Plagued by strep.

I have quickly come to realize how pesky strep can be. It has plagued our family over the past month ... it is time for it to move on. Swiftly.

December 8 ... Mason diagnosed with strep.
December 8 ... Addison diagnosed with strep. Vomiting all night.
December 10 ... Payton diagnosed with strep.

Three kids with strep leads to a fridge full of antibiotics.

On Christmas Eve, Payton started vomiting and spiked a fever. No signs of a sore throat, but later in the week Addison started showing signs. So off to the doctor we went.

December 28 ... Addison diagnosed with strep.
December 28 ... Payton diagnosed with strep.

Mason was also tested on December 28, but his quick test was negative. We decided to treat him anyway, at least until we got the official results back. Those ended up being negative, so we stopped his antibiotic.

On December 29, Kyle and I both went to be tested, since we both had sore throats and headaches. It was late in the day, so we had to wait for our official results to come back.

On January 2, the results showed that Kyle was positive for strep. My test had not come back yet, but they decided to just treat both of us with antibiotics.

So once again our house is full of antibiotics ... of a little different variety.

The girls will return to the doctor once they complete their antibiotics for another strep test. We want to make sure it is completely gone this time. It has really affected Addison the worst ... poor thing.

Score: 3 to 2

Right now the healthy people are winning in our house. Three of us ... Kyle, Payton and I. The other two ... not so much.

Yesterday Mason woke up with a headache, sore throat and a massive fever ... upwards of 103.1. I alternated Tylenol and Motrin throughout the day and he was acting fine. He wanted to play Wii, go outside to play in the snow, etc.

Riight. Probably gonna let ya go outside right about now.

Umm no.

I really wasn't sure how badly his throat hurt ... he just kept telling me, "Just a little bit." I figured I would let it ride for awhile and see how he did. We got through the day, however last night he slept so hard and had drank so much fluid that he wet the bed ... which he never does -- I think this is only the second time.

And then today I found out that Mason's little neighbor friend that he played with over the weekend had strep. Thanks neighbor!

Ha.

So in to the doctor we went. Diagnosis ---> strep throat.

We came home and I noticed that Nika seemed to be declining quickly. She was feverish, was drooling and refused to eat. Not like her ... at all.

So off to Urgent Care we went. Diagnosis ---> strep throat.

Urgh!

To make matters worse, Nika started vomiting after we put her to bed. I'm not sure if the antibiotic made her sick ... or if she has a stomach bug on top of the strep.

Fun times in our house ... anyone want to come visit?

Here's to hoping the score remains 3 to 2.

Snotty noses. Toys. And the potty.

I have given it several days, however the snot is overwhelming our house. The girls' noses are running like faucets ... no fever, just snot. I took them to the pediatrician this morning, since their schools seem to think they should not be in school, even with just a runny nose.

Umm ... I'm pretty sure it is going to be a long winter if a runny nose keeps kids from school.

Final diagnosis ... Nika - ear infection and sinus infection, Payton - a cold.

A cold? While that may very well be, I got a script for an antibiotic anyway. Payton's teeny tiny nasal passages make it hard for her to kick a cold like the average kid, thus eventually causing infection.

So antibiotics it is. Thank the Lord. Come to us clear noses ... come to us.

Please.

*************

While I was waiting for the girls' prescriptions to be filled at Target, we walked through the toy aisles to see what is out there this year. I'm so flustered at what to get the kids for Christmas.

Will there ever be a toy that they love so much that is doesn't end up separated into 14 different pieces and spread throughout all three levels of our house?

I know I'm getting Mason this and I really want to get the girls a doll house ... but which one? I like the wooden ones, but I'm not sure what to get. Something without tons of little pieces would be fantastic. Ha.

Mason has circled every toy in the Toys R Us book, that I can't even use it as a guide. Any suggestions? What are your kids getting for Christmas this year ... or what are they asking for? Help!

*************

Potty training Payton has been one really, long drawn out process. She has stayed dry in her pull up during the day for a really long time ... I just have been nervous to take the plunge.

