Surgery #8: A New Set Of Ear Tubes & Independent Steppin'!

Last Friday, Andi checked into Doernbecher's Children's Hospital for surgery #8 -- a new set of ear tubes!  We met three anesthesia people that would be working on her, two nurses that would be in the room taking care of her, and just before 7:30, we met the ENT surgeon who would be performing this procedure.  I honestly think he's the sixth or seventh ENT Dr. we've worked with in the past three years.  The procedure didn't take long, and soon we were ushered back to the recovery area where Andi was not only awake, but extremely pissed off.  Anesthesia had warned us, as did the ENT, that although she would not be intubated for this one, most kids wake up super cranky from it.  It is believed to be because the procedure is so short, that they really don't get much rest, just disturbing irritation.  The ENT surgeon explained that all went well.  He was able to get a new set of blue tubes in place.  He cleaned out a lot of "gunk" out of her left (bad) ear, and removed a pocket of red blood cells that had gathered in her right ear.  I would likely see some bleeding out of that ear for a few days (which I did!).  All went well though.  Due to Andi's medical history, they decided to keep her for observation for an hour.  Yes, an hour.  I was expecting that we'd be admitted and staying the night.  Nope, just an hour.  Walking out of the joint as an outpatient was completely stellar!  Before that though, I had to sit with a very agitated Andi, and even the iPad wasn't working.  Surprisingly, the trick that worked to settle Andi down was singing songs.  The kid in the next bed, on the other side of the curtain, started singing along.  It was pretty cute.  She curled up in a little ball and we rocked for a good 1/2 hour or more together.  It was pretty sweet, and reminded me of the good side of our hospital stays, the cuddling time we spent together.  Later that day, after Andi woke from a nap, I was on the phone with Ginga.  Andi was standing with her back to the couch.  Next thing I saw her take two steps away from the couch toward the dog we were dog-sitting.  Her first two independent steps.  It was AWESOME!  I had asked her Dr. if her possible ear infection could possibly be causing her to fall more, 'no' he said.  Well, having her ears cleaned out not only made her hearing improve noticeably for the day, but her balance was the best its been.  She's eager to walk and we're continuing to try to work on it as much as possible.  Today, Andi started her second and final week of swim lessons.  She is paired with a teacher's aide whom can talk directly into her good ear and try to get her doing what the rest of the class is doing. Andi is definitely behind the rest of the group, but is slowly getting more comfortable in the water.  I see it in the bathtub too, she's getting more bold and exploratory in the tub.  It's pretty cool. We're going to sign her up for another batch of lessons in October in the indoor pool down the street.  We are confident that swimming will help her with her balance.  In addition to that, we have signed her up for her evaluation for hippotherapy.  I am hoping these people have magic powers that will entice her to get on the horse, because I have tried and failed twice to get her on a carousel horse.  We'll see.  If it helps her walk, however, it will be worth the cost. 

Lastly, today we met her two bus-drivers that will taking her to school and bringing her home.  This will free up four hours of my day, making my life a lot less complicated.  So, I look forward to this next chapter, although I can't help but stop to reflect that my little baby is growing up.

The Birthday Video - Revisited

I made this birthday video several months ago using powerpoint.  I did not, however, realize at the time of its creation that it would not post to You Tube so I could share it with the word.  I mean, there are ways to get it up there, but given it's size - nope.  So, I spent a few hours the other night putting the images into a new program that is much more compatible with You Tube, but the length of the video also grew.  So, it's ridiculously long - but a good snapshot of our first two years... leading up to her 3rd birthday!  Next year, I'll be smarter and just capture the highlights of the previous year.  Live and Learn.

Alas, here is Andi's Birthday Video:

