Another First...Ear Infection

I just can't catch a break. January is turning out to be a brutal month. Our new year is turning into one big ball of SICK! My first week of work back after the new year, Allie was sent home from day care two days in a row. She started whole milk and it didn't agree with her so well. I know anyone who is a mom would not mind at all if I gave a blunt description of the monstrous mess that was was coming from my daughter's "other end"...but for the rest of you, I will make this G rated. Let's just say her bottom was not very happy. The advice of my girlfriends who had the same experiences held true. A week later she was fine and back to her happy self...and so was her little baby booty.

Then, last weekend came and all started out fine. Allie was her normal happy self. Todd, Allie and I had some quality family time and ran a few errands...

...and then all of a sudden my happy girl quickly changed into a cranky girl (with a fever). Todd and I figured a new tooth or two would make it's debut into the world very soon. There was no food to be eaten, no milk to be drank, and no full nights sleep for anyone living in the Hammerick house. It seemed every day passing became worse and worse. Allie's fever grew higher, her appetite lessened...and she continued to NOT sleep well. Her nose started to run. She developed a cough and a soar throat. She was a mess and still is. I'm not sure how much more I can take of this. Is it June yet? Allie went to the doctor and was diagnosed with her very first ear infection. A first that I'm not so excited about.

For anyone who is a single mom...I GIVE YOU PROPS! Caring for a sick little one after working all day, completing the daily chores/shopping, and trying to get ready for the next work day...all while holding my now 16 pound crabby, crying helpless friend = EXHAUSTION. Let me just see if I can paint a picture of how my evenings have been this week...

"Honey can you hold the baby while I..." NOPE! No one there!
"Will you go get the medicine off the counter?" NOPE! Still no one there!
"It's your turn to put the baby back to bed at 3 am for the fourth time tonight." HA! HA!! NICE TRY!

It's me...ALL ME! There is no exercising this week for me. There is no getting errands ran. There is no putting Allie down without her sad, watery, red eyes looking back up at am in disappointment. I know, I know...I'm complaining. But, I'm exhausted and I just can't help myself. Everyone deserves to complain a little here and there...right?

Luckily Allie took a couple quick cat naps in her swing
which freed up my hands for a bit.

I come home and Allie is pretty much attached to me for a couple hours. She's cranky, tired and just not herself. I feel terrible for her and wish I could take it all away. I try to find anything that she will eat or drink. We've managed to get in some yogurt, a few crackers and some OJ. Giving Allie any kind of medicine is torturous for her. She hates it all. She hates the Tylenol, the Advil, the anti-biotic prescribed by the doctor, the nose sucker, the thermometer...EVERYTHING! I've gotten pretty good at holding Allie's arms and head down all with one arm while my other hand puts the med's into her mouth. She hates me for it, I'm sure.

She's been on the antibiotic for two days and I was sure she would return to day care tomorrow. It's not looking too promising though. Another week of day care Allie did not attend. Grrr! I'm ready to quit my job and just stay home. If only we were all living in the same state, my dream might be a reality. But for now, it's not happening anytime soon. I'm hoping for a much healthier February.

Our week has been filled with this

I have to say a HUGE thank you to Allie's Grandparents for taking such good care of her. Grandma has spent many hours this week just cuddling and snuggling my Allie. If it can't be Mom or Dad...Grandma is the next best thing. Allie loves her Grandma.

Feeling a little bit better. I set down the bowl of cracker mix hoping she would nibble on a few.
She dumped it out all over the carpet, but at least she is finally eating some.