I did it.

I have had her in undies all week, during the day. She has done great, with me pulling her to the bathroom to make sure she goes. We can't wait for the day that she tells us every time she has to go ... that day might not come soon.

So it is on us.

She has had less than one accident per day ... and the one accident was totally my fault. I knew she probably needed to go, but we got to dancing in the basement and well, you know what comes next.

The true test will be seeing how she does at school. They are now taking her twice during the time she is at school, and this has worked for her. I haven't sent her to school at all this week ... ya know, because of her runny nose. So we will see.

Fingers crossed!

Mason Update

Mason is doing much better. Thank you to everyone who has asked about him. :)

Monday morning update ...

Kyle and Mason got home last night around 3 a.m. Sure enough, Mason has croup. I am not sure exactly what caused the vomiting ... I guess from coughing so much.

I seriously have never, ever heard someone struggle to breath like he was. It was pretty scary. It wasn't the normal wheezing that comes with croup ... I'm not even really sure how to explain it.

He also woke up this morning with petechia all over his face, which sort of freaked me out. I am so used to it in my girls, but not Mason. I think I am pretty much immune to medical stuff when it comes to the girls, but for some reason it is so different with Mason.

Crazy stuff.

1:23 a.m.

Just talked to Kyle. Mason is breathing the same, but the ER nurse took an oxygen level and that was okay. They gave him a shot of Decadron to open up his airways and now they are waiting for a room.

I'm sure he has croup, especially since his sisters both just had it. But dang ... that is the worst sounding croup I've ever heard!

12:44 a.m.

About 15 minutes ago, Mason woke up coughing like a seal. A very large seal. The worst I've ever heard.

Kyle ran into Mason's room with me in hot pursuit. He grabbed him out of bed and took him straight to the bathroom. And Mason vomited.

Not such a big deal, but he couldn't breathe. He was breathing the most labored breaths I've ever heard and he just couldn't catch his breath. His little body was shaking out of control and he kept saying how cold he was. Mind you, we have the AC on because it is so hot in our upstairs.

After watching him breathe like this for several minutes with no relief, I told Kyle we needed to take him to the ER. I totally freaked out. I am so not used to dealing with illness and health problems with Mason, as weird as that sounds. Typically, it is the girls that have the issues.

So please pray for Mason ... I know Kyle is freaking out too, so that says a lot! As soon as Mason heard me say "ER", the first thing he said was, "Am I going to have to get a shot?" Poor kid, he is so worried about having to get a shot while I'm trying to figure out if he can even catch his breath.

I am blogging because now I'm wide awake and sitting here waiting for Kyle's call. Even though I know they are not even at the ER yet. It is going to be a long night.

Bloodwork. Sickness. And ramblings from the Mama.

This past Friday, I took the girls to the lab for blood draws. I really had no plans of having them draw on Payton because I can't restrain her strong little self, but we decided to try and see what happened. They drew on Nika first and she just sat there and stared at them the whole time ... no tears. She is such a little champ. Then I grabbed Payton and while she was a bit anxious, she did really great and we got all the blood work on her that we needed.

The reason for our success at the lab was that my favorite phlebotomist ... or should I say the only phlebotomist that can actually get a good draw on Payton ... was back from maternity leave, where she had been the last time we visited the lab. Remember, our experience from H E double toothpicks? Well the same tech we dealt with last time was there this time and she was just rude as can be to my favorite phlebotomist right in front of me and other customers. I was so annoyed that I ended up complaining to the supervisor, who happened to be on site when I was there. I told her about our experience the last time we were there and I also told her about what happened that day.

I am just so glad to be done with blood work for what I hope is awhile. I still can't wait to see what Payton's iron levels look like though. I also think Nika's are probably low, but we'll see.

***********

I mentioned a few days ago that Payton was not feeling well. She had a fever, croupy cough and was wheezing. For fear of the crazy swine flu, I took her to the doctor after we were done at the lab. They confirmed my real suspicions that she had croup and gave her a shot of Decadron. Man, was she ever pissed. Poor girl ... first she had to fight off the phlebotomist and then the doctors and nurses at the pediatrician. Hey, everyone needs a good workout, right? LOL.

