones, but my mom has Face Time on her iPod Touch and my brother Dave has it on his Mac. 

Tonight, I was delighted to see that my brother had tried to Face Time with me (I was away from my phone for a brief period). I quickly called him back and we chatted for a little bit about his upcoming move to Washington D.C.

I love seeing my niece and nephews, and it was wonderful to see my brother's handsome mug. It's the next best thing to seeing them face-to-face... and I am so grateful and thankful that the technology was created so I can see my family!!!

Seeing and talking to Dave was the best thing about today.

A Year of Gratitude #78

 

A Year of Gratitude #78: MNO

For those of you not in the know, MNO stands for "Moms Night Out." I had my first MNO here in GA last night. I was excited to go and have a nice dinner with girlfriends and enjoy some time with other moms and not have to worry about Gus at the same time. A meal to myself... ahhhhhh.

I had a great time and met two new moms, Beth and Meaghan. I was glad to meet both, but totally clicked with Beth. She was so funny, made me laugh, and was a great person to finally meet.

I'm thankful that I have friends here that I can go out with and enjoy some "me" time. I am so happy here in GA and feel like I'm making some wonderful friends.