I lied.

Two days ago, I wrote that I would be posting many new pieces over these next few days.  My daughter has been really sick, but I had no idea I was going to be punched in the face with a sack of yuck as well.  It's bad enough having a sick baby to take care of but trying to take care of her when I feel as though I've been run over by a semi truck is rough.  Honestly, I doubt I will be posting much until I'm feeling better.  She's a little better today.  Thank God.

RSV, Bronchiolitis, and Baby

My 5 month old has been sick for weeks.  It is most likely that she developed RSV a few weeks ago which led to the Bronchiolitis she currently has.  What do I do to help her??  The truth is, there isn't a whole lot I can do.  We just sort of have to wait it out.

RSV, Respiratory Syncytial Viris, is a common virus among infants.  The symptoms are similar to that of a cold.  A stuffy nose, cough, and perhaps a fever are the symptoms we're used to when it comes to the common cold.  Difficulty breathing and bluish skin color are probably the symptoms that lead us to freak out and rush our little ones to the doctor.  However, as antibiotics do not cure RSV, the hospital will most likely provide additional oxygen to the baby, keep him under a humidifier, and/or provide hydrating fluids through an IV.

Bronchiolitis is most often caused by RSV.  With bronchiolitis, the cold-like symptoms may worsen, but the noticeable difference is going to be the increased congestion in the chest.  Again, antibiotics are not going to cure Bronchiolitis.  Reasons to take the baby to the hospital would be obvious difficulty breathing, bluish skin (as with the RSV), increased wheezing, flared nostrils, and/or suddenly worse cold symptoms.

I have chosen to write about this because my daughter has been on a roller coaster of sickness for (literally) the past 3 weeks.  It started with what seemed to be a cold.  We all know when small children are in a room together and one has a runny nose, they're all leaving with a runny nose.  Our little Emma must have picked up a cold.  I blamed it on the other little kids with colds and assumed it would go away within that first week.  When it didn't get any better, I began to get a little worried.  She seemed to be well enough to travel, so we embarked upon our journey to California for our Thanksgiving break.  The entire day we traveled was cold and rainy.  Obviously, this did nothing to help our daughter's symptoms.  We finally arrived in CA, and not only had Emma experienced a stressful, rainy day of traveling, but she was suddenly surrounded by many family members.  As the week progressed, her symptoms got worse. When she started coughing (a terrible sounding cough, mind you), we decided to take her to a doctor just to make sure everything was OK.  The doctor took a quick look and diagnosed her with Brochiolitis.  We left with a prescription for Amoxicillin and Tylenol.  The doctor said the antibiotic may or may not help but advised us to use it anyway.  I called our pediatrician (as we were out of the state) just to confirm what we had been told by the other doctor.  After 6 days on the Amoxicillin and still no improvement, I needed reassurance that she was still OK.  I've talked with the professionals (my mom, mother-in-law, a nurse/super-mom friend, and other moms) and have learned that it honestly may just take a while before this is out of her system.  I've also learned many tips for helping our little one that we can use at home.

At Home Treatment and Tips

• Humidifier
• It is particularly dry in our area, so we have 2 humidifiers running at night when Emma sleeps.  The humidifier is supposed to help loosen all of the gunk built up in her sinuses and chest.
• Extra Water
• Giving Baby a little water throughout the day (not too much) will help loosen the mucus as well.  Plus, it will help Baby stay hydrated.  
• Sit in the Bathroom with the Shower Running
• Run a super hot shower and sit with Baby in the bathroom.  My mother-in-law advised this yesterday.  I actually set up a humidifier in there for an extra boost.  We played in the bathroom for about 20 minutes (until I thought she was getting too hot).  She is honestly much better today.  I wish I would have started doing it weeks ago.  
• Vicks VapoRub (for Babies)
• Try to have Baby sleep in a slightly upright position.  Unless fastened securely in some sort of baby seat or sleeper, Baby will need to be monitored.
• Boppy Pillow
• Pillow placed under one end of crib mattress
• Pillow placed under one end of playpen mat
• etc.  

How to Get Baby to Swallow Medicine

The first time I tried to give Emma her antibiotic, I attempted to insert it directly into her mouth.  I don't know what I was thinking.  That would taste terrible; naturally she was going to spit it out.  My husband's aunt was with me at the time and suggested masking the taste with a little diluted apple juice.  I was nervous about the sugar in the juice, but it worked.  I advise finding the healthiest apple juice available, matching half (or less) apple juice/half (water, and adding the antibiotic.  It takes about an ounce and a half total for Emma to tolerate it.  

In conclusion, if you're in my shoes and are a first time mother with a sick baby, I hope this information helps a little.  Having never experienced this before, I was worried about my little girl, but I'm pretty sure things are going to be fine.  We just have to be patient as there isn't much to do when they're this young.  

OK... I'm Back

I am back from a week-long, Thanksgiving visit with family in California and have finally forced myself to start posting again.  I plan to make up for the posts I have missed by writing numerous entries over the next few days.  An entire week away from home with a 5 month old has given me many ideas and discussion topics.