She is doing much better today, although her nose is now running more than it was. But ... what is new? Runny noses are common around here in my girls. Sigh.

***********

Tonight I enjoyed an evening out with friends. We went to see the movie Obsessed and then to dinner. The movie was really good ... I thought so, anyway. LOL. I cried ... big surprise ... and all was well that ended well.

***********

Remember my weight loss plan? I have been sticking to it and have lost almost 10 pounds so far. It is slow going, but I have realized how good it feels to be working out again. I try really hard not to cheat, but so far I keep cheating. LOL. Maybe someday I'll be able to resist completely.

Yeah, probably not.

I wanted to tell you about this new book that I'm reading ... Master your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels. You know, the Biggest Loser chick. She is hardcore on that show, but man does she ever know her stuff. The book is totally about how your hormones affect your body and your metabolism more than anyone would ever realize. It really is so interesting and I am trying to get an appointment with my endrocrinologist to have them test all of my hormone levels. I *know* that they are off ... I just know it.

I'm feeling good ...

I forgot to mention that I did go to the doctor this past Monday ... and it was confirmed that I had bronchitis. By the time I went, I think I had been hacking for like 10 days. It was horrible. So I got an antibiotic ... and then I came down with sinus pain. WTF?! So two days this week I had a horrible sinus headache ... but I'm now happy to finally be feeling better!

*************

I've sort of been in a funk regarding my weight ... and my health in general. Haha. I guess I'm technically slightly overweight ... the heaviest I've ever been. Ugh. I am one of those who always has intentions of working out and dieting, but it never sticks.

So I've decided that I am going to do this, damn it. I joined Weight Watchers online this morning, only because I like that it holds me accountable and it gives me good ideas for healthier food choices.

I also grabbed my iPod, cranked up the NKOTB {woot woot!} and went speed walking for a half hour. I will work my way up and quite honestly, I could have gone for another half hour. I just happened to be back at the house after a half hour, so I quit. LOL. Sit ups and arm work will come later today.

And ... I have been a total slacker on taking my vitamins, B12 and Juice Plus. I am committed to taking them every day ... I have to. I can tell the difference in my hair. Haha.

I will be looking hawt this summer. Hawt, I tell ya. Haha. Anyone wanna join me?

Sick. Sick. And pretty much sick.

Oi ... what a week.

Monday started off with Payton refusing to walk. After running around barefoot in the nice weather all last weekend, she injured her left foot. I didn't see any splinters, so I figured she must have bruised it. She was not screeching in pain {as if it was broken} ... she would just sit and whimper until I carried her.

So no school on Monday for Payton ... I mean, she wouldn't walk!

By Tuesday ... the snot, cough and fever had rolled into town. Payton had all three ... Nika just had snot.

So no school on Tuesday for Payton either.

These yuckies lasted all week, with Nika's progressively getting worse and with wheezing coming to town to visit Payton.

So no school for Payton on Thursday or Friday either. Although if I were a really good mom, I would have known that Friday was a teacher in-service day and I wouldn't have shown up in the carpool lane to drop off Mason, all the while wondering where everyone else was.

I took Payton to the doctor on Friday to make sure it wasn't anything more than a virus ... and I wanted them to take a look at her foot. Although she began limping on it by late Monday, she was still favoring it by Friday. They agree that she probably just bruised it and to give her motrin to reduce swelling for healing. If that doesn't work within a couple days, then I will be asking fr xrays. They also swabbed her for strep, which was negative.

Last night Nika went downhill fast. In addition to her snot, she is now barking like a seal. My poor baby. No fever though ... yet. Can you say croup?

So late this afternoon, Payton was laying on me. I could tell something was wrong, as she had just woke up from her nap and she was so lethargic. A couple minutes later ... vomit everywhere.

Seriously.

And on top of all of this I am also barking like a seal.

Lovely.

