Friday, February 08, 2013

ER visits and more...plus a long post!

Sorry I have been missing...if you follow me on Facebook you already know the past 2 1/2 weeks have been a little crazy over here.  However for the others let me fill you in!!!  Sweet Miss H got a major fever the NIGHT after her birthday party!!!  Yes, we were thankful it was after her party for her sake, but I did worry about all who had attended that day too.  This was our first MORJOR illness.  I mean yeah she has had the sniffles and such here and there but never a fever.  I felt so bad for her she had a 102.0 temp!  She was so tired and didn't even want to eat or nurse.  My baby does not MISS a meal people.

I called the on call dr for the night.  They just said to watch her and give tylenol as needed for the fever.  Needless to say Sunday she still had a fever so first thing Monday morning I called the Dr. for an appointment.  We went in that afternoon to find out she did not have the flu, but did have an ear infection and a bad cold.  BOO....so got some meds for the ear and nothing for the cold! Back home we went.  We stared the meds asap and she perked up some that night.  Her fever even broke! Whoo whoo she ate a little and nursed too.  I really was happy it looked like we were on the mend.  Wednesday she woke up and had been fever free for 24 hours! Thank heavens!  However she had a little wheezing when she was breathing.  I placed a call to the nurse as the DR's office to ask if that was normal.  In the mean time we went to music with hopes to sing and dance like normal.  Miss H kind of participated but not like her self.

After class she immediately fell asleep in the car...we live about 10 minutes from class and she was out before we left the parking lot to head home.  Poor thing...then she stayed alseep once we got home! I brought her in in her car seat like normal since she was sleeping.  She normally just sleeps about 10-20 minutes more once we are home...the dog will bark or she will wiggle and realize we are no longer in the car and want to be up.  Come 10:20 she was still sleeping...she had fallen asleep around 9:45!  So I thought I would get her out of her seat.  I got her out and she stayed asleep...then I started to notice she was breathing very quickly....well much faster than normal.   Thankfully the nurse FINALLY called back at about 10:45.  I told her that H had been asleep for almost all of the morning and I was worried about her breathing.  I said it seemed very labored.  She told me they could get me in at 3, but if I got worried or didn't think it could wait to just come in.  I hung up and then called my mom to talk it out with her.  Yes, I still need my mom!!  While on the phone with her I told her our story...and how I was holding H now while she slept.  Then as we were talking H STOPPED BREATHING!!!  I hung up the phone and begin to wiggle and shake her!  She woke up breathing and looked shocked that I was shaking and wiggling her.  I immediately threw her in the car seat and left for the Dr's office.  Her lips didn't turn blue but it was not a normal pause!  The whole way there I kept on hand on her car seat and shaking it!  I didn't want her to fall back asleep.  I also called Chris who left work asap to met us.  Thankfully our Dr. is 5 minutes from the house.  I called them to tell them we were headed in.  They got us straight back to a room and took her oxygen levels.  86% is where she was sitting....NOT GOOD AT ALL!!

Then she had to have blood drawn, chest x-rays, and a test for RSV.  Everything came back as positive as RSV!!  These were letters I had dreaded since she was born...I knew it was not a nice thing to have and could really be bad.  Thankfully Chris was there to help out because it took two for the x-ray!  After that she had to do 2 breathing treatments....before her oxygen was in the 90% area and the dr said her lungs sounded clearer.  She even perked up and asked for some mum mums.  Which was a great sign!!  She hadn't wanted to really eat or nurse all day.  We left the dr's office at 3:45 and went to CVS for her breathing meds.  I was told to give her one as soon as we got home and then another one about 30 minutes later.  I did just that. Come 5 she was still breathing very quickly.
Doing her treatments at home...sleeping!
She should have slowed down a little after 4 treatments.  Thus I call my brother-in-law (fp doctor).  I had both him and Chris on the phone explaining how she was still struggling to breath. Brian said go to the ER now...breathing is one thing you don't mess with.  Okay you have to know my brother-in-law....he never really gets worried about sicknesses.  For him to say go it means we really needed to be there asap!  Thankfully Chris was in route home.  By the time he got there I had her in her car seat and away we went.  She was still breathing so quickly and just wanted to sleep....when we arrived I told the er check in dr the whole deal.  He listened to her lungs then told us to wait.

