Happy Halloween and Ben gets a tube in his left ear.

We had a great Halloween trick or treating. Ben got to be a fireman again for three good reasons, #1 He still loves firemen, and fire trucks #2 He doesn't have much of an opinion to express either way, and #3 He fit his fireman costume from last year. And well, he pretty much makes to be the cutest firman ever. Sorry Jake, you are a close second. And as you can see Jonna was the cutest littel pumpkin ever!


I had to dress up a little too, just to make it fun.



The thursday before, we had an appointment with ENT doctor for Ben's fluid in his ear. We have been seeing him since last April with concerns from our daycare provider that Ben was not hearing or speaking well. Developmentally Ben is actually doing great, but being that he has had fluid in his left ear that has decided to stay, the ENT doctor left us the choice of putting a tube in there to drain it out. Which will also help him probably hear better, and leave him a less likely chance this winter to get an infection in the left side. The right side has tested fine over the last several visits, so it hasn't been too much of a worry. Plus, the doc also found out we were flying in an airplane next week and then he stressed the fact about how uncomfortable it could be for Ben. He even pointed out that in some adults, they think they are having a stroke on the plane from the amount of discomfort they get from the fluid in the ear. So, why should Ben have to go through that if we could fix it before then.

Results: the next morning, we went in for a procedure to put the tube in. The most difficult part of all was probably having to keep all liquids and food away from him the morning of for anesthesia purposes. His procedure wasn't until 10am, and he was begging for a glass of milk starting at about 630. We kept telling him we were all out, and would get some at the store after the ear appointment. For the most part, that settled him enough, and he we couldn't really have asked for a better two year old. He went right into the operating room riding in the wagon behind the nurses with a smile on his face. Waking up from the anesthesia was scary, but Mom and Dad were there as soon as allowed. Man, lets talk about the wait during the procedure, which was exactly 23 minutes. I wanted so bad to be there by his side. I couldnt' wait to wrap him up in my arms to make everything better. Ask Jake, as soon as I saw him I dropped everything to the ground in the middle of the hallway, and grabbed him up from the nurse.

So, we took him out to eat afterwards, and he gobbled up a grilled cheese and some apples like nothing. Then at a chocolate chip cookie in the fastest time ever.
So, we shall see how it goes. I am hoping to find a lot less sickness this winter.

On another note, the doctor also recommended saline gel for all of us to help keep away dust, allergies and germs. We are already trying that out. I am always up for anything natural to keep away sickness.

Here's some pics just hanging around the house having fun and being goofy as always!

Of course Ben had to put them on after Jonna!

Jake thought this would be cute!

Ben's balancing act


Jonna with her cousin Sydney at Sydney's one year bday party.

The schwab's and the holee's