Before bed, I flushed out the girls' noses, dosed them up on cold medicine and layered the Vicks on their chests. Mmm ... I love Vicks. I put some on my own chest too. Reminds me of my childhood. You think it matters if my Vicks expired like ... say, five years ago? Haha.

So ...

... it has been a fun few days here. Payton vomits Saturday night. Mason vomits Sunday night. Payton has diarrhea Monday morning all over the bathroom. And then ... Nika vomits Tuesday. Fun times had by all.

Yesterday was a very hard day for me. Big changes happening in my life ... big changes with regard to my career. I went to college and graduated 11 years ago {holy crap ... that long ago?} with a degree majoring in Corrections and minoring in Spanish and Psychology. I interned at a state Probation and Parole Office and went on to get hired there. After two years, we moved half way across the country and I was hired in the state Probation Office here. Two more years went by and I was hired in the federal Probation Office ... you know, where only the best of the best get hired. Yeah, yeah ... I'm patting myself on the back. I have spent the past six and a half years conducting investigations and I truly love my job.

After Payton was born three years ago and we received her unexpected diagnosis, I was permitted to cut my work schedule down to four days a week ... to allow for therapy and doctor appointments. Life was crazy during that time ... two parents working nearly full time jobs with two little kids ... I felt like we rarely had quality time to spend with the kids during the week. Quite honestly, I am wondering where the past five years of Mason's life and the past three years of Payton's life have gone ... I think I missed those years!

So along came Addison ... and for the past couple months, I have been on "maternity" leave. Now I have always been a person to whom my career is very important. As crazy as my life was, I never really thought I would take the plunge and stay home with my kids. It was my career, after all. What did I have if I didn't have my career? But ... that is exactly what we have decided I will do ... stay home with our kids. This was a very hard decision for me to make ... to say goodbye to my career ... it brings me to tears. I truly love doing investigations and working in the court system. Now it is no longer.

But ... I know there are three little people here at home that need me much more than my job does right now. And so there you have it. I am excited to be more involved in their daily activities, which is something you can't really do when you are working. I know this is also the right decision for Nika, as her attachment to us is our number one priority right now. Being away from us 10 hours a day wouldn't do much for attachment, so this is a good thing. It is a good thing! Anyone want to throw me a "Welcome to the SAHM club" party? LOL.

BTW ... not many people outside of my little bubble even know I had a career, so many of you are probably surprised right now. And yes, I did this in addition to running my boutique ... which I will continue to do from home. ;)

Poor Bubs

It appears as though Mason breathed in too much household air because he now has whatever Payton had last night.

One gets better. Another gets sick. I do believe it is a revolving door. I am really praying hard, though, that Nika does not get it ... and that Kyle and I don't get it! We have all had the stomach flu once this season ... isn't once enough?!

On that note, I had to cancel Nika's sleep study that was scheduled for tonight. I figured Kyle might like to have me here with a vomiting child. Okay okay ... I admit it is just a good excuse to not have to spend the night in a sleep lab. That has to be one of my least favorite things ever.

How is it?

How is it ... exactly ... that a child can go from fine one minute, to vomiting the next? No signs of illness ... no signs of distress ... just ... blech. In my bed. On me ... on my new duvet ... on my laptop. Blech.

Then ... how is it that after cleaning up all the aforementioned things ... that three minutes later ... blech. On me ... on the clean sheets ... on my laptop. Blech.

And then ... well, I guess you know what is coming next. Third time is a charm, right? Let's hope so ... charm meaning the end.

Please God, let it be the end!

P.S. I am not naming names, but ... *cough* *cough* Payton *cough*.

Now it is Nika's turn

This stomach flu bug is kicking our butt ... and many other people's butt too, from what I hear. Mason is feeling better, but now Nika has thrown up twice this morning. Ugh. That only leaves Kyle in our family ... anyone want to guess when he might get it? Seriously ... I'm sick of vomit!

