Belly Jarl

Caroline: Let's go to Rainbow Mountain!

Edward: OK! Let's go!

Caroline: I'm Dora!

Edward: You're Dora!

Caroline: And you're Boots!

Edward: No. I'm not Boots. I'm Edward.

Caroline (thinking): You're Edward.

Edward: I'm Edward.

Caroline: You're Edward the monkey.

Edward: I'm Edward the monkey!

Caroline: You're Edward the monkey... named Boots!

Edward: I'm Boots!

Caroline smiled and steered him toward Rainbow Mountain where - one presumes - she has set up her secret underground lair in preparation for taking over the world through mind control.

The twins have spring break this week. I wondered what I should do with them during this time of unalleviated togetherness but before I could decide I blacked out because they had sucked all the oxygen from the room. When I woke up I no longer cared all that much. Yesterday was Play in the Melting Snow And Then Take a Bath Day. Today is Haircut Day, which is odd because I swear I just got their hair cut five minutes ago and yet Caroline is peering through her bangs again and Edward looks like Andy Gibb. I think Steve and his offspring dedicate the internal resources that other people (Good People, mainly) use toward picking up after themselves to grow hair.

Note: I have often read criticisms of mommy bloggers who type away while their children languish unattended and I have to ask: HOW? Even now that Caroline and Edward have started playing together (and more importantly playing together with 50% less biting pinching bamming and smacking) I still find myself unable to do... anything when they're around. You don't even want to know what I had to offer Steve in order to get him to take them away for two hours so I could write this little chunk of American literary history. 

So forgive the pauses.

Patrick's appointment was so satisfactory that in describing it I want to say silly things like Woot! and Da Bomb.

It was a very cut-and-dried meeting. The ENT looked at his MRI images and then asked me to tell her what was going on with Patrick. I explained the ups and downs of the past two months and reminded her - for what it was worth - that when she removed his tonsils and adenoids in 2009 it was not because there was a clear indication that they were making him so sick, but more because we did not know where else to look for the bacterial infection at that point. 

She said, oh yeah, that was a last ditch thing wasn't it and proceeded as if she was dealing with something that might be chronic. This sounds like a minor point but my fear was that they would ask me how long Patrick has had sinus infections and I would say, oh, does he have sinus infections? and they would tell me to come back in six months after I'd kept a record.

Actually I did say that I was surprised by the MRI findings because Patrick has never had a runny nose or nasal congestion or anything to indicate that this might be a problem. She said that that in itself could be the problem; meaning nothing is draining. She asked what had been done so far and then tactfully but firmly rejected the ten days of omnicef prescribed by pediatrician II. She said that ten days of anything in isolation will not help a kid with infected sinuses so she wants him to continue the omnicef at least for another two weeks plus an oral steroid for three days followed by a topical steroid until further notice. The hope is to bring down the inflammation and allow Patrick's bacterial swamps to clear enough for him to either get well or for her to be able to see what is going on in there.  She didn't seem particularly hopeful about the former possibility (although maybe I'm reading more into her manner - and the pamphlet she gave me on pediatric sinus surgery - than was there) but we'll see.

She then scheduled him for a mini CT scan in her office in three weeks (lower dose radiation, 20 second head shot) followed by another appointment with her. If the antibiotics and steroids are effective at treating his existing infections we will then move on to determining cause (allergies or sensitivites, for example) and managing as needed. If the antibiotics and steroids do eff all then she will try to figure out why and work from there.

So that's that and if you asked me whether I would rather give a cat a pill or get Patrick to take his Flonase I would have to think very very hard about it.

In other Patrick-related news we went to look at the school like his current school (look at me trying to skate around the word "gifted" - I really am neurotic on this subject) only closer to us and with a sixth grade  and we really liked it. I mean, Steve and I really liked it and then I brought Patrick for the kids' visit day and he really liked it too. He astonished me during the presentation, raising his hand repeatedly to ask the current students questions about the program (decent ones, too, like "Would you say that they try to incorporate fun into all the classes?" and "Do you have a music room?" and "How would you rank this playground against your previous school?") and when I went to take his hand during the tour he slipped away from me and walked with the principal. As they turned the corner ahead of me I heard him asking her when the school was built and whether they have problems with ice dams. He amuses me and more to the point I always think of him as being so shy. Clearly he's no longer shy. Aggressively chatty might be a better description.

