The Meitler Minute: Ears, language, and motoring around

Eli's tubes work...that is something Jared and I are thankful for. Eli had his first follow-up visit to the ENT and it was a quick, 'all clear' appointment. Not even 2 days later Eli got his first cold since the tubes were placed. We thought his ears were all clear...after a weekend trip to K-Stat the Urgent care facility here in town. It was a holiday weekend so we made a return trip that monday back to K-Stat when his ears started draining. IF you have had the opportunity to have a child or know a child with ear tubes you know what I mean when I say who knew that was what an ear infection looked, smelled, and felt like. POOR Baby! I am thankful that the tubes are doing their job and draining all that nasty crud out but my oh my was it disgusting! The Dr. at K-Stat prescribed medicated ear drops which we were told to only put in the one ear that was draining, red, and inflamed. Within 24 hours the other ear began draining and we were putting drops in both ears twice a day. Eli tolerated the medicated drops MUCH better than he does oral medications now a days. Which was a blessing. Overall the tubes surgery was a success and for now Eli's ears are healthier for them. I would say definitely worth the surgery at such a young age. Not only for quality of life but for his digestive system (oral antibiotics are SO hard on his tummy), language development, motor milestones, and the list goes on and on and on! IF tubes are an option for your child I would recommend them!!

Eli's ears, now clear of fluid are helping his language develop also. He is MUCH more vocal and is babbling up a storm. Dadadadadas and Mamamamas are beautiful sounds we get to hear multiple times a day. He also enjoys the "blablablabla" "bababababas" "lalalalalas" and "screeching sounds" as Jared calls them. This moment in development is SO fun to see, hear, and experience on a daily basis.

Eli is now quicker than a lighting bolt when he is determined to get something. He army crawls faster than anything else, but is also getting up on all fours (hands and knees) to crawl a few 'steps' before getting back down to army crawl. He is pulling up on furniture which means the ouchies, head bumps, and falls are in full swing. We are in full baby proofing mode but there are just some bumps you can't prevent.