Pretty in Pink

Yesterday morning, Mommy woke Evelyn up and began getting her dressed (normal routine). Suddenly, Mommy noticed that Evelyn was not using her left arm at all and it was hanging limp by her side. Off to the ER we went! After several xrays, we were sent across the hall to an orthopedic doctor. He looked at her xrays and determined there were no broken bones nor fractures. Then, he began touching her arm, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. The only time she winced was when he touched her elbow. With that said, he determined that she had pulled her elbow somehow and needed a hard cast for the next 2 weeks! How this happened is still a puzzle. The only thing we can think of is that she got her arm caught in between the crib slats during the night and when she tried to roll, it pulled the elbow out of place. Of course, Evelyn being Evelyn, she never once cried or fussed about it. She was as happy as a lark as they put the pink (she chose the color) cast on her arm. In the meantime, Mommy was crying (imagine that).

Brush, Brush, Brush Your Teeth!

Today was Evelyn's first trip to the dentist! Our pediatrician recommends children see a pediatric dentist at age 2, so Mommy got us an appt. right away! All weekend we talked about how Dr. Reichert takes care of our body, but that the dentist takes care of our teeth. Every time, Evelyn would show off her smile and say "Teeth!" She was her usual happy self and played in the bus while we waited for the dentist to call us back. When we went back, she sat in the big girl chair by herself, but as all 2 yrs. do, she became a bit wiggly, so Mommy held her in her lap during the exam. The dentist checked her teeth and counted them all. Evelyn is right on track developmentally for her teeth and the dentist said we could move into regular children's toothpaste. The best news of all, no cavities! Hopefully, we can continue this good dental hygiene until our next visit!

Look Who's Two!

Hard to believe, but Evelyn turned 2 this week! On Tues. we invited our neighbors over for a small celebration. Daddy was at class while we celebrated this milestone. Then, on Sat., we invited over our good friends and family to mark the occasion. Evelyn had a great time opening presents and playing with her friends, Jacob and Mason. Of course, she enjoyed eating some cake as well at her big girl table and chairs. Given all the current medical struggles, we feel truly blessed to be celebrating the occasion with our family and friends.

Valentine's Day and Birthday Party

It was a special day for Evelyn and Daddy! They had their first Daddy/Daughter breakfast. It was so sweet! They went out to Tony's West for breakfast together--just the two of them! Rob is hopeful that this will become a special tradition for them. After breakfast, they zoomed home to pick up Mommy for a birthday party. Our dear friend Jacob turned 2 and we celebrated Mickey Mouse Clubhouse style! Of course, it was great to get out and visit with our friends, but it was even more fun to watch the kids run around and play. Of course, Evelyn had a wonderful time and wore herself out. She was fast asleep within 10 minutes of us returning home!

Mommy On The Edge

Will this roller coaster ride ever end? Since December, our little one has been so sick and not with just a typical cold here and there. It has been an ear infection, pneumonia, influenze A,sinus infections, and RSV. Not to mention the occasional seizure due to fevers. Honestly, Mommy is feeling like I can't take much more of it. It is absolutely wearing me thin to see my baby so ill constantly and not be able to somehow prevent it. I mean, that is my job, right? As her Mommy, I am suppose to shield her from all of this and more. I really feel like I am failing my daughter. It is killing me. Every time we are ready to do the sedated MRI, she gets sick and we have to postpone it. I know God has His plan, but I am desperately seeking it right now. All the prayers that people are saying for her are such a comfort, but I am really struggling to stay upbeat and positive. I didn't realize just how bad I was getting until an acquaintance from church saw me and the first words he spoke to me were "Are you okay?" Yes, I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve, but I try hard not to be that expressionate with my face. My mind is constantly in a whirlwind and every time she gets ill, it is crushing me. Her MRI has been rescheduled for the 18th--pray that we make it and that this chapter of our lives will close soon. I am sorry to have vented, but I am looking forward to spring and the return to health for Evelyn. Please keep praying for her--she needs them so much.

Pics from Hospital

Here are some pics that Daddy took on his cell phone during our sleepover at the hospital last week. After this experience, we think Evelyn may go into the medical field--ha ha!

Hospital

On Thursday afternoon, I (Kristina) took Evelyn to the pediatrician as she had been suffering with congestion, cough, and fever that wouldn't break. The dr. ordered chest x-rays and we went across the hall. While registering, Evelyn suddenly went limp in my arms and her eyes fixated. I knew immediately she was going into a seizure. They rushed us back across the hall to the dr. Luckily, she pulled right out of it and never convulsed. After checking her temp. again, it had spiked 3 degress in less than one minute, which is why she went limp. They gave us Motrin and told us to head immediately to the hospital emergency room. Rob met us there and the dr.'s ordered various tests. Evelyn had RSV and her oxygen levels were not bad, but not good either. They decided to keep us overnight to monitor her oxygen levels. Unfortunately, the levels didn't improve so they put her on oxygen and we stayed for two nights. While there, they did an EEG on Evelyn to check her brain waves. We are still waiting to hear those results--hopefully they will come on Monday. We will post some pics later from our adventure. For now, we are home and grateful that our little one is up and running around the house!