December - 22 months

(writing this on 1/11/15 - holidays are hectic)

After testing negative for strep and being on an antibiotic for 10 days, we ended up back in prompt care with a positive strep test and more antibiotic for both Jase and myself.  A couple days into the antibiotic, Jase developed what appeared to be pink eye so we started with eye drops.  He had been asking for medicine in the morning, but when he realized what those things were he stopped asking  :(  His eyes cleared up in just a few days so either he didn't really have pink eye or the eye drops worked...not questioning it.  After the 2nd round of antibiotic, Jase was still coughing, sounded swollen and appetite was still down (acting like he had a sore throat & I still felt terrible too).  Back to the dr we went to follow up that the strep was gone...negative results thankfully.  He's getting so good at this dr thing he puts his finger out to get his blood pressure taken before they even get the machine out and he clings to me when they ask him to say "AH"  Luckily, he also remembers he gets suckers and stickers at the end.  Our NP suggested we try some allergy meds for awhile to see if it helps with all the drainage he's dealing with.  Fingers crossed Zyrtec & Benedryl help cause it could be a long winter if we continue down this path.  On to December!

This month, Jase has decided he no longer wants to sleep in the pack-n-play which is really only an issue at daycare, but could prove to be an issue when staying over night anywhere other than home so we're considering moving him to a big boy bed sometime soon.  Kiel is hesitant and everyone I know keeps telling us to wait...update in January.

The dump truck night light came in and has been the best thing EVER.  Every night when it's time to turn it on we hear, "My do it!" and again in the morning when it's time to turn it off.  Big hit.

We're exclusively in 2T tops (by the end of the month he'll be pushing into 3T) but not quite pants...those darn short legs.  His size 8 shoes seem to be holding strong for now.

He's still in size 5 diapers and the potty training thing is kind of out the window.  I really backed off when he got sick last month and it just fell to the wayside.  He lost interest and I'm not going to force him and make it an unpleasant experience.  It was a nice thought that we could get this hurdle taken care of early, but looks like we'll be waiting awhile.  There are worse things, I suppose.     

I can't tell if he's becoming a picky eater or if his appetite is just down from how crappy he's been feeling but it seems like the only things we can get him to eat is breakfast foods and mac n cheese.  Again...could be worse!

I wish I could record him for an entire day because there's no way I could ever explain how well this kid speaks.  He has lots of teachers at daycare and doesn't miss anything so it's really not that surprising, but it's hard to believe I have a child that I can carry on fully conversations with.  He has even mastered the art of distraction and subject change.

12-2-14 - We had a visitor knock on our back door today...

12-6-14 - The Russell Christmas was in Flanagan this year which was SUPER nice for us!  We were missing a lot of people, but we still had a great day with everyone who made it!  I forgot my camera and haven't gotten with Cindy to get her pictures so there aren't many, but the kids stole the show as usual...Santa is always the best part :)
 

Santa always comes in and sings a few songs with the kids before he passes out presents.  Jase sat in that chair and sang Jingle Bells and Frosty and kept saying, "I like him!  I like Santa!"  When his name was called, I went to hand Kiel my phone to take a video assuming Jase would want me to go with him but when I turned around he was already up there reaching for his present.  I almost missed it!  He continues to surprise me with his outgoing personality!  

12-7-14 - Dinner with Grandma Pam & Grandma Farm after Aden & Bevin's Christmas program...

 12-8-14 - A new favorite...letters in the tub

12-10-14 - Trying out the blow up house Grammy & Papa gave Jase for Christmas...

will try again when it can be outside and not so noisy :-/

12-11-14 - Golfing with Henry & Aden...

12-12-14 - Happy Birthday Grandma Pam!!

And a happy early birthday drink to me!

12-13-14 - Christmas with Grandpa & Cindy at Aunt Amy's house!  These kids are so spoiled...

 Opening his favorite present of the night...

"What isat, Mommy?"

"SUCKERS!!!!!!!!!"

Instead of buying new toys, the Brummels gave Jase money for Christmas and handed down some toys the kids are done with (genius)...some of these hand me downs were the biggest hits.  He couldn't get enough of this train, but pushing the button was a little daunting. 

And I got a nice early birthday surprise :)  Jase is not in the picture because he freaked out when they lite the candles lol.  I love how Bevin has her hands on my shoulder and Aden has his hand wrapped around Henry's waist...love these pictures!

Merry Christmas :)

I have no idea what is up with that scowl, but crack me up!

12-14-14 - A great way to wake up to turning 31...

 

We did a little shopping in Bloomington and stopped by Aunt Shilo's to see the Schaffer clan.  Got to see the progress on their recently flooded basement and pick up some things Grammy & Papa had sent home with them for Jase.  We will spend the next 2 weeks having melt downs when the boots have to be removed or when different shoes are required.  2 thumbs up! 

