We have had a sick kid for 2 weeks now. First birdie had croup and was put on Prednisone (sp?). For those of you who 'know' about that drug...it's evil and good. It made her terribly dizzy, which is not good for her since she is wobbly on a general basis, plus she was so weak and dehydrated, it compounded the dizziness. Found that out while I was trying to get her out of the bathtub, and dad was not at home. Scary having a sick, weak and dizzy 75 pound child who is as tall as me being woozzy and wobbly in a tub. But we made it out safe, no falling down on my watch! We narrowly escaped the hospital with this croup. It wears her out coughing like that. Second, birdie either had a tummy bug on top of the cough, or this croup made her gag so much she would "loose it"...if you know what I mean. The big issue with that is, she would throw up during the night. It always happens in the middle of the night, when we are all asleep and cozy under the covers, when suddenly we hear the tell-tale sound. We rush in there in the nick of time to get her to the potty, just a tad bit of splatter, (of course I had just cleaned her bathroom that very day). Curses!!! We thought she was on the mend, so we went to 'town'. Shopping, errands, and eating out 'cause we were all tired of being couped up. All was going well, until 2:00am the next morn until about 5:00am. Dad had things to do at church that morning, so he had to get up and make it to church. Birdie and I slept in, and she was perfectly fine. I, however, felt like I was run over by a truck! Did I mention, I had to go into work to make up for the hours I missed during the week. So, once dad arrived home from church, I headed to work...exhausted! It seems to never end. Then, we think having a three day weekend will help her heal so she can finally go back to school come Tuesday. But, while I'm at work today, dad takes her to Urgent Care because she has a yucky looking sore in her mouth which she is complaining about. Mind you, she never lets us know if something hurts, until it is a problem. So during the visit, the mouth thing turns out to be nothing, but she has a roaring ear infection. Man sakes alive! Does it ever end? See why we think we should be "in" the funny farm? I am afraid to say things are alright, but I think we really are on the mend. God help us! School tomorrow for her, dad at work, and yeah, my day off. I might even take a nap, wait, no, I have a meeting at her school at 12:30 then stuff to get ready for another meeting at her school at 5:00. Like I said...it never ends! Have I mentioned, we hate winter. I guess I should be thankful, it could be way worse. So, I'll be thankful!!
Here is another day-in-the-life with our bird!
Serving Him,
Christina
Monday, February 21, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
So, here goes, the beginning!
Well, I said I'd start from the beginning...so here goes!
My daughter (birdie) was born 16 days late and when she finally arrived, she was very quiet, lethargic, jaundiced, and very weak. She had no fat left on her body, and her muscle was being eaten away. She was too weak and not strong enough to eat. It was a scary way to become a mommy, (daddy too). She was in our local hospital for 5 days when our pediatrician said there was nothing more they could do for her there. She had already had a spinal tap and been in their peds ICU on oxygen and other cords everywhere, not to forget...her head started to grow in size. So, they airlifted her to the Children's hospital at UNM in Albuquerque. That was so hard on us, for them to take her and not be able to be right there with her. My father-in-law drove my husband and I down there as fast as he could. It is about an 1 hour and 45 minute drive, but it seemed like an eternity. We were scared and unfamiliar in this new setting. They led us to the NICU and got us up to speed on what they were going to do and asked us ever kind of question possible. We met so many nurses, technicians, and Doctors with enormous specialties. They ran a gazillion tests, basically guessing at what may be wrong.
She was in that unit for a few days, while hubs and I stayed at a 'cancer' house until a room opened up at the "Ronald McDonald" house. That was a scary, lonely and sad place, but we were grateful to have been able to stay as close to the hospital, as it was. (It was very inexpensive compared to a hotel.) My poor hubby had the job of calling family to give them updates on our birdie, I just cried and slept and cried some more. Oh, and pumped enough milk to have fed all of New Mexico. The nurses were very good at telling us what to do and when. They had very strict rules about visitation. With NICU, you just can't hang out in there by your baby. Terribly hard on a new momma. After a million tests and no answers, other than: "No, its not her kidneys, her bladder, her heart, her lungs"...she was moved to another unit, still like an ICU. But in this room, we could be in there a little longer, and I was finally able to hold her. Still more poking and proding, with no answers! We finally got up the nerve to ask our Doctor back home if all this was really necessary. He said give it a few more days and if nothing comes back, tell them you want to come home. Boy, we were treated like criminals, taking a seriously ill newborn out of their care! But we had to go through some class like procedures first. She would go home on oxygen, so we had to be 'trained'. She was there for 14 long, hard days. She was airlifted back to our home hospital and it was so much quieter and more peaceful, not a thousand beeping monitors. She was still in the peds ICU, but much more cozy, and the only baby. Talk about special treatment. Anyway, we finally got to bring our birdie home after 5 more days. We were anxious, happy, scared, all these different emotions. We were worried something would go wrong, because we were so used to having nurses around us all the time. Besides the oxygen, she was also on an apnea monitor. This machine was scary...it beeped at you when she would stop breathing.
