I just took Lucas to the doctor and they tortured him by putting cotton swabs and bulb syringes up and down his nose and throat to test him for RSV and influenza. It's Brian's Sunday, but he offered to let Lucas stay home with me so he could be more comfortable while he's sick.
The thing is, I'm so tired. I've been pulling in maybe 5.5 hours of sleep per night between all the breathing treatments, Lucas' schedule, cooking, cleaning and work. I'm really starting to feel it and that does no good for anyone. So I need a nap. I need Brian to take my very active, prednisone-d up toddler so I can sleep.
But when I just dropped him off with Brian, he cried hard and looked at me like, "Why are you torturing me too Mama? Don't leave me!". So now I feel terribly guilty.
Sigh. I'm trying to tell myself that I'm not putting my needs above Lucas' and that by taking a nap it's better for both of us . . . But it's not working . . . Dammit.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Adventures in Everett
Everett and adventures DO go together. Ha ha.
Yesterday I took Lucas to the Imagine Children's Museum in Everett. If Patty and Frank are reading this, it would be a fun thing to do when FD and Tara come up again - but I'd suggest doing it on a weekday, maybe. Jaxie and Megan texted me and wanted to go on an adventure with Lucas and I. Megan suggested the Skagit Children's Museum, but I've heard it didn't really have a lot of good exhibits for toddlers, so we chose to do Everett, which I have heard wonderful things about.
Lucas wasn't (and still isn't) feeling the best, so I was a little hesitant to take him anywhere. But he was SUPER bored at home and getting cranky because he wasn't going to school and he didn't want to stay at home. He kept getting his shoes and going to the door, looking back at me like, "Come ON mom, geeze!"
I really wanted him to sleep on the way down, so we didn't go till 12. I took him to the Play Cafe for awhile until then because, like I said, he REALLY wanted to GO! Lucas did sleep on the way down, so when we go there he was pretty rested. But, bad planning on our part, it's President's Day weekend. Canadian's everywhere, #1, and all the families celebrating a 3-day weekend were out, #2. It was jam packed and a little daunting. This didn't seem to stop Lucas.
The museum was SO cool. There were a lot of things that were just too advanced for Lucas to do, and he didn't want to be bothered looking at those exhibits (much to my dismay - I wanted to see them!). But the things they did have for his age group were well worth the $16 I paid for the both of us to get in. I think his favorite thing though, was going up and down the stairs. There were various flights of stairs to get to different areas, and he just wanted to go up and down them. (:
They have this playground on the roof of the building that is just impressive. It's pretty large for a toddler, but it was still fun. He had a good time and the rain stopped for just a little while so we could go up and use it. It will be really fun to take him when he's about 3.
The funny thing about the trip was that this was the first time Lucas would throw a tantrum when I had to physically remove him from an area. He usually gets distracted by something and calms down pretty fast. He was PISSED off when I would move him from the stairs. He didn't care that other families needed to go up and down! Lucas is strong too, so holding him when he's flailing was difficult. I eventually just followed him around the museum and told Megan and Jax to just go do their own thing!
My friends very nicely allowed me to stop at the outlet mall in Marysville on the way home. I thought I deserved a small treat from my tax return before I spend it all on dental work. (: But again, CANADIANS! AHhhh! And Canadians + torrential downpour + no lunch = CRANKY. Lucas had lunch though and a stroller, so he slept all the way through it, lucky boy.
Yesterday I took Lucas to the Imagine Children's Museum in Everett. If Patty and Frank are reading this, it would be a fun thing to do when FD and Tara come up again - but I'd suggest doing it on a weekday, maybe. Jaxie and Megan texted me and wanted to go on an adventure with Lucas and I. Megan suggested the Skagit Children's Museum, but I've heard it didn't really have a lot of good exhibits for toddlers, so we chose to do Everett, which I have heard wonderful things about.
Lucas wasn't (and still isn't) feeling the best, so I was a little hesitant to take him anywhere. But he was SUPER bored at home and getting cranky because he wasn't going to school and he didn't want to stay at home. He kept getting his shoes and going to the door, looking back at me like, "Come ON mom, geeze!"
