Our Little Drama Queen

This post is extremely long and more serious.  I really want to write down this experience, so I can remember how blessed we are and how thankful I am for my children:          

          When Adeline was one week old, she decided to be a little dramatic by having a reflux episode that resulted in a trip to the emergency room and a little stay at a children's hospital.  I had just finished feeding her and handed her off to Scott so I could get ready to go to bed early.  Before I had a chance to lie down, Scott yelled from downstairs that Adeline had just spit up A LOT.  I was not too concerned because when Peter was a baby, he could usually soak the entire front of two people's shirts after each meal; I called him "King Spit-Up" (side note:  Rigby, on the other hand or end, was "Sir Poops A LOT":).  She had been laying on her back next to Scott when he heard her start to choke; so, he propped her up and started patting her on the back.  The spit-up and acid had come up so forcefully that it not only came up through her mouth but also through her airway and out her nose.  By the time my mom and I made it downstairs, she was struggling to breath and had started to turn red.  We kept patting her on the back, but she still could not breath well enough and she continued to turn red, then gray, and then her hands, ears, and lips began turning blue.  My mom said, "I think you need to call an ambulance."  I was in shock and kept thinking that she would pull out of it any second and start breathing normally, but she just got worse.
          Scott decided that we could drive faster to the hospital since it was just down the road.  We did not even take time to grab her car seat or a blanket; we just ran to the van, and I held her in the passenger's seat while Scott drove as quickly and safely as he could to the hospital.  I kept yelling at the traffic lights and cars in front of us to go faster (I am sure that did a lot of good), and both Scott and I kept saying, "please keep breathing baby girl."  I remember looking down at her limp little body that was draped over my hand and wishing she would start crying or screaming.
          We ran into the hospital and I frantically told the people at the desk that she could not breath well and was turning blue.  They called a nurse out who lea us to a room where they suctioned out her mouth and started her on oxygen.  They also hooked her up for pulse and blood pressure.

Me holding the oxygen mask over Adeline's mouth.

          After about 20 minutes at the ER, she had pinked up again.  They did a urine test, an x-ray, and some blood tests. All of the tests came back normal, but the pediatrician recommended observation at a children's hospital in Houston just to make sure she was alright.  Before transferring to the other hospital, the nurses had to put in an IV line just in case it was needed to give medication during another emergency.  The ER nurses tried twice in her left hand, once in her right hand, and once in each foot before getting a vein.  Adeline was so exhausted that she only whined while they were fishing around for her veins.  I later learned that in such young babies, they put the IV in their heads because it is nearly impossible anywhere else.  My poor baby!

The ER nurses trying to place an IV line.

          While we were waiting for the ambulance to transfer her to the children's hospital, a member of our church came by and offered to help with a blessing.  We did not know him, but I guess Scott wrote LDS on some paper work and he (a doctor) had been told by the desk people that there was another Mormon in the ER.  He also inquired about Adeline's incident and let us know that he trusted the doctor working with us, she would probably be okay, and that this incident was most likely a random occurrence.  It is amazing how the Lord watches over you!  Shortly after this, the special children's ambulance came and drove Adeline and I to the medical center in Houston while Scott followed in the car.

A special 5-point harness stretcher for the children's ambulance.

 

          When we got to the children's hospital, some more doctors looked over her again.  This time she had gotten some rest, so she was crying fairly hard.  I have never been so happy to hear a baby cry!  We spent about 12 hours at the children's hospital before they released her.  In the end, the doctors did not find anything wrong.  They just recommended burping her often, keeping her upright after feedings, and keeping an eye out for other reflux symptoms.  She has since thrown up once each week, but has had no breathing problems like the first time.  I believe she has mild reflux, but they do not recommend medication unless it is a severe case.

Adeline hooked up to a lot of monitors at the children's hospital.

             It is amazing to look back and see all the little miracles that happened:  1) Scott was near Adeline when it happened; 2) my mom was here (which she originally did not plan) to be with the boys so Scott and I could rush to the ER.  We also did not have to worry about finding anybody to watch them while we were at the hospital.  Thank you mom!; 3) there was a member of our church at the ER that helped us out; 4) and most of all, our baby girl came home with us and without any problem--just a crazy ER story!
          I set my alarm to check on her at night now, and her bed is RIGHT NEXT to my side of the bed.  I have always said that I could never have one of our kids in our room because all of the newborn sounds drive me crazy, but this experience most certainly changed my mind!  Now whenever she drives me crazy, I try to remember what it felt like to come so close to losing her.  In the end, I learned that there are circumstances beyond our control, and we must make peace with the Lord's will.  I can put her bed really close to me and set a million alarms at night, but if the Lord wants her to return to Him, no amount of prevention or worry can change that.  I am sure it would be harder to feel this way if she had been taken though.  I am just thankful that we get to continue raising her and watching her progress.  We love you baby girl!  And we love you too Peter and Rigby!