My sick... very sick baby

It all started late Monday night.  She had been a terrible eater all day... but that was truly nothing new for my little one... and only had a couple ounces of her bedtime bottle before we continued our normal bedtime routine and she went to sleep.  Thinking back on it now... her tummy was rather rumbly, but I just didn't think anything of it at the time.  Phillip and I were catching up on the evening news and just relaxing before we were headed to bed ourselves, when all of a sudden, she woke up, crying the most strange cry followed by a very suspicious series of coughing.  Phillip wanted to wait it out to see if she would go back to sleep... but I insisted on going in to check on her.  It was wasn't normal.  The moment I opened the door, the smell hit me.  My baby had gotten sick.  I turned on the lamp and called for Phillip to come help me.  It was everywhere.  Her entire crib bedding was a mess.  She was terrified.  Poor sweet baby.  So Phillip took her and cleaned her up, changed her jammies, while I got to work cleaning up her room.  I told him to offer her some water... no one likes the after taste of that.  So he did.  She didn't drink much... and then all of a sudden, as I was just starting the first (of what was to be MANY) load of laundry, she did it again... all over daddy, and a blanket we had draped over the couch (saving our new couch!!).  Something wasn't right.  Phillip and I agreed we would let her sleep with us that night... just in case it were to happen again.  Which it did... over and over again... nearly ever 10 minutes for almost 3 hours, followed by every 30 minutes after that until 8 in the morning.  At about 3 am... I knew that this wasn't ok, so, unsure of who to call and wake... I called the charge nurse at Wesley (on my labor and delivery unit).  With the amount of mom's and nurses on the unit at any given time.  It was my best bet for someone telling me whether or not this was ok.  The girls collaborated, along with a couple of the resident doctors to tell me that as long as she was urinating and producing tears, she was fine, she just needed to vomit this stomach bug up. So she did.  Over and over again.

 

Tuesday was a day spent snuggling on the couch, watching too many episodes of Barney and Sesame Street to count (thank goodness for DVR!!!)... she didn't want to each anything... and she vomited several times throughout the day.  I was able to get her to drink some... so I was certain that she was going to be just fine.

 

Tuesday night came and went, she slept from 9 pm until 9:30 am... I thought for sure we were out of the woods.  And then the vomiting started again.  Just a few times throughout the day... I called her pediatrician, and again, she reassured me that as long as she didn't seem dehydrated, they weren't concerned. (Watching your baby wretch her little body so many times over a little blue basin might be one of the worst things I've had to witness... and every time it happened, or started to happen, she would cry "Mama... NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!" and then proceed to get sick.  She couldn't understand what was happening, or why.. and it just broke my heart.  I had to call in sick to work on Wednesday, I just couldn't travel an hour and a half with her in the car, with her already not feeling well.  And thank God I did.  Phillip came home early from a work dinner, and the first words out of his mouth were... I think I'm going to get sick.  Great, it was spreading!

 

By 11 pm Wednesday night... we were all getting sick at the same time and the diarrhea had set in for Callie too.  It was too much... again we put Callie in bed with us, each taking turns getting sick, Callie going back to vomiting every 10 minutes.  She was dehydrated.  I knew it.  No tears, no urine... by 4 am I knew there was no way I could rehydrate her on my own.  I couldn't syringe feed her pedialyte and get her to keep it down, she couldn't even hold down the ice chips I made for her.  The next 4 hours dragged on and on... lifting my limp baby to the basin when she started to vomit... and laying her back down... she was a rag doll.  Once the pediatricians office opened.. they couldn't see her until 10:30 (UGGHGHHH)... but I wanted to see my pediatrician.  I sent out an SOS to my mother at this point.  I was exhausted and felt awful... Phillip certainly didn't feel well either... we had all been up for over 24 hours... just catching bits of sleep here and there.  We needed reinforcement.

