Dry like the Sahara

The past week have been long and hard in the Bradshaw house.  This week (Starting LAST Sat - I realize I'm behind on this post) Austin was hit with a terrible virus as well as a massive ear infection.  Although we didn't know these things until Monday afternoon when Austin was taken to the Pediatrician. 

It all started on Saturday LATE in the night (around 1 am) when Austin was moaning in his sleep.  Although I normally don't go in his room in the middle of the night unless he's shrieking or something unusual, this moan was out of the ordinary.  Austin's been sleeping through the night since he was roughly 6 (?) months old so again his moan was unusual.  The only times he doesn't STTN are when he's teething, sick or having growing pains so I knew something wasn't right.  When I went in he was sitting up rocking, so I picked him up.  It was then I felt fire within my arms.  I took his temperature - something he HATES having done normally - as he just laid there on the changing table moaning.  Before I looked at the thermometer to see what was registered I knew it was going to be high.  It was 101.7  Austin's been sick before with a mild cold and even an ear infection a time or two, but he's never had any fever higher than 99.6.  So I changed his PJ's into something without his feet being covered, gave him some water - which he refused - and medicated him with some Motrin.  After that I cuddled with him on the recliner until 5 o'clock am when it was time for me to go get ready for work (Sunday Morning).  After I verified that Scott could handle a feverish toddler + having to teach the Youth Sunday School at our church, I sadly got into the shower to go get ready.  I was really reluctant to leave for work since I'm the Momma and Momma's are suppose to be the one to 'fix' broken/sick children - or at least that is how it was in MY house!  ( <3 you Mom!) But this momma had to go to work. . . it's tough being the sugar momma at times :( 

Every few hours I'd call for an update where the report was that Austin was still running a fever and slowly losing speed.  He's not a 'typical' crazy "cRaZy" toddler but he definately wasn't his usual self so Grammie came over to watch and nuture Austin while I was at work and Scott at church.  Grammie loved on our lil Love Bug all day long but by the time I came home Austin looked like death warmed over.  Not a pretty sight to see.   After checking his temperature yet again (still 100+ ) and trying to force him to consume some sort of liquid - where he yet again refused - I gave him a lukewarm bath to try to break the fever.  That was a complete Disaster.  Poor baby arched his back in agony everytime I'd pour water down his arm/back and was shaking so we quickly ended that!!  After another yet unsuccessful attempt at liquid I took him in my arms and we rocked in the living room for a while.  After he was sleeping - very soundly I might add - I placed him in his room with the humidifier going and the bed propped up.  I went on with my evening and every 3-4 hrs I'd wake up to check on him (the video monitor is by my side of the bed and the volume was WAY UP!).  He still had a fever but was sleeping so soundly I didn't dare wake him.  

Austin's typically my morning wake up call.  He'll wake up anywhere between 7:15am and 7:30am GUARRANTEED!!  On Monday morning however, I awoke at 8:15 worried that I didn't hear him but found that he was sleeping soundly (again God LOVE the video monitor maker! LOL)  I made my coffee expecting to Austin stir any moment as he normally does if I'm awake before he is. . . NOPE not even a flinch. So I sat to watch the news and enjoyed some coffee half expecting him to wake up any moment.  Finally when 9:30 rolled around I called my mom to see what to do.  My mind was telling me "Never wake a sleeping baby, especially a sick one" but my heart was saying "wake him up! Give him Tylenol/Motrin!"   After consulting with my mom we decided to leave him be until HE wakes up.  Well 11 o'clock rolls around and I'd had enough - yes he was breathing but there is NO WAY in heck he can get better without drinking anything since God only knows when since he was refusing liquids and eating.  I was so blown away that he slept till 11 (only because I woke him) that I knew something just wasn't right.  So at that moment I called the Nurses' Line at our Pediatrician's office.  Knowing it was a Monday morning I knew they would be busy - as they always are on Mondays!  I told the nurse Austin's signs and symptoms of illness:

-coughing

-runny nose (clear with occasional green thick discharge)

-Fever - only to go around 99 with meds

-refusing any & all liquids

-not eating (had only 1 bite of a nutrigran bar when he woke)

-random bouts of vomit (liquid/mucous only)