http://youtu.be/F70U1YtoD3A

Arizona and The CHARGE Syndrome Conference

This past week, we flew down to Arizona to attend the CHARGE Syndrome Conference.  It was held in Scottsdale at the incredible Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.  We got ourselves some pretty cheap airline tickets on Allegiant Air.  The only kicker, was it flew out of Eugene, OR and not PDX, which is only a few miles down the road.  It was nearly 1/2 the cost of tickets out of PDX, so, we figured we could handle driving the 1.5 - 2 hours down to Eugene.  So, we got up before the Rooster and hit the road at 6 a.m.  We were pretty anxious about the weight of our bags.  One of the stipulations of the cheap airfare is having to pay for your bags. If you check your bag, it can't be over 40 lbs., otherwise the price doubles.  If you carry on, that bag can't be more than 25 or 30 lbs. (can't remember!) Therefore, we weighed and weighed our bags repeatedly, so we weren't met with surprise at the airport.  So, Daddy Bean checked a suitcase for $35. and I carried on a rolling suitcase for $20.   So, we drove down to Eugene, got our bag & car-seat checked and headed through TSA without much issue.  Our flight took off on-time and we landed at the Mesa Gateway Airport (small regional airport east of Phoenix.)  We got our gate-checked stroller and got to the baggage claim where it was a mad-house full of people.  It was nearly impossible to tell what flight was unloaded onto one of the two baggage rotators.  I thought Montgomery Regional Airport was slow.  Let me just say this experience made Montgomery look like rock-stars.  It took at least an hour (Daddy Bean will tell you it took longer!) to get our bag & car-seat.  Meanwhile, I got our rental car.  We stayed our first three nights at a hotel I got a deal on through Hotwire.  The $41./night ($55. with taxes) was so much more digestible than a full week at $109. ($125. with taxes).  Turns out our first hotel was seriously 'next door' to the Fairmont.  It was a huge suite with dining room, full kitchen, TV room and one-bedroom with walk-in closet and full bathroom.  It had two patios as well.  For $55. a night, that was well worth it, not to mention the four different pools they have to choose from... highly recommend them. (Zona Hotel & Suites) We got to our hotel and promptly went shopping for some groceries.  We planned on making our own breakfast, lunches, snacks and beverages in order to keep our expenses down.  Scottsdale is ridiculously overpriced, as was our shopping experience at Safeway.  But in the end, it saved us lots of time and money being able to feed ourselves without much issue.  My oldest friend just happened to be in Phoenix for work, so we went out to dinner with her the first night we were there.  Super fun.  The next day, we met up with Cory's uncle and aunt.  We went on a sightseeing adventure with them up to Peyson, AZ to enjoy some cooler weather.  We all rode in their car and had a blast catching up and enjoying the sights.  It was a lot of fun, a lot of laughs.  We spent the entire day with them, it was a wonderful treat!  The next day, we left our hotel at 6 a.m. for my bucket list destination:  The Grand Canyon.  When I moved from Atlanta to Portland, on the drive over, we set off on a detour to see it, but never made it.  It's always bothered me that I hadn't seen it (as an adult) -- so we had to go!  It was a four-hour drive (to the south rim) and it was beautiful. 

 

 

 

 

We stayed for two hours, eating our picnic lunch, then fleeing for Sedona -- another destination we just had to see!  Loved Sedona and would love to spend a lot more time there.  Andi enjoyed the chocolate shop.

 

We had dinner there (pizza) and headed back to Scottsdale.  We drove on the edge and through some thunder storms.  The view was spectacular.  I don't remember what time we got back to the hotel, but it was a very long day. 

The next day we checked-out of our hotel and moved over to the Fairmont.  Luckily, a room was ready and they put us overlooking the golf course.  Apparently, this golf course is home to the Waste Management Golf Tournament.  I'm not familiar with it, but, given what I pay for garbage pick-up... I imagine it's a top-dollar event.

 

We did some sight-seeing in Old Scottsdale and had some pool time before it was time to make our grand debut at the conference reception!  Of course, I called in a "mingler", little did I know they'd have a bunch of food there and it would be massive.  I was surprised and a bit overwhelmed.  Andi wore her Tutu we picked up at the Mississippi Street Fair.  We knew it would be perfect to showcase her personality in a big room full of people.  It made quite the splash and many stopped to admire it. 

 

 

 

We left the party a bit early because we had already planned to go to dinner at some Mexican restaurant Daddy Bean likes in Old Scottsdale.  It was well, well worth it!!!  We feasted and then returned to the hotel to crash.

 

We were up early the next morning to get ready for our first official day of conference.  Breakfast was served as early as 7 a.m., and in true Miller fashion, we were there shortly after 7.  We wanted to make sure we had plenty of time to eat, get Andi to camp, and get back to our seats in time for the start.  Thank goodness the conference served pretty decent coffee, as that is one of my only complaints about traveling...finding good coffee.  So we sat down and ate, and finished as others had been coming in to eat as well.  Andi decided she wanted to walk around -- holding my hands (her current favorite method to get around).  She happened upon this table of three or four women and decided to climb up into a chair where she said chorus of "hi!"  repeatedly, a few "how are you?!" and then spontaneously broke out singing a lengthy version of 'Old MacDonald!'  They ladies just laughed and loved the entertainment.

