Living With a Covid-19 Positive 2 Year Old: Update

Coleman
—- 6 Days after
Covid-19 positive diagnosis

Apologies for being absent from posting. Since last Monday night, I’ve been primary caregiver for my two year old grandson who was diagnosed with being Covid-19 positive. The first two days he was really really sick, upset stomach, vomiting, high fever, lack of ability to keep food or drink down, lack of energy and an overall feeling irritability. It had been difficult seeing him so miserable.

Last Tuesday we took him to the doctor at the Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte where a Covid-19 test was run. We received notice of his being Covid-19 positive on Wednesday. Not much could be done besides giving him Motrin for his fever, and pushing fluids. Sometimes he didn’t want to drink, but had to keep trying.

Thursday and Friday were days of sleeping off and on. Rest he much needed to help him recover. Rest I also needed, having been up off and on all week, I was exhausted. Saturday, he wake up with more energy than he’d had all week. His fever gone. His appetite also started to improve.

Overall, I suppose you can call his case a mild one. It’s also high allergy season here and with a being driven to exhausted taking care of him, my sinuses have taken a toll on me. My allergy medication is working, however, I’m not up to par and he now has more energy than I do.

Coleman
—— six days after
Covid-19 positive diagnosis
Good to see a smile
Cheese

Thank y’all for praying for him and all of us throughout this experience. I pray we won’t have to go through it again. I pray y’all will be safe and healthy. God bless. May He watch over you and surround you with His love and protection.

Coleman
—- feeling better.
Thank you God!

Living With a Covid-19 Positive 2 Year Old:

Coleman is sick

Yesterday I posted that I’d appreciate prayers 🙏🏼 for my grandson who is really sick. His mom and I took him to Levine Children’s Hospital in downtown Charlotte to have a doctor check him out. You might ask; “What prompted that action?” Well, let me tell you.

Approximately around midnight the day before ( Monday evening) he woke up and came out of his room all irritable and making groaning noises. We didn’t think much of it at the time ( he has woken up in the middle of the night before). So we ( his mom and myself) comforted him, had him use the potty, gave him some milk and some yogurt. He seemed okay ( looking back, maybe 🤔 not fully). After some cuddle time we put him back to bed.

The next morning, Tuesday, he was lethargic, running a high fever, irritable, not able ( or interested in eating), barely drinking fluids. For him that’s extremely unusual. Normally, by 9:00 am he has drunk 2 cups of milk, had some cereal, and either French toast, waffles, or pancakes. The cereal is mainly to tide him over until I get his breakfast cooked. I do not use frozen breakfast items. He is allergic to dairy and soy, so any store bought items need to have the ingredients examined before purchasing to ensure they do not contain those ingredients.

Back to Coleman’s condition, he was not able to keep food or drink down and he was running a high fever. I tried to cool him down with a cold bath, however, that did nothing to bring his fever down. I had already given him children’s Tylenol. At that point I texted my daughter asking her to come out of her room. [She had been in bed not feeling well herself]. She had the thermometer with her which she brought out. His temperature was 102 °. At which time I asked her to call his doctor. His doctor’s office stated they could not get him in to be seen for 2 days. They suggested, if we wanted him seen sooner, we take him to Levine Children’s Hospital.

At the hospital, they took his vitals, his temp after we arrived was 103°. The children’s hospital is a little over a half hour, longer if there’s a lot of traffic. The nurse gave him Motrin and a anti-nausea medication. That seemed to temporarily make him feel a little better.

Once the doctor saw him he ordered a couple of tests, one of which was a test for Covid-19. By the time we got back home, he was back to running a fever and not feeling very good. Luckily ( for me anyway), he slept through the night. And so far no more vomiting, I’m am very glad. Yesterday he threw up all over me. Not the situation one exactly wants.

Coleman has Covid-19.

I will update as the week goes along. For now, my time is all taken up with caring for my grandson. Please keep him in your prayers. Thank you!

Prayers would be appreciated:

I’d appreciate prayers. My daughter & grandson are sick. Both throwing up. Grandson is running a fever & very irritable. Not eating. Not sleeping hardly at all.

My grandson, Coleman

On way to Levine’s Children’s Hospital to have him checked out and probably given fluids. Thank you!

Portrait Mode: Coleman

Playing with his whisk
~ Gotta love his expressions
HEIF
Wide camera — 26mm f1.5
ISO320 1/60s Apple 13 Pro
Portrait Stage Light Mode
He loves the camera
He’s a ham
My grandson
—- Coleman

God Bless. Love ❤️ my family. Love your family. Appreciate them while you have them. Take care of each other. Thank you! Remember I appreciate y’all.

