I was consoling him (he was crying pretty hard) when all of a sudden his eyes glazed over and his body went completely limp and lifeless in my arms.  I tried shaking him to snap him out of it, but he was completely passed out.  His teacher called 911 and he woke up about a minute later, disoriented and crying.

When the EMT/firefighters arrived, they checked him thoroughly.  They put him at ease by talking to him about things he could relate to so he wouldn’t be so frightened.  In the end, they think he just hyperventilated from crying so hard.  His doctor wants to run more tests, but hopefully,  that’s all it was.

After about 45 minutes, when all seemed back to normal, the firefighters invited my son and his friend to go outside and see their fire truck.  You can only imagine the excitement on the boys’ faces.

They gave them stickers, blew up rubber gloves, showed them the super-humongous ax and let them sit inside so they could show them all the bells and whistles.

Then came the best part.

“We’re taking them with us.”  

I thought the firemen were joking. 

Then the doors to the truck closed, and off they all went for a ride through the parking lot, flashing lights and all.  Their first ride ever in a real fire truck.  I think that made my son’s life complete.  I don’t remember ever getting to ride in a fire truck.  But these two boys would surely be the envy of all their classmates the next day.

So to the Oklahoma City Fire Department:  You guys have the biggest hearts. Thank you so much for taking the time to turn a scary situation into something my son will always remember.   Thank you for putting this smile on my boy’s face.

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

Anne Marie Dutcher

Brandon and Susie Dutcher did what a lot of families would do when told their baby was sick: they prayed and sought the best medical help. Anne Marie wasn’t even born yet when the Edmond couple began the journey they hoped would make their family of six a happy, healthy family of seven. They’ve been chronicling their lives and Anne Marie’s story on their blog in the month since she was born. The doctors aren’t sure she’ll make it. Her parents aren’t sure either, but their extraordinary faith has carried them through. As a parent, I find their updates both inspiring and heartwrenching and don’t read without a box of tissue handy. I check daily to find out how that precious little angel and her family are doing. Go see for yourself: http://www.brandondutcher.blogspot.com/

My son recently turned 3.  At that very moment (literally!) everything changed.

At 3, most toys are somehow instantly safe.  Go down any toy aisle, and the recommended age for toys is 3 and up.  Sure helps not to have to worry about him choking on small parts anymore.  Or having to order the “3 and younger” toy at the drive through. 

At 3, toddlers have their first dental appointment.  My son will go Monday.  The best part?  Parents are told to wait in the waiting room.  I don’t have to be the one to restrain him while he’s throwing a fit during his cleaning. 

At 3,  they see the pediatrician for the annual checkup.  Best part? No shots.  That changes on the 4-year-old visit, but that’s a whole year away. 

At 3, they get to start all kinds of sports.  My son and I are very excited about him finally being old enough to be on T-ball and soccer teams at the YMCA this year.  Let’s burn off all that extra energy.

At 3, they are officially out of the mommy-and-me swim classes.  In fact, parents are not allowed anywhere near their 3-year-olds during swim class.  Hooray! No more bathing suits until summer.   Which gives me another 2 months to get in shape.

-Erica Smith, Copy Editor

esmith@opubco.com

Last January, my toddler woke up in the middle of the night crying inconsolably. He started thrashing his body across the bed and became very hot to the touch.  I immediately took his temperature and there it was – 105 degrees.  He asked for water but couldn’t keep it down.  He started shaking uncontrollably and I called 911. He was having a febrile seizure, which can happen in young children with high fevers.  He was transported to the hospital and they got his fever down and got fluids in him. In my situation, I reacted on instinct.  At the time, I worried that I was overreacting, but it turned out that going to the ER in this case was the best choice.

Sometimes we can panic when it comes to our kids and we don’t know how to handle fever or sickness. Sometimes we feel it may not warrant a visit to the ER but in some cases it does.  The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center had an article in their most recent OK Kids newsletter to help guide parents on what to look for.  They say children need to be seen by a doctor if:

-Is younger than 2 months old and has a temperature of 100.4 or higher.

-Is 6 months old or older and has a fever higher than 101.

-Is younger than 2 years old and has had a fever for more than 24 hours.

-Is 2 years old or older and has had a fever for more than 72 hours.

They also stress that the way a child is acting is far more important than what the thermometer says. If a child is lethargic, can’t stop crying, can’t hold down food or liquids, or shows signs of dehydration, contact a doctor. And if you’re ever in doubt about what to do or what a fever means, or if your child is acting in a way that concerns you, always call your doctor for advice.

~Erica Smith

esmith@opubco.com