OME and acute ear infections - a mother's guide

I continue to pray about and research ear infections and their treatments.  It turns out that breastfeeding can provide protection for years, which may be why my boys are just now getting ear infections, at ages 7 and 9.  Of course, ear anatomy and heredity also contribute, so not all breastfed babies escape infections.

I found two particularly good articles--both worth bookmarking if you can't read them now.

One discusses in detail otitis media with effusion (fluid behind the eardrum, but no infection).  This is what Paul has.  His ENT appointment is next Thursday, and at that time I also hope to get help with Paul's excessive ear wax problem, which also affects his hearing.

Paul does have environmental allergies--as well as his dad, grandpa, aunt, and cousin.  I've always been reluctant to treat him with a daily allergy medicine.  He has never complained much about allergy symptoms, except during the last two springs.  Allergies can keep the Eustachian tubes blocked (the same with cold viruses), which can then cause fluid to build up behind the eardrums, as well as make it more difficult to drain, once it's there.

So, I am now treating Paul's allergies with a once daily teaspoon of loratadine children's syrup.  It's not as effective as Benadryl, but it doesn't cause drowsiness, and it lasts for 24 hours, supposedly.  Paul does experience itchy eyes again at bedtime, so I think it really only lasts about 12 hours.  Splashing water on his face before bed seems to help clear away some pollen.  He should probably also do this every time he comes in from the outdoors.  Maybe this has a psychological affect?  I don't really know.

Another article, also from medline plus, discusses common acute ear infection, which involves infected fluid behind the eardrum.

Peter, diagnosed with an ear infection nearly two weeks ago, continues to be symptom free.  His cold symptoms went away quickly; I still haven't filled the antibiotic prescription.  If Paul's ENT suggests it, I'll take Peter in for a check up on that ear soon.

sacrifice of praise for Monday

Hebrews 13:15 

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

Photos courtesy of Peter, my son.  He wants to be a nature photographer on the side someday, supplementing his forest ranger income.

Monday Gratitude:

- Singing this song together, taken from Barney's Campfire Songs.  A kookaburra is a kingfisher bird, native to Australia.

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree, 

          merry, merry king of the bush is he.

Laugh Kookaburra, laugh Kookaburra,

gay a life has he.

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree,
Eating all the gumdrops he can see.
Stop kookaburra, stop kookaburra
Leave some there for me. 

- Daffodils and other bulb flowers blooming in the front bed

- Writing letters to penpals & receiving letters from penpals

- Reading the book of Isaiah with my boys at night

- 7:15 AM visits from Paul and Mary, for morning cuddles.  Can't think of a better way to start my day.

- Homemade applesauce to cheer us up on a breezy, wet, cold, 50-degree day

- Goldfinches now visit several times daily.

- Husband starting his day with the Bible

- For the second year I'm having all the egg dyeing, egg hunting, stuffed-bunny gifting, and chocolate-bunny eating on the weekend before Easter, to help them focus on Scripture and Resurrection and church on Easter day--enjoying those along with a nice meal.   Every time Mary says Easter egg, Peter corrects her, "They're spring eggs, not Easter eggs, Mary.  We're doing fun spring things next weekend, not Easter things."  She pouts at him and says, "No! They're Easter eggs, Peter!"  (Oh, well. I try.)

Okay, that's it for today.  Miss Beth is awake!  Happy Spring!

Sunday thanks-giving

Psalm 30:11-12 

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever.

Sunday Gratitude List:

- A neighbourhood walk in 78 degree, sunny weather

- Girls trying on spring dresses from storage boxes

- Momma buys bubble bath about twice a year.  Oh, how it brings on the giggles!  I love it!

- Puzzles with Miss Beth

- Miss Mary remarking about our sizeable drainage ditch across the street, from which the boys catch frogs:  "It's so nice sitting here and watching the river."

- Miss Beth bringing her Barney stuffed animal on our stroller walk.

- The boys enjoy e-mail exchanges with their homeschool friend, six-year-old Faith, who moved back to Michigan last fall. She starts every other e-mail with, "Dear Peter and Paul, I love you."  So cute!

- Paul coming home from church and saying, "Mommy, I had such a good time tonight."  They played outside because the weather was so nice.  If you live in our area, you learn to drop everything and enjoy nice weather when it finally arrives.

- Miss Beth finishing her nap in my arms today.  If she naps for more than an hour, she falls asleep too late at night.  But if she only sleeps an hour, she is still groggy and cranky and tends to fall asleep in the rocker with me for another half hour.  These nap transitions can be tough!  The boys were much easier in this regard.