Fast forward 12 years...she is still on oxygen, (at night only) and still has sleep apnea, seizure disorder, low muscle tone, but is the sweetest, kindest, most loving child we could ever have asked for. We wouldn't trade her for all we have gone through, for anything in this world. She has taught us so much! Lots of patience, love and most of all...brought us closer to the Lord.
She has had many surgeries and tough, scary times, but we cling to the fact that Jesus is there holding her, and getting us through these times. I will share more specific stories in other posts, about the long road we have traveled. Some are crazy and some are quite funny, (we had to laugh or we might still be crying...), and some are worrisome.
All along the way, we have had our families, many friends and church members lifing up a gazillion prayers on birdies' and our behalf. She goes to an amazing elementary school with amazing teachers, aides, and kids. She has received OT, PT & Speech since she was 3 months old, and continues to receive these services through her school. We are so blessed to have an awesome Doctor who has been our friend as well as our childs doctor, he has been a godsend! There are other doctors in the children's clinic in our town who are great with her as well. We have also been blessed to have a wonderful Pastor who has been along side us on this journey. Her story is fun, crazy and unique. There has not been a diagnosed syndrome, believe me, they have checked on many out there, but we just take it all in stride. We have to or we would be "livin' at the funny farm". Some times I think we have been there, ya know, after many sleepless nights, you get slap happy. But, those stories are for another day.
This should at least wet your appetite, there are 12 years worth of stories, so stay tuned...
The verse of the day is one of my favorites, I come back to it time and time again.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Until next time,
Serving Him,
Christina
My daughter (birdie) was born 16 days late and when she finally arrived, she was very quiet, lethargic, jaundiced, and very weak. She had no fat left on her body, and her muscle was being eaten away. She was too weak and not strong enough to eat. It was a scary way to become a mommy, (daddy too). She was in our local hospital for 5 days when our pediatrician said there was nothing more they could do for her there. She had already had a spinal tap and been in their peds ICU on oxygen and other cords everywhere, not to forget...her head started to grow in size. So, they airlifted her to the Children's hospital at UNM in Albuquerque. That was so hard on us, for them to take her and not be able to be right there with her. My father-in-law drove my husband and I down there as fast as he could. It is about an 1 hour and 45 minute drive, but it seemed like an eternity. We were scared and unfamiliar in this new setting. They led us to the NICU and got us up to speed on what they were going to do and asked us ever kind of question possible. We met so many nurses, technicians, and Doctors with enormous specialties. They ran a gazillion tests, basically guessing at what may be wrong.
She was in that unit for a few days, while hubs and I stayed at a 'cancer' house until a room opened up at the "Ronald McDonald" house. That was a scary, lonely and sad place, but we were grateful to have been able to stay as close to the hospital, as it was. (It was very inexpensive compared to a hotel.) My poor hubby had the job of calling family to give them updates on our birdie, I just cried and slept and cried some more. Oh, and pumped enough milk to have fed all of New Mexico. The nurses were very good at telling us what to do and when. They had very strict rules about visitation. With NICU, you just can't hang out in there by your baby. Terribly hard on a new momma. After a million tests and no answers, other than: "No, its not her kidneys, her bladder, her heart, her lungs"...she was moved to another unit, still like an ICU. But in this room, we could be in there a little longer, and I was finally able to hold her. Still more poking and proding, with no answers! We finally got up the nerve to ask our Doctor back home if all this was really necessary. He said give it a few more days and if nothing comes back, tell them you want to come home. Boy, we were treated like criminals, taking a seriously ill newborn out of their care! But we had to go through some class like procedures first. She would go home on oxygen, so we had to be 'trained'. She was there for 14 long, hard days. She was airlifted back to our home hospital and it was so much quieter and more peaceful, not a thousand beeping monitors. She was still in the peds ICU, but much more cozy, and the only baby. Talk about special treatment. Anyway, we finally got to bring our birdie home after 5 more days. We were anxious, happy, scared, all these different emotions. We were worried something would go wrong, because we were so used to having nurses around us all the time. Besides the oxygen, she was also on an apnea monitor. This machine was scary...it beeped at you when she would stop breathing.
