Ah Crap...Croup

It was only a matter of time until I had to write a post like this...

Punky is sick.  Fever, runny nose, and a terrible cough.  It started Sunday night when she woke up on fire at 4 a.m.  I did all the typical things to break the fever but it's been persistent.  The coughing started yesterday but it was very sporadic.  And despite the fever and cough, she was happy and as active as usual.  

I must've been up fifteen times to check on her last night and she had several coughing fits in her sleep.  Once she woke up this morning I knew it was time to call the doctor.  The fever was lingering, the cough was much worse, and she certainly wasn't happy or active any more.  Off to the doc we went...

Croup.  Crap.  Poor little baby, she's miserable.  The doc prescribed a steroid and advised a cool mist vaporizor to help ease her coughing.  All in all I have nothing to complain about...she was only ever sick one other time and that was a year ago.  She had a little cold and ran a fever when she was twelve weeks old.  It's amazing she's been so healthy.

Her fifteen month well-baby visit was already sheduled for this Thursday and they advised us to keep the appointment as a  follow-up visit.  Of course, they will postpone any vaccinations till a later date.  But they did weigh her today.  She's a whopping 18 lbs. ten ounces.  Yep, still a runt.

When we got home from the doctor, I couldn't bring myself to leave her and go into work.  She kept crying for mama, and I couldn't turn my back and walk away when she is so sick.  As much as I hate missing work, my baby needed me and if I did go in for the afternoon I would have been worthless anyway.  My guilt and worry would have kept me from getting much done at all.

Anyway, when we went home for a visit in February, I came back sick as a dog.  Now, after our visit this weekend, Punky is sick.  Makes me worry about the upcoming trip home for Easter...maybe we'll both come back sick.  I know, it's just a coincidence, but it still stinks.

Despite her illness we did have a nice trip this weekend.  Punky got to spend a lot of time with family she doesn't see much, and she got her picture taken with the Easter Bunny.  I really thought she would cry this time but nope...she did great.  My four year old nephew cried and wouldn't get in the picture with her though.  We really wanted to get their picture taken together this year and I'm disappointed it didn't work out that way.  

We went to a christening party on Sunday.  My cousin had a little girl one day before Punky's first birthday.  Like me, she is in her upper thirties and this is her first baby.  I am still so excited for her.  They had been trying for quite a while and I'm glad they got their little miracle.  It was nice to see her so happy on Sunday.  I know how it feels to want a baby and think it's never going to happen.  And when it finally does, and the baby arrives happy and healthy, you can't help but glow with joy.  And she was absolutely glowing.

Punky had a great time running around the yard...on the grass!  Can you believe it?  After that last post, her aunt somehow helped her over her fear.  She watches Punky when our work shifts overlap and she's been a great influence on her.  She really enjoys spending time with her, and Punky adores her, too.  They play, and play, and play.  And through all that playing, she's helped her learn so much.  With the recent break in the weather, a lot of their playtime has been outside.  Whatever she did, it worked, and now running in the grass is a fun thing to do.  

It's so nice that when mama and dada can't be there, she either has an aunt or a grammy to watch her and give her the same love and attention that we do.  I dread the day we need to put her in traditional daycare.  I know it will come eventually and my heart breaks just thinking about it.