 

 

We joked about putting out a can on the street and getting her performances to make us money, but right now, that's a little too Honey Boo-Boo for my liking. In any case, after a very long entertainment session and more walking around, we marched Andi down to camp.  While we attend conference sessions, Andi gets to go to camp.  there are two camps and it just depends on how much supervision your camper needs.  I signed Andi up for one, but with more discussion we switched her to the other.  After lunch, they switched her to the original camp with more one-on-one supervision - as Andi was scratching other kids and the babysitter.  Oops.  I think that has to do with over stimulation.  It's a problem and according to one of the sessions Daddy Bean attended, it's very much a trait of CHARGE.  In any case, the quieter camp worked much better for her and she was deemed an angel!  In the mid-afternoon, we took her out of camp to attend a balance-workshop with us.  It turned out to be lead by a lady whose session I attended earlier.  It was a bunch of tools (exercise balls, stepping stones, hula hoops to jump across) that kids with balance issues could do at home to work on improving their balance.  Honestly, we didn't get that much out of it, although if I can, I will try to get Andi on our exercise ball more often.  There were more stations of various things at this session, i.e. genetics and general information, but at this point we were all a little fried.  We went back to the room where Daddy Bean ended up taking Andi to have dinner with more local family!  I, however, had plans to meet up with other Mom's for drinks at the outdoor bar.  I'd been looking forward to hanging out with these incredible ladies more than anything!  I freshened up and went back to the ballroom for dinner.  One great feature of conference was that all our meals were included.  I can't even imagine the cost of feeding all these people, but considering how many were in attendance (950+), the food was really dang good and the people working to make it all happen did an amazing job.  I sat and talked to this wonderful couple from Utah throughout dinner.  I went on and on about the benefits of Blenderized Diet.  We sat and talked so long, we were some of the last few people to leave the ballroom. I totally lost track of time.  So, I went to the outdoor bar and ordered a drink.  It was a vodka drink with freshly mashed raspberries, some lime and ginger.  I told him to hold the ginger - because I don't tend to care for it.  I put up a $20. bill, and I kid you not... I got $3. and some change back.  YIKES!!!  As I sat there, I got sucked into conversation with a fellow patron of the bar.  This kept me longer from the group of ladies amassing at the big long couches near the bar.  When I finally was able to steal away, I walked up to the large group of women and loudly proclaimed in perfect Momma Bean form, "Ladies, I have arrived!"  It was a blur of conversations and an instant sense of hanging with people I've known for years.  All our kids have brought us together, and it was such a wonderful opportunity to spend time with these amazing Mom's. 

 

Sunday, I was dragging super-tired.  The ladies at the table the morning before asked me when Andi was going to come over and perform for them while I was getting us some coffee.  I held up the coffee mugs and said, 'after I get her some coffee first!'  We were all much less perky that second morning.  It was pretty evident.  Even Andi was wiped out and unusually quiet.  We ate and then scampered her off to camp.  We went to our individual seminars, again in a divide-and-conquer plan of attack.  On Sunday, I attended two seminars that really impacted me.  Bone Health and Endocrine Problems with CHARGE.  Those really affected me as it is frightening how many CHARGErs have osteoporosis and need hormones to help force puberty.  It was rather eye opening, educational, and a bit sad.

 

The whole day was exhausting.  So, between our last session and dinner we went to the pool for a bit.  There were several pools at this hotel.  One was a wonderful pool with two very large slides.  It also had a super shallow end where Andi could easily sit in the water, of course it was a struggle to get her to wear her hat.  After some pool time, we freshened up.  Daddy Bean went to join other Dads for a Dad's get-together at that same outdoor bar!  Andi and I dressed for dinner and met Daddy Bean there for a meal.  They had a festival going on called 'CHARGE-a-poloza'  They had a silent auction, prizes, games, face-painting & a DJ.  After we ate, Andi wanted to cut-up on the dance floor with the other kids. 

 

 

She seemed to have a blast.  We left the festivities rather early that night.  In addition to the party going on at conference, the hotel had entertainment planned as well.  At one pool they had a "Glow-Party!" There were neon glow-in-the-dark hula hoops, a DJ and it was just a fun evening in the pool.  At the other pool, they were showing a movie.  People just stood or laid on a floaty in the pool and watched a movie on a huge screen behind the pool.  It was pretty dang awesome.  At 9 p.m., however, they interrupted the movie for the fireworks display over the lagoon. So, we stood in the pool and watched fireworks.  It was pretty spectacular!

