RV Trip (Day 3)

After leaving Louisiana we headed for Mobile, Alabama. 

Next stop, the U.S.S. Alabama!

We climbed all over that ship.  It was amazing just how big it was.  You could climb higher and higher and you better believe my fellas wanted to do just that (lead by their Father, of course).  Baby Sister and I bravely followed.

Captain B

Captain W

Captain Q

We toured a submarine.  I don't know how anyone could spend a lot of time in one.  Those are some seriously close quarters.  The boys loved it!  I was glad Baby Sister was in the wrap so I could maneuver around.  It was fascinating to see all the features of the submarine.

The boys had to check out the big tanks. 

B was hungry and so over the picture taking by this point so W and Q took a picture with Daddy.

Baby Sister and I had to get in on the picture action.

We got back in the 'ol RV and started our journey to Panama City, Florida.  The GPS (aka Gypsy as we like to call her) gave us one route.  I thought it would be fun to choose a different one.  The one I chose would allow us to drive by the ocean.  I told EJ I thought it would be a beautiful drive.

Um...not so much.

It turns out we were driving through the popular beach towns like Destin, Florida.  These places were packed with tourists.  The traffic was hardly moving. 

We were stuck!

It took us 2 1/2 hours longer than it should have!

When we got to the RV park that night, EJ had to park that big 'ol thing in the dark.  I must say he did a fantastic job.

No trip is complete without some poor navigation choices.

RV Trip (Day 2)

On day 2 we did something I have wanted to do since I was a little girl.  We went to Louisiana to visit my Auntie H and Uncle G.  I love these two and my hubby knows it.  It was one of the ways he talked me into this crazy trip.  He told me that we could go the southern route and see them.  He is a smart man.

Here is a pic of Mr. Q in front of their place.

We had a fantastic time!

We fought off some fire ants.

We fed a duck named Bob.

We ate the most delicious shrimp.

We stayed up too late talking and laughing.

We got to see my cousin and her daughter.

We learned from experienced RVers that we didn't even have the hot water heater on in the RV.  Oops!

We got a good nights sleep and started the morning in the best way possible...

Uncle G's strong, smooth coffee and Auntie H's biscuits and chocolate gravy.

I never wanted to leave!

Somehow we did not get a picture of all of us together so I snuck this picture off her facebook so you could see their precious faces.

Thanks for the great time.  We love you guys!

Our big 'ol RV Adventure (Day 1)

EJ has always wanted to go on an RV trip.  Me, not so much.  I figured it would be tons of work.  I like to go on vacation and let other folks cook and clean for me.

The opportunity to travel to Sea Island, Georgia and stay in a resort for 4 days sounded very good to me.  However, I knew that no matter how we traveled it was going to be hard to transport 4 kiddos.  We decided against flying so we were planning to drive. 

Just a few weeks before the trip I started to get cold feet.  This was going to be hard enough with three wild boys but now we had a nursing baby.  Eeeek!

In a moment of weakness, I told EJ that perhaps we should rent an RV to make the travel a little less painful.  It would cut down on our bathroom breaks, etc.  By the end of that day, EJ had done all the research and was ready to sign us up.

So...welcome to our big 'ol RV trip of 2012!

We loaded up our three handsome boys and our sweet little princess and away we went.  Well, not exactly.  I planned and cooked and packed for a couple weeks.  Then EJ and I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning the night before loading the RV up with supplies.

Then, away we went!

I have never seen a man so happy about driving!  He was in rare form.  I joked with him that having a big sign on the RV that says, "1-800-RV4RENT" might as well say, "Drivers Ed."  People know for sure that you have no idea what you are doing!  You should have seen some of the looks we got on the road.

The cowboys thought the table was pretty cool.

Baby Sister was a happy little RVer.

Our first night was spent in Ennis, TX at a lake.  The view of the water was pretty and they had a swimming beach.  The boys loved swimming!

That first night was a little overwhelming.  Trying to get that many people settled in for bed in such a small space was crazy.  Not to mention that our hot water seemed to be broken.  Nice.  Cold showers.  I'm not going to lie.  I was close to tears a couple of times.  The good news: we all slept well and woke up ready to tackle day 2.

