Sick Baby Girl

Our Little M is very sick. She started with the usual snotty nose last Thursday but it quickly morphed into something else. Friday I took her to a walk in with a low grade fever, cough and stuffy nose. The doctor told us there was nothing to treat with medicine as of yet. Fast forward to Sunday morning and Little M wakes up with a 103.8. I called the triage line where I was told that she did need to see a doctor but it would be okay to give her Tylenol or Motrin to keep her temp down until she could be seen. At 5a.m. this morning she had another high fever so, I gave her Motrin. At 8:30 I called her pediatrician and got her in at 10:50. I didn't give her anymore medicine so that the doctor could see her as I have been seeing her. At the Dr her temp was 99.8 right at 11:00. The doctor swabbed her for RSV and sent her for an x-ray because her lungs didn't sound "bad" but not "great" either. And since you well know that my nephew is seriously ill with pneumonia in the hospital still after 18 days, you can imagine how scared I am. My mom came when she found out about the x-ray because a baby getting an x-ray is traumatic for both baby and mom. I experienced this with my son and she was there then too. When we got back to the doctor's office from outpatient I told the receptionist we were back and I saw them give a 'look' and they took us back to a room. I told my mom I bet that meant her RSV was positive, that doctors office isn't quick about anything. She also has an area on her lung that is questionable and can become problematic. After the doctor I ran to Walmart to get a filter for her humidifier while my mom stayed in the car. I went home after that and took her temp and it was 105.5! I nearly fell over and started shaking. I happened to be on the phone with my husband who jolted me back to reality. He said to call the doctor so I did and the doctor's office didn't even give me the run around. They got me straight back to the doctor himself. He told me what to do, I did it and now her fever is at a cool 99.8-101. So, my alarms are set (in case I fall asleep) to administer Motrin and Tylenol every 4 hours. I'm a nervous wreck with her labored breathing. I'm afraid she will have a low pulse ox and I won't know it. You know, typical mom fears. I know it's nothing new, mom's worry about their kids, that is just how we are created. But for now, this is the biggest thing in my world. Please pray for our little girl.

January Birthday

I realize I haven't yet posted about our Little M's 1st Birthday. Our baby is One! My, how time has raced by. I'm thrilled and saddened all at the same time. Where has time gone?

We had a wonderful celebration for her with all the people that love our kids. It was amazing. Every time I turned around someone else was loving on her. Babies and kids were all over the place. We celebrated at the West Room Down by the River. It was an excruciatingly cold day. It took several trips to the car to prepare to decorate and then even more trips with all the wonderful gifts she was given.

She smiled all day long. She was the happiest baby I have ever seen. Here she is with my mom. I just love her beautiful bow made by Alibugbows to match her birthday dress.

So, belated Birthday Girl. What have you been up to lately?

Well, you sleep through the night and I must say that I'm thrilled about this particular milestone.

You weigh 19lbs1oz and are 24 inches long. You are quite small for your age with the 11th percentile for weight and 30th percentile for height.

Playing with your brother is one of your favorite things to do.

We recently stayed away from our home for a week and you did a great job sleeping in your pack n play.

You are into everything and will put ANYTHING in your mouth. My own little garbage disposal.

You talk quite well. You can say Papa, Momma, Dadda, Buhbuh, I Love You, Hi, Bye Bye. When you want more of something your scream, we are going to have to work on that one.

You can walk a couple of steps on your own but just don't seem to be sure of yourself yet.

You eat all solid food. For Breakfast you like to eat a banana and cereal bar. For lunch and dinner you will eat whatever we are eating. But you really love Macaroni and Cheese!

Your smile lights up a room. We all love you so very much!

