It continues...

Last week was truly a nightmare.

Last week my little guy went for 4 days and did not eat anything. I mean nothing... the only thing we could get in him was popsicles. The child ate a lot of them as I was so stressed that he was not eating.

Finally on Thursday we made a trip to the children's hospital because I couldn't take it anymore. Not a lot of resolve from the hospital but they pinpointed that his mouth was riddled with sores. I am guessing it was a side effect of the antibiotics. So on top of a sore throat we also had a mouth that was just covered in open sores. Finally, after applying some orajel to his mouth we were able to get a little food in him.

The hospital assured me he can go a long time with out food and he was hydrated so he was OK.

Can I just say it is very scary when you see your child not eating and they can't tell you anything and they don't understand how much you want them to eat.

Yesterday he went back to the preschool only to have a lot of loose stool all day. At this point they inform me that they recently had a positive case of C-diff. in the preschool. Looking this up really causes me worry. I have taken all the loose stool as antibiotic side effects. However he has had random days of throwing up. For no reason he will cry about his tummy and then throw up. After that he seems fine until the next incident. This part really concerns me.

I was also really mad that the preschool only told me because he had so much loose stool yesterday. They have not informed or notified parents that this was in the school.

Today I called the doctors office because I wasn't making another trip with out being told they should see him. I argued on the phone for 10 minutes as it is all just antibiotic side effects. This very well may be but how can they be 100% sure with out testing him? So again I am angry...

My baby has been way to sick in the month of May. This goes back to May 5th as the start date to all this. My baby has literally lost all of his baby fat as he has lost way to much weight. First from the 10 days of stomach virus and now this. I cried last week when I gave him his bath because he has sagging skin on his little butt cheeks that use to be full of baby fat. I cried again last night when I could see his ribs on his back. He is just way to thin right now.

First Photo, two months ago, second photo I took today.

With my frustrations up I looked into another option and considered taking him out of the preschool daycare. I interviewed someone today who has started a daycare in her home. She use to be the director at the preschool where my little guy goes right now. She has all the background, I know her but when I went it feels like a home environment, not a school environment. She says they have learning time, TV is very limited (less than an hour early in the morning) and she has a structured day. Along with all of this she has hired an assistant. Cost would go from paying $50 a day to $25 a day and I really like that part but I don't want to make this about the money.

I am just afraid to take him from this wonderful learning environment that did so much for Luke and I am already seeing some great things in Thomas, just from the two months he has been in the school. However how much more sickness can we really handle? He can't loose anymore weight and the risk of illness is way up if we stay where we are at.

I really must apologize as I seem to be talking about nothing but sick people these days.

Today I am a touch sad as my favorite Television Series of all time came to an end last night. I am such a Lost fan, still a huge fan and was so happy with last nights finally.

I found the ending to this amazing show to be so beautiful an heart warming. Not something you would really expect but it was truly wonderful.

Now I have no more TV to be excited over. I think that is OK, I sometimes feel bad for kicking my family out just so I can watch Lost with out interruption once a week.

Side Note:
Took the little one back to the doctor again today. He has lost weight, will not eat or drink. His throat is so swollen and red that he tested positive for step this morning. He has been on antibiotics and was almost finished with his current dose from the last time he tested positive for strep. I don't think it ever went away and the doctor said it must be resistant to the antibiotic they put him on so they changed med's and hopefully the poor child will feel better in the next day or two. I just wish he could catch a break. He really needs one.

What are you eating????

I recently saw a couple episodes of Jamie Oliver's show "Food Revolution". I have always been extremely good about raising my kids to eat healthy and to eat lots of fruits and vegetables.

The show was all about the food that is fed in the schools and how unhealthy Americans are when it comes to the food we eat. The worst part was the statement that my children's generation will live a shorter life span than what we do. This is not the only place I have heard this statement.

While I have never been happy with the food fed in my son's school, I never thought about all the preservatives that go into so much of the food we eat. This is one of his big hang ups is the labels on the food we eat, the amount of sugar, salt and other junk inside our food, etc...

First off, I can give a few really bad examples of the food in our schools here. First on the breakfast menu, funnel cake, soft pretzel with cheese... if you ask me it sounds like we are at a carnival eating junk food but wait this is breakfast. My son is 7 and he does eat breakfast at home but also likes to go through the breakfast line before school with his friends. Often times he purchases Hunny Buns and donuts for breakfast. I have to threaten him often that those are not acceptable breakfast items. I don't mind them occasionally but not everyday.

The problem here is they are available to them everyday and they have the choice. I am sorry but a young child should not be allowed to have these choices. Sorry, I am not standing their to say no so he will do as he chooses. As I said, I have to threaten him often that their will be no more breakfast money.