- Peter studying his insect and bird field guides diligently, telling me what he hopes to see this spring, summer and fall.

- Paul's crafty creativeness

- I can't reproduce for you how Miss Beth says the word blueberries, but boy is it cute!  She's doing better with her articulation.  And that girl can down a pint of blueberries by herself!  I have to keep an eye on her!  Peter is the same way with his berries.

anger and 40+ hormones

A routine day passed.  Peter was calm, school smooth.  The girls played together and I managed to sweep and mop two rooms.  I prepared homemade chicken noodle soup with cornbread for dinner, which everyone eats and enjoys, no fuss.

Three goldfinches came to the feeder, surprises came in the mail from our sweet penpals, a nice e-mail exchange occurred between me and my friend in Wyoming, who I mentioned needs prayer for finances.  Her family does ministry to the poor and needy in a trailer park.

The day flowed.  Nothing distressing.

Then it happened.

The girls were in the bath.  Miss Beth kept scooting around as I washed and rinsed her hair.  I positioned her again, in front of me, after telling her to stay still.  Intent on getting a bath toy or letter from the other end of the tub, she ignored me.

Shocking anger spewed.  Abruptly pushing all the toys to her side, I yelled, "Here!  You want these?  Take them!  Just stay still so I can rinse your hair!"

Mary looked up at me, surprised and sad.  "I guess we're not having a good day."

I hadn't yelled in quite awhile.  Bible reading and prayer, sudden and planned, cured me--or so it seemed.

I stepped away and just watched the girls after that.  Tears threatened.

Where had that anger come from?  It hadn't been a hard day, other than the rain and the closed-up feeling we all have.

Again, while I put cream on the girls after their bath, Miss Beth scooted to the head of the king bed, smiling mischievously, before I'd finished.  Normal two-year-old behaviour.  She isn't a difficult child.

And yet, my anger sparked.  I pulled her back down abruptly, yelling that she needed to obey.

Mary: "When will we have a good day?"

Momma:  "Mary, I'm sorry. We haven't had a bad day.  I guess Mommy is just tired.  It would be nice if everyone listened and things went smoothly. Thank you for listening to Mommy."

Mary:  "I wish Beth would listen."

Momma:  "She's still little.  Most of the time she listens well.  Soon she'll listen as well as you."

We often sing songs during dressing time, distracting them from such childish behaviour.  Tonight, I didn't remember.  I was reeling from the tub-side anger, moments before.

Lights out, Beth nursing peacefully beside me, I caress her hair, her cheeks, tell her how much Mommy loves her.  I pray that God will apply mercy and grace, helping the girls forgive me and not dwell on it--especially Mary, my sensitive one.

The moments before bed should be special.  Their last thoughts should be of fun songs, sweet prayers, and Momma's love, keeping them safe.

I blew it.

When I went back to Mary's room to apologize again for my anger, and to cuddle with her, she was already asleep.

Please God, give her a peaceful sleep.  May she feel love, not disdain, for her angry Momma.

House quiet, husband away till 1:00 AM, I research perimenopause and mood swings. Am I a victim now, even though my cycles are like clockwork?  Is this just normal PMS, but worsening because of my age?  I'd never felt such a sudden flash of anger.

One minute, I'm joyfully singing campfire songs during bathtime, and the next, I snap--shove toys at my two-year-old.

This isn't who I want to be, God!

I'd made such progress, becoming a measure more gentle and quiet, these past weeks, months.

I read about omega oil, flaxseed, calcium, exercise, sleep, no caffeine (which my Excedrin has, but I don't drink tea or coffee).

Youth is gone.  Is that it?  Now I have to work at feeling good?

I've always needed less sleep than the average person--five or six hours is fine, especially if uninterrupted.  My dad is the same.

Either I take care of myself consciously now, or my kids suffer?

And of course, I'll need more prayer, more Bible, more Jesus songs.  More of His grace.

We never arrive.  Have you noticed?  Something always send us running back to Him.

Help me Lord, I can't do this!


Matthew 11:28-30 (source here) 

²⁸Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

John 14:27  ²⁷Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Psalm 4:8   I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

Dear Sun

Dear Sun,

We miss you.  That's all I have to say.

Love,

A Desperate Momma

He's eating a pinecone covered with peanut butter and seed, which Peter hung here by a string.

You know you're desperate for entertainment when Momma has to suggest you design a maze for your hamster.