-lethargy* 

-no urine output since Sunday at 1pm*

The two with * had me, Nurse Bradshaw, especially worried!!  Thoses two combos + fever is NOT a good sign at all!!! So we had an appointment to visit Austin's pedi at 4:15.  When I woke Austin up at 11 he still had a fever, no urine output and was just very tired/clingy.  So we chilled while watching Thomas DVD's that a friend of ours made for him.  At around 1pm - his 'normal' nap time - he showed signs of wanting to sleep again even though he was only up for 2 hours but I went ahead and put him down where I finally had to wake him up at 3:45 for the pedi visit.  Of course, he refused liquids and still NO urine output before we left (no pee for 27 hrs!!!!)   Trust me I know all the tricks to get a toddler/infant to drink but Austin was throwing me for a curveball!!  We all tried:

-Pedialyte
-G2
-Sippy cups
-"big boy" cups (open at top)
-Straws (loves them)
-Milk
-Water
-Danibals fruit smoothies
-Juice
-Popsicles
-sucking on washrag
-ice cream
-taking small sips frequently (ie: 1 tsp every 30 min or so)

All were a NO GO for the Austin boy.

At the pedi after a weight checkup (24 lbs 8 oz) and realizing he did indeed lose weight - DUH! - we found out that Austin had a "Massive Ear Infection" and a "Super bad virus" that was going around.  His lungs were clear - great, although I ausculated his lungs prior to the appointment - and so was his throat so no strep.  The pedi said that after 2 doses of the antibiotic Austin should start to feel better and have less pressure in his ear/jaw thus have the desire to drink.  If he didn't drink and thus urinate within 6 hours I was to take him to the hospital to get him rehydrated via IV!  While we were there at the pedi, Austin also started having the 'red brick staining' in his diaper which signals severe dehydration and concentrated urine crystals. . . = not a good sign!  After going to the pharmacy we returned home for some more TLC while we eagerly awaited the meds to kick in and for him to pee!!

Tuesday morning I was SO SO EXCITED!  There was a small amount (very small LOL) of urine in his diaper and he asked for wa-wa even though I put some in his crib that night.  He drank SO much I was in near tears.  I was so happy!  The whole day we chilled, watched movie after movie after movie and didn't get out of our PJ's.  It was great he is s.l.o.w.l.y. on the mend.  By Tuesday evening he actually was 'well enough' to eat a whole baked potatoe!

My sick lil Love Bug vegging on the loveseat with his lovies on Tuesday.  

Wednesday was the same as Tuesday although his runny nose, lethargy, and fever were gone.  :-)  He also was drinking SO MUCH more and he ate SO MUCH that day!!  I guess he was making up for lost time LOL  

Although his cough still lingered on Thursday we went ahead and took him to Preschool since he was on antibiotics for 2 1/2 days thus any bacterial illness was protected.  However after taking him to school we found out that Austin wasn't the only one hit with the "Super bad virus".  There were quite a few affected :(  

I know you're probably reading this going why was this post SO stinkin' long.  Well my baby boy was sick and I was worried that we'd have to be admitted to the hospital - truly - due to dehydration status.  Thank God for antibiotics and thank goodness for the desire to drink.  We were no longer Dry like the Sahara!!   

Picture of the week: 1/14 - 1/20

Austin and I were having dinner at his table one night while daddy was away and this is how Austin chose to eat his pasta.  He'd stab with one end then stab with the other all the while saying "Ab" (aka Stab)  See the look on his face - pure determination!

Picture of the Week 1/10 - 1/16

 I previously stated in an earlier blog I'll be blogging about my favorite picture I took that week.  This week my favorite picture was this one.  Of course it's of Austin.  I'm his paparrazi right!!  LOL 

This picture cracks me up everytime I see it.  This was Austin one morning while eating breakfast.  When I first walked into his bedroom he was in his crib with the top of his PJ's unbuttoned and half-way off (only the arms were in its sleeves) and his stuffed doggie was balanced on his head.  He's so goofy!  :)  For breakfast we usually don't change into clothes until afterwards just in case if we eat something messy.  For this morning we sat and had breakfast at his table in the living room.  He insisted on having the old cell phone next to his bowl and then he found my sunglasses.  After then it was all over.  THEY MUST BE ON!!  It was then when I took this picture.  My son - my light, my comedian, my heart - enjoying his breakfast in true Austin fashion. 