We waited in a corner I didn't want her to catch anything else...especially the flu! After about 15-20 minutes our name got called...thank heavens because this mommy was a nervous wreck.  The whole time we were there I was doubting myself on if it was the right thing to do.  Was it worth risking other illnesses for this?? As soon as we were taken back they took her oxygen level and it was 86%...then the nice nurse called back and asked for a room with respiratory ready to go!  Okay that right there tells me this was a good decision by Chris and I.  She took her temp and it was back to 102... poor baby girl!

From there we were sent back to an ER room (around 7 pm)..where we were met immediately with 4 people.  One to check her in and get all her info....aka the paperwork person for billing and such! 2 nurses (it's a teaching hospital), and then the Dr. Moore.  Everyone began to listen to her lungs.... they all came to the same conclusion they sounded great which didn't match why she was breathing so quickly and struggling.  Dr. Moore was the sweetest ever, she just kept telling H that she was working way to hard to breath. Thankfully our pediatrician is part of the Cook's Children's network.  Thus they were able to pull up all of her info from our Dr. visit just that afternoon.

Just waiting around watching daddy be silly!
 Dr. Moore wanted to do another breathing treatment, different then the 4 we had already done.  Respiratory came in and got her going on that....not something she H likes at all.  After her treatment Dr. Moore and the nurses all came back in to see how she was.  Again her lungs sounded good, but then.....after listening a little longer than normal it was heard!  There was a raspy sound in her left lung, apparently so light it was easily missed by many.  Dr. Moore was sweet she said to give her a moment, but to plan on staying over night.  There was no way she was letting her leave when she was working so hard to breath.
after her breathing treatment...not too happy!
I never thought I would be so happy to hear we were staying overnight at the hospital.  But honestly I had been so stressed out all day long that it was nice to know I wouldn't have to be second guessing myself all night on if I thought she was breathing hard or not.  After about 15 minutes the nurses returned with a machine...it looked pretty scary.  Thankfully H can't tell that things look scary but this mommy was worried.

The nurses explained that she was going to be on an oxygen flow machine.  Basically it was going to pump air into her body...however it was going to be warmed and moistened.  This would help break up all the stuff in her lungs that was causing the breathing issues.  ---SIDE NOTE: RSV is basically when the cells in your lungs all fall of and to the bottom of your lungs.  From there you would try to cough them up and out...babies are not strong enough to cough it up, instead they just cough and it stays in there causing the lungs to work over time----  Now the task was to keep H for yanking the oxygen nose piece out of her nose!  That was a task until but eventually she forgot about it.  Plus she was still pretty tired so I got her to sleep.  After about 20 minutes you could see a difference in her breathing.  She was by no means breathing normally but she was taking a bit longer of breaths.  She was on the right path as Dr. Moore said.  Then she informed us that H would need to be on this machine all night at least.  Again I was thankful for good Dr's.  After that she said that H would be moved from the ER to a room., yet it would not be a normal room.  Instead she would be move to the ICU! (in my head I kept saying don't freak out don't freak out).  I asked why?  In order for her oxygen levels to be monitored and her to stay on the machine it was the only place she could go!  I really didn't feel like it was a big deal...I mean it sounded like it was just because of her oxygen flow machine that she was going there.  At this point it was like 9 pm and we were just chilling in the ER room.  They said they had to get paperwork and such to the dr's up in the ICU and then they would move us.  But until then she would need and IV and a flu test done.  Thankfully people have invented many wonderful things...one being a numbing medicine that goes on before an IV.
finally sleeping after all the torture
H did pretty good with it and I was thankful Chris was there to help hold her hand too.  Actually I think she fussed more from the flu test than the IV.  After waiting around until 11:30 I told Chris to go home and worry about the dog.  After all H was asleep finally in my arms.  Plus poor Winston was left not knowing what was going on.  Chris had work in the morning and come on we both don't need to be up here to watch H sleep, right?  (to be cont...because this is way to long as is!)