 

For the last day of conference, a half-day, we didn't have any seminars, but various awards and a panel of young adults with CHARGE speak to the crowd.  The panel of young adults was very moving, very inspirational and very emotional.  These kids gave very honest, detailed summaries of their lives thus far.  The first "kid" to speak was funny.  I've since befriended him on Facebook because he is so incredibly wonderful.  He speaks four languages, has massive amounts of education and teaches rock climbing.  He had me laughing, had me crying, had me nodding my head in agreement.  The other kids were just as amazing, but the girls spoke of bullying they'd encountered during younger years and one admitted out lonely her life was and how hard she had it due to that.  As a parent, I'm already worried about how other kids will be to Andi.  I hope that Andi keeps her sense of humor and quick wit with her as she gets older, as I think that will help. But I fear if anyone were to speak ill to her or of her, that her Dad and I will end up in jail for harming that person, bad.  All these kids were amazing and it was wonderful to hear them speak.  When they were done and conference concluded, we switched gears and after lunch, quickly met families staying the night at the pool again.  We hung out down there for an hour or two.  Then we got cleaned up and met all the AZ family for one last dinner.  Andi really enjoyed meeting and hanging out with all the great-Aunts and great-uncle and second-cousins!  She took turns on each and every lap, enjoying the last of the time with them.

 

The next morning, we awoke at 4:30 and were out of the hotel at 5 for a drive back to Mesa to catch our flight home.  We flew back into Eugene and drove home to Portland.  Exhausted, we all were fried.

 

 

 

Along the way, there were two people that noticed Andi's heart surgery scar.  I conjured my reinvigorated purpose of educating others about CHARGE Syndrome, and told these people about CHARGE and Andi's level of affliction.  Although still tired from a whirlwind week, I have already begun outreach to other local CHARGE families, in attempt to organize a get-together with other families.  I have also decided to work hard on fundraising for CHARGE Syndrome.  On top of that, I still plan on finishing my book in all my copious free time! HAHHAHAHAA!!!  

 

Conference was very inspiring, a lot of fun to hang out with other families, and completely exhausting.  Now it's a time for action, and to take what I've learned and start educating others.

 

When PE meant 'Physical Education' and a Hot Glue Gun Was Just For Crafty People

Ah, a new set of 'PE Tubes' are being scheduled to be put in our Miss Andi Bean.  Yep, her second set.  Surgery #8.  It's the most common surgery performed, but, it's still a surgery, ..and anesthesia, ...and another hospital bill.  Just slap me with a hot glue gun to the eyeball, tongue, and in between toes.  We currently have it scheduled for 8/14, but I've since realized that date will not work because Daddy Bean will be in Atlanta for work.  He wants to be here.  He missed the last surgery due to work travel, and it really bothered him.  (He missed out on the horrid post-tonsillectomy breath, that still triggers the gag reflex just remembering it!) 

We have $936. left on our yearly deductible, plus a 20% co-pay for an overnight stay.  So, I'm waiting call back not only to reschedule, but to find out if they can give me an estimate of how much one night in the posh hipster kiddy hotel (why hey, yes, that is sarcasm) will run us.  ugh.

Today I was able to enjoy a few more phone calls about new insurance bills dating back to a service date of 2/16/12.  Yep, 1 year, five months ago.  Seriously.  See, last year, we had dual coverage, as we thought, hey... maybe that will help us save a few hundred bucks on all our co-pays and out-of-pocket's.  When you're chronically using your insurance, all that stuff really adds up!  So, we took on another insurance provider through Daddy Bean's work.  We thought we were being proactive, smart about expenses, and just plain good parents.  Yikes, Yikes, Yikes.  We were idiots.  It complicated everything and helped us, uhm, not at all.  In fact, it only made things more difficult. In any case, our main insurer paid the bill, then retracted their payment, now are submitting payment again, but still haven't sent it... it's one big giant cluster o' fun.  Absolutely ridiculous!  In the meantime, I get to make sure party A is talking to party B, and party C is kept in the loop.  Luckily for us Andi is no longer medically fragile.  If she was, I think phone calls like this would cause me to seriously snap, and I'd probably end up walking around with a hot glue gun ready to attack others' sensitive areas without notice.  I wish the insurance industry would really get their act together and not only make it cheaper for us to be covered, but simplify all this junk and not bother professional patients with any of this b.s.  The slogan would be a Nike-esque 'Just Do It... and don't bother me with the details.' 

