Wheezing

Ethan scared the heck out of me this morning! Ethan work me up at 2 in the morning with the sound of his dry cough. It was a mixture of a dry cough and wheezing ~ it was such a horrible sound. Van said that he heard Ethan wheezing, coughing, and trying to breathe. I got out of bed and held Ethan to sleep in the rocking chair. Just a few minutes longer, I would have taken Ethan to the ER. Luckily, holding Ethan in the rocking chair really helped my baby breathe a bit easier. Once Ethan was calm, I put him back down so that I could turn on the nebuelizer. My son is congested, again!

It's my fault for letting him out yesterday without a hat or a coat. Sunday, we went to the Thai temple off of Route 50. Well, I took Yai to the temple while Marisa and Ashley stayed home with Ethan. It was too early for them to go to the temple so I thought that it would be best for them to stay home until later. I told the girls to take their time. Yai and I had to be at the temple early enough to prepare the offerings for the monks. My husband's cousin had volunteered to help out at the temple and had asked for my mother-in-law to make some food for the monks.The day turned out to be so beautiful! By the time the girls and Ethan arrived at the temple, the sun was bright and it was really warm out. Of course, my Ethan loved every seconds he had running outside. I knew better than to let Ethan roam around without a jacket and a hat. Our baby could have played outside all day long if we had let him! My heart melts when I see Ethan with his cousin, grandmother, daddy and sister ~ his contagious laughter and smiles makes my day brighter.

We left the temple at around three in the afternoon. I came home with a big headache and was really tired from the day's event. I left Ethan with daddy so that I could get some rest. I slept from four o'clock until eight-thirty. My husband brought Ethan upstairs and woke me up. Ethan was ready for bed and had fallen asleep right after we turned off the lights!

By 2 a.m., Ethan was showing signs of another cold/congestion. His wheezing, coughing, and difficulties in his breathing was really alarming. Like I said, one more moment longer, I would have taken my baby boy to the ER. I stayed up to watch Ethan sleep just to make certain that he was not struggling to take a breath. By 3 a.m., I called Ethan's school to let them know that he was not going to make it into class.

I wanted to keep my baby home to make certain that his cold is not causing him any difficulties. It's hard to see Ethan suffer in the evening especially when he is well during the day. I just didn't want to send Ethan to school to make it worse for my baby. At least when he's home, I can monitor him and keep his nose clean! Oh well, another Monday that Ethan was unable to go to school...it was a treat too that daddy stayed home. It was nice to have a helping hand especially when I'm still not feeling 100%. Ethan and daddy took me to my dentist. After my appointment, we went to walk at Leesburg Outlet Mall. Ethan was in good spirit and I was grateful that I had this day to spend with both my husband and my little angel.Ethan enjoyed his day with daddy and I enjoyed my day watching my son and husband together.

Teachers cried "wolf"

Ethan's out of school early again! Wednesday, the school called Van to pick Ethan up. The teachers and the nurse felt that Ethan was having respiratory distress. I've advised them that Ethan was fine and that the doctor said that he was fine but...they wanted to be safe. Ethan left early from school on Friday, I kept him home on Monday, and now he has to leave early again. I know when Ethan is sick and when he is having difficulties, this time around, Ethan is feeling well!

Ethan's teacher is crying "wolf" which freaks my husband out! I contacted Ethan's doctor and advised them of what his teachers have told my husband. Since they were unable to see Ethan for another 2 hours, I was told to take Ethan to the ER. To me, Ethan is doing fine and he was not showing any signs of distress but I did not want to take that chances.

