Update from home - take 2

First, here are pictures from the hospital. (Please note, ALL pics were taken with my phone...not good quality, but all I had.)

Scottish Rite is very good when it comes to caring for kids. They had each child's name on the door.

Scott and Landon taking a walk after Landon's first night at Scottish Rite.

It didn't take much to wear Landon out.

And, here is sister.

After 12 tries...YES TWELVE...the IV team was able to put a temporary cath in her foot through a blown vein. It lasted about 5 hours until her foot was so swollen it was twice the size of her left one. (They tried 5 more times to get a new IV in, but her veins were too blown. That's a total of 17 sticks.) ELLA BETH WAS SOOOOO BRAVE!

Landon and Ella Beth taking one last wagon ride together before Landon was discharged.

Ella Beth playing with play-doh while we were waiting for her to be discharged. This picture was taken after her fluids and after anti-nausea meds; she looked better.

Exhausted, but ready to go home.

UPDATE:
Since we have been home:

Landon has been doing better. His diapers are still evident that his
body is fighting an infection (I won't gross you out with the details
here!), but he has definitely settled down over the last couple of
days. At first it was hard putting him down to even wash our hands, but
now he is getting back to his sweet and happy self.

Ella Beth is a different story. Just like the first time she went into
the hospital, she did well for the first day after she was home...and
then she just crashed. Yesterday when she woke up from her nap, she was
sick. She is puny, weak, and very lethargic. I took her back to the
doctor today b/c she has a fever and has thrown up 5 times since
yesterday. The doctor is at a loss for what is going on with her -
which doesn't make Mommy and Daddy feel any better. Our pediatrician
has spoken with a GI specialist and is trying to work on getting Ella
Beth in ASAP. We were advised to give her Prevacid to help with the
acid that is just sitting on her stomach since it has been empty for
days. Ella Beth all but refuses to eat and drink...which isn't good.
She may be re-admitted to Scottish Rite soon in order to get her back
on fluids.

Anyway, if you could keep Ella Beth in your prayers we would really
appreciate it. It's so hard to see our tiny girl so miserable. She is
usually so energetic and talkative; now, she is lethargic and when she
does speak her words are very slurred (which we have been told is due
to her dehydration). Also, her weight is very low...around 20 pounds.
Her little body just can't take much more of this. I had a little fear
take over when I left her in her room for nap time. I just kept
thinking, what if her body gives out and she doesn't wake up? Just
confronting Satan and telling him to get out when thoughts like that
come.

OK, sorry if I've rambled; I'm a little tired myself. Thanks for the prayers.

OH MY WORD.

I could basically stop right here and tell you that life has been miserable. Period. But I'll give you the details.

In the last 5 days, both of my children have had visits to Scottish Rite's ER. Both have been admitted for a day.

Somehow, a disgusting sickness has invested our house and decided to camp out in our children. As exhausted as Scott and I both are, we are not nearly as miserable as Ella Beth and Landon have been.

It all started the night we got home from the hospital, Tuesday, March 3rd. Scott's grandpa had a massive stroke early that morning, so we went to be with Scott's family because they told us that his grandpa was not going to make it.

Please note: Never take your child to a hospital unless they themselves are sick.

At 2:05 A.M., Scott's mom called to tell us that Grandpa passed away. At 2:15 A.M., Ella Beth threw up. She proceeded to throw up for 2 hours. After that, she had diarrhea for days. Then, Sunday evening she started getting worse. She was either throwing up or on the potty for 10 straight hours. Monday morning, she and I headed to Scottish Rite where she was admitted for a GI infection and severe dehydration.

After 3 adult sized bags of fluids and a blue popsicle, they let us go home.

Yesterday, Saturday, March 14th, Landon woke up with a 103.1 fever. 3 1/2 hours after he was given Motrin, his fever was still at 102.9 and his lips and finger-tips were blue. We called the pediatrician, and they told us to get to Scottish Rite immediately. 

 

 

After 1 adult sized bag of fluid and a pack of crackers, we were sent home. (Gatorade was mine.)

Ella Beth was sick all day yesterday, too. Scott was with her at home, and she threw up for over an hour and was on the potty 5 different times after that. She also developed a fever of 102.

