Thursday, February 19, 2009

Wading...

Ding, ding, ding....Round 3! Yes, here at the Graf house we are currently recovering from our 3rd illness of the winter. This one hit us pretty hard and we are busy wading around in pools of our own snot and self pity for the moment.


Senorita Snot Bucket


Nothing like a little nasal drainage lollipop to help get you through.
The bloody aftermath of Laine's ER nose suctioning.
Forrest's "bedroom eyes"....meaning he's sick and tired and ready for bed.

Our Boo-Hoo Crew

If you remember me mentioning Forrest's fever in the last post (when I locked him and the keys in the van outside the doctor's office), it was all downhill from there. The babies started dropping like flies after that. On Saturday night into the wee hours of Sunday morning, Laine was waking up about every 2 hours and crying because he couldn't breathe. I kept giving him back to back breathing treatments, but still couldn't get his wheezing and retractions to stop. Finally around 4:00 am, I decided he should probably be seen in the ER so they could give him better medicine. I packaged him up and we were off to see my friends and co-workers. After being deep-suctioned, swabbed for respiratory viruses, receiving several rounds of nebulized treatments, some steriods and a chest xray, Laine tested positive for RSV. His x-ray also showed signs of having a right lower lobe pneumonia. He was able to keep his oxygen saturation at or above 92% consistently, so we were able to go home with prescriptions for steriods, antibiotics (1st time EVER taking any) and more Albuterol and Pulmicort. It's pretty safe to assume that ALL the babies have RSV because it's so contagious. Pius and Danna, who have never had wheezing a day in their lives, ended up needing the occasional breathing treatment. It really is a HORRIBLE virus! It's also irritating to me that Laine still got RSV, despite receiving the monthly Synagist shot for it! Maybe if the insurance company would've approved ALL of the babies, I wouldn't be typing this post right now. Oh well....C'est la vie.
"Testing, testing 1-2-3....Is this thing on?"
"Ain't no Rotten, Stinky Virus gonna keep ME down!" (Thanks, Murray Crew, for the leveraged saying)
Laine getting some daddy-lovin'
I think that today, we're FINALLY turning a corner and are well on our way to recovery. Still lots of snot and a little more fussiness than usual....but nothing we can't handle. We're just thankful that no one required hospital stays! Thank you to all our family and helpers, too. We definitely wouldn't have survived without their loving arms, because let's face it....it's hard to give all the cuddles and love that each one of those babies are due when they're ALL sick at the same time. It's so nice when others are available and willing to help us snuggle our sickies!

My parents, Papa and Budda, helping to distract the kiddos.

Grammy Vicki lending her loving legs


"Papa, will you take your teeth out again? Pretty, pretty please?!"


Our Tuesday evening life-saver, Ashlyn, brought toddler crayons over.

Unfortunately, the kids don't quite get the concept yet. Red, blue and green teeth add a nice touch though!
Also gotta give a shout out to all my quad mama friends. They've kept me afloat and helped me keep my sanity (for the most part) with the most hilarious emails, texts and calls. Love you guys!!!
I thought I'd add a few fun one-liners to help lighten this post up a little. I hate being a Debbie Downer. Here goes nothin'....

What's the difference between an oral and a rectal thermometer?

The taste!

Did you hear about the guy that lost his left arm and left leg in a car accident?

He's all right now.

How about the dyslexic satanist.....

He sold his soul to Santa.

What do you call a deer with no eyes?

I have no-eye-deer!
Okay, now it's YOUR turn! Know any little jokes? Help us smile by leaving them in the comments section!

Any other questions on why germs are spread so freely at our house?

Didn't think so.

The kids have been so much more affectionate towards each other lately. Always giving each other hugs and loves.

Yep...It's kind of precious.

Cheers to your health!

Moni

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear they are on the mend! Poor babies! Sorry I don't have a joke, but you know me....I forget them as soon as I hear them!!
Love you all!
Budda

Anonymous said...

Moni,
Three cheers for you! I remember what one sick baby was like, and you still have a sense of humor.God bless you and all your adorables!!
Rosie

Anonymous said...

The snot sucker in the mouths was funny.

All of it was cute. Sorry you have to go through it; but you do.

How dow you make a kleenex dance?

Put a little boogie in it.

Love you,
UT

Andria said...

Ah Moni! You make us laugh, how could we top your humor? I'm so sorry that 3-letter virus struck your home. I hope the corner is turned quickly for you and the kiddos.

Hunker down, and keep on suckin' (the snot!)