We arrived at the emergency room at Fairoaks Hospital. We were seen right away and of course his temperature was 96.8 and his oxygen level was at 100%. The doctor on call and two nurses cleared Ethan. The doctor said that his lungs sounded clear and that there were no need to have Ethan's chest x-ray. The cutest thing that came out of this was that Ethan was so good at the ER. Ethan pulled up his shirts to let the nurses and the doctor listen to his chest. He also laid straight down on the bed and pointed to the instrument that the doctor uses to look in his ears, nose and throat. Ethan wanted them to look into his mouth so when he laid down on the bed, he opened his mouth and said "aw" with his tongue sticking out! The nurses and the doctor just laughed and said that he was so adorable! They said that they wish that all of their ER patients were like Ethan. Another personnel came to look over our paper work and said that Ethan is such a heart breaker ~ he is such a big flirt! In no time at all, we were off on our way to Yai's house. Thu wanted to spend some time with Yai so we ended up in Lorton.Ethan was happy as a clam! Well, with the exception of his wee wee. When I changed Ethan in the morning, he did not stay put & was just playing around. I must of wiped his wee wee too hard and pulled onto his skin. Ethan showed daddy that he was hurting. It was so cute to see his facial expressions. Anyways, Ethan told Yai that he was hurting down at his "hum" too. Besides that, Ethan was just jumping off the walls and was as happy as he could be. He had french fries and chicken nuggets...he also was able to play with both of his grandmothers. What a treat for Ethan to be out of school early.Ethan is home with me today ~ just wanted him to have a break! I had a dentist appointment so Ethan had an opportunity to spend some time with daddy. In addition, Ethan was able to take a little nap when I drove home from my appointment...hope that he is not going to stay up late tonight!

A Great Fall

Tuesday, Ethan's first day back at school from our long weekend. Ethan has a lot of energy but unfortunate for me, I've been feeling like a log!

Ethan was so thrilled to be going back to school. After having a long weekend to rest, Ethan was set & pretty happy to wake up to go to school! After dropping Ethan off at school, I went to pick up my mother in Manassas. We hung around the house until I had to pick Ethan up at the bus stop. We then went to Ethan's speech but I was way too early. It's been two weeks that we've not made it to Ethan's appointment so I was anxious not to miss this one. We were early so the therapist said that I could wait or just start our process again next week. It was a good thing since I wasn't feeling well, my mother was waiting in the car, and I just wanted to get Ethan home.

Thu and mommy were watching a Thai movie while Marisa was watching Law & Order. Daddy was upstairs taking a shower so Ethan just wanted to "sit" with mommy. He was not comfortable in any position so he decided that he wanted to sit on my shoulders, which, I was fine with because I'm still not feeling 100% to fuss with anyone. Don't know why Ethan decided that he wanted to reach over to Marisa but when he did, he slipped behind the leather sofa (home theater seats with individual armrests). His head landed on the floor and of course I freaked because I wasn't quick enough to grab hold of Ethan. He bite his lips and bruised his forehead! Not the season that we are now in but a really great fall! Ethan was being a "BOY" but it did not make me feel any better with seeing my son hurt!

Monday, Ethan was my energizer bunny & just wanted to play so much but I have not had any energy to entertain my son. I kept Ethan home on Monday just to make certain that he is okay. He doesn't sound congested and he looks pretty "clear" to me but because I had to pick him up early from school on Friday, I wanted to make certain. Ethan had so much energy but I was still suffering from my "monthly visits" that I just could not function in full capacity. It was not a great day for me at all...I felt so low that at one moment, I thought that I just didn't have the will to survive one more day! I was very hard on Marisa and Ethan...I just wanted to rest but of course, being a mother does not allow you to take time off. When Van returned home from work, I went up to bed. My son, being as sweet as always, came and gave me a kiss and laid right next to me. We both fell asleep but before I closed my eyes, I prayed for strength. It was hard knowing that I was so mean to my innocent baby boy when he had no idea that I was not feeling well.

For two days now that I have not had the will and energy to play with my son. I don't have the strength to carry Ethan and run around with him like usual. I know that Ethan may not understand why I haven't been myself lately, but he still loves me unconditionally! I promise to do better!

This morning, Ethan decided to dive off the bed. Van exclaim "wonder why he doesn't hurt himself"...yes, being sarcastic! Ethan, every now and then, would do something like this. He would jump up in the air & land on his buttock right straight on the floor. Ethan would also do a swan dive off of our couch. Ethan would climb up on the gallon of the Deer Park water bottle so that he could reach the counter. Well, Ethan would climb up anything to just scare the living daylight out of me. Ethan would climb up the kitchen pantry shelves so that he could reorganize the pantry. Ethan would climb into anything (boxes, laundry baskets, dryer, cabinets, playpen) so that he could terrorize me. Then he would give you the biggest kisses so that you would forget that he was being nasty! I don't ever remember Marisa getting hurt like Ethan when she was a baby. What more should I be expecting from this little daredevil?

