Last week, Griffin had himself a little cold and congestion, nothing concerning as we've been through several bouts of colds. By Friday, it had moved down into his chest and he started to have a cough. Still, nothing too concerning. By Saturday, though, his breathing became very wheezy and by nighttime, he was breathing awful fast. So Sunday morning I put a call in to our after hours Dr. and based on the symptoms, she told me to seek emergency medical treatment.
We waited until noon for the Pediatric Urgent Care to open, just assuming they would say the cold and/or virus just needs to run its' course. Wrong.
They immediately became alarmed at the rate at which he was breathing and showed me how is stomach was retracting to try to get air that his lungs were not. They did a breathing treatment and deep nasal aspirations. Griffin was better and they were very thorough and asked to monitor him for about 45 more minutes. I'm telling you, it was ROUGH being in an 8x8 room, nothing to do, having a sick, mobile baby and ending up being at the urgent care about 3 hours.....Griffin did AMAZING!
The doctors weren't satisfied with his breathing after the first treatment and monitoring, so we went for a second. It went MUCH better for Griff. By that time, Daddy came up and Griffin was much more comfortable with both of us and doing the nebulizer machine. But again, after about 45 minutes, his passages would not stay open.
They evaluated and told us that we should head to Children's Medical to have him further evaluated there. We weren't panicked, kind of relieved that they didn't just release us, rather look further into this.
We get there, do a 3rd treatment and a DEEP, deep suckage and he really did seem better. However, we both had our reservations that it would last. The dr. felt okay about sending us home. But with nothing. So what if his erratic breathing were to happen again? Well, it did. His stomach started retracting around 3:00 that morning, so Ryan stayed home with Ava and Griffin and I headed back up to Children's. This time, I was not going to leave empty handed.
They did a test for RSV, which came back negative. We had previously gotten the chest xray which didn't indicate any problems in the lungs. My poor little guy just couldn't breath. So they ended up giving him a steroid and another breathing treatment. Sent me home with the nebulizer and rx for continuing the steroid.
We saw his pediatrician on Monday and she agreed that we should have had the at-home breathing treatments in the first place.
So here we are, on the road to recovery. Griffin is getting better, his breathing still leaves a lot to be desired, but it's not so rapid and fierce...just more goopy than anything.
It was all so scary and I'm so thankful that my baby boy is getting better!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Happy Double Digits Big Boy!
10 months! (a few weeks late)
Watching you bloom and blossom into a little tyke is SO. Much. Fun. You are understanding simple instructions and your responses make us all giggle. You are started to be more vocal and have a short list of "words", although they are mostly sounds right now.
Stats:
Weight: 20 lbs. 4 oz.
Height:
Vax: DTaP (2)
Milestones:
-7 teeth--4 top, 3 bottom
-Cruising and standing in place with no hands. You get so proud of yourself and clap.
-Signing "more", almost have "please", "all done", and "milk"
-Words: "mama", "dada", "Kkkkkey" (kitty cat), "gege" (sissy)
-Loves giving kisses and makes a mwah! sound
-Gives high fives
Dipes and Clothing:
Still cloth diapering during the daytime and size 4 disposables at night. Still in 6-12 month clothing, although we've broken out the spring/summer 12-18 months and that works as well.
Routine:
Nigh-Night around 6:30, usually wake once a night, but given the pa-pa and you'll go right back down. Wake between 4:00-5:00 am to eat and go back down until 7:30 am. Griff and Ava wake up right around the same time. Still needing two naps, although some days it goes down to one. First nap is around 9:30 am and the pm nap is around 1:30.
Eating:
On 3 solid meals a day, mostly table foods. We haven't been able to feed you purees now for awhile. You like to do it all yourself. Still breastfeeding about 4 times a day. Gets really distracted during feeding and was resulting in biting me. Ouch! We now HAVE to nurse in Griff's room with no one, ahem....sissy, around to aid in the distraction.
LOVES fruits and most veggies. Your favorites are cantaloupe and banana.
Watching you bloom and blossom into a little tyke is SO. Much. Fun. You are understanding simple instructions and your responses make us all giggle. You are started to be more vocal and have a short list of "words", although they are mostly sounds right now.
Stats:
Weight: 20 lbs. 4 oz.
Height:
Vax: DTaP (2)
Milestones:
-7 teeth--4 top, 3 bottom
-Cruising and standing in place with no hands. You get so proud of yourself and clap.
-Signing "more", almost have "please", "all done", and "milk"
-Words: "mama", "dada", "Kkkkkey" (kitty cat), "gege" (sissy)
-Loves giving kisses and makes a mwah! sound
-Gives high fives
Dipes and Clothing:
Still cloth diapering during the daytime and size 4 disposables at night. Still in 6-12 month clothing, although we've broken out the spring/summer 12-18 months and that works as well.
