The Kiddo Contract

We ended this month roughly...to say the least. Nick and I thought we were getting to be pros at handling the colds Deven got from day care. We learned our lesson...

Last Wednesday night Nick and I noticed that our little guy had a bit of wheeze when he let out a breath. Being the experienced parents of a seven month old (wink), we chalked it up to another cold and since he was laughing, giggling and eating like the little monster he is, we just went on as normal. When we picked him up from school the next day, Holly (his teacher) said he had been wheezing all day but again, he was still his laughing, giggling and eating self. Nick and I have really tried not to go crazy with every little sniffle but something in me just started to freak...something was just not right. So on the drive home (using the speaker on my phone, I sware) I called the Doctor and asked them if I was being over sensitive. Like the trained professionals they are paid to be, they insisted we bring D man in the next day for a little check-up.

I optimistically sent an email to work saying I was just being silly and I was sure his "new" symptom was just part of the kiddo contract Nick and I signed about 16 months ago. Well turns out our happy little guy had the beginnings of Broncholitis. We are still unclear about the differences between Broncholitis and RSV, as they seem to be described together in the plethora of articles that filled my phone browser and computer screen that night.


**Side note, my girl friends and I were just discussing that we used to read. I think we came to the conclusion that we all still read a lot, just not the fun Sparks novels we used to!**


The doctor armed us with three methods to cure Deven:


1. Steam - play in the bath room, take a shower, use a humidifier
2. Albuteral administered via nebulizer
3. If all else fails and he continues to deteriorate - antibiotics


So...armed with the necessary prescriptions Deven and I officially called in sick. Honestly I was still convinced this was going to be relatively straight forward...I mean he was still laughing, giggling and eating, right?!

Nick and I spent the rest of Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday helping our little guy get back to his healthy self. Over all symptoms included wheezing, dreadful cough, up to 102F temperature, moaning (due to soar throat), no more laughing, giggling or regular eating. I know every parent goes through this so I am sure you can all agree that it sucked...it was awful! But we survived!

Nick and I both are under the weather now but we are thankful Deven is doing better. He helped momma get better today by taking a really long midday nap, being extra fun (see dancing video), and by showing us his first tooth. We don't have a picture yet because it is just breaking the surface and when we ask to see it he just sticks his tongue out at us. Soon though I am sure.

For now, if only to mark this unforgettable weekend/week here is Deven and his ducky nebulizer...here's to hoping we won't have to use this again in the future!

MLK Day

Who would have thought that a public accounting firm would have a holiday in the months January through the end of April but the one I work for thankfully does! Deven and I got to hang out together today and of course I got some fun pics. He seems to know when to ham it up for the camera!! A great mommy day!!

Swim Class

Deven had his very first swim class today! Nick and I thought it would be a fun weekend activity, so every Saturday we are starting the morning out in the pool. Today we played "tick-tock" which is code for sway Deven back and forth ending with a fun jump out of the pool. We practiced being on our tummy and back...no bubble make for the D man yet...and ended by playing what I am calling "Baby Fetch". We threw a toy a couple feet away and Deven practiced pulling and kicking his way to the get the toy. There wasn't really any pulling or kicking, I sort of just floated him closer and closer to the toy but you get the idea. I think he had fun, the life gaurd determined it successful becuase there was no crying, and he smiled a few times especially when he spotted Nick on the sidelines. Here is our little man waiting for class to start, yes we were actually about 15 minutes early; a feat these days!

6 Month Check up

Deven had his 6-month check up today and it was very successful. Deven had three shots...he pretty much hated that part but as soon as it was over and the nurse and I provided a little distraction in the form of baby babble he was all smiles again. The doctor says he is doing great and has told us to start thinking about baby proofing the house. I think we have some work to do as I look around our living room.

After a nap at home (for Deven, Sam and me) we headed out to meet my friends Shannon and Robin for lunch. Shannon had her daughter Hadley in-toe; Deven was very pleased. At one point they held hands while we all ooo'd and aaah'd. This of course distracted the love birds and we couldn't get a picture. I suspect we may have plenty of opportunities in the future!!

This was Deven's first time actually eating in a restaurant (food from home) and it was also the first time he used a high chair at a restaurant. I know it is a bit cheesy to mark these as accomplishments but it gave me the opportunity to eat with two hands again so I was very excited! Here he is just chillin' after his meal:

Deven and I had a great day together and I can't wait until I have another good excuse to hang out with our little man on a weekday!

Winter Cleaning

By default I think Nick and my new year's resolution seems to be getting rid of the clutter. With our new addition we have been re-thinking all the random "stuff" we have laying around taking up space - space that could be used by our little man's "stuff." For the past few weeks we have been good willing, dumping and re-organizing. We spent this morning getting Christmas all put away and sort of finishing up this purge. Deven, even while teething and pure frustration at being unable to move as fast as his will moves, was a great little kid. Though a teething biscuit did give me an extra 1/2 hour before he demanded full attention for the rest of the day...totally worth the clean up!

New Year's at the Wright Cabin

We were so excited to have the second annual New Year weekend get-away at the Wright Cabin. A special thanks to Steve and Karen for letting all the crazy kids celebrate by taking over their awesome house in Cle Elem. Deven was able to play in the snow for the first time, Sam was able to get out some of the energy he has been bottling up since Deven joined the fam and Nick and I were able to grab some great moments with great friends.

Deven's first Christmas

So I am a little out of order but I wanted to be sure to document our little guy's first Johnston/Bodle xmas extravaganza x's four.

1. We packed up the trusty Kia, told Sam to be good and we drove down I-5 to Lakewood for the Johnston xmas eve homemade sausage fest. Deven sported his first xmas jammies (see xmas morning pics below) and was a hit. He was even able to stay up passed his bed time because he got in an extra nap on the drive down. We had such good time catching up with Nick's extended family and I am bummed we didn't get any pictures. After celebrating via food: homemade sausage, potato salad, m&ms, cookies, and various other fabulous snacks we headed back up to our lake with an extra passenger. My brother Aaron came along for the ride so he could spend xmas eve and xmas morning with his nephew!

2. Christmas morning was so fun, Deven was obviously a good boy this year and Santa made a special trip to our house:

3. Next we were off to Nana and Bubba's house for Christmas breakfast. Deven had on a new outfit for the occasion and had tons of fun with his cousins:

4. Finally we all landed at Nick's parents house where we all played with Deven's new toys and ate dinner from the new Johnston kitchen. It was delicious and someday Deven will be able to eat some too.