During the night last night, Landon woke up with a fever of 104.1. We put a cool wash cloth on his forehead and wrapped up an ice pack to lay on his back while we took turns holding him. His fever came down to 102.9, and he fell asleep until 5:30 A.M. Of course, his fever was 103.4.

Who knows what's wrong with my babies? Apparently, no one. Our pediatrician has been more than wonderful (Dr. Joanna Morris, Dawson Pediatrics, 706.216.2771 - who I recommend to everyone). She has done cultures that don't offer answers. The ER doctors just tell us it's a virus that must "run its course." OK...is it supposed to suck the life out of my kids in the process?

Literally, Ella Beth and Landon have (maybe) 10 minute bursts of energy and then they just lay in our arms, on the couch, or in their beds for hours. Both are lethargic and miserable. It's so pitiful, and we can't do anything more than give them fever reducer, vomiting reducer, and lots of love. So far, none of those are doing much good. Well, the cuddling sure is spoiling them...but, what else could we do? Not hold them after an hour-long vomit spell or when they have high fevers? Yeah, I'd like to meet one of those parents...

So, that's what has been going on with our household. Please keep Ella Beth and Landon in your prayers - pray that whatever it is will "run its course" and leave VERY soon.

Something got me thinking

Scott made a statement the other day that has really gotten me thinking.

"I brag so much about our church and how awesome it is. I really do enjoy attending and being a part of it, but I felt like such an idiot last week. At Grandpa's funeral visitation, not a single person that we know from church (friend or acquaintance) came to visit or to see us. I felt like my parents were totally shocked and disappointed that we are so committed to something that isn't really committed to us. I'm really starting to rethink my priorities regarding where we attend church and how we want our family to grow up."

First, for Scott to say something like this is very heavy.

Second, I have to say that I agree with him more than I ever thought I would.

The people who surrounded Scott's family during their time of loss was their church. That's who they consider their family. It's their "Home Church." It's made up of people who cried with them at the funeral home, recalled good memories, and who supported them beyond belief during their grief. It's people who came together to bring food that sustained all of us (his whole immediate family...around 30 of us) for a week. It's these same people that Scott's family will do the same thing for when they experience loss.

At his family's home church, you are missed if you're not there. You are loved like part of the family.

Our priority of attending church where we do is to learn from such a wonderful teacher. But what about beyond that? What priorities are Ella Beth and Landon missing out on?

Of course, I do work for my church; I support everything that they do, and we are involved.

Just thinking.

Landon's big day

It was bittersweet celebrating Landon's first birthday. His party was a lot of fun, but it was hard to let go of my little baby boy. I will be the first to admit that I L-O-V-E the baby stage. I cherish all the cuddles and coos. I love carrying around my little guy. I adore the sweetness of my baby. But, life stops for no one -- not even a sentimental mama!

I won't explain all of the pictures because I have too many to share. If you'll put up with all the pics, I won't bore you will all the words!

(Despite having Chick-fil-a nuggets, green beans, & mac-n-cheese on the main menu...Landon simply ate two rolls for his birthday supper.)

(Landon didn't know what to think of his cake. He played in it for a few minutes, took (maybe) two bites of icing, and then decided that he didn't like it on his hands! It must say something about Scott and me that BOTH of our babies didn't like having messy hands!)

(Landon ate 5 bites of ice cream, and then he decided that he didn't like it. He wouldn't open his mouth for another bite. Crazy boy!)

(I had a present for Ella Beth just in case she didn't really understand that it wasn't her birthday. She would have been fine, except she gave Landon her present! I re-wrapped it and let her open it. She loved her skirt and wore it the rest of the night!)

What a fun birthday party for my little fella's big day!

Landon

Dear Landon,
Hey there, Boo! Oh, what joy can spring from such a big surprise. You, sweet fella, are my pride and joy. You let me know that my heart wouldn't have to share love...my heart just expanded and love multiplied. I am enjoying you beyond my wildest dreams. I had always heard about the mother & son bond, and now that I have experienced it, I know what it's all about!

So much has happened during the last year, yet I still feel that I haven't had enough time with you to call it an entire year. You are such a sweet fella. I am amazed at how out-going you are, when you want to be. Right now, you are going through separation anxiety, but usually you will stretch your arms out to anyone - even strangers in the grocery store! I am enjoying your separation anxiety right now (well, not so much at 1:30 a.m.); I know all too soon that you will be two and want more independence than I want to give you. I cherish those little arms in the air begging me to pick you up.

