Back to where it all began ...

Well, not really where it all began, but where things went a little haywire.

Amanda, Nathaniel and I made a trip back down to the DuPont Hospital in Delaware yesterday -- where Nathaniel had his surgery when he was five days old. We had to go back for a sedated echocardiogram, along with a standard EKG. They had to sedate him to get a really good view of the heart to make sure the valves were growing and working properly, the arteries were keeping up with the demand, the blood was moving at a good speed, etc.

The result: Good news! Everything seems to be fine.

The stress: Incredibly high on us. It seems possible that the stuff they give to sedate Nathaniel might have a "paradoxical effect" ... meaning he was anything by sedate. He was struggling and angry throughout much of the process, then even more angry when we wouldn't let him go afterward. They eventually got a kinda good view of what they were looking for, though, and it was all OK.

Still, stressful on everyone (Nathaniel, for some reason, doesn't like to be held down; nor do we like holding him down).

But good news for Christmas is always nice.

Christmas approaching

We haven't really been able to Christmasize our house yet because we have some work being done inside right now ... but that hasn't stopped Nathaniel from realizing something is going on. There's a tree up at daycare, and he seems very impressed by it. He's also noticed a lot of lights up at neighbors houses and a bunch of packages being delivered.



Yesterday, I was finally able to put up some lights outside, and he seemed pretty darn impressed when he saw them upon returning from daycare.



We should have a tree up this weekend, then Santa will deliver presents overnight, so there will be a big change when he wakes up Christmas morning. Can't wait to see it.

It's always something

So after more than a week of someone or other feeling sick in this household, everything seemed to be moving in the right direction. For whatever reason, I - as usual - am the last one feeling somewhat sick, but Nathaniel seemed mended and Amanda - as usual - was sick for a day or two at most.

But now it seems like Nathaniel might have another ear infection. He was really upset last night, we thought. But we also figured he was just being an (almost) two year old - crying when he didn't get his way. But then he woke up about 90 minutes after going to bed and cried solidly for a good ten minutes, fussing with his one ear the whole time. Very unusual. We gave him some Infant Motrin, and he fell asleep pretty quickly and slept through the night.

We're so used to the ear infections, I guess we shouldn't be surprised. But I can't wait until everyone here is well for a few days straight.

Otherwise, Nathaniel is doing fantastic. He's inquisitive, strong, fast, curious, bold and smart. He still isn't necessarily using as many words as some other kids, but singing the basic concept of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" (even if he doesn't get the words down pat) is pretty good, as far as I'm concerned.