Connor's first hospital stay!

Hopefully we don't have to make a "second" post EVER!! haha! Hello everybody! I thought i would update you on what our week has been like! Connor managed to pick up the flu...somewhere...who knows, they're kids right?! So anyway..the puking commenced 2 AM Tuesday morning. This is especially challenging for a pregnant mom due to the wonderful smells that accompany this action, but, as is par for the course, TJ is in the field this week, so it's all on me! hah! anywho...the puking continued all day. I commenced to feeding him pedialite by syringe since that was the only way he could keep anything down, but it was a LONG day! By that night, i got him to hold down about 4 oz of formula (he was starving, at by that time, i figured, what's more puke at this point) well, he kept it down and slept ALL NIGHT. I had so hoped we were over the hump, but Wed morning was more of the same regurgitation practice. Well, we took him to his regular pediatrician who said i was doing all the right things, but that he was dehydrated and if he hadnt produced some urine (sign that i was getting him enough fluids) in a couple hours, that i was to take him to the ER for IV fluids. We returned home to where we started throwing up EVERYTHING, INCLUDING the syringe-fulls of pedialite. So we went to the ER...Poor Connor was so drained and sick, he was pitiful...he didnt have the energy to flirt with the nurses or anything.

So they admitted us for IV fluids, and we spent Wed night in he pediatric ward of the hospital. They took wonderful care of us, and the fluids began to work quickly. Wed night was tough though, Connor screamed for over two hours straight. Finally we got him to hold down some fluids in his tummy on top of the IV fluids and he fell asleep. The nurses praised me for how calm i was, but I tell you, it was only the grace of God that kept me that way. I had spent quite a bit of time the night before on my face praying for his health, and my ability to deal with whatever he needed. Let me tell you, God answers prayers! Amidst all of the craziness...i never felt panic, and i never felt sorry that i spent my entire birthday in the hospital (it was thursday!!) I was just grateful that we were where we needed to be to get help for Connnor, and that he was able to give me a smile and a giggle. It was the best present i could have gotten. So after more labs and no vomit on thursday, they released us Thursday evening to our own recognizance.

Connor is doing much better this morning, got good rest last night, had some applesauce and formula this morning and played until he wiped out. We'll follow up with our regular doctor today, but it looks like we're over the hump now. We even had a normal poo this morning...I told mom, i never knew how excited i could get over pee and poo...but Connor's first pee after 36 hours plus of major dehydration spawned phone calls and happy dances!! and it is certainly good to see some poo with a shape! so i tell you..simple pleasures for us moms.

TJ will be home from the field tonight. I did get to speak with him a couple times while we were i the hospital, but i assured him that all was well and he didnt need to come stare at the IV bag with me. I'm sure it was hard for him not to come, so i wont yell if he grabs him out of the bed tonight when he gets home (it will be well after bedtime before he gets here) I just feel so overwhelmed sometimes by the love of my family and friends. Thanks to all who helped by visiting, bringing food, or helping me remember i had a dog at home that needed care! hah! We are truly blessed by the "family" that God has blessed us with!

I realize i havent posted any pictures recently..i'll get on that, i promise! love you all!

10 short months...

Today, Connor is 10 months old! I can't hardly believe the time has gone by this fast. Especially noting how close 10 months is to 12...it's highly disturbing to me! We celebrated today by taking advantage of the beautiful springlike weather. Our friend Roxxann who has an 11 month old, Christopher, and I picked up subway and took our sons to the playground at the local Marine Corps Museum. Nice place, great weather...the boys loved the swing and the slide!! Connor now has learned the "classic" crawl on hands and knees..but still chooses to do the combat crawl when speed is necessary - as in trying to get out the gate! Actually most of the time he crawls to the gate and stops, to fulfill his obsession with opening and closing anything that resembles a door. He is also currently in love with music and has learned how to clap. He spends lots of time playing his little piano and bobbing up and down and clapping to the music. He still walks back and forth (and over the dog or cat if necessary) on his walker, and even took a couple unassisted steps last week. He is trying to stand on his own, and can get a good 5 or 6 seconds before he crashes! He is entirely too smart already, although he has started to try to chew on everything.including me and other children, so we're big into dealing with learning not to bite.
This past monday we had to go to the doctor. Connor had flared up with a BAD case of eczema. We got some steroid cream which seems to have really cleared it up very well!! We also found out that day that our "little" boy has managed to gain another pound and a half in the last month! He now weighs in at a whopping 24 lbs and 14 oz. He's huge! but he's healthy!
All in all, I really can't complain, this little boy is the most precious and loving thing!! he is starting to give kisses on his own, and I think he's starting to use some signs. We started a couple months ago teaching him basic signs for Mama and Dada, etc. I think he's trying to say Dada - He gets the hand up and stretched, but won't touch it to his forehead yet. But he repeats it after you do...and says "dada" with his tongue sticking out sometimes! Everything is currently done with his tongue hanging out. I think we're gonna get another tooth! hah!
anyway..i'm rambling! My baby is such a big boy now, and i am so proud of him! Will take a few pictures and try to get them posted soon!!

Big Announcement!!

Hello everybody! I wanted to update you all on our newest addition to the family. I had my 20 week ultrasound on Wednesday. Yes, that means I'm halfway to being a mother of two! eek! anyway, The baby is growing well and healthy. NO apparent problems. Heart rate was 147. The tech made several comments about how "beautiful" the anatomy of our baby was! I saw lots of wiggling fingers and toes..and good solid leg and arm bones!! We did decide to find out the sex this time - since we needed to know whether we needed to restock, or just pull out the baby boys stuff we own! TJ wasnt able to make the appointment, so I had the tech seal the gender in an envelope, and then i waited (too long) for him to come home Thursday evening so we could find out together.. Here are the results:::





Her name will be Lily Della Coots. Lily is a name I have always loved, and Della is TJ's grandmothers name. She was very special to him, and it means a lot to him to have our daughter carry on her spirit!! We are very excited, and feeling overly blessed with everything. We are definitely aware that this having a baby thing is more complicated that it sometimes seems and we are grateful that God has blessed us already with one AMAZING and WONDERFUL child, and we are looking forward to meeting our new little squirt in June!