RSV - unexpected and unwelcome.

Last week my sweet happy boy looked something like this:

THEN, Monday and Tuesday came with a little cough and runny nose.

Wednesday and Thursday brought the watery eyes and a low-grade fever. 

Friday it was all downhill. Wheezing and fussy, I took Dom to the pediatrician. The doc said he could possibly have  RSV, but that he was probably a big enough infant to manage it. So, we went home.

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Saturday was a different story. Dominic woke up wheezing so loudly you could hear it in the next room. He was struggling to breathe and coughing badly. We went right back to the pediatrician -- and he was directly admitted to the hospital from there. I really could not have imagined our weekend would turn into a trip to the hospital! My poor baby. Thankfully, we didn't have to go through the ER, and we were settled in a room within 10 minutes of arriving at Scottsdale Healthcare Hospital.

Settled into his tiger hospital gown and playing in the crib

-- you wouldn't know he was even sick by this picture!

He was still eating pretty well, so luckily no IV was needed. He was spared the poke! But, my little boy had to be put on oxygen for a few hours in the evening to help with the difficulty breathing.

I think all patients can learn a little something from this miserable feeling baby -- still smiling.

In the meantime, Dominic decided he loved rolling over and wouldn't stay on his back at all!

We spent two nights at the hospital. I tried to hold Dominic the entire time. Maybe it was more comforting for me than him, lol, who knows.

Watching Bing Crosby on YouTube. What can I say, my son has good taste!

Don't think for one minute that Anthony and his boy would miss U of A beating Texas' butt!

Time to go home! YAY!!

I am so greatful that Saturday turned out to be the worst of it -- come Monday morning he was worlds better and we were discharged to go home. Thank Goodness!! I think I will go back to being the germaphobe mom I was when he was tiny!

It is so wonderful to be back home. He is still on breathing treatments and antibiotics (now a double ear-infection in addition), but that's where my RN skills can actually come in handy! I've got my trusty stethoscope by his bed so I can keep a close eye on my baby. Love you Dominic.

Thank you to all my family and friends who were worried for him and gave their love and support! We are home and well on the way back to normalcy :-)

Updates on my Dominic!

So, I had decided to stop blogging after Dominic was born -- it was mostly meant as a pregnancy journal -- but a few people have asked me for updates on my little man, so here I go!

Life has been crazy lately. Crazy good -- but still constantly changing! Dominic seemed to hit a thousand major milestones all within a 2-3 weeks. I can't even keep up! (Pictures below) Currently, Dominic is rolling both ways, sitting without help, eating a few solid foods, and two days ago he started scooting! (None of which he did just 3 weeks ago!) Now, I don't think his scooting qualifies as crawling yet -- but he is mobile! It is actually the most hilarious thing. He digs his head into the ground for balance and sticks his butt way up in the air, pushing off the ground with his little feet! By some miracle, he topples forward and looks very proud of himself as he reaches his toys. I have video to come later.

Here are some more recent events!


I finally decided to cut his long crazy hair.

                         He isn't even 6 months yet and we had to blow-dry it every night after bath!

                                                    Example of 7:30am morning hair.....

I'm seriously sad about his long hair being gone -- but I love the results! My little man looks

so grown up. And, now I don't even have to blow-dry or brush it anymore. BIG PLUS!

                            He didn't feel well, so I let him nap in bed with me.....I'm such a sucker!

                                         03/08/11 - 5 months old - Sitting up without help!

 

Weaning the swaddle --

This has been painful so far. Dominic is the best napper. All I have to do is swaddle him and he closes his eyes and falls asleep all on his own. This happens not only in his crib.....but in my arms, on the floor, in someone else's house....you name it! Not sure how we got so lucky. The problem is, he has now discovered how to roll onto his tummy in the swaddle. But, his arms are strapped down and he doesn't know what to do and just screams! Btw, flipping him over doesn't fix the problem -- he refuses to learn from this mistake -- and repeats over and over again. I mostly worry that he won't scream and he will have trouble breathing or something.... not good! SO, needless to say it is time to get rid of the swaddle. This project just started today. Below are picks of his first two unswaddled naps, such a cutie. So far, he is able to fall asleep without too much playing, BUT he won't stay asleep for more than 30 min! He wakes up and finds himself unswaddled and thinks it must be time to get up! I need some advice from all you mommies out there, this is hard! (I do have to admit that at this very moment he is swaddled tightly and sleeping like a champ in his crib -- baby steps, baby steps.)

