$500 later and...

... Jason has another ear infection!  Ugh!  The kids have been battling little colds all week.  Jason always seems to get it worse than Abbie (he gets the cough like I get, caused by post-nasal drip, sounds worse than it probably is).  I was marveling the first few days at how awesome it was that he didn't have an ear infection.  I think I even said to someone, "This is the first cold Jason has had that did not come with an ear infection!"  Spoke too soon!  I noticed later in the week that Jason's balance was really off.  He was tripping often, falling over even when holding my hand to walk.  Then there were the night screams... and the extra naps... and the way he kept rubbing his left ear.  No noticeable fever this time (not with the last two infections either), so it took several days, but this morning I finally put it all together.  The kid must have another infection.  We went to the doctor's office this morning and luckily saw our regular doctor who confirmed that his left ear was infected.  She said that his tubes actually were working, but that the fluid was so thick in his ear that he hadn't made its way out yet.  She also said that she has often seen kids who get one good infection after getting tubes then are in the clear.  (Guess I was a little premature in hoping Jason had had his last round of antibiotics!)  We see the ENT for the post-surgery follow-up, and then maybe it really WILL be the last time we worry about these silly ears!