Our Little Grace

Our baby girl went to bed on Wednesday night and seemed to be fine. We heard something that we thought was her talking on the monitor about 10pm and when we realized it was her breathing we went flying in there. I picked her up and by the way she sounded scared she me to death. I immediately called the doctors office and they told me to take her to the Emergency Room.

We decided we'd wait to see if she improved but by 10:40 the breathing seemed to begin scaring her. She'd thrash when we laid her down. She'd cry when she coughed. Brandon stayed at home with Brax so he wouldn't be scared or disturbed and I picked up dad and we made our first visit (and hopefully last) to the Emergency room. Mckinley was taken back quickly and was such a baby doll. The nurses were coming in just to see her. About 2:00am and after 2 chest x-rays, we left with a diagnosis of croup and we're told to follow up with her doctor in 3 days!

No sooner had we gotten home and her breathing became VERY labored. For a few minutes I thought we were going to have to call 911. We put her in the shower, turned on the humidifier, and as a last resort dressed her warmly and took her outside. It happened to be 30 degrees outside so in our favor this worked. Brandon's parents came by about 5am to check on things and helped to calm me down!

I called the doctor at 8am sharp and took her in at 9:45. Diagnosis= Croup (duh) but this time we were sent home with a prescription for a steroid. After one dose you could tell a difference. She slept for a good part of the afternoon.

I had croup, a lot actually, as a child. When Mck would cough, the sound brought memories of when I had it back. It was no big deal when I was a kid. But I think I realized how my parents might have felt. It is heartbreaking when your child is in pain or is hurting and you can't do anything about it. It's an awful feeling when you don't see the sunshine in their eyes that's always there and you know they don't feel good. I had to shed a few tears yesterday morning when she was crying.

She's much better today. You can even see from the top picture (sideways) how she was feeling after the doctors visit yesterday.

How Does the Easter Bunny Get In?

I'm thinking I let my parents off real easy. I used to think about questions like this all the time when I was a kid. I had faith that things were they way I was told and just to believe and not worry.

Oh no. Not my son. He asks me things and I HAVE NO IDEA what to tell him. He wanted to know how the Easter Bunny gets in the house. I mean, come on, Santa comes down the chimney so how does the Bunny get in the house? And will he come into my room? I said the first thing that came to my mind: We leave the back door unlocked. Do you think that satisfied him?

He woke up at 6:30 this morning and I made him wait until his daddy and sister were up before seeing what treats were waiting for him. This turned out to be about an hour. TORTURE for all parties involved.

We had a great Easter. The kids absolutely adore one another so we enjoyed seeing them interact. She's really starting to go after him and his toys and I'm not real sure he likes it. (In the middle picture she had just gotten pushed away from the new dominos that Brax received) They both sat in big church with us the whole time this morning (I didn't want MY children keeping anyone from attending Easter services.) and they were wonderful. At one point during the actual sermon Mckinley started chuckling at Braxton and I thought I was going to have to take her out.
Looking forward to my week off. Spending time with the babies and finishing up graduate school work are at the top of my list!

This is How We Do It.......

Everyday, literally, brings something new and something else to be amazed about. Both of our babies just keep smiles on our faces. Mckinley has started sitting up for short periods on her own. She's interested in all that'sa round her. Her big brother still makes her happiest. He stops every so often during his play and will come and speak to her or come to give her kisses. I think she's enjoyed having him with her this week while he's been on spring break. Tonight while Braxton was in the tub he was talking to himself and I was just about to gte him out and he said "I wish you would communicate with me!" I said "What?" and he said "I just wish you would communictae with me!" Summer is going to be such fun!

Next week I am on spring break. I do have plans Monday morning to work on a final project for school but I am looking forward to spending some time with the two of them. I can't believe this is the last spring break before my baby boy starts school!