 

By the time we were at the pediatrician's office... my mother was already on the road, what a blessing, I thought, maybe I would get a nap today.  But at the doctors office, Dr. Bridge took one look at Callie and said, she needed IV hydration.  She wanted to admit Callie overnight to the hospital... and obviously, I wanted to do what was best for Callie, but I asked if we could try the IV, see if it got her "over the hump" and able to hold down fluids, so we could rest at home.  She agreed... and even attempted to start the IV in the office to let me hydrate her at home.  But Callie was too dehydrated, she didn't even fight the IV start.  Her veins were so small and collapsed, Dr. Bridge couldn't get the IV started.  I felt that lump form in my throat... because I knew we were going to the hospital... but this whole mom thing makes you become some sort of super human, I couldn't let Callie see my emotions... I just needed to be strong... for her.  I called Phillip and asked him to gather a few things up for us, including a couple of small stocking stuffer gifts I had planned to give her for Christmas... and away we went.  My mother beat us to the hospital.  Seeing her was like seeing a breath of fresh air.  Everything was going to be ok... my mommy was there... and she would take care of all of us.

 

Callie barely got out a "Gee" (her name for Grams) and wanted to snuggle in her Grams' arms.  Which is where she spent most of her hospital stay.  Grams sent Phillip and I down to the cafeteria to eat (we hadn't eaten a bite all day) and told us to rest on the bed while she rocked her bitty baby for 2 hours throughout the infusion.

 

(For my medical friends... they called in the IV team to start Callie's IV... they used the sono to start it and got it with one stick... they were really good and I was very impressed, especially since I told the nurse Callie was a hard stick and I would prefer that we only do it once.  The nurse, having been told by Dr. Bridge that I too was a nurse, respected my wishes and told me she wasn't even going to try.  I had a really great experience.)

 

After the infusion... my lethargic baby was no longer... she went into the hospital limp and lifeless and walked out holding her daddy's hand.  It's amazing what a little fluid can do!

 

My mother went to the grocery store for us and made homemade chicken noodle soup, easy on every one's tummies, and stocked us with every remedy we could need to help rehydrate and nourish our baby.  Then she even agreed to stay overnight and watch Callie so we could sleep.  Callie slept in her Grams' arms and only got sick once more.  Today, she is not quite 100%... but is definitely more herself than she has been all week.  And I know my fathers words are true, that they just have to get some of this stuff to strenthen their immune system... but, ugh, it's so hard to watch them suffer through it!

 

I can't thank you all enough for the support, love and prayers you have sent our way during this extremely long week.  We are truly beyond blessed.

 

(sorry for the lengthiness of this... here come the photos!)

 

Callie loves those socks, she will chose those to wear every day.  So of course she needed them at the hospital.

 

So grateful for this woman... she held this baby for hours...

trying to comfort my sweet sweet baby...

 

 

Towards the end of the infusion, and after a dose of Zofran (an anti-nausea medication)... she was able to drink a little... and watch the new Barney DVD mommy was going to give her for Christmas.

 

 

My sweet sweet baby...

 

 

 

And then... just before leaving... she even agreed to eat a few cheerios... as long as Da agreed to eat a few too... (notice... duck made it to the hospital too :)

 

We were sent home with the IV still in place, just in case she started to vomit again... Dr. Bridge gave me orders to discontinue the IV before bedtime if I felt I was ok with doing that.  That's the beauty of living in a small town and having worked with Callie's doctor.  There's a mutual respect and trust of each others practices'.

After mommy discontinued the IV... thank heavens for Grams again!  Mommy didn't have ANY band aids... and Gram's pulled a Mickey Mouse one out of her purse!  Which Callie was quite proud of...

Her mouse... (the IV team marked where her veins were with a marker... hence the markings on her little arm.)  She insisted that she be able to see her mouse the entire time he was on... so her sleeve had to be rolled up.

Grams even made rice krispie treats for everyone... Which we all loved and shared.

So other than getting her birthday incorrect... We had a great experience at Salina Regional.

Snuggling with her Grams.  And looking at Grams' Baby (she wants to see everyone's baby photos on their phones)  Also... Gram's brought her a new Winnie the Pooh doll and book...

 

 

And of course, what's a hospital stay without a balloon?  Bitty's prize for doing so well... She loves it.

 



Nigel Dinsmore

So I know that the title of this post will surely stump most everyone that reads this... everyone... with maybe the exception of Steve (Phillip's dad).  Just keep reading... and soon... you too will know Nigel Dinsmore.

