March 27, 2016

Easter Sunday

Hi, folks! Well, we are on the road home from the hospital, if you can believe it. When I last blogged, I was looking forward to a week at the beach. 

Little did I know...

...that I would get hit with an ear infection my first morning in Anna Maria Island. 

I got some delicious amoxicillin at Urgent Care. 

But I still spent most of the week being really sick. 

Then I woke up on Friday and threw up twice. Mom and dad were worried, so they took me to the ER. After they saw me in triage, we got sent to a holding room. Dad looked at the holding room board, and he started to get really worried about me because I had the same priority number as an older man who walked in clutching his chest, and whose face had turned progressively grey in the waiting room. 

The ER Doctor saw us right away in an open room in the back (we could hear the older gentleman taking about how his poop had turned black).  She said we needed to stay overnight in a children's hospital. She also said she wanted to do a lumbar puncture. They took some blood samples and moved us to a private room to do the lumbar puncture.  I didn't cry during any of this. Mom and dad thought I was especially brave, but they found out later that those are really bad signs. Our ER doc said my spinal fluid was clear during the lumbar puncture, and she said, "Well that's a relief, because if there were problems it would be cloudy." 

Mom and dad felt good about that, so dad went to find some sandwiches for everyone, because we hadn't eaten in hours. While he was out, the ER doctor came back with the results. She said, "Bad news, it's bacterial meningitis."  Mom said, "Oh, well that's good- it's not viral. Means there are antibiotics." The doc said, "No, this is the bad one." Mom asked, "Well what is the prognosis on this?" The ER Doctor looked very flustered, and she couldn't look mom in the eye. She said, "Ack," and left the room. Meanwhile, I was laying there in my skivvies because it was really hot. 

Dad came back right after the Doctor left, and mom told him the results. He said, "Oh jeez." But they didn't want to scare me so they just held my hands. Someone came by and taped up a sign saying no contact, and everyone coming into the room started wearing masks and gowns. 

A little while later a nice nurse named Tristan came in and was bumbling around trying to get an IV started for me. He eventually just sat down on my cot and hand pushed the IV antibiotics. He said, you need this now, you can't wait for me to figure out this new machine. He was wearing a "world's best dad" copper bracelet, and he had dark colored tattoos  up both of his arms. 

A random woman came in and said, "Mark is going to take a helicopter to the hospital." Mom just lost it then. But luckily, they were able to take me in a regular ambulance, and mom was able to go with me. Dad has a good pic, I'll post that next week. 

Long story short, I woke up in the hospital in the worst pain of my life. Mom says she's never heard a scream like the ones I had. Luckily, they gave me a ton of morphine and antibiotics.

I stayed in the hospital for ten days. This is what my bed looked like on day two. 

They took me off isolation on day three or four, and that made me so incredibly happy because it meant I could go to the playroom. 

It also meant I got to tool around in a wagon. (Said my first sentence- "No more books").

I got to see grandma and grandpa (and great uncle Jim and great aunt Lucia)! And 

I let the actors in A Dolphin's Tale do a photo op with me.

I created some art, and I'm not sure if you can see here, but I met two nice dogs in the hospital, Molly and Sarah. 

I played on an outdoor boat playground.  

Took some selfies with mom. 

Spent some quality time with pops. 

And took time to smell the flowers. 

But ten days in the hospital is a long time. Here is me pondering life on the outside. 

This is me during my last IV infusion. 

We are en route home now! Yay! This is our celebration grilled cheese in Gainseville. I will be so happy to get to see Ender, finally. 

Love you all! Thanks for your support through everything. I'm feeling much better, just need to get some practice in so I can be up and walking again. 

Marky

March 13 2016

I am 14 months old today! Very exciting and really 14 months is new 12 months,

Big week this week, getting ready for spring break. 

First I had to dress up for school picture day. Here is a selfie after I got home:

Then the long trip to Florida, mom and dad did better than I thought, they made it out of Georgia before they needed to stop. Good job guys! 

Road trips don't bother me, so I just napped

We stopped at McDonald's, I didn't eat much of the burger

But I enjoyed dipping the fries in ketchup

We finally made it to the beach, it was windy but I ran into the ocean anyway. Grandma and Ama made it in today!

It isn't just fun and games in Florida. There is a lot of sand to dig and a lot of sweeping to be done. I hope I am able to finish everything before we go back to Atlanta. Here I am sweeping the patio for everyone 

Looking forward to a week at the beach! See you next time 

March 6, 2016

March 6, 2016

Exciting week this week as always. Mom went up to New York to visit my cousin John and dad was in out in Omaha for some reason

Here I am reading my Boss Baby book from aunt Lis

We  went to the playground and the duck pond after my swimming class so I loaded up on carbs for the trek

I fed the ducks some bread but the fish ate most of it. I looked for turtles but they are still hibernating I think. 

I went down my favorite slide a few times. Mom made it to the top but I think she was too scared to ride it. Maybe next time

Ps why is my bib so tiny!

I found a good stick by the duck pond in case anyone tries to steal my raisins

We went home and I offered Ender some of my crackers. He declined

 I think ender's vocabulary may be a bit limited so I started meowing at him 

And one pic of little john, he is so tall already!

Last week of school before spring break! Florida or bust! 

Have a good week everyone

February 28, 2016

Hi, everyone!

My school sent some great photos. Here we are working on sticker art. 

This is a kinesthetic activity- what was once known as crawling through a tunnel. 

This is a free play puzzle, i.e., a Folgers tin with a hole.

This is interactive parallel play- meaning that I am bigger than Jacob so I get to use the slide. Don't feel too bad for Jacob. A few kids crawled right over me at the playground this week. 

Ender has been getting lessons too. His spelling is impeccable. 

But mostly, he is up to his old tricks. I believe this pic is from Auntie Lis.

Mom and dad took me to the playground.    You need a stick to play those bells. Who thought that was a good idea!

We also fed the ducks- but I ate most of the bread!

I'm really drooly this week cause I have new teeth coming in. 

Love you all!

Marky

February 20, 2015

Hi, everyone!

Aunt Lis came to see us!!

She even came to daycare. I was so excited to see her at school! Mom took this creeper shot through the two way mirror. I am watching Miss Sarah here. 

After we left school, we went to the aquarium. 

Auntie Lis was able to spot tons of fish and whale sharks. 

Mom too!

I got to eat snacks in front of the tanks. So fun!

I also got up to zip around the tanks for a minute. 

This is a shot of Aunt Lis inside the aquarium tunnel. 

Mom kind of panicked and almost bought me two toys cause of a sale they had going on. 

Today we walked the beltline. 

Mom let me try fries. I don't like them. 

But I do like dipping things! This week my new word is "walrus," and I can answer questions about animal sounds and point to some body parts. 

Daddy is visiting cousin John in NYC. Can we say cross blogging potential!!

We went to the playground with Auntie Lis. 

She had to go home to LA today. We really miss her!

Love you all!

Marky