Monday Meanderings: Short walk with Coleman

Today’s current forecast

Today was kind of dreary. It started out with a downpour of rain 🌧. Only in the low 40°’s in the morning. Coleman always loves to go outside, but since it was chilly, wet, and a little windy I managed to have him wait until the afternoon to go for a walk.

Plants
seen along
today’s
walk
Monday Meanderings
with Coleman
Deer stand
amongst
the trees

Kept the Monday Meanderings to a minimum today. It was still cool and a little windy in the afternoon, however, the rain 🌧 let up for our walk.

Hope y’all had a blessed Easter Sunday. I appreciate y’all. Encourage you to spend time outdoors. Thank God for his many blessings.

Thanks for visiting. Please feel free to like, comment, and follow.

Tuesday Hiking: Coleman Ramblings

Tuesday Ramblings with Coleman through the woods and across the meadows we went hiking and traversing through nature observing God’s beauty and marvelous creativity.

Coleman and his hiking stick exploring nature.
Various Trees observed today.
Tuesday Ramblings with Coleman.
Through the meadows we went
……Tuesday Ramblings
Coleman full of energy —
enjoying being in nature.
Spring Growth —
Plants in bloom

The following link is to a video of our Tuesday Rambling hike Coleman, and I enjoyed together.

http://www.relive.cc/view/v8qVBnmNd3q

God Bless. Enjoy nature. Get Outdoors. Go for a walk or a hike and spend time with a friend. Thank You! I appreciate y’all. Hope you enjoyed your visit and come again soon. 

Coleman: Selfies

Today while I was occupied with mundane housework my grandson, Coleman, confiscated my phone. While the phone was in his possession he opened the camera. Mind you the phone was in the locked position. That did not stop him from taking random pictures including pictures of himself.

Coleman selfie….
loves
the camera

Random shots …. I deleted the ones of the floor and his feet.

Say Cheese
Look 👀 maw …
my #ASCGreenwayshirt

He loves modeling his new clothes. He’s growing up so fast.

See Nana ….
I love my
new clothes ….
Thanks
I’m ready ….
Go ahead …
Take my picture
See Nana ….
I’m rockin
my new duds
Gotta
love ❤️
my grandson.
Love ❤️ U
Coleman!

Selfies are not new for Coleman. He constantly swipes my phone. I never no what pics are gonna turn up after I get the phone back from him. Even though I don’t like him taking my phone, I love ❤️ him so much. I would be lost without him.

God bless. Love y’all. Remember I appreciate y’all. Thank you for visiting with me and my grandson.

Bunk Beds: For Adults? For Kids?

When were they invented? What age range were they designed for? Have you ever used bunk beds? These are just a few of the tidbits I’ll be sharing with you.

Bunk Beds with stairs

A bit of History behind bunk beds they were invented way back around the 1400-1500. Did you know the bunk bed has been around for centuries? (I don’t know they existed that far back in time.) They we’re made too be able to save space in homes. They have also been used by the military too save space and accommodate more recruits/soldiers in barracks and in ships quarters.

Military Style Bunks

The invention of the bunk bed hasn’t been narrowed down to any particular person. It is believed, by some, that they originated from ancient Egypt. While others tend to believe the origin is possibly Scandinavian.

Besides in homes and use by the military, they’ve been used on Ranches and Farms to provide housing for Ranch and Farm hands.

Bunk Beds used on Farms

Bunk beds are two or more beds stacked one on top of the other. Most commonly there are two beds stacked together, although, on occasion you’ll see three beds stacked on top of one another.

Bunk beds are used by children and adults. However, it is not recommended for children under the age of six (6) to sleep on the top bunk. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends bunk beds be used for children between the ages of 6 and 16. They also recommend for toddlers to outgrow their toddler bed before having them sleep on a bottom bunk.

Why do they suggest children under six not to sleep in a top bunk? The main reason for not allowing children younger than six to use the top bunk is a concern for safety. It is felt that younger children might roll off the top bunk while they sleep.

Approximately 36,000 bunk bed related injuries have received emergency treatment. Even though some injuries tend to be mild, there are others that are extremely serious with concussions and fractures. It is stated that half of these injuries occur to children younger than six years of age.

These suggestions are only guidelines. You must use your own judgment on whether your child or children are ready to sleep on bunk beds.

Coleman
on top
of stairs
to
top bunk.

Even though my grandson is younger than six, he is very comfortable climbing ladders and stairs. It wouldn’t matter if we put him to bed in the bottom bunk or not. He would be in the top bunk before morning. While we are comfortable with him sleeping in the top bunk, not everyone would be for their child.

God bless. Take care. Stay safe. Make wise choices. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.

Monday Meanderings: Love the Greenway

This is Love the Greenway month for the Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, South Carolina. Today, I was fortunate enough to be able to spend time at the Greenway with my grandson, Coleman. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, with no rain in sight. It was truly a blessing to get ourselves outdoors to enjoy nature and do a little bit of hiking.

