We had some plans for Zack's birthday that were dashed due to some colds in the house. But, we were determined to still have a fun day. So, we headed out that afternoon to let him pick out a birthday truck at toys-r-us. After we got him some ice cream at Baskin Robbins while picking out his birthday cake there too. After some naps and dinner the festivities began. We did the presents followed by the cake, which he had zero interest in blowing out the candles. Levi of course was way more excited about all of this than Zack. He kept leaning in close to Zack and saying, "Zack it is your special day!" Then he would politely offer, "Do you want me to help open your present, or eat you cake?" I think Zack's favorite thing he received that night was his Thomas card from Bada. He carried it around for awhile just saying, "choo-choo" with a big smile on his face. After the cake we assembled his present. Once again Levi was way more excited about it. We have turned our unfinished basement into a backyard since it is a little too cold outside still (most days). We have their bikes, a small basketball hoop, their little tramp, scooters, balls, and now baseball toy. They LOVE playing down there. The only downer is it is kind of cold down there and I need to watch them while they are down there till we close off the furnace/water heater ect. But, it is a lot of fun and I love how much energy they burn down there. Just when we figured they had burnt enough energy for their sick bodies to go to bed, we put them to bed. We thought that was the end of Zack's low key birthday until.....more at the bottom of the post.
Until.....
Ya, my kids have never had Croupe before, but I am not a fan. About 11 o'clock that night, Dan and I were finishing up a show and heading to bed when Zack started to cough. He had been coughing a little before that and it was sounding a little tighter and tighter. This time however he was crying pretty good. Dan went in and grabbed him and brought him out to get him some water. Zack was in hysterics by then. He was struggling so hard to breath and his face was turning blue. His poor eyes were huge in fear and he was drooling everywhere because he could not swallow. Ya lets just say we grabbed poor Levi out of his bed and drove to the hospital. I knew exactly what it was with that barky cough and tight airflow, but you feel pretty helpless without the meds you know he needed. So, happy birthday Zack in the ER from 11-2am. The cold air outside helped him calm down a bit, but right when we were in the hospital he was hyperventilating again and they brought him back and gave him some Decadron, an epinephrine nebulizer, and tylenol. He also was prescribed Amoxicillin for his red ear. Poor kid! He was sounding much better after the nebulizer and we just sat and waited and waited to make sure we could go home. Levi was in heaven. He has a weird like of doctors. He LOVES to go to the doctor and dentist. He was disappointed the other week when I just went to drop my hearing aid off. He wanted to see the doctor! Anyways, it was a long night with two kids in their jammies and no shoes in the ER for 3 hours. But, I am very glad we did it and they did very well considering. I can't even explain the helpless feeling while watching Zack turn blue...awful. We are still getting rid of the colds all together but, I am happy to say the Decadron kicked in and his airway is not inflammed anymore. Poor guy. That was the end of his memorable birthday. We will try again in a week when we celebrate it at Gramma and Bumpa's house with his cousins!!!!
