Hazel's Ear Infections

Although I would have to look back at Atticus's records to compare, I think Hazel has had the most ear infections of any of the kids. She got her first one at 3 months; had one at 4 months; had one at either 5 or 6 months; and then had one at 7 months. So, in her first year of life, she had 4 ear infections (and I don't remember whether any were both ears at the same time, but probably. In fact, that last ear infection lead to her terrible nursing strike, which as we know, was one of the hardest few days I have been through with my babies.

So, back in October, she got her 5th ear infection. Then, in November, she got her 6th ear infection. At that time the doctor said that if she got another one in December, we might want to make an appointment with the ENT to look at her ears. But, luckily, she went all the way until February before she got her 7th ear infection. But, the road to diagnosing that one was tough. Normally, for Hazel, when she gets ear infections, she just starts crying and crying, out of the blue, and can't stop and I usually know within an hour that she might have an ear infection. With the exception of this 7th one, I have been right every single time. Ear infections are the worst, because you can't diagnose without a doctor. So, they can be miserable until that appointment. The thing with Hazel, which has been different than all of my other kids, is that she never gets a fever with her ear infections. And, they don't always have anything to do with having a cold. Many times, with my others when they have gotten them, it's because they had a cold and at the end of it, the drainage never went away and they ended up with an ear infection. But, that is not always the case with Hazel. So, on a Friday about 10 days before these photos below, she cried and cried one day. Instead of trying to get in on that afternoon, I just waited until Monday, when she would have her 18 month checkup anyways. The doctor checked her out and said her ears looked great, even though she had cried all weekend. So, we decided it was something viral and just to watch her. So, we went on about our business and while I didn't think she seemed 100% normal, she didn't have any more major crying fits and seemed ok. Then, the following Tuesday, she cried and cried and developed a fever. I got her into the doctor that evening and when we got here, she had a 102.3 fever and was just miserable. Well, it took 1/2 a second for the doctor to look at her ears and tell me they were miserably infected. So, she did finally get that ear infection. We got her meds, gave them for 10 days and hoped all was well. But, about 10 days after she finished her antibiotics, she cried and cried again and I really thought it was her ears. Sure enough, I took her in and they were both infected again. So, another round of meds and hopefully we get it this time! 8 ear infections in 19 months! Crazy!

I really think that 1) her ears may just not drain well, but 2) she was born later in the year than my other babies and just got those first colds sooner and her ears just got infected more easily at that early age. So, I am hopeful that as she grows and now that the weather is getting warmer, that these go away. We have not had to do ear tubes with any kid yet and while it will be fine if we do, I'd love to avoid that surgery.

On that night of the high fever and going in to the doctor that evening, this was Hazel. She felt terrible and just wanted me, her mama, to snuggle her and love her and hold her. Hazel is off and on snuggly. She's just a busy bee most of the time, and doesn't need to be rocked or snuggled much. So, I loved this that night. I loved how her little head felt on my chest and snuggled up under my neck. I loved feeling the weight of her body close to mine and my arms around her and knowing that I was exactly what she needed. I never want to forget how it feels to just hold my kids, at any age. But, this snuggly, warm, squishy body age is so sweet.

So, I took some photos in the doctor's office. I don't have to be in every birthday party photo, Christmas photo, or big moment shot. I love to take those photos of the kids with others in them. But, I do want to have just a few photos of me holding my babies and also as they grow up to be big kids. They may have to be selfies (since for whatever reason, as many photos as I take of my family, NOBODY (or rarely anyone) ever just looks for that sweet moment to snap a photo of me with the kids. And I always feel ridiculous asking someone to take my picture of some candid moment that has likely already passed but that I really wanted remembered....okay, pity party is over now), but I will at least have the photo to reach back into my memory and remember that moment.

Oh my Hazel Laine; I love you.

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