In our house, the signs of winter also begin to point to signs of illness. All of the kids in this house get sick every single winter. This year was no different. Beginning at Christmas time the kids and Al all got a stomach bug. From there everyone had a really bad cough. The three kids, and Al, were all on Robitussin with Codine. Next up it was asthma time. Connor was put on an oral steriod of Prednisone. Once he improved he got worse again within a few weeks and was placed on an inhaled steroid Flovent. Next up it was Siobhan's turn. She spent a few days with a cold, and then all of a sudden it became awful with an extremely high fever and cough. We waited it out for a little while, making her comfortable with motrin, but when her fever hit 102.4 even with motrin and tylenol, off to the ER we went. Of course, a trip to the ER can only be done in the midst of a record setting snow storm; I think there's an unwritten rule about that.
In the hospital we did a chest x-ray to rule out pneumonia. They gave her some albuteral and made us wait there until her fever (Which had reached 102.7 at that point) went down. Once it did we were able to leave with the "yes she has a really bad cold, keep an eye on things" diagnosis. The trip home, which generally takes about 20 minutes, took over 90 minutes as I drove through at least 18 inches of unplowed snow in white out conditions. (Sunday night we had over 2 feet of snow in a record setting snow storm) I should probably have stayed at a hotel, but I really wanted to be home. Over the next few days we piecemealed it so she could stay home from school. By Wednesday we thought she was good to go back. However, at 2:30 I got the call that she had a fever of 100.5. So, she stayed home on thursday with my dad. On Friday I brought her to the doctor. They noticed an ear infection. they also re-examined her chest x-ray and said that she probably had RSV when we were at the ER, but that she sounded like she was on the mend (not wheezing and rattling and clearing her lungs when coughing; which is good). They did give her an antibiotic since it's taking so long to clear up. We're on day four of that. (Which of course means her stomach is awful).
Let's hope she continues to be on the mend. She still has a rotten cough which we are trying to keep under control with the inhaler. Connor is using his inhaler as well, although not as often. Thankfully Aisling has been okay thus far.
Someone asked me the other day what winter sports Al and I participate in. Our answer? Survival. I cannot wait for a year when we make it through the winter with no trips to the ER or hospital. It's draining.
I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Getting older!
Not me, of course!
Connor just turned nine a few weeks ago. I'd say I'm having a hard time believing it, but that would be a lie because BOY has he started with the attitude of a pre-teen! Yikes we are in trouble in a few years.
For his birthday this year Connor opted to have some friends go ice skating with him, and then he invited a couple of friends to sleep over. The group of friends that he invited is a group of kids with whom he has been friends since first grade. They are a great group of friends, and I hope they remain friends.
It was a great celebration and everyone had a great time. At the sleepover, one of his friends had to go home early (like, 3:00 AM early!) because he got sick. That was a bummer, but not surprising for my life!
Enjoy the pictures of his big day! (Al had come from a cub scout event, that's why he's wearing his uniform. I assure you it's not generally a wardrobe choice for him...!)
Connor and Quinten!
These guys are two days apart,
and were roommates in the hospital.
Yes, my son is a nut. I know.
The best group of friends you could ever want for you kid.
The girls!
The sisters and Connor's Godfather's daughters
(who are the exact same age as Siobhan and Aisling)
Seriously.
She just makes me smile!
Is any party really complete without frosting covered two year olds?
I did not make this year's cake.
I know, it bugs me too.
Overall, I'd say he had a great birthday. He got a lot of money and gift cards for his birthday, and was able to use that plus his own money to buy a DSi. He's pretty proud of that.
I am still reeling from the fact that he is nine. He is turning into a wonderful boy, of whom I am very proud. He has an amazing way with both of his sisters. He is so kind and gentle to both of them, and is genuinely concerned if they are not feeling well or something happens. He is an amazing friend too, and I love to watch him around his friends. He has always had an extremely high level of energy, and that has certainly not changed! As he gets older though he has figured out how to channel that into positive things, like dance. He dances constantly and really loves it. I think he's pretty good at it too! He's a bright kid and it's so fun to watch him learn and figure things out. Now that he's getting older it's exciting to sit and have conversations with him about things in the world. He has a great perspective on the world.
Connor, happy happy birthday! I love you very much and am so proud of who you are becoming.
Connor just turned nine a few weeks ago. I'd say I'm having a hard time believing it, but that would be a lie because BOY has he started with the attitude of a pre-teen! Yikes we are in trouble in a few years.
For his birthday this year Connor opted to have some friends go ice skating with him, and then he invited a couple of friends to sleep over. The group of friends that he invited is a group of kids with whom he has been friends since first grade. They are a great group of friends, and I hope they remain friends.
It was a great celebration and everyone had a great time. At the sleepover, one of his friends had to go home early (like, 3:00 AM early!) because he got sick. That was a bummer, but not surprising for my life!
Enjoy the pictures of his big day! (Al had come from a cub scout event, that's why he's wearing his uniform. I assure you it's not generally a wardrobe choice for him...!)
Our big nine year old!
Connor and Quinten!
These guys are two days apart,
and were roommates in the hospital.
Yes, my son is a nut. I know.
The best group of friends you could ever want for you kid.
The girls!
The sisters and Connor's Godfather's daughters
(who are the exact same age as Siobhan and Aisling)
Seriously.
She just makes me smile!
Is any party really complete without frosting covered two year olds?
I did not make this year's cake.
I know, it bugs me too.
Overall, I'd say he had a great birthday. He got a lot of money and gift cards for his birthday, and was able to use that plus his own money to buy a DSi. He's pretty proud of that.
I am still reeling from the fact that he is nine. He is turning into a wonderful boy, of whom I am very proud. He has an amazing way with both of his sisters. He is so kind and gentle to both of them, and is genuinely concerned if they are not feeling well or something happens. He is an amazing friend too, and I love to watch him around his friends. He has always had an extremely high level of energy, and that has certainly not changed! As he gets older though he has figured out how to channel that into positive things, like dance. He dances constantly and really loves it. I think he's pretty good at it too! He's a bright kid and it's so fun to watch him learn and figure things out. Now that he's getting older it's exciting to sit and have conversations with him about things in the world. He has a great perspective on the world.
Connor, happy happy birthday! I love you very much and am so proud of who you are becoming.
Last year I actually had time to make him a birthday video.
I didn't have time to do that this year, but here's a link to last year's.
I didn't have time to do that this year, but here's a link to last year's.
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