Back from the ear doctor

Nathaniel went for a six week checkup this week after getting tubes placed in his ears. They seem to have been working fine and, in the week or so before the appointment, really doing their job.

That is, he seemed to have another infection, and it seemed to be draining out of the tube. Sure it was a little ... um ... unsavory, let's say ... but with so many other "unsavory" things babies do, what's one more?

Anyway, fluid was draining from only one ear ... and we found our why at the doctor's office: the other tube was plugged by gunk (although I'm sure the doctor used a better word than "gunk").

So the doc had to ungunkify the ear. To do so, they placed Nathaniel on a board with velcro straps, much like the board you might see in a sporting event if they're trying to immobilize a player who might have a neck injury, Amanda explained to me.

Nathaniel did NOT like the board. In fact, he cried as soon as he saw it, Amanda said. He cried even more as they strapped him down and started to poke into his ear (Amanada said the doc tried to hide the long, scary instruments from Nathaniel and her to keep everyone calm).

But it all ended fairly quickly, and now the ear can get to draining like it's supposed to ... we hope.

PS: Hope nobody got too much flooding in the region, and those who did get the help they need soon.

PS2: Best wishes to Shawn and Kim who should be having their second beautiful baby sometime today!