R.S.V.(no P.)

Well, our little man was diagnosed today with RSV.  (google it for specifics)  He has had a horrid cough for over 2 months (minus about two weeks where he was healthy and happy only to have it come back with a vengeance).  Not only has he been coughing, but he has had trouble breathing and has been wheezing and his coughing gets so intense that he will shoot his stomach contents out of his mouth like Old Faithful.  It is really quite sad and has had me stressed out to the max.  He has been to the doctor 4 times in the last two months (once for a well-baby visit, but the cough and respiratory symptoms were discussed) and I have asked every time if this could be RSV.  Finally (only after switching to a new pediatrician) we got an answer:  YES, Keagan has RSV.  And it only took a 3 second swab of his nose to test for it...and a 15 minute wait period.  That's it.  Why the other doctors couldn't have done this I don't know (repeat, we switched pediatricians...if you want to know who NOT to go to, just ask!). 

RSV. This is what they warned us about in the NICU. This is what I was dreading. This is now what we are faced with. Luckily, the doctor thinks that he is dealing well with it and is managing to move air through his lungs well. This means no hospitalization at this time (as the neonatalogists discussed would happen). But it does mean he needs breathing treatments. He has had two thus far and is rather cute getting them, but he really doesn't care for it! I took some pics with the cell phone to show you all. He is being a big boy and is such a trooper, still smiling and talking and being his normal self with the added coughing and wheezing that permeates his routine every couple of minutes.

First breathing treatment in the doctor's office

 Trying out the fishy mask...thank God for Kung Fu Panda, he just watched that while getting his treatment!

A little Mexican.

Keagan has started solids.  And, much to the bewilderment of most relatives including my husband, I am making my own baby food.  Most everyone that hears I am making my own baby food shakes their head and says I am working way too hard.  I can't see how hard it is: I pick out fresh food, puree it, and freeze.  I don't have to stand in a foreign aisle looking at foreign miniature jars of food and wonder if what my baby is eating is the best I can give him.  I am nursing because it is the best, so why wouldn't I at least try to give Keagan the best for the beginning of his food experiences?

Anyways, if I didn't make my own baby food, Keagan would never get to try avocado. (I doubt they have that in those mini jars) And we would never realize just how much he LOVES avocado...or guacamole as we refer to it! Obviously it is guacamole minus the spices and tomato...it is bland guacamole, but whatever! Keagan loves him some Mexican cuisine! Ok, maybe this is taking it a bit far...but check out the open-mouth-forward-lean-to-spoon pose:

 Can we say YUMMY!?  :) 

Happy 2011!

Yes, it is the new year.  It is 1/1/11...that's kinda cool!  However, I have some pics that I have to blog before I can consider this new year...call it a house cleaning of sorts...  These pics are from the weekend before Christmas, but then Christmas happened and those pics HAD to come first.  So, here is a little look back, and then it is only forward from here!

Murray State Basketball game:

Stacey, Me and Keagan, Tassie

(yep, we all shopped at Walgreens for our MSU gear...this was unintentional!)

Keagan is more interested in the game behind him!

 Keagan and Dunker....really frightened of him! 

 (Adorable MSU bib courtesy of Aunt Tassie!  She always makes him the cutest bibs!!)

Some Christmas love for Uncle Jarrett:

Aunt Stacey and Uncle Jarrett went above and beyond and got Keagan some awesome Christmas presents!

As I reflect on the past year I think how much our lives have changed, but how it has definitely been the best year ever.  I thank God for the blessings He has bestowed upon our family, and the family He has given us.  As the old adage goes: Time Flies When You're Having Fun.  This is certainly true in the Owens household; we have had such a fun year (with its own share of ups and downs) and it has flown by...I cannot believe it is 2011.  And I cannot wait to see what this year brings to us! 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!