Zev's turn at ear infection

Some days ago was my birthday, and a week before that one was Alla's.  How we celebrated those deserves a telling.  For starters, Ben gave his mom a gift of a one day stomach flu that he had (and later shared with his aunt and grandma, generous boy that Benya is).  As a result, Alla met her birthday hugging the porcelain all night. Rita, then not yet affected, took care of her and I spent the night in another room with a monitor.  This being shortly after the switch to daylight savings time, Benya went to bed like a champ according to the new time and woke up according to the old, also known as 4:50-5:20 am range.  

All this time Zevi had a progressively harder time falling asleep with what we thought was a teething-induced runny nose.  No such luck.  A virus left Zevi with a raw, sore through, a cough that hurt him, and an ear infection to boot.  Towards the middle of the week the only way Zevi could sleep, in short bursts, was on top of his mom.  Some minutes at a time, until a cough hurt him and woke him screaming.  The first night things got ... colorful, found us at 4 am in the following configuration: Ben had a hard time falling asleep for some reason, so he was in his room with Alla.  Zevi, in the mean time was snoring away in our bed.  By 4:15 or so I realized that Zevi got major snoring genes (not judging anybody here), gave up, and went to the stairs to read.  Where I was joined a few minutes later by Alla who informed me that Ben was sleeping on the couch, with no room for two, and Alla was afraid to move him to his bed and also afraid to leave him alone.  So, we switched.  Alla got a bed with a snoring Zev, I got the floor next to Ben quietly sleeping on the couch.  That, my friends, was the best night we had that week.  Two more days of not eating and another night of not sleeping landed us at the doctor's.  The first time.  

Let me spare you the details.  Zev (not) slept with Alla by night and did not eat by day.  I slept separately, as long as Ben would let me, which was usually not too late.  Following the visit to the docs we went with antibiotic one, which did not work.  Antibiotic two worked hardly at all, and antibiotic three was administered via a shot.  That one worked and also gave Zev an allergy.  Onto antibiotic four.  

Current status: things seem better.  Days Zev did not eat solid food - 4.  Nights he pretty much did not sleep - 3.  Antibiotics tried - 4, and hope to stay there.  Days left on this one - 3, and here is hoping that Benadryl can keep allergy at bay.  Zev's color and texture: somewhat red and rather bumpy, but not increasing and does not seem to bother him, so we will take it.  Number of nights Ben got me up before 6, and subsequently yelled at me because he was still sleepy and already hungry - 4.  Cracks in kitchen cabinets - 1, and it is not too obvious.  Number of days since I announced I am not dealing with Ben in the morning any more - 4, and I am enjoying every one.

Yet there are other, more fun things to report.  Both of the boys understand more.  When Zev is read to a particular poem where every stanza ends with a name of a body part, he points to the right one before Alla reads it.  Ben, when shown a picture, can identify an airplane, a tractor, a truck, a motorcycle.  That they can both identify a rocket and make the sound of one taking off - goes without saying.

Ben still periodically yanks of Zev's hair, but now he knows for sure that is not allowed.  We have identified a naughty corner.  Let the discipline begin.  

The other day we took the boys to a cafe after Gymboree, for a bite for us and a snack for them.  We got some sandwiches and decided that Zev and Ben can be introduced to 'kids' mac'n'cheese'.  Imagine our shock when the boys spat out the lowly carbs and opted for the delicate roast beef.  However, hunger took over and after some bread and meat and juice the boys went after their own food.  Zev, busily regaining his weight, grabbed at the food and just could not stuff his face fast enough.  Ben got hold of a spoon and went digging at the mac'n'cheese.  He got the movement from plate to mouth down cold; the loading of the spoon, however, eluded him.  Yet the determined baby refused the help.  Food offered by us was ignored, food placed on the spoon for him was dumped out.  After about five minutes of non-stop effort Ben got roughly two portions in his mouth, but fully unassisted.