Not all rainbows and giggles...

Purpose of today's post...perhaps get some advice or encouragement from parents who have gone through similar things...PLEASE COMMENT IF YOU HAVE EITHER (without making me feel like a terrible parent, please and thank you!)

As if I wasn't already fully aware that there would be ups and downs to raising children...this was a week of clarity showing me the challenging/frustrating/pull out your hair side of parenting. And it really doesn't have anything to do with being home with both kids on my own for the first time...really...

Noah, who is approaching 21 months of age, has had his share of illnesses in his short little life. Starting at 4 months (ironically right after his first week at a full time daycare...hmmm...) he was on his first round of antibiotics for an upper respiratory infection. From there, there were the occasional run ins with ear infections of which we're up to four. I could blame daycare for that...however the last two ear infections were this year while I have been home with him. Constant congestion/runny nose ever since he was small combined with rosy red, dry cheeks that look like a rash are making us head down the "allergy testing" route...finally. I think I have wiped my share of noses for the Duggar family.

After another doctor's appointment this week to check on an antibiotic that didn't clear up his latest ear infection for Noah we finally decided enough is enough and he needs to see an ENT (ear, nose, throat) doctor to discuss tubes. From what I have heard and read, they make a world of difference for kids who have frequent ear infections. I was also provided an order for blood work done to find out what he's allergic too regarding the red cheeks and constant runny nose.

Yes you read that last sentence correctly...blood work...done...on my 20 month old as in tie his arm with the rubber band, stick a needle in his small little vein blood work. Eeek!

Well, being the seemingly "good" mother I am, after promising a trip to McDonald's, we headed to the lab yesterday to just "get it over with". In my mind, I was happy for him to get tested for allergies to hopefully find out what is causing all his congetion, runny nose, etc. My gut feeling is cats and/or milk...and finding out answers is what I am craving, not testing and waiting to see what changes. Well, not to digress and to make a long story short, getting blood work done yesterday was quite literally the second most painful thing I had to witness (after the 911 scare in November). I had to hold him down in my lap, watch them stick him not once...but twice in the arm only to get NO BLOOD samples. Yes, you heard me...no blood. We left, him in tears, me in tears that would make their way out on the car ride home...with only bandages on his arm and advice to "hydrate him" and"try another lab to see if they could have better luck".

Granted, I am sure drawing blood from a toddler is not their favorite thing to do nor is it easy...but I was so, so frustrated with how I was treated (I left pretty much feeling no sympathy from the two ladies and made to feel like it was my fault somehow that my kid cried...).

McDonald's was promised and given and soon my little peanut was back to himself eating a cheeseburger. His ENT appointment is coming up in a week and a half and I was told by them to wait on the blood test for now...which is fine by me! Hopefully, within a month, I can report happy changes and answers regarding Noah and his chronic congestion/red cheeks/ear infections, etc. etc.


red cheeks that look like a rash...from what, I wonder??? Still a cutie-pie!





Now onto Olivia...my perfect-sleeps-all-day-is-content-when-I'm-fed baby girl...Well, a severe diaper rash has reared it's ugly head going on over a week. Long story short...she may be allergic (I think...haven't taken her to the doctor yet) to the formula we used for Noah with no problems. I don't want to comment on the breast milk/formula debate in this long post...let's just say breastfeeding is difficult for me so after two weeks Olivia is on formula. However, now with a very red bottom that won't go away...I'm off trying another type starting tonight to see if that changes things. Don't even want to comment on all the formula I have stocked up on that may go unused if she requires a "special type"... (deep sigh inserted here)....

So, in summary:

If Google charged per minute of use, would I be broke? Yes.

Will I get through a seemingly rough week? Yes, because I have a wonderful husband, a supportive mom with great advice, and let's be honest...I have healthy kids. I am not in a situation where life or death is on the line for my children. I can't even begin to relate to those families out there who have children with serious diseases or disabilities that require amazing faith and trust in the Lord.

Will we get answers soon...? Yes with appointments and trial runs of formula and no-milk we will hopefully get aswers soon.

And finally...Will I require a glass of wine tonight? Most definitely...and let's be honest, perhaps two.

For now, this may be a long January/February for the Hagewood household. Again, any advice or encouragement would be appreciated on today's post...I'm in need of both!