At the end of the tour the head of the district's programming asked what he had thought of the playground.

He said, "Liked it, liked the school, hope I get a spot here." 

That was a month ago and he's been checking the mail ever since. He got his acceptance letter on Saturday and I sent his enrollment forms on Monday. It seems like a great school and I am optimistic that being geographically closer to his classmates will net him more opportunities for spontaneous social interaction. There is nothing spontaneous about driving half an hour each way.

Oh and thank you very much for your thoughts on phones and things like phones. You were very helpful. I have tentatively added an iPhone to my list of things I want one day when I am feeling like throwing money around (I was intrigued by the iPad suggestions but have concluded that ya'll must live in much more Wifi'd areas that I do - we have it in very few public spaces out here.) So the iPhone is now snuggled on my list of things I don't need between the insanely expensive KitchenAid Mixer attachment set that would enable me to make my own crackers and one of those little robot floor cleaners. I saw an ad for a new one last night - called a Mint I think - that showed this small box zipping along cleaning floors and I gasped. Steve was, like, "OH NO, NO MORE FLOOR CLEANERS. You have a PROBLEM" and I shushed him as I rewound the commercial. The people in it looked so happy. There they were with their feet up having drinks and the floor cleaning cube picked up cat hair and Cheerios in the background. It was like seeing Valhalla.

What? How can they be home already?

Comments

[Betterasamemory]

So glad to see a new post!

A few things-first, pediatric sinus surgery really isn't a terrible thing. I had it twice. Once when I was 7 and again when I was 8 or 9. I, like Patrick, despised my Flonase-and still do. Regardless, the worst parts of the surgeries were the preparation (MRIs, scopes, etc)and my fear of how they would administer the anesthesia (gas made me dry heave horribly the first time, deathly fear of needles). The surgery/recovery wasn't bad at all. I went through the whole allergy test, all sorts of scans, blood draws, etc. and they never found out what was causing my problems. However, after the second surgery I never really had a sinus problem again (I'm 25 now). PLUS, my mother was an RN at the time and very diligent with health concerns...so it happens to the most worried of mothers.

Second, not impressed by the Roomba. It's easier and faster to just vacuum myself. It repeatly does the same parts of the floor and ignores others. It takes hours to complete one room. It does a mediocre job. And it gets stuck on the most mundane things--not to mention how annoyed and confused it gets if a cat/child/you get in its way. That beeping noise haunts me.

[Jenny]

This is totally off-topic, but your discussion of Patrick's school made me think of it. I know you've discovered the marvels of Diana Wynne Jones now (yessss) but have you read any of Trenton Lee Stewart's books? They're a series called the Mysterious Benedict Society and while that sounds a little hokey they are excellent books about gifted kids. Not someone's stupid idea about elitist superior gifted kids. Realistic ones. Give them a whirl.

[Slim]

People are breaking my heart but saving me money in re: robotic vacuums.

Can't Caroline talk Edward into loving to vacuum?

I love the mushrooms/fancy infection theory, if only because it's so Dr House.

[Chris]

Ben and Alya have SB this week too. Spring Break gets the eye.

[Jan]

Just a data point on letting your kids run wild while at the computer:

I have found that if I don't limit the amount of mess I allow them to make, I can get HOURS of entertain-themselves time out of my kids. They are 5 and 6, though, and neither seems to have the ... er ... "naughty" streak that one of yours (who shall remain nameless) does.

Their favorite game consists of getting out suitcases and filling them with random things and then taking a trip together. To the living room. Where they unpack all the things, spread blankets out on the floor and work puzzles. Astonishingly, none of this ever gets put away in a timely fashion, so I have to think veerrrry carefully about whether the up front reward is worth the later cost.

I tell myself I'm fostering their independence and imagination.

[amanda]

Julia!!!! THE MINT WILL SAVE YOU!!!!

I got mine, what two weeks ago, and I AM IN LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE.

Tell Steve to eff off, IT IS WORTH EVERY PENNY.