Mason is running 102.5

This morning we got up and went to our local Christmas parade (more on that later) in the 30 degree weather. Mason, surprisingly, was less than thrilled. He was crabby the whole time we were there and all he wanted was to go home. So we did ... we left early. He fell asleep in the car and we moved him to his bed when we got home. For a kid that doesn't nap, I knew something was wrong. Sure enough, he just woke up running a 102.5 temp. Sigh. The poor kid is burning up and says his throat hurts. Dr. Mommy tried to look at his throat with a flashlight, but his he can't keep his tongue out of the way. We'll see how the afternoon pans out ...

Edited to add ... here comes the vomit. Ugh.

Seriously.

Who invented the stomach flu? I have a few choice words for that person. Ha! First Chicky ... now me. I've been up and down since 4:00 a.m. hanging in the bathroom ... I just want to cry! I'm trying to eat a popsicle now ... we'll see if I can keep it down. And the worst part of all of it is that I missed a birthday party today for a family friend. Kyle and my mom took the kids while the bathroom floor and I made friends.

I really hope nobody else gets this bug ... only time will tell I guess. :(

Sicky in the house ...

This morning at preschool, I was talking to some other moms ... pretty much all of them have had kids sick with the stomach flu. Ish. I left thinking, "Thank God we haven't gotten it!"

Fast forward a couple hours, I picked the kids up from school and we went home. I carried Payton through the front door of the house and bam ... she vomited all over the foyer. She has never been sick like that before and it totally scared her. She seemed okay after and even ate some lunch. I laid her down for a nap and heard her crying a little bit later ... great. I ran upstairs and sure enough, she had vomited all over Mason's bed. Poor Sis. I laid her on the floor on Mason's comforter and she fell back asleep. Luckily she had been laying on her side, so she did not get it on herself. I cleaned up the bed and left her to sleep. Half hour later ... she is crying again. I run up and sure enough, more vomit all over Mason's comforter ... and herself. Good grief. Off to the tub we go.

We came downstairs and I decided to just hold her in the kitchen ... that way if she vomited again it'll be on the hardwood. Well ... surprise, surprise ... it happened. I don't mean to be graphic, but she is vomiting yellow bile. :( My poor baby ... I hope this stops soon! My baby should not be vomiting bile!

Sorry this was sort of TMI (too much information), but good grief ... we've had quite the day!

Mason and the medicine

Throughout the day yesterday, Mason was feeling progressively worse. His fever went up and he spent the entire day in my bed watching TV. After I put Payton down for nap, I went in to lay with Mason because I haven't been feeling well either. He was burning up, so I gave him some children's Tylenol cold/cough with fever reducer. Well you would have thought I was asking him to drink the worst concoction on the face of this earth. I told him to plug his nose and swallow. Well, instead he held it in his mouth, gagged and threw up all over. He had just eaten macaroni and cheese, so I'll leave the rest to your imagination. Ish.

I'm not quite sure what the issue is with this sort of medicine, because he normally will take everything else fine. He will take Delsym down like it is candy. This happened one other time when he was younger, he was probably two years old. He was burning up and we had to pin him down to get some Tylenol in him. He was so upset and gagged so much that he threw up that time too ... all over the couch. He had just eaten macaroni and cheese that time too {that is a staple in our house}.

Sickies All Around

Both of my kids have been healthy for so long, that I guess it is their turn to be sick. Sigh. Payton started first with snotty nose over the weekend and Mason followed that path soon after. Except he also brought with him what Dr. Mom is guessing is croup ... a cough that sounds like we have a seal in the house.

The funniest thing about all of this is that three or four years ago, I'd be calling the pediatrician. But, for now I think we will battle it out here at home. Hopefully they will be feeling better soon, I hate for them to be sick. Do you find yourself going to the ped less and less the more experienced you get as a mom? I do.

Payton is sick

Payton started running a fever yesterday, so I took her to the ENT today because I suspected she had either a sinus infection or an ear infection, or both. Well, I was right...double ear infection and a sinus infection. Good grief, the poor child! So we are on antibiotics again and we have to return to the ENT in 3 weeks to check for fluid. If the fluid remains, then the ENT said we will discuss getting tubes for her, as there is no sense in having her suffer through the winter.