A 'Rhino' in the House

So I haven't posted anything because we have all been sick with the Rhino virus. Arianna got it the worst and an ear infection to go with it. But with lots of Tylenol and some antibiotics she is feeling much better. The rest of the family has had a bad cough that we just can't kick. So with all that said I haven't taken any new pics cause we all look a little too cruddy, and Matt has my camera at his work.

We got to spend Sunday evening with Matt's Family, we haven't seen them in weeks. We celebrated the birthdays of My honey Matt and his older brother Ben. Matt's mom made her famous lasagna and german chocolate cake. We all had a great time.

A New Baby!!!

I know I have been a bit of a slacker, but that is ok I have been busy.

I first have to welcome the newest member of the Snell Family. Gavin Michael Snell was born Febuary 16, 2008 at 10:26 p.m. to the proud parents Robert and Natalie Snell, and big brother Nathan. He weighed in at 7lbs 9oz and 21 inches long. He is a cutie and has already shown how much of a Snell he is(very gassie).

Now for Arianna, she is doing very good and has been given a clean bill of health from her doctor, she does have some fluid in her right ear but it is not infected. We have been out a few times in our new car and she really likes it, if she is cranky I can put her in the car and drive and then she is happy. It was never like that in our other car. We went for Synagis on Friday, she hated that, and then went to the Homer's for a visit. Alex was taken with Arianna and all her rolling around. Kenna has found a new best friend in Ry and has asked to go back everyday since. I had a great time with Brynn, it feels so good to talk with an adult, and know that my kid(Kenna) is not the only one that melts down like the world has come to an end. Thanks for my reality check, I needed it. And thanks for lunch, quesadillas have never tasted so great.

Arianna is still working on those teeth, it takes forever for teeth to push through when you don't use your mouth to eat. I try teethers and such but she would rather chew on my hand, and her teeth are sharp. She still wont leave her oxygen in her nose so I have to put socks on her hands so she can't grab it.


Tomorrow she will be 20 months old, how cool is that!!! I will post a pic tomorrow so you can see how she has grown.

Arianna Is Home!!!!!

Arianna was discharged this afternoon. We arrived home about 3:00. You could tell right away that she was happy to be home. It did however take her until 6:30 to take a nap. She is still weening off her meds and she was a bit hyper. It will be nice to be under one roof again. Thanks to you all for your support and love, this hospital stay was much more difficult than the past ones. We have been told that if she were to get RSV she would not survive it, she has again proved them wrong.

I will try to keep you all updated on her home recovery, tonight I just don't have the energy.

Side note, I have a new car, well not new, but it is to me. My great husband found a great deal on a Tahoe, we now have four doors, no more bumping Arianna's head. Now the task of selling my two door Grand Prix.

Here's to a quiet and safe weekend!!

Hugs, Julianna

Move'n on Up

We have moved to the floor, ie infant unit. Arianna had a really good night and this morning they put her on a high-flow canula, acts alot like c-pap just a bit more comfortable. So they moved us out of the PICU, I felt really good about it and she seems really happy. They are talking about us going home on Thursday. It will be nice to be home with the whole family, Kenna really misses her sissy, and I miss my bed!

Thanks for all the prayers, I know they have helped us in this time of great need. Our love goes to all that have helped us this past week, I wouldn't be able to survive without the support.

Hugs!!
Julianna

Monday Update

So the Docs were'discussing' sending her back to the floor and even changed her meds so that they can be given by g-tube but Arianna has had other ideas. She has been awake and fighting her c-pap all day. She does this thing that her nurses have dubbed 'the crocidile death roll', and blows her tubing apart. They have had to give her so much adivan to get her to calm down that now that she is asleep she is d-sating, so they up her o2. I am now confident that she will remain here in the PICU. I told the docs that she would come right back here if they sent her to the floor, so she proved me right even before she left. I really feel like they try to push her to hard too fast, they know her, know her history and they still treat her like a kid without her syndrom. But with that said, they also treat her like she isn't going to survive because of her syndrom. 'Please stop' is all I ask , give her a chance to fight, she may be slower to recover but I truly believe and know in my heart that she is meant to be with us for a good long time.

I know that she is going to make it through this, I really expected that she would be intubated long ago, but she has done well on the C-pap and has not need to be on the vent. I am greatful for that fact, she is very hard to extubate. With all that said I have to go home now to give the computer to Matt. More updates tomorrow!

Still Fighting, But Sleeping

Arianna had a good night and is resting quiet well right now. They have had to keep her sedated to keep her from thrashing around. Not much else is happening other than the PICU is getting fuller and fuller. They have atleast 4 triple bunks. I hope we get out of her soon.

Moved to the PICU

Arianna had a difficult night and has exhasted her reserves. They had to give her multipul doses of Adivan to keep her calm, she hates her C-pap and tries to pull it out of her nose, she even tried rolling over on her face to rid herself of it. So this morning at about 6:00 she was working much harder to breath and the crew on the infant unit just couldn't keep up with her, they felt it best to bring her to the PICU where they can keep a closer eye on her. She is finally resting now, we had to wrap hrer arms down so that she would calm down, and she went to sleep pretty quickly after that.

I know that many of you are asking 'how is mommy holding up?' I am doing okay under the circumstances. I have had my crying moments, and I feel a bit better. Right now I am a bit hyper, I guess I should lay off the caffine for a while.

Julianna