Monday, January 28, 2013

Happy FIRST birthday Miss H


Birthday girl!

Last weekend we celebrated Miss H's FIRST birthday with our family and friends.  This is the moment I had not been looking forward to since my sweet baby was born.  I just can't believe she is already a YEAR old!!  What happened to time?  This years theme of course was non other than HER!! She was our theme since this past year has been all about her and the millions of cute things she does each day! 

I think this post will be best with pictures only...and a few comments here and there! 


Thankfully we had beautiful weather...here is the front door area! 
 Her birthday banner and monthly pictures...
 Both of her cakes. Are they not the cutest ever?? Thanks to my sister for bringing them up!


The Harper and cake table....




 The birthday girls chair for her big cake mess!

 
The yummy cupcakes my friend Gracie sent for the party!
 Here is the birthday girl waiting on her guest...and running free!



 Time to open all her goodies! She wanted to open every gift once she saw what it was...it was a mess!



I love this little tush!

 CAKE TIME!!!



She wasn't so sure about diving in...it took a moment! 






All in all it was a great first birthday.  Miss H got showered with love!  She is one lucky little girl.  I have to thank my sweet sister and her friend Kara for taking pictures for me. Without them I would have been very sad. 

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Miss H is 12 months old!



Harper you are TWELVE months old!
  

This month you weigh almost 16.12 lbs  You are now 29 inches long! You are about to move up to size 3 diapers.  You are in 9-12 month clothes and finally some 12 months.  You are still in the 10% for weight...but it is because you are so very active! 

Monthly stats:

Nursing: You still nurse about 4 times a day.  Some days you may go without one of your day time feedings...but only if you are super busy playing. This month mommy is going to start winging you...we will see how that goes!      


Eating Solids: You eat almost anything.  You no longer want baby food but instead what ever we have.  You LOVE to eat!!  You are such a good eater that we may go broke feeding you.

Sippy Cup: You love your cup with water only.  I know putting whole milk in there will be a challenge, but let's hope we can get you to like it.

Smiling: You smile all the time. Your smile lights up the room!! I love it.



Talking:  You are really learning to chat it up.  You say momma, dada, uh-oh, and hi. I think I like your Hi the best because of the cute voice you use!   

Sign language:  You still can sign back to us dog, ball, milk, more, eat, all done, please, baby.  Your new signs are banana, thank you, cat, cheese, bread, and play.  I love that you can tell me what you want, it makes mommy's job a little easier.  We will work on many more this month.

Awareness:  You love to sit and watch....then maybe try it. I love how you really learn how things work before you try it.  It makes teaching you new things tons of fun!

Observer:  I am so glad you enjoy checking the world out.  You just amaze me at how you take life in.  Plus you kind of like to be in the middle of things...lol



WINSTON and BOB: Winston is on to you...he has learned to RUN when you head his way.  He has also found places to hide when he is done playing with you.  But as sweet as can be he checks the car seat for you the second we walk in the door.  If you are sleeping he will sit and wait for you to wake up.  He loves you so much and you love him.  Bob has really become aware of you this month. You have started to try and pet her more and chase her around the room.  She too is learning quickly what having a sister is like!

Sleep: You do a pretty good job these days.  You love your naps and mommy is happy you still take them so good.  I will be sad when you move to one nap...but for now I will enjoy it!  