I have a problem.  Maybe I should change the title of these posts.  It's not picture of the week - how can anyone pick just ONE picture that's their favorite of the whole week.  That's asking quite a lot, don't you think?!?!  LOL So here are two more pictures that I took while we were outside walking around the block last week.  It was the first time this year that we were able to go outside without it being in the 30's (or colder!) so we took full advantage!  Austin is now 22 1/2 months old.  I can't believe we'll be celebrating his 2 year birthday next month :'(  Momma's sad

 As I was posting these pictures and getting sad that the past two years have gone by incredibly fast I wanted to see what Austin looked like LAST JANUARY (2009).  So, here is Austin last year the same month - wow what a transformation he's made since then. 

Picture of the Week 1/3-1/9

A friend of mine  - who also has a blog that I stalk ( Hi Stef!!)-  has started a new blog titled Picture of the Week.  I thought it was a great way to showcase what her favorite picture was and so I'm borrowing the idea. (Thanks Stef!) 

As all my family and friends know, I'm a picture takin' fool!!  I'm constantly snapping pictures of Austin doing random things but I do have to say this - I've gotten A WHOLE LOT BETTER since he was an infant.  In his 1st year of life, I would take a minimum of 10 pictures a day (that's an extremely LOW number) every.single.day! 

Anyways, here is my favorite Picture of the Week for last week:

My heart melts everytime I see this picture.  Scott is such an amazing daddy and Austin just adores his "DADA!!!!"  It's a running joke in our family - Austin treats his Dada like a rockstar!  Screaming his name and running to him when he enters a room. . . funny he doesn't do that to me :( just kidding! 

I know the blog is titled Picture not PictureS of the week but I have to throw this one in here as well.  It's just too funny to pass up.  This is a prime example of the type of personality my son has -- he thinks he's SO cool and he's such a goofball! <3

sorry it's so blurry - he was in motion :)

Austin on his first day back to preschool 1/5/2010

It's A Galaxy Explosion!!

This has got to be the coolest thing for a kids room!!  It's SO COOL!!!  What am I talking about, you say?  I'm refering to the Glow-In-The-Dark Sticky Stars that attach to walls, ceilings, fans, you name it! 

Santa (cough cough) got Austin a couple of packages for his room and today we spent about 1 hour putting them up.  Austin's such a good helper!  He hands momma the stars as well as which ones he wants up.  They come in various sizes so I make sure I only put the ones up that he wants. . . after all it is HIS room LOL!

Here are two pictures that I took of our project together. 

And the finished product. . . for now - we have loads of stars left to stick.  Sorry for the crudy quality of the pictures.  I took both with my cellphone :-/ 

I wish I could take a picture of them glowing in the dark with my camera but I'm not sure what setting to put it on :-[  All I get is blackness, but let me tell you. . . IT'S SO COOL!!!!  Austin kept on looking up, smiling and going, "WOW!!!!!!!!!"  I'm guessing it's a hit!

2009 Survey: Looking Back

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A friend of mine posted this survey on HER blog and I thought it'd be fun to do a different type of blog post today. Thanks, Angela!

1.What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?


Oh Many things but the one thing that jumps out at me right now is: climbing Enchanted Rock on New Years Day 1/1/09  It was beautiful and I had a great time with family accomplishing that feat!




2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?


I normally do not make New Year's resolutions because by March I tend to forget them.  LOL




3. Did anyone close to you give birth?


My nephew was born on November 2nd, 2009!!  Trevor Paul Lutz




4. Did anyone close to you die?


Yes :(  My Father-In-Law, Patrick passed away peacefully on December 13th, 2009 while Carolyn, Scott, my dad and I were at his bedside.  He underwent complications from his bone marrow transplant - contacted H1N1 and other respiratory issues that his immunocompromised body couldn't fight.  He will be missed!!!!  <3 you Papa B!!!




5. What places did you visit?


ugh :( we didn't go anywhere this year.  With Scott in school and Austin little no road/land trips were made.




