Noah

As most of you know, we have had quite a struggle with Noah's health since the first week he started attending school.  We have been very pleased with his school in every other regard and the teachers have been so diligent in doing all that we ask to help keep Noah well.  However, despite our best effort, Noah continues to have persistent upper respiratory infections resulting in recurrent croup, strep throat, bronchitis, countless ear infections, fever viruses, colds, etc.  We have tried a ton of antibiotics, steroids, drops...you name it...but we can't seem to keep our little man well.  Noah got tubes in his ears at 5 months and we are discussing having his adenoids out.  Not to mention that Noah has a milk protein allergy and has pretty much eaten for survival only his entire life.  I mean the kid is 10 months old and has NEVER taken more than 4 ounces at one time and barely a total of 20 ounces per day.  Our worst "sick time" with Noah included a fever of 105.8 and a trip to the ER.  Scary stuff!

The impact of Noah's illnesses became a reality to us when we went for his 9 month visit to the pediatrician.  Noah has always been a "little guy" but he has always been consistent on his growth curve.  During this visit we learned that Noah had fallen into the 10th percentile for weight (all the way down from the 36th at one time).  At this visit he weighed 17lbs 15 oz.  The pediatrician ordered some lab work that revealed that Noah was anemic but his immune system was normal (praise God).  All this resulted in a plan of action to begin iron drops (2 mls per day), push food and milk intake, and a gentle warning that if there wasn't an improvement within a month we would need to pull Noah out of school for 2-3 months.

After this visit, Noah caught a fever virus and eventually croup.  Noah's weight dropped to 17 lbs 5 oz and we became more concerned.  My sister came in town to help us out about a month ago and stayed for nearly 3 weeks.  During that time we were able to keep Noah out of school for over 3 weeks.  During this time he got well and gained weight ---up to 18 lbs 5 oz (WOO HOO!!).  Sadly, Missy had to leave and we put Noah back in school.  After 2 1/2 days back in school, Noah came down with the worst case of croup he has ever had!  I had to do two rounds of Orapred to get the poor kid to quit barking in addition to some cough/congestion medicine.  It is sad when the doctor writes for you to have more medicine than you need because they know that your child's croup WILL recur.  His nose is still green 2 weeks later!

Anyway, we made the decision to pull Noah out of school for the summer.  This was a difficult decision for us because Noah LOVES school so much.  He is a very social little guy and really enjoys his friends and teachers.  In fact, he has never once cried when I have taken him to school.  He would turn and look at me, wave, and say bye-bye.  We will be able to return to school in August to the 1 year old classroom.  For now, Noah is staying at home with a nanny.  Our nanny, who recently graduated from high school and is going to college in the fall, is living with us for the next two months.  We are very thankful that we were able to work something out that was best for Noah AND affordable for us!

So today we went back for our monthly weight check and blood draw.  Noah's weight was down by a couple of ounces (18 lbs 3 oz) placing him somewhere between the 5th and 10th percentile for weight and he is still anemic.  We will be going back for weight and blood again in 4 weeks.  Noah didn't even cry today for his blood draw.  I'm not sure whether to be proud or cry about that.  He is either really tough or just used to having his blood drawn which makes me sad.

So, for now, that leaves us with a constant push for food and milk (despite the fact that I am SO ready to wean this child), iron drops twice daily, and scheduled weight checks and blood draws.  I am very thankful that what we are dealing with is very mild compared to the illnesses other parents have to deal with.  I mean Bryan saw a 2 year old with a massive brain tumor the other day and I just can't imagine how those parents must feel.  I am, however, as any parent would be "concerned" and feel like I have failed my child in some way.  If only I could afford to stop working and keep him home all the time.  Is there something I could have done to make him drink more milk?  eat more?  I know that this will pass and Noah will probably be just fine.  Just wanted to share.  If anyone has been down a similar road, I would welcome any advice, stories, support!  I'll update again on this after we go back to the doctor on July 7th.

Hope everyone has great weekend!

Mommy....I wanna go fast!

Updates: Isabella Gaspard

I have gotten so behind on blogging but feel like I need to re-cap because so much has happened over the last couple of months.  I will most likely do this over several blog posts.

The update I have been dreading the most is the death of our sweet baby girl Yorkie, Isabella.  About a month ago, we had some contractors at the house remodeling our bathroom.  They were careless and let Isabel out by leaving the gate to our fence open.  She was hit by a car and we have been devastated.  Gatsby has taken it very hard -- two weeks of not eating and constant throwing up, but seems to be getting a little better each day.  We did get her back and now she is resting peacefully in our back yard.  We love and miss her so much.  She will always be our very first baby girl.  I am posting some pictures in her memory.