Like father, Like son

There are many qualities about Robbie that I will be thrilled if Parker gets. His ears are not one of them. I'm not saying I don't like my husbands ears, but they gave him all kinds of trouble as a child with ear infections and he went through several sets of tubes! Unfortunately, we started seeing the same pattern with Parker late summer. From July to October, he was on 4 different antibiotics for ear infections. Fortunately, our pediatrician spotted the "repeater" signs early and got us in with a Pediatric ENT in October. Took two weeks to get in to see the ENT, and we were scheduled for him to get tubes in his ear one week later. We didn't realize how bad the fluid had built up behind his ears until seeing the ENT... he said it was like Parker had earplugs in because of how much and how thick the fluid was. He even failed part of his hearing test! Poor guy. One thing I realized is how tough kiddos are... I think the ones with chronic ear infections just learn to live with it! And even worse, we didn't even make it until the surgery until he had an eardrum rupture... 2 days before his scheduled procedure. Fortunatley, the doctor was still able to put tubes in both ears and it has made a TREMEMDOUS difference. Parker is less whiney and clingy and talking alot more! We can tell he feels MUCH better.

On the morning of the surgery, before they took him back (and yes, he is in a hospital gown!):


We were really nervous, not only about the anesthesia, but also just how Parker would do in that environment. He did great! They had a flat screen right by his bed with cartoons on for him and the nurses and doctors were great. He didn't cry at all when they took him back. In post-op, he was a little groggy, requiring lots of juice and cuddles with blue bear.

By the time we got home, he got to open some presents and was running around our house! He took a great nap that afternoon and was back to himself in no time!

So, if you are mom and have to go through this... it is not easy on parents but SO worth it for your child. I had many friends to encourage me along the way and did not have one parent tell me they regretted getting the surgery for their child. Of course, lots of prayer and encouragement from others help too!