Bubble

I am a mother. First and foremost - it's what I do. It's who I am. I carried these 2 babies in my body for a combined total of 18 months.  I nursed them for a combined total of 11 months.  Since I teach 2nd grade I know that 18 + 11 = 29.  Beckett will be 29 months old Thursday. I am on my way to being 29 years old.  I should know what the heck I am doing here...right?  With all of these months of experience under my belt? Nope...not so much. 


It was so, so easy having the babies live in a little bubble in my belly.  For 9 months I ate right(minus the few crazy cravings), took my vitamins, followed all the do's and don'ts of being pregnant and repeated again.  I loved being pregnant and feeling them move, knowing they were safe in that little bubble. I nursed both of my babies to keep them healthy. Found them great pediatric doctors for their well visits.  I do/did everything and more that I am supposed to do for them. 


When both babies came out perfect I just couldn't have imagined them ever getting sick. They were the epitome of health. 


Now, I realize that my children's illnesses of pink eye and viruses pale in comparison to some serious and incurable diseases but I HATE this feeling of helplessness when they are sick.  (And fevers scare me.) 


My poor, poor Emerson (Emma-emma-emmason as I call her) woke up with a 102.2 fever yesterday.  It went up and down from 103.7 to 100 all day. 


We went to the pediatrician after following orders of motrin/tylenol every 3 hours.  Constant temperature check, keep with the fluids etc. 
Dr. did a strep test - negative, white blood count was elevated, ears were pussy, red throat.  Could be hand, foot, mouth - we didn't really know at that point. So, she got a shot of of antibiotics in her leg to give whatever she is battling a kick start to heal.  
(We were both crying in the lab - the lab tech was dabbing both of our tears. It was a mess.)


We came home and I continued to give her tylenol/motrin and monitored her fever til about 1 am.  Finally, her fever broke and I laid her in her crib.  Neal woke up at 5:30 and said she felt warm.  Stupid me, I thought I set my alarm for 5 to check her temp. again but I must have slept through it :/ 


Back up to 103.7, more tylenol.  Back to the dr.  Her ears looked fine, another white blood count showed the numbers lowered and he decided to give her 1 more shot of antibiotics as opposed to 10 days on oral and maybe this could be Roseola.  


Luckily, I didn't cry today with Emerson - just the baby did.  Ok, I lied I saved it for the car. 


Like I said earlier I just feel so helpless.  I asked Dr. H - What can I do? Seriously WHAT CAN I DO TO KEEP MY BABIES OUT OF YOUR OFFICE EVERY WEEK!!! 


He looked at me and said - Well, you can keep them in a bubble or you can let them play with other kids.


Ok Dr. H that is not fair!  I liked when they were in that bubble in my body and I didn't have to worry about them being sick all of the time and could protect them from everything and wasn't exhausted from never sleeping. They were so comfy and precious and perfect in there. :(  


Now - you're telling me because I work part time and let my kids play with other kids and go out and do fun things that they are going to be sick 24/7?  


Ah - just can't take much more.  Emerson and I are wussies when it comes to shots, and fevers, and pain.  


Think we'll just stay in our little bubble that is my bed for the rest of the day and watch the Food Network. 


On the positive - baby E is 18.8 lbs. and 27 1/2 inches long - 95th percentile for height and weight.   Here are some pics from her visit today...off to our bubble we go.   


~xo Libby