Asthma Woes - What a week!

It has been a crazy couple of weeks. My little guy has children's asthma. He got pneumonia and was in the hospital for numerous days at the very beginning of the year (actually New Year's day - what a way to start the year!! Not the start that we were anticipating for 2008).

We had heard wonderful success stories about people taking their kids to chiropractors who helped them not only feel better, but stay healthier and kick all of the medicine. So, we decided to give this a try. What was the worst that could happen, my son would have great posture and a really nice spine?

So, we have been going to the chiro for a month and it really seemed like it was doing some good. My little guy was feeling better and even got use to the routine (went from crying to actually moving in the right positions to be adjusted). However, this past weekend he went from healthy to (shockingly, out of nowhere) being diagnosed with pneumonia - all in a matter of days. He was back in the hospital (which I feel like is our home away from home - and that we should at least be getting miles or points or something), but is now home.

I am just discouraged as I really, really had hoped that the Chiro would help us avoid such serious bouts of illness - and the hospital. As parents you try to do whatever you can to help your kids feel better. I was so hoping that I would be able to share my success story with others too and am discouraged and disappointed that all I have to share is a hospital bill and bags under my eyes.

Again, I don't have any false visions of my little guy being cured - but pneumonia was not where I thought we'd net out either.

I know that we should change something up, as things just aren't working. I don't know if this means going back to the chiro and just not weaning off all of the steroids (we had stopped as this was the reco of the dr/chiro).

It's just so frustrating to see little ones going through things like this. It reminds me of how precious they are, life is and to how helpless we are at times. I guess this is a good lesson (one of many) where we just need to be there for our kids and know that we always can't swoop in and save them or solve all of their problems (though, wouldn't that be nice). I feel so fortuneate that Ethan is so healthy and that the asthma is just that - asthma and nothing worse. But, it would be so nice to be able to do something for him.

If anyone has any recommendations or success stories, I could use a little inspiration as we try a new approach.

Lost in translation

This weekend we went to the "super park" (as a friend from work calls it). It is the mecca of all playgrounds.

My husband and I were playing with my son (he has just become a fan of slides). He was waiting patiently (who am I kidding. He was being held back by dad so that he didn't run over any other kids) his turn to go down the slide when a little girl got in line behind him. She was older than him, maybe by a couple of years and she had a stuffed dog.

My husband asked her what her dog's name was (trying to be friendly). She proudly told my husband the dog's name and my husband preceded to say, "Killer Bear"? The little girl said, no, trying to correct him - but again it sounded like "Killer Bear." (I know, you're thinking what child would ever name a dog Killer Bear - and even worse - what parent would think that is what a child would name her cute, cuddley stuffed dog. My only response is my husband of course.)

The girl tried to correct him, and then finally her mom came to the rescue - sharing that the dog's name was "Car-i-bel".

Close enough. The fun of being lost in translation.

Quote of the day, courtesy of my sister...

OK, my sister is in town from CA. We picked her up from the airport and here is the quote that resulted after we grabbed some dinner...

"Oh, Ethan - this is a gift from your favorite Aunt!"

Turns out... she didn't buy the toy. My husbandand I were the ones that bought the happy meal, hence the toy was purchased by us. Nice try sister!

Also, it was the wackiest toy ever - not something to be proud of. My son had the look of, "What the heck is this, are you kidding me?" on his face. Needless to say, it could have given him nightmares.

Quote of the Day

"... in order to feel anything, you need strength."

- sent by my sister upon the passing of my sister-in-law's mother today

Mommy Zen ...

It is "Mommy Zen" when ...

- Your baby says, "Mama"

- You get a haircut - alone (ahhhhh)

- Your baby looks at you with those loving, admiring, all trusting eyes

- Your baby gives you a hug or falls asleep in your arms

- When everyone is asleep and you can take a moment for yourself and blog while drinking a glass of good red wine

Say Cheese!

What lengths parents go to get the "perfect" (or even halfway decent) photo to memorialize the special moment, age or occasion in life. Well, I am no different...

Today we did a "Take Two." What does that mean? We took my two year old son for pictures - for a second time. The first time, it was a beautiful summer day and my little guy was laughing, happy and looking dapper in his new outfit - perfectly primed (or so I thought, but then again, do you really know when dealing with a two year old?!) so I thought...

The moment (I swear) we stepped foot into the photo studio that my husband selected (hey, not trying to blame, but he did pick it out), my son screamed and began throwing a fit (what you hear about or visualize when you think of "Terrible Two's"). Well, we thought that after a few minutes he would be better. We tried everything ... snacks, toys, everything - but no go. After trying for 30 min, we decided that no picture was worth the agony, so we bailed.

It was a good reminder (not that we needed one) of who was really in charge (and yes, that person is neither me or my husband).

So, we gave it a good couple of months, letting him outgrow it. We found a new, very children friendly place - and even checked it out with my son. He had a blast playing in the lobby with the cool car table and ramp.

So, today was the day. The day for photos once again. We all got dressed (we decided to try our luck at our first formal family photo). We had the strategy all planned out ... when we get to the photo studio, immediately walk in (steering clear of the cool car table and ramp - knowing that if he spotted it, we would have a nuclear meltdown), brought his favorite choo-choos and treats, etc.). We were ready to go...

As we stepped confidently into the photo studio room, it was as if we entered the dentist (when you have to get a root canal) and he immediately reminded us of the ever-so-strong lungs that he had and the fact that he was indeed two.

Being the driven parents that we are (and the fact that we didn't want to do a three-peat), we tried everything possible to get a smile and to salvage the situation. We became those parents. Come on, you know the ones ... the ones that dance, jump, make silly faces - anything and everything it takes to get a smile and to change the mood.

After a good 42 minutes of exerting all energy (and then beginning to day dream about Starbucks) we saw it ... a SMILE!!! WOW! We jumped into the photo and the photographer rapidly fired. We got it!

While none of the photos would win any awards, we were proud to make it out of there alive and with some photos. Most importantly, not needing to go back!

Man, what parents will do to capture the moment. Who knew that photos was such an exhausting workout!! I look forward to telling my son, when he is older, all about "the fun" he had when we took him for his two year photos.

But you know what, it was absolutely worth it.

Hope to CU@ M2M Conference in Chicago!