Of course, we had to make a trip by the camp "dump site" to empty the "black water" and "grey water".  I have learned that the black water is what comes from the toilet and the grey water is what comes from the shower and sinks.  I knew EJ was going to be the official dump master so I let him go to work while I made sure to photograph the experience.

The first thing he said, "this hose is broken!"  Turns out the clips on the hose had broken off so he had to hold the hose on there while everything emptied.  He said it was disgusting to feel the poo move through the hose.

Gross!

This is his tribute to the movie "RV".  Have you seen that one?  Let me just say there is a little mishap at the dump site.  It is a pretty entertaining movie.  Everything that could go wrong in an RV did.  We watched it before our trip and laughed our heads off.  Then we prayed that none of those things would happen to us!

W's Update

We took W to see the neurologist.  He performed an EEG to see if there was any seizure activity in W's brain.

In order to prepare for this test they asked us to keep him up until midnight the night before and then wake him up at 5am.  Then they didn't want him to take a nap before his 1:30pm appointment.  He needed to be sleep deprived for the test so he would fall asleep.  We were also instructed not to let him eat for four hours before the test in case they needed to sedate him.  (Thankfully, they didn't have to)

So, we took an exhausted and hungry 5 year old and headed to the neurologists office.  W fell asleep before they even finished putting all the electrodes on his head!  He slept soundly through the test.

We quickly ate something between his test and the appointment with the doctor.  Our appointment was scheduled at 3pm.  We waited in the room for an hour and fifteen minutes.  1 HOUR AND 15 MINUTES.  That is ridiculous.  Thankfully they had legos and W was feeling better after a nap and some lunch.

When the Dr. came in, he reviewed the CT scan from our ER visit as well as the EEG that was just performed.  He asked us several questions about W's history.  He wanted to know what happened before, during and after the seizure.

In the end, he found no seizure activity in the EEG and no abnormalities in the CT scan.

He felt that the sleep deprivation leading up to the seizure could have played a role. (We had just arrived home from our big 'ol RV trip the night before the seizure).

He suggested that we make sure W gets enough sleep and limit his caffeine intake.  He also suggested that we limit flashy video games.

The only one we need to worry about is the sleep.  We don't have a video game system and we certainly don't give our kids caffeine.  (Momma needs the caffeine, not them)

I find it strange that sleep deprivation can induce a seizure.  After all, wouldn't every mother with a newborn baby be having regular seizures?  I'm just saying.

We are so thankful that the Dr. feels another seizure isn't likely.  He told us we don't need to follow up with him unless another seizure occurs.

We are praising God for the good report and asking for him to show us if there is anything else we need to do.

Punch that seizure in the face!

We were praying before our lunch today.  W asked if he could say the prayer. 

W: "Dear God, please heal my body and punch that seizure in the face!  In Jesus Name, Amen."

A rude awakening

We arrived home from a 12 day vacation on Sunday.  That night we were all exhausted!  We went to bed as usual.  In the early morning hours, W (our 5 year old son), came into our room.  EJ pulled him into bed with us so we could all go back to sleep.  At 5:23am, I woke up to feeling W convulsing in the bed next to me.  I immediately realized he was having a seizure.
I said, "EJ, turn on the light and call 911!  W is having a seizure."

I laid my hand on his arm as I watched his body convulse over and over again.  He was in the fetal position and his little hands were curled in, his eyes were rolled back in his head, and spit was coming out of his mouth.

EJ explained what was happening to the 911 operator and answered all the questions.  EJ said the seizure lasted around 5 minutes.

When the seizure stopped, W remained unconscious.  We couldn't get him to respond to us.

"Is he breathing????" EJ asked.

I pulled up his shirt and saw that his chest was rising and falling.  "Yes" I said, "but it is really shallow."

EJ continued to talk to the 911 operator. 

I grabbed my phone and called Pop and Grammy.  Pop answered.  I said, "W has had a seizure and he is unconscious.  An ambulance is on the way.  I don't know what I will need."

Pop responded, "We are on our way."

I threw on my robe and ran to the door to unlock it for the EMS workers to enter the house.  I ran back to the bedroom and told EJ, "Get dressed.  You will have to ride in the ambulance.  I have to nurse Ruthie."

Ruthie was awake but laying quietly in her bassinet.  B and Q stayed asleep in their room.