Routine:
Nigh-Night around 6:30, usually wake once a night, but given the pa-pa and you'll go right back down. Wake between 4:00-5:00 am to eat and go back down until 7:30 am. Griff and Ava wake up right around the same time. Still needing two naps, although some days it goes down to one. First nap is around 9:30 am and the pm nap is around 1:30.
Eating:
On 3 solid meals a day, mostly table foods. We haven't been able to feed you purees now for awhile. You like to do it all yourself. Still breastfeeding about 4 times a day. Gets really distracted during feeding and was resulting in biting me. Ouch! We now HAVE to nurse in Griff's room with no one, ahem....sissy, around to aid in the distraction.
LOVES fruits and most veggies. Your favorites are cantaloupe and banana.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Three Cheers for Ava!
Ava scored 3 goals today at her early, early 8:00 soccer game!!! She was so proud, we were so proud, coach was ecstatic!! We've all just been waiting for her to get in her groove and get in there and play. After the game coach came up to Ava and said, "Ava, I don't count goals....but I know YOU scored THREE !"
This pic isn't of her scoring, but she's out in the bunch somewhere!
This pic isn't of her scoring, but she's out in the bunch somewhere!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
St. Patty's Day Scavenger Hunt
You will never believe who visited Ava last week!
A leprechaun!
Okay, so we never *saw* him or her, but the leprechaun left little clues for a scavenger hunt for Ava and she was so giddy about it. Afterward, she informed her friends that "a leprechaun meeted me!", to which they just stared at her, unable to decipher WHAT she was saying. I think she meant a leprechaun visited me! Ha!
I got the idea from this website
http://www.momtastic.com/parenting/features/127977-diy-stpattys-day-treasure-hunt
and hope to do one each year, or something fun and spontanious geared toward this festive day of luck!
A leprechaun!
Okay, so we never *saw* him or her, but the leprechaun left little clues for a scavenger hunt for Ava and she was so giddy about it. Afterward, she informed her friends that "a leprechaun meeted me!", to which they just stared at her, unable to decipher WHAT she was saying. I think she meant a leprechaun visited me! Ha!
I got the idea from this website
http://www.momtastic.com/parenting/features/127977-diy-stpattys-day-treasure-hunt
and hope to do one each year, or something fun and spontanious geared toward this festive day of luck!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Beautiful Day!
We had a wonderful day today!
Griff and I turned lemons into lemonade, when we walked to the grocery store because he wasn't napping AGAIN this morning. I think we are already starting to transition to ONE nap! Oh no! Anyway, it was gorgeous outside, mid 70's by mid morning, and just a great time for us both.
All three of us went to the duck pond in our neighborhood this afternoon. Also gorgeous! Ava just loves to explore and imagine and I love to follow her lead. Griffin thought the ducks were just about the neatest things he'd ever seen. Then he saw a dog and started panting, as he does, and the ducks were chopped liver.
Hung out outside for the remainder of the afternoon on a picnic blanket in the front yard. Talking and playing with friends.
Great day!
Griff and I turned lemons into lemonade, when we walked to the grocery store because he wasn't napping AGAIN this morning. I think we are already starting to transition to ONE nap! Oh no! Anyway, it was gorgeous outside, mid 70's by mid morning, and just a great time for us both.
All three of us went to the duck pond in our neighborhood this afternoon. Also gorgeous! Ava just loves to explore and imagine and I love to follow her lead. Griffin thought the ducks were just about the neatest things he'd ever seen. Then he saw a dog and started panting, as he does, and the ducks were chopped liver.
Hung out outside for the remainder of the afternoon on a picnic blanket in the front yard. Talking and playing with friends.
Great day!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Creative Girl
She builds her own Lincoln Log city.
Draws beautiful butterflies.
And "princess rainbows"
Creates, cuts and matches her very own matching game.
Conducts "ladybug races"
All on her own.
Creative!
Draws beautiful butterflies.
And "princess rainbows"
Creates, cuts and matches her very own matching game.
Conducts "ladybug races"
All on her own.
Creative!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Ava's 4th Birthday Party
Friends, Furry bear friends, and FUN! Ava's 4th birthday was held at Build-A-Bear and the kids had a blast making their own bears! We went upstairs for cake and Happy Birthday afterward. The cake! OH, the cake! It was as delicious as it was beautiful. We were so thankful to a mother of one of Ava's school friends for making for Ava as her present. The. Best. Cake. Ever.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
First Storytime
And Griffin had a blast! He was so excited to sing and be with other babies. And as our old music pals will remember with Aves, griffin is the same way about staying put in my lap....he just wanted to crawl and explore, but still participate.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Happy 4th Birthday, Ava
March 4, 2011
Happy, happy birthday my sweet girl!
