We're Here!

Hey, friends!

Yes, we're still here, and I'm proud to report that after a week battling the sickies, with the exception of poor Sweet Bean's new aversion to tissues, we're hardly any worse for the wear. With a week passing between posts, it seems that I've neglected my little blog and have several of y'all wondering if all is well. {Thanks for all the concerned texts and emails, y'all are very thoughtful to check in on us.}

Fortunately, things could not be better!

Juggling schedules, new obligations, and a restructuring of priorities for 2011, has us all running around the house so busy at times it's easy to forget whether we're coming or going. With a full plate, only so many hours in the day, and a very active toddler demanding, and so deserving of, my undivided attention, it's become increasingly obvious that something's gotta give.

Just as I would never have dreamed of blogging when I was working, with a classroom full of children waiting to learn, I cannot with good conscience spend any of Sweet Bean's waking hours on the computer when I should be teaching and modeling, making the most of our precious and fleeting time together. And, since I can't renege on commitments nor phone-in other responsibilities, I have little choice but to try and simplify my life in other ways.

That being said, blogging is just one of the ways that I have chosen to simplify. While the thought of going days without an update, at first, had me considering taking my blog private, I knew I'd miss the interaction and many friendships that blogging has brought my way.  So I will continue to blog with a new understanding, that for all the wonderful things blogging has brought into my life, it is still just a hobby. There will be weeks when I am able to find the time to blog regularly, and then weeks will most certainly pass with just a single post or perhaps none at all.

If God humors our plans, 2011 will be a momentous year for the Webb family full of changes both big and small.  I look forward to keeping y'all updated on the goings-on---the exciting and mundane, happy and frustrating, not to mention the random---whenever I can.

I'd love for y'all to stick around for the ride.

And since it has been quite a few days since my last post, I couldn't close without a few pictures of Sweet Bean.  These photos certainly go to show that even a cold, can't keep a good girl down!

Just remember, a smile a day will help the sickies go away!

Blessings, friends!

{Coming Soon: }

Valentine's Day Photo Contest (2.1.11)

&

January's Great Giveaway from CSN Stores

Miscellany Monday

sharing is not always caring

{one} It seems Sweet Bean will share just about anything these days---including her cold! Now the Hubs and I are both a sneezing sniffling mess and trying our darnedest to kick this bothersome bug before Thursday!

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home tour

{two} Don't forget to get your pictures and post ready, tomorrow is our second installment of Home Tour Tuesday! Tomorrow's theme- 2 things around the house you're thankful for (besides the kids and your spouse).

<center><a href="http://ourgatorzone.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz9/shannonywebb/hometourtuesday-1.png" /></a></center>


bite me

{three} GG's teething...again! This weekend was a mixture of skipped naps, cuddling, and out of nowhere, temper tantrums! But the good news is, we all survived, no worse for the wear. And, fingers crossed, we are nearing an end to this round of teething. At best estimate, I've counted at least  four new teething setting up residence in Gillian Grace's mouth, poor baby! Teething is stressful, and Sweet Bean's crib has the gnaw marks to prove it!

{It goes without saying, but this is NOT Gillian Grace}

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two little tots

{four} Giveaway, giveaway, giveaway! Melissa from Two Little Tots is giving away a $25 store credit to her online shop. Melissa sells all sorts of handmade goodies for momma and child. All comments on today's post will automatically be entered to win, it's that easy! But for an extra entry, swing by Melissa's shop and leave a separate comment telling me about something that catches your eye!

brown delivers

{five} Thanks to my bloggy (turned real-world) friend, Laura, Gillian Grace is going to look super festive this Christmas in her custom made red, green, and white tutu! I honestly don't know how Laura finds the time to make anything with her busy household of four (soon to be five) kiddos, but I'm sure glad she decided to surprise us with this one! Now any ideas for a family Christmas card? After reading so many cute ideas, I'm seriously drawing a blank when it comes to something original!

Hmm! Anything else in here?!

Hope your Monday is off to a great start! And, let the countdown to Turkey Day begin!

A bug

Good Monday morning, friends! Just a quick little note to say that I'll be away from the computer for a few days because I'm feeling a little under the weather. And no, contrary to what you may think, my sicky sickness has nothing to do with the horrendous booty whooping my Gators took from Alabama Saturday evening. Once I return I'll have tons of fun pictures, as well as a few exciting surprises to share! But don't get your hopes up, though I won't share the details of my soon-to-be revealed surprise with y'all just yet, I can promise you that we'll still be a family of three after the reveal.

If your team played this weekend, hopefully they fared better than mine and you enjoyed a wonderful Fall weekend!

As for me, I'll see ya when I see ya!

