Life With The Pate's: Home for the Holidays

Going home for the holidays is always my favorite part of Christmas. Since my last day at work was Dec. 13 and Kyle has to teach till tomorrow (Dec. 20) we decided that Zeke and I should fly to my parents so we could spend a week at home instead of just a weekend. Since it's Zeke's first Christmas I wanted to be able to celebrate and see all of our families this year. I'm not sure how many years we will make it to all 4 Christmas celebrations, but at least this year we are blessed to be at all of them.

As most know Zeke got tubes Monday morning and it went flawlessly. We arrived to the surgery center at 6:15, he was taken back at 7:05 and out by 7:18. The doctor said he definitely needed tubes and he pulled a lot of fluid off his ears before putting the tubes in. If you've ever been around a baby or child after they wake up from being under it truly is a non pleasant experience. They warned us, but we didn't truly know what he was going to be like. I'm pretty sure it's the most we've seen him cry since he was born. He was just lost like and couldn't control his head and nothing made him happy. Like they told us, about 20 minutes after he was back to normal. All seems good and hopefully it will help with the ear infections. He still pulls at his ears, but the doctor said he is probably pulling at the tubes themselves until he gets use to them. Now we just need to get all his drainage dried up. He has a cough and snotty nose, but the pedi said his chest and ears are clear he just sounds worse than he is. We're praying the humidity here in Houston will help!

I was really nervous flying with a 9 1/2 month old because he is to the point he truly hates to be held. He would rather be crawling around or pulling up, but I was really surprised and he did really good. He was awake from Lubbock to Dallas and was happy. There was so much to see and touch that is kept him occupied. Once we got to Dallas it was time for a bottle and nap, but there was so much going on around that he did not want to take a nap. Luckily I packed a second bottle so I definitely pulled it out, covered him with a blanket and you guessed it he was out like a light within a few minutes. He slept the entire way from Dallas to Houston! So as much as I was worried, it really wasn't that bad. We were lucky and had a window seat with no one in the middle seat and the gentleman in the aisle seat was extremely nice and played and talked to Zeke!

Since being home we've had lots of fun playing with Nanna and Papa Joe and we spent yesterday with Memaw Bozarth. Tomorrow we are taking Zeke to see Santa and then the weekend is filled with parties and celebrations. We miss Kyle, but are very thankful to be with my parents this week! We are excited for him to join us on Friday and then we will drive back to Lubbock on Monday.

Before we left Lubbock Zeke started this new trick, using any and all furniture he can to walk with. I can't wait for him to get some of his Christmas gifts because he will have actually toys designed to be walked with...but for now furniture seems to work. We just need to work on his steering...

I'm thinking that maybe walking comes after this?!?!

We hope that everyone has a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We pray your new year is filled with lots of blessings! 2013 has been an amazing year and we look forward to what 2014 has in store for our little family!

Now I leave you with this random picture from when Zeke and I were doing some Christmas shopping!