This time next week, we'll be baking in Arizona.  I am concerned how Andi will do in the heat.  I know we'll run from air conditioned indoors to air conditioned car, but...    We've just emerged from being confined indoors due to the nine to ten months of rain we get here, and so now being confined indoors because it simply is way too hot to be outdoors is like being slapped in the face with a hot glue gun.  I am looking forward to getting out of town and meeting lots of people we consider friends, although we've never actually met.  It's going to be an overwhelming whirlwind of fun.  We're excited!!

Little Bumps o' Success!

Mentally getting ready for the CHARGE Syndrome conference coming up in two weeks.  Well, we leave on a Monday and return on a Monday - but that's because we're flying a no-name airline out of Eugene, OR and into a regional AZ airport.  Hey, it was considerable savings to us - so... we went for it.  The conference is really Friday - Sunday with what I call a "mingler" on Thursday night.  We've made this trip our big yearly 'vacation' and it has been grueling saving up for it after just paying off the stupid roof.  We've made some adjustments, but I think we're ready.

We just got the test results back from Andi's yearly ultrasound follow-up.  Last June, Andi had that "bladder deflux" procedure where they injected what became 'mounds' in her bladder to prevent the urine flowing upward (reflux) toward her kidneys.  The procedure worked.  The ultrasound showed that everything still looked great.  They want to do yearly urine tests and blood pressure, but if we continue to have no more UTI's, then we won't need to any more ultrasounds.  YEA!  Her Dr. said that if she's potty trained we can have her pee in a cup, otherwise, they will have to catheter her and she will not like it.  We haven't made much progress on the potty training.  She will sit on the potty but not "go!".  She will tell me "stinky" after she goes, but not before.  I haven't been super diligent in putting her in underwear and asking her every 20 minutes if she has to sit on the potty.  Who has time for that!?  Again, I maintain - there should be a potty training academy where you can send off your youngings in diapers, and they come home from camp in underwear, fully potty trained.  I know, I know... I can do g-tube switches, replacement, I can dose out med's including serious controlled substances, I can do TPN in a central line... but potty training seems a bit much!??!?!?  Yeah, okay.  Maybe it's just me being lazy and impatient.  I would like to forego the horrid expense of diapers though.  We got hooked on Pampers Swaddlers in the hospital and I can't seem to stop loving them.  They ain't cheap though!  Ugh!  So, potty training camp... surely someone offers it!?

This Friday, Andi goes to see the ENT Dr. again about the chronic ear infections. I think we're looking at getting a new set of tubes put in, but we'll see what he says.  Last audiology appt. they said the left ear looks very red.  Lately, I've been noticing her right (good) ear smelling like a dirty, wet belly button... so I can't imagine that's a good thing. 

Today, Andi started her summer session of preschool!  Today it was just her and her favorite classmate, Josiah.  I believe there will only be three of them this session, as the others seem to be taking the summer off.  Andi apparently is doing really well, although there was a little boy whose first day was today.  At the end of the school, I picked up Andi to find her and this new boy sitting for songs.  This little boy was so much more verbal than Andi.  It made me sad.  She's doing great, but to see another kid that is so much further ahead, is hard to swallow at times.  But, we'll keep plugging on and marching forward.  On another note, the teachers were all super stoked to see Andi walking in holding my hands this morning.  She is definitely getting stronger, even in these past three weeks.  She is eager to walk, most of the time.  Oh shoot, I just realized I haven't posted her video here! I have gotten so bad about regularly posting on her blog.  Here's evidence of our latest trick!  She's getting stronger everyday. 

