Sam's First ER visit

The past 2 weeks have been yucky in the Patterson household.  Brian was the first to get sick about 2 weeks ago.  Sam started coughing about 10 days ago and the other 2 shortly followed.  I'm crossing my fingers that I don't get sick.

These kids NEVER fall asleep mid-morning or on the couch.

  Poor Sammy had been coughing since last Wednesday and then woke up coughing so bad on Sunday we decided to take her to urgent care.  The nurse practitioner there diagnosed her with croup and double ear infections.  

She received a breathing treatment and steriods.  Her O2 was hovering around 95 so they were a little weary about sending her home.  

Looking cool on her way home from urgent care.

We decided to go ahead and get a pulse ox at home since they were a little worried at the urgent care.  Brian took all 3 kiddos to the doctor on Monday to get them checked out.  Mallory had an ear infection, Sam was told she didn't have ear infections, and Taylor just had the virus.  On Tuesday, we had been watching Sam's O2 levels which dropped down to high 80's and low 90's.  She was also lifeless and not talking or walking.  So we decided to take her to the ER.  We arrived there around noon and luckily didn't have to wait long at all.  

They monitored her O2 consistently and it did not improve with a brochodilator or nebulizer with a steroid.  They did suction on her which was horrible for her and us.  We waited outside while they did it and her screams reminded us of her infant screams.  I felt so bad for her.  They then did a chest x-ray to check for pneumonia.  It was negative (thank goodness) but the x-ray techs sure got a kick out of her pajamas.

She actually burst blood vessels in her eyelids from coughing and screaming so much :(

Her O2 levels were still not stabilizing at a safe level so the doctors put her on oxygen and admitted us to the hospital for observation through the night.  The entire time we were in the ER, Sam wanted me to hold her.  She wasn't really talking or playing and just wanted to be held.  Brian went home to help put the other two to bed.  They were both sick too so I felt so bad that I couldn't be there with them.  

About 10 minutes before leaving the ER, Sam pulled out her oxygen and the nurse agreed to let her see if her levels stayed high.  Sam and I got to ride in a wheelchair up to the 5th floor of the hospital.  When we arrived, Sam was a completely different child.  She was hyper, energetic, talkative, and wanted to play. The oxygen obviously helped.  MeMe and GrandPops arrived and got to play, then Brian came back to the hospital.  Sam was the center of attention and she loved it.  

After everyone left we snuggled in bed and watched a movie.  Her oxygen stayed at a good level through the night and when the doctors rounded on Wednesday morning, they decided she could be discharged.  

Uncle Beau came to visit and brought Sammy an awesome Frozen balloon and coloring book.  The nurse came with discharge papers and Sam got excited.  She was shoving all of her stuff in the bag saying "We have to leave in 2 minutes!" then she grabbed all of her things (balloon, Cuddles, red dogs, and 2 bottles of water) and was ready to break out of there.  We were discharged at about 11 AM and she helped the nurse push the cart almost all of the way to the car.  

I'm glad she perked up and the oxygen helped.  It was so sad to see her feeling so sick.  Now, to get everyone else in the house feeling better (Oh and we bravely started potty training yesterday).

First Trip to the ER

So we have been fighting illness after illness here at the Patterson household since about November.  It seems like everyone is well for about 3 days and then it starts all over again.  This week has been no different.  The stomach bug began about 2 weeks ago when Mallory woke up in the middle of the night vomiting (3/9/15).  After two hours she was back to bed and no other signs or symptoms.  Three days later (3/12/15), the exact same thing with Samantha.  She felt fine the next day.  Two days later (3/14/15), I came down with it which lasted about 18 hours or so.  One week later (3/20/15), Taylor began vomiting while having milk before bedtime.  She proceeded to have diarrhea the next 2 days and a small amount of vomit on Sunday evening at dinner.  On Monday morning (3/23/15) when I walked in to the girls' room, Taylor lifted her head and said, "Hi" with a cute little smile.  She then laid her head back down and didn't get up the whole time I was getting the other 2 ready.  Once dressed, I didn't put her down until I took her downstairs.  I had to leave her standing there while I brought the other two down and she didn't budge an inch.  I put all three in their high chairs for breakfast.  While they were eating, I noticed Taylor's hands and feet were turning purple.  This happens to her after her baths when she is cold but never like this and they got really purple.  This made me really nervous.  

