Baylor Pride

Karen, our dear friend who takes care of Sawyer and Emerson, gave the boys each a Baylor shirt. They wear them with Pride! This past weekend Ricky wanted to wear their shirts and asked Daddy to turn on the game! I have to say they are the cutest "Bear" cubs I've ever seen!! Thanks Karen!

Orwall Baseball

Ricky and Everett are doing so well in baseball! At his last game Everett won the game ball for MVP! And Ricky's team has won all but one game! It's so fun to watch them play!

Emerson is Five Months Old!

The last month has been a difficult one for Emerson. It first started with an ear infection which meant antibiotics. Two days later it moved into his lungs which meant breathing treatments and steroids. In hind sight it was most likely RSV. He started to show improvement and then was hit hard again. We went back to the doctor and it was a sinus infection and double ear infection, so we started another antibiotic. It was too soon to start another round of steroids. He was still having difficulty breathing. He was really struggling! So we had an appointment to recheck on Monday. He was worse and really struggling, so I rushed him in. His oxygen levels were low. They gave him a double dosage of steroids and a breathing treatment in the office, and his levels still did not come up. So it was looking like he would be admitted. We went over to St. Luke's Hospital. In time his levels came back up and he showed improvement in his breathing. The chest xray showed inflammation consistent with a respiratory virus, but fortunately no pneumonia. But then the doctors informed us he had something called layrngomalacia. We were able to go home, but would have to return for tests the following day. We had an upper GI scheduled for 10:30 the next morning. That morning, I called our ENT. With that diagnosis they wanted us to be seen, so they scheduled us with another ENT the following day. On my way to the hospital for the GI, our ENT called and said they would see us that day for a laryngoscopy. We first went to Memorial Hermann hospital for the upper GI. Everything looked normal, there were no abnormalities or obstructions, and the Prevacid was working and the reflux was minimal. Good news! So on to St. Luke's Hospital to meet with the ENT. Our ENT did a larngoscopy. There was no sign of laryngomalacia. Thank goodness! She found by looking through the scope there was inflammation consistent with croup. So thru this all, the outcome appears to be he has reactive airway disease. This is no surprise since each of our boys have this. It's basically "asthma" in children under the age of five. He contracted a nasty respiratory virus, most likely RSV, and before getting over the virus was hit with Croup. Poor guy has had a terrible time! We are so grateful to have avoided being admitted into the hospital. His breathing is improving a little each day, and we are hoping we finally have this under control! Now we are just trying to survive this round of steroids in which he is eating around the clock and never sleeping! 

 We are hoping and praying that Emerson will be happier and healthier very soon!!

 What Emerson has been up to:

• rolling around
• sitting up
• giggling
• playing with toys
• army crawling
• eating solids 3 times a day
• crying a lot and not sleeping EVER (hoping this improves as he starts feeling better)          

 His smiles have been few and far between so we treasure each and every one!!

 Emerson weighs 19 pounds! He gained 3 pounds on the first round of steroids! Who knows what he will weigh after this round! He is a big ole boy, and we love every ounce of him!

He adores Sawyer! In fact, the giggles I have heard have been directed at his big brother! Sawyer brought Emerson all these books and toys to play with, and Emerson was loving it!

Spring Break 2012

Each of the boys had some illness or another over Spring Break. Poor Emerson was sick the entire time! So we went to the park for short visits to give the boys an opportunity to play outside! And despite not feeling well, they enjoyed being outdoors! Not the most exciting Spring Break, but glad I could be home to take care of my boys!

Spring Trails Park:

 Northshore Park:

Sawyer is Potty Trained!

Like his big brothers before him, Sawyer is potty trained at 20 months! And what a champ! It came so easy for him. In fact, he was ready even sooner, but I had to wait until Spring Break when I had more time at home. He is so proud of himself, and we are so proud of him!!!

Ricky's Rodeo Day

It's rodeo day for Ricky! What a handsome cowboy he makes. He has even been practicing his Cowboy lingo so he would be prepared today. This morning when a teacher said good morning to him he tipped his hat at her! What a cutie!

My Baby Is Back!

After two weeks of  antibiotics, steroids, and breathing treatments every four hours, my baby is finally back! He has not been sleeping, he's been eating a ton, and been generally unhappy. But I am thrilled to say he is finally feeling better! And my how I have missed him!!! I think those steroids have added at least a pound!!! Now there's just more to love!!! He's super active with his army crawling and rolling around, so I am not too overly worried!

Sawyer's Tubes and Adenoids

Sawyer had his adenoids removed and tubes put in. He has had MANY antibiotic resistant ear infections, sinus infections, and respiratory infections! We are hoping this will lead to healthier days for our sweet guy! Notice in the last pictures the rather large knot on his head. He fell face first on the tile just minutes before they took him back! He went back ok, but the anesthesiologist said when they put the mask on him for the anesthesia he turned from lover to fighter. But it was brief before he fell asleep. The procedure went very smoothly. They gave him a breathing treatment prior to the surgery to head off any lung issues. The doctor did say his adenoids were very enlarged, and she had to removed quite a bit of thick yucky fluid from his left ear. What a champ though - he did great in recovery! And before we even made it home he was as good as new! The little trooper didn't even take a nap!

Reading his patient rights and responsibilities

Daddy is holding on tight to his little guy

Getting his vitals

Showing off his bracelet

Mommy's Boy

Reading a book to pass the time

Getting his stuff organized

Ready to go!

One last ride before it's time

He slept very little!

He did not like his iv

And that was it for his recovery - what a tough little guy!

Opening Day of Baseball

It was opening day of baseball at Orwall. Both big boys are playing this year! Ricky is playing for the Angels, and Everett is playing for the Reds! Rick and I got to enjoy our day with them while Nana took care of the little ones who were home sick! So proud of our boys!!