Ill
It had to happen eventually, but it's impossible to prepare oneself for the heartbreak that accompanies the little snuffles and the pint-sized wheezes of a three-week-old person's very first cold.
How did it happen? Spring has finally come to our midwestern hamlet, and many of us are cooped up indoors, coping with snotty noses, congested sinuses, and raspy coughs. Poor Joel, wavering under the pressure and stress of last week's full-day final pathology exam, fell victim to those symptoms on Friday and is still not quite right ... I've been holding on to my health from what would appear to be the sheer force of willpower and the relaxing, soothing hormones of breastfeeding, but am expecting the axe to fall as soon as Joel recovers (or as soon as I finish the huge nursing case study and presentation I've been toiling over).
Still, we've managed to set aside fears and complaints for our own bodies, and focus all our energies on standing by and watching our dearest girl's immune system do battle with your average run-of-the-mill virus. It's one of our first big parenting tests, right? Of course, Adelaide is doing her best against the cold's attack, but will Joel and I survive watching her attempts to foil the bug?
Comments
A poy-son can develop a cold . . . (couldn't resist):)
Posted by: Kristin | April 10, 2006 11:21 PM
Albert the Germbag gave Eleanor her first cold before she was two weeks old. Fortunately, even though she's been pretty snuffly, we haven't had to break out the dreaded aspirator. I'm so glad that winter is almost over--these kids are too little for even a small cold!
Posted by: Lisa | April 11, 2006 12:08 AM
It's funny Kristin, neither Aimee nor I thought of that joke until you put it on here. Symptomatic of first-time parent freak-out?
Posted by: Joel | April 11, 2006 02:20 PM
And yet, she's still adorable! Why am I never that cute when I'm sick...
Posted by: Donhowe | April 11, 2006 03:52 PM
Having gone through nursing school myself and been around a fair number of medical students, I can only imagine the stress you are under daily--and now to add a newborn to the mix--wow! Wittiness could certainly be impaired by all of the above. Anyway, I enjoy your posts and certainly wish a speedy recovery for Miss Adelaide.
Posted by: Kristin | April 11, 2006 11:18 PM