Oh what a week

Sit down, pour a cup of coffee...this is going to be a long one.  Man, so much has happened in the last week (or two...I've lost count).  I tried to sit down and compose individual posts for each event, but you know what?  I'm about to enter my eighth month of pregnancy (in other words, I'm fat and feeling heavy), I'm still working full time, and I'm managing a home and a toddler (thank God for Billy and all his help lately).  So, I know you will understand the following hodge podge of a post.  Thank you in advance...

First up, Core's First Birthday Party...

Billy was out of town, so Beau and I drove up to Baton Rouge together to celebrate with Core.  (PS - Nat, I know you keep calling him "Baby Core" but, guess what?  HE IS NOW OFFICIALLY A TODDLER!  Kind of rocks your world, no?) 

Beau and Core hanging out after cake.

The birthday boy and his baby blues!

Beau had a WONDERFUL time hanging out with Core and all of his cousins.  Some of Core's new gifts were real big hits - especially the inflatable car ball pit!  Holy cow did he have a good time in that thing! 

Just like the doctor's office...except no shots!

I think it's safe to say he enjoyed this one...

...a lot. 

Next, Colin's Birthday Party in Storyland...

Yes, we are now professionals at the birthday party scene.  Colin's party actually marked three parties in four weeks for the Brian clan.  This time Billy was in town so we all made the trip to City Park.  Storyland was an adorable setting for a birthday party.  And, despite the bonechilling cold (yes, it was about 40 degrees and breezy outside) Beau had a wonderful time. 

That way!  I want to go that way!

So cold, but so much fun!

Weee!!!

But dad, all the other kids are doing it. 

Buddies.

Knock, knock.  Anyone home?

Yep, still cold. 

My boys.  *Sigh*

Yea, I think I'll leave this one alone. 

A rare picture with mommy. 

"Houston, we're having fun!"

Also, it was so nice seeing some of our friends with whom we should stay in better touch.  The occasional phone call, facebook message, and annual Christmas card really are insufficient. 

Star of the Week...

Well, last week Beau had his best week at school yet!  He napped well, ate well (shocker), and played well with his classmates.  And, to top it off, he got the baby in the king cake at their Friday king cake party.  And so, to mark his great week, Beau was named "Star of the Week." 

As Star of the Week, Beau had the honor of bringing home for the weekend the class stuffed animal Ted E. Bear, as well as, a great book called, "I Love you So."  His instructions were to spend the weekend with Ted and take lots of pictures to share in the Star of the Week journal. 

When he realized that I sat Ted next to him...well, he gave me the evil eye.

Well, guess what...Beau HATED Ted.  Seriously, he wanted nothing to do with him.  At one point after practically forcing the teddy bear on him he looked at me, walked up to Ted, kissed him on the nose and then after making sure I saw him, knocked him down to the ground. 

As such, all of the photographs were staged!  Shhhhh...it'll be our secret. 

Another first...

Beau had his first dentist appointment Thursday.  He was a trooper, only briefly whining when I laid him on the table.  Beau's dentist, Dr. Brausell was great though.  And Beau loved him.  Beau, without prompting, pointed to his teeth and exclaimed proudly for the dentist, "TEETH!"  Dr. Brausell was impressed.  ;)  He also saw the LSU football mural on the wall and threw up his arms as if to say, "Touch down!"  Again, Dr. Brausell was impressed. 

His teeth look good and actually he has a few more than average for his age.  Dr. Brausell was particularly happy to hear that Beau is just as content sipping ice cold water as opposed to juice.  Such a smart kid. 

And of course, a visit to a doctor's office is not complete without Beau's requisite flirting with the office staff ladies.  He's such a romeo.  And of course, they were all smitten. 

The Never Ending Ear Infection...

As reported earlier, about two weeks into school Beau came down with an ear infection.  After a few days of antibiotics, we discovered he was allergic to Penicillin.  Sheesh. 

Well the ear infection had not resolved, so on to another strain of antibiotics.  At his 15 month well check, his pediatrician put him on clarithorimycin and we crossed our fingers. 

Saturday night Beau seemed a little lethargic and had a mild grade fever.  We chalked it up to us being bad parents and keeping him out in the cold for an hour for Colin's birthday party.  We were wrong.  He woke up Sunday with a fever and tugging (actually more like, boxing) his ears.  He was a pitiful mess all day.  I think he stayed in either Billy's or my arms for 75% of the day.  Ibuprofen did seem to help, but he just wasn't feeling up to snuff. 

Monday morning was the worst.  He woke up with a high fever and feeling absolutely miserable.  To add insult to injury, he was teething too.  Damn eye teeth!  Again, ibuprofen helped...but there's only so much of that you can give a kiddo.  So, off to the pediatrician we went. 

What fever?

As suspected the ear infection was still there.  So, we are trying yet another antibiotic.  Ugh.  Last night his fever broke in the middle of the night, so maybe there is some light at the end of that tunnel.  And hopefully this antibiotic will do the trick.  Most of his moaning last night was actually due to teething pain.  I mean, can this kid catch a break?! 

So, say a prayer that he gets to feeling better soon.  I do have to say in typical Beau fashion he is trying his hardest to be pleasant through it all.  Monday, while laying on my chest exhausted from fever and teething pain he tried to bob his head and shake his hand to the Jersey Shore theme song.  (No, I did not know that Jersey Shore had a them song either.  And yes, we were watching Jersey Shore.  I tried putting on Yo Gabba Gabba and the Backyardigans and he just cried.  I started flipping channels for anything and that is when his ears heard the "thump thump thump" of the mindless - and I mean mindless - Jersey Shore theme song.) 

The 15 Month Check up...

Beau had his 15 month check up and with the exception of the ear infection, he is doing splendidly.  He is over 32 inches, putting him somewhere between the 75th and 90th percentile for height.  His weight is just under 25 pounds, which puts him right at the 50th percentile. 

Dr. Richard said physically he is developing right on target or a little advanced.  (Beau has gone from being a timid walker to a fearless runner.  Ask Murphy; he's really bearing the brunt of that development!)  I did ask her about his eating habits - the child can eat more at a sitting than I can sometimes!  I was informed that "technically" he could stand to gain some more weight so...eat away!  I'm sure he was happy to hear that. 

Our big boy!

In other developmental milestones, he was also doing great.  Although he went on a two week "talking strike" (he refused to use words in front of us; although I caught him "reading" books to himself when no one was watching), his vocabulary is pretty expansive.  He's still really only mastered nouns, but will throw out the occasional adjective ("pretty," "hot") and verb ("eat"). One of his favorite things to do is to point to and call out facial features - "teeth," "eyes," "ears."  Adorable.  Oh and he moos and barks...which brings me to yesterday...

Should I be concerned...

Yesterday during an ibuprofen high, Beau was feeling good and playing with Murphy.  I think maybe they are spending a little too much time together.  Beau crawled up to me, "woofed", and then licked my leg.  Hmmmm...talk about monkey see, monkey do! 

UPDATE:  Well, the fever is long gone, the teeth broke through yesterday evening, and little dude slept through the night and is in a wonderful playful mood this morning.  Maybe the worst is behind us!  Now, let's just hope that new antibiotic works!