I really wanted him to sleep on the way down, so we didn't go till 12. I took him to the Play Cafe for awhile until then because, like I said, he REALLY wanted to GO! Lucas did sleep on the way down, so when we go there he was pretty rested. But, bad planning on our part, it's President's Day weekend. Canadian's everywhere, #1, and all the families celebrating a 3-day weekend were out, #2. It was jam packed and a little daunting. This didn't seem to stop Lucas.
The museum was SO cool. There were a lot of things that were just too advanced for Lucas to do, and he didn't want to be bothered looking at those exhibits (much to my dismay - I wanted to see them!). But the things they did have for his age group were well worth the $16 I paid for the both of us to get in. I think his favorite thing though, was going up and down the stairs. There were various flights of stairs to get to different areas, and he just wanted to go up and down them. (:
They have this playground on the roof of the building that is just impressive. It's pretty large for a toddler, but it was still fun. He had a good time and the rain stopped for just a little while so we could go up and use it. It will be really fun to take him when he's about 3.
The funny thing about the trip was that this was the first time Lucas would throw a tantrum when I had to physically remove him from an area. He usually gets distracted by something and calms down pretty fast. He was PISSED off when I would move him from the stairs. He didn't care that other families needed to go up and down! Lucas is strong too, so holding him when he's flailing was difficult. I eventually just followed him around the museum and told Megan and Jax to just go do their own thing!
My friends very nicely allowed me to stop at the outlet mall in Marysville on the way home. I thought I deserved a small treat from my tax return before I spend it all on dental work. (: But again, CANADIANS! AHhhh! And Canadians + torrential downpour + no lunch = CRANKY. Lucas had lunch though and a stroller, so he slept all the way through it, lucky boy.
Lucas sleeping on the way down.
Climbing stairs.
Driving the giant cool tractor.
Giant Connect Four game!!
Lucas especially liked the cars he could get into in the roof playground.
Sliding . . .
Megan and Lucas.
Megan and Lucas driving the bus!
Looking out the window to the world below.
He was VERY tentative about crossing this bridge. Too rickety.
Jax and Lucas (hamming it up).
Yeah!
I love this smooshed face picture.
These two are learning that they should not have let Lucas drive.
Surprise!
Climbing.
I don't know what I'm doing!
Watching.
Taking a break.
Hi!
I love this picture. Things are looking up. (:
They should give us a parking spot at Peacehealth . . . seriously!
Poor Lucas. He just keeps getting sick. I know that this will pass. The reason I know it is because I have seen countless children go through the exact same thing. Then they hit about 3 or 4, and things improve. But it's still not fun to watch my little guy get virus after virus. It's not fun to have to miss work and figure out how to fit a full work week of stuff into the 3-4 days I manage to get to work. It's not fun to have to make the trek out to Peacehealth on an almost weekly basis for them to tell me the exact same things over and over. I could probably diagnose him at home. It's not fun to spend an hour of my day and precious time with Lucas holding him in a chair with a mask full of steriods up to his face.
We went to the ER about a week and a half ago. He had just had a doctor's appointment that day and by the time I got him home from work, not even 4 hours after the doctor's appointment, his breathing was labored. I knew he needed the oral steriods. I HATE that I have to give those to him. Prednisone is really hard on your body. It definitely does it's job, but it's a wicked drug to have to give to a 15 month old. Megan came with me to the ER since it was late at night. I knew Lucas was going to fall asleep and I was glad to have the company. We got to St. Joe's at about 7:30 pm and they got us right back, which was really nice. While we were there they gave us a few treatments and of course, the Prednisone. They also gave him a chest Xray for pneumonia again. He smiled all the way through the xray, which blew the technicians minds. He is such a happy boy when he's out and about like that, even if it's a trip to the hospital!