You were shocked this morning to wake up to the balloons covering your bedroom floor, streamers hanging on your doorway and the fireplace decorated just for you! Here are some pictures from our morning celebration. We then went to get a special sprinkle donut for breakfast.
There is so much to love about you at 4 years old!
I love your questions and inquisitions. You are just so insightful and curious.
I love your personality. The way you shrug your shoulders when you talk, use your hands to elaborate a thought, and speak with such passion and enthusiasm.
I love our nightly routine. It's the best time of day to sit and relax and talk to you about your day or your opinions or your thoughts. You still love back and arm tickles too.
I love playing pretend with you. Mommy /baby is a popular one with you and you love being the mommy. It's crazy how much you mimic and sound like me.
I love that you love to give. You make artwork for us or your friends on an almost daily basis. And your "gifts" for your neighbor friend are very generous ;)
I love what an artist you have become. You are getting more detailed by the day and really use your arts and crafts time to focus and work.
I love your outfits. Oh, your outfits! We've gotten to the point where we have surrendered in having a say in what you wear. For the most part, it's presentable, but there are some days where daddy and I look at one another and smirk. You come up with great combinations that you'll only be able to pull off for such a short time in your life, so why not?!
I love you as a big sister. There is no other way that our family should be than it is now. You were just meant to be a big sister to a little brother, it's just so evident and perfect in you guys.
I love how you are singing more challenging songs and make up words. We all do it, it's just so funny to hear this sweet, little voice singing her heart out and coming up with random words to fill in the blanks.
I love your intensity, your passion, your sweet disposition, your sassy side, your love, your caring, your curiousity, your experimentations and your challenges. You keep me on feet, day in and day out. Thank you for that!
Some Favorites, as answered by you:
Favorite color: "Pink" (surprise!)
Favorite movie: "Alexa and Leona" (The Diamond Castle)
Favorite snack: "SunChips"
Favorite song: "Skid-a-ma-rink-a-dink-a-dink"
Favorite subject in school: "Ms. Lindsey's class" (Music)
Favorite activity: "Painting"
Favorite hobby: "Going to the mall" (uh-oh!)
Happy, happy birthday my sweet girl!
You were shocked this morning to wake up to the balloons covering your bedroom floor, streamers hanging on your doorway and the fireplace decorated just for you! Here are some pictures from our morning celebration. We then went to get a special sprinkle donut for breakfast.
There is so much to love about you at 4 years old!
I love your questions and inquisitions. You are just so insightful and curious.
I love your personality. The way you shrug your shoulders when you talk, use your hands to elaborate a thought, and speak with such passion and enthusiasm.
I love our nightly routine. It's the best time of day to sit and relax and talk to you about your day or your opinions or your thoughts. You still love back and arm tickles too.
I love playing pretend with you. Mommy /baby is a popular one with you and you love being the mommy. It's crazy how much you mimic and sound like me.
I love that you love to give. You make artwork for us or your friends on an almost daily basis. And your "gifts" for your neighbor friend are very generous ;)
I love what an artist you have become. You are getting more detailed by the day and really use your arts and crafts time to focus and work.
I love your outfits. Oh, your outfits! We've gotten to the point where we have surrendered in having a say in what you wear. For the most part, it's presentable, but there are some days where daddy and I look at one another and smirk. You come up with great combinations that you'll only be able to pull off for such a short time in your life, so why not?!
I love you as a big sister. There is no other way that our family should be than it is now. You were just meant to be a big sister to a little brother, it's just so evident and perfect in you guys.
I love how you are singing more challenging songs and make up words. We all do it, it's just so funny to hear this sweet, little voice singing her heart out and coming up with random words to fill in the blanks.
I love your intensity, your passion, your sweet disposition, your sassy side, your love, your caring, your curiousity, your experimentations and your challenges. You keep me on feet, day in and day out. Thank you for that!
Some Favorites, as answered by you:
Favorite color: "Pink" (surprise!)
Favorite movie: "Alexa and Leona" (The Diamond Castle)
Favorite snack: "SunChips"
Favorite song: "Skid-a-ma-rink-a-dink-a-dink"
Favorite subject in school: "Ms. Lindsey's class" (Music)
Favorite activity: "Painting"
Favorite hobby: "Going to the mall" (uh-oh!)
Thursday, March 3, 2011
A letter to Ava
Let me preface this by saying that the majority of my thoughts are going to sound a bit cliche, but I don't know how else to describe the fact that you are turning FOUR years old and time has gone WAY too fast (see?, cliche #1).
