What is RSV?
RSV is a respiratory illness and stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus. It can be very serious in young children. Most often treatable with oxygen therapy, and sometimes nebulizer treatments to assist with opening the airways. Some children need to be hospitalized for these treatments and monitoring.
Our son at the age of 6 months acquired a cold which very quickly, less than 24 hours, turned into RSV. He started with a cough, had difficulty getting breaths in and got a fever. We had taken him to our urgent care on a Sunday morning and at that point did not test him for RSV. By 4 am the next morning he was having issues with getting breaths in and had a fever. We contacted our on call nurse at our clinic and were advised to call 911 because of the difficulty in breathing. When we arrived at the ER by ambulance his temp was 102.6 and his saturation level (blood oxygenation level) was at 88 percent. They immediately did an x-ray of his lungs and a nose swab for RSV, Influenza and pneumonia. After a short wait we were told he was positive for RSV and were going to admit him. He needed the oxygen therapy and monitoring. It was not until 31 hours later that his oxygen level was at 96 percent without the oxygen therapy. The other thing to note is; dehydration. He was not feeding well at all and had very dry diapers (13 hour dry/non-wet diaper). They watch for the level of dehydration and keep track of intake and out-take; because he started feeding somewhat more and had a small increase in a wet diaper they felt that he did not need to have supplements of water and such. After a 36 hour hospitalization we were released to come home, but to continue the nebulizer treatments to keep the airways open. As I write this, we are 72 hours + past the beginning of the hospital stay. Apparently it can take 5 - 15 days to recover from RSV. Infants less than 6 months are even at higher risk. Our daughter also had RSV at 2 weeks of age and was hospitalized for 5.5 days and took at least 15 days to recover or more.
For a parent or loved one caring for children, it can be difficult to go through things such as hospital stays or taking care of very sick children. Please try to support those that you know are going through such a difficult time, no matter what the illness/disease is, support is a positive need. When your child is suffering it is hard to know what to do at times, because children cannot always tell you exactly what is going on, especially if they are non-verbal. Trust your instinct and listen to their cues. You are the loved one who knows them best, if they are acting different you will know. Sharing this with the medical professionals assists them in their diagnosis and if you need a second opinion, get one. You are the advocate and their wonderful loving parent.
Here are a couple of websites to go to for more information on RSV.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_respiratory_syncytial_virus
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/respiratory-syncytial-virus/DS00414
Blessings on being a parent and/or loved one, Katie
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Moby Wrap...Because you asked!
What is a Moby Wrap?
A Moby Wrap is something you where to hold your baby. It is a type of baby carrier. I have two friends that introduced me to the product. Thank you Heather Madigan and Jennifer Ramji!
When I had my fourth child I was having a conversation with a friend about all the walking I was going to do later that week and that I did not want to use a stroller. Using a stroller was not going to be conducive to the environment where we were going. She said do you have a carrier? I said yes but one I do not like. She mentioned that she had a wrap that I could borrow. I did and both my baby girl and I loved it a ton!! When we had our most recent child it was goal of mine to purchase one. It is so comfortable and easy to wear.
If you have a baby or toddler check out mobywrap.com. It works for children up to 35 pounds.
Blessings, Katie
A Moby Wrap is something you where to hold your baby. It is a type of baby carrier. I have two friends that introduced me to the product. Thank you Heather Madigan and Jennifer Ramji!
When I had my fourth child I was having a conversation with a friend about all the walking I was going to do later that week and that I did not want to use a stroller. Using a stroller was not going to be conducive to the environment where we were going. She said do you have a carrier? I said yes but one I do not like. She mentioned that she had a wrap that I could borrow. I did and both my baby girl and I loved it a ton!! When we had our most recent child it was goal of mine to purchase one. It is so comfortable and easy to wear.
If you have a baby or toddler check out mobywrap.com. It works for children up to 35 pounds.
Blessings, Katie
Monday, October 31, 2011
Halloween fun.....not scary!!
Our kids are not big on scary, spooky or violent!
Here are some fun things that are not scary to make Halloween enjoyable for all!!
