Thursday, March 10, 2011

Parenting. . .

Well folks, this has been quite a long week! James and I, myself in particular, are really learning how to be parents. James has been a pro at this since day one. I think I doubt myself too much. I'm sure I'm a good parent, I just haven't experienced life like this yet.

We doggie sat for Bear last weekend. Daren and Ash had some obligations in Salt Lake that took them from home Friday though Monday. Bear did pretty good. This is a little glimpse of what we caught Saturday morning.



Super cute! Anyway, by Saturday night, life had turned from super cute to almost nightmare-ish. Haden came down with a fever of 104 around 7:30 pm. Bring on the TYLENOL!!! He didn't want to eat and just really seamed miserable. Heck! I would have been miserable too. So we got his sippy filled with milk and went to put him to bed. He pretty well drank all of it and was lying comfortably in my arms. . . when to my duress, he began to cough and thew up!! All over himself, me, the rocker and the floor! This was a first for him. He's never really thrown up before. I felt awful. WE got ourselves all cleaned up and blankets and gross items into the washer. we gave him some water instead of milk and we just cuddled for a bit. He was able to get to sleep by about 10:30.

Don't worry though! More to come! By midnight he was awake again, screaming. With a screaming fever of 103!!! It was back already!!! So began the IBUPROFEN/TYLENOL trade off. James woke up with us and we had some really sweet family time. We cuddled Haden and James gave him a blessing. Then we just laid him on our legs and sang to him while resting a cool washcloth on his forehead and neck. I think we got back to bed around 1 or 1:30 am. He woke a couple more times that night. He also woke early Sunday morning. James got up with him and tried to give him another milk sippy. NOT a good idea. Round two of throw up!! Poor kid was just inconsolable. I had to go to church to teach my Relief Society lesson. So I was able to get Haden down for a nap and James too. They were both so exhausted. When I got home it was more cuddle time. At family dinner that night, we were able to join with all the other priesthood holders in the family and gave Haden another blessing.

After another restless night Monday brought another trip to the doctor. Isn't it crazy that when something wrong is found, we celebrate? Makes me feel somewhat guilty as a parent, but at least we know that he's acting like this for a reason! Turns out he has a lingering ear infection with a nasty sinus infection to top it off! Get new meds, go home, try to help him rest, try to rest ourselves. Doesn't work. Still inconsolable. Just do your best!

Tuesday/Wednesday. . . still unhappy. Will there ever be light at the end of the tunnel? How can I help this poor restless child? Cuddle, cuddle, cuddle, cry with him, cuddle, cuddle, cuddle, MEGAMIND!!!!!! I've lost count how many times we've watched this movie, but it's worth it. He just melts into my arms and pleasantly passes the time with his new favorite movie!

Haden was still pretty unhappy Wednesday night when I returned from my meetings. I decided it would be most appropriate to just take one for Team Tibbitts and stay home with him the rest of the week. I'm so grateful for a job that allows me this kind of flexibility. Granted, I'm working part time anyway. It would be more difficult if I was a full time employee. But we have a good team and will do whatever it takes to help one another out.

Haden started to feel better on Thursday. It wasn't as bad as it has been the rest of the week, but still brought new challenges. DIARRHEA. . . DIAPER RASH!!! He's starting to be more lively, but is just so overwhelming!

It's now Saturday. Haden seems to have a happy disposition. He still has diarrhea, but his rash is clearing up a good bit. He's smiling and playing with the dog again. My little boy is on his way back! We will go in for his 18 month checkup with the doctor on Monday. Hopefully he will be able to tell us if this getting all cleared up up. I just want him to be better. We watched the movie "Life As We Know It" last night. I thought it was going to be really funny. Turns out it just portrayed real life raising a child. I cried a few times. I know, I'm crazy. It's just that this week is so fresh in my mind! The frustrations of not knowing how to help him are real. He's not really talking yet, so can't tell me what he wants. But, maybe I'm not too big of a mess. I'm a parent. We all make mistakes. Though this week has been trying, I feel as I've been blessed to be able to stay home with Haden. I can't make the pain go away. I can cuddle his fears and hurts though! I can shower him with kisses. I can tell him how much I love him. I can pray for him. I get to be the mom, and this week, nothing matters more than that!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Oh Sus! I so wish I could have been there to help you out! That fever was so high I probably would have given him a cool bath. Do you have urgent care there so you don't have to wait until Monday to take him to a doctor? I'm so glad he's feeling better. Times like that can be so surreal sometimes. Get as much rest as you can while Haden is healing. Our love, thoughts and prayers to out to you.


Uncle Mike & Aunt Sandy