Fast forward 12 years...she is still on oxygen, (at night only) and still has sleep apnea, seizure disorder, low muscle tone, but is the sweetest, kindest, most loving child we could ever have asked for. We wouldn't trade her for all we have gone through, for anything in this world. She has taught us so much! Lots of patience, love and most of all...brought us closer to the Lord.
She has had many surgeries and tough, scary times, but we cling to the fact that Jesus is there holding her, and getting us through these times. I will share more specific stories in other posts, about the long road we have traveled. Some are crazy and some are quite funny, (we had to laugh or we might still be crying...), and some are worrisome.
All along the way, we have had our families, many friends and church members lifing up a gazillion prayers on birdies' and our behalf. She goes to an amazing elementary school with amazing teachers, aides, and kids. She has received OT, PT & Speech since she was 3 months old, and continues to receive these services through her school. We are so blessed to have an awesome Doctor who has been our friend as well as our childs doctor, he has been a godsend! There are other doctors in the children's clinic in our town who are great with her as well. We have also been blessed to have a wonderful Pastor who has been along side us on this journey. Her story is fun, crazy and unique. There has not been a diagnosed syndrome, believe me, they have checked on many out there, but we just take it all in stride. We have to or we would be "livin' at the funny farm". Some times I think we have been there, ya know, after many sleepless nights, you get slap happy. But, those stories are for another day.
This should at least wet your appetite, there are 12 years worth of stories, so stay tuned...
The verse of the day is one of my favorites, I come back to it time and time again.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Until next time,
Serving Him,
Christina
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Post 4
Hello all in blog land. I am so excited that I now have a "cute" page. I found 'that' person who "gets" the technical stuff and she was able to walk me through the steps to make it happen. And bless her heart...she didn't feel good, but she did it anyway. Thanks so much April!! I LOVE IT! :0)
Now I know how to change my background, (hopefully) and will utilize all the darling backgrounds I've found on "The Cutest Blog On The Block". Those gals are so talented. Thanks for the 'cute' free backgrounds!! I'm addicted. I just need a "birdie" to add to my page and I'll be set. You know, from birdies nest, it needs a bird, and maybe a nest. Oh how I wish I knew how to do this kind of stuff. In my trusty notebook, I drew a picture of a cute tree with a nest and a family of 3 birds. If I could just get it on this page/blog!
Anyway, I still want to start from "the beginning" of our story, but that will require some time and thought, how I want to actually write it for all to see. So many ideas swirling around in my head...or are those my marbels?
It is getting late and I have to work tomorrow. I'm supposed to, if my birdie would just get better and stay well. She has had croup, and now...possibly pink eye. I'll know for sure in the morning. I just hate having to wake a sleeping child, to find out what they will be like. Should they stay home, go to school? 'Cause you know good and well they won't go back to sleep if they are to stay home. That's when the day begins...a sick kid awake that should still be asleep, that I woke up. It is a vicious cycle.
It's a MOMs job, right ladies?
Well, off to bed, don't know what tomorrow holds, but God already does. So why should I fret? He's got me covered!
Night all!
Serving Him,
Christina
Now I know how to change my background, (hopefully) and will utilize all the darling backgrounds I've found on "The Cutest Blog On The Block". Those gals are so talented. Thanks for the 'cute' free backgrounds!! I'm addicted. I just need a "birdie" to add to my page and I'll be set. You know, from birdies nest, it needs a bird, and maybe a nest. Oh how I wish I knew how to do this kind of stuff. In my trusty notebook, I drew a picture of a cute tree with a nest and a family of 3 birds. If I could just get it on this page/blog!
Anyway, I still want to start from "the beginning" of our story, but that will require some time and thought, how I want to actually write it for all to see. So many ideas swirling around in my head...or are those my marbels?