Watch your favorite Halloween special while having your favorite snack. Have a before bed snack or afternoon snack on a blanket in the living room....a fun picnic for everyone!
Carve, draw, paint or dress up your pumpkin! Display for all to see!
Attend a trunk for treats or start one up at your local church or organization. A safe alternative to traditional trick or treating.
Do a costume parade and video tape it for your far away family.
Make it a fall fest event or dress up in the career you want to be...instead of calling it Halloween.
Whatever you do...have fun and be safe!
Here are some fun things that are not scary to make Halloween enjoyable for all!!
Watch your favorite Halloween special while having your favorite snack. Have a before bed snack or afternoon snack on a blanket in the living room....a fun picnic for everyone!
Carve, draw, paint or dress up your pumpkin! Display for all to see!
Attend a trunk for treats or start one up at your local church or organization. A safe alternative to traditional trick or treating.
Do a costume parade and video tape it for your far away family.
Make it a fall fest event or dress up in the career you want to be...instead of calling it Halloween.
Whatever you do...have fun and be safe!
Easy quesadillas!
Take the ingredients below times the amount of people to serve.
2 softshell (flour or corn)
1 tablespoon salsa
your favorite cheese enough to cover most of the bottom softshell without overlapping
can add your favorite meat (chicken, turkey, beef)
On bottom softshell place cheese on bottom then top with meat and or salsa. Cover with other softshell. Heat on microwave safe plate for 45 seconds or until cheese is melted. Cut with pizza cutter into desirable number of pieces. Can top with more salsa and or sour cream.
Serve hot with your favorite fresh fruit and beverage!
It is as easy as that, ENJOY!!
2 softshell (flour or corn)
1 tablespoon salsa
your favorite cheese enough to cover most of the bottom softshell without overlapping
can add your favorite meat (chicken, turkey, beef)
On bottom softshell place cheese on bottom then top with meat and or salsa. Cover with other softshell. Heat on microwave safe plate for 45 seconds or until cheese is melted. Cut with pizza cutter into desirable number of pieces. Can top with more salsa and or sour cream.
Serve hot with your favorite fresh fruit and beverage!
It is as easy as that, ENJOY!!
Snacktime! Cracker pizzas for one!
Take the amount below times your snackers and that is how much you will need!
Most kids over age 2 can make their own!
4 crackers of choice
4 small slices of cheese of choice that fits on top but not overlapping cracker
4 small slices of meat (ham, turkey, pepperoni, etc)
OR
4 slices of a veggie (green pepper, onion, carrots-really small not circular pieces) or fruit - pineapple
Place on microwave safe dish and heat for about 30 seconds, until cheese has melted.
Serve with your favorite fruit and juice or water.
Walla! Enjoy!
Most kids over age 2 can make their own!
4 crackers of choice
4 small slices of cheese of choice that fits on top but not overlapping cracker
4 small slices of meat (ham, turkey, pepperoni, etc)
OR
4 slices of a veggie (green pepper, onion, carrots-really small not circular pieces) or fruit - pineapple
Place on microwave safe dish and heat for about 30 seconds, until cheese has melted.
Serve with your favorite fruit and juice or water.
Walla! Enjoy!
Mexican Night at Home! Fun Easy and Healthy Too! Tacos or Burritos
We have made these a few times with our children. This recipe can be adapted for Tacos of Burritos!
Tip: Washing hands first ~ Children helpers ages 3 and up can help measure and add ingredients, stir and help get ingredients out of the fridge. We do the chopping they do the measuring. We do this at the table or breakfast bar so it is at their level. They can also help fill their own tacos at the table. We remind our children that when eating the tacos (hardshell) that they may break and that is ok. If it happens to us we show them how to eat it if it does break. We have had big tears at the table when their prize taco starts to break when they are eating it! Helping them understand that even the adult eating the taco ends up with a messy one too!!
What you will need:
Serves 6
Cook one cup of rice with salt and pepper. Let sit and fluff with fork. May need to add a little olive oil or butter to loosen up rice for easy spooning! Set aside.