 

The first holidays for Callie were unusually stressful for me.  I felt this intense pressure to start traditions... so that one day as we're doing something preparing for the holidays... we can look back and say... we've done this since your first Christmas.  Luckily... for me, there was a "fad" sweeping the nation known as the Elf on a Shelf.  Some of you may have seen photos posted on Facebook and whatnot so I'll give you a brief overview of what this Elf is all about.

 

The idea is that the Elf appears on December 1st to watch the children of the house and reports back to Santa every night.  When he flies back from the North Pole, he will appear perched in a new location for the children to find in the morning.

 

I know that Callie won't grasp the full concept of the Elf... but I think she'll really enjoy waking up every morning to try to find the Elf... our Elf, Nigel Dinsmore.

 

(now to explain the Elf's name)

When Louise was pregnant with Phillip, (I think the story goes like this) at a particular OB/GYN appointment, Steve proceeded to inform the physician that they fully intended to name the baby Nigel Dinsmore... which totally took the doctor by surprise, so much so, that when they went back to the hospital to deliver baby Erin (Phillip's younger sister) the doctor started talking about an urban legend of a patient he had once that named their son Nigel Dinsmore.

 

When it came time to name our Elf... we thought we needed something unique... simply Henry or Bob wouldn't do... but Nigel... that sounded like the perfect name for our Elf.  So... in all of his glory... here is our Nigel:

 

 

 

His first perched place was simply in front of the TV... just in plain sight... so my baby girl would see him (please excuse the disorganization that is our entertainment center... I'm working on it :)

My plan is to update this daily... to show where Nigel has hidden and when Callie has found him.  I really think we'll have a fun month... even Daddy was excited to read her the story and to talk about him!

 

 

The Elf on the Shelf Website

 

If you're really interested in reading the full story (Phillip read the book to her tonight for the first time)... here it is:

 

 

The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition

by Carol V. Aebersold and Chanda A. Bell

 

Have you ever wondered how Santa could know

if you're naughty or nice each year as you grow?

For hundreds of years it's been a big secret.

It now can be shared if you promise to keep it.

 

At holiday time Santa sends me to you.

I watch and report on all that you do.

My job's an assignment for Santa himself.

I am his helper, a friendly scout elf.

 

The first time I come to the place you call home

You quickly must give me a name of my own.

 

Once you are finished my mission can start.

What will you call me - Markle or Zart?

Will it be Foddle, Criddle, or Clyde?

Fisbee's cute, too, but you must decide.

 

Each night while you're sleeping to Santa I'll fly

to the North Pole right through the sky.

Of course Christmas magic helps me to be quick.

I laugh with my friends and report to Saint Nick.

 

I tell him if you have been good or been bad.

The news of the day makes him happy or sad.

A push or a shove I'll report to "the Boss,"

but small acts of kindness will not be a loss.

 

In the car, at the park, or even at school

the word will get out if you broke a rule.

 

I'll be back at your home before you awake,

and then you must find the new spot I will take.

You'll jump out of bed and come running to see:

who'll be the first to spy little old me?

 

Maybe the kitchen, the bathroom, or den

is where you will find me, your special elf friend.

I ca hide on a plant, a shelf, or a frame.

Where will I be?  Let's make it a game.

 

There's only one rule that you have to follow

so I will come back and be here tomorrow:

Please do not touch me.  My magic might go,

and Santa won't hear all I've seen or I know.

 

I won't get to tell him that you've said your prayers,

or helped to bake cookies, or cleaned off the stairs.

How will he know how good you have been?

He might start to think you forgot about him.

 

I can't speak to you, so says Santa Claus.

All of us elves have to follow his laws.

 

I'll listen to you. Tell me your wishes.

Would you like a game or some tiny toy dishes?

The gleam in my eye and my bright little smile

shows you I'm listening and noting your file.

 

The final decision with Santa now rests.

What do you think?  Will you get your request?

The night before Christmas my job's at an end.

The rest of the year with Santa I'll spend.

 

So blow me a kiss and bid me farewell.

I'll fly away when I hear Santa's bell.

Of course I will miss you, but wait 'til next year.

When the holidays come I'll again reappear.

 

Until then I wish every girl and each boy

a Christmas of peace and a year full of joy.


Happy Holiday Season everyone!!!  We love you all!



