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!

Connor is 9 months old! already!

so...his 9 month birthday of sorts was Sunday! I cannot believe how old he is already! We had his check up today...he is 23 lbs 8 oz, 29.5 inches long, 19 inch head.. as my OB said it yesterday morning..he is STURDY! But he's got big shoes to fill..and he's well on his way. The doc is quite impressed at his social skills..as he was talking to and flirting will all the nurses and the doc herself. And of course, he HAD to grab everything she put near him...makes listening to his heart fun. She said he is the picture of health..other than that stubborn runny nose, but still no sign of ear infections...so maybe it's the fact that he cut his 7th and 8th tooth in the last week and a half..that means 4 on top and 4 on bottom...and he thinks he can and MUST eat everything you are eating! But now that he's figured out how to chew..more foods are on his horizon!!

Connor accompanied me to my 16 week check up at the OB yesterday. She said all is well..Heart rate in the mid 150s...sounds familiar..but i am still hoping for a girl. we have decided to find out the sex this time so we know whether to buy a bunch of pink, or just load up on diapers and a double stroller! hah! The big ultrasound will be Feb 4th. I just wish TJ could go, but that is highly unlikely..you all can help by praying for a miracle day off for him..!!

other news...well..there's not a whole lot! we should find out in the next couple weeks where our next duty station is. We are excited to know..yet hoping we dont end up in the desert of California..although that is where our best friends just left for, so they would be our saving grace if that happens! haha! But i know God's got it all worked out however he wants it! so i'm looking forward to the adventure. Mostly i'm just spending my days in awe of my little boy, who looks at the world with new eyes, and seems to be loving every second of it. And dreaming about a new little pair of eyes that we get to do this all over again with!! Life is surely exciting..and here in the world of the Coots, there is NEVER a dull moment!

finally have a chance..

hey everybody! incase you were wondering...we made it back to VA just fine! it was a long haul..and a long time to be gone, but we were very glad we got to see so many people. To those of you we may have missed, we'll try to catch you next time! Since we've been home, things havent slowed down. Connor has already figured out how to walk with the push along walker that he got for Christmas...so he is tearing up the house..and of course, falling and bumping various body parts..but he's having a great time. We used all of our Christmas gift money to purchase a video camera..and are already enjoying documenting some of Connor's typical fun things to do..i'll see if i can figure out how to post some of them here! Our best friends here at Quantico are moving this weekend...so it begins, this life of making and leaving friends, but I wouldnt change it for the world...we will miss the babysitting..but mostly we'll miss the friendship we've created with them! Good luck to Trista and Andy as they head to 29 Palms in CA, by way of Ft.Knox for tank school on the way! in other news..for those of you who havent heard...TJ and I are expecting our second child in June. We have kept it a secret for a while - i'm already 15 weeks (out of 40) - because we wanted to suprise his family for Christmas..and boy did we do just that! it was great! This baby was a suprise to us...at least the timing, but sometimes I guess God just can't wait to send more blessings...so we are looking forward to this child with excitement! ok..here's my favorite pics from our trip..and maybe a video..i'll try it out! haha..

just a quick note

He y'all...just thought i would let you all know that we're still kickin...been on the road for almost 2 weeks now...getting a little worn out..but we're hanging in. We'll be home late saturday, maybe sunday..we'll see how the 12 hour drive from IL goes...planning on at least stopping half way...poor Connor is so tired of the car seat! but we've had a great trip. Once we get home we'll get to uploading the pics and such from our trip! lots of Connor cuteness to come..Happy New years to everybody (unfortunately motherhood had sissified me...i'm headed to bed! no ball drop for me! just head dropping to the pillow!) Blessings!

8 very short months

so, today was Connor's 8 month "birthday" GOSH! how does time go so fast?!?! We have had a bit of a rough week. MOnday went from a morning of decent normalcy, to an evening at the ER with Connor...we were worried he had an ear infection from a cold that had hung on..and after calling and getting an appointment for the next day (soonest available) at the ped's office, my poor little guy began running at BOTH ends...LOVELY!! and when daddy got home from work, couldnt even muster a smile for him. i called back to the office and they said they just couldnt squeeze him in (definitely NOT campbellsville, KY where docs will meet you whenever is necessary...grr..) so we carted him off to the ER to get checked out. The ER here was GREAT!! we were in and out in a little over 2 hours...the staff was great...and Connor, running a fever, having an ear infection, and some sort of virus causing both ends of his digestive tract to revolt....was smiling and flirting with the staff...the nurses, docs, security guards, and other patients were all falling in love with him....and couldnt hardly believe he was sick. So, the kicker of the story is the longer we were at the hospital, the worse i began to feel myself...and on the way out the door..yep..you guessed it...MOMMY had to throw up too!! it was a wonderful and fitting end to a long day!

so Connor and I spent the night doing all sorts of amazing and awful things. TJ was WONDERFUL and stayed up half the night taking care of us...he stayed home the next morning from work threatening to take me to the ER too since i had thrown up all night...but i refused and he went to work after i was able to get up and eat a little something and hold it down. tuesday was a long day...but we were over the worst of it. We've spent the rest of the week just trying to rest and recover...Today was the first "normal" day, although a couple of Connor's symptoms are dragging on. At least he is back to his normal, playing, laughing self.

At 8 months, here's the run down... Although i dont know how LONG he is..he is a whopping 22 lbs and a few ounces..this would be the average size of a 12 month old...but nobody calls him fat...he's just big! "perfectly plump" as the doc in the ER said. he has 4 full fledged teeth and one that has just broken through..the sixth tooth came through for a few days and then seems to have gone back in..this doesnt seem fair..but such is life. He is beginning to give kisses (mostly to daddy) and although they are usually with an open mouth and lots of slobber, they are welcomed with great joy around here. We also think he is beginning to wave...he likes to wave at John who is a friend of TJ's who is staying with us for a few weeks while he's in flight school here...we're not positive it's on purpose, but we think it just might be the beginning!! He is also pulling up on EVERYTHING...he definitely has to have a little help, but it won't be long until he's up on his own and causing even more craziness!! The other current milestone is that he is gaining an understanding of the word NO. this is funny because he gets that he's supposed to stop, but he cries because he doesnt want to...but if you ignore the crying, it stops almost immediately and he (usually) happily goes on about his business. He is also learning to share...at this point, that is usually sharing his pacifier, food, or toys with the DOG..haah! but what are friends for?! The picture below is pretty typical of what you'll find around here..(the big black thing in the picture is our dog, Sampson. he tends to be a black hole in pictures..Connor is holding his ear!)

so life is wonderful and joyful around here. Connor has been the most wonderful blessing, and we continue to revel in seeing the world through his eyes...all things really ARE new!! So, we hope to be seeing a lot of you on our Christmas adventure..we'll be hitting up harlan county, KY, then drivig through Cville for a short visit on the way to IL to see the Shake clan there! wish we could see the rest of you too! love you all...and merry christmas (just incase i continue to be delinquent in the blogging!!)

Here are the "official" 8 month old big boy pictures!! check out the TEETH!