Hospital Slumberparty

We unfortunately had another bout of sickness at our house.  Lyle has tended toward respiratory problems whenever he gets a cold or bug.  He has had several rounds of pneumonia, bronchitis, and the such.  We are experts at breathing treatments and his medicine routine.  I was hoping that sweet Aria might avoid these problems.  She was hospitalized with RSV when she was two months old, but other than that has stayed fairly healthy.  This past week she followed in her brother's footsteps and we spent a night in the hospital with pneumonia.

After our weekend at the fair, Aria woke up on Sunday morning with a runny nose, but I didn't think much about it.  She seemed to not be feeling very good by Sunday evening, with a bit of a cough.  

Monday morning I was sure I needed to stay home with her, and made a doctor appointment for the afternoon.  By the time we got to the doctor you could tell she was pretty sick.  Her little eyes were not bright, and there were no smiles for the front desk staff (which is highly unusual).  She was breathing pretty fast, and had wheezes.  They ended up poking her heel to draw blood (flash back to when she was born and the million heel pokes she had to have to check her blood sugars), and did a couple nasal swabs for RSV and pertussis.  She hated it all.  Then we headed down to get a chest x-ray, which she hated even more.  I don't blame her!  She was able to fall asleep sitting on my lap while we waited for her results.  When the doctor came out to talk to us, her white blood cell count was up quite a bit and her chest x-ray showed pneumonia.  They sent us down the hall to admit her to our local hospital.

It is a sinking feeling to know that your child is sick enough to need to be admitted to the hospital.  But also a little bit comforting to know that you have a few more tools at your disposal to help them get better.

They attempted an IV (unsuccessful), and gave her a shot of antibiotics instead.  They also started breathing treatments and oxygen on her.   My sweet happy girl did not even crack a smile when her brother came to see her.  That's when you know she doesn't feel good.  So Lyle sweetly sat next to her and sang, "You Are My Sunshine."  Melt my heart and cue the tears!  She was getting pretty restless with a room full of visitors, so we sent everyone home to eat, and she rested.

She refused to sleep in the crib, so I kept her with me in the hospital bed.  It was a pretty restless night, and it felt like we were either checking her oxygen levels, giving her a breathing treatment, or trying to get situated again.  It seemed like about 4 AM was the turning point, she was able to relax a bit, and we got rid of the oxygen in favor of some sleep!

They released us to go home at the end of the day after another shot of antibiotics and some steriods, and we were ready to go! We definitely slept better at home than we did in the hospital, but still had several nights of being restless.  I stayed home one more day with her (because it's hard for mama's to be away from their sick babies, AND it's even harder for a mama who is a nurse to be away from their sick baby-I want to know everything that is happening!)  Grandma's to the rescue again as they took turns staying home with her on Thursday and Friday.

 

She is finally seeming like herself again, ready to play without getting winded and tired.  We go back to the doctor today for a follow-up appointment, so hopefully we will get good news.

It is an awful thing to have a sick child.  And Aria's illness was relatively mild compared to what other families go through.  My devotions Sunday morning, lead me to read Philippians 4:4-7--

"Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

It tied in so directly to a note I had written down earlier in the month.  "Understanding will never bring you peace.  That's why I have instructed you to trust in ME, not in your understanding."  We might not understand why illness happens, but we can trust and he in turn gives us peace.  

Small Town Life

Happy Happy Monday!  Even though it's Monday, I'm hopeful for a somewhat normal week.  Normal would be welcome after the crazy past couple of weeks.  I am sure I just jinxed myself saying that.

Two weeks ago was our county fair, which marks a busy time in our little lives.  With responsibilities spread between work, our church preschool, Zach's seed business, and managing the photography entries, we spend several nights at the fair from five when we get off work until 10 or so at night.  Add 105 degree temperatures we were pooped little puppies!

Health Department Booth...Changing/Breastfeeding Station

Wednesday night we bounced kids around while Zach managed the photography department, and I finished setting up our Health Department booth, and our Preschool booth.  We did a little something different this year for the Health Department and set up a changing station and breastfeeding area.  I for one was grateful to have a cool corner to sit down and feed Aria, and to not have to change her on the ground.  I think it was a success!

He was so excited about every ride! 

Aria was hot and less than impressed.

Between working, we of course found time to enjoy fair food and the carnival!  I was impressed and proud at how brave Lyle was with the rides.  He was fearless on the top of the ferris wheel, and even loved the spinning cups!  Looks like he will be my buddy at the amusement parks!

Top of the Ferris Wheel!

Sky high view of the carnival

I am a board member for our church preschool, and we held our annual pancake breakfast on Saturday. Complete with homemade pancakes, some of the best sausage, and of course...pie for dessert! :) 

 

We went home to rest, then headed out to watch the parade!  Lyle loved waving at all the people (especially since he knew several people!), the fire trucks, and the flags at the beginning.  And the candy.  Oh boy did he get a lot of candy!  I love our small town.

We headed to church Sunday morning, then home to catch up on laundry and relax after a crazy week.  We were competing in a "Weekend Warrior" challenge on our fitbits with the family, so Lyle and I went for a walk in the evening over to see Grandma.  I thought we had won because of the crazy amount of steps we did between our fundraiser and the fair.  Little did I know my brother-in-law was doing workouts until 11:59 p.m. so he could beat me!  Crazy guy! I'd say he deserves to win if he's that determined! ;)

Aria Grace: Eight Months

Goodness the time just keeps flying by!  Eight months old and still as cute and sweet as can be! 

