Pure Torture

The last thing any mother or father wants to do is hurt their child. Add the fact that the child is sick and it makes the situation worse. When we take our children to the doctors, we try to explain to them that doctors are good. They help people feel better.

So how do you explain that to a screaming two year old who doesn't want to take their medicine?

That all you are trying to do is make them feel better.

Mommy is trying to make the "ouchie" or "boo-boo" better.

Little Man A has taken his fair share of medicine in the short 2 years that he has been with us. So far, it's been mainly in the past 6 months. Last week when we found out yet again that he had another ear infection, the doctor prescribed a different type of antibiotic. This is mainly done just to make sure whatever bug is lingering in his little body isn't starting to become resistant to Amoxicillan. She warned me it tasted nasty.

Boy, is that an understatement.

I'm the type of person who if I won't eat it, my child or even my dog wouldn't eat it (even though I'm sure the dog would LOVE it). I was even this way when I worked in the zoo field. No, I didn't try everything I served to the animals in my care. Just the monkey biscuits, grains, and fruits. And maybe some veggies too just for quality control purposes.

So, I tried the new medicine, Ceftin.

It's deceiving. It smells like bubble gum. It even starts to taste like bubble gum. BUT OH MY GOD! IT'S NASTY!

Little Man had really gotten good at taking medicine. We were in the ready position. Milk? Check. Napkin? Check. Syringe with medicine? Check. Extra set of hands? Check. He even would open wide and sometimes say, "Mmmm. Grape." Even if it didn't taste like grape.

But this medicine........................

I feel like I'm torturing... no, I am torturing my child with this medicine.

These last two days have been horrible. He's thrown fits. He's kicked. His hit our faces. He's screamed. He's cried. And every single time, he's crying for Daddy. Which of course makes me feel like Mother of the Year Award should be sitting on my doorstep.

So today, I tried the explanation approach. I read that the "terrible twos" phase is when they are able to communicate with you, but are limited when it comes to feelings. I got down on his level. I told him it was time for medicine. Before he took a swing at me, I told me I understood that it tasted nasty. I asked him if he wanted juice or milk or water to drink after. I told him the medicine is to make his ouchie in his ear go away.

It was still murder. He's gotten to NOT swallowing because he hates this medicine so bad. He'd rather take his nighttime cold and cough medicine rather than this nasty stuff. I had to lay him back to give him his medicine and drop juice into his mouth just to get him to swallow. Which of course with buggers coming out his nose, nasty stuff in his mouth, and screaming at the top of his lungs, all made for a not-so-happy camper. He would rather walk around the house or on our shoulders drooling his medicine out than swallow.

I know tricks to giving cats and dogs medicine, but children who you are suppose to love and nurture and be a good role model for ... I'm at a loss. At this point, I'm done. He's not getting anymore of this medicine. There is just no sugar coating this medicine to be able to get him to take it. And to be honest, it's not worth my child fearing and hating me.

We have an appointment in a few weeks with the Ears, Nose, and Throat doctor. So that's it. I'm done.

I love my child too much to torture all of us like this anymore.

Yet again...

So today makes five months in a row that Little Man has been sick, three months in a row with an ear infection. His jugular lymph nodes have been inflammed the entire time.

I'm exhausted, I'm hungry all the time, and I feel nauseous before and after I eat. I'm not sure I can handle another round of antibiotics. I'm not sure I can handle the whining because he's not feeling good.

I know. I should grin and bear it. Be a big girl myself.

But you know what? I'm tired of taking care of everyone. And I know it's only going to get worse.

Good thing is that the doctor did put in a referral to an Ears, Nose, and Throat Doctor. Like most referrals within the military system though, it could take forever. Let's hope it doesn't. Because all I know, in four weeks exactly, if something isn't done, he's going to get another ear infection.

Oh. And the other good thing. LMA can tell me when his ears hurt. So much better than guessing.

Great Giveaways

A friend of mine stumbled onto a great website that offers some incredible giveaways. The Dirty Shirt, "Product reviews from a mom with way too much laundry" basically explains it all. From movies (Australia) to books (Sesame Street) to even a potty training kit, this site has it all.