Ethan bear on my face!

Energizer bunny ~ ready to play!

My goodness...I had such a hard time sleeping last night! I thought that I could take advantage of the extra hour of sleep?!?! My son had something else in mind. I was not feeling well because of my "monthly visit" but that did not keep me awake. Little Ethan was doing some type of dancing on my face! He felt like a little monkey trying to climb up a tree and in this case, my head and my face. I don't know if he was cold or that he just did not want to let me go. Oh, maybe it was because he fell asleep with his daddy instead of me! I was just too tired to hold him to sleep so daddy was holding Ethan when Ethan fell asleep. I've been so drained from this "monthly bill" that I just was not able to function. I thought that I was going to drop because I was so sickly...sweating, light headed, vomiting, stomach aches, and crawling into the bathroom! Not a pretty site but thank goodness that I was able to sleep for a few moments.

While my little monkey was in deep sleep, he still was trying to stay attached to me. Not just me, but my face. I wonder if Ethan just want to be comforted by my heavy breathing on his face! Any how, he just would not sleep anywhere else but on my face. My husband asked why Ethan doesn't sleep that way with him...beats me! At times like this, I wish that Ethan would be more attached to his daddy. My baby boy kept me up all night and by seven o'clock this morning, Ethan woke up with a huge smile on his face. I figured that he had a really good night sleep since he was ready to jump out of bed. Ethan called for his daddy in his groggy little voice. I imitated his voice to call daddy too! Van jumped back into bed and played with Ethan. Ethan touched his daddy and said "daddy" then touched me and said "mom". He then said "Sa Sa", as he always does. I know that Ethan loves to have us all together.

Marisa was downstairs getting ready. We decided that we would take daddy to work and then would go and visit Yai. By the time we arrived at Potomac Yard/Crystal City, my husband asked for me to come back to pick him up at around one o'clock. When we arrived at Yai's house, my husband called and asked for me to pick him up at around twelve thirty instead. Without realizing that Yai have not changed any of her clocks in her home, I rushed Ethan and Marisa out of the door. Well, found out that it was only 11:12 and that I had all the time in the world to get to my husband. Not getting a good night sleep can do this to a person!We had dinner at Yai's. Van finished watching football with his sister, Marisa finished her homework, and Ethan had his bath. We haven't even gotten onto Fairfax County Parkway when my little monkey fell asleep. I know that he was tired because he kept coming to me to carry him. It was 8:23 and you know that Ethan's body thinks that it's 9:23! Now that I'm feeling a lot better, I hope that my Ethan bear decides to climb on my face again tonight. Mommy is ready for you to cuddle with!

No wonder!

Ethan's been trying to pick his nose...yes, normally I would be freaked out whenever a child starts picking at his or her nose but I was so excited that Ethan even knew how to do this! I know that this is not the "milestone" that people would want to celebrate but with Ethan, everything that he does brings such an immense joy to me. Don't say that I am crazy...my bliss is different from other mothers' happiness.

The reason that I get so cheeky is because I love to see how independent Ethan is becoming. He used to let me get him to blow his nose with a tissue but since he does not have a runny nose, it's really hard to keep him from being congested without clearing his pathway. I showed Ethan how to put his index finger in his nostrils and let him flick his finger slightly so that he is not pushing his whole finger into his nostrils. I thought that I was teaching him something useful, in case I'm not around to help him! Another note, Ethan hates to have his hands dirty and would always want me to wipe them. Now, he takes a napkin on his own and wipes his hands and face by himself. My little monkey sees and does what he sees.