First an officer arrived.  He came in and checked W's vitals.  Soon the ambulance arrived with 2 EMTs.  They started assessing W and put oxygen on him.  They assured us that it was normal for him to be unresponsive after a seizure.  When they put the oxygen on him, he moved his face a little so the EMT said that was good.  She told us that they were going to start an IV on him in the ambulance so they could give him medicine if he had another seizure.

EJ called his folks and his Mom said she would meet him at the hospital.

I handed EJ W's Pop Bear so he could have it when he woke up.

Before they moved him onto the stretcher, I prayed over him quietly, "Father God, you have my son in the palm of your hand.  Please heal him Father.  Protect him Lord.  We trust you.  In Jesus Name, Amen."  I whispered, "I love you sweetie.  I will be there as quick as I can.  Daddy is with you.  Do not be afraid."

As I watched them take my baby to the ambulance my head was spinning.  I knew EJ was with him but it was breaking my heart not to be with them.  Pop and Grammy came through the door before the ambulance had even left.

"Where is he?"  Pop asked

"He is in the ambulance.  He is stable."  I answered.

"What does that mean?" Pop asked.

"He is breathing and he has a good heart rate."  I answered.

We heard Ruthie cry and Grammy went to get her.  I put my clothes on and gathered up all that I would need to get Ruthie and I to the hospital.  Grammy helped get some clothes for W to wear.  I asked Pop to text my sisters.  I fed Ruthie and then we headed out.

Pop made plans to return our RV for us. (We had rented one for our vacation)

As Ruthie and I drove to the hospital we got updates from EJ.  W woke up when they put in the IV.  He didn't know what was happening and he was scared.  The ER doctor was going to assess him soon.  I prayed as I drove.  I thanked God that EJ had pulled W into bed with us last night.  I thanked God for the calm I felt.  I thanked God for the strong and loving father that EJ is.  I thanked God for the EMS workers.  I thanked God for incredible grandparents willing to step in at a moments notice.  The tears flowed as I drove.  My God is so big and mighty.  I could feel his presence.  I prayed for healing for my baby.

When we arrived at the hospital W took one look at me and started to cry.  I hugged my little man careful not to disturb his IV or wires.  It was such a relief to see him awake.  He was glad to see his baby sister too.  He talked to her a little and told her that she could hold his Pop Bear for a minute.  So sweet!

(big yawn...he is not yelling but it looks like he is!)

EJ's Mom took care of little Ruthie while EJ and I accompanied W to his CT scan.  He did such a good job during the scan.  He was calm and quiet.  When the test was finished the nurse held up three different stuffed animals for him to choose one.  He said, "Hmmm...this one is for B, this one is for Q and I'll take this one."  I told the nurse that he has two brothers at home.  She laughed and told W that his brothers didn't have to do all this so just W gets the stuffed animal.  He chose a koala and hugged it tight.

The CT scan was clear, his blood work was good and he was doing well.  They contacted the local pediatric neurologist and got his advice on the next step.  It was decided that W would be on an anti-seizure medication until he could be assessed by the neurologist.  They warned us that the medication would probably make him sleepy.

(Playing angry birds with his Grandma)

At some point, I realized that I forgot to bring shoes for W and I forgot his car seat.  Arghhh!  Pop brought them up to the hospital.  When he arrived, W looked up from the angry birds game he was playing and hollered, "Pop!"  He climbed into Pop's arms and stayed there until we got out to the car.  Right before we put him in the car he looked at Pop and said, "Pop, want to hear a joke?"  What a goofball!

We hugged EJ's Mom and thanked her for coming.  She made plans to bring over dinner that night.  Have I mentioned that I love that woman?

Pop said he would meet us back at the house so he could pick up Grammy.  I said, "Um...can you leave her there?  I think I am going to need her." 

When we got home Grammy made pancakes for W, EJ and I.  We were glad to be home and eat a yummy breakfast.  B and Q were glad to have their brother back home!  Pop came back by to check in before he went to get some work done.  EJ headed off to work and Grammy stayed to help.  I was glad she did.  I had hardly taken a breath since we had arrived home from vacation.  I was so grateful for the extra set of hands.

Pop came back later that day to pick Grammy up.  By then, we realized that the medication was not making W sleepy.  It was having the opposite effect.  He sat with Pop and talked non-stop.  He was practically bouncing off the walls.  Apparently, some children will respond to the med by becoming hyper and irritable.  Oh goody. 