His first Steak-N-Shake milkshake...I had to fight him to get it back

 

When we got home, Grandpa & Cindy stopped by to drop off a few presents that they didn't want to haul out to Aunt Amy's.

The cutest way to say basketball hoop ever (video)...

I am a firm believer in making a big deal out of birthdays.  Especially mine ;)  I'm afraid this year it became just another day as I didn't even give it a thought until a few days before.  Either I'm getting old or my priorities have shifted.  Either way, I still had just as good a day as if I had been thrown a surprise party or had a day of pampering.  And this was the best way to end it...

Didn't I just turn 30?!  Time really does fly when you're having fun...here's to 31!

12-17-14 - Cheers! (video)

12-18-14 - This was in the Daily Leader under "Letters to Santa"  This kid.

12-20-14 - Christmas at Grandma Farm...again the kids always steal the show.

12-21-14 - A monumental day...first bowl of cereal (video)

and just in case you're curious if he still moans while he eats (video)...

12-23-14 - I've mentioned before that Jase is pretty impressed by Christmas lights...the Festival of Lights in Peoria was like stimulation overload (video)...

12-24-14 - This was my favorite book when I was little and few years ago my mom got me a new copy.  I'm sure these pages will become worn and the ticket & tape measure will be ripped just like the old one someday...

12-25-14 - Santa was very busy at our house last night...if only those deer could talk.

Jase definitely gets  the concept of opening presents this year, but it's pretty overwhelming for him after he opens 1 or 2.  Typical kid...he just wants to play with what he's just opened so it's a process.  We had a great morning checking out everything Santa left.  We heard a lot of "Wow!" and "It's awesome" 

It was so fun watching him this year...we are so blessed.

 

Grandma Pam & Mark gave him that bike for his 1st birthday but he wasn't big enough to ride it so it's been in the basement.  He's close to being able to pedal it, but he's pretty content just sitting on it. 

We spent the afternoon at Aunt Shilo's celebrating with Pshak clan...

 Hayden busted me sneaking pics

 22 months is not a great age for picture taking

Unless you have a cousin Trevor to stand behind the photographer and make silly faces...

Thanks again Trevor for teaching him this ;)

Aunt Shilo lives about 2 minutes from where we get on 55 to go home...he didn't even make it.  I'd say his cousins wore him out!!  It was a very Merry Christmas!! 

 Unfortunately, when I was changing Jase into his jammies that night I noticed he felt warm and his temp was 103...and to all a good night.

12-26-14 - When he woke up, his fever was still 103 and the cough he'd been carrying around the last month sounded much more like barking.  Luckily, our Dr's office was open the day after Christmas so I took him in since I didn't want to have to sit in prompt care on Saturday and I was off so it just made sense.  Strep test, negative.  Flu, positive.  *#&%  As soon as Jen said the words, I began internally kicking myself for not getting him a flu shot.  Regardless of the fact that the correct strain was obviously not chosen this year as she said they've been seeing more and more patients that did receive the flu shot still testing positive for the flu...I should have gotten him a flu shot.  Even if this still happened, at least I'd feel like I did what I could to prevent it.  We've been to the dr 6+ times since November 1st, but every time it was because Jase was sick and you can't give a sick kid the flu shot.  Lesson learned for next year.  At least he waited until after all of our Christmas activities were over to come down with the flu :-/ 

God love Tamiflu and Christmas presents to occupy a sick child for a 4 day house arrest.

We sent him back to daycare on Tuesday since he hadn't had a fever since Saturday evening and we were all going a little stir crazy.  He had a great day seeing all his friends and Kyra...fingers crossed we're done with that crap!  

And I think I can speak for Jase when I say, his favorite Christmas present is by far the cars he received from the Voigts family.  We went through 3 sets of batteries in a week and one of the cars already needs to be repaired...(video)

12-31-14 - Kids speed up everything.  Our weekdays are hurried mornings and super fast evenings.  Our weekends are complete blurs broken up by meal times and a 2 hour afternoon nap.  My boss asked me 3 days before New Years Eve what we had planned for the big night.  I looked at him blankly trying to  think of what night he was talking about...when did I become the person that doesn't make a big deal out of her birthday and doesn't make plans for NYE?  I mean, not even dinner with friends or family?!  As it's been with all of this new normal for the passed 2 years...our night was perfect just the way it went.

Who wouldn't want to ring in the new year with popcorn & milkshakes and these 2 handsome boys?

2013 was a life changer for Kiel & I.  2014 was amazing watching this kid become a toddler.  This new year brings a 2nd birthday and a wedding...oh right the wedding...I guess it's time to get back to planning.  Maybe after the birthday party ;-)

Happy New Year everyone!!!  I can't wait to see how 2015 turns out!

-Nicole