1st Middle of the Night Trip to the ER

You would think that being the third kid, Cooper would never have any firsts. Well last night he did, and it wasn't a first I was looking forward to.

We put he him to bed around 7:30 after we came home from Sunday Dinner at Grammie & Grampa's house. He seemed perfectly healthily. Around 11:30 he woke up screaming. I went into his room and was surprised to hear him almost choking. Then I realized he wasn't breathing correctly. I yelled for Jason to come in and listen to him. Then I turned on the light to see if he had vomited since it sounded like he had gagged on something. Then the coughing started. He sounded just like a seal.

None of our kids has ever had Croup before, but I knew that it was characterized by a seal bark. I was unsure if it was croup or asthma, but either way I knew he wasn't getting a good breath and I was terrified to let him go back to sleep.

Jason and I quickly decided we needed to take him to the Emergency Room. Jason stayed home with the girls and I hurriedly put on some clothes and drove to Santa Rosa. Thankfully we were in and out in less than an hour. They listened to his lungs which were perfect. They checked his ears and throat and everything was good. We got some Motrin for his fever and steroids for the croup and were sent on our way. The doctor explained that cold, moist air was the best way to relieve symptoms and that Cooper show be 100% in a day or two.

I'm thankful that today is a "stay-at-home" day and I can watch him all I want.