Happy Thanksgiving

We have so much to be thankful for ...

The month of November seemed like smooth sailing for us, which should have been our first sign of trouble.  The girls started the month receiving their flu shots and first of five RSV Prevention Shots - Needless to say this did not make them happy.  The girls bounced back well and were ready to take on the world.

Then right before Thanksgiving, as Adam and I were lamenting about Thanksgiving 2013, the girls got sick.  Disclaimer for those with weak stomachs, this is not pretty!!  It started off with Isabelle getting diarrhea on Friday, November 21, and of course it didn't get bad until the end of the business day.  We called the friendly after hours nurse only to be told that Miss Iz was one diaper short of requiring an emergency room visit - she only had 7 episodes of diarrhea in a four hour period, not 8.


On Saturday, everyone seemed to be feeling great.  That is until a little before 10 p.m. when I heard Miss Zoe cry.  The cry sounded different so I went to check on her and as I approached her crib, our little Miss Zoe blew chucks!  That's right folks, Zoe had her first experience with actual vomit.

To make matters worse, Cecilia decided to join in on the fun.  Cecilia thankfully I was able to get over the bathroom sink and Adam grabbed Zoe to put over the tub for her last bout - but clean up was not fun!

Three mattress protectors later, new jammies for both Zoe and Cecilia, and I had all three girls on bobby pillows in our bedroom for a late night camp out.   Gus was not thrilled as I locked him out the bedroom as I did not want him to shake and wake up the babies who needed their sleep.

Zoe asleep on top
Cecilia in leopard, Isabelle in pink

To add insult to injury, poor Adam joined the puke troop at about 5 a.m. Sunday morning.  Unfortunately for me, Adam was unable to rally and needed to stay down for the entire day in order to feel better.  This was best though as the girls were having it from both ends all day Sunday and I did not want to clean up any potential mess from Adam - let's face it parent puke is a bigger mess than baby puke.

Cecilia does not feel well

I canceled Cecilia's therapy session for Monday, not wanting to spread this illness to any other families.  Monday arrived and the girls all seemed to be feeling better.  Cecilia even ate 6 ounces of a bottle that morning.

Unfortunately, about an hour later she puked it all up and needed a diaper change.  As I was changing her I realized she was starting to get listless and feeling very warm.  A temp check showed she had spiked a fever within the hour to 103 degrees.  A quick call to the doctor and we were on our way in to have someone look at her.

Zoe & Momma waiting for Zoe's admission paperwork

Cecilia was almost immediately hooked up to an IV for bolus fluids and monitoring.  An hour later she still was not doing any better and we were told she had earned herself a stay at Hotel Mayo - Eau Claire.  Blood work was drawn showing her sodium levels and bun numbers were high causing the doctors even more concern.

Upon admission, we checked on Zoe and Isabelle, who were at home with Nanny Erika only to find out that Zoe was refusing all food and drink - her last intake was at 8 a.m. when I gave her a bottle.  Adam rushed home to check on her only to call me and say she didn't look good.

Another call to the doctor, and twenty minutes later Zoe was being seen.  Thankfully Nanny Nicole could come over to the hospital to sit with Cecilia so I could meet Adam in the clinic with Zoe.  Within 10 minutes we were told she also would be staying at Hotel Mayo - Eau Claire.  BOO!

Zoe and Cecilia playing together in the hospital
Yes we brought a pack and play!!

We were all finally settled into our hospital room at about 6:30 p.m.  Zoe was hooked up to an IV at about 10 p.m. Needless to say it was a long day followed by a long night.

Iz misses her sisters

Nannies Savanah and Courtney each pulled long night shifts on Monday and Tuesday respectively to help us with Isabelle, who had not earned an admission to the hospital.  Nanny Nicole provided me with wonderful blankets and a sweatshirt to survive the hospital, while Nanny Ashley stopped by with coffee.  Nanny Erika brought a second dose of caffeine and dinner for Adam and I on Tuesday.

Finally on Wednesday, after 48 hours of IV fluids, both Zoe and Cecilia finally started feeling better and their blood work had normalized.  Both girls were able to be discharged on Wednesday and we went home at about 7 p.m.

Zoe's feeling better

Just in time to celebrate Thanksgiving at home as a family!

Last year, Adam and I spent Thanksgiving in the NICU with Cecilia - This year, despite being sick and going to bed earlier, we happily celebrated Thanksgiving at our home with our daughters.

We have so much to be thankful for ~ four beautiful daughters, a wonderful puppy, amazing friends and family, and each other.  We could not have made it through this past year without the love and support of all of you - family, friends we have known for years and new friends who have all become family and each other.

Thank you.