Poor little sick Ethan :(

So, almost 3 weeks ago now, Ethan started complaining of a stiff neck. We let it go for awhile, but then we noticed a bite mark (like a spider, not a sibling!) and that his neck was getting swollen. He was also very sleepy. We finally decided to take him to the doctor to see what was happening. That started a whole battery of examinations, medications, and complications!! I won't bore you with all the details because most of you have already heard this. He had a blood test, a chest x-ray, 3 different antibiotics, and a trip to the hospital for an ultrasound of his lump. The blood test showed extremely high white blood cell count, the x-ray showed cloudy lungs (think pneumonia...but no symptoms whatsoever), and the medicines ended up causing head to toe hives for about 5 days. I've never seen hives like that before. He looked like he should've been in a freak show in a circus. He didn't look like Ethan. They were from the top of his head to the top of his feet--poor guy. We changed medicine--no flavoring, no coloring, lots of fussing--and that seemed to help. He is now off all antibiotics, the hives are gone, the swelling is gone, and he is back to his normal, loud, bossy, talky, sweet, funny, cute, cuddly self :) We are so thankful that the Lord chose to heal him and we are thankful for the trial. We had just learned about 'perfect peace' from our family Bible time. The timing was perfect and we all learned from this situation. It was still terrifying, but 'peaceful.' Thanks to all of you who prayed.

Here are some pictures from those 2 weeks. It was hard to get too many--he didn't cooperate and the camera wasn't the first thing on my mind!!

This is a picture of his neck--his right side--and his

new fire truck from Grandpa and Grandma Koski!!

The beginning of the hives--notice his eyes

One of them on his foot :(

Day 2 or 3--his face was really getting affected

Just a cute picture of Ethan--the shadows must have masked the hives :)

Again--his face. It was hard to get a really good picture of the hives.

The ones on his belly and back didn't show up very well for the camera.

He's happy here because he's getting an oatmeal bath and he gets to play in the tub!!

Hive practically gone, mischief back!! I turned my back for 30 seconds and found this :)

One more batch of soccer pictures and I'm done with October, I think :) Aren't you proud of me for getting 3 posts in 3 days?!?!?!