There's No Place Like Home...

We're home!!! To make a long story short, Lucy is eating better, drinking better, and they sent us home today. There is a marker in the blood called the C-Reactive Protein which is an indication of infection. A normal CRP is less than one, and on Sunday night Lucy's CRP was 5+. Today it was a 1.1, so they felt it would be okay for us head home. We couldn't be happier to leave the hospital!! I'm happy to report that Lucy is more like herself today. She's even smiling and laughing. Thanks for your prayers and concern. We're exhausted, but grateful for all the amazing doctors and nurses at Primary Children's Medical Center.

The infamous comb.

See how it's bent at the bottom? Ouch.

Future doctor or nurse?

Some very welcome visitors.

More welcome visitors.

This is the regimen Lucy will be on for the next 12 days. Jordan organized the medication this way and even created a spreadsheet to keep track of how often she needs the medicine.

Can you tell we're happy to be home? (and watching the American Idol finale)

And the Saga Continues....

Well, it's Monday morning and we're back in the hospital. We had quite the night last night. As I mentioned in the previous post, the doctors sent us home from the hospital Friday night with instructions to give Lucy antibiotics and Motrin. They told us there was the possibility that an infection might set in, but that we shouldn't worry for the next couple of days. Well, she woke up Saturday morning with a low-grade fever that became much worse that night. Also, she was dehydrated because it was such a struggle to get ANYTHING down her. We tried water, formula, Pediatlyte, popsicles, bananas, applesauce, you name it. Every time we tried to feed her she would cry and cry. I became really worried Sunday night when she hadn't had a wet diaper all day long. I called my pediatrician at 9:30 and told him what was going on. He told me that he was worried that an abcess (pocket of infection) was forming where the comb impaled her. He then instructed us to take her back to Primary Children's immediately. We got to the hospital around 10:00 PM and things went from bad to worse. Lucy was SO tired and SO sick and person after person kept coming in and looking in her ears and her mouth and asking the SAME questions over and over. Then came time for them to put her IV line in. They made me hold her down while they tried placing the IV in her hand. Because she was so dehydrated the lady was unable to find the vein in her hand, so then she tried placing the IV in Lucy's foot. Once again she was unsuccessful, so the nurse came in and was finally able to place the IV in Lucy's other hand. Third time is the charm. It. was. horrible. Lucy was screaming and crying and it tore my heart out and see her so scared and hurt. After finally getting the IV in, they told us that they wanted to do a CT scan to see if an abcess was forming. They had to papoose her to the table and strap her head down to do the CT. The results of the CT scan were crazy. Apparently the comb scraped her soft palate, but actually impaled the back of her throat deeply. No wonder she's been unwilling to eat or drink!! An infection was setting in, so they said it was really good that we decided to bring her in. They decided to keep Lucy in the hospital and get her on aggressive antibiotics through her IV. The hope is that the antibiotics will keep an abcess from forming. If she starts to fever or seems to be doing worse they will do another CT scan tomorrow and probably have to do surgery to remove the abcess. We're praying that she won't have to undergo surgery. After a horrible night, they finally got us to our room at 4:00 AM. By the time they hooked her up to all the machines and evaluated her it was 5:00 AM. They only have one bed in our room, so Jordan went home to sleep and I stayed here. After three bad nights, we're all pretty exhausted. Lucy seems to be doing better since they started her on the fluids. She still isn't eating, but we're hoping to get some food down her today. Tomorrow will be a telling day. Let's hope for good news!!

Her IV. So sad!!

Last night at 4:30. She was SO tired!!

Lucy's prison cell.

Hard Lessons Learned....

Remember how I've been told multiple times not to leave my baby unattended for even a second?

I've learned my lesson.

Last night I took Lucy downstairs because she had spit up all over my shorts. I set her in the middle of our king-sized bed and handed her a little comb to keep her busy. I had my back to her for just a second while I pulled on some new pants and turned just in time to see her rolling off the bed. I wasn't too worried because I was able to break her fall somewhat, but then I saw the comb. She had landed face down and that comb was sticking out of her soft palate!!!!! (If you run finger backwards along the roof of your mouth it will suddenly become soft. This is your soft palate). I tried to stay calm but inside I was freaking out! I pulled the comb out and ran upstairs to grab Jordan. By this time Lucy was making a pitiful gurgly noise and I was scared to death. We took her down to the nearest Instacare where they took 10 minutes signing us in. After wasting our time they informed us that they didn't take our insurance and sent us down the road to the Altius clinic. While we were signing in at the Altius clinic Lucy all of a sudden started vomiting crazy amounts of blood all over Jordan. I yelled at the girl signing us in to grab the doctor NOW! He came running out and was shocked to see a little 10-month-old with blood all over her. We went back to the examination room where he tried pinning Lucy down so he could see in her mouth. I felt so helpless as she screamed and cried. She kept looking at me like, "Mom, make it stop." Finally the doctor said that we needed to take her Primary Children's Hospital. He was concerned that she would aspirate on her blood, so he called an ambulance. They strapped her little carseat to the gurney and told me and Jordan to hop in. The ride to the hospital felt forever long, but the paramedics were so wonderful to us. They were even singing little songs with us to calm Lucy down. Once we got the hospital, they signed us in quickly and then it was time for the E.R. waiting game. After about an hour a doctor finally came in to look at her. He had us pin her down while he looked at her soft palate. He informed us that she had punctured her palate, but that they would not stitch it up because they were worried about infection. He gave us some anti-biotics and told us to try and keep her comfortable. When we got home from the hospital we were all exhausted, but I knew we were in for a long night. Lucy was fevering and she just wanted us to hold her. Lucy is NOT a cuddly baby and she never lets us cuddle her, so we knew she was feeling horrible. She would fall asleep for about 20 minutes in our arms, then she would wake up whimpering. Needless to say, neither Jordan nor I got more than two hours of sleep last night. Lucy seems to be feeling a little better today, but it's been a struggle to get any food or liquid down her. Every time she swallows she grimaces and cries. The doctor said that she should be feeling much better in 2-3 days. It's going to be a LONG 2-3 days.

