A wonderful week in Florida

Headed to Florida Lola's first plane ride

Lola sacked out on the plane

Lucy sacked out on the plane

Getting to see Fave! Lucy wouldn't let go of her - priceless!

Lola's first plane ride

Look at what Lucy got when she arrived in Florida

Our girls love visiting Fave and Hunky!!

Walking up to the lighthouse

Trip to the lighthouse

At our favorite park in Florida

Lola is such a little smiler!Daddy and Lucy

Disney World was wonderful!

Riding through Its a Small World

waiting for It's a small world

Fave and Lucy on the carousel

We loved the jungle ride

Lola and Fave watching Lucy on the rides

Jungle safari ride

This was so magical!

Watching the parade Thanks Fave!

Can't go to Disney World without a huge sucker!

Lola meeting Mickey and MinnieLucy loved this little duck

Snuggling with Fave

Look at this cutie!

Working hard in the kitchen on the pizza contest

Pizza contest - the Winner is Chris do you see why?

Getting to see Hunky after the game

Fun with Fave

If you keep up with our blog you will know that we had canceled our trip to Florida to see my sister because the girls were sick. As we went to the doctor last Monday he thought we were crazy. He said we should have no trouble at all flying with the girls and that if we stayed inside until Lola was completely better it would be until next year. So we decided it would be fun to go on with our first family vacation as a family of 4! It was a blast. The girls did great on the plane as it was Lola's first flight! She slept the entire time. Lucy was busy coloring, reading books and playing on her pretend computer. We were so proud of them. While in Florida we stayed with Hunky and Fave. We were busy every day. On Thursday we went to a lighthouse and walked all the way to the top. I didn't realize my fear of heights until we were all at the very top looking down. It was a beautiful clear day and the view was amazing! Friday, Adam, Fave and I took the girls to Disney World. What a magical place, truly magical. We were all amazing all 5 of us. Lucy walked in the park and said "WOW" she enjoyed every second even the tram rides to and from the parking lot. Easy to please. Lola although too young to soak it in, she would stare at everything around her, loving the sites and sounds. Lucy got to take many rides, carousel, water safari, its a small world, peter pans flight, Aladdin's magic carpet and one that I will never forget Dumbo. We waited 30 minutes in line just her and I. It was our special ride. We were next to go on the ride and she fell asleep on my shoulder. The entire ride she was sound asleep. It was too cute! The most magical part was getting to see Mickey and Minnie. Lucy was in awe. She was really interested in Minnie and kept telling Minnie "Dress, Bow, Dress, Bow" Lucy was loving that she and Minnie both had dresses and bows on. Melted our hearts!

Saturday we went to the Daytona 500 race track to check it out. It is a major production everything they do there. We were able to drive onto the inside of the field. It was really neat and interesting. It was the start of bike week that weekend and so there were bikers all over the place. We got to watch a motorcycle race while inside the track. It is amazing how fast they go. Then on Monday we got to go to Daytona State College where Hunky is the baseball coach. We got to watch his boys play where they beat the opponent 18 - 2. Way to go Chris! Lucy enjoyed running on the field at the end of the game. Little does she know she has a lot of baseball in her future. We flew back with Fave on Tuesday and were pooped! The girls did amazing on the flight back! It was a special unforgettable trip!

Peanut Butter and Jelly dipped in Ketchup

Recently Lucy, Lola, Fave, Adam and I went out to eat. Lucy was sitting at the table having a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The rest of us had french fries with a side of ketchup. No fair, I know! Anyway, Lucy loves to dip her sandwiches, chips, fruit and veggies in anything she can. She decided that her pb&j would be perfect dipped in a little ketchup. Joyful! Fave about threw up and Lucy dipped every last bite in the ketchup! It didn't even phase her. She may get her appetite from Adam. Last night Fave, Uncle, Adam and I had a pizza making contest. Adam made a pizza that consisted of: pizza crust (with crumbled crackers on the bottom), ham, green peppers, onion, garlic spread (more than you can imagine), cheese and a fried egg. It was the most horrible pizza I have ever tasted in my life, I am not being mean - Adam fully agreed but managed to swallow 1/4 of the pizza. Needless to say he lost the competition.