{Don't forget:}

Extended!

Love Stamped Jewelry
September 18th-October 8th
Winner will be announced Monday, October 11th!


Win 24 FREE personalized Halloween stickers from Pear Tree Greetings! Ends October 9th at midnight.

H is for Hospital

{Warning: This is a VERY long post.}

I've been contemplating this post for a few days, not really wanting to relive the stressful events of last week and Gillian Grace's sudden hospitalization. But since I began this blog to chronicle all the big and not so big moments in our life, I decided that this was among the biggest events to happen to our family to date and definitely deserved its place in our bloggy history.

Around 4 a.m. on Monday the 24th of May, we were awakened from a sound sleep by the sound of a very upset Gillian Grace. Startled at first by the fact that she was crying {a rare sound in our household}, I immediately turned on the television to watch GG on the video monitor. Sure she would settle down after a few minutes of fussing and fall back asleep, my instincts immediately told me that something was wrong when after five minutes, she was still squalling.

After changing her diaper and failed attempts to calm her, I was growing ever more certain that Gillian was ill. When she wouldn't take her juice and began having the dry heaves, there was no doubt. Her temperature was around 101 and she was lethargic and clingy. Cuddling a healthy Gillian Grace is like trying to get a cat in a bathtub full of water, it ain't easy! The fact that she wanted to be held constantly was just one more indication that we had one sick little girl.

Hearing horror stories about the ER, we decided to give her a bath in tepid water to try reduce the fever. Then it was off to our pediatrician's without an appointment, but confident we'd be seen quickly. Our regular pediatrician was not working Monday, so we saw Dr. Harper who is a bit of a medical legend here in town. It was also his last day of work before beginning retirement. By the time we saw the doc, GG's temperature had risen a degree and was now hovering around 102.

Thinking at first that she may have a urinary tract infection, Dr. Harper ordered a catheter to be inserted to get a urine sample. While we waited for the results of the urinalysis, a tech came in and took several blood samples. Adding to the stress and pain GG was already feeling, the lab tech we had did not work in pediatrics and apparently hadn't taken blood from an infant since medical school. I think this phrase,"if you're not sure how to do this, please get someone that does..." was spoken more than once.

When the urinalysis came back negative for infection but positive for elevated protein levels, Dr. Harper dropped the first of several bombshells mentioning a need to have Gillian Grace sent to radiology for a barium enema to test for an intussuscption, a telescoping or prolapse of one portion of the bowel into an immediately adjacent segment. After crying herself to sleep, we carried a slumbering GG toward radiology, making a quick detour in hospital administration first to complete paperwork. With Bret holding Gillian Grace, I was the one left to complete all the necessary forms. I tried my best to read all the fine print while listening to the women with the buzz-cut ramble on about protocols and procedures. But all I heard was an indecipherable mumble similar to Charlie Brown's teacher and frequent finger tapping, her way of indicating a need for my signature.

Cloaked in lead vests, Bret and I observed the barium enema while trying our best to soothe, comfort, and keep GG still while the radiologist walked us through the procedure. The test took about an hour. Not wanting to look at the screen showing the path of the enema as it made its way {slowly} through her small and large intestine, I found myself forgetting to breathe while silently praying to the Big Guy upstairs. Once the enema's journey was complete we received another bit of good news, the radiologist did not detect an intussusception and we were sent back to see Dr. Harper.

At this point, the doctors had ruled out ear infections, a urinary tract infection, and now an intussesception. Although this meant we still did not have a definitive answer for Gillian Grace's illness, I felt sure that Dr. Harper would be sending us home along with a prescription or two and some advice for keeping her hydrated. I couldn't have been more wrong. Upon returning to the office, Dr. Harper had already been informed of the results of the barium enema. With brows furrowed and hand on his chin he uttered the words that shook me to my core, "I think she needs to be admitted to the hospital for further observation and treatment."

What??? Why???

So shocked that you could have knocked me over with a feather, I fortunately married a level headed man that was able to keep his wits about him even in the most stressful of situations. I remember holding back tears, my heart breaking in a million pieces for my sweet Gillybean.

From that point on, the day was a complete blur. From waiting in the ER to be admitted, to our wheelchair adventure to the room that would be our home for the next four days, nothing seemed to register. Once we were in the PICU, Dr. Harper dropped by with one more whopper of a request/order. After checking GG's neck {my smarty pants husband knew what was coming when he saw this}, he asked for permission to perform a spinal tap to check for meningitis. Let me just say, it was a good thing I was already sitting when I heard this doozy. Reluctantly, I handed GG over to Dr. Harper and made my way to the hallway to wait. Bret stayed inside, trying his best to comfort our frightened and confused daughter from across the room.



