Ruby's Ears All Better

On January 22nd I took Ruby into the doctor for a "well baby" visit and 15 month check up.  The good news is that she is reaching all of the developmental milestones for her age and continues to grow and develop.  In fact, she is now up to 94% percentile of height and about 65% for weight.  I was glad for an excuse to have her checked because she had been coughing and was snotty.  She hadn't been fussy though and was still sleeping great so none of it was a big enough concern for me to take her in to get checked.  I was shocked to find out that she had bronchitis and double ear infections.  The doctor reviewed her records and saw that she had been diagnosed with ear infections in June, November, December and now in January.  Because of how frequently they had occurred, he recommended that we see the ENT to discuss her getting tubes.  In December I had thought about getting her evaluated, but then decided that maybe I was just overly worried.  Seems like I was right to have been concerned.

The ENT, Dr. Robins, was able to get us in the next day.  Both he and his physician's assistant were quite shocked at how bad her eardrums were and could not believe that she was not screaming from the pain.  Dr. Robins was great at explaining the procedure and let me take pictures of the tubes to show Tim - they were so much smaller than I had envisioned which made me feel much better.  He recommended getting it done as soon as possible, so we got on the schedule for Tuesday, 27th and started saying our prayers that all would go well.

We checked into the surgical center at 8:00 a.m. and didn't have to wait too long until it was Ruby's turn.  Once we were there I started to get a little nervous, it all became real and I just wanted to protect my baby.  The staff was super great with her.  Ruby was excited about her new Lion, but I think was little suspicious about all of the attention.  Both the doctor and the anesthesiologist came and talked to us, then it was time for her to go.  The operating room nurse had me wrap her in a warm blanket and carry her to the door, then we said a quick goodbye and he took her.  It kind of broke my heart because she started to cry and had such a scared/confused look on her face.  

 We were told the procedure wouldn't last long and it was not quite 15 minutes from the time they took her, until they came to tell us she was awake.  We had been warned that they have a hard time when the come out of the anesthesia, but it was still really tough to see.  I could hear her crying before we got to the room and found a nurse trying to hold her while she was thrashing around, eyes closed, screaming.  I sat down to rock her and the combination of a bottle, her blankie, the piggie and me and Tim seemed to soothe her.  She had intermittent burst of crying, but overall did well.  The doctor came in and told us that he cleaned out a lot of thing goopy fluid which ad likely been there for a few months.  I felt awful to think about her being in pain for so long.  The nurse gave her a little Tylenol for any discomfort and about two hours after we arrived at the surgical center, we were released.

My dad was kind enough to come stay with Luke while we were gone.  They didn't do much playing because Luke didn't wake up until about the time that we got home.  Both kids were thrilled to see him and by the time he had read a couple of stories, Ruby was pretty much acting herself.  

The doctor sent us home with antibiotic eardrops which we had to use for four days.  She hated them and it was a complete struggle to pin her down and get them in.  I think Luke was more traumatized by it than her.  He kept telling me "Ruby's ears all better" to try to get me to stop.  Hopefully, they really are all better now and she won't have any long term problems from the repeat infections.

Better Than a Postcard

The skies in Mexico are amazing!  The sunrises are definitely worth getting up early to see.  I started my runs in the dark, then made my way to the beach to watch the sky emerge.  As much as I loved the sunrises, the dusky sunsets are even better.  As the sun starts to set, everyone packs up and leaves so it's quiet and peaceful, and beautiful....my favorite part of the day.

Mexico Xel-Ha

While in Mexico, I rarely choose to leave the resort - let's be honest, I rarely leave my beach chair. Xel-Ha has become a favorite place to visit and is fun enough to make it worth missing a day of relaxing and reading.  Ok, so a day at Xel-Ha isn't exactly tough, but we do spend the day pretty busy.  The park has so much to see and do and we usually leave with the feeling that we could have spent several more hours.

Showing off our traditional dress.

 

See that cliff in the background where people are getting ready to jump?  It doesn't look very high because of our perspective - we are on a bridge.  But believe me, it is high.  While floating down the river we decided to stop and jump off the cliff.  We headed up the path and Tim walked right up to the edge and jumped.  I thought I would do the same but as soon as I got to the edge I totally froze and couldn't do it.  I ended up standing up there, watching numerous people come and go and getting more and more freaked out.  I ended up making friends with two other girls who were equally squared and we all eventually jumped.  So fun, but I don't think I will do it again.  

This year they had a new attraction, zip bikes that let you ride through the jungle.  It was a really cool to see the jungle up close.  

We had a great time on the rope swing.  I was pretty impressed with my skills.  Tim and my dad were much more impressive but we didn't get any still photos of them.  

  Xel-Ha 2015 was a great time.

Mexico 2015

See, the trick to writing about a trip to Mexico is to do it quick, you should write while you still have tan lines, and haven't lost the amazing feeling of the sun and sand.  Unfortunately, I have waited too long and am having a hard time figuring out how to catch the magic of the vacation while surrounded by gray skies and a never ending "to do" list.  Hmmmm, this picture should help........

For the past three years, ever since we got home from our last trip together to Mexico, my parents have been suggesting another getaway.  Tim started that hunt early and after a lot of looking, found the perfect beach front condo at our favorite resort, The Royal Haciendas.  Going with my parents made it a little more difficult to leave the babies but Tim's parents graciously agreed to come stay at our house and spend the week with Luke and Ruby.  I really worried about leaving them, they are now old enough to miss us, but the lure of a week on the beach was too alluring not to go.  So, we packed up our stuff (way too much stuff, I am a self diagnosed, chronic over-packer), and headed out.  Nothing better than leaving the mountains behind and landing over the ocean.  

We made it through the chaos of the Cancun airport without any real complications, found our shuttle, and after a short van ride, arrived in paradise.  The resort was just as we left it the last time, absolutely beautiful.  

ROYAL HACIENDAS

The view from our balcony,

Worth every penny.

The first day was really cloudy and rainy.  We were all pretty patient with the weather.  Tim and I hung out in the hot tub on our balcony, and even took a long afternoon nap.

Once the rain cleared, Tim took advantage of the empty beaches

And went out metal detecting,

His finds for the day...

Sun or no sun,

I was still excited to get started on my books,

Oh, and jump start on a week full of beach selfies.

We outlasted everyone else on the beach,

The second morning started off cloudy and I began to get nervous, but then the sun came out and it was game on.  The resort came to life, and I settled in for a week of fun in the sun.  Ok, really a week of relaxing and reading, but that is my kind of fun.

My parents found the water volleyball,

And my mom already knew her way to water aerobics.

And of course, the pool bar.

I was the only one willing/able to lie around all day.  My parents went on bike rides and explored town.  Tim ran to Playa, rode a bike to Playa, and explored various beaches with his metal detector.

Our condo had a full kitchen so we ate a lot of sandwiches, eggs, and other easy meals.  We did venture into Playa for dinner one night, and had a great meal at the resort on our last night.

I don't think this is the fish I ate, but you never know.

Until next time....adios and buena suerte.