Teething? Maybe?!?

David and I have been noticing more and more drool bubbling out of Lucas over the last couple of weeks. It's hard to say that he's really been any fussier... because of him being sick, but I am quite suspicious of teething today. Usually, I can calm him down when he is upset without much difficulty, but today... he wasn't sleepy, didn't want to play/ swing, wasn't hungry.... and I just knew something was bothering him. I had already washed his teethers and stored them in the fridge for one day when we needed them, so I grabbed one out and held it up to his mouth. He LOVED it... he couldn't get enough; he did some serious gumming! I felt around in his mouth and didn't feel any protrusions. He seems awfully young, but could this be the beginnings??

Feeling So Much Better

Lucas is feeling SO much better!! He is back to being his cutie, cute little self again! I can tell he is so glad to be feeling better... he is playing harder than ever (and then crashing harder too). He stopped needing Tylenol for his fever Thursday afternoon and the fever was completely gone by yesterday. Thank goodness!

Sick, Part II

To start off, Lucas had an awful night on Monday. He cried in pain from his tummy and diaper rash all night long. He was just pitiful. I finally got him to go to sleep good at around 4 Tuesday morning. When he had not woke up for a bottle by 7:45, I decided that I would get him up and go ahead and try to feed him (we have had to make sure he gets enough fluids with the bug he has had). When I got him up, I noticed that he felt really hot... and sure enough his fever had gone up to 102. It scared me to death! I called the doctor and she said to bring him in then. She examined him and said that since his stomach bug should be going away and his fever was higher than it had been this whole time he's been sick, he seemed to be coming down with something else. She ordered more labwork for him to determine if it was treatable with antibiotics (viral or bacterial). So, that meant another catheter and 3 more attempts to draw blood (yes, they had tons of trouble again). By the time we were at the hospital getting his blood drawn, it was getting close to time for another dose of Tylenol for his fever... I could tell he was getting warm again. By the time we left, I was so afraid that his fever was getting waay too high... (of course the hospital wouldn't give him anything despite my asking, because he had no orders from his doctor). His little body was just lifeless. I flew home with him and started "cooling" him. His fever was 101.9. As the evening went on and through the night, the Tylenol kept his fever acceptable. He rested much better last night, too. Today, he seems to be doing a little better. He is still not acting like his normal self, but his fever seems to be staying down. David, on the other hand, now is starting to feel rough himself.... so it looks like I have 2 sick sweethearts now... When will this ever end??

Doctor's Appointment

Lucas had an appointment with Dr. Lisa this morning. His temperature was still up a little from overnight (99.9-100.1). Dr. Lisa said that he most likely has the stomach virus that is going around... and his fever is a product of that. She told us to switch to a "sensitive" formula that will hopefully help the diarrhea somewhat until the virus is over. She also said that he should not go back to Mrs. Penny's until Wednesday, so I will be at home with him for a couple of days. I just hope that he is doing much better by then.. I really can't tell that he is any better today. It is hard to see him in so much discomfort... I would so much rather it be me sick than him.

Lucas

Lucas' fever stayed under 99.5 last night, so thankfully we did not have to go back to the ER for more antibiotics. He is not feeling his best this morning due to an upset stomach that Dr. Lisa said is caused from his continued low grade fever. Bless his little heart. He can go from smiling and playing to crying all in the same instant. I will be staying home with him tomorrow as he has to be at Dr. Lisa's at 8:30 in the morning and I don't want to take him to Mrs. Penny's until I know his fever is going to stay down... not that she couldn't completely handle it (probably better than I), but I would worry about him waaaay too much.

Time will tell...

As we were instructed in our ER discharge papers, we spoke with Dr. Lisa around mid-day today. I was so pleased to be able to report that Lucas was acting more like himself and had not had fever since 3:30 last night. My bubble was busted a little though.... she said that she was glad to hear about no fever, but it didn't necessarily mean that he was actually better. She said that the antibiotic shot he got last night might be the only reason he didn't have fever and it was only going to be good for 24 hours. We are supposed to continue keeping a super close check on his temp and call her with any changes. She said it is possible we will have to go back to the ER later tonight for another antibiotic shot. Ugh! We are hoping not!! Either way, she wants to at least hear back from us with an update by tomorrow morning. Only time will tell what we have in store for us tonight...