At this point, we have a neurology appointment scheduled for next week.  They will do an EEG and then we will go from there.  We don't know what caused the seizure but we do know that we can trust God completely.

Last night, we prayed together as a family.  We praised God for his protection and love.  EJ and I kept W in bed with us.  We didn't want him to be away from us in case he had another seizure.  It was more for our peace of mind than anything else.  EJ and I prayed again together before we went to sleep.  Our sleeping W between us.  I started out and prayed for a while and then EJ began to pray.  Clearly the prayer was powerful because this worried Momma drifted right off to sleep before he was done.  Even when we don't have all the answers there is peace in the Lord.

They don't even work!

When Bubba was born I did all the right things to have a successful nursing relationship.  Unfortunately, I would quickly learn that my tiny baby wasn't getting enough milk.  He was skinny and he was hungry.  Cue the mommy guilt.


Turns out that I am one of the unlucky women who has a chronic low milk supply.  I make just enough to be dangerous.  My babies latch well and they eat.  They just don't get enough.  They burn all the calories they take in while they nurse.


I mean, seriously, I've lugged these things around all these years and finally when it's their time to shine...they don't even work!


Nursing wisdom says that it is a simple case of supply and demand.  I drove myself crazy trying to up my milk supply.  I would feed Bubba, then give him a bottle, then pump.  Then I would do it all over again.  It was miserable.  I managed to nurse him as well as supplement for 3 months. 


When Wubba came (just 16 1/2 months later), I was ready.  I knew I probably wouldn't be able to exclusively nurse him but I tried my hardest.  I was armed with a hospital grade pump, a baby scale and lots of knowledge.  We did our best and we made it 6 months.  Of course, we supplemented with formula but I was prepared for that.


I knew that some women nursed their adopted children.  Mr. Q came so quickly that I didn't even have time to consider it.  Not to mention, I couldn't make enough milk for the babies I grew.  Looking back, I think it would have been a neat bonding experience for us.  However, I can definitely say that Q's infant hood was so much fun without the stress of breast feeding!


This time around I had high hopes that things would be different.  I learned that women with my particular hormonal disorder (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome) have had good luck staying on the medication we take to balance out our hormones.  In the past, I have gone off the medication in order to breast feed.  Now they tell us to stay on it and it might help.


Nope.


I was watching lil' Ruthie like a hawk.  She was having the right number of wet and dirty diapers and she seemed satisfied.  However, I recognized the skinny baby look.  My fears were confirmed when we realized that she had only gained 2 1/2 ounces in one week.  Breastfed babies should gain 4-7 ounces a week.  I immediately started offering her formula after she nursed.  Now she is gaining well.

I consulted with a couple of different lactation consultants and finally had one come to the house.  She was a wealth of information.  I loved having someone come here instead of having to drag my newborn out and about.  She weighed Ruthie before and after I nursed her.  Sure enough, only 1/3 to 1/2 of what she needed.

She helped me come up with a plan to keep Ruthie nursing while also saving my sanity.  I began taking a medication to help with my low prolactin levels.  That has increased my supply some but it is still not enough.  Now I nurse her with a supplemental nursing system so that she gets to breast feed and supplement all in the same step.  Here is what it looks like...

It is a life saver and a pain in the fanny all at the same time.  You have to be sure the tube is placed perfectly in order for the milk to flow.  It is a little tricky to latch a baby on the breast as well as place the tube.  Some days I love this thing and some days I want to throw it across the room.  Overall, it is a fantastic tool to keep Ruthie and I nursing as long as possible.

I am sad that I cannot exclusively breastfeed my baby.  I have cried a lot of tears about this issue.  It stinks when your body doesn't work like it is supposed to.  Nursing is supposed to be a simple case of supply and demand.  I don't know why it doesn't work that way for me.

Here is what I do know...

I am blessed beyond measure to have the privilege of parenting.  I have four beautiful children on this earth and three in heaven.  I have had the opportunity to carry babies in my body as well as adopt my precious Q at birth.

I will choose joy in this situation.  I will cherish nursing Ruthie even if I need a little help along the way.  She is healthy, happy and growing right on track. 

All is well. 

P.S. She is already 7 weeks old!  Time sure does fly when you are sleep deprived.  Hee Hee.