To a Great Friend

Dad & his kids!

Mom and her girls!
As many of you know I talk about my friend Brooke all the time. There are so many reasons most importantly because we are friends, neighbors, have kids the same age, our husbands adore each other, Adam and Brooke work together we go to the same doctor, hair dresser, bunco group, and so much more. We basically do life along side the Milams. Brooke, has been the greatest person to lean on over the last 2 months since Lola has been born. She has gone above and beyond as a friend. Brooke you have no idea how incredibly thankful I am for all you have done. You have made these last few months so much easier on our family. The latest thing Brooke has helped with along with our friend Virginia was setting up meals to have delivered to our house. Since I was unable to take Lola out of the house, it was extremely hard to go grocery shopping, and get into a routine of fixing dinners. We have had some of the best meals delivered. People have been spoiling us so much. Not only did they give us meals when Lola was first born, but now again when she was sick. Brooke made the greatest chicken enchiladas I have ever had - made to perfection as only Brooke can do! AMAZING! We have also gotten, chicken puff pastry, brisket, seafood soup, chicken almond casserole, lasagna, spaghetti and a gift card to our local pizza joint. Tonight is the last meal we will get, and it will be a celebration meal for Lola. She went to the doctor this morning for a follow up check up and we are now in the clear. Her ear infection is gone, her breathing is clear and no more rsv - PRAISE GOD and she is a total doll! We are safe to do as we please. The doctor told us to still keep her away from sick people - not due to the rsv but just because she is a newborn as it is! We are so thankful that all that is behind us! I have posted a few of our latest activities - basically just hanging out and a few videos too! Thank you again Brooke, I hope to somehow repay you for putting our family first and taking such great care of each one of us. We love you!!

Lucy loves her phone

Sweet Lola's coos

Good Bye Davis Family

The first time we met Layne - my how time flies
Layne at Lucy's baby shower...we didn't know if Lucy was a boy or a girl at this point
The shower for Lucy before we moved to Memphis for a short time. Given by the Hardens, Blights and Davis Family

We are the only ones left in Corpus, this was in 2005...I think

The cake Katie made for Lucy's first birthdayLayne relaxing after Lucy's birthday party

Buddies!

Lola looks thrilled!Our last play date
Lucy, Lola, Layne & Elliot

We are so sad to say good bye to our good friends Ryan, Katie, Layne and Elliot. They are in the military and just got stationed to California. They have been some of the friends we have known the longest in Corpus, they are the last of our military connection - at least I think. We have already had to say good bye to the Hardens and Blights. Katie and I are very similar and enjoy getting together for play dates with our girls. I first met Katie when her daughter Layne was less than 6 months old. They hosted Lucy's baby shower with a few other of our friends, have taken us out on their boat, hit up some Hooks games together, made Lucy's 1st birthday cake and spoiled us when Lola was born. We will miss them so much but will be excited to visit them either in California or Hawaii!! Katie, thank you so much for being a great role model as a mom and a great friend. I will miss seeing you so much! Love you and your precious family!

Check up for the Girls

I had to post this picture. As you know Lucy is working hard on potty training and doing really great! Last night she was wearing Adam's hat and caring my camera around when she said "I potty". We ran down to the potty and she turned her hat backwards, I am guessing to potty. I started laughing and grabbed the camera from her because she was all smiles. Well when I took the camera from her this is the shot I got. I just loved it and wanted to share!At the duck pond feeding the ducks and seagulls

Headed to the doctor for a check up, that smile never made me think ear infection We had a great weekend, celebrating Valentine's Day, watching the Olympics and getting the girls a check up at the doctor. The check up was over all good. Lucy is ready to Rock n Roll, no signs of rsv and the cough is slowing going away. Miss Lola still is caring this rsv bug and had now gotten a double ear infection - poor baby. You wouldn't know it to look at her, she is smiling and interacting with us so much. She is on an antibiotic which will hopefully make her feel better soon. The only good thing about the ear infection...if you can call it good is that Lucy had one too and when she had it the doctor said it is the end of rsv, everything just draining out. So I think Lola should be on the mend soon. We still are not allowed out in crowded places or around other children until Lola's lungs get a little strong. This means no story time at the library, no dance class (unless just one of us take Lucy), no going out to eat and no traveling. We are really bummed because we had a family vacation planned to Ormond Beach to visit Aunt Fave and Hunky and also were going to visit Mickey at Disney World at the end of the month. We haven't canceled just postponed until after rsv season. This weekend we managed to get out in the 76 degree weather to feed the ducks at the park. Lucy just loved it. We have spent lots of time inside, dancing, coloring, and being together and had an absolute ball!

