The Christmas We'll Never Forget!

We kicked off Christmas HEALTHY, on December 17th with Aunt Maddy and Uncle Charlie's 

"Voltmer Family Christmas".  

The boys had a fun time opening gifts and visiting with the family.

 The excitement was more than little Thomas could handle.  He passed out on Aunt Pat by 7pm!

 The excitement was pretty intense for Joseph too...he worked up such an appetite opening gifts and playing that we had to stop and buy him slice of pizza on the way home!

 Our Christmas adventures continued the very next day with Gram's birthday celebration.  

Again, we were still healthy.

We made Gram a special ice cream cake for her birthday...peanut butter, peanut butter, peanut butter!

And then it happened...the Christmas we'll never forget.  It all started on Friday, December 23rd at 3;30pm.  We were all ready for Uncle Carmen to make a Christmas gift drop off when Joseph woke from his nap with a terrible, terrible cough.  Uncle Carmen, who was en route already, high-tailed it back home and with the looming festivities of Christmas we high-tailed it to the pediatrician.  

Doctor Aygen took one look at Joseph and said, "Oh yeah- it's the croup...just starting, but it's the croup".  Great.  Joseph quickly developed a fever which stayed between 101 and 103 for the next 4 days.  

 So we stayed in for Christmas Eve...and Christmas Day...

After 4 sleepless nights and a near constant fever, we headed back to the doctor first thing Tuesday.  The doctor shared with us that on top of dealing with the croup, Joseph had also developed a double ear infection- hence the consistently high fever.  Finally, some antibiotics!  Joseph took his meds and then took a four hour nap.  He needed that nap so badly.  He hadn't slept in four nights.  He woke up with no fever and a bit of a smile....and then we saw them...HIVES, SWOLLEN WRISTS, SWOLLEN KNEES, RED AND ITCHY.  Joseph was allergic to the antibiotics!  This just keeps getting better and better, I know!  So now it's bedtime and I'm on the phone with the doctor again.  Benedryl.  You know, besides that four hour nap, Benedryl was the 2nd best thing that happened to Joseph.  He zonked out and slept until after 7 the following morning!  With a new ear prescription, a little more rest, and a lot of liquids we were out celebrating our first Christmas by Friday, December 30th.  What a week!

Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's house was on Friday.

 Christmas at Gram and Pop's house was on Saturday.

 Finally, some smiles and some fun.  Better later than never.

A Merry Christmas to all and cheers to a happy and HEALTHY new year!