Ear Infections

I've always heard about the ominous ear infections of infants, but had never experienced one until this weekend.  On Sunday, Avery woke up unable to open her eyes.  It appeared they were glued shut with yellow, sticky eye boogers.  It had been getting worse through the weekend, the watery eyes, runny nose, low grade fever and cough.  I had chalked it up to her shots and allergies, but this was obviously more.  So we called the pediatrician, who luckily sees patients on Sundays by appointment only.  After speaking with the nurse, she agreed that Avery met the criteria to be seen.
I couldn't believe how busy they were.  We were finally seen, an hour and a half after our appointment time.  Sure enough, double ear infection.  Apparently the yellow eye boogers are overflow from her ear infection.....pretty gross when you really think about it.  I've read sinus can overflow through the tear ducts, but ears too?
Avery wasn't showing the telltale sign, tugging the ears.  Besides looking pitiful, lack of appetite and being really tired, she was still trying to smile and perform for us.  Keith stayed with her on Monday.  She slept all day so I was up with her all Monday night, thus home with her today.  She's really doing well!  She's been up most of the day and playing.  She woke from her afternoon nap screaming.  I put in the ear drops, gave her the pain reliever and neither worked.  I felt bad, but finally I put her in her crib and closed the door.  I didn't know what else to do!  After about 10 more minutes of screaming I went and got her.  While walking around I noticed she was eying her bottles.  So I held one up and she grabbed hold and started sucking on the cap.  She was hungry!  She just ate 2 hours ago, but her appetite is back!  Good sign!
So, it seems she's on the mend.  Overall, not too bad.  I think we all weathered it quite well. 

Here's my sick baby :(

Here she is today...just 2 days after the previous pics.  Thank God for Amoxicillin!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Today was Avery's 6 month check up.  She did great!  She's 27" long, 18lbs-9oz and her head is 44.5cm.  Everything ranks high percentiles, so we're happy it all matches. :)  Keith came along and I was worried her screaming with the shots would really bother him.  Luckily, she really didn't cry that hard or for very long.  She was over it by the time the nurse put on the last band aid!  We were all rewarded with a lollipop for doing so well.  Avery quickly spit out her paci for a taste of that dum-dum!
Her personality is really coming out these days.  She's a babbling fool.  I wake up in the morning and can hear her in her crib saying "Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba.", obviously talking to her stuffed animals.  I was trying to convince Keith that she was actually saying "ma-ma-ma-ma", but because her nose is blocked it sounds more like "ba-ba-ba-ba", you know what I mean right?  Yeah, he wasn't buying it either.  Oh well.
She's sitting up like a champ.  This morning she was sitting on the floor and totally face-planted onto the floor.  She looked up at me, not sure if she should cry.  Luckily I laughed and reassured her she was fine and she bought it and smiled and proceeded to eat the blanket.
Speaking of eating things, she's constantly putting EVERYTHING into her mouth.  She'll follow my hand around until she finally grabs hold and starts sucking on my palm.  Not my finger, not my knuckle....my palm.  We expect teeth to be sprouting anytime now, but we've been expecting them for the past 2 months!  I hope, for her sake and our sake that they just appear one day without too much fuss.  Then, finally, she can get back at that kid at daycare that bit her a few months ago!
We did find out some good news at the pediatrician today....Avery will be able to have cake for her birthday!!!  I was trying to figure out how we'd have a non-dairy birthday, but the pediatrician wants us to give her table food with milk/butter, cake and frosting included to help build her immunity.  Just no bottles/sippy cups of milk until she's properly introduced to it after a year.
That's about all of the excitement for now.  Here are some pics and another video of Avery being....well, funny.  Enjoy!

Don't mind her fraggle rock hair in the video, it was pulled up all day, and when I took out the bow, it stayed!

The Babbler

Let the babbling begin!  We started with the simple "ga-ga-ga-ga" and have quickly moved on from the"ha-ha-ha", "fa-fa-fa-fa", "pa-pa-pa-pa" to the "ba-ba-ba-ba".  I'm amazed how each morning she wakes up with something different to say.  Apparently she talked all day at school today.  Still trying to figure out exactly what it all means, so please enlighten us if you understand 6-month-old baby babble.  Today it's "ba-ba-ba-ba", but tomorrow, who knows, maybe I'll hear "ma-ma"?

Weight watching

So, the battle of the bulge has begun!  We're on our way to eating more healthy so that we can set a good example for Avery, and so that we can keep up with her as she gets older and mobile!  Now if we can just get rid of our mower so that we can get to our exercise equipment in the garage again......

Insurance

When Avery was 2 days old, we found out she had a cow's milk protein allergy.  This means she can't have anything with milk in it.  Chances are good she'll grow out of it, but as a result, we use Alimentum formula, one of the most expensive formulas on the shelf ($25 per can).  Since this formula is necessary due to a medical allergy, our previous insurance covered it at 100%!  The day after we found out the insurance would cover it, we found out the insurance would change at the beginning of the year, so we ordered as much formula as we could before the first of the year.
So here we are 2-1/2 months into the new year and still no answer as to whether the new insurance, Anthem, will cover it or not.  I call medical and they tell me to call pharmacy.  I call pharmacy and they tell me to call medical, who tells me to fax proof that Cigna covered it, then they tell me to call pharmacy.   Sound familiar?  SO ANNOYING!!!  I thought your medical plan was supposed to work for you, I mean these people are being paid to be representatives of this insurance company, but no one can give me a straight answer.  I've wasted my time and the pediatricians time to get nowhere.  So today I called them, yet again, but this time with a whole lot of pent up frustration and resentment.
Finally I got someone on the line, who understood my frustration.  I explained the entire situation for the umpteenth time and finally, she listened.  Then she read the entire manuscript of phone calls and notes regarding this issue, going back to the beginning of January. After a few phone calls back and forth and after she reviewed my information with her supervisor, it seems we have an answer...sort of.  The insurance will cover the formula if it is the main source of nutrition, which it is, but still has to be reviewed by someone after the pediatrician office calls to confirm that she has to have it.  Hopefully, we will know within the week.
So finally, 2-1/2 months later, God only knows how many phone calls later, we ALMOST have an answer.    At least I have a name, extension and reference number, more than I had before I called today!!!

Baby Smiles

They say smiles are contagious, but baby smiles are infectious.  I don't think I've stopped smiling since Avery blessed our lives.  I don't even have to see her smile and she makes me smile.  The simple thought of her makes me smile...the idea of her makes me smile.  Knowing that I get to go home and see my beautiful baby girl each night makes me smile.  Baby smiles are the best therapy for bad day!