Lover of everything Dr. Seuss! It's March and I still read
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" to Dominic once a day!

Believe it or not -- he loves the grocery cart! He feels like such a big boy sitting up and looking at everything I'm doing. He's especially happy when I let him hold some groceries.



His two favorite things: Bathtime and Toes!
p.s. this is why I cut his hair!! ;-D

Playing with Daddy

Sleeping in Mommy's Lap ;-) (my favorite too)

Dominic LOVES to:

Roll over

Play on his tummy

Eat (like you couldn't tell) ;-)

Nap - 5 hours a day in addition to nighttime!

Ride in the car

Read with his Daddy

Take baths

Grab at whatever I'm drinking (he doesn't do this with anyone else, not sure why!)

Yell and talk all the time

Fake cough (he discovered the sound and thinks it's hilarious)

Eat his toes

Watch TV (not my fault!! He stares at any TV we pass, isn't he too young for that!?)

Grab everyone's nose

Well, my next plan was a list of things Dominic hates. However, I can't think of that many! He is seriously the easiest going little boy. He is so sweet and good for his momma. He doesn't like when the doctor tries to check his ears, and he doesn't like peas or rice cereal. But that's all I can think of at the moment! Oh -- one thing he already hates is when I take something away that he wants to play with. He's already learned to scream immediately! My little boy is such a smartie. I love my good boy :)

Baptism Blessings!

Our little Dominic Leo was welcomed into the Body of Christ on Novmeber 28, 2010!
GOD BLESS YOU DOMINIC!

Chunky Monkey! :-)

My sweet boy is 6 weeks today!

He has such a big personality already, loves his mom and dad, and loves to eat! My chubby little angel is 95% in weight and gaining steadily! I love him so much. I'm not looking forward to the day when I can't just let him sleep in my arms for hours.

Two Weeks Already???

Dominic is the sweetest baby and I just love him more than words! He sleeps like an angel during the day and loves to be wide awake at night. No change from the womb so far. Haha. He likes bath time and sleeps soundly during car rides. So far he has slept through three meals at restaurants! This time is so fun, I don't want him to keep growing so fast!

Dominic Leo Cali

Born October 8th, 2010 at 4:24am. He was 8lbs. 11oz and 21in.

 I can't imagine being happier!

Here's the labor/delivery story if you are interested:

Labor started Oct. 6th with 12

hours of mild contractions, every 6 minutes! Didn't sleep a minute that

night. October 7th at about 5:00pm they were more intense and we went to the hospital

where my doctor broke my water. From there my labor progressed naturally super fast without

help. I got an epidural and then pushed for THREE hours!!

(btw, anyone who can do this without an epidural is a saint! lol.) Unfortunately, after a total of

33 long hours, Dominic refused to make his appearance.

After all of that, I ended up with a c-section.

Luckily, Dominic Leo Cali arrived in perfect condition and it was worth every

single minute of pain. He has inch long black hair and looks just like me as an

infant, but with Anthony's full lips! I love him more than words! We stayed in the hospital

for 2.5 days and we are loving being at home with our new son.

I cannot believe that this perfect baby is our son forever :) He is

already a champion eater like his mommy. I just sit and stare at him all day! <3

THERE ARE NO WORDS....

40 WEEKS!

I made it 40 whole weeks! As of right now, he's still cooking though. Baby is too cozy to come out it seems. No news yet, but we can't wait to meet him! If he doesn't come on his own, in Anthony's words, he will be served an eviction notice on Friday morning at 7am! Luckily, I'm feeling great and just enjoying the start of Fall -- thank goodness that summer heat seems to have ended for good this time!

