My sick babies

Well if you read any of my recent posts lately, you would know that Destin had an up and down fever for a couple days...no other symptoms, just a fever..she got it Sunday afternoon, but by Monday evening she was fine again.

What's worse than having one sick baby? Two sick babies!

Then Tuesday, Arwen woke up with runny nose and coughing most of the day. Then that evening, Destin started coughing, and now has a little bit of a runny nose too. I just despise cold season, and even worse now because its not even supposed to be cold season. Its spring, for goodness sake! But with the weather being hot one day, and the cold the next - I am not sure if allergies are lurking close to my girls.

Last night, Arwen woke up about three times (which is not normal for her!) crying and wanting to be held, rocked and eventually fed at 3 AM. Destin kept waking up, talking in her sleep, and flailing her arms around ALL NIGHT LONG! So...no sleep for me or daddy! Ugh!

I know my allergies have been up and down...I just wish nice weather would get here, so we wouldn't have to be cooped up inside all the time. We were hoping to make a trip to Wichita, Kansas this weekend - a very long, overdue trip to visit with my dad's family - my aunt, cousins, grandma and great grandma (the girls' great-great). The last time we went for a visit was Christmas 2009! And now the girls get sick - perfect timing!!

That's one think that kind of bothers me...they say when you breastfeed your children won't get sick as much - and mine rarely do. But it doesn't help that wherever you go there are germs - on people, on shopping carts, on sinks, doors, etc. They are everywhere! See side note below...

I just hope that the girls are better soon...if we don't go to Wichita this weekend, it will have to be next weekend. Then we have two birthday parties to attend the month of April. I cannot wait for REAL spring weather!

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On a side note...my mom and I were talking about breastfeeding over the weekend and she mentioned that she breastfed me and my little brother (who is 15 years younger than me) until we over the age of 2. That is older than Destin! I could not imagine breastfeeding Destin still - but I know there are several mommy's out there in the world that continue to breastfeed well into the pre-K age. When I asked my mom why she breastfed that long??? She said that she didn't want to use a bottle, and sippy cups weren't traditionally introduced until 2 or older. I informed to tell her that both Destin & Arwen started using sippy cup as soon as they could sit up - between 4 and 6 months old.

As far as breastfeeding Destin goes, I stopped when she was almost one..and I was a few months pregnant with Arwen. I am not sure when I will stop with Arwen, but most likely it will be around the time she turns one. Simply because pediatricians say it is safe to give cows milk to your baby when they turn one.

What are your thoughts on breastfeeding past the age of two? Should more moms be doing this? I just cannot imagine breastfeeding Destin (even if we didn't have Arwen in our lives)...Destin is on the go all the time, independent, talking, walking/running/jumping and acting like a preschooler. I just don't know if I could do it.

Weekend Recap

I don't have a lot to report so I thought I would just sum it up...

1. Ants in our kitchen...they are back, and they are black! I do not like the ants our kitchen...although I do love the movies 'Its a Bug Life" and "Antz". Thanks for all the tips from friends & family via Facebook...I haven't had any luck with pepper, I am on to trying cinnamon this week!

2. One day last week we went to Walmart...got some last minute things and a new baby gate! Very exciting news around our house..we usually just buy the cheapy wooden ones that are falling apart at the seams. I also ordered a second one which we will hopefully get this week.

3. Wednesday (last week)...the girls & I actually got out of the house on our own (again). We went to the Post Office where I mailed some packages (still no word on if they received them yet though) and to the Greenwood park (where we have managed to go about three times this year). It was very windy, and I am starting to regret going now (see why below).

4. We went to Price Chopper on Saturday...during our mini snowstorm (I know, not smart...) but Destin wanted to get out of the house so thats where we went - grocery shopping, real exciting isn't it? 

5. We had an unofficial date night on Saturday...that is both the girls took a nap at the same time, during dinner. So Patrick & I ate dinner by ourselves (taco salads) for the first time since Arwen was born (almost eight months ago). I know we need to have a REAL date night - but this one counts, right?

6. SNOW...we got some Saturday & Sunday. Don't get me wrong, I love snow. Its beautiful to play in, make snowmen and such - but not at the end of March. It just a few days it will be April - where is Spring?!?

7. Arwen is teething, again...she has her two bottom teeth, but we think she is working on some top ones now. She is definitely wanting to put everything in her mouth still, and the last two days she has been very cranky, not herself...I am happy to say she is starting to be more of a happy girl again though :D

8. Gma Melanie (my mom) and Uncle Joe (my little brother who I am 15 years older) came to play Sunday with the girls. We usually get together every couple weeks to play.

9. That afternoon after they left, Destin got a fever, was very tired, took a nap (not like her) and was extremely cranky/clingy to daddy the rest of the evening. Daddy had a very short dinner, then proceeded to take care of Destin the rest of the night (lots of snuggle time, bath, and in our bed all night). Needless to say, neither one of us got much sleep - as Destin did not sleep well and her fever was up & down. The highest is got was 101, and currently its at 98/99. I just hope daddy doesn't crash tonight when he comes home from work - because Destin will be super excited to see him.

There is nothing worse than having a sick child and not being able to take that pain away from them. We must have taken her temperature at least fifty times last night, and I have probably taken it almost as much today alone. I have been sending update reports to daddy & grandma - and I even called the Dr just in case.

I guess there is always that anxiety and fear that come with being sick - but when its your child, hands down it is even worse. Especially when there is so much disease, virus and such ~ which is why I regret taking the girls out last week on that windy Wednesday, and to the grocery store on Saturday when it was very cold outside and snowing. Of course, you just never know - was it the weather? Did we not sanitize the shopping cart good enough? Was it my mom (who is a school nurse)?

I know one thing is for certain - whenever we have gone to the Dr or a hospital (we have only been once this year)..someone in our family always gets sick. I guess it can't be helped - and what scares me is that when Destin and Arwen eventually go to school someday they will be exposed to so much more than we are now staying at home all the time.

On a happier note...I am so excited to say, that Destin is acting like herself again - she got dressed, has gone potty a few times, drinking and starting to eat some stuff. After a few hours hanging out in bed, she wanted to get up, get dressed and play :) Right now she is napping which is why I am able to write this and Arwen is playing happily on the floor beside me....happy times :) I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Take care,
Melissa

Getting sick...blah!

I hate getting sick...but what is worse than being sick?? When both of your babies are sick! Destin got a cold after our recent visit to the park, then her cousins were starting to feel sick too & we have been spending more time with them the last couple weeks...so obviously she got a cold & now Arwen does too :( Mine is just a mix of allergies and our crazy Missouri weather...blah!

Destin & her cousins at Deanna Rose over the weekend :)

In an article in Parents November magazine, "Secrets of Kids Who Never Get Sick", it states the following:

• They keep their hands clean (for the most part we clean before & after every meal/playtime)


• They're active every day (All day everyday!)


• They get plenty of zzz's (Um, no...)


• They really try to avoid touching their face (yes)


• They have a healthy diet (yes, lots of fruits & veggies at our house!)


• They get the flu vaccine (not yet, but we are getting them soon)

How many of you can say you follow the list above? Last year with the big scare of H1N1, we were washing hands like crazy and avoiding too many crowded places...with Destin in tow, and me being pregnant with Arwen, during the holidays it was not very much fun!

I know our sickness will pass with time, but what else can we do to prevent it? I am so scared for those parents that have children who are unable to be vaccinated, or who get sick all the time. I couldn't imagine!