Alta Girls...

Do you ever have moments where you think something like, "Is it possible that I'm 25 years old and a mother? I'm pretty sure I still feel 14." Monday was one of those moments for me. I met up with my friends/roommates from my freshman year of college for a day at the zoo. As we were all pushing our strollers, making bottles, and chasing our kids around I couldn't help but think how much things have changed. Six years ago we were talking about all the cute boys in our classes and commiserating about finals. I'm so glad that we had the chance to get together. Apartment 211 forever!!!

Another Season Gone....

As I mentioned in a previous post, I snagged some Jazz playoff tickets for Jordan's anniversary present. Considering it was 10 days ago, I'm over the fact that we were swept in the series. However, can I just say that I H.A.T.E. Kobe Bryant. I am SO sick of the constant Kobe gushing during the playoffs. And if I have to see Jack Nicholson's ugly mug one more time.... Enough said. Despite the loss, it was really fun to go on a date with Jordan. We took some family pictures in our Jazz gear before the game. A week before Lucy was born, Deron Williams was signing autographs at a four-wheeler store near our house. Jordan went to the Gateway and bought this little D-Will jersey and then waited in line for two hours to get it signed. For him it was the ultimate gift of love. :)

Sorry dear Jazz. Maybe next year.

Take that Genetics!!

I'm missing a gene. The creative gene. I can appreciate the creativity of others. I even think I have a good eye for cute things. I just don't make them myself. Well guess what.......

....I made something. All by myself. Behold...

I decorated this shadow box for my mom for mother's day. I even Mod Podged the scrapbook paper on the frame!!! You know you did well when you make your mom cry. :)

You know what made my mother's day great?

Her.

Celebrating Four Years......

We celebrated our fourth anniversary this past weekend. Jordan's mom watched Lucy for us so we were able to actually have some alone time. Jordan pulled through this year and got me the gift that keeps on giving. That's right, I'm getting laser hair removal on my armpits!! I couldn't be happier considering I have a five o'clock shadow while I'm shaving my armpits. I surprised Jordan with Jazz playoff tickets (serious nosebleeders but oh well) and some new shoes. We started the weekend off with a session at the Bountiful temple. I don't know about you, but it is HARD to find time to do a session these days so it was nice. After changing and getting our bags packed we headed to the Gateway. We ate lunch at the....

and then saw......

Next we headed to Park City and checked into our hotel. After freshening up we went to dinner at.....

Oh. My. Yummy.

The next day we went shopping at the outlets. Neither of us really bought anything, but we had fun hanging out together. While we had a great time, I was REALLY ready to see my baby. I missed my bug! At this point I could go on and tell all the things I love about Jordan. But I won't, because he already knows how much I love him. It's been a great four years.

Come Again??

Nine months? My daughter is how old?!?!? How is it that nine months can seem an ETERNITY while you're pregnant, yet they FLY by once the fun part begins? Crazy. We took Lucy to her nine-month checkup yesterday and here are the stats:

Weight: 16 lbs 8 oz (9th %tile)

Height: 27.5 in (40 %tile)

That's right. Our little peanut is still as shrimpy as ever. She is still wearing size two diapers with room to spare!! (This may be due to the fact that she has inherited my bum (or the lack thereof)). We have started to dress her in 6-9 month sized clothing, but it drowns her. I'll consider it a blessing that I have such a small baby with my bad back though. Here are some things I love about Lucy at this age:

-She uses her index finger to point to everything. She loves to touch her index finger to other people's.

E.T. phone home....

-She is SO curious about EVERYTHING. I'm in for it when this girl starts crawling.

-She's a never ending stream of squeals, giggles, babbling and humming.

-She "sings" in the car.

-Lucy will sit with a basket of toys and entertain herself for 30-45 minutes at a time.

-She is still sleeping 12-13 hours every night uninterrupted and taking 3-4 naps each day.

-So far she's a great eater. She'll eat anything I throw at her.

-She waves bye-bye

-She does a happy dance whenever Jordan or I walk into the room.

-She H.A.T.E.S. to be on her stomach. Tummy time is not a happy time for Lucy Walker.

Lucy still hasn't crawled. She prefers to just scoot around on her bum. She's starting to bear weight on her arms in order to reach for toys, but she'll accidentally fall into crawling position and then the wailing begins. I documented the progression just today in fact.

Happy Lucy (pre-tummy)

Wait a second.......

Mom!!!!!!!!!!