Once again He showed His mercy and grace, the spinal fluid was clear and there were no signs of meningitis upon further testing. Hallelujah! At that point Monday, it was about 2 o'clock. The cavalry {my parents} had just arrived to see GG and offer their support. Gillian Grace was finally resting, though she still wanted to be held and refused to lay on her own.

For the next three days, Gillian Grace underwent more testing, several fever spikes, and an iv catastrophe in which the iv was pulled out accidentally, before being discharged on Thursday. We exited the hospital with no more knowledge about the cause of GG's sickness than on the day we were admitted. All we knew, all the doctors knew, was that she had been one sick little girl.



As any parent can attest, there is not a more helpless feeling in the world than seeing your child in pain, and we would have gladly switched places with her in a second if given the chance. But, GG's bout with illness reminded me that I cannot control everything in life. Life is not a Burger King, and I cannot always have it my way. I can do my part---have her immunized, maintain a clean and healthy environment, and surround her with unparalleled love---but the bottom line is, I cannot protect her from everything. Last week we were reminded that sometimes life just is what it is...uncertain and tough. And it's only after we turned our uncertainty and worry over to God that we found peace knowing that although we didn't necessarily understand everything, He had a plan for us and for Gillian Grace.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."---John 14:27

For such a small little lady, Gillian Grace is a fighter! Stubborn through and through {a trait she obviously inherited from her Gammie}, she was bound and determined not to let the illness get the best of her. I have never been more proud or loved her more! Little Miss Sunshine is back and better than ever!

Hospital Rundown

GG's symptoms:

• Fever/Clammy
• Inconsolable
  
• Dry heaves/vomitting
• Unwillingness to eat or drink
• Lethargic
• Clingy

Diagnosis:

• Undetermined
  

Procedures: May 24th

• Catheter inserted to check for urinary tract infection (no infection detected but protein levels triple the norm)
  
• Blood work (white cell count elevated)
• Barium enema to check for intussuscption
  
• Spinal tap to check for meningitis
• IV inserted
  
• Leads to monitor respiratory and cardiac health placed on back

Temperature range:

• Peak- 104 (afternoon on Tuesday, May 25th)
• Low-98.6 (Wednesday morning)
• Temperature continued to fluctuate (between 98-100) from Wednesday afternoon until discharge Thursday
• Gillian Grace had been fever free for 24 hours prior to discharge

Miscellaneous:

• Leads/monitors removed on the 26th by Dr. Shearer
• Noticed iv leak early a.m. on the 27th/attempts at new iv failed
• GG drank her first bottle since hospitalization on the evening of the 26th
• She drank Pedialyte, juice, and water on the 27th and ate several Cheerios
• Favorite nurses: Miss Val and Miss Dana/Least favorite: Nurse Wrachett, I mean Miss Sharie
  

Lessons learned:

• Be proactive. Ask questions. Make requests. Follow-up.
  
• Always keep a detailed list of important items like fever readings, times meds were administered, doctor visits, nurse walk-ins, etc. (I used Notes app on my iphone, it was invaluable.)
  

Cheers to good health, y'all!

GG's Home

I'm keeping this short for obvious reasons. And though I'll dedicate an entire post next week to GG's hospitalization, I couldn't wait to share a bit of good news {finally}...

Gillian Grace is home!

Thank you for all of the prayers, well wishes, and kind words during such a difficult time. There are honestly no words to express how much the tremendous outpouring of love and support has meant to our family. I am blessed beyond measure to have found so much comfort from people I've never met, but feel like I know.

Here's a quick snippet of GG playing with Gammie this evening. Couldn't resist including this! If this little lovey isn't proof of the power of prayer, I'm not sure what is. God is good!

And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and [really] believing, you will receive.---Matthew 21: 22

Not your typical Wordless Wednesday

My mom always likes to say that God never gives us more than we can handle. This week He has put our Faith to the test, throwing one surprise after another our way.

Monday morning, Gillian Grace was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Today {Wednesday} we're still here; and thankfully, GG's status has been upgraded to stable. The reason for Gillian's sudden illness is still unknown at this point as we're awaiting the results of a few more tests.



So needless to say, I'll be away from the computer for a few days. Once we're released {tomorrow, hopefully} my only plans are to spend a little family time with our lil' bean in the comfort of our own home.

Wishing you and your family a blessed end to the week and wonderful Memorial Day weekend.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ---Phillippians 4:6-7

*I'm extending the Mimi's Babies Giveaway {again} until Sunday, May 30th at midnight. Please be sure to tell your friends, there's still plenty of time to enter. Click here to enter.