Monday, May 11, 2009

11:54pm

Gwyneth hasn't slept well for the past two nights, and it looks like tonight will be more of the same...according to her ped doc, she has Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (not to be confused with foot and mouth disease), with some strep throat type soars on the back of her mouth and throat...eating is not much fun, and sleeping is only possible at about 1-2 hours at a time...





Nate

67 comments:

Sara said...

Beautiful family :) Praying for that sweet little girl!

Jenna said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Staci said...

Bless her little heart (that's the Texan in me...). I hope this illness is short lived and you all get some really good rest soon.

Tracey said...

Poor thing! My son had that the week I was due with his sister. Luckily we were spared the mouth/throat sores, but we had to stay at the hospital for a while once she was born just to be safe. Wishing you sleep tonight... ~:-)

A Jersey Girl said...

Sick babies are lots of work! They are so helpless! I hope the rest of you stay healthy and get some rest!

Emily

j2burk said...

She looks like she isn't feeling well but is still so beautiful :). Prayin that she's feeling better soon though!

Jenna said...

Poor thing, that is a hard one to avoid. Many of our friends have had that and they say it makes for a horrible few days. We are praying for you all always

Semi-Organized Mom said...

Ahh...the dreaded coxsackie virus.

I've heard a mixture of maalox and benadryl helps, but you'll have to ask your doc for specific quidelines and dosage amounts. I kept ours in the fridge and gave them doses..it helped with the pain and the sores. Poor Gwyneth!!

You might even start seeing little blisters on her fingers and toes, too. That's just part of the virus.

She'll be better in a few more days!! Here's to getting some rest in the meantime..

Hugs!!

Semi-Organized Mom said...

Ohh I found it!!

http://www.pediatrichealthcarebrockton.com/coxsackie_virus.asp

What is the recipe for Magic Mouthwash?

Mix 3 teaspoons Children’s Benadryl Allergy with 3 teaspoons Maalox.

Dab this mixture onto the sores in the child’s mouth 4 to 6 times per day.

Older children can swish this solution in their mouth and then spit it out 4 to 6 times per day.

There is also a type of Magic Mouthwash with a numbing medication which requires a prescription from your doctor.

Jan Scholl said...

my son had that back in the late 7o's. We were building a house and found that is used to be a landfill decades ago. All the kids in the area were sick. He was about 14 months I think. He survived. Kids get everything and mom and dad get crazy I think. The worst was when he developed an allery to cold. Michigan? Hello. I was stuck inside all the time with him. Luckily he outgrew that and the hives that went with it. Hopefully the week will go by and all of you will be fine to enjoy nicer weather. And may be send some up here cause its like beejeebers cold in Michigan yet.

holly said...

my daughter has the same thing right now. she hasn't eaten in four days and she has cf and i'm going insane. she also had a high 104 fever for three days which felt like the never ending fever. it's no fun! sorry to hear gwyneth has it also.

fuzzandfuzzlet said...

I hope her illness is short lived and you all get some much needed sleep.

She looks so toddlerish in those pictures.

Unknown said...

Poor little thing. My middle kid had it at about the same age. It took over the preschool, really. He wouldn't eat and slept badly. He had blisters on his feet and hands and in his mouth and throat. The worst case the pediatrician had ever seen. I guess it took about 10 days to run its course.

ANYWAY, here's hoping that your little chickie has it for much less time.

You guys are a beautiful family, that's for sure. :)

Lisa said...

Oddly enough our daughter was just diagnosed with the same thing today! It's so hard to see these little ones in pain, and not to mention a lot of work for the parents! We're also thinking of Tricia and hoping that her hands are doing better.

Anonymous said...

Oh, man, my kids had that when they were little. I'm sure you were told about the Maalox/Benadryl swab in the mouth?

Also, about the curly hair. You can keep the curls when her hair dries by using some product. I have curly hair and use Jessicurl.com products. There are instructions on curly hair also.

For G, I would use the Rockin Ringlets or Gelebration. Comb the hair, put small amount on your hand, rub together, scrunch G's hair, thereby scrunching the product onto her hair. Don't brush, just let dry normally.

Brushing/combing will immediately take curls out. Also, if you don't want to wash her hair you could possibly apply the awe-inspiring spray and scrunch the curl back in.

The trick for me is to not mess with my hair once I've put the product on wet hair. Once it's dry I scrunch again to soften the curls, but with G I probably would do it only selectively. Just enough to make it look natural.

I hope this makes sense. You could also buy something just from Walmart or something, but I find products that are made for curly hair work better without the greasy/wet look.
Blessings, Michele

Anonymous said...

You look very very tired. I hope you got some sleep last night

Holly Aytes said...

So sorry to hear that :( Hope everyone is feeling better at your house very soon! BTW, love that last picture where she is sitting the same way you are...precious :)

Unknown said...

Praying that you all get some relief and some sleep in the very near future.

Cryssy said...

