Well, it looks like croup is visiting the Gibbins house again this year! Reef went to bed Thursday with just a little runny nose but woke up at 11 gasping for breath and barking like a seal. I hate hearing that sound over the monitor!! Now that he's older, it was a lot harder to calm his panic, and for a little while, I thought we might need an ambulance. We were able to calm him down after a few minutes in the cool night air but he was still barking, so I knew we were headed to the ER.
Troy called our friends, the Chapmans, and luckily Monica zipped right over to stay with Jonas and Lachlan, so we could both take Reef to the ER.
Less than a mile from the hospital, there was a major car accident and our side of the road was closed!! Troy spoke with a police officer (Reef thought the cars were super cool and calmed down so much I wondered if we even needed the ER!), and he directed traffic so we drive on the wrong side of the road to make it to the hospital.We chose Stone Oak Methodist for this visit since it's so close and we were hoping our friend, Bob, was working. We lucked out, and Dr. Bob was there to fix us up!
Reef did great through his racemic epinephrine nebulizer and steroid dose and was all clear only 15 minutes later. He was so funny-he pointed to the TV and, with a twinkle in his eye, said, "So, does that TV work?" Since Bob knew we lived close by and would come back at the first sign of more trouble, he let us leave without waiting the usual 3 hours after the treatment. We were so thankful to be back home so quickly, and the other boys never even knew we were gone! On the way home, Reef said, "I hope Jonas and Lachlan had a good time." He was definitely not aware it was the middle of the night!
Friday was a little rough, with both me and Troy being very tired and both boys being pretty whiny. Reef didn't understand why he couldn't run around like usual. Today his energy is back but the cough is really kicking in. Lachlan and Jonas have also inherited the green, snotty noses, so I'll have my hands full for a few days!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Northside Family Retreat
After much debate, we decided to brave the Family Retreat last weekend, and I'm so glad we did. Our friends thought we were crazy!! Even after signing up, I couldn't decided if I really wanted to go, especially after it rained all day Thursday and Friday with more predicted for Saturday.
After a morning with Lachlan at the xray place, we loaded up the van with everything we needed (and much much more!) Friday afternoon and headed out. The plan was for Reef and Jonas to nap the whole way, but it ended up being only a 45 minute nap for them. Not a good way to start things off. We got to HEB camp about 3 and had plenty of time to explore and get used to the cabin before bedtime. We played tetherball, looked at the river, found worms, and played some soccer. I think the highlight of the afternoon for Reef was the arrival of Miss Kellie, his teacher last year at preschool. He was attached to her the rest of the trip!
Bedtime was definitely a challenge, even though they were both sooo tired and we let them stay up an extra hour. Reef settled down pretty quickly but Jonas was a different story. He had such a hard time with all the new-ness: we put him in a big bed with rails and made the huge mistake of having it be the one in the middle of the room, plus people kept going in and out (we were sharing the cabing with the Dyes) and running by outside. I stayed outside with Lachlan, bouncing him on the big ball. Honestly, I was wondering why we had made the trip if I was going to spend the evening alone, in the dark, bouncing the baby! Troy was nice enough to stay in the cabin and send me off with Lachlan to socialize a little bit.
After a rough night with Jonas, we kicked Saturday off nice and early at 7am (not as early as the Dyes, though, who were up at 5:30!). The weather was fantastic all of Saturday with just a few sprinkles! I don't think I would have enjoyed the retreat if it had still been hot; Lachlan and I would have been miserable! The day was filled with playing soccer, canoeing, and eating. We had a couple of devotionals, one by the river where we talked about the Living Water (the boys spent the time throwing rocks and sticks) and one where we made clay symbols to remind us God's love (Reef made the burning bush and Jonas made an octopus).
Even though all 3 boys took a great afternoon nap (we moved Jonas into Reef's bed in the corner), we decided to pack up and head home Saturday night. It turned out to be a good decision since Jonas was still struggling to catch up on his sleep on Sunday and was NOT in a good mood.
Despite the sleep setbacks, the weekend was really good. I know the boys had a great time playing outside ALL day and getting muddy. The thing that God really taught me was to let go of some control and accept help; both things that I've been struggling with lately! Because there were 3 kids and only 2 parents, we had to accept help when people offered. We were so blessed to have so many hands to hold Lachlan and entertain Reef and Jonas. Troy and I even got to go on a 15 minute canoe ride by ourselves!
Here are a few pics from the weekend:
This is one of their new favorite games...
Jonas wasn't too sure about the canoe. He did a little better when Troy got him his own oar.
Reef loved the canoe and did not want his turn to end!
