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the crouper cooper

Look at that face!

Our first (or my and Cooper's  first, I should say) experience with CROUP started in the wee morning hours of Thursday morning (see previous post).  Of course I didn't realize it was croup, because he hardly coughed.  Mostly he complained about hurting (he had a fever) and a sore throat.  I was thinking Strep Throat or Tonsilitis (both of which I am very well acquainted with).  By late afternoon I was VERY worried.  He'd done well all morning, but woke up from an afternoon nap in a panic.  He felt like he couldn't breathe.  His throat hurt.  He could hardly talk.  His fever was just below 100 degrees according to our thermometer, but it wasn't going down with ibuprofen and acetaminophen.  

As soon as Brent got home from work, Coop and I headed to our local Children's Hospital ER.  (I'd heard horrible stories about the ER at our local Army Facility, and didn't even try it.)  We left during prime traffic time, and it still only took 30 minutes to get there, thank goodness!  I pulled up to the complementary valet, and within 15 minutes Cooper was in his own examination room.  According to the hospital's thermometer he had a temperature of 101.1 (guess mine's a little off).  

He wasn't fond of the hospital gown, and really didn't want to take his pants off.  His trusted green quilt (thanks Grandma!) came in handy, as it always is comforting to him.  He watched a bit of Toy Story 3 on my Nano until I realized that the room had its own TV.  

After a quick exam and talk with the doctor, Cooper was given a blue popsicle, blue gatorade, and a dose of steroids.  We were good to go.  In and out within an hour.  Heavenly, really - compared to what we're used to.  

Two days later we're still struggling.  He doesn't sleep well.  It's like climbing Mt. Everest when we try to convince him to drink his medicine.  And the doctor said, "No dairy!"  Unfortunately, Cooper loves his dairy and not much else.  He's constantly asking for yogurt and cheese, and would prefer those to the popsicles the doctor recommended.  He literally spent all of today (other than when we took Mercedes to gymnastics) on the couch (including nap-time), watching movies and tv shows.  Very un-Cooper-like behavior.

Oh - and he's spread the virus into his eyes.  

Conjunctivitis in both eyes. 

 The poor kid can't catch a break!

Tonight Mercedes insisted that Cooper be given a Priesthood Blessing.  

Brent and I looked at each other thinking, "why didn't I think of that?"  

What a wonderful gift the Priesthood is.  We feel sure that Cooper will be able to rest peacefully tonight.

Just don't be dropping by anytime soon unless you'd like to be infected.  It's ugly.  

late nite

Tonight at 1:34 am, I am thankful for modern conveniences.

Ibuprofen.

The internet.

Satellite TV and a DVR.

Coop woke up coughing and couldn't stop.  And he was burning up.

When I'm sick with a fever and can't sleep I like to be distracted.

I forced the Ibuprofen down his throat and said, "this will help you to not hurt so much," when he said to me, "My whole body hurts real bad!"

Then I turned on his favorite show, "Bubble Guppies."

Right now the 6 Bubble Guppies are building Bubble Puppy's doghouse.  My kids LOVE this show.  Even Mercedes.  The show's song is very catchy.  The kids like to sing it throughout their day, and I find myself singing it now because I've heard it so much.

We're waiting for the drugs to kick in so that we can go back to sleep.

Wish us luck!

monday

Here in the dreary (for now) Pacific Northwest, we take advantage of nice weather whenever we can get it.    Although we all love living here, this winter has been tough for us.  The rain and gray skies aren't so bad... it's the staying inside ALL of the time that drives us a little CRAZY!

So when we had a break from the rain on Saturday, Brent took the kids to THREE parks (I was stuck at home preparing a primary lesson - along with being a "perfectionist" I am also a "master procrastinator").  They finally came home because, you guessed it!, it started raining.

Brent had the day off today, which left me free to finally visit the dentist (first exam and cleaning in 18 months).  He and Cooper and Lincoln played and played and played and played and played (more parks were involved).  Brent was a little surprised by just HOW much energy Cooper has.  I'm convinced that the kids' poor sleep, crankiness, whining and fighting are MOSTLY a result of being cooped up.

I pretty much spent the day in transit to or from or at the dentist.  My exam was this morning and I didn't realize until I was there that they don't schedule cleanings along with the exams (like I'm used to).  It was a great appointment though (my new dentist is also my stake president and one of the nicest people in the world) and even though I was informed that I need to invest in a night guard (grinding problems), I was relieved to find out that I have NO CAVITIES!  YAY!!  HIP HIP HOORAY!  After Endodonic Surgery in August, I was a little worried about a repeat performance in my mouth.  I was lucky that a spot opened up for a cleaning this afternoon, and I was able to get everything taken care of while Brent was home.

Tonight we had the most delicious dinner.  And so easy!  Trader Joe's Butternut Squash Ravioli is completely scrumptious.  It's like eating cake for dinner.  I boiled the pasta and then added a bit of EVOO, some chophouse seasoning, sliced Campari tomatoes and olives and voila!  The kids didn't even complain about the mixed veggies we had along with it.

Now if we can just survive FHE without getting frustrated with each other, today will be a completely perfect day.

How was your Monday?

Good luck to us and you!

very fun

I just found Lincoln and Cooper sitting in a Rubbermaid Container at the top of the stairs - poised for takeoff.  

They were about take off DOWN the stairs.  

I grabbed the tub and said, "Cooper, you can't go down the stairs in this.  It isn't safe!"

His reply?  

"Yes I can, mommy.  I've done it before.  It is very fun."

Boys are CRAZY!

Perhaps someday they'll try bobsledding.  And I'll probably have a heart attack.