Ear tubes = AWESOME (& swimming)

On June 3rd, after pretty much 4 straight months of ear infections and antibiotics, Brayden got tubes put in his ears. When we first started on the road of ear infections, I was very wary of getting tubes because I didn't want my baby to go under. However, by the time Brayden turned 6 months I was just ready for him to have some relief! We were literally at the pediatrician's office or Acute kids if it fell on a weekend within 2 or 3 days from finishing a round of antibiotics with another ear infection and usually a double ear infection. We were told 6 months is the youngest they will do ear tubes so just after 6 months I got the number for the ENT and we set up an appointment. Because we were traveling to Georgia on Memorial Day weekend we had to book the surgery for the following Friday. That Friday could NOT come soon enough and we even had to make one last trip to Acute Kids a couple days before the surgery.

The day of the surgery was much easier than anticipated. We were at the surgery center by 6:45am. They took Brayden back around 7:45am and I was probably holding him in recovery by a little after 8am. It was so quick and easy and it made a noticeable difference by the next day! Brayden started becoming much more vocal we think because he could hear himself much better and he was just happier (and not that he wasn't happy before). He also no longer minded being put on his back which was becoming a challenging task to do without screams. Also, the afternoon of the surgery Brayden started sitting up on his own! I think this was probably just a coincidence because he was getting pretty close before; however, somebody made the comment that maybe it was due to all the fluid being out of his ears and helping with his balance. I have no idea if that's even possible but either way it was pretty cool that he started sitting up that same day.

Here are a few pics from the morning of the surgery waiting at the surgery center.

Brayden liked the pager that went off when it was time to go back to the pre-op room

Waiting with daddy

Snoozing once we were home

That weekend Brayden also got a chance to try out swimming a 2nd and 3rd time and with each time liked it more and more.

This pool was much warmer than the pool in Georgia. The biggest problem was that he kept trying to crawl out of the float and then would get a face full of water which would upset/startle him.

He liked swimming around with Papa. :)

Swimming with "Aunt" K at their new house! :)