Megan went home early because she had to work very early in the AM. So, I sat and held oxygen on Lucas' face while he slept for a few hours. A man in his late 50's or early 60's came in because he had a really high fever and bad cough with asthma. He was a doctor of some sort on the islands. He was SUPER chatty with all the nurses and I enjoyed listening to him try and flirt with them. Then he got on the phone to his wife, after all the nurses had left, and he sweet talked her. He didn't seem very sick at all!! But it was a good bout of entertainment for me since my phone was lacking reception and there were no critical cases rushing down the hallway.
The Prednisone kicked in about 11:15-11:30 and his oxygen levels were holding steady at 93% (which is still too low, but much better) without me having to hold the oxygen thing up to his face. So, they let us go home with a prescription for Prednisone. His cough, up until that night, had been pretty dry. Over the next few days, it got really congested. So, now, over a week later, I have a little boy who still has a bad cough and is now waking up with his eyes COMPLETELY crusted over with junk. I broke out the conjunctivitis drops this morning. He's not eating that great and his sleep has been crummy too. I think it's another round of antibiotics for Lucas. We'll call the doctor tomorrow.
However, I did smarten up and call the doctor after his ER visit and request a referral to the asthma/allergist doctor. I'd like to have a treatment plan for Lucas in place so that when he does contract a virus, it's not going from slightly ill to labored breathing in less than 12 hours. I know that means we'll be doing the nebulizer and the inhaled steriods pretty regularly, but I also know that the more proactive we are the more likely he is to grow out of it. They'll also test him for any allergens that may be setting him off (although I'm pretty sure it's just all the viruses that he's exposed to at school). I hope he's not super allergic to cats or dogs. With my two cats and Brian's two dogs, we'll be in some big trouble. So, we have our asthma/allergist appointment on March 15 (that was the soonest we could get in - one month out)!
We also get to go to the dentist on Tuesday. After I had a tooth crack and fall out (gross), I thought better of my own child's preventative dental health and scheduled an appointment with Piper Pediatric Dentistry. We'll see how that goes (I'm not really looking forward to taking a toddler to the dentist).
We went to the ER about a week and a half ago. He had just had a doctor's appointment that day and by the time I got him home from work, not even 4 hours after the doctor's appointment, his breathing was labored. I knew he needed the oral steriods. I HATE that I have to give those to him. Prednisone is really hard on your body. It definitely does it's job, but it's a wicked drug to have to give to a 15 month old. Megan came with me to the ER since it was late at night. I knew Lucas was going to fall asleep and I was glad to have the company. We got to St. Joe's at about 7:30 pm and they got us right back, which was really nice. While we were there they gave us a few treatments and of course, the Prednisone. They also gave him a chest Xray for pneumonia again. He smiled all the way through the xray, which blew the technicians minds. He is such a happy boy when he's out and about like that, even if it's a trip to the hospital!
Megan went home early because she had to work very early in the AM. So, I sat and held oxygen on Lucas' face while he slept for a few hours. A man in his late 50's or early 60's came in because he had a really high fever and bad cough with asthma. He was a doctor of some sort on the islands. He was SUPER chatty with all the nurses and I enjoyed listening to him try and flirt with them. Then he got on the phone to his wife, after all the nurses had left, and he sweet talked her. He didn't seem very sick at all!! But it was a good bout of entertainment for me since my phone was lacking reception and there were no critical cases rushing down the hallway.
The Prednisone kicked in about 11:15-11:30 and his oxygen levels were holding steady at 93% (which is still too low, but much better) without me having to hold the oxygen thing up to his face. So, they let us go home with a prescription for Prednisone. His cough, up until that night, had been pretty dry. Over the next few days, it got really congested. So, now, over a week later, I have a little boy who still has a bad cough and is now waking up with his eyes COMPLETELY crusted over with junk. I broke out the conjunctivitis drops this morning. He's not eating that great and his sleep has been crummy too. I think it's another round of antibiotics for Lucas. We'll call the doctor tomorrow.
