Peanut, Bubbit, and Kermit

Two of my favorite people in the whole world... taking a break from some rainy day play to watch one of the greatest films of all time. Note Julian's use of his new parking garage (courtesy of Erin and Goodwill :).

tough love at bedtime

These have been ornery days at the Staton household.  Bedtime has become much more of a chore, with Julian pushing all of our buttons for at least an hour each night.  Jonathan was at risk of a stroke, or at least in need of blood pressure medications.  He's been ready to take a harder line, but I have been the one to cave in night after night.  

So tonight, after weeks of caving and calloused elbows, Mama drew a line.  And I am so effing proud of myself.  

We read a story, sang a song, I kissed him goodnight and said, "I love you.  Time to sleep." and walked out of the room leaving the door open.  I went into the office.  There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth.  I now have a whole new appreciation for the saying: " That's my name, don't wear it out." Every time he would come out of the room I would put him back in the bed and say, "Sleep."  (Can you tell we watched "Supernanny" while we were in the UK?)  I put him back in there at least 15 times.  At least.  And I think the whole episode lasted about an hour.  But finally he relented, or at least ran out of energy.  

And here is where he fell asleep: 

Don't worry.  He's tucked away in his bed... for now.  Our concern has always been that he go to sleep in his own bed.  Or the hall floor.  Whatever.  But if he ends up in our bed, so be it.  I know the day will come when he won't want to crawl into bed with us, and that is fine.  Some nights he sleeps all night in his bed.  Other nights he's in with us after a few hours.  But hey... at least we don't leave him on the floor.  

Mama triumphed tonight (over herself mostly).

Update on Julian

Just a quick update to let you all know that Julian is doing MUCH better.  We have been giving him breathing treatments at least 2 times a day and he has just finished up his round of antibiotics. Thankfully, we are done with the liquid steriods - that stuff turned our sweet little boy into a quick tempered mean little person that you did not want to be around. Evil medicine, just plain evil.
We were able to have his birthday party last weekend at my parents house and we had a really great time. The weather cooperated quite nicely and we played some frisbee golf and volleyball as planned. It's hard to believe that we now have a 2 year old. Beth won't admit that he isn't a baby anymore, but that's ok. I don't really want to either.

 

In other news, I just recently launched two new web stes here in town. One for a church - St James UMC - and another one for a construction company - ETL Construction Services. I had been developing the St. James site for quite a while and was happy to finally get it up and running. I think it's my favorite design so far.  Check them out if you have a minute or two.

- Jonathan

Not what we'd planned..., by Beth

Well, we had hoped to spend today celebrating Julian's second birthday with family, playing frisbee golf and horseshoes.  Instead, it is SNOWING outside and we are just home from an overnight at the hospital.  Needless to say, the party is postponed!  

The story... Julian tested positive for strep throat about ten days ago.  He finished his antibiotics on Tuesday, but Wednesday saw the development of some nasty head and chest congestion, and a lot of snot.  A lot of snot.  On Saturday morning he slept until about 7:30 but as soon as he woke up we knew something was wrong.  He was working harder and harder to breathe, and his little ribs were poking out as he worked.  We ran out the door to the ER, barely changing clothes much less brushing hair or thinking about breakfast.  Thanks to Suzanne Julian at least had a cup of cheerios. :) 

The ER staff rushed us through, which in and of itself should have been an indicator that things were serious. I vaguely remember hearing the number 73, which to me now means his oxygen saturation was that low, when the target is 94-100%.  Despite feeling awful, Julian really showed his strength, particularly when it came time for the chest xray and (rectal) temperature taking.  Let's just say three adults couldn't keep him still.  He was m-a-d.  He was admitted to the hospital yesterday afternoon for restricted bronchials and low oxygen levels.  Even when he was sleeping and we had the oxygen right on his nose, he was wavering around 89%.  We had a better night and were sent home this afternoon with breathing treatments, short term steroids, and an antibiotic for an ear infection.  We never did sort out a cause, and we may never know.  But one of the nurses said to us, "once a wheezer, always a wheezer." We're not taking this as a sentence, but just a way to take seriously the way Julian's little airways might be predisposed.  Four of his cousins went through the same thing, and they are all now asthma-free.  

We're good but exhausted.  Julian just fell asleep during his breathing treatment, which is nice considering it usually hypes him up like toddler crack.  

All three of us will settle in for a nap now.  The puppies are with Uncle Davey and Aunt Dink, so the house is quiet under the snow.  

Two years today we went to the hospital to usher our little one into the world.  We're very happy today to be coming home.  We know we've been very fortunate.  This was our first hospital visit in two years.  We didn't discover anything catastrophic and we're coming home in good shape.  I don't know how to express the fullness of my gratitude, so I will just simply say I am thankful.  Life is good.