Tubes

Yesterday, Novak had surgery for his ear tubes.  After 9 ear infections in 14 months, we were READY for tubes and to get off the antibiotic train.

The procedure was at an outpatient surgery center.  They have the process down to a science. 

We arrived at about 7:45 and after some paperwork we promptly were called back to the "pre surgery" room.

They took his vitals, asked a bunch of questions, and we waited to see the doctor.

Looking at himself on Mom's iPhone.

Watching Curious George on PBS

At exactly 8:30, the nurses came in and took Novak back for his procedure.  I returned to the waiting room, hit the bathroom (figuratively), and sat down.  I had time to check my email and watch a few minutes of the Today Show which was on in the lobby, and they came to call me back to the recovery room at 8:45.

He was still asleep from the anesthesia, and once he woke up they handed me a cranky baby.  He would fall asleep, then wake up and scream, then fall asleep again.  He didn't open his eyes until 9:15.

Recovering.

After they released us at about 9:20, I headed to the car.  I thought maybe he would want a snack since he hadn't had anything to eat, but when I offered, this was the response I got.  Poor thing.

No, I don't want anything, Mom!

Just take me home!

I took him home, he took a nap, and he woke up a completely DIFFERENT child.

He was happy.  Smiling.  Giggling.  Playing.  He didn't fuss a bit.  He ate a whole sandwich.  

He learned two new words yesterday afternoon (perhaps having his hearing back will help him learn to talk now!)

He actually tried walking and his balance was much improved (again, not having congested, fluid filled ears might help!).

I'm so excited to see what other new developments we'll have now that he will hopefully feel better all the time!

Checkup

Today Novak went for his 15 month checkup.

My little chunk weighs 25 pounds.

For perspective, that's at least two pounds heavier than Nate was at this age.

And he only needs to gain 9 pounds to catch Nile at 34 pounds. Nile probably weighed 25 pounds at age 3.

Novak also enjoyed his first lollipop from the doctors office. He acted like an old pro - must be from watching Nile and Papa. He even "crunched" it at the end.

The face of nothing good

Nate had to go to the doctor on Friday for the third time in six weeks, to check on the progress of removing a wart on his toe. Twice it had been frozen off, and again the doctor told him it would have to be frozen again. But...they didn't have the freezing equipment and had to drive to the other office to get it.

What ensued was 15 minutes of pure terror for Nate. He laid on the examining table and cried and screamed the whole time. "Mommy, just hold me!" I could do nothing to calm him. It was one of the worst feelings of my life. He was so scared of what was coming he couldn't rationalize anything. Every time he heard footsteps in the hall, he would freak out again, thinking they were coming in to freeze it. Not even the promise of a movie night, chocolate, or a trip to the gas station.

This was a far cry from what we had had in the car on the way to the doctor. "Mommy, I'm four now. I won't need to hold your hand. I am tough."

I took this photo after it was all over and he had calmed down. See how emotionally drained he is? This is not my normal Nate.

And the result? We get to go back in two more weeks. I am hoping we don't have to go through this again. Please, stupid virus, go away.