All it took was time and drugs

I didn't realize it'd been January since my last post. Time gets away from you when life is happening around us! I've picked a bad time for the lengthy update needed as it's bedtime, but I've been intending to write an update for the last two weeks straight with nothing to show for it. I read back through this blog which spans more than two years ago now. And it's sad. Makes me feel kind of weird, as it took me back to those moments with a newborn Jett that I really did not enjoy. I realize it doesn't matter if we were unprepared parents or if it was Jett that was just a difficult baby; the perception was that that period of time sucked. And I am finally okay with that. So life sucked for a while and it wasn't anyone's fault and we're removed from it now and I feel more wise-end for the experience. We're still pretty determined that we never, ever want to do that again, but that's fine too. We've definitely made a breakthrough. Jett's amazing. It's like 18-months came and we got a little kid all of a sudden. I also got situated with some anti-anxiety medication, which has worked out better than I ever anticipated. In fact, my ability to deal with stressors better now than I have in the last year makes me sort of sad/ mad that I didn't do this sooner. I feel like I could have saved myself from some unessecary struggles. But back to Jett. He's a walking, talking, helpful, contemplative, happy, rambunctious little toddler. He picks up his toys (mostly when prompted), he feeds himself (messily), drinks from a regular cup in small doses, plays by himself (half of the time), builds and digs in the sandbox Kenny just built him, dances, sings (a very little bit), identifies things with words ("motorcycle" is "co-coo", "vacuum" is "bac"), Pre-emptively says "please" (only b/c he's learned very quickly to manipulate us...), understands everything we tell him but is selective in acknowledging requests..., vacuums like a madman(we bought him his own lightweight stick vac b/c he loved ours so much), still eats most everything (though is selective if offered better alternative menu items...ketchup covered hotdog buns trump anything), and sleeps on a somewhat routine schedule. His naps have been longer for the last month, up to 4 hours, but that's typical only if he's sick. Which hasn't been that frequently, though he does seem to be dealing with spring allergies, on the heels of a big teething push. I'm hoping we're in a bit of a down period on the teething thing; teething is honestly the worst thing ever. I was starting to get concerned that I might be harming Jett's liver by having him on regular daily doses of ibuprofen for a month at a time. But when this kid ails, he AILS. I can't wait for him to be older so I can give him hardcore meds for colds and such, not that I want to drug my child (I was very anti-drugs going into all of this, hence the natural labor...), but Jett seems to need something stronger than what is ever currently available. Even Benadryl, a totally legit, real drug, hasn't worked with him. Gotta make an appt for the doc this week to get these allergies assessed. Poor kiddo had a dry cough ALL day long. Couldn't give him enough cold liquid and fruit and Popsicles to ease it. And Boogie Wipes are a new staple in the house. And we've moved up to the giant bottle of children's ibuprofen... I need to get to bed, but wanted to get something out there to pick up where I left off earlier this year. Jett's wonderful. He's got a personality and is pretty funny with us. He's a doll too, but not sure what to do with his hair. He throws tantrums and intentionally disobeys us on occasion and doesn't take scolding seriously most days but this is nothing. I'm having a blast with this age. He's just old enough to understand almost everything and communicates about ninety percent effectively (only some words/gestures we can't figure out), but still little enough to enjoy him as a "baby." This kid is tops. Thank god.