Carter Update

Rickybear had gone to the Lake After Hours on Tuesday.  That afternoon, I had been doing tummy time with Cater and I heard him wheezing a little bit.  Although I joke that he was only wheezing to get out of tummy time, I stopped early because I felt bad for him.  He also had been losing his appetite.  Once Ricky was on antibiotics, and because I couldn't give Carter any OTC medicine, I decided that I was going to call the pedi to find out at what point would she want to see Carter if his symptoms got worse.  I called on Wednesday and told them the symptoms that both boys had and was told that she would prefer to go ahead and check Carter out for herself since he was so little.  We made the appointment for the following day.

My mom had the kids on Thursday, and my dad was on vacation that week, so mom took Carter to the doctor for me while my dad stayed home with Ricky.  I got a call from my mom asking me if the doctor could talk to me.  I figured that she was just going to ask me some questions or let me know what kind of care I needed to provide him, but she told me he tested positive right away for RSV, and since he was so little, and since babies get dehydrated so quickly, she recommended that I admit him right away to the children's hospital in town.  I thought I was going to burst out crying right there in the hallway at work.  I had never even heard of RSV, but you can safely bet that I was googling it like crazy on the drive to the hospital.  RSV presents as a cold, but can lead to bronchitis/pneumonia.  Day 5 is usually the worst day as far as the progression of the virus goes.  Carter was on day 4/5 at that point.  We thought that maybe he and Ricky had gotten it from a child at their cousin's birthday party we had gone to at a local pizza place not too long before, but really had no idea.  Anyway, it's worse for little babies because since they wheeze and have trouble breathing, they usually lose their appetite... think how hard it is to breathe and drink at the same time.  Little babies dehydrate quickly.  For older kids and adults, the virus just presents like a normal cold.

Mom met me at the hospital with Carter.  The pedi had called and reserved him a room, so we were able to walk right up and register when we got there instead of having to go through the ER.  We went to a special room while he was admitted so they could take his vitals and obtain his medical history.  His lungs weren't bad enough to qualify for a breathing treatment, but they wanted to monitor him and keep him for 24 hours.  We were soon brought to our permanent room.  It had a couch that turned into a bed, the crib, a recliner, and a tv that could access movies and internet (which I am sure is nice for the older kids who have to stay there for an extended period to keep in touch with friends and family).

I was lucky that I had my breast pump with me since I had come straight from work. Otherwise, I would have had to rent one there.  I had to try to feed Carter every half hour or so.  He barely wanted to eat.  If I had him at the house and had not taken him to the doctor, I would have been hysterical when he stopped eating for so long.  I had to weigh all of his diapers and track that on a chart.  I was getting worried that he would need to get an IV for fluids, but he stuck it out and continued to do well.

Daddy came to visit us that night while my parents kept Ricky overnight.  The next morning, Maw Maw and Paw Paw came to pay a visit and keep us company.  After checking him all day, the doctor decided that since it was day 5, he would probably get no worse than he already was, and she was pleased with his progress.  She said that as long as he was eating at least half of what he normally does, she felt it would be ok to release him.  Ricky went to the pedi that day and they called the hospital to let us know that he didn't have RSV.  The hospital staff had been waiting to release Carter until they heard if Ricky needed to be admitted.  She also said that even though big brother Ricky tested negative for RSV, he could have already had it, given it to Carter, and then been past the point it to test positive for it.  We were released Friday evening and my parents kept Rickybear overnight again so I could focus on Carter.

He still wheezed, gurgled, and coughed for another week or so, but he slowly started eating more.  I knew that once he started smiling and cooing again that we were over the worst of it.  Let me tell you, it's so hard to care for a sick newborn and a sick toddler when you are also sick yourself.  For once, hubby didn't catch the bug and he stayed healthy.  I am happy to report that at this time, we are all happy and healthy.

Thanks for all of the positive thoughts and words that came our way during this difficult time!  I am also thankful for having such a knowledgeable and caring pediatrician.  It's so important to research before you get a pedi so you can know that her values match yours, that she respects your opinions and decisions (spreading out vaccines, alternative treatments, breastfeeding, etc.), and that she will make the best recommendations for the care your babies.

His appointment on Thursday with the pediatrician

Propped up while being evaluated once admitted to hospital



Maw Maw trying to cheer him up



During the sponge bath I gave him



Waiting to be released!



Rickybear Update

I know that I have family members waiting to hear about the illnesses that we have had in our household lately, but I have been way too busy to keep up with the blog like I should!  I will start off by saying that everyone seems to be well again!  KNOCK ON WOOD!

Ricky had a cold that lasted about 3 weeks total. For the first week, he had fever on Thursday and Friday. He alternated between clear drainage and a stuffy nose. Had a nasty cough, which caused him to throw up several times. At one point, I tucked him into bed with all of his "friends" (Tigger, Pooh, and Eeyore) and he apparently turned his head and threw up all over the bed/comforter/pillows, then laid his head right back down and fell asleep.  About an hour later, daddy found a nice surprise when he went to bed himself.  Yuck! 

