A Sick Week =P

Last week Ellie had another first...unfortunately, this one wasn't so fun. We can now add first ear infection to the list of milestones. The weekend before last she had a really bad cold. I had to pick her up from daycare early on Friday, her nose was just streaming non-stop, you could tell she was miserable. The weekend was no fun, and she wasn't seeming to be feeling any better. So, Monday we went into the Dr. and sure enough, she had an ear infection in her right ear. She started antibiotics later that day, and they really seemed to make a difference fast. She was still really stuffed up, but at least feeling better during the day. The nights were still long, which made the entire week very long. I stayed home with her on Monday and Tuesday, and on Wednesday she went back to daycare, still taking her antibiotics, but feeling noticeably better.

The rest of the week went ok, but we had another little wrench in the week with Ellie starting in a new room at daycare. Because she's an official 'walker' now, last week was her first week in the young toddler room. Well, compound new room, teachers, and schedule with not feeling 100% and our week got a bit longer. Mainly, she was TIRED at the end of everyday and nighttime wasn't great still, so by the end of the week this resulted in a very tired Mom and Dad too. This room transition is one of the hardest ones (so I've heard from other Moms). They go from a very lax baby schedule (each kid does their own thing) to a very scheduled toddler day. It's something like this - breakfast, art, playtime, lunch, nap, snack, playtime - every day (we're getting lots of art projects!) =) At lunch they no longer sit in high chairs; instead they have these tiny little tables and chairs - which Ellie has done just fine with from day 1 much to our disbelief (and eating off a plate too!) Naptime is also on a little cot instead of a crib. So, lots of big changes here. Despite last week's hurdles, she's doing great in her new room and has seemed to adjust really quickly.

On Friday, Ellie also had a check-up on her kidney. If you remember, her right kidney has always been a little bigger than 'norm' - just enough so that Dr. keeps checking it. Her last check-up was 6 months ago, so this was just another routine check. As I suspected, Ellie wasn't quite so cooperative with the ultrasound this time around. I had the goo all over me as much as she had it on her. After that little trauma, she was fine though and smiling and saying 'hi' to everyone in sight. Good news is, both of her kidneys have grown (as they should because she's a growing girl), but they are both within normal range now. So no more urology visits - whatever was causing the swelling on the right side has gone away - yeah!

On Saturday, Ellie was feeling a lot better, and Mom and Dad were going a bit stir-crazy after a week of sick, tired, and Dr's visits so we took an impromtu trip to Madison to visit Shannon and Andy. Shannon, Ellie, and I did a little shopping while Colin and Andy watched college b-ball, so it wasn't all that exciting, but just a fun little night away from home. Sunday we got home around lunchtime and just spent the afternoon relaxing and resting. Ellie and I both took a 2 hour nap which was GREAT!

It's been 7 days on antibiotics now, and Ellie seems back to herself. I feel myself coming down with a cold now, but I'm sure after a few good night's sleep I'll be back to myself again too - let's hope so anyway! Here are a few shots from our Madison trip.

I like to ride in the shopping cart (good thing Mom is not a germophobe!)



Auntie Shannon got me this stuffed turtle which I love



Hmm, look what I can reach!



Playing with Auntie Shannon



CLOSE-UP! Ellie loves to get right in the camera now. She also likes to look at her picture after you've taken it (on the view on the camera screen).



Brushing our teeth (which she's doing much better at these days)



We forgot bath toys, but this tupperware was just as fun.



All clean with Mom