Our little Zay...we love you!

Hmmmm...

Where do I start. Honestly, I haven't even blogged about most of the "health issues" Isaiah has been fighting for the past few months, mainly because I secretly was hoping things would just clear up, go away, and we'd keep on keeping on.

So...a little history.

Isaiah had a cough and some congestive breathing. He started having this back in February. We basically blew it off as a cold, knowing that babies generally catch a lot of colds in the first year of life. When it didn't go away for a few weeks we decided that he probably should be seen by a doctor...just in case. Took him to the doctor, he was seen by a different Dr. because our Dr. was out of the office. Was told, it was indeed just a cold. Give it some time and he will get over it.

We went on with life, dealing with the rattle in his chest and the coughing fits.

When we took Isaiah in for his 4 month appointment, our Dr. mention his breathing was still pretty wheezy. He asked if his cough was better since the last time he was seen by the other doctor, which it wasn't. And so our Dr. was a little concerned with how long this was hanging on. And of course I felt terrible for not knowing that I should be more concerned about this.

What could this be? Dr. thought it's one of three things...Acid Reflux (Isaiah generally spits up quite a bit, and sometimes throws up, but again I've been told by many people the formula can cause this), Asthma, or Allergies.

We start him on breathing treatments 3 times a day and steroids to try to get this cough and congestive breathing under control. As well as antibiotics, for a small red spot on his bottom.

About a week later we have a follow up visit with the Dr. so he can see how Isaiah is improving. Dr. is still concerned with his wheezing, and actually listened to him while he ate to see if acid reflux could be ruled out. Has some concerns that it could be something to do with how he is digesting or spitting up his formula. He takes a chest xray and orders an "upper GI". This comes back normal. It's not acid reflux.

One down...two more to go.

At this point, Dr. decides to do another round of steroids and start us on a new breathing treatment (inhaled steroids, which he can be on for a longer period without the risk of oral steroids). He also talks to the allergist, which will not see Isaiah until he is at least 6 months old.

So, we now do these stronger breathing treatments once a day, they have to be done before he eats, because if the "stuff" he inhales sits in the back of his throat it can cause thrush.

Since starting these new breathing treatments, I would say his coughing is better, but not gone. He has more trouble in the morning and evening with his coughing, so we basically have no explanation for his weird rattling breathing and random coughing. Possibly asthma. Possibly allergies (hopefully not to dogs)!

So....that brings us to this weekend.

We decided to make a long weekend at Lake Delhi for Memorial Day weekend. When I picked up Isaiah from daycare on Friday, we were on our way out of town. Lori mentioned to me that it looked as though Isaiah might have another one of those red bumps on his bottom. Shane had pointed it out the night before, so we ran home and grabbed the leftover antibiotics from the last time and the Motrin.

When we got to Delhi, we decided to take a look at his little bump. It looked a bit like a huge pimple with a head on it. Shane squeezed it and tons of puss came out of it. (s0rry for the graphic description) Anyway, we decided we would call our doctor's office and see if we could use the leftover antibiotic we had from the last time he had one of these bumps.

Doctor on call told us that he would just call in a new prescription for us. Picked up the prescription, got him started on it. About 10:00 last night Isaiah started running a fever. We gave him some Motrin, and mommy and him cuddled all night. We managed to get a little sleep, however as the hours went on the red spot on his bottom got bigger, harder, and Isaiah was in so much pain if we touched anywhere near his right hip area.

We called a friend of my parents who works up at the Manchester clinic and bless her...she met us at the clinic to take a look at him. At this point he was feverish again and so unhappy.

She takes one look at it and immediately grabs another doctor, they both agree it needs to be opened up and drained. Ugh. My poor baby! We help hold our little guy down while they literally take a scalpel and make two slices in his bottom... They did give him a shot to numb the area, but I can tell you there was no doubt he was feeling so much pain. I don't think I've ever heard my little boy cry like that. I cannot explain how much it hurt me to watch as they had to slice him open and then take a scissors-like tool to open the wound and squeeze out all the gross stuff inside there. (again, sorry for the graphic!) They packed it, so the wound would stay open and continue to drain over the next few days.

They took a culture of it and we have to wait until Tuesday or Wednesday to get the results back. Their prediction of what this is. MRSA...once again MY POOR LITTLE BABY. I didn't even know what she was talking about or what how serious MRSA can be. I pray that this isn't what it is, but the doctor sounded pretty sure that it represented MRSA.

Oh man, my heart just breaks for my little boy. I seriously pray that his life only gets easier after this first year of life. He's such a trooper. His pain tolerance amazes me and also just makes me sad. He's had to deal with so much in just 5 months of life.

I pray that Shane and I can continue to keep our calm with all this happening to our little guy. I keep telling Shane that I'm so happy he is my husband, because I truly have no idea I would get through all this without the help, support, and love from him. Even though our genetics might be bad when they are combined (so sorry, Isaiah), it seems like God gave us each other to live through all this together.