My Poor Baby

When I picked Lucas up from Mrs. Penny's today, she said she thought he was acting a little different this afternoon. Sure enough, I could tell he wasn't quite himself even before we got home. I checked his temperature and it was 100.7, so I called the doctor's office and since it was already after 5, they told us to go out to the ER for precautionary testing because of his age. We were there for 4 hours tonight. Lucas was poked and proded everywhere... it was horrible! His temperature got up to 101.7 before it started coming back down after a supository of medicene. They couldn't get a good vein for his labwork because his arms and legs are so chubby (he weighed 15 pounds and 14 ounces), so he had to be stuck 3 different times before they finally got his blood. Then, he had to go for x-rays. Next, they needed a urine sample... which meant he had to have a catheter, only when they got it all hooked up, his bladder was completely empty. They had to take it back out, put a bag over his "area" and wait for him to take a bottle and then finally go pee pee. The results showed a viral infection, so then he had to have yet another needle prick to get some antibiotics in him. We are so glad to finally be home. He is sleeping peacefully now.... temp 100.5. We will be keeping a close watch on him tonight and giving him his baby tylenol to hopefully keep the fever down. I just feel so bad for him...

Update on Mrs. Penny

David talked with Mrs. Penny this morning about her doctor's appointment. The doctor ruled out any fluid in her lungs and swelling around her heart... whew! They are waiting on labwork to come back about her kidneys and liver. He said that most likely the episodes were due to stress and lack of rest. I am so relieved that it seems to be something "fixable." Get some rest Mrs. Penny! :o)

Mrs. Penny

Please remember Lucas' babysitter, Mrs. Penny, in your prayers. She is having some health issues and has a doctor's appointment tomorrow. She has had lots of fatigue, swelling in the lower half of her body, and shortness of breath. She believes that it could be caused from her rhuematoid arthritis or something as serious as congestive heart failure. We are praying really hard that it is not something serious.

Tummy Time

Lucas usually enjoys "tummy time" with his daddy much more than with me, but today I managed to get some tummy smiles myself! Yes, these were taken on the changing table.... Lucas LOVES being up there for some reason, so I turned him over on it to see how he would react today... giggles and grins! Of course, I have to stand directly beside him while he "plays" on it so he doesn't get too wiggly!

Bumbo

We tried out the bumbo over the weekend! Lucas is still a bit "wobbly" in it, but it was fun for a few minutes.. until we had a spit-up episode!

Bath Time

Aren't these cute?! Lucas is getting much better about bath time! He still doesn't really enjoy them and he still cries, but I can usually at least get his hair washed before the wailing starts.. lol.

Update

Well, even though it was a draining week, we made it through! Monday was the worst... but as the week went along, things got better.. the tears became fewer and farther between. I am hopeful that each day will continue to get easier. Now, if I can just get rid of this sore throat that the kiddies gave me, we'd be doing great on this long 3 day weekend. I am taking mega doses of vitamin C!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Whimper, Whimper

Well, tomorrow is the big day... my first day back to work. I am excited to get back into my classroom and get to know my students, but the thought of being away from Lucas all day is breaking my heart. I went to school for the afternoon twice last week, and even though I had to leave him then, it just isn't the same. Tomorrow I won't be able to call and check on him when I want to, leave after only a few hours and pick him up... I will have 16 five year olds depending on me to give them 100% of my focus. I am as prepared as I can be physically, but emotionally is another story. I pray that God gives me the strength that I need to make it through the day without breaking down in tears. Lucas, on the other hand, is completely unfazed by the transition to Mrs. Penny's. He enjoys watching the other children play. I am so thankful that he has done well there! It is such a blessing to have Mrs. Penny keeping him. She is such a sweet lady and it is comforting to know that she has been keeping children for many years. It is a big relief that he is in such good hands when he has to be away from his mommy and daddy. Wish us luck for a day that passes quickly tomorrow!

Super Bowl

Melissa and Kirsten.. aka our new resident babysitter! :o)

Tim, Svetta, and Jacob... how did we not get Olivia in this?

Randy and Mandy

Chris, how is this the ONLY picture I have of you from last night... oh, wait.. somebody doesn't like having his picture taken... :o)

Arthur and Kris (it's official... they are bf and gf now... haha.. a little bit of an inside joke)

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum (in that order.. lol)

Real men wear 3d glasses... lol

We had great fun last night with family and friends watching the Super Bowl! It was so much fun catching up, I think I actually saw about 30 seconds of the game! lol I hope we get to do it again soon!