Happy ST. Patrick's Day!!

Happy ST. Patrick’s Day!

Hope you're all wearing green!!

Happy to be home

After 6 nights and 7 days at the hospital we were finally able to bring Ashton home yesterday. He's still has a little ways to go before he's at 100% but he's getting better. This whole experience was a crazy whirlwind of emotions. I never dreamed he's have to be admitted to this hospital. After he got admitted I figured they'd let him go the next day... and then the next day... and then the next day... but he was such a sick little guy. We would think he was on the mend, but then the next day he'd crash again. I'm just glad he's out and feel so blessed that we have a healthy and happy little guy. We sure do love him to pieces!!

Some of the "grey clouds" of our experience:

Having to see Ashton sick in the hospital .

Having the nurse miss twice before finally getting Ashton's IV in on the 3rd try.

Having to watch Ashton have his suction treatments.

Not being able to see Justin very much .

"Sleeping" on the parent bed (not a bed... pull out chair thing) in the hospital and getting 20 minutes of sleep in a row is a good thing.

Hospital getting so full that you had to share a room.

Hospital food.

Having severe bronchitis while trying to care for your baby who's in the hospital.

Some of the "silver linings" of our experience:

Awesome staff of PCMC.

My Dad coming in to the ER and sitting with us and then giving Ashton a blessing.

My Mom finally able to come visit after her trip.

Amazing neighbors who brought (and are still bringing) dinners for our family.

Wonderful friends who visited and sent messages of love and support.

Ashton's daycare teacher who came to see him in the hospital.

Dardi, Stefan, and Karen who helped watch Ashton in the hospital while Mark and I worked.

Getting to spend almost a full week day and night with Ashton.

Mom bringing me PF Changs... mmmm. yummy!!

Having an excuse to eat a weeks worth of junk food (excuse- no fridge, no microwave).

Having time to read.

Justin getting to spend 4 of the 6 nights at Dardi and Papa's house... it was like a vacation!

Thank you again to all of you!! We love you!!

Ashton Update

Today is day number 6 at the good old Primary Children's Medical Center. They are still having to do deep suctioning, albuterol treatments, and oxygen. He's gotten his spunk back during the days and loves to play with the nurses. They brought all sorts of fun toys in for him. The struggle comes at night when he just won't breathe deeply enough and his oxygen levels plummet. They said we might get to go home tomorrow if they can convince Ashton to start drinking more, but at the moment he just thinks drinking is silly and doesn't want to play that game. They took his IV out so he's off his fluids. Their philosophy is that now he'll be thirsty and need to drink... we'll see how that goes. Thank you to EVERYONE!! I have the greatest network of friends and family members, we are truly blessed to have so many people that love and care for us.

Human Metapneumo Virus

My Ashton is sick. So sick that he's been admitted to Primary Children's Hospital for a few days. He has Human Metapneumo Virus which is kind of like RSV's less popular twin. I guess it's a relatively newly known disease (2001). He was immediately put on oxygen and has to have his "brain sucked" every couple of hours after his nebulizer treatment. It is NOT fun. So everyone send happy thoughts and prayers his way.

Welcome Baby Henry!!

I have a new nephew! My brother Dan and his wife Emily and their oldest boy Andersen welcomed a new baby boy on Monday the 16th. I'm so excited to welcome Henry David Hurst who was born weighing 7 lbs. and 1 oz and measuring 20.5 inches. I am SO SAD that they are living so far away in Erie, PA. I can't wait to meet this little guy!! Check out their blog: http://thelilhurstfam.blogspot.com