Weight:  You've crossed the 19 pound mark, and are close to 20 if I would have to guess. Thighs and cheeks to die for.

Standing up in your crib.  Time to lower the mattress!

Sleep- Does anyone want to guess how my mission to get you to sleep through the night went?  Ding, Ding!  A miserable fail is right!  I just can't get past the point of getting even less sleep waiting for you to cry it out than I do if I just get up and feed you.  And it's way more awful trying to ignore your cries.  I do need to move the rocker into your room (it is still in our closet from when you slept next to our bed.)  I've gotten in the habit of feeding you laying down in the guest bed in your room, and I think sometimes you just want to cuddle.  We'll see if it makes any difference.  Can you tell I'm not holding my breath?  But in all honesty, I can't complain.  I know it could be much, much worse!

Eating-Most of the time, you love to eat.  Unless you are tired, then a lot of shrieking is involved.  Puff snacks are your favorite and you are really good at picking them up and feeding yourself!  You have done really well with most new foods.  You've made the biggest fuss about a potato/pea/green blend I made.  Sounds delicious, right??  Can't say I blame you, but we'll try it again later.  You are still nursing well, but get distracted so easily.  Most of the time we have to find a quiet corner, because otherwise you want to check on what Lyle is doing every ten seconds.  I have slowly been introducing a bit of dairy back into my diet (i.e. cheese a few times....oh that piece of pizza was amazing!) and you seem to be doing well.  We will hope you are over your sensitivity!

Likes-Mama especially, but anyone smiling at you will do.  Your little voice is so cute and when you are playing you get to talking with lots of ooohs and ohs!  You also have become a little insistent if you want someone's attention and give a little shriek so we look at you.  Lyle's toys, small pieces of dirt on the floor, crumpling paper,  picking grass, and dancing to music.  You also love to flip over while getting your diaper changed.  It is impossible to keep you distracted, and so I have mastered the art of diapering you on your knees.

Milestones-  You officially get into EVERYTHING!  Nothing is safe.  Your favorites are eating cords, pushing buttons on our TV receiver, and ejecting DVD's while we are watching them.  You love Lyle's toys, especially his trucks, legos, and the doors on his big barn.  You also are learning to climb and stand up on things.  At Grammy's house you love to climb over the bottom shelf of the coffee table, and at home you are pulling up on toy baskets and bouncy seats.   

Fun Firsts-Your top front teeth have poke through!  They didn't seem to give you quite as much trouble as the bottom ones.  A couple restless nights and a little drool.  We headed down to our small county fair this week, and so far you are a little unimpressed.  It probably has something to do with the fact that the heat index is 106 degrees. Ooof.  We've gone swimming a couple of times and you are a big fan!  You just hang out in your float or in our arms and splash around.

This is not a fun first, but you were exposed to pertussis (whooping cough) this last week, but have made it through unscathed after a round of antibiotics.  We are keeping the prayers going for the next couple of weeks that you don't get sick!

Sharing toys at camp.  It's a little hard to see, but your hair is growing in the back!

Lyle Update: Still the best of friends.  It makes my heart so happy. 

What a fun summer it's been!  Looking forward to a little cooler weather, so we can be outside and enjoy it! We love you miss Aria Bauer Grace (as Lyle introduces you to everyone)!

Aria Grace: Seven Months

 

We have checked another month off of our calendars, and you definitely think you are big stuff!  We have hit some big milestones this month and you are quite proud of your accomplishments!

No measurements this month, but you still are the sweetest chunk around!  Your chubby thighs are to die for!  Any new clothes we buy are 12 month size.  Most of your 9 month clothes still fit (except for one-piece pajamas, which are high-waters by a couple inches!!).

Sleep- Mission "Sleep Through the Night" officially started this week.  Your patterns were getting worse instead of better, so now you don't get to eat every time you make a peep.  We have cut down to only one feeding a night, so that's an improvement!!  At home you nap great, usually 2-3 times a day.  At daycare you were having trouble settling down if you could see or hear anybody...I guess you wanted to get up and play instead of sleep.  Once they moved your crib you seemed to do better.  

Eating- We started solids this month, and although it took you a bit of time to warm up, now you love it!  We are doing a combination of baby-led weaning and regular baby food/cereal.  So far we've been able to just feed you whatever fruit or vegetable we are having, but soon I will probably puree a bunch of food to send with you to daycare.  I have a Baby Brezza and love that it will steam and puree all in one.  All I have to do is chop the food and come back when it is finished!

Likes-   Jumping.  You LOVE to jump.  I swear you can get a foot off the ground in your Johnny Jumper, and will be content in there forever.  You like to be outside and scoot to the edge of the blanket so you can feel the grass.  Often you are in the ERGO or hiking backpack if we go on walks, and you seem to like it pretty well. 

Milestones-  You started sitting by yourself this month and then a couple weeks later you were back on your tummy on the move!  Right now you are doing an inchworm crawl.  You get up on your hands and knees, then slide down and pull yourself forward, then back up on your knees.  Gone are the days of setting you down and thinking you will be there when I get back!  You love this new sense of freedom and use it to get right in the middle of Lyle's toys.  

Fun Firsts- You experienced your first harvest and combine rides this month.  We rode in the combine with Dad and you were mesmerized.  You were very content to sit on my lap and watch out the big windows.  We went on your first trip to Kansas City as well. 

 

Lyle Update:  I love watching you become friends.  You love to play with Lyle's toys, and although he will take them away sometimes, it's usually not in a mean way.  You love to be chased by him and he still gets the best giggles out of you.

Happy seven month birthday baby girl!  All the love.