Finley Family Prayers

My brother-in-law and sister-in-law have been blessed with three beautiful children. Heath is the oldest. He is 10 years old. He's a fantastic baseball player. A loving brother and son. And he is sick. This fiery red head has been down and out for two weeks. What started out as a 'virus' ended up being pneumonia in his left lung. After a fever of nearly 105 for 5 days he was admitted to the Hospital. His heart was showing signs of stress from such a high fever. The next day the doctor pulled 450 cc's of fluid from the left lung, in hopes that this would jump start his system and give the antibiotics a chance to kick in. After that didn't work they inserted a chest tube to give the lung a direct line to continuously drain. These procedures have each been done with NO anesthesia, as that lowers his pulse ox. Yesterday he had an x ray since having the chest tube removed on Monday and it didn't show any improvement like they had hoped for. So, he is still in the hospital and just tonight spiked another high fever. At the same time my brother-in-law is at home with their 4 year old daughter who is now also running a temp over a 102. Now he can't come to the hospital to see his son. And my sister-in-law is torn because she desperately wants to be there for her son and daughter. Meanwhile, Matthew, my sweet middle child nephew who has asthma is happy and healthy. Of course we are praying for his health to continue. Please please pray for healing for both Whitney and Heath. And endurance for my sister-in-law and brother-in-law.

For my crew. Little M is running a low grade 101.8, has a terrible cough, and snotty nose. She is also breathing quite fast when she is awake. I'm worried about RSV. My son was misdiagnosed with croup when he was a mere 3 months from turning two. He ended up being taken by ambulance from another doctors office (I had gone for a second opinion) because he was turning blue and had a pulse ox of only 82%. But the doctor said if she had RSV then it was just a virus so no need to test. As I write she is in her bed sleeping and coughing. It sounds so horrific. I'm thankful for my Angelcare Breathing and Movement Monitor tonight. Also, my husband is getting over an ear infection, bronchitis, and a throat infection of some sort as is my father-in-law. Anyone want to share a cookie?

Will you please dear readers, pray for our family. We pray that the well ones will stay well, so that we can nurture and nurse the ill ones back to health.

New Addition to Our Family

For Valentine's Day the kids each got a new night light. Little M got the ladybug and B-man got the Twilight Turtle. Both the kids love their new toys. The turtle is educational with it's pictures of animals close to extinction. It also comes with a story book. Both light up with 3 different colors. So, welcome new addition. May you make our nights wondrous.

Lent

This past year I must have been good because in my Christmas Stocking I had some yummy chocolate. I've never been much of a chocolate eater, at least not chocolate in solid form. But I pretty much became addicted. And even though this chocolate along with Ghiradelli and Bliss are insanely expensive considering it is just chocolate, I have stayed stocked up. As I write this the bowl of chocolate in my pantry is calling my name. I can almost feel the sweet morsel melt in my mouth. But then came Lent. I've never participated in this event before. I'm intrigued by the it's meaning. The first thing my husband said is "Your not Catholic". Jesus didn't spend those forty days and give up His life just for Catholics. I am one of His children. And with all He gave up for me, I can surely give up something for him. So, I chose chocolate. So long to you sweet Bliss, Ghiradelli, and Dove. I'll see you much later. But for now, in replacement, I'll keep my thoughts on Him. Because every time I want that sweet melting experience, I will spend time in prayer. Although, with 2 kids it may not be silent prayer but I will be spending time in prayer, time in the Word, and time reflecting on my thoughts and actions. I'm excited about this journey.

On a side note. I have recently committed to helping a wonderful friend build her home daycare business (she used to keep my son) and I will be working for her 4 days a week. Little M and B-man are excited. They get to learn and socialize with other kids while I'm there with them, not missing a minute. I'm a little nervous about the inevitable illnesses. Although, when my son attended her daycare he was rarely sick. She is VERY clean and enforces the '24 hour rule' at her daycare.

With that, my husband is currently sick. He is suffering from an ear infection, bronchitis, and a throat infection. They are watching him for the possibility of pneumonia. So, the lease of my problem is the daycare! Ha! Please pray for my wonderful husband. He is an extremely hard worker and rarely stops. Between a part time job driving an ambulance, a full time job as an Engineer, and a volunteer firefighter, he really doesn't have the time to get well. Because, he's just not the kind of person to call in. Pray for Him.