Thank you!!

Just showing off the great Swedish baby gifts that Dominic received today! I love you Tanya, Alina, Srba, and Pia!! Miss you all so so much!

 

I hope he gets to meet his fabulous Swedish family soon! <3

39 Weeks - and STILL PREGNANT!

Well, here I am at 39 weeks, and I'm still pregnant! I'm glad it has been a busy week so that I don't just sit around thinking about baby's arrival! This weekend Anthony was a groomsman in his friend's wedding, so we had wedding activities Friday and Saturday. The event was beautiful, and probably every guest told me I looked like I was about to pop! haha, well I suppose I am! But really, I'm hanging in there and was able to have a great time at the wedding.

Yesterday we had our appointment with the doctor. It was a bit nerve-racking because my doctor told me to choose the circumstances of my delivery! Basically, she told me that he is getting big, and if I want to be induced today or even have a c-section, then she thought it was a good idea! She listed all the pros and cons of induction and also of doing nothing at all. She said none of the choices were wrong choices at this point and I just had to decide what I wanted. What pressure! I don't know why I had the opportunity decide such things that should be out of my hands! It was kinda stressful thinking about it! After a long discussion with Anthony, we decided to just wait. I trust that the baby will come when he is good and ready, and I can definitely hang in there until then! People have 9 lb. babies all the time, right? ;-D Well, if they can do it, so can I. I think this will be the best thing for the baby, and that is my #1 priority. So 7 days to go! My doctor did say that if he does not come in the next week, she will not let me pass my due date. As of right now I will be induced on October 6th, if he does not come before that.

Cross your fingers that he will come soon and without induction! Anthony and I have been going to the gym everyday ( I just walk on the treadmill ) and swimming at our pool to try and get the baby moving! I actually feel great. We have an empty calendar for the next week, so until then, the waiting continues! Plus, my big sister comes into town Sunday, so I can't wait!

John and Lindsey Gray's Wedding in Scottsdale, AZ

We finally bought a nursery glider! I fretted over ordering it online for weeks, and finally just chose one!

It arrived yesterday, and I love it!

37.5 Weeks - 3 weeks or LESS to go!

My belly just keeps getting bigger! Quick update - I'm feeling great still! Tired, but mostly due to lack to sleep from pee breaks. Baby is doing well and I am trying to stay active, even if that means taking walks around the mall.

My doctor yesterday measured my belly and said, "Oh my Goodness!"....meaning I'm measuring 42cm at 37 weeks (bigger than average for sure!). This little boy is taking all my food because he got bigger and I didn't even gain a pound! So, my doctor scheduled an ultrasound for next week to get an estimate of the baby's weight. She said we will "talk" after that - - meaning she will induce me if he is getting too big! So, baby may be here in less than 3 weeks! I can hardly wait! :-)

35.5 Weeks - Wildcat training begins...

Sporting Anthony's UofA shirt for game day-- mine couldn't fit over my little "bump"! haha ;-) U of A won the first football game of the season, and soon little Dominic will be suited up in Red and Blue just like his parents. He even has little Wildcat booties! 4.5 weeks and counting! :)

SNEAK PEAK - Baby's Room!!

WE ARE READY -- WHEN HE IS!

Baby's corner of our guest/office/baby room!

(Megan - his awesome monkey frame is on the wall to the right if you can see it!! <3 thanks!)

(S. Diane - Wonderful St. Dominic is just to the left of his crib too!)

Thank you Grammy for the adorable baby bedding! Now his room is complete!

Baby has stuffed animals enough to entertain him for a year :-D

His walk-in closet -- perfect for all the wonderful outfits and blankets we got!

(Thanks for the awesome diaper bag Auntie Manda.

It is all packed and ready to go whenever he's ready to come!)

Yay for our Mickey Mouse carseat! He will be stylin.

Baby Swing from Auntie Maria!

At first, he will be sleeping next to me until one of us protests!

WE CAN'T WAIT TO MEET YOU DOMINIC!

LOVE, ANTHONY AND SARAH