Ryleigh has declared herself "all bebber" (all better) and we are now home.
She really was a little trooper. It's very true about waking sleeping people in the hospital. They woke us up all night long for antibiotic infusions, temperature taking and the sort. Interesting how there were only 3 patients on the ward, but they couldn't do the vitals at the same time as the infusions. Hmmm....
Ryleigh is in for some more "messing" with her boo boo's tomorrow. But for now, she's sleeping peacefully in her own nice crib.
In the hospital overnight...getting IV antibiotics. More digging, some drug that put her out into a "pcp" like state (anyone want to say they've done that before?). I had to leave the room this time. Couldn't take that she was "out" and still screaming (but couldn't fight)...poor thing....
Excellent doctor. Excellent one on one time with her. Also, she is CHATTERING non-stop. Driving me insane! (just kidding).
Mom is up there now with Austin to give me the time to take a MUCH needed shower.
Yes, in our house, we've had our first ER visit with one of our children. The lucky winner is:
Ryleigh
Last night, I decided to trim Ryleigh's hair...it ended up being shortened about 3 inches in the back, coming out as a cute little bob, (no bangs). Her hair looks so shiny and thick now. Now we will let it grow LONG LONG LONG. Mark was not going to be happy.
When I was changing Ryleigh's diaper I noticed a lump on her upper thigh (correct location from medical professional: groin). It was about the size of a marble and red. I squeezed it a little, and nothing....so, on to changing the diaper...I'm cleaning up, a "Code Brown" and there is lots of screaming going on. I flip my girl over and in her bu** crack, more like the inside of her cheek is a HUGE lump....very red, very sore looking.
After immediate consult with Gramma, and a call to the on-call pediatrician, we're on our way to the hospital.
Mark works at the hospital, so after a call to him after our arrival, we were wisked into the triage room. Now, I'm feeling sad and upset for Ryleigh, but also anticipating having to tell Mark two things. The haircut, and why we are at the ER. It worked out fine.
One thing, though, this little girl is a Daddy's girl. Once she saw him, forget about me. I was just the paper pusher, Doctor explainer after that. Boy does she love her Daddy!
The doctor explained they needed to be drained. In went lots of needles, out came a lot of cottage cheese. In went blunt nose scissors to dig around and get everything out. In went a little cloth drain, out came a lot of tears and snot. Shockingly, I remained upright. No tears from me, no feeling like passing out. I guess that's what you do when you love someone so much, you stand fast.
Poor girl. Poor, poor little one not knowing what was going on. Took 5 people to hold down our little 22 pounder.
She'll be fine. They think it's a staph infection. She's on heavy duty antibiotics.
We'll go back tomorrow to have the drainage tapes removed.
Here we are one year later. A solid family, living our daily lives enmeshed with eachother. Austin still struggles a little bit with his little sister, but she doesn't notice the "rough" stuff and blissfully adores her older brother....
Here is Ryleigh 365 days after her Ayi's dressed her in a brand new outfit and shoes to be given to us, her new waiting family. Today, I dressed her in her new clothes from that very special day. When Ryleigh saw them she said "baby" "baby sock" "baby shoes".
Today we celebrated Chinese New Year at Austin's school. His teacher has always taught the traditions and customs of the New Year, but this year we had a big party.
The kids each had their own Chinese Horoscope placemat (begged for by me from a local Chinese food restaurant). They had noodles in Chinese take out boxes decorated with pigs and the Chinese symbol for Pig (thanks to my mom). They had chopsticks. They had dumplings and hot dog sushi (I know, I know). They even had fortune cookies and red envelopes with chocolate coins....
One of the mothers who is from China told a story and talked about the things that she did as a child for the 2 week long celebration. I showed some RMB on the overhead projector and taught the kids "Hello" and "Thank You" in Chinese.
What they had the most of, was fun!!! and so did we (my mom came and helped).
Click on the picture to see other pictures from the day...including Ryleigh and her new friend, Mr. Caterpillar.
Today, I was invited by my good friend, Julie and her daughter Taylor to come out to the barn and meet Scooby, Taylor's new horse.
Let me preface all of this by saying, I am the horsey type. I think that I popped out of my mom and if you could have interpreted my wails, they would have said "I want a pony". Well, when I was 16, the dream was realized when I purchased my first horse, Tika. She was a white 1/2 Arab, who was very barn sour (always wanted to turn back on the trail), and had a good price. I was so thrilled. You never met a girl so happy. It took me a year to get my drivers license, and I think one of the only reasons I worked towards that goal was so that I could get to my horse easier.
Later, I had to sell her, but chose to give her to a really nice family, that as far as I know, kept her until she died. When I lived on the East Coast for a while, a friend of mine and I would go to the horse auction, and buy horses, make 'em pretty and nice, and sell them. This saved them from becoming dog food...and we loved every minute of it.
Well, now that Taylor has Scooby, I've been excited to see him.
Today, we went out, with clouds in the sky, and with us begging it not to rain on us. He is just precious, and like a big puppy dog. Taylor's only owned him for 4 days, but he just loves her. When she calls him over, he just trots up, all sweet. I think if we had more time today, he would be laying his head on her shoulder or rolling over for a belly scratch!! The clouds opened up and it started to rain.....the smells, oh the smells of the barn. The horses, the mud, the hay...oh how I miss it.....
Note to self: Must start thinking about purchasing a horse.....someday. Every little girl needs a horse, right???
Here's Tika and I on a bareback ride through the field. When I kept her at this particular barn, we rode through a trash dump to get to the trails. It was so surreal seeing what people throw out....
Here's Tika and I and my sister on her pony Cheetah. Oh what a stubborn bugger he was!! I'm 17 and my sister 6 in this picture...
And here's the boy of the day, Scooby, stretching his legs....
OK you guys, you know me, and I think that I'm pretty good about not being all "my kids are the cutest most wonderful kids in the whole world" but seriously, check out this video and tell me that it isn't one of the cutest things you have ever seen?
Ryleigh is 2 years and 2 weeks old. Friday she had her 2 year checkup. She weighs in at 22 lbs 12 ounces, and is 34 1/2 inches tall.
