Sick and Tired

How many of you know what it's like to have a sick little one at home? I mean, there are different levels of sick, right?


Runny Nose:

If it's a Level One Runny Nose, you don't worry about it. You just grab a tissue (or the corner of a T-Shirt) and blot here and there. For a Level Two Runny Nose, you need a box of Kleenex handy, but there's still no big worry. For the dreaded Level Three Runny Nose, you throw out the box of tissue and get a cloth handkerchief (soft as possible, please) and dab every ten to fifteen minutes. You cut out the dairy. You start rummaging through your cabinet for the Mucinex and wonder if your mom was right about white grape juice being a natural antihistamine. Then, you lay awake and listen to breathing...wondering if it'll turn into a cough.


Cough:

If it's a Level One Cough, you don't really worry about it. I mean, a little drainage, a little tickle in the throat...we've all had that. Sinus, allergies...no big deal. If it's a Level Two Cough, you dig out the Mucinex and prop them up a little at night to avoid ear infection. Level Three Cough is that deep rattle that makes you want to check their drawers for cigarettes. You start looking for the heavy-artillery decongestant. You fear that it will turn into the wickedly painful earache.


Earache:

There is no Level One or Two Earache. Any ear pain is an automatic Level Three. It means drops, sitting up all night long, humming until your throat is raspy, making strange but hopefully soothing sounds like "shh-shh-shh-shh" and "da-de-da-de-da-de-da". You watch cartoons at 2 a.m.; you allow them to sleep next to you in bed; you are afraid to stop rubbing their back after you know they're finally asleep for fear they might wake up again. You wait a good 48 hours and then call the doctor. You know they're not going to do anything you haven't already done; but sitting in a waiting room and then letting a nurse handle the kid for a few minutes may the only break you get until this has passed. If it passes. If it doesn't get worse.


Worse:

Fever...vomit...glassy-eyes...fussy-fussy-fussy.


It's our pleasure as mommies to hold, cuddle, sing "I know, I know, I know" to our sweeties. We never think twice about it. They're sick and we're tired.....but we're NEVER sick and tired of nursing our babes. Never. Isn't that a miracle? The rest of world may get on our ever-lovin' nerves, but we never hesitate to wrap our babies in our arms and love them. I consider it an honor that my kids say, "Mama, please feel me better."