SICKNESS SADS
🌷It took Evie over 7 months to get truly, painfully, sick. Alas, it happened this week. I should have known when my sweet peach puff randomly fell asleep in my arms on the Fourth of July. Evie is the sweetest angel, but she's not the baby that just falls asleep when being held. At the time, I chalked it up to a busy, action and friend-filled day. Oh, was I wrong.
Over the next couple days, Evie became more inconsolable, barely eating, screaming, crying in pain, hardly sleeping. She would go from playing with a toy, smiling, to breaking down in tears. Good prep for the teenage years? For the life of us, we could not figure out what was wrong. Was she teething again? The drooling was nonstop. A growth spurt? Our hearts couldn't handle seeing her in so much distress, so we brought her to the pediatrician. By this time, I already suspected she might have hand, foot, and mouth again, even though she just had it a month ago (and frankly, it wasn't that bad - a couple blisters and a bit of fussiness; nothing like this week.) A few tests were done, and it was determined she had a virus, but we were told it was NOT HFM. (Insert eye roll emoji).
Two days passed, things got worse. We brought her back to the doctor, and a second doctor confirmed what I suspected all along. She had been hit a second time with this monster, and unfortunately, this time was worse. The virus likely attached around her vocal cords, and thus, she lost her voice, and feeding was painful (along with everything else in her life).
Let me say it now. I was right. I wish I wasn't though. This virus is nasty. Not only was Evie in unbearable pain, but for a while, it appeared it wasn't getting better. It took nearly 8 days for her to show some signs of improvement. All the while, we've had to sit back, console her, and dose her with meds and a steroid to try and comfort her. All the while, still trying to be functioning, professional adults.
What would we do without moms? If I didn't appreciate mine before (I did,) I certainly do now. We had to keep Evie out of daycare for an entire week (talk about a brilliant business model - you still have to pay, even when services aren't rendered!) Grandma Patty was an absolute Godsend, spending every day, all day with our little Peachie. What better way to be sick than with your grandma? Definitely better than in the care of somewhat strangers and vying for the attention of 2 people when there are 7 other babies around!
I only remember being really sick once in my childhood. And the thing I remember the most, my grandparents caring for me.
Phil made the comment this week that, although Evie won't remember all these events from her babyhood, her brain and body are building these unbreakable, amazing bonds, understandings, and connections because of these interactions. Even without memories from this time, all this grandparent (and parent) love is seeping into her being, building indestructible, unshakable relationships that she will have for the rest of time. 🌷