Coleman
— my hiking buddy

Anne Springs Close Greenway has 2,100 acres to enjoy and explore. It is a natural preserve that offers activities such as hiking, horseback riding, biking, picnics, and much more. They have 36 miles of hiking trails that can be used for hiking, biking, and /or horseback riding.

The Greenway also has a 28-acre lake. Lake Haigler has a fishing dock for those who like to fish. If you wish to fish at the lake, you must possess a South Carolina fishing license. The lake has beautiful views to enjoy, Geese swim freely upon the lake and occasionally come out of the water to greet you. You can observe turtles sunning on logs, or you can rent a kayak for an adventure of your own on the lake.

The top ten things to do at the Greenway for an enjoyable day with friends, family, or by yourself are as follows:

  • Eat at the Greenway Canteen – The canteen features a seasonal menu and offers local beer and wine for your dining pleasure. One can dine indoors or outdoors in the covered patio area. The canteen is located at the Lake Haigler entrance. The food is excellent, and I highly recommend it.
  • Live Music and Events (Seasonal) – Every Friday and Saturday evenings from 6-9 pm feature Sunset Sessions with live music on the Greenway lawn. Bring a lawn chair or bring a blanket and sit on the grass and relax and enjoy listening to a variety of live music. The Greenway holds special events like the Blue Star Blitz and Earth Day Celebrations. A fun time can be had by one and all.
  • Yoga – Yoga is offered two to three days a week. The workouts are taken place at the Amphitheater. Sessions are $12 for non-members, and 50% off for members.
  • Hiking – 36 miles of hiking trails ensure you will not get bored hiking at the Greenway. The trails range from beginner to intermediate and there are various points of interest to see as you hike. There are a few swinging bridges along the trails. The most popular Swinging Bridge is located at the Lake Haigler Entrance. The Loop around the lake is the most popular trail for hikers and is easily maneuvered by the young and old alike. My two-year-old grandson manages it quite nicely.
  • Mountain Biking – There are mountain bike trails for every level of bikers. You can bike on your own, take a beginner clinic, or have a private lesson. Just grab your bike, come on down and get to riding the trails. All the mountain bike trails begin at the Adventure Road Entrance. To ride your bike on the trails you must be a member of the Greenway or pay a minimal fee at the trailhead kiosk.
  • Mary Warner Mack Dog Park – This park in the Greenway features 12 acres of enclosed natural space for dogs of all sizes to play and socialize. It is located at the Adventure Road Entrance and is open seven days a week. At this time, it is open to Greenway members only. Amenities include a Dog-washing station, Hydration stations, and a mile-long off the leash trail.
  • Kayaking & Paddle Boarding – Located at the Lake Haigler Entrance. Kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals are available on weekends beginning in June. The cost is $15 dollars (Prices subject to change) for non-members and 50% off for members. If you own your own kayak or paddleboard, you are more than welcome to bring it on down and spend some quality time on the lake. Please only non-motorized are allowed.
  • Fishing – Offered exclusively for Greenway members.
  • Horseback Riding – The Greenway offers equestrian summer camps, group riding lessons, guided trail rides, and lead line rides. We took my two-year-old grandson on a lead line ride just before he turned two. He thoroughly enjoyed it and would love to do it again.
  • History – Nations Ford Road, and The Graham Cabin both hold significant historical ties to the area. When you come to visit you can learn more about their history.

Our afternoon hiking in the Greenway took place at the Lake Haigler Entrance. We started our hike by the canteen and proceeded walking down to Lake Haigler. It was a beautiful sun shiny day. We walked part way around the lake, past the kayaks, and over to the spillway, traversing the Billy Walk and Wagon Loop trails. We took a short jaunt on Muscadine Trail and back to Wagon Loop and Billy Walk. Then we hiked over to the Swinging Bridge where my grandson ran back and forth across the bridge. The swinging didn’t faze him at all this trip. The first time he walked on it he was scared, but that was a year ago.

God Bless. Get outdoors. Stop by the Anne Springs Close Greenway if you get to the Fort Mill, South Carolina area. If you, do you won’t be sorry. You’ll have a fantastic time. Thank You for visiting. I appreciate y’all.

Miracle Park: Afternoon Funtime

Miracle Park is a fairly new city park located in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The park is designed for all people is ALL ages and abilities to be able to play together, a place where everyone can feel like they belong.

Coleman checking
out the
playground equipment

Miracle Park is being developed in three phases. The first phase was completed, and the park opened to the public in September 2021. It is located between Cherry Road and Eden Terrace. The park has an inclusive playground, sensory wall, and the Miracle Ball Field.

My daughter, grandson, and I visited Miracle Park on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. This was my first time visiting the newly developed park. My grandson, Coleman, was fascinated by all the different aspects in the park where he could touch, climb, swing, and make music.

