Long Days, Short Years: August 2016

After a good run of almost 6 months, Bruiser's asthma flared out of control and we earned 2 ER trips and a one-night admission to our local children's hospital. Even though we are very skilled in managing his asthma, it still surprises me how quickly it comes on and how quickly he goes downhill!

A bit of history...

Bruiser had frequent ear infections and then tubes as an infant/toddler. He also had several ER visits due to croup. His second day of kindergarten landed him in the PICU with a massive asthma episode. That year was rocky but we got him on a good management program with exasperations every few months. He's had 2 PICU stays and now 3 regular floor admissions. He's had one episode of pneumonia and one time that required magnesium to control his asthma. Luckily, he's had no intubations! His actual diagnosis is severe persistent asthma...the worst it can be.

So this time he started with cold symptoms and we started his sick plan. We struggled through Friday and saw little improvement. We did a sick visit on Saturday to the pediatrician, where they prescribed steroids and diagnosed an ear infection (and flushed out a massive glob of ear wax...no wonder he never heard me calling him!!!!!)

By Sunday afternoon we were seeing no improvement even after 2 doses of steroids. So off to the ER he and I went. He immediately was put in a room and began 3 rapid dual-nebulizer treatments. He improved slightly and I had a serious conversation about how I felt about managing him at home. I felt comfortable and we headed home with a different steroid. I had high hopes for good things :)

Sadly, by the time Daddy returned home from work the next day...this is where we ended up! Daddy walked in the door and Bruiser and I walked out..

This time he was maxed out on steroids and back on high volume duel-nebs. We waited in the ER for a room to be ready and headed up to our accommodations around 10pm.

We spent a lot of quality time together!

And Mommy watched his pulse-ox and elevated heart rate...that albuterol does quite a number to you!!! For a high-energy kid, hopped up on steroids and inhalers, he was very sedate...just another sign he was feeling pretty yucky :(

When you are trapped in a room and in bed (all the meds made him a fall risk and he had to be hooked to the monitors), Mommy lets you play Pokemon Go to entertain yourself :) These are the pictures I later found on my phone...

I am happy to say that we were released after one night and many many many treatments. He continued meds and treatments for a week longer at home and has recovered well. There's still a bit of PTSD in him...he's terrified that if he's not close to me I won't know if he's having trouble breathing...but we're working on that!

We had the best vacation as a family plus Papa to Washington DC! It was hot and we walked miles (we have Fitbits to prove it!) but we saw so much and had the best time. There were few arguments, lots of flexibility (which is something some people in our family struggle with!), and great memories!

Here are the pictures to show our trip...excuse the weird order - Blogger was acting up!!!

After a hot first day Bubba and Sassy were relaxing while Papa and I unloaded the car. Daddy had taken the two older kids to the Spy Museum while we explored the Newseum and headed back to relax at the hotel.

Fountains were made for splashing!

Bubba was all about the maps!

Bubba and Sassy were trying out for the news!

We spent out first day exploring the Newseum and loved seeing all things news!

The map!

Waiting to see the 4D movie!

In an actual TV studio with the capitol in the background.

Seeing Papa's paper in digital form on display at the Newseum...with his face on the front page :).

This is where the pictures get funny...these are from our drive to Papa's house before we left for DC.

Love how my children slept in the oddest positions!!!

After settling into the hotel the first night, I enjoyed a glass of wine and some reading time :)

Day 2 was HOT, HOT, HOT!

And this was Sassy's opinion of it!

(And if anyone's recalling, she had a similar reaction on Day 2 of our Disney trip!!!)

We spent this very hot day walking the National Mall to see the monuments.

All the kids were set on seeing the Lincoln Memorial and Daddy wanted to go to the top of the Washington Monument...all accomplished!

It was so hot and I didn't have a hair tie to pull my hair up...because I never do!...that I had to buy a hat to hold my hair up! Comfort surpassed fashion this day!

Love this of my boy!

After touring the monuments, we needed to cool off desperately! We ventured into the Holocaust Museum and worried how appropriate it was for the kids but needed the AC!!!! I am happy to report that the museum did an amazing job with a children's display that was honest and truthful but at the right level for the kids. It was excellent!

Daddy also grabbed us tickets to tour the US Mint...but we missed our time due to distance and heat. Sadly, this happened again the next day!!!! Poor Daddy added extra steps to his fitbit for nothing :)

While the big kids went with Daddy and Papa to tour the Washington Monument, Bubba and I explored the Museum of American History. This was in a small children's section that was all hands-on...Luke loved it! And he was in his diaper because there was a diaper malfunction and Mommy never packs a change of clothes for the 4th child :)

Riding a subway...

Seeing a train...

The Museum of Natural History

We ended the day with an early dinner at a fabulous BBQ place (with sangria and beer!) and a walk back to the hotel in the rain!

Day 3 we had a tour scheduled at the Capitol and decided to squeeze in the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court while we were already at the top of the Hill! We loved seeing all the political buildings...and I have more pictures on my big girl camera, whenever I get around to uploading them :)

Sassy settled right in!

Then we ended the afternoon with a trip to the Air and Space Museum...everyone's favorite!

They loved the space toilets!

And Bubba loved this display!

And he kept saying "Mama, you buy me this?"

Day 4 = tired boy

One more item checked off my bucket list!

The National Cathedral was amazing!

As we were leaving, we started down the stairs to the underground parking garage...I assumed Daddy had Bubba and he assumed I had Bubba. Well, halfway down the stairs, we hear a little voice from the top of the stairs "Mama?"...we had forgotten our youngest child!!!!!! Parents of the Year!

We ended the trip with a little Chick-fil-a and Fitbit comparisons!

And this guy fell asleep right before we got home...of course!

After a night back at Papa's house, we were up bright and early to head to our favorite local amusement park! My parents grew up just miles from it, visiting regularly and even working there through school. I spent many summer visits there and now my children are building the same memories!