“Daddy, I think my ear exploded.”

These were the words coming out of Jackson’s mouth as he stood by our bed at 2:45am on Sunday night.

I was trying not to laugh at such a funny thing to hear because it was obvious that he was hurting. Carson had just a few days prior finished taking meds for an ear infection, so this was mine and Kim’s first thought. So Kim stayed home Monday and ended up taking JC in to the pediatrician.

Now I don’t know what the deal is, but both of our boys seem to manufacture large amounts of ear wax in their little ear canals. Both of them. So when Dr. Schecter went to examine Jackson’s ear all he could see was a waxy mess. After using a “water pic” the doc was able to comfirm that an ear infection was the culprit. We were happy to hear from the doctor that his left ear had not actually exploded.

Now, here’s the real good part.

Jackson simply does not take medicine. He never has. Kim and I spent 35 minutes in the doctor’s office with him once when he was a toddler forcing antibiotics down his throat. It took me, Kim and the nurse to hold him down as he thrashed out of control and spit that sticky, slimy, pink antibiotic back in our faces. It is very simple – he does not take it. He will literally do everything that he can possibly do to ensure that no medication ever enters his body.

So you can imagine the situation last night when we were attempting to give him his first dose of liquid Amoxicillin. He is supposed to have two doses per day until the bottle is empty, probably 1-2 weeks. You want to talk about freaking out. You would think that we were trying to get him to swallow one of Cosmo’s turds by the way he was reacting. Nope, just bubble gum flavored pink stuff, 1 and ½ teaspoons. Have you ever seen “The Excorcist”? Of course you have, so think Regan, here. Think flopping on the bed and speaking in tongue and heads turning 180 degrees. After some threats to take away every single Lego that he owns and a few swift swats on the buttocks, coinciding with more screams, stomping, kicking, and more wailing, he somehow swallowed enough of it.

Now we only have 23 more doses and experiences like this to go!!!

just my opinion...

One thing that I have meant to do for awhile now is to incorporate some opinion postings into TWN. I realize that you might not give your favorite two turds for my opinion, but that’s fine. Keep your poop and don’t read it. Every once in awhile I have an opinion about something and I have decided that I am going to start sharing some of those thoughts in this forum from time to time.

Let’s talk IU basketball and Mike Davis. It’s kinda surprising how much IU fans are being blasted by national media regarding the circumstances involving the coach’s resignation this week. The rip on IU fans is that Davis was never given a fair opportunity. That fans were too hard on him.

First of all. We are talking about Indiana University. When the average person hears about Indiana University, they think of basketball and the Indiana Hoosiers. It’s true. Any coach who takes on the opportunity to coach anywhere knows that the expectation is to win. But at Indiana, if you do not win – and I don’t care who you are – if you do not win ballgames, and a lot of ballgames, you might as well put your house on the market because you are toast. There is no doubt about it. No excuses. And I have no problem with that. It is fair.

Secondly, IU fans watch the IU games – duh. We all know how excruciating this experience has been over the course of the last three seasons. It is terrible. It’s not just the losing that is tough. It’s the obvious lack of basketball IQ demonstrated by the team and the coach. It is the obvious lack of offensive direction, plan, and execution. They just stand around and eventually throw up a 3. Now that may be fine for a high school program somewhere, but IU fans expect more and should not have to apologize for it.

Bottom line is this. Davis had a chance. He was here almost six years. That is plenty of time to demonstrate your coaching ability and ability to build top-notch program at an already respected place like IU. It did not happen. Watch the games, look at the numbers, don’t call it a racial thing, don’t say expectations are unrealistic, and don’t chastise fans for expecting excellence. Because to me, accepting failure is far worse than expecting success.

FIRST HAIRCUT FOR CARSON

Updates seem to be coming further and further apart, huh? TWN has been put on the back burner for well over a month now. I just hope the readers don’t give up on me!

We finally took Carson in for his first haircut. He did great and it was much needed. Here are some shots from that experience. I also thought I would add a picture from Jackson's first haircut, for those interested in the comparison.



















I also wanted to send a shout out to my Aunt Pat…She had an unexpected scare this month. After having really bad chest pains she went into the hospital and then next thing she knew she was having bypass surgery. Sounds like she is progressing and may be able to go home within a few days. We love you, Aunt Pat! We have been praying for you. Stay positive and take care of yourself….Do what your doctors tell you and don't get stubborn about it!