It's the Eve of your Fourth Birthday and I'm beside myself wondering where the time went (cliche #2, okay, I'll stop counting now.), Ava. You have grown into this beautiful, charming little girl right before my eyes, but I can vividly, VIVIDLY remember when you were just an infant, a baby, a toddler. Blessing us beyond words to have you in our lives and changing life as we know it. You are truly, genuinely one of a kind. I know I'm your mom and I'm supposed to say that, but you honestly have me pondering, on a daily basis, how I am so lucky to have you.
Yesterday you told me that you are not going to college. Yep, that's right. You made up your mind and you don't want to go to college. When I asked you why, you told me because you always want to be with me and never leave. I just needed to write this down because in about 10 years, believe me, I will want to remind you of this conversation. "And besides", you went on to say, "I already emptied out my collge bag." You see, prior to your new-found decision, you sporadically decided one day to pack a bag for college. In the life of a 3, as Daddy and I say, what isn't sporadic? So your bag contained all the essentials one would need, at 3 mind you, to go to college: a Barbie car, a toothbrush with a toothy timer, clothes, B.B., Lolli your stuffed giraffe, and other odds and ends, er, I mean "essentials". And now, it's been emptied. So your not going to college and staying with me forever. Note taken.
This year brought about a whirlwind of change for you and gave you a new role that will forever help define you. Sister. Yes, and my oh my, what a great sister you are, Ava. I am amazed when I sit back and watch you interact with baby brother Griffin. You are so thoughtful, caring, patient, loving and capable. You are MY teacher. Truly, I watch and listen to you and you teach ME about the person I want to be. How does that happen? It does and it has.
I came across a quote that a friend posted the other day and it summarized for me, my thoughts on how I feel about who you are and how impactful you are in my life.
"Motherhood is about raising and celebrating the child you have, not the child you thought you would have. It's about understanding that she is exactly the person she is supposed to be. And that, if you're lucky, she just might be the teacher who turns you into the person you are supposed to be." ~The Water Giver~
And to that, my darling little girl, I say "Cheers!" to my little individual. I couldnt be more pleased with the person that you are. Congratulations on turning four years old. I can't wait to continue to watch you grow and blossom. Even if you ARE still under our roof for the next 50 years. Truly.
With all the love I have,
Mommy (yes, I'm still mommy to you)
It's the Eve of your Fourth Birthday and I'm beside myself wondering where the time went (cliche #2, okay, I'll stop counting now.), Ava. You have grown into this beautiful, charming little girl right before my eyes, but I can vividly, VIVIDLY remember when you were just an infant, a baby, a toddler. Blessing us beyond words to have you in our lives and changing life as we know it. You are truly, genuinely one of a kind. I know I'm your mom and I'm supposed to say that, but you honestly have me pondering, on a daily basis, how I am so lucky to have you.
Yesterday you told me that you are not going to college. Yep, that's right. You made up your mind and you don't want to go to college. When I asked you why, you told me because you always want to be with me and never leave. I just needed to write this down because in about 10 years, believe me, I will want to remind you of this conversation. "And besides", you went on to say, "I already emptied out my collge bag." You see, prior to your new-found decision, you sporadically decided one day to pack a bag for college. In the life of a 3, as Daddy and I say, what isn't sporadic? So your bag contained all the essentials one would need, at 3 mind you, to go to college: a Barbie car, a toothbrush with a toothy timer, clothes, B.B., Lolli your stuffed giraffe, and other odds and ends, er, I mean "essentials". And now, it's been emptied. So your not going to college and staying with me forever. Note taken.
This year brought about a whirlwind of change for you and gave you a new role that will forever help define you. Sister. Yes, and my oh my, what a great sister you are, Ava. I am amazed when I sit back and watch you interact with baby brother Griffin. You are so thoughtful, caring, patient, loving and capable. You are MY teacher. Truly, I watch and listen to you and you teach ME about the person I want to be. How does that happen? It does and it has.
I came across a quote that a friend posted the other day and it summarized for me, my thoughts on how I feel about who you are and how impactful you are in my life.
"Motherhood is about raising and celebrating the child you have, not the child you thought you would have. It's about understanding that she is exactly the person she is supposed to be. And that, if you're lucky, she just might be the teacher who turns you into the person you are supposed to be." ~The Water Giver~
And to that, my darling little girl, I say "Cheers!" to my little individual. I couldnt be more pleased with the person that you are. Congratulations on turning four years old. I can't wait to continue to watch you grow and blossom. Even if you ARE still under our roof for the next 50 years. Truly.
With all the love I have,
Mommy (yes, I'm still mommy to you)
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