The Sickies

I have unfortunately been experiencing a couple different realms of sickness that I have never quite visited before: having a sick baby, being sick while taking care of a baby, and being sick while taking care of a baby and a sick spouse. I hope to experience these very few times in my life, and especially in the small span of time at which our recent bout has been happening.

Amara got her first cold last week, the doctor said it would take 7 - 10 days to clear up. It lingered for its full 10 days, which was today - Sunday. But Papa Bear started feeling bad on Thursday night, and I was soon to follow on Saturday. Now, we have a well baby who is laughing and giggling (finally) and we're moping around, moaning and groaning, trying to meet feeding and playtime demands with sinus pressure and sore throat. I think every once in a while, nature just wants to remind us not to take our everyday health for granted.

Having a young infant who is sick is frustrating. They can't tell you where it hurts and there is not medicine they can take, other than baby Tylenol. Which doesn't help the coughing, sneezing, phlegm, congestion... I gave it to her anyway, for sore throat and aches. If she was a little older, I would have tried some natural remedies - some basil tea or lemon and honey or something. It is hard to sit there and watch your wee one in agony and not be able to do much save cuddle and love - which I did plenty of!! Oh, and sing You Are My Sunshine (which sounds more like "you are by sunshine" with a stuffy nose, as I force it out for my grin reward).

What have I learned through this all? Well, for starters, it is important to always disinfect doorknobs and railings and counters and such. But, my never-ending discovery is that moms are amazing. They do it all! They manage to make chicken soup while the baby is napping and not skip a beat. They find ways to tend to everyone's needs, even their own.

Mommies are amazing. And I am proud to be one.