Mom and Lachlan on the soccer field.
Future soccer star!
I'm tired and dirty, Dad!
Melynda put Jude down to play on a blanket and he quickly made his way under the bed! Those casts aren't holding him down!
After a morning with Lachlan at the xray place, we loaded up the van with everything we needed (and much much more!) Friday afternoon and headed out. The plan was for Reef and Jonas to nap the whole way, but it ended up being only a 45 minute nap for them. Not a good way to start things off. We got to HEB camp about 3 and had plenty of time to explore and get used to the cabin before bedtime. We played tetherball, looked at the river, found worms, and played some soccer. I think the highlight of the afternoon for Reef was the arrival of Miss Kellie, his teacher last year at preschool. He was attached to her the rest of the trip!
Bedtime was definitely a challenge, even though they were both sooo tired and we let them stay up an extra hour. Reef settled down pretty quickly but Jonas was a different story. He had such a hard time with all the new-ness: we put him in a big bed with rails and made the huge mistake of having it be the one in the middle of the room, plus people kept going in and out (we were sharing the cabing with the Dyes) and running by outside. I stayed outside with Lachlan, bouncing him on the big ball. Honestly, I was wondering why we had made the trip if I was going to spend the evening alone, in the dark, bouncing the baby! Troy was nice enough to stay in the cabin and send me off with Lachlan to socialize a little bit.
After a rough night with Jonas, we kicked Saturday off nice and early at 7am (not as early as the Dyes, though, who were up at 5:30!). The weather was fantastic all of Saturday with just a few sprinkles! I don't think I would have enjoyed the retreat if it had still been hot; Lachlan and I would have been miserable! The day was filled with playing soccer, canoeing, and eating. We had a couple of devotionals, one by the river where we talked about the Living Water (the boys spent the time throwing rocks and sticks) and one where we made clay symbols to remind us God's love (Reef made the burning bush and Jonas made an octopus).
Even though all 3 boys took a great afternoon nap (we moved Jonas into Reef's bed in the corner), we decided to pack up and head home Saturday night. It turned out to be a good decision since Jonas was still struggling to catch up on his sleep on Sunday and was NOT in a good mood.
Despite the sleep setbacks, the weekend was really good. I know the boys had a great time playing outside ALL day and getting muddy. The thing that God really taught me was to let go of some control and accept help; both things that I've been struggling with lately! Because there were 3 kids and only 2 parents, we had to accept help when people offered. We were so blessed to have so many hands to hold Lachlan and entertain Reef and Jonas. Troy and I even got to go on a 15 minute canoe ride by ourselves!
Here are a few pics from the weekend:
This is one of their new favorite games...
Jonas wasn't too sure about the canoe. He did a little better when Troy got him his own oar.
Reef loved the canoe and did not want his turn to end!
Mom and Lachlan on the soccer field.
Future soccer star!
I'm tired and dirty, Dad!
Melynda put Jude down to play on a blanket and he quickly made his way under the bed! Those casts aren't holding him down!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Tummy troubles resolved!
After 3 xrays and some anxious waiting, we finally seem to have Lachlan's tummy troubles resolved! His first 2 xrays showed dilated loops of bowel, which was concerning to my doctor. He was considering a diagnosis of Hirschprung's disease, for which the treatment is surgery. After the 2nd xray, we started giving Lach a dose of milk of magnesia once a day. He was not thrilled with it at first and ended up throwing most of it up. Whatever little bit stayed down definitely worked though because we had a lot more pooping and a lot less grunting going on.
I took him early Friday for a repeat xray but didn't get the results until last night since we were at HEB camp for family retreat (more on that later). When we got home late last night, I was pleased to have a message from Dr. Gulde reporting a totally normal xray! So, the diagnosis is "constipation" even though that's so weird and rare for a breastfed baby, and the plan is to continue the MOM until his 2 month appointment.
Thank God for answered prayers!
I took him early Friday for a repeat xray but didn't get the results until last night since we were at HEB camp for family retreat (more on that later). When we got home late last night, I was pleased to have a message from Dr. Gulde reporting a totally normal xray! So, the diagnosis is "constipation" even though that's so weird and rare for a breastfed baby, and the plan is to continue the MOM until his 2 month appointment.
Thank God for answered prayers!
Monday, September 7, 2009
On my own...
On Thursday, we said goodbye to Oma and Opa (twice actually after a time mix up at the airport!), so Friday I was on my own. Thursday afternoon was very rough with Lachlan being extremely fussy, so I was on the verge of a panic attack, worrying about how I would handle Friday with no help. Luckily Friday was a much better day and not as hard as I thought it would be. 
