Croup

Went to the Dr. today and it's croup. Been the culprit all along. The steroids are causing him to have "roid rage", however. He is totally not himself. And just about the time he perks up and peels away from me, it's time for another dose. Just have to deal for a few more days, and then Lord willing, we will all be back to tip top shape.

Sick, sick boy...

Well, it's appearing like the hives weren't allergy related, but maybe more viral. Honestly, I have absolutely no clue what is going on with my baby right now, but it has been a very rough week. The hives continued to get worse and we can't pin point the cause. Benadryl wasn't phasing them, and then he spiked a fever. By the time I got to him at the sitter yesterday, he was on fire, had red spots from head to toe, and he was lathargic. It kinda scared me. I had called the Dr. and gotten some scripts, so luckily those eventually gave him a little relief.

When he woke up this morning, he looked great!!! I was excited that we were back on the right track. Then he got fussy, I gave him a bottle, and the spots started to come back. Not nearly as bad, though. The steroids seem to be keeping them at bay. For the majority of the day, he did really well. Took great naps, ate fine, played fine. Then all of a sudden this afternoon after lunch (chicken, a little green beans, and juice...followed by a 4 oz. bottle b/c he was still hungry), he started SCREAMING. It was a scream I hadn't heard before. Wasn't a hungry cry, and wasn't even his typical pain cry. But my baby was clearly in pain and wanted his momma. I gave him Tylenol and Orajel, thinking it could possibly be the two teeth I see sticking out. Didn't help. He was curling up, so I gave him gas drops thinking maybe he had some stuck. Didn't help. I danced and rocked him back and forth, and eventually got him to calm down enough to fall asleep. Didn't last long, and the screaming started again. I was just about to take him to Urgent Care, thinking he may have developed an ear infection, when...he ripped two big farts. That seemed to do the trick. lol!

So I'm absolutely clueless as to what all is or was going on with him. I just want my healthy, happy baby back!!!!!!

Day at the Museum

Thanks to Traci's membership, Rylan and I got to enjoy the day on Friday at the Children's Museum. It had been years since I was last there, and let me tell ya...it's just as fun for the adults as the kiddos! ;-) I was beyond impressed with the play areas/interactive exhibits. Rylan was on Cloud 9 the whole day! It was great enjoyment for me to watch him have so much fun. We are contemplating buying our own membership now.

We've discovered an allergy...

This is about mid-level. They get much worse than this at times. Still don't know the exact culprit, but seeming like it is something in the Meijer brand formula. The kid has been on generic formula his whole life, so it must be some ingredient/preservative that Meijer uses that Wal-Mart and Kroger do not. Very interesting. We'll obviously cease and desist with using that brand of formula, but wonder what else the mystery ingredient is in.

Odds n' Ends

Went to Winamac this weekend to meet Jaybin Martin Hines

While there, we went out for breakfast...Rylan had trouble deciding what he wanted.

Rylan was growing wings and the cowlick was outta control, so we went for haircut #2.

That's better!!

Playing with Daddy's hat..."Yo, yo. I'm outta here!!"

Teething Survival Kit

Rylan is working on cutting his two bottom teeth. They started bugging him last weekend, and they still aren't through. He is a drooling, chewing fool! I'm glad that he's getting some now, though, as I was almost 14 months before I cut my first one and the dentist ended up pulling most of my baby teeth.

He's into everything these days. It cracks me up when he tries to crawl really fast. He moves his little legs and arms as fast as he can and still moves at snail pace. ha! He will only pull himself up to his knees...he all of a sudden refuses to stand. So guessing we'll be in the crawling phase for several more months. It's so fun to watch him develop right in front of our eyes. He learns something new every day I swear! He actually relates "Mom", "Ma", "Dad", and "Da" to us (not neccessarily the right one) now. He loves to make the "t", "s", and "th" sounds. He's really into trying to figure out relationships...he'll pick up two toys and try to figure out how they go together. Most of the time they don't, but it's still really cute to watch him study them!! :-)

Conference of the Cousins

"Boys, this is what we're gonna do..."

Rylan objects!

"If you aren't going to listen, I"m leaving!"

"YES!!!!!!"

My sister took these pics while she was watching Rylan for me the other day. Thought they were pretty cute and told an honest-to-goodness typical story. I LOVE Ry's expression in the last one!

He has been cracking us up lately. He's learning some new tricks, and he has been giggling a lot more. The mischievous child is most definitely coming out...we have to keep a close eye on him because whatever the one thing that you don't want him to get...he gets! He's a better vacuum than the fancy Dirt Devil I swear!

There are times where I look at him and wonder how it is possible to love someone so much. The kind of love that makes your heart swell up so much it hurts. I read stories of families like this and can't fathom it. While I know it is only by the grace of God and the hope of Heaven you ever get through it, I still pray that we will never have to experience this kind of heartache here on earth!!

Jake turns the big 0-1!!

The birthday boy himself!

Enjoying some cake...with a little encouragement from Aunt GiGi! ;-)

Mom finally said enough, so here's the finished product.

Rylan really enjoyed the party!!