Maybe I will email with more praises. Seriously. BUY IT.

[Pam L]

Boots!!! Ha ha ha ha, you are in SO much trouble with that little girl. One of these days soon you too will fall under her spell and agree to something you would never agree to and then say "Wait, what?" as she is out the door. Too funny!

Glad to hear there is a plan for Patrick on the health front AND the school front.

I too saw the Mint, and if I had and extra $200 to throw around I would buy one not to set it to clean while I was out, but so I could watch it work for me, while I made a mess eating popcorn , as often happens!

[Laurie]

oh, I do so love that Caroline! Edward the monkey, indeed! At least she didn't want him to be Charlie, prancing off to Candy Mountain.

WONDERFUL news on the Patrick front, both health wise and school wise. After all, as long as the playground is good all else will follow.

[Amy]

I was giggling so hard after reading the exchange between Caroline and Edward that my husband had to come out and read what was making me laugh. I have only one at that age, but I can imagine that similar conversations would take place if I had two. Thanks for the smile.

Also, I am so glad to hear that you are making progress in figuring out what is causing Patrick to be sick. I know that it must be a relief to have a plan of action. Also, also, I am happy that Patrick is excited about the new school. The ability to have friends close by is so important.

[Smumzie]

1. So glad to hear about a possible diagnosis and serious course of treatment for Patrick (and that his doctor is treating it as something chronic finally - if that's what you meant you felt it was).
2. HOWEVER, I was on steroids for supraglotitis last year and later when I had to have a totally unrelated surgery, the fact that I was on a steroid became a serious issue. I had to take a "step down course" of other steroids after the surgery for some reason. Just so you know that you should mention them if you ever have to take Patrick to a doctor who doesn't know about them for something else.

3. I bought one of those stupid robot floor cleaners and ended giving it to my nephew as a toy. They're crap. Your floor has to be completely clear in a certain "pattern" the first time you run it and it remembers this pattern. So the next time it runs if you have a stool say in a different place than it was the first time, it messes things all up. Suddenly the robot thinks the room is half the normal size and changes patterns so that it rams itself into walls and other objects. Then it stops before self docking so it doesn't recharge and the next time you need it, it's dead.

Hope this helps. LOVE your kids. Wish we lived closer.

[winecat]

Count me as one of those people checking daily for updates : )

Glad that Patrick is on the mend and liked the new school. I remember what it was like to live far away from my school friends - never mind that my cousins lived right next door, it just wasn't the same.

Ah, sigh, Caroline. I cannot imagine the world without her or "Boots"

[amanda]

To reply to Smumzie... the mint is actually cool in that it builds a new map every time you turn it on. Yay!

[Jenn]

I think Caroline should be referred to from now on as "She Who Must Be Obeyed."

And so glad to hear that Patrick's diagnosis may be as straightforward as allergies. And that he seems to have found a school where he'll be happy and challenged and not so far from his new classmates.

Also, for Edward's own protection, it's probably a good thing that he has teeth and isn't afraid to use them.

[tgsdmom]

Seems like Patrick is getting better or, at least, not worse. I am happy about that and that his issues are seriously addressed.

The twins' dialog is priceless. Love Halyn's response to it.

[Tine]

Caroline needs a Yoda, STAT. She must get in touch with her inner Jedi so that she develops her powers for good and does not join the Dark Side of the Force.

I have no advice for Patrick's sinus issues. My hubby has chronic sinus problems too, and we've yet to figure out a solution to them. This week I finally convinced him to try a saline rinse -- something I've been trying to do for months because you recommended it somewhere along the way. I remember saying you were a skeptic, but tried it and felt so much better.

Same thing happened to hubby. I loved hearing him say, "You were right. I should've tried that a long time ago." (*smiling smugly over here*)

I wonder if the saline rinse thingy would help clear out Patrick's sinus swamp? Did the ENT mention anything like that?

