31 for 21: Day Ten....A Funny

So I have been down all week with what I believe is the flu. It started on Tuesday and by Friday I could take it no longer and called the doctor to get an antibiotic. So today I'm still not feeling well and I decided to go use the twin's nebulizer and albuterol to help break up some the the chest congestion I've been enduring for the past four days. And then, the Funniest thing happened!!

I took the nebulizer into my bedroom. We live in a ranch home, my bedroom is at one end and the living room is in the middle section but kinda far away from my bedroom. I fill up the vile with the solution and get ready to sit back for a few minutes of quite time and inhale this solution into my lungs to get some relief. I turn on the machine AND I hear pitter patter pitter patter, little feet RUNNING in the direction of my bedroom. I'm confused and not sure what's going on??? Then both twins swing the door open, jump up on my bed and attack me to take away the nebulizer. I laughed so hard at them, they were so excited to hear that machine turn on and to take a few puffs of that mist. I honestly think they missed it. Every winter, they have terrible congestion. Many children with Down Syndrome have terrible congestion all winter long and my guys are part of that. Unfortunately for the boys they both have been diagnosed with asthma as well. We usually spend a lot of time with the nebulizer between the two of them, so much in fact that we have two machines here at the house. It has been quite some time since we've used one and I was seriously so amazed at their reaction. I would have thought that they would have ran the opposite direction, but NO this was a familiar sound to them and one that I think they realize brings them relief.

I am hoping this winter will be different from the rest and that we won't be needing this wonderful machine all that much, but from the reaction I got from Caleb and Isaac today I think they would miss it, not being able to wave the wand around and stick the wand into their mouth and blow out a puff of smoke. I can only hope that if we have to use this on them this winter I will get the same kind of excited reaction when its for real :)

Day 7 and we're FINALLY home from hospital

Today, (Tuesday) we finally made our way home. We are on steroids and albuterol treatments three times a day for the next week but by golly we're home. Now its time for me to get the house back in order after a week away....ugh!!

Here's one last photo of Caleb rocking in the chair before we left





Glad to be home!!

Day 6... one down, one more to go

Tonight Isaac got to come home at 8:30pm. He had to be off the oxygen for 24 hours before he could be released and the doctor felt bad releasing one and not the other, but he had not reason to keep Isaac. So Tom took him home and let him sleep in his own bed and then brought him back in the next morning.

Here are some photos from day six:

Both boys IV's stopped working today so they were free to get out of the bed and put on their shoes and play on the floor for a bit. Here's Caleb reading the book "The Wheels on the Bus"


Here's Caleb asking to watch Blues Clues for the 30th time in a week:



Here's Isaac saying his good-byes to brother for the night, he has that look like YEAH I'm outta here:



Here's Isaac blowing kisses before they left:

Day 5 in hospital

Well today has gone pretty good. The boys are both eating and drinking better, they are playful and back to hummming all the time. This is something I actually forgot about. They are very vocal all day long either humming or singing and I haven't heard them for a few days, so today is an indication that they are feeling better. The doctor came in today and said he expects another day or so for discharge. They will be discharged when they can sleep unassisted by oxygen for a whole night. Doctors had their level requirement set at 92 for discharge and we've asked them to take it down to 90. So we're hopeful that tonight is the night. C'mon boys!!!

One thing Tom and I noticed today is how VERY observant both twins are. When a nurse comes in the room they start scratching their ears, which they do when they are upset but when they put on their rubber gloves they throw a fit. They KNOW they are coming in to do something to them. When the respiratory therapist come in to give them a breathing treatment they throw a little stink but they get over it pretty quick cause they know they are just getting their treatment. When a cleaning lady comes in they are social to her and dont hardly notice her, but when she puts on her rubber gloves to remove garbage or diapers they start crying... I'm actually really proud of them, this is a great thing :)

Tom and I enjoyed a day with them playing and being silly. I took lots of pictures today and made a little montage to share.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Hopefully tomorrow I will be describing our discharge.

P.S. Please keep Elijah in your prayers tomorrow I am leaving the twins here at the hospital with my mom most of the day so I can take Elijah back to the pediatric dentist in State College to finish a root canal they started three weeks ago. He's been in alot of tooth pain lately and its a different tooth than the one they are planning on working on tomorrow. We'll see what comes of the visit.

Day 4 in hospital....

Today was a better day. Boys watched ALOT of Dora and Barney, they have a much more productive cough and they seem to be eating and drinking a little more. Today was 80 degrees outside so it was hard to see the nice weather and be cooped up inside. The poor lil guys keep signing "car" they wanna go home. We got them out of the cribs today for a few minutes and walked them around the hallways in the wagon, so it was nice to do something with them today outside the room. Camille and Elijah stopped in for a visit and later Tristin came and played with them too.

Can I just say what wonderful friends and family I have. My friend Kristen has helped us so much with the older kids and my mom and sisters have all pulled together and been there for me when they can. It gets really boring sitting in the same little room for so long with nothing to do. I love the visits!!!

Here are some photos from today:

Wagon ride to visit Big Bird


Caleb's crabby face


Watching TV together


Visit from Camille and Elijah (Elijah spilled drink right before photo)



Caleb's nap