Our Wish List

Hello family (and friends)!!!  After a WONDERFUL tip from my super awesome friend Mandi... I have created an Amazon wish list for everyone in our little family of 4 (yes, even Sneeberton!).  It was so easy to create and I think it will be wonderful to share with you all.  If you're stumped on what to get any of us, just click on our wish list for all kinds of ideas!  The disclaimer to the wish list is... please don't feel like you HAVE to buy us a gift... also, the ideas on the lists are just that, ideas.  For example: I really want an air popcorn popper.  I haven't really done any research as to what is the best one or anything like that, so I merely just chose one off of the list when I typed in "air popcorn popper".  That pretty much goes for everything on the list.  Although, any character other than Spot, Barney or Elmo might not get the most excited reaction from Callie :)

 

I thought I would post this now... just in case anyone is looking for something special or is going shopping and wants to hit up some of those awesome Black Friday sales... you'd better believe I will be!

 

Click here to access the Van Court Wish List's

 

Also... Callie completed her last gymnastics class last Wednesday.  She did sooo well!  I'm considering finding another gym that she could take a class through.  Daddy made it to the last class, because ever since he visited the first time, the moment we got into the gym, she would look up into the stands and ask "Da?" wondering where he was so she could preform for him.  And what a performer she was with him there!  One of the other mom's and instructors noticed!  Here's a couple of photos "Da" captured.

 

Love and kisses to all.

 

 Bitty's first favorite of the whole gym... a big Little Tikes Slide!  I've been looking to get one of these for Christmas... but brand-new... they're almost $100... eeks!  I've got my eye out for a used one on Craigslist ;)

Doing her ribbon performance!  Her picked one to match her leotard!

 

 

My baby is SOO serious... just like her Da!

But silly mommy managed to tickle one little smile out of her :)

 

Married to my Roommate

As boyfriend and girlfriend... life couldn't have been better... and being engaged to this amazing man that was totally flawless was a dream come true... and the wedding... well, we all know what a fabulous fairy tale that was (my dad still might not know the final price of the fairy tale he paid for... oops!) but no one... not one person could ever possibly prepare me for marriage.  No one could prepare me for the ups and downs, good days and bad days... the harvests... or that big move to Salina.  I distinctly remember Phillip and I having a conversation, pre wedding, about how rude we thought it was for people to say to him "oh... you're getting the ol ball and chain, are ya?"  Or just negative comments regarding marriage in general... we swore we would NEVER be those people.  Well... just as the old saying goes... never say never :)

 

I think that in our short 3 1/2 years of marriage... we've already learned so much.  Mostly... we've learned... that this IS NOT easy.  Not quite the fairy tale I had envisioned, where I have my perfectly home cooked meal waiting on my immaculately clean table as my husband walks through the door with a handful of roses exactly at 6 pm every night and he whisks me off of my feet with a big kiss and an "I've missed you so much" line.  Instead... my perfect meal is usually a crumbled up mess that was supposed to be meatloaf... that is now meat crumble... the kitchen is a mess (because I tend to be a sloppy cook) and he's just barely coming through the door at a quarter till 8, and often times, we live, merely as roommates.  It's certainly not a fairy tale... and it absolutely is hard.  But we both agree that we had great influences growing up.  Both sets of my parents clearly loved one another more than anything else, they respected one another and never once raised their voices at one another in front of me.  I can't ever remember seeing my parents "fight".  And I'm nearly certain that no one could ever get Steve upset (he's the most patient man I've ever met!).

 

We also have received professional counseling, from Heather.  It's certainly not that we have any major life issues... its really just the every day disagreements that she helps us to see from different perspectives.

 

Now... all of that said.  I have the best marriage and life partner I could ever hope for.  He loves me unconditionally and his ambition (that truly is bittersweet... bitter because it drives him to be at the office more... but sweet because we are able to reap the rewards of his hard work and celebrate with him, he often says it would all be worth nothing to him if he didn't have Callie, Sneebie and I to share it all with) is something I admire so much.  We have said over and over again that we simply couldn't do life without each other... and I think Aunt Laura Alley's quote of "marriage is a give and take, sometimes you will carry the 70% of the relationship... and other times you will be the one to carry only the 30%" has stuck with us (ok, she definitely says it more eloquently than I just quoted her as saying!).  It's so true, there were many times when I was pregnant and too sick to get off of the couch (or off of the bathroom floor) to do anything... and he stepped up to do the laundry, cleaning and chores.  Then other times (harvest) it's all he can do to make it home to shower before he collapses into bed from exhaustion to catch a couple hours of sleep before he starts the day over again.  We simply couldn't do it without each other.  And right now... we are certainly on top of one of those marriage peaks and we're so blessed to be on each others team.