However, I did smarten up and call the doctor after his ER visit and request a referral to the asthma/allergist doctor. I'd like to have a treatment plan for Lucas in place so that when he does contract a virus, it's not going from slightly ill to labored breathing in less than 12 hours. I know that means we'll be doing the nebulizer and the inhaled steriods pretty regularly, but I also know that the more proactive we are the more likely he is to grow out of it. They'll also test him for any allergens that may be setting him off (although I'm pretty sure it's just all the viruses that he's exposed to at school). I hope he's not super allergic to cats or dogs. With my two cats and Brian's two dogs, we'll be in some big trouble. So, we have our asthma/allergist appointment on March 15 (that was the soonest we could get in - one month out)!
We also get to go to the dentist on Tuesday. After I had a tooth crack and fall out (gross), I thought better of my own child's preventative dental health and scheduled an appointment with Piper Pediatric Dentistry. We'll see how that goes (I'm not really looking forward to taking a toddler to the dentist).
Those hilarious toddler reports from January 23rd to February 17th, 2012
January 23, 2012
Lucas enjoyed outside time! Also, pulling the petal-pool apart and throwing spectacular fits. Was needy of lots of affection.
- Katy
January 24, 2012
We started working on Valentine’s Day projects today. He had an okay day. He really needed a nap! He had a hard time sitting still for his neb treatment, but we worked it out! After lunch he tried to say my name!
- Elisha
January 25, 2012
He is trying to run so much that he is just falling down everywhere, all the time. He was squealing with delight at the bubbles I was creating with the fan. He loved chasing the bubbles about the room and dressing as a doctor.
- Elisha
January 26, 2012
His day was pretty good after his nap and yummy lunch. He was testing us with his rule breaking and I was trying not to laugh! He loved playing outside and visiting with mommy. He ate a TON of turkey burger and stole everyone’s binkies.
- Ilana
January 27, 2012
Lucas was testing boundaries and using all his muscles today! He’s getting very good at stacking blocks and saying any sort of words that have to do with motor vehicles. We made coffee filter snowflakes today.
- Elisha
January 30, 2012
He was having a teething kind of morning where he can’t figure out what he wants. He is starting to speak clearer and clearer. Today he was watching the other children saying, “All done.” Then he would copy their voice exactly the same. We had sunny outside play today too!
- Elisha
January 31, 2012
It was very exciting today when he let me clean him up at the sink without spaghetti legs. He had a tremendous amount of fun pushing the red bikes around the play yard.
- Elisha
February 3, 2012
He was pretty happy to see all his toddler friends!! He’s starting to lose interest in the whole standing on the table business. He played with his coat a lot today! And had fun being an awesome, happy one year old.
- Elisha
February 6, 2012
He had a great morning! He was very busy. We took care of babies and drove trucks. He enjoyed staying up past morning naps for extra hugs and kisses from mom and Elisha.
- Elisha
February 7, 2012
Lucas had a fun time outside. He got into many “car wrecks”. We don’t think he knows how to get out of the big, red car. Also, he was modeling everyone else’s shoes.
- Elisha
February 8, 2012
Lucas had a very great morning. He was a cute, spicy, curious little boy. His friend Benjamin convinced him to stare at a traffic light with him for about 10 minutes this morning.
- Elisha
February 10, 2012
He was in great spirits this morning! He thought it was very funny when Katy and I took off our shoes. Lucas played shy when Grandma Dee and Aunt Phyllis came to visit. Then he started showing off and being a goof ball.
- Elisha
February 13, 2012
He was into everybody’s shoes, food and space! He had a great, normal day. Loved playing with the stacking cups.
- Elisha
February 15, 2012
Lucas enjoyed carrying his shoes like a comfort item and stealing Natalie A.’s shoes. He complained a lot this morning. Nothing was to his satisfaction – not enough singing, not enough blocks, shoes on, shoes off, too much sitting down, not enough “uppy”. The only thing that placated him was going outside!
- Katy
February 16, 2012
In great spirits today, excited to charm all of his new teachers! Daddy came to visit today! He also enjoyed making dude friends with our new teacher Evan.
- Katy
February 17, 2012
Lucas was a pretty funny kiddo outside. He stopped everything to watch the trucks over and over. He loved saying “what’s that?” and pointing to random people on the street.
- Elisha
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