The Ward Family

So I've been meaning to write about the whole ear tubes experience, but seeing as after he got them in we all got sick. And I mean really sick, a big fat stomach bug sick. Friday of last week we were all home because we just didn't feel good.

But on to the ear tube experiance... a week ago Thursday, we took Ivan to get tubes put in his ears. Now if you've been following along, he's had about four ear infections since he was 3 months old. I wonder if I had breast fed longer, would that have made a bigger difference on him getting so many. Anyways, the night before the surgery you can't give your baby anything to eat or drink after midnight. Knowing my cranky son in the morning that would not turn out well. But it went fine. It was still getting over his stomach bug and didn't really act hungry the whole time we waited for him to get done.

Once we get to the Surgery Center, we wait for them to call our name. Of course you pay for services rendered before you get them done. I would say $50 bucks isn't bad for getting tubes put in. Especially if it solves the whole ear infection problem. Once paid for we wait again for them to call us back there. Keep in mind we had to get there at 6:30 in the morning. His surgery wasn't scheduled until 8:00 am. And they make you wait until 8 am. And man it sure is boring for everyone.

While we were waiting they took Ivan's blood pressure and pulse. They have special tiny cuff bands just for wee tiny tots. He didn't even get the smallest one. But he was very calm and let them do what they needed. Found out he weighed 21.6 pounds. Big boy! They have you dress your baby in their hospital like gown, made out of paper, and you get to keep your kid's socks on. Which is alright.

Let me tell you what, he got more compliments over his socks than anything else. "Oh his socks are soooo cute!" Was the most common phrase we heard while we were there.

You can't see it very well in the picture, but there is a monkey face at the top of the sock. Waiting for us on his hospital bed was a little stuffed bear. "Surgie Bear" He was pretty cute. Ivan didn't take too much interest in him, but we brought the bear home anyways.

We got some pictures of Ivan and Ben before they take him off to go get the tubes put in.

Ivan ended up falling asleep while we were waiting for them. Well around 8 or so they come and get him. We go back out to the main waiting room. Get a snack and a soda, and before we know it, they were done. Now, if you ever have to take a baby to get tubes put in their ears, they do put your kid under. They just use a gas mask to do it, no needles....But the main thing is they come out screaming (kind of like a growling/scream/cry). And crying, and most importantly hungry. And EVERY baby acts this way. Maybe they're scared of what happened. I don't know but he cried for at least an hour. We left the surgery center around 8:30. He was passed out from crying around 9:30.

The good news is he seems to hear better now. He actually turns his head now if you say his name. Now let's hope all of these ear infections are under control.