Healthy, Passport, & Sitting in a Fire Truck

After a trip to the ER with Ethan, another trip to the doctor with Jakob we are all back to being healthy. I have a follow up with my ear doctor tomorrow, but otherwise we are doing great. Ethan was confirmed to have an upper respitory infection. I don't really think they knew what he had. They did rule out RSV and pneomonia when we were in ER so that was good.

We have been working to Jakob's passport for the past 2 months. After a little trouble here and a lot of trouble there we finally have it. However there are stipulations. It is only good for 1 year They lost all of our original paperwork, so they issued it off the photo copies. My dad, Jakob and I spent the day Friday in Chicago trying to get it all worked out with them. However we have it right now and are good to leave on Friday to Costa Rica! YEA! A much needed vacation. They said they should be able to locate our paperwork at some point and will send it back. Then we can start the process all over. Let's hope. It is a long trip back to Ethiopia to get new paperwork.

Sunday we had a fundraiser for the Holland Area Fire Fighters. Rick took the boys to come visit. Jakob loved to run around and look at the trucks.

Wishing he could drive the big truck.

Trying to drive!

So unless we have a completely crazy day tomorrow or Thursday and have to tell you all about it. Our next post will be from Costa Rica.

Bon Voyage

Hugs & Kisses

Rick, Mandi, Jakob & Ethan

Happy Easter (A few days Late)!!

For being healthy most of the winter we got hit the past 2 weeks. Jakob was recovering from Croup, slowly. Another trip to the doctor and additional phones calls to the on call doctors, he finally recovered. It took through Easter before he was 100%. So well over a week. Of course I had to come down with it while he was sick. I had a cold all last week. After a few calls to the doctors I ended up in ER on Sunday night. Their comment was a Severe ear infection. After taking the medication throwing up all Sunday night and all day Monday I then had blood draining out of my ear. Usually not a good sign. For those of you that don't know I have had a few ear surgery's in the past and it on this ear. I already can't hear so no big deal really. A trip to the doctor on Monday afternoon sent us to the ENT yesterday. My doctor that I worked with in the past is no longer in practice so I have a new doctor. After meeting this doctor I now have an MRI scheduled on Friday. Should be routine, he just wants to compare to the last ones and see how things look. He definately says my ear doesn't look normal, which we already knew, but what is it suppose to look like - who knows. Today after almost 2 full weeks I am back to work a full day. It feels good to be back, but tiring as well. We are hopefully on the up swing. No results from the MRI until April 29, so don't expect anything on that.

For EASTER - Happy Easter Everyone!
It was both of the boys 1st Easter. We kept pretty low key. However they both had styling new outfits. Enjoy the pics.

Looking forward to our normal routine again for a few weeks anyway. We have Dutch Costume pictures coming in the next few weeks. Also Ethan has turned 3 months old yesterday, so I will be sure to get some good 3 month photos of him for everyone. I can't believe he is 3 months already. He is holding his head up well. He can also hold his body straight when you hold him. A huge relief to me, as it frees up a hand to attend to Jakob. Overall doing well and loving this warm weather.

Lots of Love,

Rick, Mandi, Jakob & Ethan

Back to the Doctor!

Sunday Jakob started coughing and not feeling to well. I stayed home with both the boys Monday, hoping another day of rest would help. He lounged around all day. During the night Monday night, Jakob's fever spiked. I waited till morning to take him to the dotor. I found out that he has Croup. He fever broke last night, so hopefully he will be back on top of it soon. He is still very congested and has a running nose.

Ethan has a slight cough, but so far he is not showing signs of it.

We hope that both the boys are better by the weekend, so we can have a fun Easter weekend.

Have a great day.
Rick, Mandi, Jakob & Ethan