Our Quiverfull - 3.5 weeks and counting . . .

Feb. 20, 2008

3.5 weeks and counting . . .

Noah has officially topped his previous 2nd place record for most days at home between hospitalizations as he has been home fully 3 1/2 weeks now! He is clipping along at pretty much the same level - no better, and (more importantly) no worse. We are still battling the C. Diff but he hasn't fallen prey to any of the really serious complications. He goes to Greenville for the day tomorrow to get an IVIG infusion, which will take hours, and to see his Infectious Disease doctor who he adores. We have only done IVIG on an inpatient basis so please pray that Noah won't have any serious side effects and that it will go smoothly. The GI doctor has an infusion room with DVD player, toys, recliner, etc to make things comfortable, but the problem we've had in the hospital is that Noah is premedicated with IV Benadryl (which knocks him out), then needs his vitals checked every 15 minutes (which wakes him up). This is a recipe for an ultra-cranky guy. Jeff is coming with me so we can "trade babies" as needed.

He was able to go to his buddy's birthday party on Saturday. The weather was lovely so the party was held outside in their fenced, grassy backyard. There were swings and toddler play equipment and balls and other assorted toys . . . a real dream come true for toddlers . . . . but Noah was absolutely terrified. He plastered myself to my lap (while I nursed Mary Faith LOL) and just shook like a leaf for the longest time. It hit me like a punch in the stomach that he has NEVER played outside before. He has gone for walks in his stroller, and went to the park in his stroller as an infant, but that is it. Our yard is very heavily wooded with no grass and isn't the sort of yard that a crawling baby could play in. Our others were playing out in the yard at much younger ages, but they could WALK. Big difference. Since he has been able to sit and could possibly go in a swing or whatever at the park, he has been too sick to go. The poor little guy had no idea what to do. I was SO glad Hannah was there so we could take turns with Noah/Mary Faith. (Of course, there was no shortage of people wanting to hold Mary Faith.) He warmed up a bit when he saw the snacks :-) but he would never go on the swings or do most of the things his friends were enjoying so heartily. He finally played with a toy car and ball for a few minutes and right before we left (of course) he decided that maybe the little toddler slide was a fun thing. The highlight of the party was the cake. There was a home made yellow cupcake for each child. I cut the top off of Noah's (didn't want to risk chocolate frosting upsetting his tummy) and let him have the rest. I can't tell you how much he relished that cupcake. It was his FIRST cake!! He wasn't eating yet at his birthday, and we have spent almost every birthday this year in the hospital with him feeling too yucky to eat cake. He actually picked every single crumb off of his shirt. :-) It was a delight to watch.

Mary Faith is still doing beautifully. I do still need to wake her up to nurse sometimes but other than that I can't complain! Her wake times are longer and she is getting more and more interested in her environment. I can't believe she is three weeks old already. Anybody know how to slow her down??

Bit by bit our daily life and schedule are getting adjusted closer to the way I would like. Things have been so tumultuous for almost a year now (hard to believe he's been so sick for that long) that we have been flying by the seat of our pants in many ways, and many things have been put on hold. I have a lot of corners and closets to declutter and more scheduling things to normalize, but I keep reminding myself that it will take time. I did mange (with Matthew's help) to make up 25+ pounds of ground beef into casseroles for the freezer this afternoon. I also popped one in the oven since I didn't want to think about making anything else today LOL! Some home-canned applesauce is chilling in the fridge and I'll cook some baby peas also to go along with our tater tot casserole (Jeff's favorite!) I think bed will be calling my name after dinner. :-)

Love,
Kate

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Feb. 20, 2008 - How wonderful!

Posted by mamaof7

Oh Kate what good news to hear Noah is holding his own at home. I imagine him eating that cake! Oh yummy! I am praying he continues to do well!