Lola finally Home from the Hospital

The awesome visitors that came to see Lola - they brightened my day so much too!
An awesome date with Lucy at McDonalds. Check out her outfit...matches Ronald himself!

Breathing Treatment

Our little angel

What a rough horrible week we have had! I never like to post anything negative because who wants to read that but this can't go unblogged. To catch you up, check out my post right before this one, it will bring you up to speed.

We ended up spending 5 nights in the hospital with Lola as she fought the nasty RSV virus. It was the hardest I have been tested as a mother. Adam had been away on business in Baltimore when this all began. So we had not seen each other in 5 days, when he got home he had to stay with Lucy at home since Lola was in isolation and could not have anyone under 12 or anyone who was sick or could possibly be sick. Our experience at Driscoll was good and bad. On the good side, we had one AMAZING nurse. Her name was Sandra, she was the one person who helped in all of the major turns Lola made in the hospital. Lola was having a really hard time breathing due to this virus. I would sit and watch her fight for air - in fact that is what made me take her to the hospital in the first place. For 3 days nurses and doctors came in our room saying how strong Lola was, as I was looking at her oxygen stats in the low 80%. I kept questioning why this was so low, every single nurse and doctor told me the machine was not reading accurately. REALLY then why have it reading anything at all. Lola had a horrible cough and would throw up when the cough got bad enough. On day 3 nurse Sandra was on duty, came into our room and said "I really don't like her stats being so low. Let's put her on oxygen". GOOD IDEA. Right when she did this Lola began breathing at 97-100%. She all the sudden seemed better she was on 1 litter of O2 and was finally comfortable. We both got a great night sleep. Sandra has brought so much comfort. The next day the nurses began bringing her O2 down, she was not ready her stats would again drop. I was very persistent in keeping her at the 1 litter until the Dr. saw Lola. During her stay she was on breathing treatments every 4 hours. It seemed after every treatment she would have a hard time breathing but Dr.'s orders. It was suppose to help break up everything that was in her chest and lungs. Another day of set backs, her O2 level kept falling and the nurses once again blaming the machine. Since I had proof of higher O2 working I insisted it be moved up. I am not trying to toot my own horn but come on why were they so convinced she needed to be moved down and so fast. Much to our thankfulness Nurse Sandra was back on duty. She came in and was charting Lola's stats and realized that it was true after breathing treatments she would have set backs. She told the Dr. this as she came for the visit asking that Lola be taking off the treatments. The Dr. said we could try it and that is when we were able to start slowing moving the O2 level down for Lola. Within a matter of 4 hours Lola was breathing at 95-100% all on her own. Thank you Nurse Sandra for being smarter than any of the nurses and doctors and getting our baby to feel better.

Of course there was a lot more to this story, Lucy was home with RSV, double ear infection and diarrhea, Adam and I both had bad colds in which caused Adam some throwing up, therefore he had to stay away from the hospital. When we woke up Sunday morning we decided it was time to call for reinforcement and who did we turn to....AUNT FAVE! Megs was on the next flight out and arrived Sunday at 6:00pm to help. She came straight to the hospital after scrubbing down and masking her face to be with Lola so Adam, Lucy and I could spend some time together. The hospital had McDonal's on the first floor, Lucy thought Ronald McDonald was pretty cool. After we enjoyed some well needed time I went back to the hospital to be with Lola and Megs stayed a while to keep me company. Monday, Adam came to the hospital with me and this is when Sandra was on duty - and the day we were waiting for...going home. Megan was over cleaning our house. We had to sanitize EVERYTHING. Lysol was our new best friend.

Both girls had a dr. appointment the next day Tues for a follow up. They will both go back again tomorrow to make sure this virus is leaving.

