Sunday, June 25, 2017

Dear Daven {June 25, 2017}

Dear Daven-

You are the bravest little boy I know.  Just today we were back in Urgent care because a fever you've struggled with since early Friday morning wouldn't go away.  Today we learned you have your fifth ear infection in 5 months, and that your tonsils which are normally too large are swollen are bright red, although you are without strep.  Friday we were at the ENTs office and learned you will have PE tubes placed on July 13, 2017.  And that possibly next summer you will need to have your tonsils out due to sleep apnea.  The amazing thing about you Daven, is this, in spite of having had recurring ear infections you remain pretty happy, considering.  When you get upset you settle with mom reading you books.  We've read Brown Bear Brown Bear about 500 times now, somedays even reading it upwards of 20 times repeatedly.  In spite of having recurring ear infections you continue to learn new words, albeit, they can be difficult to decipher; however, when your little hand raises and you point a tiny little finger at what you want it's easy to learn what your words are.  At the end of May you started putting two words together (you are only 12 months at this time) the first two phrases were "more milk" and "more bottle".

You have the greatest will, strong persistence, and amazing grit when you are trying to figure new things out.  You continue to do this even when you are not feeling well.  When you get upset with mom, you'll look at her and say "no no" and then quickly swipe her glasses from her face, or you'll quickly take a handful of hair and pull.

Mom has had many offers to help you via Essentia Oils, all of which I have not responded to.  Let me tell you why.  I am a mother of science.  Anatomically this is what has been happening.  Your adenoids when enlarged block off the eustachian tube.  The eustachian tube is what drains the fluid from your inner ear into your pharyngeal area.  When the adenoids block the eustachian tube the fluid just sits in your middle ear, festering until it can a) drain when the eustachian tube is clear/unblocked and/or b) you get an ear infection and your ear drum bursts or you get put on medication to clear it up.  No amount of oil I rub behind your ear or put into your ear is going to change your anatomical makeup.  Each to there own when it comes to oils.  There is a place for them just not in this situation.  They may smell nice if you diffuse them and that smell may help calm a person down.... if you are anxious.

Enough about that.  Daven, you make me a proud Speech Pathologist momma every day.  You follow simple directions, you answer some yes/no questions even if you shouldn't, and your vocabulary growth is constantly amazing me.  Your most recent words have been clock and sky.  I love you to the non planet planet Pluto and beyond and back again.

Today you tried your very first popsicle.  Some people think you look like Papa Walt, some think you look like your da-dads, and I think you look a little like your cousin Emmett.







Dear Daven {May 2, 2017}

Dear Daven-

It's your first birthday today.  You have successfully made your first trip around the sun.

It's difficult to comprehend during the first few months of life, how many changes will happen in the first year.  So perhaps it is best bullet pointed


  • You rarely took a nap longer than 20 minutes the first few months of age
  • Your physical strength has always been much higher than expected for your age
  • You attempted to crawl over a tummy time pillow at 12 weeks of age.
  • You army crawled (by choice) until 10 months of age at which time you decided you could crawl on all fours.
  • You took your first few steps by just walking away from mom one day when you were feeling sick.
  • You have the best grin and belly laugh.
  • You find the dogs sneezes hysterical.
  • You are a hearty eater.  You'll eat most anything besides raspberries.  You loved spaghetti until yesterday.  
  • Your favorite breakfast is Ritz crackers.  You get all excited and start squealing and kicking your feet when I ask you if you want a cracker.
  • You are most determined.  You'll pause when asked to stop; however, insist on continuing the activity that you choose to do.
  • You love books.
  • You have mastered the circle and square on the shape sorter about 1.5 months ago
  • You love experimenting with limits and boundaries
  • You have about 25 words on your first birthday
    Well Hello there...

    This man... my Uncle Trix



    Spaghetti.... mmmm.

    Yes, I'm cute

    Daddy, let's go over there

    What did you say?

    Momma and me



    My da-dads