A post about Seth?

Ok, you're not going to believe this, but I am about to post about Seth. On his own blog.

I know, I know, pick your jaw up off the floor.

Our little one year old just can't seem to catch a break. Last week, he went in for his one year old check up where we learned he had an ear infection, some big breathing issues, and had lost a pound. Oh, and they checked his iron and it turns out he's severely anemic, even though he's been on prescription iron for a couple months.

Ugh! Just when I thought he was out of the woods.

We went in today for his recheck before we start our round of specialist visits, and his Doctor immediately started stressing because of how pale he was. She said his hands weren't doing something they should have when she did something to them (I know, very technical). They should have been pinking up when she did something, and they didn't. She wanted to do a blood draw so that they could do a bunch of tests. I agreed, but mentioned that he's a very hard stick. She said she'd send in the nurse that was best at blood draws.

That kicked off 30 minutes of a frantically screaming baby, an agitated nurse, and a really sad Mama. This nurse has a ton of experience with people with bad veins, but no matter what she did, she couldn't get a vein with Seth. He was literally inconsolable. He started crying as soon as we laid him on the table, and continued even after she let me hold him while she searched. I showed her the place they finally got an IV on when he was in the hospital in June, but she couldn't see anything there. Or anywhere else, for that matter. So after all that torture, they weren't able to get blood, and we have to go to the hospital tomorrow to try again. It's so frustrating to have to hold your child down while he's screaming and scared.

So tomorrow we're off to the Pulmonologist to see what he thinks about Seth's airway issues, and on Monday we head back to the doctor who did Seth's CI surgery to talk about whether Seth's current tubes, which are packed with blood from his surgery, are doing him more harm than good. It's looking like he may be getting them replaced.

As far as the weight gain issue, I'm at a loss. Seth eats a TON of food. He loves to eat. Problem is, he doesn't want to drink anything. Well, anything from a cup. He is still of the opinion that he doesn't do cups of bottles, and while we've had a little success with a couple of sippies and whole milk, he really just wants to nurse. I'm thrilled to have made it to a year nursing him, especially considering this pregnancy, and I know lots of people nurse through pregnancy, so at this point I don't mind it, but he needs to start bulking up.

Anyway, Seth could use your prayers this week as we try to get to the bottom of these issues. I know none of them are too bad, but his first year was rough enough. I want him to be healthy and happy for his second year.