[Terri C]

So glad for all the good news--a plan to go forward for Patrick's sinuses, the new school and Patrick's delight therein. Caroline is simply a force of nature. I dunno about robotic vacuums, they wouldn't work here because of all the DUST AND DOG HAIR, HOW DOES THAT GET IN HERE??? HOW, PEGGY??? (Peggy's one of the Irish Wolfhounds.) If most of what gets on the floor is food, you might try borrowing an Alaskan Malamute. A friend had one, and at a toddler birthday party said friend and her husband were regretting the combo of pale carpets and chocolate cupcakes. They let the dog in for a minute and didn't even have to vacuum afterwards. They do shed impressively though.

[Cat]

http://www.nosefrida.com/ I know this looks very odd but it really really works - especially when combined with a product called Simply Saline which is saline to flush out sinuses with under a kind of gentle pressure that helps like regular nose spray saline products dont. Also have used this for getting stuck sinuses unstuck:http://www.evitamins.com/product.asp?pid=3227 contains same active ingredient as Mucinex but ALSO has some kind of Cherry Bark extract that my herbal expert friend says reduces swelling in sinuses so that they can drain - I assume you have used Mucinex already?

[Julie]

Just a quick comment on the Roomba: we have an early version (maybe four years old?) and I like it. It isn't perfect, and yes, it gets stuck sometimes and goes dead, and we have to find it and put it back on the dock to charge, but it works. It doesn't work as well as doing it myself, but I AM NOT DOING IT MYSELF. For inbetween cleanings, it helps. Not perfect, but with three cats and three little kids, it really does help. (We have hardwood floors with area rugs, and a crappy linoleum floor in the kitchen). But I do want a Mint. So why don't you buy one and tell me how it works.

[Margie]

The beautiful new ipad that my husband purchased for my birthday was immediately taken over by my 7 yr. oldest son..So much for that! He should have saved some money and bought him a Nintendo Ds for my birthday. Stick to the iphone for your wish list. Glad your son is on the mend..

[jen w]

I don't know much about it, but can't you set up wifi in your home, if you have wireless? Or because of your location you can't get it where you live? Isn't your computer wireless???

Roomba - had one, it broke down, would cost more than the vacuum to fix. Not a fan. GEts stuck, doesn't get corners, etc. I would not recommend.

[Julie]

Funniest Caroline/Edward exchange ever! I've been laughing all week!

[Katerina]

Ha ha ha... I'm sorry but that mushroom comment just about killed me. You don't catch fungus infections from mushrooms... but at any rate if Patrick had a morel or a boletus sprouting in one of his sinuses, surely the MRI would spot it.

Btw where I'm from, mushroom "hunting" is a national pastime and everyone including kids does it. It's a great hobby but you better know your basics before you eat the shrooms.

[carrie]

I had a roomba, but it took forever to vacuum the room (up to 2 hours before it went to its docking station). I think if you have a square or rectangular room it works great, but throw it a curve (or an L shaped room) and it's forever vacuuming.

I covet the kitchen aid mixer, but my husband says I actually have to bake if I have one, not just look at it sitting all pretty on my counter.

Love your site.

[Priscilla]

Nasonex! Much less icky than Flonase. Best of luck with Patrick.

[Maria]

I'm glad people are better, or that there are plans in place for people to be getting better. Your ENT sounds so trustworthy (based on your last experiences with her and this visit)

I actually am enjoying the floor cleaning side conversation going on here in the comments.

But I am surprised that The Holy Season is now upon us and that you haven't said word one about brackets and how you're all doing on that part of March.

[victoria]

Your children are enchanting, and so, so, so luky to have a mom who's documenting their adorable childhoods like this. You capture toddler dialog like no one else. I'm still treasuring Edward's negotiating with you about potty training ("You need to have your diaper changed, it smells," "I thmell rotheth"; "Why don't you sit on the potty and we can read this book about trucks," "I have five carth.")

Or the time you got a report from Edward's speech therapist that he was ready to graduate, and then later the same day, you looked at a book with them and Edward said, "I thee a bird," and Caroline said, "It's an eagle! Hello eagle! Fly away to your nest! Good bye, eagle!"

The record is so precise and careful and charming; it's priceless. They and their children will treasure it.

[alexandrahunt]

I'm so happy to hear that there has been progress on the let's-fix-Patrick-ASAP front. My father in law had sinus surgery, and without confronting him or checking out his sinus cavities myself (how?), it seemed to be successful!