Introducing... Tyra!

Total Cuteness Returns

Christmas in the Hospital

As I said in the previous post, this Christmas was one that I will never forget, but I don't want to repeat. Little Remy started having a fever Thursday night. I gave her some meds before bed and she slept through the night. She had a low grade fever throughout Christmas Eve, but I didn't give her any medication since she was eating, sleeping, drinking and playing like nothing was wrong with her. Then on Christmas Day, the fevers spiked and she was fine while on meds, but as soon as they wore off, the fever was back again. This went on 3 times in a row so I called our doctor. She suggested we go to the ER. Once at the ER, we were admitted fairly quickly. Remy had a temp of 102.6 and a her oxygen level was slightly low so they gave her some oxygen. After a blood draw, her white blood count was alarmingly high...a major infection. They took urine and it came out fine so they preceded to a spinal tap. We wouldn't know the results of that right away, but were told we would be admitted to the hospital. This was not what we had planned for Christmas Day, but needed to do whatever it took for our baby.

Luckily the spinal tap came back normal, but the doctors still couldn't figure out where the infection was. They ordered a bone scan to rule out leukemia and another other nasty stuff. This was getting to be scary for me, but luckily it came back clean! Praise God for all of this.

The doctors and nurses were amazed that Remy acted normal throughout her stay despite her high white blood count. She drank, ate, slept and played like a healthy kid any other day. Doctors still do not know where/why the infection, but said this is very normal. They said they were not surprised since we flew overseas and planes are full of infections. They also thought that this infection had been in her body for a while and the antibiotics that she was on in China subdued the infection, but did not totally kill it. She needed stronger stuff. As you can see in the pictures, our little Remy was full of smiles and sweetness. This experience gave us lots of Mommy and Me time.

A Christmas to Remember...

... and not repeat. Christmas Eve started out with a beautiful snowfall of 5 inches starting in the afternoon. Remy had a low grade fever throughout the day so we thought it was best not to go to church, plus the weather did not help. It was a relaxing evening getting prepared for the big day. Ty was super excited and Remy had no idea what the excitement. We set out popcorn (we have tons of it at home as gifts from various people) and milk for Santa, along with carrots for the reindeer. We ended the evening with reading "The Night Before Christmas" and "Corduroy's Christ mas" in anticipation for Christmas Day. We opened presents first thing in the morning while our monkey bread was cooking in the oven. We finished it off with fresh fruit and lots of bacon. Mimosas have always been a part of Christmas morning for the adults, but we were so busy with the kiddos that we didn't partake. I needed an IV of coffee to get me through the morning. Remy had woken up at 1:00 in the morning with a high fever so I gave her meds, then again at 7:00 am. and then again at 2:00. This reminded me of our time in China so I called my doctor. She recommended we go to the ER....

Our cuties getting ready for Santa. Ty gets so hot that he had to cool down and take off his shirt. What would the Chinese think of this?!?

Our greatest gifts.

All the Christmas blessings from those we love.

Ty likes his picture taken these days and even suggested he pose.

We're Off and Running...

...with full speed ahead. It has been one of those homecomings that you only have to laugh through or it could break you down. We arrived in Chicago last Thursday and decided to spend the night one last time with my mom and to help with jet lag. It has made all the difference in the world for me and Remy, but the boys have been hit with the jet lag bug. Ty wants to take long naps that we have to wake him up from, and then he will wake up at 3 am ready to go. Troy on the other hand wants to sleep all the time. It doesn't help that he has fever, strep throat and an ear infection. Remy went to the Dr. on Monday for a follow-up for the pneumonia she had while in China. She is now on Singulair and has 4 breathing treatments a day to help with her wheezing and coughing. During one of Ty's 3 am wake-up parties, he somehow hurt his left arm while playing in his bed. After an early morning trip to Urgent Care, he had nursemaids elbow and popped it back in place. That was a new one for me. And me, praise God the good Lord has kept me well (besides a runny nose) and given me the energy to take care of my family on little sleep. Praise God for our friends who gave us some frozen meals to get through the early days of adjusting as a family of 4 dealing with all sorts of shenanigans. All I want for Christmas is a healthy family and jet lag to be over with!