It’s remarkable how fast a smiling, happy, giggling, chatty toddler can become a whiney, fevery, snot-runnning-out-of-the-nose, clingy mess.
When I first took her temperature it was 100. When Nate did it it was 104. In my world, that means she’s 102. But then, I channel surf the weather reports to see which one I like best. In Nate’s world however, it means her temperature is 104, despite the fact that subsequent readings garnered results everywhere from 99 and up.
We’re heading to the doctor now just to hear a professional wearing a stethescope say that everything is okay and to keep giving her Tylenol.
It’s wrong, I know, to be happy about any of this. I would do anything to make it go away of course. But to hear mama mama mama all day (a somewhat refreshing alternative to Elmo Elmo Elmo)–as much as I can’t get anything else done because she won’t leave my side, as much as I’m exhausted from the non-stop attention, as much as I don’t even know how to take a temperature or give a proper dose of Tylenol,
as much as it pains dada dada dada when she refuses to let him kiss her or put a cool cloth on her forehead,
it’s absolutely the greatest feeling in the world.
—–
Oh and thank you so much to the always supportive, funny and wonderful Girl Con Queso for awarding me a December Perfect Post award for Getting Ready to Breathe. This is a special one for me since it allows me to look back on something that caused me unwielding torment and be able to, well…breathe now. So gracias, Girl with Cheese. For other great posts, check the list of winners at Suburban Turmoil and Petroville.
19 shards of brilliance… read them below or add one
The first time I really bonded with my daughter was when she got strep throat for a week. All she wanted to do was lie on my chest all day long and I remember that as the first time I realized the extent of our love and need for each other.In other words, I know the feeling.Congratulations on your well-deserved Perfect Post Award!
Like Surburban Turmoil, I really bond with my son when he’s sick. Having a sick baby around means that I have permission to do nothing all day except lie on the couch and cuddle. It’s sad when they get sick, but it is a good feeling to know that you are special and needed.
Yup.
Don’t you catch what she’s got! But enjoy your Most Favored Parent status – dada is cool, but mama rules the school.
Congrats on the perfect post!Seems like there is a ton of sickness going around… My son recently had a terrible bout of flu. And was equally clingy as your daughter. It does feel good to be wanted.
AHHHHH! I was going to nominate the same post!!! It was the most inspring post I have ever read. So beautful and honest. SOOOOOO deserved. Congrats and hope you feel better.
Oh, how cute. I get a lot of “I want Daddy” these days. But I guess, when they’re 6 and 3 years old you have heard Mom so many times, it doesn’t even matter.
GG
total congrats! i went back to remind myself of the post, and the end made me cry AGAIN. so beautiful.here’s hoping the little laughing one starts feeling better soon.
nothing to add, just empathetic nodding. need=love in an amazing way, huh? wishing her better soon. (We’re all sick, too, just bought out the Rite Aid cold med dept. Sigh.)
I’ve given up trying to take temperatures. The Hub doesn’t want to even bother with the ear or armpit ones, which leaves us with the “old fashioned”. Like I’m going to be able to get that thermometer anywhere near the Impling. It. Will. Never. Happen.Anyways, happy snuggling!And congratulations on your perfect post!
I think we mainly take our kids to the doctor for little more than peace of mind. On our recent visit to the hospital, I held my daughter down to a table while my wife made eyes at the radiology tech who looked like a lead singer for a band whose music you could download somewhere on Myspace.All went well though. Don’t worry.We were able to find his music on Myspace.
Awww … the cookie is totally sick right now, too (seriously, how much tylenol can one child take?). He’s so clingy!!! And he can’t even speak but wow. It’s a wonderful and totally dreadful feeling for me all at once…
I agree- that was a really great post. It does feel bad but so good when they need and want you and only you.
Hope she feels better soon! In the mean time, enjoy those calls for mama. This morning, SwingDaddy left the playroom to try to get some work done, resulting in a sad series of wails outside our office door, “Daaaa, Daaaaa, Daaaaa, Daaaaa” with increasing pathetic-ness each syllable. Sometimes Q will call for me now too though.
Congrats on the PP!
I don’t know if my comment registered the first time or not but whatever. If I say it twice it’s all the more brilliant the second time. Anyway, I completely get this post. Like really get it. And I finally added you to my blogroll. I always have to take someone off to put someone on. Isn’t that some cold blooded shit?
I love that feeling.I know daddies are important too, but I figure we rightfully have earned that love and devotion, what with nine months of gestating and untold amounts of labour…Congrats on the perfect post.And I hope Thalia unclings to you soon and starts to feel better.
I have just been thru this exact turmoil/sickness with all three of my children. And let me guess…you are using the ear thermometer? The reading is dependent upon how well the tip is pointed at the eardrum…which is almost impossible! What I do is take 3 readings…one in the ear (well, both ears), one under the arm and one under the tongue (I clean it first!). You will get a much better idea of how accurate the ear reading is by comparing it to the other two. I have found that (even with the ear-type thermometers) the readings under the arm (add one degree) and under the tongue are much more accurate than the 15 different readings you can get from the ear! Kind of ironic!Is that too anal? Heh. I only do this because my daughter once had a fever of 107…there is not a fever in this house that goes without my constant vigilence! Fevers freak me out a pinch! (Not necessarily a good thing for a mom of three little ones…who seem to get every virus that breezes by them!)I hope your babe is feeling better soon. And congratulations on the perfect post!
Ah, I hope she is feeling better. My babe is sick with an ear infection too. Well, I think it’s that just she never got over the last one. Anyway, totally understand the “ma ma” rush. Hubby was getting E down last night and she coughed so much she threw up, I came in and you wouldn’t believe how she lighted up. When I tried to leave, her little arms were all outstretched for me, leaving daddy feeling quite dejected, but he’s getting used to it! That girl loves her mommy. And for now, I will happily accept being #1 to her for a while!Congrats on the perfect post award, I couldn’t agree more!
I am glad to hear that my son isn’t the only one that is obsessed with Elmo, or as he likes to say, “Melmo, Melmo, Melmo!”