The Cochran Crew said...

So needed the laugh!! Thanks Honey!! You have some precious precious Kiddos!!! Love Ya Honey!!

Shelia said...

Moni,

I feel so bad for you guys. I didn't even know they were all sick... at the same time, too! You guys are saints if you still have your sanity & managed to cuddle four babies like that. Doesn't RSV suck?! (I can only imagine it's worse times four).

Here's your joke:
What is the difference between a nurse and a nun?

A nun only has to serve ONE God!

Take care and hope everyone recovers quickly!

Shelia

EMO said...

I am glad you are all on the mend. I am glad that my kids are not the only ones to put the snot suckers in their mouths. They are AS CUTE AS EVER, even if they aren't feeling well.

Jenny B said...

glad your sense of humor hasn't been "wiped out" haha:) praying that everyone gets better Asap!!
love ya
jenny b

Squiggle Wiggle & Maggers Moo said...

So pitiful but so cute!!! Germs...who needs germs! I am glad to hear you guys didn't have to hospitalize anyone due to that nasty RSV. I had to work last winter at SFC at the peak of RSV season. I have never seen so many miserable babies in my life!! So I sympathize with four of them! I don't feel much like joking right now since I am in the "I need to pop" mode. I will have plenty when I deliver. Luv ya guys and hang in there...the light toward the end of the tunnel is coming.

The College Hill Girls!
Sarah

Jac Tubre said...

Oh the cuteness! The snot did it's best to hide it, but those adorable babies true cuteness shines through!

Love you - this too shall pass :)

Jac

Misty said...

Moni,
The babies are sooo cute! I am so sorry that everyone is soooo sick! RSV is so horrible!
Big HUGS!!!!!
Misty

jag said...

I hate that I'm laughing while you guys are sick, but you even manage to make illness funny. I especially like the Gator hued joke section. Feel better you guys! Hugs all around!

Moni Graf said...

Jenna...gasp....how dare you! That joke section was NOT Gator-hued. Try Denver Broncos blue and orange, baby! You just shut your blasphemous mouth (or I'll break your typing fingers)!

Anonymous said...

Sorry about the sick babies. RSV really does suck. Back long ago (notice I'm not saying how long) when Caleb was born a preemie - he got RSV and was in the hospital for 7 (yes 7!!!!) days when he was 7 months old. They didnt take the precautions and warn about RSV in preemies like they do now. And the he was also the first case of the season....it was horrible. Hang in there and hope they get better soon :)

Stacy

Emily said...

I feel so sorry for you multiple moms when all your kiddos get sick at once! I don't think I could handle that.

Last year my 22mos old caught RSV while getting Synagis and it was then that I learned that Synagis doesn't prevent you from getting RSV but simply lessens the severity if they do catch it. We ended up spending 10 days in the hospital, a couple in ICU. Who knows if Laine would be able to stay home without that shot.

Anonymous said...

There were three guys at a football game. They were sitting behind three nuns. They could barely see over the nun's habits, so one of the guys says, "Man, I wish I lived in Ohio ... only 25 Catholics live there." Another guy says, "Well, I wish I lived in Idaho ... only 20 Catholics live there." The last guy says, "Well, I wish I lived in Oregon ... only 15 Catholics there. Then one of the nuns turns around and says, "Why don't you go to hell -- no Catholics there!" Aunt GGr

M&C said...

dangit! stupid insurance company rules and regulations stipulations BS...

Anonymous said...

Finally, a picture of Budda!!

Ashley Wasser said...

Moni!!! I'm so po'd right now! I've been wondering why you haven't posted in forever, but then I actually look at my blog instead of going to the dashboard and what do I see? You posted like 5 days ago!!! For some reason it didn't show up on my dashboard. What a POS! Oh well, it's good to know you're still alive and I'm sooo sorry to hear the kids got sick. I'm sure glad they're starting to feel better and I'm sure you're glad to get more sleep! Love the jokes! I suck at joke telling so I have nothing for you!

The Cochran Crew said...

How the kiddos doing? Can't leave us hanging worried about those cutie patooties!!

HansonTriplets said...

I am the worst at jokes and actually not funny at all. I leave the jokes up to my husband. I am sorry to hear about sweet Laine. I also have three extremely sick babies. They had their RSV shot on Friday but I don't really think that matters. I am so glad you have help. I am about to go insane here with just Brent and I. We had a great trip to California but they all got sick in the process. I hope they start feeling better. I am sorry!

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