We're Back!

"I mustache you a question... did you miss me these past two weeks?"

Recently I have taken a little unintentional break from blogging. I have been so overwhelmed with everything going on that it has been hard to find time to write and edit videos. These past two weeks I found myself craving my warm bed after a long day versus blogging. Don't get me wrong, I did try. I kept putting it on my "to-do" list every day, genuinely wanting to cross it off... but it was always pushed to the very bottom with Anthony's needs taking priority. For over a week Anthony has been sick with his very first cold. Usually I love to celebrate all of Anthony's firsts, but this one I could have done without!The poor little man.

Last Friday we put Anthony to bed as we normally do, but we woke up not long after to a sound that I thought was Anthony banging his legs against the crib bars. Joe and I ran in to find Anthony struggling to breathe. In our fogginess from just waking up we fumbled to find the aspirator to help him clear his nose. We knew from doctors telling us before that even though babies can breathe through their mouths, they prefer not to. Anthony's nose was completely blocked and he was freaking out that he couldn't breath the way he liked to. So, we cleared his nose and put the humidifier on in his room. I tried to go back to sleep but my eyes were glued to the baby monitor. I couldn't sleep because I was so nervous that something might happen to him, I guess that is the one of the joys of motherhood! He was still really bad in the morning and I called the on-call doctor. She said that since the baby was still little, and he didn't have a fever, there really wasn't much we could do. We were advised to use the aspirator, saline, steam showers, have him sleep on an incline and the humidifier. A LONG couple of days passed where Anthony only seemed to get worse, and one morning he woke up with a low-grade fever. I decided to call the doctor again, just to make sure that there still was nothing else we could do. I just felt so helpless and I wanted my baby to get better! They told me to bring him in so they could make sure that he was fine. For the past few days Anthony was not himself, he wasn't eating as much as he normally would, and he was really cranky from feeling pretty horrible. He was also getting annoyed by the aspirator and every time he would see it headed towards his nose he would start to scream. But of course when we took him to the doctors he put on a show and was completely fine, the little stinker! Today Anthony is still sick, he is less congested but has developed a cough and has an upset stomach. Hopefully we will kick this cold soon, because baby needs to get back to normal and mommy and daddy need sleep!

Sick little boy with his aspirator and saline spray close at all times

I hate being sick, blah! 

 But I'm still so cute, even if I am sick! 

My Elmo makes it all better!

Stop right there daddy! Don't come any closer with that aspirator or you'll get it!

What else we have been up to these past two weeks:

On the 3rd Anthony had his first physical therapy session. She came over for an hour and worked with Anthony mostly focusing on his torticollis. She brought over a new product that was introduced to her just a few days ago at a torticollis conference. It was a little hat called the Tortle. Joe and I couldn't help but laugh when she put it on Anthony, he just looked so silly. It has foam built in on one side of the hat to prevent the baby from looking that certain way. It was developed by a pediatrician-mom to prevent flat head syndrome (It's one of those products that you see and say "Man, I wish I thought of that!"). Anthony has started to develop the slightest flat head on one side because of his torticollis. Our therapist told us that Anthony should wear the hat whenever possible, except bed time. It all sounds so easy and wonderful, but Anthony really hates the hat with a passion! For that first week we were really good at making Anthony wear the hat, but then once he got sick I became a big push over. I hated seeing him cry when I put it on when he was already so sick. So, I was a bad mommy and took it off to make him feel better. The therapist probably wont be too happy with us when she comes tomorrow, oops! But in all honesty, Anthony has been showing a lot of improvement in looking towards the other side, and I promise to be more strict about him wearing it once he feels better! For more information about the Tortle click here.

Anthony also had his second play date with his two besties Maddox and Antonella. He was awake and playing but once I took out the camera he decided he wanted it to be a sleepover and not a play date! 

Hey wake up Anthony and play with me!

We're the three best friends that anyone could have..

I also plan on going back to work this week... well, kind of! Since I am not a contracted teacher yet I did not have a specific maternity leave like other mothers. But, financially I need to go back to work for at least a few days a week. I figured I would ease into working again by subbing for 2 to 3 days each week while my mom and Joe's sister watch Anthony! I feel torn about the idea of going back to work. I miss teaching so so much, but I also know that it will be a big adjustment trying to juggle getting ready for work in the morning and getting Anthony ready. I am also nervous about finding time to pump in work, hopefully I will figure something out! And, honestly, who am I kidding, I will miss my little nugget tons!

I leave you with some of the wonderful pictures from Anthony's photo shoot after the buddy walk last month. A big thank you to Monica Jones for capturing these precious moments.

I did not have time before posting this to edit videos from the past two weeks. Hopefully I will put some up tomorrow! Don't forget to subscribe to my youtube account so you can see all of Anthony's videos!