So after being on hold 10 minutes and hanging up with the pediatrician, I decided to take her to the ER.  Our family friend Joyce went with me in the car with all 3 and Brian met us there.  She vomited as I got her out of the car.  Once in the ER, she was alert, fatigued, and her feet and hands were back to a normal color (of course).  The nurses and doctor were great with her.  They did all of her vitals which her heart rate was in the 140s and tried to see if she would drink anything.  They took her blood and found her CO2 was low and her BUN was high indicating she was dehydrated from a stomach virus.  Apparently purple hands and feet are a sign of severe dehydration.  So they hooked her up to an IV to get her some fluids.  We were there until 3 PM pumping her full of liquids.  Brian and I switched off holding her.  She has never watched so many cartoons and gotten so much cuddle time one on one.  I think she kinda liked all of the attention.  

Once she woke up from her nap, she perked up slightly and we were able to take her home.  She had 3 more diarrhea diapers when she got home and drank only a little bit before going to sleep so we were worried she may get dehydrated again.  But she woke up feeling better and so far has been doing fine.  She is eating and drinking more which is good news.  She is definitely more tired but acting like my normal Taylor again.

34 Weeks + 3 Days In... 34 Weeks + 5 Days Out

34 Weeks + 3 Days pregnant... Holy Moly, I can't believe I was ever this enormous!  I had no body awareness of that belly and banged it in to the door right before this picture was taken.

 

 

34 Weeks + 5 Days Out (Sorry I'm 2 days late, oops!)  My growing, beautiful, and talented baby girls.

 

 

Beating Bed Rest

Not to brag, but I have to say I was a champ when it came to bed rest.  I followed the doctor's orders, only got up to use the restroom and shower, didn't cry or b*tch to the nurses, and was a generally nice person to be around (so they tell me) even though I was carrying 3 babies in my little body.  I kept my self occupied with making photo books, watching TV, writing thank you notes, and reading books about how to raise babies. 

 

Something I was lacking was a humorous, yet informative, book about what I was experiencing at that exact time.  Something to tell me others were experiencing the same things as I was, but with a tad of humor to help get me through it all.  This something now exists and it is called "Beating Bed Rest" by Angela Bickford.  I was fortunate enough to have Angela come visit me while I was in the hospital.  A stranger at the time, but someone who had experienced what I was going through. She too had a triplet pregnancy and was on bed rest in the hospital a couple of years prior to me.  She brought me a gift from the multiples group I am apart of and visited a second time where I got to meet her wonderful family.

 

A couple of months ago she contacted me for help on this new book she wanted to write to help women get through bed rest.  In the midst of dirty diapers and no sleep I managed to give her a little input.  She is releasing her e-book "Beating Bed Rest" on September 15 and guess who made the cover??? 

Yep, that would be me!

 

 

 So, if you are currently preggo, want to become pregnant, are on bed rest, or just want a clever and funny read head over to Angela's website to pre-order your copy of "Beating Bed Rest".  By pre-ordering you will also receive a free printable and a free personal note from the author. 

 

Bed rest was a tough 3 months of my life.  Although, there were some lows, you have to have a sense of humor to make it through.  This book would have made me smile and possibly helped me get through one of those rough days.  I highly recommend it.  Enjoy!

 

 

“It got to the point where I swore if I sneezed, that was it; my water would break and the baby would be halfway out.” ~Rachel W.

 



Welcome Patterson Triplets

Brian and I are pleased to announce the arrival of our 3 baby girls on June 7, 2013.

 

Samantha Elizabeth Patterson
8:05 AM

4 lbs 6 oz

17 1/4 in
 

  

Taylor Rene Patterson
8:05 AM

4 lbs 8 oz

17 1/4 in
 

 

Mallory Ann Patterson
8:06 AM

4 lbs 3 oz

17 1/4 in

We are so in love and spending as much time as we can with them right now.  They are in the NICU but doing so much better than we ever expected.  Soon I will post their birth story and update on their NICU status.  For now we are soaking up every minute we can with them. 
 

Me right before the Delivery on Friday morning.  I know I look huge but I still can't believe all three of them fit inside of me.
 

 

Our first family photo together.

 

 

I'm being discharged tonight.  Twelve total weeks in the hospital.  This will be such a bittersweet moment... I can't wait to go home for the first time but to leave my girls here in the hospital will be very difficult. 

 

Thanks for all of the support throughout my pregnancy.  I feel so fortunate to have so many friends, family members, and complete strangers encourage me through this journey.  That definitely helped me make it through this whole experience which ultimately gave my girls the best opportunities for a healthy delivery and a start to their wonderful lives.  Thank you!