Sad, Sick Baby

Yesterday was vaccine day. I don't particularly love vaccine day, nor do I hate it. All except one of her vaccines (prior to yesterday) were oral, liquid vaccines...no big deal. In May, we had our first round of injectible vaccines. She had to have two shots and let me tell you, she did not like it at all. I mean, seriously, who likes a needle? No one. Alexa took it to a whole new level...she cried, no, screamed during the injection and continued on all the way home and didn't stop until we had been safely home for more than ten minutes. It was traumatizing! I held up fine, I am not one of those moms that crumbles to pieces when their baby gets vaccinated. I think it's because I've been through it before with the babies that I nannied for. I was sad she was upset, but what could I really do? We snuggled until she was ready to face the world and then carried on with our day. Anyhow, knowing what happened a few months ago I was prepared for the epic meltdown that was going to ensue. I brought the Baby Bjorn carrier instead of the stroller so that I'd have both hands free to really snuggle her well. I shoved any little extras we might need into my purse instead of dragging along the ninety pound diaper bag. I was prepared with lovies, extra binkies, the works! When the doctor and the nurse administered the first shot her face turned bright red, by the time the second shot was in her leg she let out a "wah, wah" and I squeaked a rubber ducky in her face. She laughed. That was it. Two little cries and then a laugh. AWESOME!!

We headed home, silly laughing baby in tow. I couldn't believe the difference. I was definitely not anticipating such a great reaction. And then we got home...

Per usual, she took an awesome post-vaccine nap. She was a little clingy when she woke up, but happily played on her own on her play mat for a little bit. She was even excited that her friend came over to play. After our play date, things went downhill very quickly.  I'm not sure that I actually was able to put her down at all from dinner time until we finally passed out, in my bed, together, at 10:30pm.

She got her first fever. When the thermometer hit 38.5 C (101.3F), I knew it was going to be a long night. She was sad and just laying on me. She wasn't crying or complaining, which somehow made it even worse. We rocked, she didn't sleep, we walked, no sleeping, watched a little tv, she didn't even blink. Finally, almost two hours after I gave her medicine the fever started to break. I pulled her in bed with me and turned out the lights, praying that we would both be able to sleep. She tossed and turned and took up the entire bed all night long. She was hot, the fever was back, but it was too early to give her any more medicine so I nursed her. She slept, she nursed. I dozed here and there, but kept waking up to check on her. It was a long night. I finally passed out hardcore just after 4am. When I woke up to a babbling little cutie sucking on my arm, I knew she was feeling better! Fingers crossed the fever stays away today.

It's so hard to see her not feeling well. She's so little and she can't tell me exactly what hurts or if she's cold or hungry or just wants a snuggle. It was a rough night, not because she was a tough patient, but because I was a worried mom.

**As I took a baby play break from writing this post my little bundle of giggling joy projectile vomited all over me, herself, the couch and the floor...twice. Still no fever (thank God!), but it looks like today will be a stay at home and get better kind of day.

Oh what a week!

We had a rough few days this week with missed nap times and a bit of a tummy bug. Let me tell you, babies are complicated! They can't just talk and say "hey mom, my tummy hurts!" They apparently use secret code cries and hand signals to let us know what's going on...and no one gave me the decipher!

All of last week something was wrong...Alexa was vomiting, I thought it was because I gave her avocado...Alexa had a low grade fever, I thought it was from teething...Alexa was pulling off and crying during nursing (until she refused to nurse at all), I thought she might be going on a nursing strike, or maybe she had an ear ache. I was wrong...about everything! I brought her to the pediatrician's on Monday after an entire weekend of inconsolable, heart-breaking crying. I told the doctor what I thought: ear infection, and she told me I was wrong. She then told me that Alexa has a stomach virus. WOW, that came from left field, but actually, if you look at all of her symptoms again, well...I guess the doctor could be right. Poor baby, it's horrible to see her unhappy and not feeling well.

Thank god it's Thursday! The Papa comes home tonight and this Mama will be begging for a sleep break!

Despite an upset tummy, Alexa has learned some pretty cool new things this week. She was able to drink out of her sippy cup all by herself for the first time.

She also found her toes for the first time...while she was in the tub. It definitely made for an interesting bath time, since she completely refused to do anything but hang onto her toes, wave them and wiggle around in the tub!