The kids handled the long drive to Utah very well...I love this picture because it shows the excitement on Sam's face when we pulled out the portable DVD player (Thanks, Heather!) and he discovered he could watch movies in the car...so fun! :-) Evan and I loved it too...it saved us.Evan went backpacking in Zions Canyon (Virgin River narrows) with his brother, dad, brother in-law, two uncles and a cousin. He had a GREAT time and I'm sure he'll post some pictures later of the fun. Anyway, while he was backpacking and having a grand time our two kiddos got the stomach flu...yes, you heard me correctly...the stomach flu! Lauren started barfing Monday night about 11:30 pm and pretty much barfed all night long. Sam started Tuesday morning about 7:30 am. They both were at it all day Tuesday...talk about a stressful day...it was awful! Thankfully, I had my mother and sister in law on hand to help clean up all the barf, wipe the tears, and console and help me...a very stressed out mommy. After a long day of keeping NOTHING down we took them into the ER at Primary Childrens Hospital. The nurses took one look at them and immediately got the IV's started. They were both super dehydrated and they ended up admitting them both to what they call their "Rapid Treatment Unit". So, we spent Tuesday night and all day Wednesday at the hospital. Luckily, Evan came home from backpacking Tuesday night and came straight to the hospital.
Let me just note here that the whole reason we went to Utah was for Evan's Hatch family reunion that started on Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday afternoon we were hopeful that we could at least make it for part of the reunion if the kids were both feeling better.
Sam was completely better by Wednesday afternoon. He was drinking again, asking for crackers and keeping it all down.
Lauren was definitely feeling better, but still wasn't totally herself. We could tell she still didn't feel too good, but we went home on Wednesday hopeful that she'd turn a corner sooner rather than later.
Thursday morning Evan took Sam to Wheeler Farm in Salt Lake to look at the animals.
Well, Thursday morning Lauren started barfing again and was at it all day long. By Thursday night we could tell she was dehydrated again, so I took her back to Children's while Evan stayed with Sam. I should also note that Evan's mom and sister had to come back from the reunion Thursday night because they were both sick...yes, you guessed right...they had the stomach flu. Bummer. Anyway, they admitted Lauren again to the RTU to get rehydrated. By Friday she was feeling noticeably better (see pictures below) and we took her home Friday afternoon feeling hopeful again. Needless to say we didn't make it to the Hatch family reunion. Such a bummer. I'm still depressed about it. Oh well...at least my kids were getting the care they needed.
We drove home yesterday (Monday, July 20th) after letting Lauren heal for a few days in preparation for our long drive home. She's still not 100%, but she did well on the drive (only a few bouts of diarrhea and one minor spit up) and her appetite is slowly improving. She's standing here by my side as I type this smiling a huge grin at me...Can I just say what a relief it is to have my happy baby back?!? I hate having sick kids...truly hate it.
We drove home yesterday (Monday, July 20th) after letting Lauren heal for a few days in preparation for our long drive home. She's still not 100%, but she did well on the drive (only a few bouts of diarrhea and one minor spit up) and her appetite is slowly improving. She's standing here by my side as I type this smiling a huge grin at me...Can I just say what a relief it is to have my happy baby back?!? I hate having sick kids...truly hate it.