 

While he may not bring home those said roses... he does do little things that lets me know he loves me and chooses me first... like at the K-State football game, when he was in charge of deciding what snacks would be in the clubhouse, and he chose the delicious sugar cookies... just for me.  Or how for the Scoular Christmas party this year... he chose to have the dinner catered from one of our favorite restaurants (because I had previously mentioned to him how poor I thought the meals had been).  Then, just last night, he drew me a bath and put a glass of my favorite sparkling wine next to the tub so I could relax after Callie went down, while he finished cleaning my mess of a kitchen.

 

I am absolutely blessed.  Our God is an amazing God... and it's easy to see why He chose Phillip for me.

 

 So I'm sorry this one is a long, mushy one... but I got to thinking, after my girls night out, and we spent time together talking about how on Earth did these men survive before they met us... about what a great guy I have.  I love my Phillip David.

  

 

 The beautiful ring Phillip designed, had personally made, and hand chose each of the diamonds for.
(I recently broke two prongs on my center diamond -- eeks!-- and it was gone for a month being repaired... when I got it back... I remembered how amazing of a piece it is!  I love it, not only because it's gorgeous, but because every time I look at it, it reminds me of the commitment I made to my husband.)

 

Engagement photos

Oh to be that skinny again...

Pure bliss... What a magical day that was!

Love him!

I still love going back and browsing through these photos!

Our baby bump photos!  Just a week before little Miss Callie made her big debut!

That was one BIG tummy!!

I'm fairly certain Phillip is saying the same thing here!

 

 

Celebrating our sweet baby girl...

 

 

And this... taken just before church when Grammie Lou and Grandfather Steve came to visit.

Playing with the Long boys

Here is the video segment of the fun that was had this weekend at Great Grandma Wilks' 75th birthday party.  Granted, this fun refers to what was fun for the 4 year old and under guests that attended the party :)

 



Gramma Wilks' 75th Birthday Bash :)

This past weekend, Phillip, Callie, Sneeberton and I drove down to Derby to spend the day with the Meyer family to celebrate Grandma Wilks' 75th birthday.  It was a great time with delicious food and fabulous people to talk with.  It always seems like we can never spend enough time with anyone in our extended family, so to spend (most) of Saturday at Gramma and Grampa Meyer's house was so fun.  Callie loves playing with their dogs, Holly, Layla and Zoe and had so much fun getting to play with her second cousins Stockton and Riggin.  Truly, other than telling me what she wants to wear (she's very fashion savvy, you see)... she isn't the most girly girl in the world... in fact, she would rather play with any ball in the world instead of playing with a doll.  Luckily for her, Uncle Koltin had about 5 different kinds of KU basketballs (yes, not only was it a ball... but it had a "jaock" -- her word for Jayhawk-- on it too!) downstairs for the kids to play with as well as a HUGE over sized bean bag chair that the kids liked having Uncle Koltin throw them into.  We had a blast and even though I had to leave early (for a girls night out with Crystal, Jeannine, Paula and Sarah)... Phillip and Callie stayed a while longer because they were just having so much fun!

 

Of course I took photos!  And a video too (I'll feature that on the next post!)  So... enough with my rambling... Here's the good stuff!

 

(don't worry... I am having doubles printed for mom... and if anyone wants a particular photo, I will be more than happy to print it for you!)

 

 

Getting to the party early... meant time to play with all of Gramma and Grampa's fun things... like the dog kennel!  Here's she's saying "What mom?  It's not a ball kennel?  But I don't want my ball to get away while I nap!"  She has so much attitude!  AND... can you believe she's wearing shorts and short sleeves in November?!  It was 75 and super humid (and windy)!  Crazy weather!

I just can never get enough photos of these two!  Just wish my little weenie was in this photo too!

The birthday girl!  With her very own cake!  Yummy!