He had a big loss in appetite. Throughout the course of the cold, we used Pediatex (.33mL) Benedryl (1.25mL) sparingly and Tylenol, as needed. The next Tuesday night he was hysterical after he was dropped off by my in-laws and I knew something just wasn't right, so I packed up both kiddos and went to Lake After Hours. It was determined that he had an ear infection (moderate in left ear, mild in right ear).  No wonder!  They didn't test him for RSV at the time.  He was given a 10 day dose of antibiotics and told to come back if he didn't get better. 

That Friday he went to see his regular pediatrician, who confirmed the ear infections and told us to keep taking the antibiotics and the Pediatex.  It took another 5-7 days, but Ricky is finally feeling better.  He was too excited over the weekend when we finally let him outside to swing.  I missed my ball of energy!

Here are some pics of him playing inside while recuperating:



A quick update

Mommy and daddy enjoyed the three day weekend with our lil man.  He had a full weekend and he was an angel while we were out in public.  We ate out twice and went bowling and he was content to hang out in his car seat and play.  He is still getting over his cold.  Since it was lingering, I took him to the doctor on Monday.  His throat and lungs were clear.  He had 100% oxygen so that was great.  His left ear was clear but his right one was slightly irritated, so he was given some antibiotics for that.  He’s still all stuffed up, but he is so much better than he was before.  They also weighed him- he was 16 lbs 13oz.

Despite the cold, Rickybear had a play date over the weekend.  I used to work with the mommy and I haven’t seen her since we were both pregnant!  Too long!  But her two sweeties came over to play.  I cleaned and sanitized the house like a mad woman before they came over.  =)  Her little girl is 18 months and her baby boy is 6 months.  The babies were very into each other at first, but then they started doing their own thing.  No tantrums to speak of, so I consider this one a “win”. 

The weather was warmer on Monday so we headed outside to clean out my car.  I put Ricky on a blanket in the grass.  It was like he was on an island- he was a little leery of crawling on the grass, but he had no problem trying to EAT the grass!  His little friend next door even came over for a quick visit.  The neighbors have a 15 month old little girl.  Rickybear is so interested in everything she does.  I can’t believe that before I know it he will be walking just like she is.  As exciting as it is, I want me little baby to STAY a baby, and to need his mommy.

And away we go!

Little man has been having some tummy troubles and also has a head cold.  He is in great spirits, but can't sleep because he can't breathe very well.  I plugged in a little vaporizer this evening and... well... you can see...

And yes, of course I immediately took it away from him so he didn't eat it or strangle himself in the cord!

Sleep well, little man

I worry when I watch my lil man sleeping.  He still has the cold he has been fighting for about two weeks now.  I can clear his stuffy nose out and rub Baby Vicks on his chest right before I lay him down to sleep, but 10 minutes later I can hear his labored breathing.  I always wonder if it's possible for him to just stop breathing altogether?  I know it is possible, but babies have gotten colds since the dawn of time.  As long as I am treating him properly, that's simply the best I can do.  Rationally, I know this.  But still, as I listen to him breathing while I lie awake at night, it tears at my heart to hear him struggle.

Cold and flu season is officially here!

Yesterday was a 3 cup of coffee kind of morning!

Rickybear was fine all day Wednesday, but once nighttime came my baby announces to me that he officially has a cold.  Maybe he understood that I had the next day off of work so I could take care of him.  We turned on the humidifier and rubbed his chest with Baby Vicks.  I had aspirated his nose and he seemed all clear.  I laid him down to sleep… and he starts crying and choking and sputtering.  I tried to soothe him with hugs, kisses, and a bottle, but nothing seemed to work.  He was just not happy.  I ended up giving him some Tylenol and we both tried to sleep again. 

He ended up waking up and crying about every 20 minutes all night long.  I was running on very little sleep and I was going through some internal turmoil.  I was ticked off that I couldn’t get any sleep, I was sad and concerned for my little man, I was angry that my husband was still sleeping through it all while I did all the work, then guilty for feeling upset about something my lil man couldn’t control.  At 5 am I ended up putting Rickybear on my chest and he slept for nearly 2 straight hours, which was his best sleep of the night. Once he woke up he was all sweet and groggy, then he broke into a huge grin.  We had survived.

If I didn’t know better, I would swear that he was a big faker.  He was in great spirits all day on Thursday.  He played and jumped and watched tv and read books.  He napped with no problem.  He even did tummy time for nearly 3 times as long as usual.  I cleaned the nursery, the living room, and the kitchen, while cooking 3 meals.  I felt like super mom!  Until bedtime that is…

We try to put the baby down and he starts crying again.  OMG!  He was fine all day!  Yes, I had to aspirate his runny nose every hour and rub Vicks on his chest, but he was happy ALL DAY LONG.  Hubby and I talked about it and decided to just let him sleep with us for the night.  I took very special care to arrange the pillows and blankets properly, but I was still terrified that I would smother him.  Again, we all survived.  He woke up a lot, but he didn’t take his usual 2am bottle.  He ended up with his head by daddy and his legs kicking my ribcage.  OF COURSE it couldn’t have been the other way around, lol!  When he wasn’t laying sideways he was all smooshed up next to me, breathing into my neck.  Such a sweet little boy!  Again, all smiles this morning.

He is spending the day at Nana’s today.  I hope he has a better night tonight!