6 ear infections in one year...too much?

They told us Kayla would get sick often when she entered into Preschool. But 6 ear infections in one year! Geesh!

Ear infections were commonplace with Kayla when she started day care. We had a feeling they were a little too frequent. The last time I took Kayla in she had an ear infection and the doctor mentioned the next ear infection may warrant tubes. This was a week ago Thursday. The doctor placed Kayla on antibiotics and she finished those on Monday. I made an appointment for a follow up today. On Saturday she got a little sniffle, then yesterday she had no appetite. Today my mom took her to her appointment to find out her right hear was engorged/infected while her left ear was starting a little infection itself. The doctor decided to take serious action and gave Kayla two shots full of antibiotics while prescribing her Omnicef as well. She also let my mom know she would be calling with a referral for an ear, nose, and throat doctor. So, now we have to take Kayla in for a consultation for the possibility of tubes.

I guess this is happening at a pretty good time. My mom is home and I'll be home in a month or so. The doctor said we could wait until Riley is here before taking any action. But, when it rains it pours. I blame Mike for this because he had tubes twice when he was a kid. I'm at the point where if tubes will help so Kayla won't get sick as often then I am all for it!

Wish us luck!

Pink Friday

This Friday is Pink Friday where all educators are wearing pink as a silent protest against budget cuts and layoffs. If you know anyone who is an educator wear pink to support them.

Luckily for me, I'm safe (I think) we'll know by Friday. But I have some good friends and excellent teachers who will be losing their job. These cuts frustrate me, especially when we have more people in government position who don't do much and we cater to inmates in prisons. How is it that prisoners get three free meals a day (often covering all the major food groups) and our kids get a choice of fried chicken sandwiches, nachos, fries, and chicken nuggets? Its no wonder we have an obesity problem in the US. I watch as kids get Baked Hot Cheetos and cover them in nacho cheese sauce. This is their lunch. Why do we spend more money on people who have done something illegal than the future of our children.

Why do we spend millions of dollars on a program that covers what teachers learn in their credential program? Isn't there a more efficient way to spend our money? Why is there no penalty for parents who's kids are absent at least once a week? Why do we lose the good teachers just because they are new? So many unanswered questions.

Pregnancy - Week 28

Well, I'm seven months with only 2 more months to go. It can't come sooner. I'm back to being exhausted, uncomfortable and swollen. This pregnancy is definitely different from Kayla. I come home to wanting nothing but sleep. Unfortunately that is not an option since Kayla is a ball of energy. This time my legs and feet are swollen by the time I get home, to point where I don't want to stand. I can't get comfortable to save my life. The only position that I find comfortable is laying in bed with a pillow between my knees. I'm trying my best not to use the body pillow since the last time it took over the entire bed. I get mean acid reflux at all times of the day. It doesn't even have to be right after a meal. I have to carry around tums or gum at all times. It's almost like being nauseous again.

On the other hand, this pregnancy is just like Kayla. I have a lot of difficulty breathing, he feels like he is up in my ribs, and I have stopped having a lot of back pain.

I've been feeling the Braxton Hicks Contractions on a daily basis. They are not comfortable, but luckily they only come one or two at a time.

I am worried about going into labor this time. Last time I was induced so I'm not even sure what it really feels like. Plus, Mike works out in Marina del Rey and the last thing I want is for him to miss it due to traffic. I'm on my feet more often than the last time so I hope I won't go into labor really early, like during class.

We're down to the home stretch. Let the countdown begin. 9 weeks to go.

Tomboy just like her mother.

Its apparent that Mike and I have definitely influenced Kayla's interests.

Kayla likes the Dodgers (although I would rather she like the Angels), the Lakers, and the Kings (although I would rather she like the Ducks). She loves to watch baseball and hockey. She's warming up to basketball. AND she can hit a moving baseball. She is a toddler true to form though because although she loves going to watch the games, we can always count on her to want to leave sometime around the end of the first period or fifth inning. "Mommy I wanna go!" We can usually convince her to stay a little longer, but we'll here those four words every couple minutes. I guess we can just be thankful that she enjoys going to the games or else we would have to find a sitter every time we want to go to a game.

We decided to go to the Kings game on Valentine's Day and she had a great time. Its nice that she is starting to understand the games and what everything means. Although at the same time, not so nice since the game broke out in three fights on Saturday. At least we were able to explain the fights and she knows fights are only ok during hockey. I just hope she really understands.

Happy New Year!

You know you are getting old when your daughter and the family fall asleep at the same time before midnight.

We decided to start a family tradition. We each picked out a movie, bought some popcorn and red vines and settled down for a movie marathon. We began by watching the movie Kayla picked "Mary Poppins." We watched that movie and ate some popcorn and red vines in the den. After that we gave Kayla a bath and moved into our bedroom to watch movie number 2 that Kayla picked the old cartoon "Horton Hears a Who." By this time it is about 9pm. We decided to let Kayla stay up as long as she could. The next thing I remember is Mike taking Kayla into her bedroom at about 10:30pm. We had all fallen asleep. I fell back asleep to wake up again at 1:30am and realize we had slept through the new year, all of us.

Next year we are going to have to work harder to stay awake to ring in the new year.

Happy new year to everyone.

New Year's Resolutions:

1. Stay ahead in planning.
2. Eat healthy and exercise.
3. Have a happy, healthy baby.
4. Spend more time with the family.

Thursday December 25 - Christmas Day!

Kayla was so excited to make cookies for Santa. But she was more excited the next morning. She woke up and called, "Mommy! Mommy!" Then she yelled, "Its Christmas!" She was excited to see Santa had eaten her cookies and drank her milk. She had presents under the tree and presents in her stockings. She has learned how to pose with her presents for pictures. We like to call her "Vanna White."

Wednesday December 24 - Eating lunch with the Chan's.

We met with R.C, Wei Yan, Max, Ryan and Auntie Janice for lunch at a local Thai/Sushi restaurant. Kayla is going to be a great big sister. She played well with Max. She was conscious of Max and was very nurturing. It was great to see the two cousins playing together.


Then, we made cookies to put out for Santa. A tradition I hope to continue every year.



The adults finished the most frustrating puzzle. It was like putting together a puzzle and "Where's Waldo" at the same time. But the family did finish it.