Good News=Not RSV, Bad News=Pneumonia

We are home from the hospital! I know many of you have emailed and called, and not gotten a response- I apologize. This may be old news for some, but here is a (brief) synopsis of our week.

Rhylan went from bad to worse- fast- on Monday night/Tuesday morning. Don't know which, really, because I was awake the whole time dealing with a crying, fussy, non sleeping, miserable baby. This is not the baby we know, and when the doctor's office called to check in with us following the appointment the day before, they could hear that for themselves-over the phone. We were asked to come back in for Rhylan's doctor to see him- she was out the day before, so we had seen the on call pediatrician. Upon going back in, his doctor was quite concerned about his out of character behavior, coupled with his symptoms, fever, and low pulse oxygen readings. Rhylan was directly admitted to the hospital from the appointment for "RSV".

The good news was that it wasn't RSV afterall- However, the tests/x-rays did show a good case of pneumonia. The treatment is pretty much the same, but the effects of RSV can be life long, the effects of the pneumonia at this age will likely dissapate over the next couple of years- and it will probably be nothing more than weazing, etc. during peak seasons.

Rhylan's symptoms dissapated rather quickly on the medications, but they had a heck of a time getting his Blood Oxygen levels to get where they needed to be and remain steady. His doctor had said that he had to remain at 97% O2 saturation (at least), on room air, and we were lucky when he would hit 90-92% on 50% oxygen! (Despite the fact that he seemed totally fine- UGH!)

We do have to continue with several medications over the next couple of weeks to really make sure that things are cleared up. But he is well on his way to everything being back to normal - just hope we can get his schedule back to normal as well!

It has been a pretty scary/hectic/tiring couple of days- but we are home and healthy now, and that is all that matters.

Jason and I have decided that we have already met several maximums for the year, and we are only one month in- deductible, out of pocket, drama, illness.........

In all seriousness, thank you for all of the thoughts, prayers, visits, calls, emails, etc. And here's to no more downer posts for the remainder of the year- and a healthy baby at home!!

Here is R during our first evening in the hospital

And, for those of you that have asked "Is he really ok", you can be your own judge- this is him in the middle of the night last night:

RSV

Our little guy has RSV!!! Today just continued to go down hill-I knew something wasn't right, so we took him to the pediatrician.

Funny thing- it was 3 years ago tomorrow that his big brother ended up in the hospital for RSV. I don't know how we have ended up being "lucky" with both kiddos! As of now, Rhylan is home with us, and on nebulizer treatments every 3 hours. However, we are on dehydration "watch" since he won't eat, and vomits when he does, we are also to call the dr. tomorrow if his symptoms are not improved or worse. We really would like to avoid hospitalization this time around, at all costs.

Poor little guy!

I will update (on a happier note) soon- I promise!

We're Here!

I realize that it has been over 2 weeks since I updated the blog. We are still here, just haven't had a chance to update!

I will get a post up in the next couple of days, I promise. Right now I am dealing with "the virus that just keeps giving". First, it circulated through many moms/kids from playgroup, Brayden being the first. Then Jason was home sick with it for 2 days the week before last- he has never called into work in our entire life together. And during our trip to my hometown last week, both my sister and brother in law were hit hard. I thought I had pretty much dodged the bullet- and now I sit here, wrapped in blanket, with a 101.4 fever, chills, aches, and horrible nausea/tummy issues. UGH!! (At least I can tell myself that this will be over in a couple of days- it isn't like I am pregnant, Thank God!)

To top off my woes, Rhylan is pretty darn sick as well. He has been congested and coughing for a few days now, and it is getting worse- fast. His temperament is very different, no appetite, labored breathing, and really green goopy-ness, which drains and then causes him to get sick, and a deep, barky cough. I always tend to be pretty laid back, and don't call the pediatrician often- I figure kids get sick, and it will pass. But, if this continues or worsens through the day we will be going in. I am paranoid, especially this time of year, about respiratory things when they turn ugly-- I am sure we can thank Brayden's 4 day hospital stay with RSV 3 years ago for that paranoia!

Sorry for the whining, downer of a post. Have gotten some iquiries as to why things aren't updated, and wanted to let you know that we will be back soon!

Tired Baby

While I was at work, Jason was home watching the boys. Rhylan had been given his bath, and Daddy was finishing Brayden's bath (Brayden has a plantar's wart on his foot, so bathing together is a no go right now), so he put Rhylan in his Bumbo seat. Once Brayden was clean, and playing in the tub, Jason came back out to the living room to give Rhylan his bottle, and this is what he found:(Maybe I should bathe with Calming Chamomile and Lavender more often!!!)

HootOwls

This week was the first HootOwls (Husband Out Of Town Or Working Late) group for the Mother's Group that I belong to. We have been tossing around the thought of adding an evening playgroup for quite sometime. After having been on my own more in recent months, I was quick to offer taking up co-ordinating and putting together this first group. It was a huge success! We had 12 moms and I don't know how many rugrats, meet for dinner and games at a local pizza restaurant. At this time we will be doing this twice a month, but I think it may become more of a weekly event. So many of us are about at the end of our rope during the hours after naps and before bed- especially when our other halves are traveling for business. It is a welcomed break to have a night where kids can run off some steam with their friends, and the mommy's don't have to think of one game to play/activity to do to pass the hours before bedtime, while also having some adult conversation!

I Wanna Be a Rock Star

Notice the baby mohawk? Momma is just proud that there is enough hair finally there to "style"!