Gramma Long with her littlest grand baby, Addley, she's 6 months old and has more hair than Callie!

Great Aunt Cheryl and Stockton

The party crew... and Daddy back there attempting to get our little one to eat something...

Playing with the balls in the basement... SOOO fun!



She already has the men trained to help her get what she wants!  Big helper Stockton lifting up little Miss Missy onto the bean bag.

And perhaps this is where the fun really was... getting a photo of 4 under 4 with their Great Grandparents!  This was the best photo of the kids... but Gramma and Grampa were so distracting by all of the noise making to get the kids attention.

Another good one of the kids

 

 

And perhaps the best photo of all.  I love the way they're both laughing... because with these little ones... it's the only way to get through it sometimes!

 

 

 

 

Phillip and I talked about it later that day about how blessed we are to have so many great people that love us!  We had a great time!  Thanks for the party everyone!



Just for Baby Alex

And this video is for my littlest reader, Baby Alex Post... it's a video of a play date.  Callie had just woken from a nap, so please excuse her mess of a hair-do... also, you get to see my sweet little baby's terrible twos as she defiantly says "no" to me... such a bug!

 

A Halloweenie Video

It's so humbling to hear people tell me that they take time out of their lives to actually read the crazy things I write on this blog... what's more humbling is to hear that there are tiny eyes that like to see video too!  So, to appease my entire audience... here is a video of my little family trick or treating.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to all my readers!

Grammie Lou and Grandfather

We had some super fun visitors over the weekend!  Yep, that's right, Grammie Lou, Grandfather and Penelope came to visit!  I won't bore you with how much I generally have to say... simply because I have too many photos to share!!!

 

 

 

When Miss Missy awoke on Friday morning, she was ready to play with her Grammie and Grandfather!!  First things first, she needed to explore her Grammie's purse to see what goodies she had in there!  First her found a necklace... her just knew her was beautiful with it on.  She was dancing and smiling at herself in the mirror while adjusting it so the beads would lay just right.

 

 

 

Then her found a brush... Her obviously needed one to control that crazy hair on her head!

And then came time to play with Grandfather... a little hesitant at first... she warmed right up to him!  Finally... the stranger danger phase is getting better!!!  Hooray!!!

Callie just LOVES the Spot books... so here is Grammie Lou reading her a couple that we checked out from the library.

 

 

 A trip to the park with Grammie and Grandfather.  Little Miss Bits was too busy watching ducks, kids and brother Sneebie to smile much for the camera.  But it's still a cute photo of the three of them! (and Penelope too!)

Callie just LOVED Penelope... she was so fascinated with a dog of Penelope's size!  Callie thought dogs only came in Sneebie's miniature size!

Saturday morning... Grandfather and Phillip watching auto shows...

And quite possibly one of the cutest scenes of the whole trip.  Callie climbing up into Grandfather's lap with a book.  Wanting to snuggle... and be read to.

That crazy ol Da!!!

 

 

 

But perhaps we should put a disclaimer on Grandparent visits... they don't get to stay for free!!  Here they are busily at work installing a "tip-out" drawer for under my kitchen sink (to store sponges, dish scrubbers, etc.)...

 

But seriously... they are wonderful and didn't really have to do this... but we REALLY appreciated it!  Thank you!  It is great when they come... because we always get a few extra things done around the house that we've been wanting to do.

Supervisor Cal, directing Penelope as to where her food bowl is.

 



 

 

And then comes the worst part of the whole trip... the goodbyes :(

A good Callie squeeze... one good enough to last until Christmas... and the photo says it all, as Grammie Lou soaks up every bit of that hug.

And a sweet "kissy" from Grandfather...

What a perfect trip... How loved and blessed our Sweet Caroline is (and us too!)

My little Cindy Lou-Who... Her is growing up so fast!

 

 

 

What a fabulous trip... and I'll say it again... how blessed we are.  Thank you for making the 1000 mile trek to visit us... it means more to us than you'll ever know!

 

On a side note, Great Faith Grandparents... our Salina photo scavenger hunt went so well!!!  I plan to do a blog soon including everything we found around town!

 

And finally... an open invitation to any Grandparents that want to come stay for a weekend... you're ALWAYS welcome!  Love and "kissy's" to all!