Since Little Man A is still in the process of potty training, I thought I would enter myself in the contest to win the Baby Signs Potty Training Program Review and Giveaway. And while I was at it, I entered a giveaway for myself: A chance to win 1 of 5 copies of Australia. Since I know hubby won't go to the theatre (is it even playing in the theatre anymore), I'd have to wait until it comes out on DVD.

Check the site out. You never know what you might win.

Oh Joy.

For those of you who think that I've been on the ball over the past few weeks, with all the postings and all, you would be mistaken. I just happened to have a couple hours one night a few weeks ago and scheduled all the entries.

It's a good thing I did do those entries because if not, you would not have heard from me.... at all.

If you asked me 3 weeks ago how I was feeling, I would have replied, "I don't even feel pregnant." Oh, how the tables have turned since then. I've officially begun the joys delight (let's not sugar coat this) adventures (to be nice) of pregnancy-hood.

1. Mood swings
Okay, this was more during week 5 and 6. Probably more out of the shock, disbelief, and pure horror hitting that I was pregnant again. So, we were trying, but that doesn't take the shock out of it at first. I'm sure anyone, even those who are absolutely elated about being pregnant, at some point say, "What the hell am I doing?" Lately, the mood swings have been centered around food. If I don't get food when I need it and right then, I turn into Dr. Jeckyll AND Mr. Hyde.

2. Excessive hunger
You can watch the clock on my hunger. Not sure if it's because I really don't have the time to sit down and enjoy a full meal since I have a toddler to entertain, but I'm STARVING ALL THE TIME. If I don't eat at least every hour and a half, I start to shake, feel light-headed, and need something NOW! Last pregnancy, I was lucky if I could eat more than saltine crackers and cinnamon-sugar toast during the first trimester. This time, I'm eating two (yes, two!) platefuls of nachos and feeling hungry again a hour later.

3. Nauseous, nauseous, nauseous
Did I mention I was nauseous? As soon as I hit 6 weeks pregnant, I've been feeling nauseous non stop. Well, except when I'm eating. As soon as I'm done, I feel nauseous. And it doesn't matter how much or how little of something I eat (ie two platefuls of nachos). When I do find something, or should I say crave something, I make sure to get my full share. Because two minutes later, I feel like I'm going to get sick. I did find one thing that works... California navel oranges. Must be the fiber and vitamin C.

4. Sleepless nights
No matter how exhausted I am through the day, whether I take a nap or not, as soon as my head hits my pillow I can't go to sleep. I've tried reading books just to clear my head, but it doesn't work. As soon as the light is out, everything and anything is floating through my head. I know I can take Unisom (actually during pregnancy it has an anti-nausea effect), but I'm even more exhausted the following day, even just taking half a pill. I had taken Melatonin previous to finding out I was pregnant to help me get to sleep, but not sure of side effects. Of course, being exhausted all day makes me want to take a nap during the day. Which of course, starts the endless cycle of sleeplessness.

5. Do you smell that?
This side effect of being pregnant was what really got me my first pregnancy. Of course last time it didn't help that I was working in a vet's office with cat and dog smells. This time, it's just the same. I went grocery shopping the other day and had to practically run through particular aisles with someone wearing excessive perfume. When LMA and I visited the LEGO store while they were cleaning a display, I practically threw up right there in the entryway. I think the only time this has become an advantage is being able to smell LMA's diaper from across the room. Although, LMA has found it fun when I walk into an area with food and say, "Mmmm, do you smell that?" To which he replies, "Mmm, smell that."

6. Glass of Milk anyone?
I went grocery shopping on Monday night. Since then, I alone, have almost finished an entire gallon of milk. I bought three gallons of skim milk to last us two weeks. Thank goodness I'm not lactose intolerant. I'm drinking at least 64 ounces of water per day, sometimes even 96 ounces, but somehow I'll end up drinking more milk. Unfortunately, this leaves a nasty milk after taste in my mouth most of the day, which of course leads back to feeling nauseous.

I just hope all this stops, like it did the first time, after 12 weeks along. I don't know how much more I can take being nauseous, let alone try not to puke while going grocery shopping because I smell something funny. I just hope I can make it through our trip to St. Maarten in three weeks.

He's going to be a great big brother

Little Man is going through a phase where when he does something, like complete his firetruck puzzle, he has to show the world. Or just when he wants to share something, like a special book, he has to include everyone.

Including his toys. On this particular day, he wanted to show Lion his fishies.




He's going to be a great big brother.