Going From Two to One

I originally created this blog to keep family and friends updated on the happenings of the Campana Family. There were times when I wanted to post on other subjects but I didn't think this site was the right place to do that so I created another blog. Most people know about both of them and usually visit both of them so I don't think it makes sense to keep two blogs going. I'm not going to be posting at The Campana Family blog anymore, but please come visit us at www.explaygroupmommy.blogspot.com.

Pictures

I know I have been slacking on adding pictures to this blog. I have them downloaded on my computer, but it's the computer in the office and I'm hardly ever in there. I know...no excuses. I promise that I will update FlickR and this site with pictures of my adorable kiddies and maybe even one or two of Sal and I. Although I've gained so much weight that I really don't want anyone to see me -- but that's a whole other post. Something I'll post on my explaygroupmommy site. Anyone want to join me in a weight loss program? We can keep each other honest and working the program. Let me know....

Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease

OH NO! We have been infected yet again with hand-foot-mouth disease. This is the 3rd time Brian has gotten this. He has these awful sores on his throat and inside of his mouth. All I can really do is try to keep him comfortable and keep him hydrated which is a challenge because it hurts to swallow. We are nuts about hand washing after potty and after being outside. I carry anti-bacterial hand wash w/ me at all times. But here we are again....Now I have to worry about Emma getting it. Drew is old enough that his immune system should fight it. I am now cleaning the entire house w/ lysol and clorox! And of course my husband went fishing for the day. Great. Just when I need him the most. Isn't that just like a man? If I had plans today there would be no way I would go, not if one of my babies were sick. Oh well...back to my cleaning!!

Brian's 3rd Bday Party!!

Brian had his 3rd bday party on Saturday at Kidzercise. He had a blast! If you are in the South Jersey area, I highly recommend having a bday party there. They do a great job! (I'm going to post the pictures on FlickR but I have to upgrade to Pro so I don't have a limit on my downloads.)

Emma is Home!!!

Emma eating some of Brian's bday cake!!

Emma Has Been Hospitalized

I just wanted to post quickly that Emma was admitted to Kennedy Hospital yesterday around 5:00. Her fever continued to climb yesterday, even after the motrin and tylenol were given so her doctor felt it would be better if she was in the hospital. I spent last night w/ her and Sal is there right now so I can get ready for Brian's bday party which is at 11:00 today. We didn't want to cancel so Sal will stay w/ Emma while I'm at the party w/ Brian. I will write another update this afternoon.

Please keep her in your prayers.

More pictures of Rylee

Here are some more pictures of Rylee. Kim said she is doing great..weighed 7 pounds at the doctor's yesterday. She is such a little cutie and look at all the hair!!

Update on Emma

Hi everyone --

Thanks for all your prayers and good wishes. Thanks to Shannon and Ginger for telling me some not so great mommy stories. Emma is doing better. She is still running a fever but I'm hoping that it will break after she has been on the antibiotic for 24 hours. She didn't sleep well last night (so that means we didn't either) but she is much happier and more herself than yesterday! You can bet that I won't be forgetting her medicine anytime soon!

Brian and Thomas

Emma

I think I just aged about 10 years this morning. It all began yesterday. I took the children to the zoo w/ my friend Nancy and her boys in the morning. We had a really good time and even stopped for ice cream on the way home. When we got home I noticed that Emma felt hot when I was taking her out of her car seat. I took her temp and it was 102.4. I gave her some motrin and laid her down. That evening Sal and the boys went to the Riversharks game (Emma and I were suppose to go, but w/ her fever I didn't want to take the chance). Emma woke up from her nap feeling much cooler. I gave her dinner and put her to bed around 7:00. She woke up at 10:00 and she was on fire. I took her temp and it was 104.1. I called Marie and asked her when I should start to worry. We decided that as long as the Motrin/Tylenol was getting the fever to come down that she would be fine to wait until morning to go see the doctor. She woke up warm. but not as hot as she was. I gave her some Tylenol and made an appt to see the doctor for 9:30. When we got to the office the nurse took her temp and it was 103.9 -- much higher than it had been even an hour ago. While waiting for the doctor, I noticed that her eyes were starting to glaze over a little and her head was dropping back. I was trying to get her attention, but she wouldn't respond to me. Her eyes then started rolling back and she back rigid and starting shaking. I screamed for someone to get a doctor and by the time a doctor came in (maybe 50 seconds) she was starting to come to. It took her another good minute to really seem normal and we started to undress her to get her cooler we noticed a rash ALL OVER HER BODY! The doctor said that could be happening because of the high fever and febrile seizure. Yes, she had just had a febrile seizure. I was aware of what they were because Drew had one as a baby, but he was w/ the sitter when it happened. This was the first time I've experienced it and it was one of the worst 50 seconds of my life. My doctors are so great and they hugged me and gave Emma some Motrin and just let us hang out in the room until we got the fever down. They also did a urine culture and it turns out that she has a UTI. As most of you know, she has kidney reflux so anytime she has a fever she needs to have her urine tested. Emma is on an antibiotic that she takes everyday to try to prevent the UTI's from breaking through. I'm embarrassed (and feel awful) to say that I was slacking off a little in giving it to her. It's so hard to remember the medicine when she isn't sick. I know that's not an excuse, and I feel so guilty because my baby is sick and it's my fault. Marie tried to make me feel better by saying that the infection still could have happened even if she got her medicine everyday, but we won't ever know. I admitted to the doctor that I hadn't been diligent about giving her the medicine and of course I started crying. She was so sweet - she hugged me and said we are all moms and sometimes things like that happen. She could have taken the other road and been very angry but she was great -- so sensitive to my feelings and the fact that I was beating myself up more than anyone else could. We need to give her Tylenol/Motrin every 3 hours to make sure her fever doesn't get that high. Other than that all we can do is wait for the new antibiotic to kick in. She is sleeping right now. When she wakes up I think I'll give her a cool bath. If I could, I would climb in her crib right now and snuggle her. I just don't want to let her go. I'm so thankful that she is going to be okay. I promise to make sure that she gets her antibiotic everyday. Thank you God for giving us another chance.

If another wants to comment on the awful things they have done as parents I would LOVE it!

Day Out With Thomas

Thomas the Tank Engine came to Cape May this weekend, so of course, we were also in Cape May. We had a 1:15 train ride scheduled and thankfully got there just in time to get on the train, so we didn't have to wait in the heat. And hot is was....it was about 90 degrees outside and over a 100 degrees in the train! Poor Emma was so unhappy..she was so hot and her hair just turned all curly! Brian had a good time, so that made the day worthwhile. Since we were down the shore, we decided to hop over to Ocean City to take the kids on the boardwalk to get something to eat and go on some rides.


We had a really nice day and over all the everyone was really well behaved -- including Sal. I was even good w/ my diet and didn't get any Johnson's Popcorn, but I did get a Dairy Queen blizzard, of course I shared it w/ Emma!! I'm going to post more pictures from Thomas and the rides in FlickR if you want to check them out. Click on the flickR box on the left hand side of the page.