1 pound of browned hamburger (we use lean ground chuck)
2 Tablespoons of your favorite tomato juice
2 Tablespoons your favorite mild salsa
1 Teaspoon chili powder
1/2 Teaspoon salt
1/2 Teaspoon black pepper
1 Teaspoon sugar
Brown hamburger and drain. Add all of the other ingredients and heat thoroughly. Set aside.
One can of black beans with 1/2 cup of salsa and one chopped up tomato. Heat thoroughly and set aside.
Chop up lettuce and tomatoes for topping and shred your favorite cheese.
Tacos...hard or soft shell. May be warmed in oven, 200 degrees for about 15 minutes. Hard shells on a flat large pan. Soft shells flat in a small glass or metal pan with an equal size pan sitting on top to keep the moisture in and flat.
We make the rice and beans as our children do not always want the meat. We do have a child that can be sensitive to textures. The rice and beans offers a vegetarian option that still has protein. Some mix the rice and bean mixtures together, but some really prefer it to be separate. If you wish to mix them together....you mix the bean mixture in after the rice is cooked and fluffed, then you reheat it thoroughly.
We hope you enjoy your Mexican night at home!!
Tip: Washing hands first ~ Children helpers ages 3 and up can help measure and add ingredients, stir and help get ingredients out of the fridge. We do the chopping they do the measuring. We do this at the table or breakfast bar so it is at their level. They can also help fill their own tacos at the table. We remind our children that when eating the tacos (hardshell) that they may break and that is ok. If it happens to us we show them how to eat it if it does break. We have had big tears at the table when their prize taco starts to break when they are eating it! Helping them understand that even the adult eating the taco ends up with a messy one too!!
What you will need:
Serves 6
Cook one cup of rice with salt and pepper. Let sit and fluff with fork. May need to add a little olive oil or butter to loosen up rice for easy spooning! Set aside.
1 pound of browned hamburger (we use lean ground chuck)
2 Tablespoons of your favorite tomato juice
2 Tablespoons your favorite mild salsa
1 Teaspoon chili powder
1/2 Teaspoon salt
1/2 Teaspoon black pepper
1 Teaspoon sugar
Brown hamburger and drain. Add all of the other ingredients and heat thoroughly. Set aside.
One can of black beans with 1/2 cup of salsa and one chopped up tomato. Heat thoroughly and set aside.
Chop up lettuce and tomatoes for topping and shred your favorite cheese.
Tacos...hard or soft shell. May be warmed in oven, 200 degrees for about 15 minutes. Hard shells on a flat large pan. Soft shells flat in a small glass or metal pan with an equal size pan sitting on top to keep the moisture in and flat.
We make the rice and beans as our children do not always want the meat. We do have a child that can be sensitive to textures. The rice and beans offers a vegetarian option that still has protein. Some mix the rice and bean mixtures together, but some really prefer it to be separate. If you wish to mix them together....you mix the bean mixture in after the rice is cooked and fluffed, then you reheat it thoroughly.
We hope you enjoy your Mexican night at home!!
Why do we love being parents?
Many think that we are crazy for love being a parent of our now family of five. Because we take each child as they come and feel that we are blessed to have them part of our lives enriches our very being and our "family". We chose to get married and have children. Why wouldn't we love it? Each day is filled with memories, laughter, tears and yes, those difficult moments of behavior challenges. We have young kids and we want to be able to look back and say that we loved being a parent no matter the struggle or success. We are not afraid to admit that we believe God has blessed us with these wonderful children. Couples are blessed all the time with the chance to become a parent whether through adoption, foster parenting or biological conception. We try to take our gifts that God has given us and apply those to how we can be the best parent to our children. We strive to be better parents each day with consistency, balance and prayer.
Our goal with the blog is to provide fun, interesting information ~ whether it be activities to do with your children, fun creative meals that kids will eat, time for mom or dad, or something miscellaneous that we want to share.
Blessings to you and thanks for checking in on our blog.
Love, Scott and Katie
Our goal with the blog is to provide fun, interesting information ~ whether it be activities to do with your children, fun creative meals that kids will eat, time for mom or dad, or something miscellaneous that we want to share.
Blessings to you and thanks for checking in on our blog.
Love, Scott and Katie
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