1/22/05 We’re sick.
After a wonderful dinner over here with Pastor Stan and his wife, Susan on Thursday night, we picked up Gracie. Poor little munchkin came back to us not feeling well. She was definitely barking when she coughed—a sure sign of croup. I have heard it enough to know by now. I had to work on Friday but took off at 12:30 so we could go see Dr. Stephens. I am so glad we were referred to Dr. Stephens—he is the best pediatrician ever. They worked us in and we got a prescription for the same steroid syrup he gave us last time. The good news is last time was 3 months ago—other than the occasional croup, she’s in “perfect health” the doctor said. Her medicine really knocks out the croup if Gracie will actually take it. Poor thing, she keeps trying to refuse to let me give it to her and can’t understand why I end up shoving it down her throat. Desperate times called for desperate measures: It went right down in a sippy cup of hot chocolate.
Saturday morning and Gracie wakes me up with a raspy, barely heard, pathetic little whimper, “Mama!” (barky cough) “Owwwww! Mama!”
She’s standing in her bed waiting on me. I pick her up and rock her hoping she’ll go back to sleep. No dice. We’re up and it’s 7:00—an hour before the Wiggles come on. I’m not feeling so hot either, so cuddling on the sofa’s just fine with me. She’s asking for food, but not eating today. This is very unusual for Gracie, who weighed in yesterday at 28 pounds. We don’t have her 2 year appointment until March, but they told me yesterday not to worry, that it will all even out soon. Maybe this is the start of the toddler-pickiness that I am anticipating. Or maybe she’s just really not feeling well. Either way, it will be a long day, and since croup is contagious for at least 3 days, a long weekend. Pray for us if you remember and we’ll let you know how we’re doing when I get a spare minute or two.