On Thursday, I noticed that Ethan returned home from school with a runny nose. Ethan was pretty fussy with his left nostril. Friday, when the nurse called for me to pick Ethan up from the school, I was concerned that it was for something really bad. The nurse had contacted my husband and he called me, all freaked out, of course. When I arrived at the school, the nurse said that Ethan sounded congested but his lungs sounded clear. She wasn't sure of what to make of Ethan's congestion and wanted to be safe by calling me. I thanked her and said that Ethan did have a runny nose when he returned home from school on Thursday. It was good any which way because I love having my baby boy with me. When I arrived in his classroom, Ethan was pushing a chair around. He saw me and ran to me to give me a huge, which I welcome every moment possible! We went to McDonald's for lunch and came home to relax. I wasn't feeling well either so we ended up just waiting for Marisa to return home from school.

Friday evening, when my baby went to sleep, I looked into his left nostril and found a huge white something up his nose. I finally was able to retrieve it with a tweezers and it looked and felt like tissue papers or even a huge ball of white rice! Thank goodness that Ethan was in deep sleep, otherwise, I would not be able to even touch his nose! I don't know if Ethan had stuffed his nose with tissue paper or something else but no wonder he was fussing with his nostrils all day! Once I cleared his left nostril, his breathing sounded so clear! As I'm writing this blog, it sounds so bizarre but boy, I was amazed with how huge this piece of something was that was clogging Ethan's breathing...I really need to watch this little monkey to make certain that he is not shoving things up his nose that does not belong there! Yes, Ethan's tried his daddy's nose spray. He's tried the suction bulb thing. Is this just a boy thing? I don't remember Marisa getting into things like this. I need to be more careful in showing Ethan anything that I don't want him to imitate...my little monkey bear, mommy loves you and thank you for making my day so full of sunshine!

Mrs. Than

"Oh, I'm sorry...your husband's number was the first on our list to call", said the school nurse at Arcola. I knew that my husband was stretching when he said that Ethan's school have been trying to contact me because Ethan was really sick. Yes, when I arrived to pick Ethan up from school...the story was this... Ethan's teacher was concerned that Ethan may be having an "asthma attack" or that he sounded pretty congested. The nurse wanted to be safe since I told Ethan's teacher about the 911 call. Ethan came home with a runny nose yesterday & I've been monitoring Ethan to make certain that he was okay. We felt that he was fine & had decided to send Ethan to school. Oh well, the nurse said that she wanted to be safe than to be sorry later & so she dialed the first number on the emergency contact list. There are four numbers listed with the school, daddy's, mommy's and Ethan's two aunts.

Ethan was fine, when I arrived in his class, Ethan was pushing a chair around his room. Ethan came and gave me a big hug & I give my baby a big kiss. Ethan was happy to see me and I was thrilled to have him with me. We turned it into a day for us. Went and bought lunch from McDonald's. Came home and read stories, watched Sponge Bob and waited from Marisa. When Marisa came home from school, we took her to her friend's home in South Riding. My son and I had dinner together and went to bed early. Had to get daddy to pick Marisa up but it was nice to have just Ethan and mommy time again :~)

Autumn days...anticipation of the holidays

Autumn in my heart ~ I love this time of the year when things seem to be crisp, clear, calm, inviting, chilly, rainy, warm, bright sunshine, perfect sunset, a beautiful harvest moon and a new found hope for the up and coming winter and eventually spring and summer.

When I was young, I always loved the first sign of fall! The first day of school, walking to Hutchinson from our town home on Chamblee Place. What I remember was the feeling of hope that life could only get better once school started. I hated summer, I hated that we were stuck at home. I hated that I felt so alone. But in the fall, when the early morning dew and the crispness in the air gave me a little glimpse of why life was so precious. Even when the trees became so bare & when time just seems to have stood still, I remember that if God could make such beauty in this world, then He has plans for me as well. I was grateful that I knew that God does not make mistakes and that only good would prevail.

