Awwww Jeez, CROUP?

We put Karsten to bed last night just like we always do. Around 10:15pm we heard him having a coughing fit and it lasted a long time. We were both on our way up to check on him when we heard him start to make a gasping noise - we've since learned that this HORRIBLY SCARY noise is called stridor. We picked him up and he kept coughing and gasping - Scott had the presence of mind to fill the bathroom with steam and take him in there. While he did that I called our doctor - they said if the steam didn't help after 10-15 minutes, we should head to urgent care. After the recommended waiting period he was still gasping and making a horrible wheezing sound so we loaded him up and took him to urgent care at Children's Mercy South.

On the way there he started to fall asleep then had another coughing fit as we got close to Children's Mercy. He was gasping so much I didn't think he could get any breaths - in all of that coughing he made himself sick...all over me. SO, Scott pulls up and I run in with him saying "He can't breathe". The nurses heard him and immediately knew what was going on - we were checked in and in an exam room having a breathing treatment within 15 minutes of arriving. They were so helpful.

Breathing treatments and a 9 month old are quite challenging. I think I got as much of the first treatment as he did. I was trying to hold him somewhat still as he thrashed around crying - he didn't know who these strangers were or why they were holding things in his face. Poor lil guy.

After the first treatment (~11:30pm) he was still wheezing quite a bit. After the treatment they have to observe him for 2 hours to make sure there are no adverse side effects. At the end of the 2 hours, it was decided that he needed another treament and that he would be admitted for further observation. So, another treatment was done at 1:30am, and it finally gave him some relief and let him rest. He rested on and off until we were transfered to a room around 2:45am.

Able to rest after his second breathing treatment. Scott was resting too - we were/are worn out. :)


Scott and Karsten rocking in our room this morning.


The scary looking bed he slept in and played on. He wasn't too sure about it when he initally saw it.


By this afternoon we were all pretty bored - Scott and Karsten decided to watch the cars outside our window. This was also the place where I snagged 2 hours of sleep last night.

Playing in the crib this afternoon - he was tired of being held so this offered a fun place for him to play.

We finally got the green light to come home this afternoon and we were all so glad to be home. Keep your fingers crossed that he has a good night tonight and there is no futher gasping for air. I would be a-ok if I never hear that sound again.