It is getting late and I have to work tomorrow. I'm supposed to, if my birdie would just get better and stay well. She has had croup, and now...possibly pink eye. I'll know for sure in the morning. I just hate having to wake a sleeping child, to find out what they will be like. Should they stay home, go to school? 'Cause you know good and well they won't go back to sleep if they are to stay home. That's when the day begins...a sick kid awake that should still be asleep, that I woke up. It is a vicious cycle.
It's a MOMs job, right ladies?
Well, off to bed, don't know what tomorrow holds, but God already does. So why should I fret? He's got me covered!
Night all!
Serving Him,
Christina
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Post 3
I am trying to make my page all cutesy, and I need alot more technical help. But for now...here is another post.
I have been super busy being a single mom while hubs was on travel for 11 days. WOW! I have a whole new appreciation for single parents. Those 11 days were espacially hard for several reasons: 1) The weather was extremely cold and he usually manages the pellet stove. Filling it and cleaning it, but I did all that plus putting blankets in front of drafty doors. 2) A very dear friend of mine passed away, very unexpectedly. Hard dealing with the emotions and having a child in tow that does not understand my emotions; plus helping with the arrangements for the memorial service at our church. This too my hubby usually handles, the behind the scenes in the "big scary kitchen". Have I mentioned what a great guy he is? He does alot for and with our family. Like all the cooking...he is much better at it plus he really enjoys cooking, and I hate it. I am the dishwasher, though. So, while he was gone I had plenty of TV dinners and quick microwave meals. We (daughter & I) are glad he's home, to handle the tough stuff, plus we are ready for a good home-cooked meal. BTW, I did cook a casserole one night and we then had left overs, but that was the extent of my cooking. I always say, "I would cook more if we had a better functioning kitchen", but I kinda doubt it, but it would be alot prettier. He wants a functional/usable kitchen while I want a pretty and decorative kitchen. One of these days...years!
I still want to start from the beginning of "our story". Just need that technical help to get it going in the right direction. Thanks for the prayers and support. I want this to be a huge success, for people out the who need encouragment and to share my faith and how the Lord has helped us all these years.
Thanks for stopping by.
Serving Him,
Christina
I have been super busy being a single mom while hubs was on travel for 11 days. WOW! I have a whole new appreciation for single parents. Those 11 days were espacially hard for several reasons: 1) The weather was extremely cold and he usually manages the pellet stove. Filling it and cleaning it, but I did all that plus putting blankets in front of drafty doors. 2) A very dear friend of mine passed away, very unexpectedly. Hard dealing with the emotions and having a child in tow that does not understand my emotions; plus helping with the arrangements for the memorial service at our church. This too my hubby usually handles, the behind the scenes in the "big scary kitchen". Have I mentioned what a great guy he is? He does alot for and with our family. Like all the cooking...he is much better at it plus he really enjoys cooking, and I hate it. I am the dishwasher, though. So, while he was gone I had plenty of TV dinners and quick microwave meals. We (daughter & I) are glad he's home, to handle the tough stuff, plus we are ready for a good home-cooked meal. BTW, I did cook a casserole one night and we then had left overs, but that was the extent of my cooking. I always say, "I would cook more if we had a better functioning kitchen", but I kinda doubt it, but it would be alot prettier. He wants a functional/usable kitchen while I want a pretty and decorative kitchen. One of these days...years!
I still want to start from the beginning of "our story". Just need that technical help to get it going in the right direction. Thanks for the prayers and support. I want this to be a huge success, for people out the who need encouragment and to share my faith and how the Lord has helped us all these years.
Thanks for stopping by.
Serving Him,
Christina
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Here comes Post #2...
Hi there,
I am excited to get this blog up and running. So far there have only been a few oopsies. I usually have alot of them. So I think that is pretty good for me.
I have been researching and checking out different blogs under lots of subjects to get a feel for what is right/wrong, good/bad, helpful/waste of time.
I want my blog to be right, good and helpful, with tips and encouraging words. Bible verses will be added for a godly tip of the day, along with various topics and sharing of the goofiness of my life. Believe me, it is "goofy".
These are just practice pages, I think I need some help from someone who 'gets' all this technical stuff. I have a couple of people in mind, just have to ask for their help and get our schedules to match. That part will be the hardest.
