I was somewhat sentimental with the end of 2013.... I kept thinking about everything that had happened in that calendar year.... I mean... we had our first child.... and we have seen Zander do many firsts in 2013.... his first cry.... his first bath.... his first smile... his first coo... his first roll over.... his first foods.... his first "crawl".... etc. The really cool thing is that 2014 holds many more "firsts" for Zander and our family! So we have to say goodbye to Zander's "birth year" and hello to all the new adventures that 2014 has to offer us.
We ended 2013 on a rough note.... all of the Houstons managed to get sick over the winter break. I started the "trend" with flu symptoms/stomach bug symptoms..... I still don't know what I had but I would not want anyone else to get it! I made sure I washed my hands rather frequently and fortunately it doesn't look like my boys got what I had. After Christmas, Zander started to have a pretty bad cough. He has had a cough since October (which we keep getting checked out by our doctor) but this cough seemed different so we took him to the doctor again. Our pediatrician confirmed that he had RSV and gave us a nebulizer with albuterol to use to help break up the congestion and wheezing in his breathing. The doctor said there is not much to be done..... babies just have to work through this without medicine. With Zander's difficult start (being in the NICU due to aspirating meconium), I get so nervous when they mention his lungs. The picture below shows how "happy" he was after using the nebulizer at the doctor's office.
The days went from bad to worse as we were dealing with a fussy, sick 8 month old that wasn't really sleeping (meaning mom and dad weren't either) and he started to not be able to hold anything down. He went about 24 hours without being able to keep food, milk, water, or medicine (like Tylenol) down. Zack called the on call doctor to see what we should do and it was recommended we take him to the ER. So Zander made his first trip to the ER at the end of 2013. (Zack mentioned that this would not be his last trip there!:(.... apparently boys visit the ER more frequently than girls) When we arrived at the ER.... Zander had a 101.3 fever (a fever is something he didn't have prior to the hospital visit) and had lost almost a pound in weight from the doctor's office two days before. We were concerned and Zander got to change into a "sweet" hospital gown just his size.... who knew they even made them this small?!
Fortunately, while we were at the hospital, Zander was able to keep down some medicine (to reduce the fever) and 3 ounces of Pedialyte. The doctors told us we could go home but if he didn't continue to take in fluids, we would need to bring him back. We prayed constantly that he would start to eat. I am happy to report that Zander started to drink Pedialyte and a little bit of milk the next day. Two days later, Zack and I ventured out with our cutie to enjoy a lunch at Olive Garden (we got a gift card for Christmas!). You can see him below... he doesn't look like himself yet but he was making significant process!
Even better the next day! We had some friends over for New Year's Eve... we ate pizza and played some Ultimate Uno. Given the "break" we had gone through so far, we didn't make it up until midnight. Everyone left around 10:00 and we saw the start of 2014 with our eyes closed!;)
On New Year's Day, we decided to stay in our pajamas all day. Zack had already started feeling sick (with cold symptoms... sore throat, cough, etc.) Another "photo bomb" by Burke.....
Zander and I went to visit Aunt Lindsey at work on January 2nd and take her out to lunch. Zander started eating foods again so it seems like his appetite is back to normal! He still has some congestion which we hope will leave his system soon! Zack is still working through his cold too. It is going to be a busy week for all of us so we are hopeful that everyone can get healthy and stay healthy!
Then, on Saturday, Zander and I met up with some of our closest friends from college. In this picture.... we joked that Shawn and Carrie were with their twin boys!
The Gang Reunion 2014!.....Jacob and Zander were more interested in the fireplace than having their picture taken!
Two generations of BFFs.... reunited!
Zander and Jacob getting ready to head outdoors..... it is COLD!
We can't wait to see what 2014 has to offer! We hope that family and friends are happy and healthy this year. 2014 is the year that Zander turns ONE! Stay tuned......
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