Your hands: Those little finger can get anything!  Plus you are really becoming good at dancing and playing music.  We started music class at TCU this month.  You LOVE it so much.  You enjoy playing the drums, rattles, and more.  I love watching you sing and dance in class. 

Mouth:  Tooth count- 5 1/2....You gained 2 new teeth this month both on the bottom.  Thus you have 2 up top and 3 1/2 on the bottom.  I am pretty sure you have 2 top ones about to bust through.  


Your legs:  This legs were made for : walking, dancing, and "jumping"!!  You recently have learned to "jump" where you bend your knees and bounce up...you don't get any air yet but you think it is pretty cool!  Plus you are a major dancer anytime there is music going on.  I love how mobil you are most days...except when you are climbing on things that make me nervous. 

you crack me up....showing me how much you didn't want to do any more pics! 

Bath time:  Every night this time if my favorite.  I love watching you splash and play in the tub.  Yes you still bath in your little tub, but you enjoy it so why change.  Plus it makes mommy happy not to worry about you slipping in the big tub.  Also you have begun cleaning up to finish your bath.  

Giggles:  You are a giggly one!  We love to listen to this sweet laugh.  I also love that now if I am laughing you will too, like you understood what was so funny!     


Dislikes: You have begun to dislike some foods that you use to love...but I think its all a phase at least I hope.  You dislike having to stop playing for a diaper change some days.  You dislike it when you don't get your way...let the little fits begin! 

Things you are almost doing:

Oh gosh talking...you try to say more while you sign it! Also you try to jump and I am pretty sure you will be running soon!  You are a busy little one!


You had a few FIRST this month! 

Your first NEW YEAR'S EVE!
You got to enjoy your FIRST BIRTHDAY!!
You went to your first music class at TCU.
You got moved up to the one year old class at MDO.
Your first BIRTHDAY WEEK!!
First major sickness...not fun at all!

annual hat making party for the new year! 
Favorite toys this month:
  
Ybike


This little shape shorter...you carry it around all over the house. 
Your car that Queen Tia and Co gave you for Christmas....we can't keep you out of it!


12 whole month have come and gone, I just can't believe it.  I can not believe that just a year ago you were in my tummy.  We were not even sure if you were a boy or a girl!!  This has been the most amazing year of my life.  You have taught daddy and I so many priceless lesson.  We have learned to love like no love before because of you.  We are so blessed to raise such a sweet caring baby girl.  I know that with each day, week, month, and year our lives will only get better.  Mommy and daddy love you so much, all the way to the moon and back!

For the monthly comparison: 


Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Longest weekend of my life...

A year ago this was the longest weekend of my life.  Chris and I packed our bags up and headed to the hospital at about 4 pm ready for my induction.  Yep, sweet Baby R was about to arrive.  We didn't know if it would be a boy or girl.  We had so many emotions going on (or I did anyways).  Everyone made it to town which was one of the major worries I had.  Thankfully they were they ready to meet baby R too.   I remember majority of it so well, when I wasn't on the crazy meds.  Now a year later it seems so unreal that we were in that place.  I mean this is the day I have been dreading because it means my sweet baby is growing up.  I have so many emotions right now about her becoming ONE!!!
You can read the whole birth story here!

waiting on my room

Chris and the bags waiting on our room

just getting set up for the induction

 Our familes hanging out in our room as we waited and waited.


Harper,

Daddy and I are so thankful to have you in our life.  I can't believe that just a year ago we were waiting for your arrival.  Not only that but I just knew for sure you were a boy in there...Thank the good Lord he blessed me with the sweetest baby GIRL ever.  I remember so vividly as your dad said....it's a, it's a GIRL!  I immediately began to cry! You have changed our life for the better and we love you so much.  You were welcomed to the world by all your family and they will be here again just for you.  I can't believe how much you grew in just ONE year.  You have taught daddy and I many lessons.  I think the most important one is how to have endless love.  I can't wait to see what this next year brings as we watch you grown.

Love Mommy!