22 Weeks

Coming along.

Ty says, "I a pirate! 

All Aboard!

 The boys are really into trains lately.  Ty's newest play hobby is to take all of the baskets that hold toys, dump the toys in a heap, and then fill 3-4 baskets with books.  He leaves a few "carports" (that's the word for a train car) empty for he and Andrew to ride in.  The last few days he leaves the first one empty and nothing is allowed in it, because "That's where the smoke comes out."

 We took advantage of the warmer weather and went 4-wheeling a few weeks ago.  It's still chilly when you have the breeze from riding, so we were all decked out in winter gear to stay warm.  Papa Steve came with us.

The boys didn't care so much for the ride, but mostly enjoyed when we stopped and they got to throw rocks down the hill. 

Things have settled down nicely here.  Andrew got off oxygen on the 9th.  He had a dilation on the 11th, that went fine.  We are back to wait and see for what will happen next.  He also had his central line removed.  We are now back to just the G-tube, and we're so used to that it's really nothing. 
I had a prenatal check-up that day as well, and things are still looking good.
We spent the weekend with my family.  Ryan and I made it to the temple and out to dinner on Saturday.  Plus enjoyed a shopping trip at the mall.  The rest of the time we just visited.  I really enjoyed hanging out with my family.

Cold and Flu Season

We started the potty training business once again.  Andrew has caught on to at least letting me know every time he goes, even if it is still in his underwear or diaper.  He wanted to wear his boots.  We just did a couple days before we got totally sidetracked, but he is still telling me when he goes in his diaper.  When we do get back to it, I think he'll catch on pretty easily.

Last week Tyler started getting a cold, but it got pretty intense.  He ran a fever of 102-103 for a couple days.  Then Friday, while we were doing Dr appts, Andrew started with the cough.  And I started getting it.  Ty was having a really hard time breathing Friday night, and I was worried because his muscles around his ribs started sucking in (retracting).  He made it through the worst before too long, and was doing much better the next morning.  He just has a minor cough left now.

Andrew was getting worse, and by Sunday night I didn't feel like he could handle breathing on his own anymore.  He was breathing really fast and retracting, but worse than I'd seen him do ever before.  So, I tried every drug and natural remedy I could think of, or the home health nurse could tell me.  Finally I knew we needed to go to the ER. 

Of, course by time I got there the extra half an hour in the cool air had helped his lungs, so the Dr gave me an anti-biotic for the fluid he could hear in Andrew's lungs and sent us home.

 We made it through the next morning with walks outside, a car ride, and a steamy bathroom, but by afternoon nothing was working and I took him back to the ER at Castleview.  This time his oxygen level was at 87 when they checked, so he was immediately put on oxygen.  Then a chest x-ray, and viral culture were done.  His lungs had lots of fluid and he tested positive for RSV.  And they admitted him.
He was in the hospital 2 nights on oxygen, but was doing fine otherwise.  The pediatrician caring for Drew was very nervous about his medical history causing complications, but Dr. Barnhart was not too worried about that side.  On Wednesday they discharged him. 
He is still on a little oxygen here at home, but he's playing, eating, and very happy unless I'm suctioning his nose.  He also has double ear infections, because of all the mucous in his head, but they aren't bothering him enough that I would know if they hadn't been checking his ears in the hospital.  He'll probably be on oxygen a few more days and then be fine.
Ryan held out the longest, but even he is sick now.  On the upside he can take better drugs than a pregnant lady, but it's still a tough virus.

Ty has been soaking up extra mom time by just sitting in my lap for long periods of time.  It's really hard on him to be left behind.  This time wasn't as bad, because the hospital is only 30 mins from our house, we were all able to be together at the hospital each night.  Ty spent the days at the Brower's.  He really enjoys being there, but he is also a kid who thrives on a routine and being home.  It always takes us a couple days to re-settle after a hospital stay.

Ty has gotten really good at dressing himself now, and is very opinionated about what he wears.  Sometimes he changes his clothes 4 times a day.  I am always amused at the outfits he puts together.  This was today's choice. 

Ty is also starting to recognize letters and is so good at puzzles.  I'm amazed as I watch how he's learning and seeing him discover and create.  He's starting into the imagination creating.  The other day he was walking around with his hands cupped in front of him, as if he were carrying something.  He never would tell me what it was though. 

I love my little boys so much.  They are so cute and so amazing.  I am also so grateful for my wonderful husband.  We are so very blessed.