I will be so happy when this is all behind us. For now, we will be staying home for a while. Doctors orders is to keep the girls away from crowded places, kids, and well people in general until they get their immune system back and very strong. We are taking this very serious because we don't want either girl to have to go through this again. We were suppose to be going to Dallas today to see my grandmother and have her get to meet Lola for the first time, we are both so disappointed. We also have plans to go visit Aunt Fave and Hunky at the end of February for a trip to Disney...we aren't sure we can do this either, we will be checking in with the doctor on that.

Thank you all for your prayers. It meant the world to our family!

RSV part 1

Settled into our hospital room after 8 hours of waiting in the ER
My great friend Brooke who sat with me the entire time...brought me lunch and dinner and helped hold Lola. She also gave Lola the cute little elephant that was by her side the whole time in the hospital. Along with pink snuggly socks and balloons to decorate her bed!

Even when Lola wasn't feeling well she was able to give Mommy lots of smiles.

Since I don't have the energy to write the specifics of the beginning of this story I copied from Brooke's blog to get everyone up to date.

MILAMSPACE says:

"We have certainly had a rough couple of days. This whirlwind of events begin Tuesday night when our very good friend Sarah called us at around 12:30 Tuesday night. Her two daughters Lucy and Lola had both been diagnosed with RSV earlier that day. Lola was having a very hard time breathing and Sarah was afraid she needed to take her to the emergency room. My amazing husband rushed to Sarah's house (I guess I should mention her husband Adam was in Baltimore on business). Michael helped Lola with her breathing treatments and helped to ease Sarah. He returned at about 2:00 a.m.. Sarah apparently was up all night with Lola who had continued to struggle, so Michael headed back over to her house at 8:00 a.m. to watch Lucy until the babysitter arrived so Sarah could take Lola to the emergency room at Driscoll Children's Hospital. I joined Sarah at 12:30 to wait with her and Lola, Lola didn't get seen by a doctor until around 3:30. It was a very stressful time while we were in the emergency room, we had an unfriendly doctor, not much information and we saw The Little Mermaid and Garfield the Movie each played twice. Lola was admitted into a room at around 8:30. It was very hard to see both Lola and Sarah go threw what they did, as hard as it was on me I can't imagine how hard it was on Sarah with a 7 week old, another child at home sick and her husband thousands of miles away. Lola got settled into her room and seemed to be doing okay. I left around 11:00, and was so hopeful that Sarah and Lola would both get some rest.
While at the emergency room I received a phone call from Connor's day care saying he had a 103 fever. Michael picked him up from daycare and rushed him to the pediatrician. Connor was diagnosed with RSV as well and a mild case of Bronchitis. Now I feel horrible because I think he has had it for at least a week, which would explain his cranky mood over the last week.
So Wednesday night at the Milam house Michael and I had about 4 hours of sleep. Connor couldn't sleep because of his fever and we also had to give him treatments on his nebulizer. We ended up driving around our neighborhood from 4:00 - 4:30 in an attempt to get Connor to sleep. I imagine that if anyone was awake and saw us that they probably called the cops about a black Lincoln SUV combing out houses to break into!
Michael and I both took the day off to spend time with Connor and to help out Adam & Sarah. I ended up just being at the hospital for about 3 hours today, Lola ended up having to stay another night. She keeps fluctuating with her progress. We are praying that she has a good night and can be released tomorrow. We are also praying that Sarah gets some much needed rest.
Adam arrived Wednesday night at 9:30, Michael picked him from the airport and his dad (grandpa) came over to watch Connor since I was still at the hospital. Adam is back in Corpus now and dividing his time between Sarah and Lola at the hospital and Lucy and their home.
Please keep all of these children in your thoughts and prayers, this can be a very scary virus especially in infants under four months. You can go to http://www.rsvinfo.com/ to find out more information on this virus.
As hard as these last few days have been on us, in some ways it has been an amazing experience. Two young families came together to help one another out and to support one another. We had to pull strength from each other and give our children the strength and care that they needed. I am simply amazed by all the love and support that our group of friends in Corpus Christi have given to the Nuse family. I never could have imagined when I moved here six years ago that we would have people care for us like this and take us under their wings. "