Oddly enough, I've checked my stats, and readers out there in internet land have managed to find my blog even while I wasn't posting.  Thank you to everyone who continues to read my stuff and shares their own experiences.  :-)

More to come tomorrow....

CRAZY

Reasons why I didn't post yesterday and probably won't again for a little while:

1.  My baby is sick and demands constant attention.
2.  I have a million things to do that should have been finished yesterday.
3.  My husband's work week is nuts, and he isn't able to help me at all.
4.  We're leaving for California in day and half and have NOTHING prepared.

I would thoroughly enjoy some sleep right about now.  Goodbye to internet land.... Can't... type... another... word.

Losing the Baby Weight: Part 2

To read the beginning of this journey (Part 1), click here.

At the conclusion of my first official week of trying to lose weight, I have this to share:

It sucked.  It was insanely difficult, and I hated it.  After a couple days, I think my body went into shock.  My stomach was probably FREAKED out to no end about the decent food it was processing.  I actually  got a little sick for a day.

I did lose 4 pounds though.  I also kept to a reasonable diet.  I tried the whole no carbs thing a few weeks ago and only lasted 2 days.  This time, I monitored my carbs during the day (stayed under 20 net carbs) and  ate a good dinner.  I didn't go crazy and splurge with my dinner meals.  I kept them as healthy as I could, while not sacrificing flavor.  I've learned that depriving myself 24/7 absolutely does not work.

Even with the 4 pound loss, I couldn't make it through the weekend and gained 2 pounds back.  I was literally thinking about food every second of the day.  We had a scare with our 4 day old cousin, and I desperately wanted to camp out on the couch with a bag of Reese's.  The next day, when I found out about my great uncle (grandfather figure) having congestive heart failure... I made brownies.  Honestly though, I think the act of baking is my therapy.  I always thought the product was what made me feel better, but this time, I put the brownies in the oven and FORGOT about them.  I remember feeling the release of emotions as I was mixing the batter but didn't think much of it.  As I was sliding the pan onto the oven rack, my husband came home from work.  I handed him the baby so I could go for a walk (needed to get  out of the house).  Toward the end of the walk, I remembered the brownies in the oven and didn't even rush home.  Plus, it gave my husband a taste of what it's like to get a bottle ready, feed the baby, and deal with food cooking in the kitchen.  


I hadn't binged on the brownies, but the next day, we attended the birthday party of a 2 year old.  Naturally, I didn't turn down cake... or spaghetti... or amazing dip... or another brownie... or a cupcake.  Then, I had to go to town today.  It's a 5 hour round trip, so I indulged in fast food.  I figured I had already ruined anything I had started anyway.  I can actually say I ordered small fries and a cheeseburger from McDonald's and couldn't eat the fries.  They just didn't taste as good as they usually do.  Sure, they were hot and salted to perfection.  My body just didn't want them.  It was telling me to stop.  

Now... my revelation:  I feel like shit.  Seriously.  After the weekend "off", my stomach is churning.  As difficult as last week was, my mind wasn't as clouded, I didn't have my usual headaches, and once I got used to the food change, I felt better.  Tonight, I'm crampy, bloated, and just feel disgusting.  I'm not doing this again.  I'm more motivated than ever.  There is a reason we call that crap "junk food".  I feel like garbage tossed out on a junk pile.  Bleh.

I hope this experience helps me throughout the rest of this week.  I'm sure I'll still fall into the whole grass is greener slump and think about food constantly, but I really believe it will be a little (if only even a hair) easier over the next few days.

My Baby Doll

Emma got all dressed up for a birthday party today!  I can't resist posting these pictures.  :-)

Make Your Own Crinkly Baby Toys

I should wait until I've made a cute toy so that I can post a picture on here, but I want to share this.  Babies love soft toys that crinkle when grasped in their tiny fingers.  Here is an easy way to make your own crinkly toys and not spend a dime.  :-)

Materials Needed:
Fabric
Plastic grocery bags
Scissors
Needle and Thread or Sewing Machine

Directions:

1. Gather some spare fabric, scraps of old clothing, OR newborn onesies and baby clothes that no longer fit.  I used a bright pink, newborn onesie that was too small for my daughter even when she was a newborn.  You can use any fabric, but try to find colorful pieces.  
2. Make sure the fabric is clean.
3. Cut whatever shape you want, turn it inside out, and sew all but a gap wide enough for a finger to fit through.  Make sure your sewing is durable and will withstand the constant grabbing of a baby's hands.  For my sample, I turned the newborn sized onesie inside out, sewed the arm and leg holes closed and left the bottom area (with the snaps) open.
4. Pull the inside of the fabric through the hole so that the outside is showing (as you would with a sewed pillow case, for example).
5. Stuff a plastic bag or 2 through the remaining hole.
6. Finish by sewing the hole closed (securely).  

Obviously, you want ALL of your stitches to be tight and close to prevent the bags from being pulled out.  You can jazz up your toy by adding personal touches.  Try sewing pieces of wide ribbon in the seems or adding additional textures for the baby to touch.  You could also embroider the child's name if you want to get really crafty.  The possibilities are endless.  This is an easy way to make a few toys for your baby if you're on a budget.   You could even create really cute toys for personalized baby gifts.  :-)