Z and RSV update

We are home:) We've spent the last few days in the Children's hospital. The meds they had given Z weren't working and he continued to get sicker and weaker.His Ped decided that it would be best for Z to go to Atlanta for treatment. He is soooo much better now. He is getting back to his sweet little self. Please continue to keep him in your prayers.

RSV Stinks!!!!!!

Our poor little "Z" (foster baby) has RSV and doesn't feel good at all. The day before yesterday, "Z" came down with what seemed to be a simple cold. He had no fever, not really fussy at all, no feeding problems, etc His only sign that something was wrong was his stuffy nose & a little coughing. So we turned on the vaporizer and treated him for a cold. Well, yesterday and into last night "Z" took off really sick. It happened VERY quickly. He went from sniffles to vomiting, fever, not eating, retracting, etc I called his ped and took him in. She first did a pulse/ox and it came back as not good. So she decided to do an RSV mucus test and it came back as positive for RSV.  She started him on around the clock breathing treatments and now we just have to wait it out. It's a virus so it has to run it's course. It usually takes a few days ,but it can take up to weeks to pass. It's up to Z's body to fight it off.

I figured this would be a good time to share with you info on RSV. This virus is bad stuff for babies and especially young babies, preemies, and children with poor immune systems.

 How I first learned about RSV was about 9 years ago. I stood over my best friend's baby as they worked to revive her. It was by far one of the scariest things I've ever witnessed. Her baby took off sick very quickly (within like a six hour period she went from smiling to lifeless). She had RSV and because she was born a preemie with a weak immune system it really hit her hard. She spent 2 weeks at Children's in the ICU unit.

So what is RSV? RSV is Respiratory Syncytial Virus. It is a type of cold virus. It is very easy to catch and infects most children during their first two years. Most children with RSV only show cold symptoms such as:

*Coughing

*Fever

*Runny nose

*Wheezing and fast breathing

Adults & older children may have or carry RSV but have no symptoms or very mild symptoms, like a regular cold. They may have RSV and not even know it ,but to an infant RSV can be very serious and even fatal.

A test of the mucus from your child's nose can be done to determine if your child has RSV.

*A child can have RSV for several days up to a few weeks.

*RSV is most common in Spring, Fall, and Winter.

How is RSV spread?

RSV is spread mostly by coughing & sneezing. The virus can live on any object for hours which makes it easy to pick up and spread.

Ways to help stop the spread:

1.Frequent hand washing

2.Washing all items child has had contact with.

3.Limit contact with others.

4.Cough & sneeze into the bend of the arm instead of into hands.

How is RSV Treated?

RSV is treated by:

*Giving extra fluids by I.V if child can't take or hold down fluids.

*Using breathing treatments

*Giving oxygen,if needed.

What to expect after treatment?

After treatment, your child may:

*Cough for several weeks

*Have more coughing than expected with colds for weeks or even  months after RSV.

Please keep little Z in your prayers.

We are praying for a speedy recovery.

Walking in a winter wonderland...

We woke up this morning with snow still on the ground. It's been a fun few days here in Howellville. The kids have really enjoyed this snow so much (even the young & old ones... like me...*smile*). I haven't even had to beg the kids to go out and play...lol I've had to tell them to come in and warm up instead.

The girls pitched in this morning and fixed a nice warm breakfast. Hubby returned to work after a four day holiday break and me I'm just trying to get caught up in my house and enjoying the kids so much.

Yesterday, we took some really cute pics that I thought I'd share. In the top picture it looks like Katie's walking in a winter wonderland.That picture was taken in our backyard.

The neighbors horses in the snow.

Katie

Ashley

Tiffany & Katie

I hope you are having a wonderful day too!

Now, I'm off to make some snow cream with the kids.

Snow Cream

Ingredients

1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3/4 cup white sugar

1 gallon of clean snow

(Brush away the top layer of snow and collect the middle. Do not scoop down to the bottom. You want the middle layer of snow only)

Directions

In a large bowl, combine evaporated milk or regular milk, vanilla and sugar until smooth. Gradually stir in snow until mixture reaches desired consistency. Eat at once.

Yeast Dinner Rolls

Ingredients:

4 1/2 to 4 3/4 c. all-purpose flour

1 pkg. active dry yeast

1 c. milk

1/3 c. sugar

1/3 c. shortening, butter

1/2 tsp. salt

2 eggs

Directions:
Combine 2 cups of the flour and the yeast. Heat and stir the milk, sugar, shortening and salt until warm (120 to 130 degrees) and shortening almost melts. Add to flour mixture along with the eggs. Beat with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Using a spoon, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can.
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes total. Let dough rest 10 minutes to proof. Roll into balls and place in lightly greased pan. Cover and let rise 1 hour in a warm place. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes or until done. Makes 24-32 rolls.


Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him,and he will direct thy paths. ~Proverbs 3:5-6

Sweet Treats From The Holidays

This was the year of the sweets. Mom asked me to help her with the deserts . Deserts are my favorite to make so I didn't mind at all. I thought I'd add a few of the recipes from the ones we enjoyed this holiday season. Plus, my plans are to turn my blog into a keepsake book after the holidays and I thought it would be nice having these recipes in it.

An all time favorite in Hubby's family

Chocolate Delight- My Version

Not to be compared with Aunt Vera's:)

1 c. flour

1 stick of butter

1 c. chopped nuts (I use pecans)

8 oz. cream cheese

1/4 c.brown sugar

1 (9 oz.) container Cool Whip

1 large box of chocolate instant pudding

3 c. milk

CRUST:

1 c. flour

1/4 c. brown sugar

1 c. powdered sugar

1 stick melted butter

1 c. finely chopped pecans

CRUST: Mix crust ingredients and spread on cookie sheet. Bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Stir several times. Should be crumbly.
First layer - Is the crust layer. Add the crust and press into the bottom of dish.
Second layer - Mix softened cream cheese with powdered sugar. Add one cup of Cool Whip; beat and spread over first layer.
Third layer - Mix chocolate instant pudding and milk. Spread over second layer when thick.
Fourth layer - Spread remainder of Cool Whip and refrigerate. You can top with pecans if you would like.

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My Dad's favorite desert of all

Strawberry Whip Delight
This is the most simple recipe of all recipes.

1 large container of cool whip

1/2 cup of chopped nuts (we use pecans)

1 can of crushed pineapple

1 can of condensed milk

1 can of strawberry pie filling

(You could use cherry or blueberry)

Stir all ingredients in large bowl and chill in fridge over night.

I usually sprinkle a few nuts on top just to let everyone know it has nuts.

*You can leave out the pineapple and nuts and still have a delicious desert* I make it both ways because my son-in-law doesn't like nuts or pineapple.

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One of my childhood favorites

that Mom always makes.

Cornflake Christmas Wreaths
36 lg. marshmallows

1/3 c. butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. green food coloring
3 1/2 c. cornflakes
1 pkg. candy red hots (cinnamon)
Over medium heat, melt marshmallows and butter together. Stir in vanilla and food coloring. Fold in cornflakes and mix well. Form in the shape of a wreath. Place red hots on wreath to decorate.
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Nanny's Special and another
of my childhood favorites.
Potato Candy

1/2 cup Mashed potatoes (About 1 medium potato mashed up)

Powered sugar

Peanut butter

In a bowl combine 1/2 cup mashed potatoes and powder sugar until it is firm enough to roll. The mixture will become very wet; just keep adding powdered sugar as needed. Spread mixture out on waxed paper. Cover with peanut butter and then roll it like a jelly roll. Then cut into small pieces.

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My Hubby's Favorite

Pecan Pie

3/4 cups sugar

3/4 cups light corn syrup

3 eggs

2 tablespoons of butter melted

1 tablespoon of cornstarch

1 teaspoon of vanilla

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1 or 2 cups of pecans

Mix together the sugar, light corn syrup, eggs, cornstarch, butter, vanilla, and the salt in a large bowl. Then add the pecans! Pour into an unbaked pie shell.
Heat oven to 350°F and bake pie for 45 minutes or until it sets in the middle.

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My brother Bryan's favorite desert
Sweet Potato Souffle

3 c. sweet potatoes( mashed)

1 c. sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

2 eggs

1/2 stick butter

1/2 c. sweet milk

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix all ingredients together. Pour into greased baking dish.

TOPPING:

1 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. flour

1 c. nuts, chopped

1/3 stick butter, melted

Mix thoroughly and sprinkle over souffle. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

*Or you can use marshmallows as your topping instead*.

I hope you enjoy!

Christmas morning at Corey & Anna's

Brookelyn's very 1st Christmas.

Brookelyn's Christmas tree

Brookelyn- Our special gift from God.

What a joy she has added to this year.

Santa came to Howellville...

I caught someone sneaking up and peeping under the tree:) Jacob got up about 12:40 AM. This year I think he was more excited than he has ever been and I LOVED that.

Z's first Christmas (no face pics allowed...yet)

"Z" loved his toys.

Christmas Eve at Mom's house...

Christmas at my Mom's is one of my favorite traditions. I love going home on Christmas. My Nanny & Mom have always loved Christmas and they made it very special for us kids growing up. We've continued many of the traditions and made a few of our own. My kids are enjoying many of the things that I enjoyed as a child and I am thankful for that. Christmas is such a special time and having family to share it with makes it even more precious:)

Nanny  & Brookelyn

Making memories and spending time together

 are the best traditions of all.