The Martin Family: January 2013

I just realized as I was uploading the pictures that within the past 5 days we have a cancelled day of school for ice/snow and yet also had 65-70 degree weather were we have gone to the park twice.

Friday I woke up to pre-school being cancelled due to ice/snow. However, we did not see any snow at our house so I had to get creative. We played school at home instead of going to school. Fun for Summer but a good reminder for Mama that I am not interested in homeschooling.

Craft time making Snowmen.

Summer got our snacks and set the table all by herself!

Hmm, what next...ok how about computer time. Proud to say she typed her name over and over until she was able to do it by herself.

Zane napped most of our "school day" but then he was up to join in on the learning.

Creativity rolled into the weekend where we made a charm bracelet out of paper-interesting!

Today Zane was able to enjoy his very first TEA PARTY with big sister. He loved the crackers and sitting in a big chair.

He even helped Summer wash dishes in her kitchen. Neat to see him standing and being able to play.

And we had a wonderful time getting fresh air at the park today. Riding bikes, running into friends and having a picnic puts a smile on this girl's face.

And wow, Zane really loves riding in the stroller watching big sis on her bike. He even laughed a few times out of joy.

I have started not forcing Summer to take a nap as it is starting to interfere with nightime sleep. Today she hung in there as long as possible until I caught her resting in the clothes basket with a pillow and blanket somehow inside Zane's little playhouse, watching cartoons. She was almost asleep when I snapped this photo.

Last I updated, Zane was turning 9 months old and was on his second round of antibiotics for an ear infection. Well, 2 didn't do the trick so we went back to the doctor for a 3rd round. By this time he had been on antibiotics for 30 days. Then he got a cold...I was determined that I could treat this at home, after all, I had JUST BEEN to the Dr. 3 times...I mean, am I a paranoid mother or what? Well, after trying to wait it out I could tell his little mood was just too fussy to stay home so we went AGAIN. He had RSV.

Ha ha ha...guess what RSV causes in most patients-that's right-ear infections. By this time I was like, "I dare your ears to get infected! I'm going to put tubes in so fast..." And sure enough at our follow up appointment 3 days later those little ears where infected. Ironically, Summer had a 6 month check up at the ENT the very next day:) Oh, did I mention that Summer had an ear infection too. Fun times!

Needless to say, we went to the ENT on Tuesday and were getting tubes on Thursday. This happy little guy is just thrilled to be with his daddy. Daddy looks a little tired as we were all up by 5am.

Summer was a little unsure but she went back just fine with one of the nurses. She was also getting her adenoids removed during the same proceedure since this was her 2nd set of tubes (first fell out). Zane came out of his surgery in no time and within 10 minutes he was back to his normal happy self.

Summer's surgery was scheduled to be 45 minutes and she had to be put to sleep with a breathing tube as part of the normal proceedure. However, during the surgery she had an asthma attack that we were told was serious, in fact, "life-threatening." Those are not words you want to hear as a parent. She was unable to keep her oxygen levels up and was on oxygen. On her own she would dip down into the low 80's in a few seconds. That was very scary to see. We waited for a couple of hours for her to improve but when she was still in the 80's the anesthesiologist said he wanted us to go to the hospital for further observation and to spend the night (we were at an outpatient surgery center). That sent me into shock. We did that this summer, and the idea of riding in an ambulance and the coordination of care for Zane was just alot to process in a few seconds and I had to BREATHE. The nurses were very kind and helpful during this time. About 10 minutes later we were told that the ENT wanted us to stay for a few more hours at the outpatient center for observation. We did and thankfully once the anesthesia began to wear off she started breathing better. WOW, what a whirlwind on a routine proceedure. Just another reminder of how precious life is.

It is January, right? Could have fooled us as the temperature reached 70 degrees one weekend.

Our little princess all dressed up

Santa signed Summer up for gymnastics lessons. Here she is at her first lesson.

Summer woke me up this morning telling me, "I have a SURPRISE for you, your really going to like!" Breakfast-yay, glass of water, protein bar, apple, raisins and a pot of coffee! What a sweetheart.

Zane is now 10 months old!

And he is crawling-everywhere. He can make a mad dash to Sissy's water bowl, the plant in the corner or any outlet. Keeping my eyes on him is a full time job...good thing I have a second mama around to help me.