Sick Day

So I had a feeling today, well last night really, that I would need to take part of today off of work. 'Tis the season, especially in that first year of school.  Tova was not feeling well last night and Nick I took turns holding her all night (her favorite thing when there is something wrong (anything wrong)).  When I had to wake her up this morning, out of Nick's arms, she was not a happy camper.  This is pretty unusual because the morning is her favorite time of day.  I had some important meetings so I hoped for the best and took her to school.  She made it half the day.  Her teacher gave me a call after a few temperatures showing a low grade fever.  I probably could have left her there because you aren't required to get them unless it is above 100 degrees or so but per her extra needs (see above) when under the weather I decided to leave a little early and have some extra special momma/Tova time.  When I arrived one of her teacher's commented that I was really lucky I could just leave work to come get her early.  I sort of shrugged it off but said ya, I am. 

I have been thinking about her comment all day. 

I saw a bunch of people posting "Thanks Giving" blogs.  So I guess this is turning into my thanks giving blog.  I was so grateful to be able to just decide I should go get her, just email my boss and then take off.  I was so happy to be able to be the one to feed her the bottle that had just been made when I got there.  I (me, the momma) was so comforted when I comforted Tova by being able to nursing her all afternoon until she was finally filled up and ready to sleep off some of her fever.  I as so relieved when she woke up 2.5 hours later because she woke up with the gigantic smile.

For me being a parent is hard, I mean really hard.  Sometimes I think I am just too selfish to be a momma.  Can't a girl just go to the bathroom by herself?  But days like today reminded me of one of the reasons I decided to be a momma.  This little chick needed me and I was so so happy to be able to just go pick her up and provide.

Getting a little reading in before nap time.

Roseola/Exanthema subitum/Baby Measles

We had obviously gone too long without an illness at the Johnston homestead so Deven filled the void with this, seriously! I think it would have been OK had it not been for the ear infection (virus caused) and two top eye teeth coming in all at the same time. Poor Deven and poor Momma and Dadda. Life pretty much sucked for Mr. Deven.

The virus is hard to diagnose so for all that haven't experienced...high fever out of no where for 4 or so days, including febrile seizures, followed by a yucky chicken pox looking rash...likely the same thing. Pauvre Deven...good news though is that he is all better and has a total of 6 teeth now!!

The Kiddo Contract

We ended this month roughly...to say the least. Nick and I thought we were getting to be pros at handling the colds Deven got from day care. We learned our lesson...

Last Wednesday night Nick and I noticed that our little guy had a bit of wheeze when he let out a breath. Being the experienced parents of a seven month old (wink), we chalked it up to another cold and since he was laughing, giggling and eating like the little monster he is, we just went on as normal. When we picked him up from school the next day, Holly (his teacher) said he had been wheezing all day but again, he was still his laughing, giggling and eating self. Nick and I have really tried not to go crazy with every little sniffle but something in me just started to freak...something was just not right. So on the drive home (using the speaker on my phone, I sware) I called the Doctor and asked them if I was being over sensitive. Like the trained professionals they are paid to be, they insisted we bring D man in the next day for a little check-up.

I optimistically sent an email to work saying I was just being silly and I was sure his "new" symptom was just part of the kiddo contract Nick and I signed about 16 months ago. Well turns out our happy little guy had the beginnings of Broncholitis. We are still unclear about the differences between Broncholitis and RSV, as they seem to be described together in the plethora of articles that filled my phone browser and computer screen that night.


**Side note, my girl friends and I were just discussing that we used to read. I think we came to the conclusion that we all still read a lot, just not the fun Sparks novels we used to!**


The doctor armed us with three methods to cure Deven:


1. Steam - play in the bath room, take a shower, use a humidifier
2. Albuteral administered via nebulizer
3. If all else fails and he continues to deteriorate - antibiotics


So...armed with the necessary prescriptions Deven and I officially called in sick. Honestly I was still convinced this was going to be relatively straight forward...I mean he was still laughing, giggling and eating, right?!

Nick and I spent the rest of Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday helping our little guy get back to his healthy self. Over all symptoms included wheezing, dreadful cough, up to 102F temperature, moaning (due to soar throat), no more laughing, giggling or regular eating. I know every parent goes through this so I am sure you can all agree that it sucked...it was awful! But we survived!

Nick and I both are under the weather now but we are thankful Deven is doing better. He helped momma get better today by taking a really long midday nap, being extra fun (see dancing video), and by showing us his first tooth. We don't have a picture yet because it is just breaking the surface and when we ask to see it he just sticks his tongue out at us. Soon though I am sure.

For now, if only to mark this unforgettable weekend/week here is Deven and his ducky nebulizer...here's to hoping we won't have to use this again in the future!