Sicky

Giving my arms a break for a quick shower,

Natalie snoozes with the worlds best snoozer -

 face blurred to conceal his identity!

Poor Na-no-nee is sick.  Not just a little bit sick, she is cough-up-your-lungs, throw-up-your-medicine, hang-on-your-mama sick.  At night we wrestle for hours as she tries to get comfortable, fussing with a squawk that resembles a newborn kitten eeking out a scratchy mew.  After each cough, she winces in pain, and her cries are quiet hisses; open mouthed and soundless, with the most pitiful look on her face and giant tumbling tears on her cheeks.  She has gotten wise to my attempts at snot-control, and though she weighs a scant 15 pounds, with ninja-stealth she whaps the tissue away, every time.

I took her to the doctor just to check her ears and lungs, as this has gone on for over a week.  I don't think I have ever had a baby this sick, and for this long.  All good.  “She just has a really bad cold,” the doctor said.

No kidding, Dr. Obvious.

But you know, as miserable and sick as she is, she settles down when we go outside, or even change scenery in the house by walking room to room.  And with a little effort she can be made to smile.  All it takes is for one of her favorite people to walk in the room and she seems to perk up.

She doesn’t want to be put down, so she is napping on my chest.  It’s a paradox; I love holding my baby, but I hate seeing her sick, but I hold her more when she is sick, and when she is well and happy in healthier times, I tend to put her down more.  Yah, I don’t get me either.  But while she naps I have single-handedly (as in literally, one handed) polished off a few computer projects that have been neglected.  Still, my heart breaks for her and I want her well.

Sick baby thought for the new year: When you’re feeling rotten, change your point of view.  If that doesn't work, seek out one of your favorite people.  If all else fails. Take a nap!