(ok, so he looks a little bit more like a Cupie Doll than a Rock Star at this point :)!)

And just a couple of shots of Rhylan visiting "the babysitter".... as we like to call the saucer. He LOVES being in there, and this past week he has put it all together as to what each toy on there does. He bounces and plays for really long stretches, and scoots from toy to toy. It is so fun watching him grow and learn- it just seems like so many things (playing, grasping, talking, etc) are clicking all at once, and so quickly in the past couple of weeks!

One "Beary cute Tree Hugger"-- at least we think so

Rhylan had his 6 month well baby check today. Just thought that I would share the stats:

14 lbs., 4 0z.

26.5 inches

(Getting so big!)

He is still a runt next to most of his peers, but the doctor is more than happy with his growth rate, and still has him on the chart with his age group (not adjusted for being early). I am fine with him being a little guy- heck, he is our last one, and they grow too quickly as it is. Might as well enjoy having a "little" baby as long as we can :)!

He is developing right on track. Some of the things he does now include eating cereal and veggies once or twice a day, sleeping 12-14 hours a night, roll in both directions, grab and interact with toys, laugh hysterically- especially at his brother (!), is trying to cut a tooth (we think), and his latest trick... he has started to sit!

Oh, and he got 4 shots today. I hate seeing my kids get shots, and I always cringe in expectation of that scream/cry. This little guy didn't even let out a wimper- he was too busy smiling, coo-ing, and flirting with the nurse to even notice, I was in shock!

Here are some pictures from his 6 month photo shoot yesterday.

Home From the Holidays

I am actually posting Xmas pictures! Better late than never, right?!

Our festivities began the Friday before Christmas with Brayden's school party and "concert" that night. It is always so fun to see all of the little kids from his pre-school perform. Brayden really got into it this year. He came home from school the day before and told us that he was going to be the conductor. I said "Oh you are? Did your teacher tell you that?". He replied "No, I told her that!". And that is the truth according to his teacher, who obliged, and supplied him w/ a conductor's stick- complete w/ jingle bells on the end! He also insisted on wearing his Santa hat.

The fun continued on Sunday, when Jason's family (mom, dad, grandma, and uncle) all came to visit for the day. It was a nice day with family, food, and - as usual- too many gifts!! Here are just a couple of pictures from the day. (Sorry about the poor quality, they were taken w/ a camcorder.... see previous post.) I worked all day on Christmas Eve. After I got off, we went to children's service at church, and then came home and exchanged gifts with each other before putting the boys to bed so that Santa could come. Brayden decided that he wanted to sleep on his Elmo couch in our room that night, and we let him. We also found out that he truly does NOT stop talking...... ever, not even in his sleep!!
(We are pretty sure that Rhylan liked his gift that his big brother bought him. What do you think?)

Christmas morning, surprisingly, didn't come as early as we would have thought. Brayden woke up about 8:15 and was ready to see what Santa brought. Both boys did quite well this year. When Brayden gets asked what Santa brought him, he says "Everything I wanted: A Smart Cycle, the rest of the Planet Heroes, Star Wars guys, and socks-- but I didn't ask for socks!". It is probably much funnier in person, his little nose crinkles when talking about the socks, and I think he is actually a little peeved with the Fat Guy for doing such a thing!

After opening and playing with gifts for a while, Daddy and Brayden hit the kitchen to make breakfast. This has been the tradition for 3 Christmas mornings at our house, and one that will continue- Jason (now with Brayden's assistance) makes French Toast for the family. Not my favorite meal, but I am not going to complain about him taking over the kitchen one time in the year!
The next leg of our holiday adventure found us heading 3 hours north, to my hometown, in a snow storm. It was beautiful--- once we weren't driving in it! This is a tree in front of my parent's house. They did such a cute job of decorating it, and Mother Nature added the perfect finishing touches.
We braved the weather that first night home to head out for dinner at our favorite Japanese restaurant (Amy, if you are reading--- I thought about you with every delicious bite!!). Brayden was really excited that we were going there with the whole family, it is his favorite place- "The Fire Restaurant".

Rhylan seemed to enjoy watching the show while they cooked as well.

The following day was Christmas with my family- another day of tons of food, and way too many gifts. It was wonderful to spend the time with everyone, and was very meaningful with the recent happenings with my Grandpa. He and Grandma were there, and doing well despite everything going on.
On Sunday we headed to Chicago to spend the day with our good friends, Jim and Emily. Jim is Brayden's Godfather, and Brayden absolutely adores him. We spent the day at the aquarium, which we hadn't been to in years. Brayden really enjoyed seeing the brand new baby Beluga Whale- sorry pictures of him didn't turn out at all.
Brayden and Uncle Jimmy learning about sharks

Brayden and Mommy both checked to see how they would "measure up" as coral growing in a reef. Brayden measured 10 years old, Mommy 17-- in coral years, of course!

Brayden, Uncle Jimmy, and Emily unwinding at dinner after a very long day!

New Year's Eve my sister and her husband had a party at their house. I actually had a migraine- or something of the sorts (don't know since I am not prone to that sort of thing!), and ended up in bed a little after 10. Jason didn't linger all that too far behind. Ahhhh, the joys of getting old and not caring that you are missing ringing in the new year with a drink in your hand!!

We made it home, after driving the return trip in white out conditions, safe and sound. We were very happy to get here after seeing countless accidents and cars off the road during the drive.

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season, and has a very blessed 2008!!