Gimpy Toddler

So on Friday evening I noticed Brian was walking with a slight limp. He has been walking now for almost 3 months and the limp is a new development. At first I just chalked it up to him being so sleepy. I also didn't think much of it because he hadn't fallen recently and there was no swelling, no redness, and no bruising. Fast forward to Monday - he is still limping. Monday evening he was limping pretty badly. Badly enough for Jason to make a comment about it (which kind of freaked me out). So the doctor in me started moving all his joints and comparing legs and what not (stuff doctors do). Again, there was no bruising, no redness, no swelling. There was no difference between the two legs and all joints seemed to move freely and to the same degree on both sides. There was nothing in his feet, no cuts, no scrapes, no blisters. But he was still limping. Now toddlers don't just limp for no reason. As I started watching him closer it became apparent that he was favoring crawling over walking (something he hasn't done since he learned to walk), and he was asking to be carried a lot more often than usual. He was also fussier than normal and would whine while he was walking. Something was definitely wrong. I started doing some research online and came across something called a "toddler's fracture". Basically, its a low impact fracture that can happen if a toddler falls and twist their leg while falling. (Go here if you want more information on a "toddler's fracture".) Jason and I talked it over. I really wanted to take him to the doctor (mostly for peace of mind). Jason wanted to wait a few more days and said he didn't want me turn into an over-reactive mom. I agreed and told him I would wait. The next morning (Tuesday) I changed my mind and made an appointment at the doctor's office (after asking Jason). The doctor sent us to get x-rays and then we waited. I just heard back from the doctor and all the x-rays are negative. Good thing and bad thing. It's good because he most likely doesn't have a fracture, but it's a bad thing because we still don't know what is wrong with him. Right now we are treating him with ibuprofen. The doctor said that if he hasn't improved at all by tomorrow afternoon I have to take him back in. There is still a small chance of a toddler's fracture (sometime they take up to a week to show up on x-ray), but it's unlikely. I just wish I knew what was wrong so I could try and help him. I have lost a lot of sleep in the past few days worrying about him. I will let you know if anything changes.

Pictures at the Park

Saturday evening we went to the park to let Brian roam around and play. Here are a few pictures.

Static electricity!

"I can do it!"

"A tire swing mom!"

He's just so big!

The best part - the slide!

All the pictures for your viewing pleasure.

Brian's First Haircut

So on Saturday we took Brian to get his first haircut. I didn't want to get it cut and wasn't ready to see all those cute curls go, but I couldn't win the fight with Jason any longer. He didn't want Brian to look girly and thought that he was reaching that point (especially with all the curls).

We took him to the barber that has been cutting Jason's hair since he was a baby. From the very get go Brian was weary of the whole situation. Even while we were in the lobby awaiting our turn Brian was uncharacteristically snuggly and clingy. As soon as we sat him in the chair the tears started and they didn't stop until he was firmly in my arms again. He cried his poor little head off the whole entire time.

I felt bad for the haircutter cause he seemed a little stressed and I know he was rushing to try and get done. Brian did sit still the whole time, he just also cried the whole time. The haircutter (Sabino) was very patient and did as good as could be expected for the situation.

I wasn't so sad to see the curls gone because he is still cute as a button, but the finished product turned out pretty awful in my opinion. The front is totally uneven and there are some chucks out of the top and back. Its look terrible, but it will grow out and it doesn't bother me enough to make Brian go through the stress/trauma again so soon. Here are some finished pictures (it's hard to see ho uneven it is because it is styled).

Here is the slideshow of all the pictures in case you would like to look at them

Fort Worth Alliance Air Show

So Jason, Brian, and I went to the Fort Worth Alliance Air Show last weekend on Saturday. This is the 3rd year in a row that Jason and I have gone and it has become somewhat of a family tradition. Last year when we went Brian was only about 2 weeks old. Time really does fly.

We always make it a full day event and left the house at about 8:30am. The weather was absolutely gorgeous all day long and we had front row seats that were a perfect view of everything. Brian had a blast and loved getting to walk all around outside.

Brian did really well with all the noise and excitement. He never cried once - even when the F-18s flew by at just under sonic speed. As the day went on and the jets got louder he got better and better at leaving his ear-protection on.

For the less noisy airplanes, we didn't make him wear the ear-phones. At first he would flinch a little and snuggle up against me or Jason, but by the end of the day he would point and get excited and say 'airplane' (which sound nothing like the word we know as airplane). He would clap and laugh and get all excited when one flew by. It was so fun.

Halfway through the day the poor guy was so exhausted that he fell asleep in Jason's lap while watching the planes. We were able to transfer him to his stroller and he actually slept for almost 2 hours. (He fell asleep with his headphones on).

By the end of the day we were all sweaty and grimey - especially Brian. (Notice the hair).
Overall, it was a really fun day. Long and exhausting, but fun. Brian thoroughly enjoyed it and I am looking forward to making it a yearly trip for our family.


PS - thanks to Hillary, Jay, and little Jackson for the awesome onesie top that was perfect for the festivities of the day!

Sleepy Head

So last night was a highly unusual night.

Brian usually goes to bed every night around 8pm and gets up between 7am and 8am (if I don't have early class). Last night he went to bed at 7pm and didn't wake up until 10am! I wish I could say I had a very productive morning, but I can't. I did enjoy the alone time though. It was wonderful and he has been in a great mood all day. Maybe this will become a regular occurrence - I doubt it, but I can wish right?