In Sickness and in Health

You say those words, and yet when sickness actually happens, don't they take on a much bigger meaning?  It's hard work taking care of sick loved ones.  Especially sick babies...seems everybody has something around here, and this week it hit our house.  Nat started Sunday after bedtime not feeling good, and was up pretty much all night getting progressively more stuffed up and coughing.  By morning her poor nose was so runny that every time she sneezed or cried or tried to eat, snot would shoot out of her nose.  Gross.  On top of that, we had Jack Monday, so trying to create an invisible germ barrier between a toddler and an infant is nearly impossible.

I called for reinforcements to take Jack so I could take Natalie to the doctor when she started pointing at her ear when I asked her what hurt.  Our pretty girl has a whopping ear infection.  We stocked up on supplies: gatorade, jello, popsicles, and antibiotics, and headed home for some R & R.

When Natalie is content to lay on the floor, you know she's not feeling good.  

Nat and Jack got a treat when I turned on the TV for Mickey Mouse Club

before heading to the doctor.

Finally napping at 6:00pm.  

Isn't the couch the best place when you're sick?

By Tuesday afternoon, Natalie was already feeling much better, and we were able to get outside to

enjoy the fall temperatures.

Unfortunately, it was about this time that Jack also started with a snotty nose...

(didn't I tell you it was going around?)

This is totally safe.  I swear.

Check out the girl's boots!  

haha, she found a pair of Eric's shoes and decided to have a fashion show

I am happy to report that today Nat is feeling much, much better.  Unfortunately, we've regressed considerably in her sleeping arrangements.  She is back to sleeping in her crib, where she obviously feels a lot more comfortable.  But yesterday and today she is napping in her new room.  She went down with a lot more of a fight though.  Sickness strikes at the most inopportune times, doesn't it?  With this ear infection, she's also officially on the ear infection watch list since she just had one in July.  If this keeps up, we'll be visiting an ENT to discuss a plan.  Fingers crossed, these are isolated incidents.

Eric and I are also fighting colds, though today I feel a lot better.  Actually, I haven't ever really felt THAT bad, just headachey and congested and loads of sneezing, which I think is radically unfair given the load my bladder is already forced to withstand thanks to baby.  Speaking of baby...

BABY WATCH 2012

This week is a milestone: officially full-term!  At 36 weeks, I'm now going weekly to the doctor, and today am 1 cm dilated.  No biggie.  The doctor did, however, state with certainty that I would not be making the due date of 10/19.  In fact, if I haven't gone into labor before that, I will be sent to the hospital to be induced on 10/16.  Why?  Well, because of the strikingly fast labor I had with Natalie.  Further, the plan was decided that if I come in for a check, and am 2-3 cm dilated, I will be sent to the hospital to break my water and get things rolling.  Fine by me, I guess.  What option do I really have?  I don't have a good argument to not go along with this plan, other than wanting a smooth, fast, natural labor like last time.  That said, obviously I don't want to deliver a baby at home or on the highway.  So, back next week for another check....