I know.... I know....

.....Im behind again... No Christmas post, No birthday post.  But let me just give a brief play by play of the past month.

Middle of December: we moved to Rexburg, Idaho.  We are almost all the way unpacked and settled.  I will be so grateful when we finally get around to hanging up our pictures and stuff.  I will be even more grateful when there are NO MORE random boxes of stuff in random places.

December 25th: Obviously Christmas.  It was a really nice and fun day, but as all of you know. B.U.S.Y.  Before and after Christmas just felt so busy and almost overwhelming.

December 26th: Hayden had a fever.  Went to the dsoctor, Ear infection in the right ear... yes another one, the first one was only a month and a half ago.  At least this one wasn't as bad as the first and he didn't need a shot of antibiotics.

December 30th:  Hayden has a weird crazy rash all over.  Almost hive like, but he didn't seem itchy.  I called the pharmacist, who said to stop his meds for the ear infection immediately since he was probably having a reaction.  awesome.  Luckily, we were in Utah for his 12 month check up and family bday party, so we were going to his pediatrician the next day. 

December 31st:  12 month check up.  Dr said Hayden was healthy and looked great.  His ears were even clear and we didn't need anymore medicine.  But he said the rash was from the penicillin in his prescription, so no more penicillin for him.  He had the regular 4 shots and had to do a finger prick for lead and to check his hemaglobin levels.  The doctor also had to check his circumcision and fix it a little, which was anything but fun.  We both cried....
Side note:
Hayden's 12 month stats:
Weight: 22.5lbs  55%  Length: 29.75 inches 50%  He has slimmed down SOOOO much since he started walking or running really....  He use to be in the 80-90th percentile.
Head: 47.5 cm 80%  well that's still in the 80% hes really smart :)

January 5th: Hayden has 102 fever, with Tylenol and/or Motrin.  Go to the doctor AGAIN!  and its a DOUBLE full blow ear infection AGAIN!  I could have died, the poor boy is miserable and the doctor that checked him was super old and a total jerk.  I honestly considered punching him in the face.  Hayden was scared of him(which I was a little too, he looked scary and I was afraid he was gonna die on us. he was seriously so old) and he kept telling Hayden, "Stop!  Its not that bad, your fine."  I was so mad, one Hayden has serious stranger and separation anxiety and the doctor was anything but friendly.  Two, the poor boy had a super high fever I couldn't get down.  And three he has a double ear infection! it is that bad dude! We will not see him ever again. We scheduled a follow up appointment for the next Wed(with another doctor) and then bring on an ENT and tubes! yay?

January 10th: today... oh ya, you know we went to the doctor again.  Hayden has an awful barking cough and then he wheezes after.  It makes my stomach turn over.  It's the worst sound ever hearing your kid gasp for air.  Diagnosis: croup, of course...that famous barking, wet cough always equals croup.  Ive heard the cough before but not out of Hayden.  It's so much worse hearing it out of your baby.  And his ears were both still pink, even after having meds for 5 days.  They gave him a shot of steroids to help with the inflammation of his throat, and to help his cough; if its not better we go back tomorrow.  I pray that it's better. 

So....a grand total of 4 doctors visits in 3 weeks.  5 if you count the one we have scheduled on Wednesday, and hopefully not 6 visits if he is still barking tomorrow.  Lots of fun at our house, I hate the cold weather here. hate hate hate hate it.  but at least it will help Hayd's awful cough. He has been so so so grouchy and clingy.  The poor guy has got to feel just awful.  And our neighbors above us probably hate us and are considering reporting us to DCFS.  Hayden cries all. the. time.  I feel so awful for him.  I hope he gets better soon.

With all this yuck going on right now, it makes me grateful to know we can take him into the doctor.  That we have insurance and don't have to stress out about a huge medical bill.  Especially at this time in our Country when so many people don't have it.  I'm grateful he's got his little immune system trying to work and fight off all the bugs.  I know he will  get better eventually and his body will be stronger for it.

I hope everyone is having a Happy New Year!  We are thinking about ya :)