And we will keep fighting for our little boy. We will measure out all his food at every meal. We will crush his thyroid pill everyday. We will give him heal pricks twice a week. We will give him breathing treatments everyday. We will give him antibiotics until his sore little bottom is better. We will take him to the doctor again and again. We won't complain that he still doesn't sleep through the night. We will hold him and love him every single day. We will thank God for giving us such a blessing when he gave us Isaiah. We've learned so much in our 5 months of parenting and although we don't understand why our little guy has to go through all this, we know that it is going to be ok.

And I truly believe that all that matters is...

I have Isaiah.

So what if he has PKU. So what if he has hypothyroidism. So what if he needs breathing treatments. So what if he might have MRSA. He is healthy. He is happy. He is normal. He is the light of Shane and my life. He is perfect. And he is here.

In our home. In my arms. He is here.

We love you so much, Zay!

Cereal

On Isaiah's 5 month birthday we tried rice cereal for the first time...this is a big step for all of us. The official beginning of solid foods! We will be watching Isaiah's PKU levels closely to see if he continues to tolerate the same amount of Phe as he has been with his formula. Let the adventures with food begin!! :)

Isaiah's first spoonful of cereal...

"What are you feeding me?"

"Hmmm...this is pretty good, let me help you get it to my mouth faster!"

"Uhhh, Isaiah, I think you have a little something on your face..."

Sitting up!

Isaiah is getting really good at sitting up on his own...

Look at this big boy!

Then he reaches for Bailey...

And this happens... :)

My new swing...

Isaiah got a new swing in his Easter basket this year and Shane put it up last weekend...he loves it! Thanks Grandma Becky and Papa Jim! :)

Looking pretty happy...

Weeeeee!

5 Months Old!

A Tooth!!!

Yep...that's right, Isaiah's first tooth is coming in! And we wouldn't even know it unless we felt his gums, because he hasn't been fussy at all! He's got one tooth on the bottom that you can feel and see and the tooth right next to it can be seen too! He's growing up too fast! :)

Here's a video of Isaiah playing with dad tonight!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

First and foremost to my mom and Shane's mom! It's such a blessing to have such great role models and being a new mom, I now understand the challenges and blessings that come with motherhood! Thanks for bringing us into this world, raising us, loving us, and teaching us...we are so blessed with great moms!!!

Also happy mother's day to all my "mommy friends"! It's so great to have a network of friends that are in this journey of motherhood with me! I love talking about everything from dirty diapers to raising our babies to love Christ. From silly to serious, I love having "mommy discussions" with my small group girls, co-workers, daycare provider, college friends, neighbors, and even the random moms I meet in Target! Happy Mother's Day to you all!

My son and husband have given me an AMAZING Mother's Day weekend! Shane has blessed me with some extra sleep (waking up with Isaiah for 2 nights in a row...we usually switch every other night, but he took on a double shift this weekend!). He's pampered me with breakfast the past two mornings (getting Johnson's bakery for me this morning! Ha!). He helped Isaiah go shopping for a very cute Mother's Day present for me. He bought me cards! And he's over all just been a very sweet husband this weekend!! Thank you, honey! :)

Lori sent this cute little card home with Isaiah on Friday...she said he worked very hard on it! So cute...thanks, Lori! :)

The cute little jewelry box and bracelet from Isaiah.

The oh-so thoughtful card from my husband!

Ok, so he did really get me a thoughtful card...just had to give me a funny one too! :)

"Before you were conceived, I wanted you. Before you were born, I loved you. Before you were an hour old, I would die for you. This is the miracle of life."

Thanks for letting me be your mom, Isaiah! I love you! :)

Our cute little Isaiah...

Like Father, Like Son

You may not know what's going on here...

But my boys are watching a Laker's game...imagine that! :)

PKU Cooking Class

Last weekend Shane and I, along with Grandma Judy & Becky and Papa Jim all went to a cooking class for in Coralville specifically focused towards the PKU diet. Not only was it great to learn to cook some of the recipes Isaiah will be able to eat, it also was great because we got to EAT some of the food! All of the dishes basically had fruits and vegetables as the main ingredient, but we also were able to try some of the homemade lo-protein tortillas and the lo-protein pasta. Surprisingly most of the food was really pretty good. Definitely a little different tasting than what we are used to, but definitely edible. It was also eye opening to know how long it takes to prepare meals...lots of chopping veggies and making everything from scratch!

We also learned a lot from the other families that attended. We met a lot of older kids (ages 12-16ish) that have PKU and talked to them about how they handle the diet, etc. I was certainly impressed by everyone there...both parents and kids. I'm amazed at the discipline these young kids have. I'm also convinced that Isaiah will be a stronger person for having PKU...and so will I. :)

Waiting to leave for Coralville! I think Isaiah's talking away here!

Hanging out with Grandma Becky and Papa Jim...

Some of the food we made!