Our Little Trooper!

So this past weekend Brian, Christian and I went to visit some of our friends in Tampa, Florida. Matt and Michalene have a little boy Landon who is 2 1/2 and twin girls Mia and Ella who are 1 year old. We left early Thursday morning and had a great flight with Christian and arrived before noon. I was hoping Christian would take a nap when we got to their home, but with three new friends and a swimming pool.....there was no hope of a nap in his future! As the afternoon went by Christian became a little grumpy, so I tried to put him down for a short nap! Well, to my shock and horror he woke up with that seal bark cough.....you mothers know what I am talking about? The dreaded croup had come to visit my child and of all places at out friends house with three little ones too! I was hoping that I was wrong, but as the night progressed it just got worse and he had what they call Strider breathing. The breathing where it just sounds as if they have so much fluid in their lungs they can barely get air! Around 4:30 am I had enough and woke up Michalene to find out where the nearest hospital was that I could take him! She proceeded to tell me how horrible their ER was and if I waited three more hours I could take him to this great doctor right down the street! With great hesitation I decided to wait because sitting in the ER versus her house for a couple hours seemed more comfortable, especially for Christian. He slept on my chest for the next few hours and I cringed every time he took a breath. It just sounded so horrible and last time he had croup it was not that bad! Well as soon as the doctor opened we were there and he was seen immediately! They diagnosed him with the croup and poor baby an ear infection in each ear!!!!!! How in the world did I not know his ears were bothering him? I felt like a terrible mother! This age is so hard because they can not communicate very well and it is frustrating on both sides! We were given antibiotics and steroids for his cough and sent on our way! Christian seemed like a new guy after one dose of medicine and we decided to take him to the Aquarium to see all the fish! All the boys packed up and went on a water adventure! He came home and was just pumped up at all the fish he had seen! He loves fish! I was shocked at how well he seemed to be feeling, but unfortunately it did not last. With the croup it always gets worse at night and that it definitely did!!!!! Quickly he became very irritable and wanted to be held! Refusing to go to bed without mommy at his side and the doctors always suggest sleeping with your child that has croup because of the breathing issues they can have! Scary! We had a queen bed and it just was not enough room for three people, so Brian slept in another room. Christian tossed and turned and of course was just not getting any good rest for his little body to get better. The next day he was grumpy in the morning, but seemed better as he started to wake up.
Tampa is known for having one of the top rated children's zoos in the United States so without fail the boys packed up and went on another adventure! When 2:00 rolled around I could not believe my child was still out and still going strong? He was after all a sick baby.....having a blast with new friends and daddy! When they came home it was a battle to get him to sleep, but after while I succeeded in getting him down! Almost three hours later he woke up and seemed to be in a good mood. Yeah, the medicine was working and he would be happy tonight. I was glad because we were all going out to dinner and leaving the kids with their nanny! We decided to stay close to home in case something went wrong, but we were able to enjoy our evening! We ate at a restaurant called Capital Grill and it was wonderful! The food and the company were exceptional and it was nice to have a break from a sick child!
I got to spend alot of time with Michalene and the girls and it was fun to get a taste of the sweet girls.....after all I am about to have one! I have to tell you that they are so sweet and well behaved and talk about good eaters! I do not know what I would do with a child that actually sits down and eats a meal! They are adorable and it was fun to see two little ones running around the same size! I could never have twins! I raise my glass to all women with multiples! With double the wardrobe Michalene proceeded to stock our little girls closet with tons of clothes! She has also stocked Christian with clothes and more clothes! Michalene is so giving and I truly appreciate all she has given us and our children! I know Brian appreciates that I save money on clothes for the kids too!
Sunday morning we left and I was praying that her little ones stayed healthy and did not pick up the highly contagious croup! As of Monday they were still healthy and I have not heard anything different since then. We thanked them tons and left to come home! They were phenomenal hosts and Michalene puts me to shame with her cooking! Home cooked meals every night and from scratch if you can believe that? She made b-cue ribs one night with a sauce from scratch! Sorry Brian don't get to used to that!
An update on Christian....we went back to the doctor Monday because he was not better. They gave him an antibiotic shot and x-rayed his lungs to make sure there was nothing worse going on since three days on antibiotics had not gotten him better. We went home with ear drops for his ears, which he complained hurt him and some strong cough medicine to knock him out! He needed to sleep to get better and he had not been doing that very well! Today is Wednesday and last night he slept 13 hours straight! This morning he woke up very happy and feeling tons better! The cough is still around, but not so bad anymore! Today was back to normal and game was on for Christian! He played real hard and when I asked him if he was ready for a nap, he politely answered " No Thank You"!!!!! What? Are you kidding me? Fine.......this is not the first time that he goes without a nap during the day, but coming off being sick I could not believe his body did not need sleep! Oh well, bedtime would come early and mommy could rest! Enjoy some of the pictures. I did not go on the adventures with the boys and with him sick I did not take to many pictures, but here are a few.