Only phase one of the park project is open at this time. It is One-of-a-kind inclusive Playground. It was developed so that no matter your age, your physical or mental ability this park is one you will surely enjoy. It has a music section, resistance equipment, an area for interactive games, sensory walls, and a pathway that addresses all five of the senses. The park also maintains a family restroom, Adult changing station, Concession area, One Miracle League Field, A Traditional Baseball field and plenty of unique universal design elements.

Pictured here is the hexagonal climbing apparatus. There is rope and metal areas for children to use to climb to the top as demonstrated by my grandson. Parts of it he had difficulty climbing on his own, so my daughter and I lent a helping hand.

Coleman is discovering how to make sound from the various equipment in the music area of the park. This area also has various sizes of pipes for the children to hit with attached mallets or drumsticks to make music. He really had a fantastic time playing and discovering the innumerable aspects that are a part of this well thought out, planned, and developed park.

My daughter and grandson are interacting on this modern designed Spinner or Merry-go-Round. Not exactly what it is called, but it is similar to a metal merry-go-round I played on as a child. As you can see it was designed for “kids” of all ages.

These swings are not your ordinary swings. They swing from one end to another and back again. The park also has regular swings, toddler and baby swings, as well as a heavy-duty disc swing. The swings were designed for adults and children of all ages and abilities to be able to enjoy and have tons of fun.

If you find yourself in the Rock Hill, South Carolina area and would like to visit Miracle Park, I encourage you to do so. The address is 1006 Eden Terrace, Rock Hill, South Carolina 29730.

God bless. Enjoy the video. Take time to get outdoors and enjoy life. Visit your local, state, or national parks and discovery new and exciting things to do and be sure to include fun in your outings.

As always, I appreciate y’all and hop you’ll stop by and visit with me again. Remember to like, comment, and follow. Have a great day!

Andrew Jackson State Park: Camping 🏕, Hiking 🥾, Play

Andrew Jackson State Park is a wonderful place to spend outside whether it is for a day trip or for camping. It is one of 47 State Parks, Historic Sites, Resort Park, and Recreational area within the State of South Carolina. These areas are protected by the South Carolina State Park Service.

Statute of Andrew Jackson
The Boy of the Waxhaws
My grandson, Coleman, investigating

There are many interesting areas and fun activities to do in the State Park. From visiting an old schoolhouse similar to what Andrew Jackson would have attended, to various statues like the Boy of the Waxhaws. A museum is on site which includes the campground office and a small gift shop. There are 2 hiking trails with a length of one mile each. 1 trail begins at the meeting house and the other begins to the left of the fishing dock. The second trail is the one I use the most. It makes a loop around the lake with a moderate dirt path.

Map of Andrew Jackson State Park.
It shows the location of the trails and amenities. https://southcarolinaparks.com/andrew-jackson/trails#jump

Other activities that you could choose to do would be to go fishing, canoeing, row a boat on the lake, enjoy the gardens, and camp in one of the sites in the campground. There are 25 camp sites available to rent. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends. When I visited on Saturday with my grandson only a few sites were open for rent. Reservations can be made online and there is a discount for seniors 65+. There is also a playground children can use to play. I know my grandson loves to play on the playground.

The State Park has two picnic shelters that can be rented out to groups or family gatherings. The Friends of Andrew Jackson along with the State Park host an annual Andrew Jackson Birthday Celebration. The celebration is free with park admission. It is a day filled with reenactments, living history demonstrations, and a chance to learn more about Andrew Jackson, our Seventh President of the United States. For the past two years the celebrations had to be cancelled due to CDC guidelines and the Covid-19 pandemic. In years past, I have helped with the various needs and planning which takes place to make the celebration a success. This year it is taking place on March 19, 2022, from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

In November, Life in the Waxhaws Lantern tour is held in the evening usually beginning around 6:00 pm and lasting until approximately 7:30 pm. It is wise to bring flashlights with you if you plan to attend the tour. Tour groups are lead every 30 minutes. The Lantern Tour is designed so you can understand what life was like back in the 18th century. Each event gives you a glimpse of what it was like for Andrew Jackson and the events that helped shape the community.

While you walk or hike around the park you might have chance encounters with animals that roam the park. Bicycles are allowed on the paved roads throughout the park. Whatever your mode of transportation you choose, you’ll love getting around the park and enjoy the serene atmosphere of being in nature.

God Bless. Get outdoors and enjoy nature. Visit State Parks. Visit Andrew Jackson State Park whenever you travel through South Carolina. I know you’ll be glad you did. It is a wonderful experience.

I trust you enjoyed seeing my visit to Andrew Jackson State Park. Till next time, Stay safe. Stay Healthy. Enjoy Living.

Words and Photos are mine @gfpacificbee.