Humbled Ramblings

There's much for us to be humbled by... as quite a few fellow CHARGErs are suffering recovery in a hospital.  All are fighting a serious recovery.  Each day lately, we've had a name on our 'begging for help' list.  See... I'm really NOT a religious person.  I am very conflicted on the whole 'higher power in the sky!" personna that I've been sold.  I don't necessarily believe in that.  I tread lightly though because I don't want to disrespect another's belief!  I encourage others faith... my theory is, 'whatever works for you!'... I do not judge nor discourage others......although many hold beliefs that are very different than mine.  That doesn't bother me.  I think the more energy, in any form, you can conjure for another, the better to receive.  For example, one of the first CHARGE kids I was ever witness to was Reuben.  Reuben just endured a simple 29th surgery that didn't go so simple, as his airway was compromised with a blockage and for five or six days, he was in ICU in critical condition.  This is the CHARGEr whom online blew me away and gave me so much hope, courage, and love.  Reuben has had a really rough go this week, but he was discharged today.  My heart is full of hope for a quick recovery, but these last few days have been grueling.  I have to keep in mind that several of our readers do not understand the extent of our experience, our reality.  It's our job to give a glimpse, so there's more understanding, more empathy, whether it is resolved out on the road letting someone in a daze drift into your lane without much thought, or whether its is someone at a party explaining their reality to you and you're overwhelmed by their situation.  (this has happened to me, often.)  It's all in all a reflection of the good in your heart.  If you have good in your heart, and you follow-through with that, then get your ass down to donate blood.  Get yourself involved with charities that actually benefit families like us (FYI - we've had NO help, other than a scholarship to attend the CHARGE onference!)    I'm sorry, but I haven't seen March Of Dimes around in my little world.  I haven't seen many charities, at all.  But then again, there are many that are worse off than me. 

In any case, we are humbled by those that are still struggling.  Although I am not religious, I actually prayed for Reuben and Kalob and send my good vibes to Kane and those other yougin's still struggling.  My heart, love and good vibes are being sent for each and every CHARGEr (and any kid) fighting the good fight, whether its a CHARGE affliction or any affliction.  There's nothing more worthwhile than a kid fighting any fight - whether it's a genetic condition, medical affliction or a bully.  We should all gather around and surround our young with love, strength, encouragement and faith - no matter the denomination.  They all need us, whether you know it or not.  And we're humbled by all of those that 'get it!'

Ear Infection, Round 2

Andi thought it would be fun to get up early this morning.  She cried and cried.  Normally, we let her cry it out and she usually calms herself, rolls over and goes back to sleep.  This morning, the cries got progressively more demanding.  So, I came up to her room, grabbed her out of her crib, (which instantly stopped the crying), and brought her downstairs to the bed.  Normally, she'll curl up with me and go back to sleep.  This morning, she wasn't doing that, so up before the crow we were.  She asked for water and shunned her chocolate milk, which left me asking, "really?!"  Normally, I give her the Ipad when she wakes and that entertains her through the grumps of waking up.  Well, the Ipad battery is dead and the charger is over at Grandma & Grandpa's house, to which we have yet to retrieve it.  So, without that, I put on an episode of Yo Gabba Gabba!  As long as YGG is on, or a Signing Time video, she was fine.  But she was easily distracted and whiny, often climbing off the couch, crawling or cruising over to me, and then demanding to be held.  After I put her back for the umpteenth time, she pointed to her left ear and cried.  Uh-Oh.  It was just after seven, so I placed the call. 

The foolish woman on the phone said that I should just have the advice nurse call me, and they can redo her antibiotic prescription over the phone & that way I won't have to bring her in when she's not feeling well.  I said, 'well, I'll have to bring her in regardless to pick up the script. But, okay.'  So, an hour later I was contacted by a Ped's nurse who knew who were are!  I knew they wouldn't in any way shape or form send Andi packing with a script without seeing her.  Not my girl.  So, we were to be seen two hours later.  An hour after that call was made, Andi was acting like her usual self again.  I got us out the door, and over to see a different pediatrician as our usual Dr. is on vacation.  The nurse we saw totally knew us, as she'd seen us in the past.  She too knew that Andi is Chani's (our pediatrician's nurse) favorite, and promptly told us that she'll be back 7/1 from maternity leave.  The Dr. came in and quickly confirmed what I believed to be true...the ear infection is back (if it ever truly left) and we'd need to get on a different antibiotic.  The funny thing is, we knew this pediatrician too, as she once shadowed our cardiologist up at the hospital.  It cracks me up how small this world seems at times.  Both the nurse and Dr. were blown away at how well Andi is doing.  Again, the sentiment I hear from professionals is wonderful, although a bit concerning that they didn't expect her to do so well.  Anyhow, we stopped at the burrito stand down the street on the way home because we were starving, and I didn't want to get home and have to make lunch.  At home, I sat Andi in her high chair.  I cut up her bean &  rice burrito and gave her some chips.  When she finished, I was checking emails on the computer when I stopped what I was doing, hearing a familiar sound.  I turned around to find this:

Least I didn't have to fight her to take a nap today!  Sadly, this occurred before I was able to give her the first dose of antibiotic.  Oops.