He’s 4!

Well, my “baby’s” birthday came and went! Thursday night Mason wanted to spend the night with Grandma Linda and he had fun as always. I was very excited to see my birthday boy when he came home Friday morning. We spent the morning at gymnastics, then had lunch at McDonald’s (the birthday boy got to choose). He mainly wanted to eat there just for that happy meal toy, he doesn’t even care much for their food! We came home and the boys played for a bit, Brody went down for a nap and then Mason fell asleep on the couch (a rarity, these days).

This is where the birthday boy’s fun day ended. He woke up at 5pm with a 103.9 fever and was just miserable. We had plans for a dinner at Skyline with the grandparents and he still wanted to go, but by the time we got there, he didn’t even want to lift his head up, let alone go in. So we got some food to go and went back home while the grandparents stayed and ate without us. Mason became a little lethargic, had some yucky stomach issues (I’ll spare you the gory details) and then acted like he couldn’t breathe. I called our pediatrician on call who said to take him to Children’s ER, mainly because he has asthma and if he had the flu, he could get very sick very quick and our Pediatrician’s office is great for being proactive, instead of reactive. So off he went. Brody is going through this clingy stage and didn’t want me to leave him, and Mason asked for daddy and Pappy to take him anyway, so I very reluctantly stayed behind. This nearly drove me insane and I’ll never do that again! I’m too much of a control freak and can’t stand not being with my kids when they are sick. I knew he was in good hands (after all, he had daddy, pappy and was at the ER… doesn’t get too much more safe than that!). They just examined him and like most kids, he perked up once he got in the presence of the coolness that is CCHMC. He got a mask to wear (in case he had the flu- so as to not spread the germs), a popsicle, movies of his choice, and all the attention a sick kid could ask for. Even in the midst of puking, he was still having fun. His fever was up and down, as was his alertness. They sent him home after a few hours of observation with the grand diagnosis of “it’s probably a virus”. We already had figured that, but with his wicked asthma, we always like to be cautious when he’s having any sort of respiratory issue.

Anyway, he continued to cough, have a runny nose, an upset stomach and a fever clear through Saturday. It had to have been a flu of some sort- definitely more than just a gastro bug. Dave was sick with something similar earlier this week. It seems that the two of them are on the mend. Now I just hope and pray Brody and I stay healthy!

Luckily we had celebrated Mason’s birthday earlier in the week, so it’s not like he really missed out on any big plans, but it’s still no fun to be sick on your birthday. And not that I’m counting, but this is 2 out of 4 birthdays he’s had the pukes. Poor kid!

All that to say, Mason’s actual birthday came and went, and we’re so very blessed to have him a part of our lives. He’s 4, and mommy is still trying to cope with the fact that she has a preschooler! He’s just so independent these days!!!

I wrote a little poem for Mason the other night, and so here it is:

My Baby You’ll Always Be

As I kneel by your bedside tonight
I can’t help but see
The purity, the innocence
Of the little boy who came from me

I don’t want to leave your beside,
Forever in this moment I want to stay
You want me here, you need me
I love you more than words could sayolll nj

Close your eyes and go to sleep
Have sweet dreams tonight my babe
Tomorrow is a brand new day
To laugh and learn and play

You are growing up so fast
As your mommy, it’s hard to let go
But I find my joy in watching you
As you become your own

I love you for who you are,
There’s nothing I could love more.
You’re laughter, your smiles, your heart
Everything about you, I just adore.

You’re my first born,
You’ve taught more than words describe
I can’t imagine my life without you
You are my pure joy, my pride.

No matter how big you get
How tall or strong you grow to be
I want you to know,
My baby you’ll always be.