More Ear Infections

If Eli's nose is running, his ears are infected.  Period. 

I tried to ignore it as long as possible.  He's been on so many antibiotics this winter that his digestive system is a permanent mess (the pediatrician has actually referred us to a homeopathic drug store with the hopes the older couple who runs the store can restore some sort of normalcy to big boy's intestines- TMI).  However, two nights of screaming bloody murder the entire night, and only a couple very short naps later made this mama drag him back to the pediatrician for yet another round of antibiotics and an ENT referral.  This is number 5 this winter, though he's never actually had a clear exam, and I think the infection just keeps lingering and coming back.  Anyway, we'll see the ENT next week (yes, next week... thank goodness for civilian healthcare!). 

Otherwise, all is well here.  Eli was 22 pounds, 4 oz at his appointment.  I remember going to Morgan's wedding in May of 2008, praying that Clayton would be 22 pounds at his caridology appointment the next week.  Clayton was 2 years, 1 month.  Eli is over 22 pounds at 1 year, 2 months, which surprisingly, doesn't make him all that big, but it's sooo much bigger than Clayton was at that time.  It won't be long before Eli is all caught up to his big brother. 

Play-Doh Lunch with Clayton

Clayton LOVES play-doh.  He just called me into the kitchen to check out the lunch he made.

Me: Ohhh, yum.  What is it?

Silence.

Me: Is it a salad?  Is this the lettuce, and are these the tomatoes?

Clayton (rolling eyes, in most annoyed 3 year old voice): No, Mommy.  It's a taco with lettuce!

Well, excuse me!  That has to be the most disgusting taco with lettuce I've ever seen.  It was slightly more appetizing as a salad.

I have to go now because according to Clayton, "Eli is makin' a big mess in my room!  Go check on him!"

Clayton's Valentines

Clayton's preschool class is not having a Valentine's party today, but they are bringing Valentines to exchange.  After briefly contemplating hand making all those Valentines, I decided that 2 and 3 year olds do not appreciate such things and would actually probably appreciate store bought ones more.  Clayton and I headed to the store last week, and he selected Cars, of course.  It was a close race between Cars and The Incredibles, but Cars won.  It wasn't until we got home that I realized the Mater card says "Eat my rust", and I'm really not so sure about that as a Valentine's message, but oh well.  It's done, and Clayton was so thrilled by the Mater cards, so hopefully no one is reading them too closely.

Clayton had a blast putting these together and thoughtfully choosing which chocolate he wanted taped to which Valentine.

In Clayton's class the children take turns bringing a snack to share each day.  We had the snack bag today, and Clayton was so excited to take these Valentine's treats to share with his classmates.  This morning he told me the hearts were so pretty.  Thank you, Clayton.  It's hard to tell in this picture, but I put a little red food coloring in the marshmallows, so the treats are pink.  I thought they looked so cute, and I hope the kids will be excited to eat them this morning.

Of course we had some leftover treats at home, and Eli wasted no time having a morning snack today.  Yes, these treats come with the Eli stamp of approval, which isn't really saying much, but they really were tasty (Ryan and I took care of the scraps last night, so we know).

You can take all the pictures you want, Mom, but don't even think about laying a finger on my rice krispie treat!

Science Museum

Why do we not come here more often?  The kids get in free, so it's not a bad deal.  Anyway, we made it over to the Children's Science Museum with our friends this morning.  The kids had a blast.  We have not been there since Eli was itty bitty, like "sleeping in the stroller the entire visit" itty bitty.  What I love about this museum is they have a dedicated small kids zone.  It's pretty well fenced off (important), and you can pretty much just let your little ones go.  There are lots of little kid friendly, hands-on stations and a variety of fun toys.  Thanks to our friends, we also found the gymnastics exhibit.  For some reason we'd never made it upstairs before.  The boys had an absolute blast rolling and tumbling all over the mats.

So here are a lot of pictures.  I've been feeling guilty about my lack of photography lately, and I was trying to get some good pictures of the boys.  Unfortunately, the lighting was not great, and the boys were completely uncooperative with looking at the camera, so that plan went out the window, but I did get some pictures that captured our trip.

The boys, especially Eli, loved the water table.

This is my favorite picture of the day.  The boys with their friend William.

Eli

Clayton

Face Painting

Driving the John Deere

Porky Baby.  Yes, that's his giant belly hanging over his pants.

On the back of a parlor car

Attempting to escape the stroller

Clayton and William with a little friend they met at the train exhibit

Jingle Jars

The Words No Mother Wants to Hear

Tonight at dinner...

Scene: Sitting around the table, Clayton and I are discussing how eating good food makes your body grow big and strong.

Clayton: Mommy, you're eating all your good food?

Me: Yes.  It will make me big and strong.

Pause

Clayton:  Mommy, your bottom's gettin' bigger.

Thank you, Son.