Your favorite person is Daddy -- by far. I try not to take it too personally (seeing as how it was me, Mommy, who went through labor a year ago today). I have enjoyed watching the amazing attachment that you have for Daddy. He is your hero. You have a great hero to look up to, son. Daddy's one of the few good ones. I hope you take after him.

Your sister is also one of your favorite people...when she's not harassing you, that is! I am amazed at how patient and forgiving you are with her. I know it will change, but I hope that some of it sticks around. She really does love you, even if she doesn't always show it in the best way! Her first words every morning, after every nap, or any time the two of you have been apart are, "Where's Landon?" You better watch out because you're going to have two "mommies" watching over you.

It's this Mommy, though, who struggles to put into words how much I love you. You are my sweet little man, and I am so blessed to have you as my son. I look forward to watching you become the incredible man I know you will be, but I don't wish that time to come too soon. Right now, I want to scoop you up and smother you with kisses any time I want. I will, too, for as long as I can!

Happy Birthday, Landon.

I love you!

Mommy

Getting there

So, where have I been?

Sick and with a sick boy. Life hasn't been loads of fun these last few weeks, but we're hanging in there. I have been fighting this horrible sinus infection going on 2 1/2 months now. I have been on three or four different antibiotics, tried that darn netti pot (with no success; sorry, Ashley), suffered through nose spray (yuck!), and just being sick of being sick.

But, I can't complain really. Poor Landon has had it all. From having RSV in December, to coming down with brochiolitis, croup, AND a sinus infection...then to have a stomach bug from !@#$ hit him last Thursday. The little fella can't catch a break. He has been such a trooper. Honestly, the stomach bug was the worst. He was in such pain for hours Thursday night/Friday morning that we almost took him to the ER. However, since it was 11:30-3:00 a.m., we didn't want to get Ella Beth up out of her bed for that trip. Luckily, his tummy is better...but it has left him an even pickier eater than before. Didn't know that was possible, honestly. I am telling you, over the last three days he has had nothing other than Cheerios, crackers, a little bit of milk, and a little bit of water. That's IT. I dread his 1-year appointment if he doesn't start eating better than that!

Well, despite our rough go, Ella Beth has been doing great! She still loves pre-school. She knows when it's Tuesday and Thursday, and she gets up out of bed saying, "Today's Tuesday! I get to go to pre-school today!" Gotta love that! She also loves Fridays, because Fridays are gymnastics days. I got a couple shots of her last week enjoying her class with her friends Ava and Brenna.

And, no post is complete with out a picture or two or three of Landon. :) Mommy snuck in one, too. Landon is my snuggle bug, and I just eat it up! Ella Beth likes to move Landon's chair into her room sometimes. And this time he actually got to play in it!

Hopefully it won't be so long until you hear from me again. Really looking forward to the time when Landon is well for an extended period of time. I'm hoping it's right around the corner!

Kenya or bust!

Wow...I can't believe that a life dream of mine is coming to fruition. I am happy proud ECSTATIC to announce that I am going on a Mission Trip to Kenya in June! Oh my word!!! I have been blessed to be accepted as a member of "Team Kenya June '09 Trip" (better name TBD).

Right now I am living on the high of knowing that I am going on an amazing trip, literally on the other side of the globe. Amazing!

I do know that I will struggle from time to time with the same fact that I will be on the other side of the globe. Oh yeah...did I forget to mention that I'm going alone? By alone, of course, I mean without Scott. I am still shocked by my sense of adventure here because I would never have thought that I would ever do this alone, but I am trusting God that he will replace my anxious thoughts with peace.

I would love for you to pray with me through this journey. The verse for our team is this:

Ephesians 2:10- "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in
them."

If you would, please pray that this verse will stay in the forefront of my thoughts, and be the foundation of my heart during these next few months as I prepare to leave and then as I venture off into the mission field.

Also, I am going to have to raise $3500+ dollars in support to be able to finance my trip. Please pray that I will receive money from those who desire to further God's Kingdom. Please pray that those who do give won't do so out of a sense of guilt or expectation, but rather that they will give out of a sense of purpose and a sense of awe in all of the amazing things to come in Kenya.

Wow! I'm excited! If you'd like to know more about the trip please visit http://www.410bridge.org/ . There are amazing things in store!