SO CAL

Sat, April 16 the Chester Clan loaded up and flew from Knoxville to Las Vegas on a trip for Easton to visit Noona & Granpa and for Justin & I to take a mini vacation (alone) in Southern California. It was such a great trip as Easton was able to spend some quality time with Noona, Granpa, Aunt Bee Bee (Brynne-Justin's sister) and Uncle Quinn (Justin's brother who flew in from Portland to visit). Easton was also blessed to have been able to visit with a set of his great-grandparents from California, Grandpa & Granma. Here are a few pictures to summarize our fun trip:

Flower Gardens

Carlesbad, CA

Beaches of Carlesbad, CA

La jolla Beach, CA

Seals and Sea lions come to this beach to sun bathe

 Old Towne, San Diego 

(Great mexican food)

San Diego Zoo

 I had to take a picture of the landscaping out west (picture below). 

Much different than what we see here in the south.

 A view from the pier where we stayed in Oceanside, CA

 The famous Laguna Beach

 This chic vehicle is how Justin and I got around in California. 

Much different from the 4x4 Tundra Justin prefers in Tennessee.

 Some quick pics of Easton at Noona's

 Brooke & Aunt Bee Bee

 The girls 

(Aunt Bee Bee, Noona, & Brooke)

 Brynne & Justin

 Easton's view of the Vegas Strip

 A pic of hotel Paris from the Venetian sidewalk

What a fun trip. Easton did great on the flights out and back (minus the cold he caught probably in the plane). We enjoyed time with family, a different local, and warm weather but as always, loved coming home to God's country...beautiful East Tennessee.

Diagnosis: Bronchiolitis, Result: Two night stay at Children's Hospital

It began this past Thursday afternoon in Las Vegas, NV. Justin and I had just driven back to Noona's (Justin's mother's) house from spending a few days away in San Diego, CA. Easton was staying with Noona and Granpa just so Jus and I could get away for a short trip and so Easton's grandparents (who don't get to see him often) could spend some quality time with just him. Noona had told me over the phone as we were driving in how great Easton had been in our absence but that she was a little concerned as he was developing some congestion and a slight cough. Since Easton did not display a fever, we chalked his congestion up to the dry air in LV and went about our evening thinking it was just a runny nose. Then came Friday night...we were scheduled to fly home Saturday morning and had spent Friday afternoon packing our things, eating dinner, and spending one last night with family before heading out. Easton's nose was progressively getting more congested and what seemed to be red hives had broken out all over Easton's neck wrapping up around his eyes and behind his ears while also covering his cheeks. This began worrying me but he still did not display a fever so we gave him some benadryl, put him in pajamas, and put him to bed. Not 30 minutes later, Easton woke up crying HARD (which is definitely out of the ordinary) so Momma Bear (being over the rash, runny nose, and just out of not being there the past few days with Easton) instructs Justin, "I'm calling Dr. Greg!" 
Quick Reminder: 9 PM Vegas time is 12 AM Knoxville time...sorry for waking you, Dr. Blackmon. 
Dr. G calmed me down, told me to fly home and that he would look at Easton Monday morning...that since there was no fever we could wait until Monday to be seen. 


Fast forward to Monday. 
Easton had done great all weekend. His cough had worsened a little but his attitude was perky and alas, still no fever. Jus and I didn't want to be "over-reactive" parents so we decided to see how Monday night went before making a decision to take Easton to the doctor, especially since he had done so great once we had arrived home (no more rash, still no fever, etc.)


Monday night: Horrible. My little boy couldn't sleep because he couldn't breathe. So much congestion and coughing that he woke himself up all night then went through a crying spell at 4:30 AM. 


Tuesday: Appointment with the nurse practitioner first thing that morning. She checked for RSV (negative). Oxygen Sats read 95% so she sent us home with a nebulizer and Xopenex breathing treatments to help Easton breath better. She also gave us instructions to call back if the breathing treatment didnt help. 


Tuesday Afternoon: We left the pediatrician's office, got the nebulizer, prescription, and headed home. Fed Easton then noticed he was struggling to breath so we called the doctor's office to make sure we could give the treatment as it had not been the appropriate length of time before he needed a Xopenex dose. They told us to go ahead but to call back after the treatment if he was still struggling. Sure enough, it was as if we hadn't done anything. Easton's breathing was so labored that all the muscles surrounding his rib cage were working extra hard just for him to take a breath. We called the doctor's office a 3rd time, told them what had happened, and followed their instructions when they responded "Put him in the car and get here now." Our second trip to the Blackmon's office on Tuesday through us for a loop (Justin actually went white as a sheet) when Dr. Abby looked at Easton then at us and said, "Your spending the night at Children's tonight". 


Easton was admitted to Children's Hospital on Tuesday evening and required oxygen plus breathing treatments through the night. I cried with him as they suctioned out his nose, beat on his chest, and then placed the oxygen mask up his little nose then taped it to stickers on the side of his head to hold it in place. It was a hard, tiring two nights and 3 days but he seems to be doing much better now. They sent us home today after lunch ordering us to continue breathing treatments as well as nasal suctioning throughout tonight and look to see us at the doctor's office first thing in the morning. 


Thanks to all of you who texted, prayed, and thought of us through this time. We know it definitely won't be the last trip to Children's Hospital but it was a hard first time (especially at only 6 months old). 

A Lazy Sunday Afternoon-Some Momma Time

While Justin was at his Sunday afternoon skeet shoot, East & I decided to go outside and enjoy the beautiful weather under the Maple tree in the backyard. We spent the afternoon on a couple of beach towels, reading and "Ah-gooing" the day away then spent some time with Daddy on the hammock when Justin returned home. We had such a great day and are so thankful for times spent together.

A snapshot of Momma and Easton 

 Similar pic to the one above just showing another side to Easton's personality

Easton's latest achievement: He's found his toes 

East loves Justin's fuzzy chin 

A visit from A-daddy & NannaB

Last Saturday while I was working my one weekend a month, Nanna Bobbin and A-daddy (Justin's Dad and Stepmom) came over and visited with Justin and Easton. They were so sweet to share with me a few of the photos that they took last weekend, and I just had to post them. Yes, Easton is too cute!

(My favorite) 

 E & Nanna-B

 E & A-daddy