John and Daphne's last 2 weeks were filled with fun for the boys! We rode the train at the zoo
fed the ducks
rode a different train at Funtastic Playland,
(Lachlan was too small for the Funtastic train)
went to the library, and shopped till we dropped at Old Navy and the Rim. We even squeezed in a grown ups only dinner at Maggiano's (yum!)!
Reef also got his first big boy haircut while J&D were here. I took him to Great Clips since we were tired of spending the big bucks at the kids place for a bad job. Reef was pretty traumatized by the whole experience but perked up afterward when rewarded with a balloon, 4 stickers, a sucker, AND a cookie. I don't think he recognized himself when he caught sight of himself in a window!
Our sweet friends, the Chapmans, brought this castle and knights over to entertain the boys! They love it, and so did Opa!
Oma and Opa's departure was definitely bittersweet. While I am definitely ready to get into the groove of things, those extra hands and entertainment are missed! Reef woke up the next day wanting to wake Opa up, and Jonas continues to point them out in a picture on the wall. We can't wait until you guys come back or we get to visit you!!
Oma and Opa's departure was definitely bittersweet. While I am definitely ready to get into the groove of things, those extra hands and entertainment are missed! Reef woke up the next day wanting to wake Opa up, and Jonas continues to point them out in a picture on the wall. We can't wait until you guys come back or we get to visit you!!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
1 month old
Lachlan is 1 month old today! I can't believe how fast time is flying and how big he is getting. We don't have a scale, but I would guess he's close to 12 pounds by now! Things I want to remember about this first month: 
-Your brothers LOVE you, especially Reef! Reef is always asking when Lachlan will be awake with his eyes open and always wants to see you when you are awake. Tonight he helped me give you a bath. It's the only bath where you haven't cried the whole time, so I guess you like Reef as much as he likes you.
-You usually eat every 3 hours but have surprised Mommy with a couple of 5 hour stretches at night!
-You've rewarded us with a couple of smiles in the last couple of days, 1 for Mom and 1 for Oma!
-You definitely enjoy tummy time much more than your brothers did!
-You don't love the swing or bouncy seat as much as your brothers, but here is 1 picture where you're at least tolerating it.
We're going to try and document Lachlan's growth each month compared to this blue bear, made for him by Oma and Opa.
Month 1:
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Reflux AND Constipation?!?
Well, for having only been alive 4 weeks, Lachlan has had more than his share of visits to the doctor! I think we've been 5 times already! Last week, Dr. Gulde and I decided that Lach has reflux. He hasn't been spitting up a lot but does a lot of gagging, gurgling, back arching, and rarely some episodes of apnea. So, we started him on some prevacid.
I took him back to the doc Monday to follow up on the prevacid and make sure it wasn't causing weight loss. At the appointment, I also told the doctor about Lachlan's grunting and groaning and acting like he's in pain. After some discussion, we decided to do an xray of his abdomen, just to be sure...
Dr. Gulde finally called me back late Monday night and said the xray showed distention of the colon and moderate poop throughout. Basically, constipation, which is very rare in a breastfed baby. The radiologist wants to repeat the test in a week, just to make sure things resolve. Dr. Gulde seemed surprised by that, and I'm not really sure what the course of action will be if it's not resolved.
Tuesday and Wednesday seemed to be better days, but now we're back to the grunting and groaning. I sure hope we get some answers soon! I hate seeing my baby in pain!
I took him back to the doc Monday to follow up on the prevacid and make sure it wasn't causing weight loss. At the appointment, I also told the doctor about Lachlan's grunting and groaning and acting like he's in pain. After some discussion, we decided to do an xray of his abdomen, just to be sure...
Dr. Gulde finally called me back late Monday night and said the xray showed distention of the colon and moderate poop throughout. Basically, constipation, which is very rare in a breastfed baby. The radiologist wants to repeat the test in a week, just to make sure things resolve. Dr. Gulde seemed surprised by that, and I'm not really sure what the course of action will be if it's not resolved.
Tuesday and Wednesday seemed to be better days, but now we're back to the grunting and groaning. I sure hope we get some answers soon! I hate seeing my baby in pain!
Sunday School
Reef and Jonas have been learning lots at Sunday school this summer. I must say that I am very impressed with their teachers this quarter. Every week, they come home and Reef is able to tell me the whole Bible story from that day. Jonas can usually fill in a few details too, which is pretty impressive to us! Reef was telling us about the plagues 2 weeks ago, and Jonas says, "Frogs! Frogs!" I'm so excited they're learning about God and remembering the stories!
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