I'm sorry the girls are having a rough time. I love the last pictures and the Mother's day one as I'm just so thankful for where they both are now. baby Kayleigh reminded me how much we don't know about our lives and our time here. My 1 pounder is now eight and will be having another eye surgery this week and it all makes me praise God for His wisdom and mercy and grace. I hope everyone feels better soon and that we all praise God through the storm...as always.

read2kds said...

Poor girl! My son was so miserable, but did get a lot of relief from the Maalox/Benadryl mixture. Hope she feels better soon!

Amber said...

Poor baby girl :( Our son has had that twice. It's no fun. Praying for a full recovery quickly.

Danine said...

Poor baby girl! Hoping everything gets better soon!

Kingston's Mom said...

My little guy had that same exact thing about 2 weeks ago. Must be making the rounds around here. Bummer. Hope she feels better soon. It took K a good week to really get back to normal.

Meredith K Beaupre said...

We went through the same sort of yuckiness. No fun! :(
I hope she and Tricia are both back to 100% soon!!!

Dana (*danavee*) said...

Ice cold applesauce was the only thing we could get my son to eat when he had it. It's miserable! Hope you're all feeling better soon!

Denise said...

Nathan -

There is truly no way that you could not claim that child as yours! In that last picture, she looks EXACTLY like you! Not that you wouldn't claim her, I hope you know what I am trying tho say!

I hope your household is feeling better SOON!

Praying for you all!

Unknown said...

Bless her heart! I've had hand foot and mouth (as an adult) and I can definitely tell you it is painful. Hope she is feeling better soon!

InDeeds said...

I hope she feels better soon!

Kathy said...

Just be careful, because even though they say adults don't get it...they CAN! I got it from my daughter when she was 12 months old. (((HUGS))) to all of you!

Amy said...

I hope you all got some sleep last night. Here's hoping that your girls are on the mend. Hugs from VA.

The Country Mouse said...

Yuck. Sorry to hear it. It sure is miserable.

Anonymous said...

Poor baby!
Looks like she is getting the best medicine, as my little brother said about aged 2, 'Babies need milk and cuddles!'
Hope you are all feeling better soon!

Elaine said...

Poor little Gwyneth! Even though she isn't feeling well, she is still so adorable. What a beautiful little girl. Hope she and Tricia feel better soon. Looks as though there will be lots of snuggle time.

Nate,
Could you please say a prayer for the Freeman family? Little Kayleigh became an angel on May 11, 2009 at 9:44 PM.
Elaine from MT

Tonia said...

Poor baby girl! Poor mommy and daddy! I pray for more rest for you all!

Kristine McKowen said...

Poor baby!

I had this as an adult - and let me tell you - it is very, very painful! Especially in your mouth.

Tylenol or Motril will help.

Hope she's better soon!

Mom2aPrincess&Prince said...

Oh goodness. I usually dont comment, but I read your blog often!! My little one is 4 and she just had a bad bout with this! She did not eat for almost 7 days and her fever was there about the same amount of time. I think the worst part of it is that they are so irratable and there is NOTHING you can do for them :( We tried to just keep her as comfortable as possible and tried to keep reminding ourselves that "this too shall pass!"

We also found that chloroseptic spray for kids helped (I dont know if she is too young..) and the dr. reccommended a mixture of benadryl for kids (infants) and malox in a 1tsp to 1tsp ratio... again I dont know if she is too young, but they told us if our 7 month got it too, to paint that on his gums!

I her a speedy recovery!!

Lisa

Andrea said...

Aww, you all look tired! My daughter had the sores when she was about 8 months and we had a few sleepless nights. Hope that she recovers quickly and you all stay healthy.

Anonymous said...

When my kids had hand/foot/mouth disease all they could/would eat were slushies or milkshakes. Slushies seemed to be the most satisfying.
Hope she gets better soon. Tricia too.
Hang in there!

Lyndsay said...

ohhhh.... my daughter had that last year. It's such a terrible name for a virus isn't it?! My daughter ended up eating vanilla ice cream for every meal for about 3 days... it was the only thing her sore mouth would tolerate.

Feel better Gwyneth!

Jenny said...

Poor peanut! Hope she feels better soon.

Sarah said...

Feel better Gwyneth! I've had hand, foot & mouth twice. It's not fun at all. Most of the sores aren't in her mouth are they? That's the worst!

Staci said...

My daughter Abby got it twice from the nursery at church! My son has had it a couple of times as well. It's not fun and seems to be much more painful at night. Our pediatrician said it was because they don't have anything else to distract them from the pain at night. I tried that Maalox and Benadryl mix with my son and I think it burned a little. The dr. recommended Motrin for the pain and let it run its course. Hope she feels better soon.

Annette said...

I have dealt with that with my own children and the ones that I care for. I will never forget it because the worst part is the sores in the mouth. Im thinking and praying for your family.

Missy said...

I hear Cheetos are good healing food (and blue jello) for getting well soon. :-)

Hope Baby G gets feeling better soon!

