Being Sick Sucks

Feel better with a clown, some dusty bunnies and an immortal spider

Being sick sucks. Being sick and having to take care of a sick one year old sucks even more. The minutes seem like hours and I have prayed to the Powers That Be numerous times today that she will sleep through the night - unlike the last two nights. But it's Friday. Just one day to get through before the weekend. Just one day before I have my husband's helping hand. Just one day before I can dope myself up on some heavy cold medicine, take a long, hot shower in peace and crawl into bed. And then it happened. The sentence that felt like a sucker punch to the gut, "Honey, I have to work this weekend." Insert bleeping expletive here. Just shoot me please.

So what is this cranky article about you ask? If I have to sum it up, it's about: TV, a car seat and Itsy-Bitsy Spider.

Don't ask me why, but Ava is mesmerized by one particular PBS television program.  We discovered this a few colds ago and it, along with the power of the DVR, has come to our rescue on numerous occasions. And even though my head is fiercely pounding, I'd rather hear the squeaky voice of Loonette the Clown and watch those spastic little Dust Bunnies than to have to pry my body up to properly entertain my child (I have a more complete review of Loonette and The Big Comfy Couch forthcoming. Lucky you). And since Ava's sick too, she doesn't seem to mind zoning out in front of the TV for a little while. I'll try anything to distract my poor baby from the misery she is feeling and to give me a few moments of rest. If I could keep that show on all day without feeling guilty about it, I would. Sigh...

Once Loonette has overstayed her welcome, we move on to the Itsy-Bitsy Spider, Ava's favorite book. Over and over and over again I read about that fat, happy spider going up that waterspout. As soon as we turn the last page she starts crying for me to read it to her one more time. So once more the rain comes down, the sun comes out and that happy spider goes back up that darn spout. Again. And again. And again. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled she loves books and reading, but after about the - oh, fiftieth time - I'm praying for a monsoon to wipe that spider out once and for all. And I don't have the heart to tell her that bugs really aren't that cute and mommy squishes them if they come any where near her. But she loves that book and it makes her happy especially when she's feeling lousy. So I read it. Over and over and over…

And last but certainly not least, I have to send a big Thank You to Graco for their SafeSeat. Her poor, little stuffed nose makes it difficult for her to breathe lying flat in the crib and nothing seems to help make her comfortable. The more uncomfortable she is, the more she cries. The more she cries, the more stuffed her little nose becomes. It's a vicious, unhappy cycle. And you can't explain to a one year old why this is a bad routine - or about the usefulness of Kleenex*.  And forget that horrible snot suction device.  Ava busts out the kung-fu moves if I even attempt to bring it near her face.  And quite frankly I don't blame her. So Ava's car seat is our saving grace if any rest is going to be had in the house while she is sick. It gives her few hours of easier breathing and most importantly – precious sleep. The two of us slept downstairs last night. I was on the couch and she was in her seat. I actually managed to squeeze in a few zzzz's myself with this set up. So thank you, Graco. 

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I started writing this last night, exhausted from the seemingly never-ending day. It's now Saturday and yes, Doug is indeed away at work. But it's not as bad as I thought it would be. Ava and I both slept downstairs again for part of the night and it seemed to make quite a difference. Things are going thankfully much better today, far better than I had anticipated. Both of us look to be on the mend so hopefully this cold will be short lived. She's been happy and pleasant and taking her naps without much fuss. I'm hopeful we'll both return to our own beds tonight and give Loonette and the Itsy-Bitsy Spider a break… But if we need them for one more night, so be it. It seems to help and that's all you really want when you're feeling under the weather, isn't it? Wish us luck!

*Honorable mention goes to Baby Motrin, Kleenex with Aloe, Airborne (for mommy) and Matzoh Ball Soup.

Comments

[Bridget]

Aww being sick is the pits! I hope everyone feels better soon! I love you blog and your whole idea for it!! Props to you, I will be swinging by often to check it out!

[Ro]

Thanks so much, Bridget! Ava and I are feeling much better and back in our own beds. I read somewhere that kids get sick on average of 8-10 times a year. Can you believe that? I think we are hitting that average. Anyway, thanks for coming by! Visit again soon :)
xoxo,
Ro