I do get some criticism that my kids are skinny and I shouldn't worry about it. However I do because the eating habits they develop today will take with them for the rest of their lives. If I don't teach them now, then donuts could be the breakfast norm and that is not an acceptable choice.

As for lunch it isn't any better but I don't pay that much attention because my son packs everyday. While packing isn't a hot meal, I do make sure he does get a good meal. We have a ham or turkey sandwich every day, along with a fresh fruit and vegetable. He loves getting a salad in his lunch and will always eat it. We also do some cheese and a juice drink. I use to give him a small snack everyday. That stopped when food came back and snacks were eaten. He would say I don't have time to eat it all, so fine we don't have time for a snack. He can have a snack after school.

OK, I think I am getting away from the whole point of my post and that is the preservatives. The show pointed out the science experiment that is on all our food labels. I never really put much thought into and always thought I was feeding my family well because of the fruits and veggies we eat. Oh how much I have learned.

Before I was notorious for buying a box lasagna, frozenpot pies, chicken nuggets, frozen waffles... you get the idea. Convenience comes easy for a working mother. But then I started looking at labels and said this will not do and I am not doing my family any favors.

So I have started cooking from fresh everything. Making my own pancakes, lasagna, using all fresh ingrediants like fresh chicken, etc... I think you get the idea. While my grocery bill has gone up a bit, I do feel better that I am paying close attention to what I feed my family.

Now I still struggle with some items. For example I can't find a bread that isn't full of preservatives and I just can't make my own bread. I thought about a farmers market and seeing if I can find fresh baked bread. We do burn through it so I really don't need it to last for a month in the cabinet.

Another thing I love is ice cream. I did find the Turkey Hill brand and they use all fresh ingredients and it is such good ice cream. So I don't have to sacrifice everything but I do read my labels a lot more.

My question to all of you, do you look at the labels on what you eat? If you don't take a look at your labels. Does it look like a science experiment or do the ingredients sound like the stuff in your pantry?

I must say, I am very disappointed that our lives have been so driven around conveniences that we are trading our health to save 10 minutes. I am taking back as much of that as I can to offer better to my family.

A FEW UPDATES

This has been the longest and most drawn out week.

Remember my family was ill over the weekend. Thomas had very loose stool for 7 days and vomited for 5 days straight. It all started Thursday the 6th. I missed 1/2 day of work on Thursday, all day Friday, missed all day Tuesday, my husband missed 1/2 day Thursday and all day Wednesday. Yesterday was the first day Thomas got to return to school after two days of what I would call much improved health.

Today, Friday I am at work and at 11 AM I receive a phone call from Luke's school. He had a little accident and was pretty upset. Big deal to a 1st grader so I had to go pick him up. Once again, I have left work early.

Being a working mom can be very frustrating especially when you run across times like this. Luckily I have a very good employer. They don't take issue with this type of thing. On Tuesday I insisted upon using a vacation day because I already missed so much. I was told it wasn't necessary but I don't want people thinking I am taking advantage so it was important for me to do it this way. All I can say is please, please, please put an end to all this illness. I just can't take it anymore.


On another note, remember my breast lump. I waited a bit before having the ultrasound. I decided to have it checked because the lump came back in the same location. Of course by the time I got in for the ultrasound the lump had gone away again.

The test found nothing however since all this started I have had several other things that don't seem right. First, I have nipple pain. My lump when it comes and goes is very close to the nipple. My best way to describe my pain, I feel like a new mom getting use to nursing a baby. It is tender and sore and I have little surges of pain from time to time. Second thing is I have noticed my one breast has been swelling. Can't explain the swelling but it has happened a couple times now. And NO I AM NOT PREGNANT!

Wednesday I went back to the doctor and because of all the additional things going on she has referred me to a specialist who deals with nothing but the breast. My husband is freaking out over how much this could all cost. While a big part of me is holding out that it is hormones causing the craziness, a small part of me keeps asking why only in the left breast? I will keep you updated and say a prayer that this will all be solved and with a good outcome.

Mother's

I most certainly got to be the full on mother experience for mother's day. Starting last Thursday my youngest started getting sick. I took him to the doctor and he not only continued to throw up he also had strep throat on top of that. Poor thing!!!

Friday night, youngest still sick and now dad and big brother are also sick.

Let me say, only a mother can be thrown up on as many times as I was this weekend and never complain and just deal with it as well as I did.

Honestly my entire life I have never handled these things well. I can't be around it, I can't clean it up, and I can't stand the smell. But then we have children and we don't think twice about it. Amazing things....

As of today, Monday, my youngest still getting sick but dad and big brother are all better. I am still asking when my turn is coming. How can everyone get sick (and on me for that matter, I will spare you the details) and I still manage to fight it off.

Anyway, Happy Mother's Day to all you other wonderful moms. Sorry this is a little late, I was a bit busy the past few days.