Carebear said...

Poor little girl! My toddler has had that the last two summers - the fever and the blisters are terrible. Miserable illness - hope she's feeling better soon. I guess, the only good to that sickness is that supposedly its not contagious for adults!

Sheila said...

I'm praying for Gwyneth, hope it's a mild case and that she will recover quickly. Praying also for rest and good health for you and Tricia. Hang in there!

Kelly said...

Aw poor baby! My kids had that and it stinks! My son would just drool because he did not want to swallow and he was 4 when he got it. I hope she and Tricia feel better soon! That last picture cracks me up she looks just like you LOL.

Anonymous said...

I hope Trisha and baby G feel better soon. They are both in my thoughts and prayers.~Darlene

Anonymous said...

I love the way you make the same expressions as your sweet baby girl. She is getting so big. I cannot believe how much she looks like her Daddy.

Shawna from Round Rock said...

Ahh, poor thing! I know she has to be uncomfortable, but there is nothing like snuggle time with Mommy and Daddy to make it all better.....except for those kisses of course!

The Adairsville Triangle said...

While you look tired..the last pic is very cute, too. Yall kinda looked zoned out on TV and she looks a lot like you in that pic. Hope she gets better soon!

Anonymous said...

Try popsicles for help with sore throat.

Just Me - MJ said...

Ugh - HFM disease/coxackie virus is NOT fun at all - especially in adults, so make sure you & Tricia do whatever you can to avoid getting it. When our daughter had it, she graciously shared with us. She was sick for 9 days...we were sick for at least 3 full weeks and had residual blisters on our feet and hands for MONTHS afterwards. Awful all the way around! Hope she's & Tricia are better soon!

North Carolina Mom said...

Aw, look at Mommy's poor hands, ouch. It's nice to see Gwyneth all snuggled up with mommy and daddy! Even if she is awake when she should be sleeping! Someday you'll look back on those sleepless nights and smile. It's true :)

terri c said...

I have to tell you, that final photo is just about the cutest thing I've seen in a long time. Hope Tricia and Gwyneth both feel better very soon.

Jennifer said...

Poor baby! My grandson had hand, foot, mouth disease too when he was about Gwyneth's age. Nasty stuff but she's a little trooper. Praying for both of the Lawrenson girls.

Melinda said...

That last picture is the cutest thing! I swear little Gwyneth is a mini me version of you!! Hope Tricia's hands are feeling better!

Kate, Alek, Hank, and Cash (RIP RED) said...

Alek got it when we returned from Duke last summer. Poor peanut, it is not fun. He was not a happy boy either. Thankfully it does pass fast and they cannot get it again after they have it. Think of you guys often, I hope everyone feels well soon.
Kate and Alek

Terry Gray Sr. said...

I pray that my God, in his most infinate and holy wisdom, bestow a peace upon Gewenth, and that she feel the peace that He commands. I pray that all that she may need be met, and the peace and love of a forgiving and merciful Father be revealed to her.

Jane S said...

I feel for you my son got hand foot & mouth at 18 months, the week after my daughter was born.
That was fun (no not really).

I pray that she feels better soon.

Unknown said...

Nate, Tricia and Gwyneth!!! These are my fave pictures of you to date, just because your togetherness and affection for each other is written all over your faces (even though I know Gwyneth is sick and all and Tricia's hands are so hurt)! Honestly, I'm so grateful to the Lord for this season of your life where "home, family, church" can replace "hospitals,doctors,procedures" as the focus of your lives. What a blessing you are to all who know you both in person and on your blogs or myspace or photography. I am so grateful and hope to one day meet you all in person after my lung transplant. 18 months I've waited and nothing yet but I believe God has lungs for me, I just don't know when they're coming. Bless You, Kerry

Anonymous said...

Hope she is feeling better soon!!!! Our entire family had that a couple of years agao. MISERABLE!!!! You are all in our prayers.

Judy said...

So sweet girl! That does sound miserable! I hope she's feeling much better today!

Denise said...

awww, poor little thing! My son had HF&M disease last year at this time ... ironically, came down with it about 2 hours after we left our first meeting with a new playgroup in a new town. Nice way to introduce ourselves to the group! ("um hi, remember me? we just met today? yeah well, my son has hand, foot and mouth disease and we didn't know it")

Hope she's better soon!

Oh, and a very happy birthday to the birthday girl!

Kristan said...

do you think that if you post a big really obvious picture of you putting sunscreen on gwyneth that the comments would stop? probably not. :)

... said...

Oh I'm sorry to hear that! Aidan had that when he was about 5 months old and it was horrid, but at least they usually only get it once.

Magic Mouthwash was the only thing that gave Aidan a small amount of relief.

Best of luck!

1 Crafty Gal said...

Must have been in the air that week. It's the same time my 15 month old preemie came down with it as well. I love reading your blog and your updates. Nothing is more precious than our babies!!!