Being sick

On top of all of the craziness happening all around the world,  things lately have been tough mom-wise.  I've been sick now for the past two weeks.  Not a fun time to be sick.  Last week,  I came to school sick because we were preparing for the school wide folk dancing part of the school's culture night.  When things were called off on Wednesday,  I still went in on Thursday because it's easier than doing lesson plans and I was still mostly functional.  Then the mild fever came on Thursday night and I finally decided to stay home on Friday.  I had it all- fever,  cough,  congestion,  sore throat,  chills, muscle ache- the works- your average flu and cold.

While home Friday,  the Governor canceled school for the following week and I was relieved to be able to stay home and recuperate.  Then,  as often happens in families,  Joshua got my cold. With all the concern about the coronavirus,  I watched him coughing and congested and worried it was something more.

Finally,  when his temperature hit 100.5, we started having phone visits with his pediatrician.  He wasn't showing the symptoms of pneumonia,  but his eating was way down (which,  as you probably know, has never been his strong suit) and the congestion was settling in his chest. 

So, because he was not feeling well,  his sleep was off.  Oh, and because he has started rolling over,  it wasn't safe to swaddle him anymore which threw off his sleep.  Oh, and he's starting to drool more and chew on everything and is in early teething stages,  so that's throwing his sleep off,  too. It's a perfect non-sleeping storm.  We feel like we're back to month one where we're up every two hours a night with a crying baby.  What especially kills me is that,  because of my cough,  I lost my voice and even though it's beginning to come back, I still can't sing to him. Often, that's how I get him to calm down and to get him ready for bed. Heck,  that poor kid can't go fifteen minutes without me serenading him with some nonsense or other. Now it's gone just when I need it the most.

During the day,  Joshua yells at us if we try to feed him the solids he loved two weeks ago.  He cries a lot more and,  today,  so did I.  Yesterday his temperature went back down and a couple nights ago he slept moderately better.  We're hoping the ship is slowly starting to turn back to wellness and happy Joshua,  happy us again,  but until then,  we wait it out.

Right now,  Paul's in humming and singing to Joshua because he wouldn't go to sleep for me.  It's my night to be up with my little guy and I'm worried that this extra tear-filled, fussy evening we've had with him is indicative of the next 8 hours ahead of me.  I'm so thankful that Paul is working with him and getting him to sleep so I can rest a bit. Wish me luck for the rest of the night. 

Memories and First Laugh

Joshua with Uncle Adam and cousin Lily.

This past week, as most of you know, we went with my family on a looooong anticipated family trip to Disneyworld. It was a wonderful trip, albeit a different kind of vacation now that we have a little one in tow.

My favorite moments were seeing my family members getting to know Joshua.  Where we live far apart, most of them had not met him yet.  My sweet five year old niece took to him immediately and took it upon herself to give instructions on how to care for the baby to anyone else holding him.  Where he doesn't have siblings,  she told me that when he gets older,  he can call her sister since he doesn't have any.  So sweet.

Hugs with Aunt Alicia

Cuddles with Uncle Ben

Waiting in line is fine with my cousin Breeawn. 

In the Kwik-E-Mart with Grandma because it was chilly outside. 

In the Three Broomsticks with Grandpa and Aunt Amber

Aunt Jill taking care of me while Mom and Dad explore Gringott's Bank.

Eating for Aunt Melissa.  Huzzah!

My runner-up experiences were when we happened to get to meet Joy from Inside Out and Winnie the Pooh.  The actors playing those characters and their support staff were lovely and amazing.  Joshua was interested in and reached out to both of them.

The final night of our trip held a sweet first- Joshua's first laugh.  He's laughed in his sleep,  but never at something we've done.  I was blowing against the bottom of his feet and the laugh came bubbling out- a nice contrast to the farting noises that I was making on his feet,  lol.

As far as his health goes,  he's still fighting us on eating and just doesn't eat much.  He seemed excited about his first cereal,  but now has lost interest in it and won't eat it. Ugh! Tonight,  though,  Paul discovered that Joshua (momentarily at least) likes bananas. Let's hope it lasts. It's really stressful to hear over and over again how small he is. I know he's small and we're doing everything we can think of to remedy it. It just might take awhile.