D (hubs-the blog lingo for husband) just left on travel to TX. So birdie and I (and Tori, the pup) have the house to ourselves. Girls only!! Hhmmm, what shall we do? Well, for starters, birdie has Jazz at 10:45 so I get some alone/quiet time. Then we have to go to Walmart for our bi-monthly shopping trip. 2 carts full. How can three people go through so much stuff? But since D is gone, he is my cook, we will probably have lots of TV dinners. So easy, no dishes to do and no cooking. Gotta love it! Then it will be home and put all the loot away then RELAX. Maybe a movie... Hey, I said we were homebodies. We love our nest!
Well, that is all for now, cause birdie woke up. Now the day can begin.
Serving Him,
Christina
I am excited to get this blog up and running. So far there have only been a few oopsies. I usually have alot of them. So I think that is pretty good for me.
I have been researching and checking out different blogs under lots of subjects to get a feel for what is right/wrong, good/bad, helpful/waste of time.
I want my blog to be right, good and helpful, with tips and encouraging words. Bible verses will be added for a godly tip of the day, along with various topics and sharing of the goofiness of my life. Believe me, it is "goofy".
These are just practice pages, I think I need some help from someone who 'gets' all this technical stuff. I have a couple of people in mind, just have to ask for their help and get our schedules to match. That part will be the hardest.
D (hubs-the blog lingo for husband) just left on travel to TX. So birdie and I (and Tori, the pup) have the house to ourselves. Girls only!! Hhmmm, what shall we do? Well, for starters, birdie has Jazz at 10:45 so I get some alone/quiet time. Then we have to go to Walmart for our bi-monthly shopping trip. 2 carts full. How can three people go through so much stuff? But since D is gone, he is my cook, we will probably have lots of TV dinners. So easy, no dishes to do and no cooking. Gotta love it! Then it will be home and put all the loot away then RELAX. Maybe a movie... Hey, I said we were homebodies. We love our nest!
Well, that is all for now, cause birdie woke up. Now the day can begin.
Serving Him,
Christina
Friday, January 28, 2011
Testin' out the new blog...
Hello out there, I am new to this blogging stuff and I hope I do it right and can share something helpful, useful and most important, encourage others in a positive way.
So here goes!
This has been a desire of mine for a long time, I just didn't know exactly what "it" was I really wanted to do. But hopefully sharing my story will help or encourage someone else facing the same situation.
"From Birdies Nest" has been a name I have wanted to use for many years, for some type of home business. My husband and I have called our little girl "birdie" since she was born. She was born 16 days late and was tiny and did not make any noise except for a little 'chirpping' sound and ate like a bird. As she grew older she loved watching birds with her grandma, and liked to feed them. So, the nickname stuck. And since we are all homebodies, the info I share from our home can be translated 'from our nest', hence the clever (at least I think its clever) title "From Birdies Nest".
In another post, I will give alot more detail and share more of her story as well as our story as a family. Trust me, its unique!
This being my first 'post', I don't want to scare anyone away. Just testin' the waters...
I'll be back later. Hope you like what I have so far.
I plan on adding pictures and various tabs about our life and my likes and passions. My daughter is definitely one of my favorites! (It has been said that I have a shrine of her on my bookshelf. P.S. I love pictures and cute picture frames, therefore I have them displayed on my bookshelf.) Makes sense to me.
Anyway, be back later...
Serving Him,
Christina
So here goes!
This has been a desire of mine for a long time, I just didn't know exactly what "it" was I really wanted to do. But hopefully sharing my story will help or encourage someone else facing the same situation.
"From Birdies Nest" has been a name I have wanted to use for many years, for some type of home business. My husband and I have called our little girl "birdie" since she was born. She was born 16 days late and was tiny and did not make any noise except for a little 'chirpping' sound and ate like a bird. As she grew older she loved watching birds with her grandma, and liked to feed them. So, the nickname stuck. And since we are all homebodies, the info I share from our home can be translated 'from our nest', hence the clever (at least I think its clever) title "From Birdies Nest".
In another post, I will give alot more detail and share more of her story as well as our story as a family. Trust me, its unique!
This being my first 'post', I don't want to scare anyone away. Just testin' the waters...
I'll be back later. Hope you like what I have so far.
I plan on adding pictures and various tabs about our life and my likes and passions. My daughter is definitely one of my favorites! (It has been said that I have a shrine of her on my bookshelf. P.S. I love pictures and cute picture frames, therefore I have them displayed on my bookshelf.) Makes sense to me.
Anyway, be back later...
Serving Him,
Christina
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