6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?


I honestly did not lack much of anything in 2009. I am truly blessed with such an amazing family, and awesome friends.  --> gonna 'steal' this one Angela, I feel the same!




7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?


Our Fredericksburg trip with Carolyn and Patrick for New Years, Austin's 1st birthday, his 1st birthday party, and 12/13/09






8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?


Walking and Participating in the 2009 Breast Cancer 3-day event (walked 60 miles in 3 days - although I was sick on day 2 I walked 40 miles in 2 days)




9. What was your biggest failure?


None! 




10. Did you suffer illness or injury?


No




11. What was the best thing you bought?


Nothing stands out at me for the "best thing" I bought




14. Where did most of your money go?


Any normal adult would say Bills and my child






15. What did you get really excited about?


Watching and being apart of all of Austin's developmental milestones!




16. What song will always remind you of 2009?


None really. I don’t associate songs with years. If it’s a good song, I’ll enjoy it, if not, move on.




17. Compared to this time last year, are you:


a) happier or sadder?
I would say happier, but I was happy last year too.




b) thinner or fatter?
pretty much the same.  I don't tend to gain or lose weight that much.  But I do need to tone more. . . hmmm a New Year's resolution maybe?  But this one I AM sticking with!


c) richer or poorer?
Bills are paid, food is on the table, we have a roof over our heads.  Our child is happy and we are happy so . . . Richer




18. What do you wish you’d done more of?


Working out and 'smelling the roses'




19. What do you wish you’d done less of?


worrying, stressing






20. How did you spend Christmas in 2009?


At home with my loved ones around me. . . just the way it SHOULD be!






21. Did you fall in love in 2009?


Never fell out of it.




22. What was your favorite TV program?


Grey's Anatomy, Criminal Minds, Brothers&Sisters




23. What did you do for your birthday in 2009?


Went out for dinner. ;)




24. What was the best book you read?


Any and all books by Jodi Picoult!




25. What did you want and get?


I'm sure I did.  If I didn't, there is always something to look forward to then :)




26. What did you want and not get?


Refer to answer above.




27. What was your favorite film of this year?


The Blind Side




28. Did you make some new friends this year?


Yes!




29.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?


My year was very satisfied. God knew exactly how this year would turn out, with happiness, sadness, disappointments, etc. Each one a life lesson that has taught me things. --> again going to "steal" this from Angela.




30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?


Same as 2008.  Comfortable and casual.  If it's not comfortable to wear then I don't wear it!!




31. What kept you sane?


Scott, Austin (at times, other times he was the cause of me going crazy LOL) , and reading




33. What political issue stirred you the most?


Politics are going to happen regardless. I’m not into debating them.




35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:


That things are going to happen whether you plan for them to or not.  It's all about how you face that challenge.  You can dwell on it and loose yourself in what "should've happened" or you can step ahead and move forward and learn from it!

While Mom's Away They Will Play

While I was working this weekend, Scott and Grammie took Austin to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.  It's always a place we wanted to take Austin and they had an opprotunity to go http://www.fwmuseum.org/  Here are some various pictures of their time there!

At one spot they we able to make paper airplanes and then watch them shoot out into the air via a wind tunnel. 

He loved playing with the Tops markers and later at one point he drew his Momma a purty card!!!

There of course was a train track, which Austin found fascinating.  According to his dada, he loved it.  He enjoyed watching the trains shoot down the track and loop around, but everything was halted when he spotted. . .

spotted Thomas the Train ::)  Oh that Boy and his "Da Da" (aka: Thomas)

Side note:  Everything Austin falls in love with ie: Elmo and now Thomas the Train was first named "Da Da"  Elmo was DaDa now it's Abby (our dogs name ???) and now Thomas is DaDa. 

Then he found the balance beam.  Since Christmas Austin has been watching us play the Balance Games on Wii - well here's Austin's version!

He made it all the way!!!  :-)

And of course they couldn't walk past the cars and trucks without Austin having to attempt to get inside one!!  I swear, ever since the State Fair and having free reign on the cars he thinks he's able to get inside any vehicle he wants now  LOL!

It looked like they all had a blast.  I can't wait to go with them the next time!