Autumn~ leaves turning bright golden red, orange, yellow...almost like sparkling gold and rubies and at times, like diamonds when the sun shines on these leaves at just the right angle and moment. Even now, my daughter would proclaim how wonderful these leaves and trees are when we do our little drive around town. I'm glad that she is able to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. I'm also trying to teach Ethan to appreciate this as well. We would stop to look at fallen leaves to see the differences in their shapes and colors. Ethan would stare at it and then would look at me in profound confusion. Hey, he's still too young to understand why I look at these leaves with so much admiration and so much hope! I have such an overwhelming joy in my heart that my children are able to enjoy their childhood! What an immense feeling that takes a hold of me when I imagine living my childhood through my son's and daughter's! I pray that they will always have this feeling throughout their lives. A feeling of wonder. A feeling of hope. A feeling of love. A feeling of gratitude. A feeling of completeness. A feeling of safety. A feeling of magic. A feeling of joy. A feeling of happiness. A feeling of pure bliss.

Something as simple as the leaves falling from these trees helps me appreciate how life does endure and eventually prevail even in the worse conditions. These trees may look lifeless but behold when these trees bloom in the spring! What an amazing sight that we will be a witness to!

Back to school...homecoming , so profound

It's been about a week now that Ethan's been out of school. Thank goodness that he is getting better! My heart aches when Ethan is not feeling well. He is such a good boy and he tries to be strong and happy for his mommy. I know that Ethan got sick because of me...he smothered me with hugs and kisses while I was sick. I knew that Ethan would eventually catch what I had since my little boy would not leave my side for a single moment.

First day back and boy, Ethan was attacked with so many "Ethan, Ethan, Ethan". My little one is such a social boy...all of the kids in his class raced to the door to greet him. I guess they missed Ethan too! I know how that feels because when I'm at Ethan's bus stop, I get so anxious to see my little angel. Once the bus driver makes a complete stop, I would rushed over to the bus and give Ethan a big hug and a big kiss too. Just can't help it!

This weekend was really busy for us. Friday, took Marisa to get her flu shot. I just wanted to make certain that she's covered for this year. It's no fun to get sick, I know that I'm still trying to get over mine.
Saturday, drove my hubby to work. We had to stop by Tysons to meet with the towing company to make certain that they were okay to tow our truck to Bill Page Toyota. Finally dropped Van at the Sports Authority Store in Crystal City.

When I returned home, I took Marisa up to Tysons to get her ready for her homecoming. When we arrived at the Bare Essential store, they were very busy so we decided to just do Marisa's makeup ourselves.Daddy called to let me know that his truck was ready for pick up. Decided that it would be best to meet him and drive him to Falls Church...I was getting really tired. This was the moment that I wished that Marisa could drive! We returned home at around four to get Marisa ready for her dinner.My heart stopped when I saw my baby girl all dressed up for her dance. Where did all the time go? I can't believe that she's so grown...she is so beautiful & she took my breath away! For a moment, I became very protective & I felt that there is no boy in this world who is worthy enough for my baby girl. I was being her father & now I know how Van must be feeling all this time! I know that we are not prepared for our baby girl to become this young woman standing in front of me. When Marisa said thank you mommy, I heart was overwhelmed with love and admiration. Marisa said that she loved her makeup, her dress and her hair. I said to her, "see, mommy knows what she's doing". By the time Ethan and I drove Marisa to her dinner and her school, I was ready for bed! I totally forgot about the Halloween party that my friend was having for the kids.As I laid in bed holding onto Ethan...I watched as sleep fell upon my little angel's face. Ethan did not have any energy to fight his will to stay awake. It was so sweet to see Ethan give into his sleep...without hesitation, without fear, and without a care in the world. My son was in deep sleep before I could count his eye lashes. Yes, I was just staring at them because his lashes are so long and beautiful! I just stared into his perfectly round face, his kissable lips, his rosy cheeks, his chubby hands (left holding onto my hair & his right hand holding onto my face), his wrinkly eye brows, his tiny ears, his smooth forehead, and his cute button nose. Not before long, Ethan twitched a little grin on his lips and his hands had loosen up on the hold that he had on me...I knew that he was finally in deep sleep and in his sweet dreams. I was mesmerized with this little person who has such a strong hold on me. At that moment, I prayed that my son knows that he is so loved and I thank God for this moment and for every moments that I have with my perfect son and my perfect daughter.