Too cute!

 

Our Little Angel is Laughing!

Emma is learning how to laugh! (She gave her first real good attempts to her Grandma last week.) It's so good to see her feeling so well. She seems to be 100% again!

















 

Bronchiolitis NOT RSV

The worst things Emma had to deal with was the IV, drawing her blood, chest x-rays, urine samples through a catheter, and sucking the snot out of her nose and throat by sticking a tube down her nose and throat and suctioning it up. Poor baby! Oh yeah, and they checked her temperature every 4 hours rectally. And, she had to have a cannula in her nose to give her oxygen. Yeah, there were some traumatic times, but she was sweet whenever she wasn't being messed with! Oh, and by the way, they called her sickness Bronchiolitis (infection in her bronchiol tubes, not to be confused with bronchitis which attacks the bronchus--bigger tubes in your lungs).


I think her Daddy really missed her! This last picture is her last few minutes at the hospital today. She's such a sweetie!

By the way, the boys came to visit us Friday night and Gehrig was quite sick. They didn't get to see Emma, but I saw them for a few minutes and then sent Lou to the Urgent Care to check on Gehrig and an awful rash Damian had on his stomach. Turns out, Gehrig had strep-throat and Damian had a bad case of eczema. Yep, when it rains, it pours!! It's a bit scary being home, but we're glad to be here. 

We had the cutest nurse's aid two days in a row (Michele). She always found cute blankets to make Emma's bed with and cute outfits and bows for her to wear. On the last day, she admitted that she wanted me to leave for a bit so she could have a chance to just sit with her. She said that's the best part of the job. So. . .I left for a bit while she played with her (I really only left her bedside to shower and get food to bring up and eat with her). Michele helped two of my days go by much faster as we talked about various things and learned that although she is Lutheran and I'm LDS, we have a lot of similar beliefs. 

Emma's Residence at the Primary Children's Hospital, March 14-19th 2006

Yes, we have had a bit of an adventurous week! We noticed that Emma's breathing was labored and she was coughing a little bit, so we took her in to the doctor on Tuesday. Her oxygen was 88% and after 2 breathing treatments (albuterol in a nebulizer) she didn't improve. He sent us to the hospital. By the way, 88% is the lowest acceptable oxygen rate around here for children and they really want to see them up in the 90s to be comfortable sending them home. Anyway. . .after a grueling several hours in the ER, she was admitted to the hospital because with another treatment, she still didn't improve her oxygen levels. It took us nearly 6 days to get her well enough for the doctors to let us bring her home. We just got home this Sunday afternoon and came home with an oxygen tank to use while she is sleeping (that's when her levels decrease). We will have a follow-up appointment with her doctor on Tuesday.


The picture on the upper-left shows the stats that I got accustomed to watching. The top number is her heart rate, the middle number is her oxygen level (should be in the 90s) and the bottom number is her respiratory rate (should be lower than 60 and higher than 20).

I must admit (twist my arm to admit it), she was a favorite on our floor. The doctor told me that he had been warned that she was the cutest one there. The male nurse aid said he fell in love with her (and went home to tell his wife about the cutest baby he got to work with). Another fun nurse aid, brought her co-workers to see her. She is pretty cute!


The hospital had fun toys for her to play with.  

Emma is Sick

Poor baby. She's been so miserable for the last 2 days. The doctor says she has a virus. She's been so sweet during her illness, but tonight it's starting to get to her. She won't nurse and will only be calmed by being in her daddy's hands. Look at that sad little face. 

Brinn's Birthday Dinner

It was so fun joining Brinn & Michael at her mom's house for a wonderful birthday dinner last night. We had a great time and enjoyed seeing Brinn's cousins from the Cath & Bear family (not sure how they spell their nicknames). 

Is Brooklyn Ready for Her Little Sister?

Brooklyn is practicing her mothering skills now for her new baby sister that will be born in the next couple of weeks! (She's my brother's daughter.) Her sister will be the 4th grandchild added to my Mom's family in 3-4 months! We're excited to get another girl! 

Emma & Her Men!

Gehrig wanted me to take yet another picture with Emma. Then, of course, Damian wanted one too. And Lou just wants you all to know that Emma looks so much like him it's like he "made her himself"! :) I love how Emma is kissing him in the picture on the left! 

4 Generations of Ruths! Aunt Ruth, Claudia Ruth, Angela Ruth & Halli Ruth (I need at least one more girl so that I can use the name Ruth too!)












Brooklyn was having fun outside with the boys! What a cutie!















I love this picture of Michael & Emma! 

Mason, Carli, Gehrig & Damian, Paul & Camille 

More Pictures from Emma's Blessing Day

Uncle Gregg, Mom, Michael & Dad enjoying lunch after Church. 

Sisters--Grandma & Aunt Ruth

It was so fun to watch Grandma & Aunt Ruth with Emma. They were so darling with her. 

Kimberly Talia

Emma and I had a neat experience last night. She was able to be there when her little friend, Kimberly Talia Mendez, was born. Her mother, Mary Lynn, is our neighbor and has been such a wonderful support--we consider each other family away from family. Her husband is a trucker and wasn't able to make it home in time to take her to the hospital and be there when their daughter was born (she came almost 2 weeks early), so I had the privilege of being there with her (he was able to listen on speaker phone and we were able to send him a picture from their phone too! Isn't modern technology great!?!). I thought it was going to be a long night, but she actually had the baby about 2 hours after she checked in (at 9:57 PM)! It was an amazing experience and I'm sure the girls will be good friends--they got to start their friendship unusually early! PS The picture on the top right just shows where I had Emma sleeping--in the closet with all the birthing supplies--it was the darkest spot in the room! And by the way, Emma was her usual sweet self all night! I was so grateful that she wasn't fussy. 

Carli & Quincy

I just thought this was a cute picture of Carli & Quincy interacting just before they left for Idaho last weekend. 

Movie Day

Thinking that the weather was going to be too bad for the kids to play outside, a few of my friends and I got together yesterday and let the kids watch a movie and eat popcorn. We watched the new release, Pride & Prejudice (with MANY interruptions). Overall, I think the moms and the children all had a fun time. 

Quiet Time

Quiet time seemed uncharacteristically quiet today, so I went to check on the boys. This is what I found Gehrig doing. Studying the Book of Mormon. How cute! 

I Wish I Were a Bald-Headed Baby!

I heard Emma screaming yesterday and came running (the boys weren't around, but she sounded like she was in pain). Yep, she had grabbed hold of her hair (much like in the top two pictures) and was pulling it and didn't know to let go. Poor baby! I didn't really get a picture of her pulling her hair; just pictures of her thinking about pulling it. I love the bottom picture. She likes to "talk" to this toy as she observes the different colors and shapes. 

Best Buds

The boys cleaned their room after "quiet time" and then came out with their backpacks on. I thought they looked so cute, I had to get a picture of them. They are such cute brothers---most of the time!

 

The Angel in her Blessing Dress

What an angel Emma is! My mom made her beautiful blessing dress. Lou gave her a beautiful blessing this morning in our ward. He mentioned her great name and the people she is named after (her Grandma Harris & a great-great aunt on the Harris side). I also loved the mention of her happy soul and ability to create joy in the lives of those around her.