This last week Allie was sick for the first time. Daycare called on Monday and said she was running a high fever. I had to leave work immediately and go get her. I couldn’t believe how hot she felt when I got her; but luckily she didn’t seem too uncomfortable and she wasn’t fussy. I took her home, gave her some Tylenol to reduce the fever, put her on the couch with some toys, and got my books out so I could read about what I was supposed to do with a feverish child. I knew the time had likely come where I was going to have to take a rectal temperature. Isn’t it sad that that’s what I was worrying about? And sure enough, all my books said that you aren’t a good mother unless you take the temperature rectally. So I started to mentally prepare myself….…but I was dreading it.
Meanwhile, instead of appearing pitiful, Allie was playing happily and contentedly with her toys on the couch. She didn’t appear the least bit sick! I laughed as I thought to myself, “Ok this girl is a faker. She’s only 6 months old and she already knows how to fake an illness to get out of school!” But I was so happy that she wasn’t very sick. ..and also happy to realize, “maybe I won’t have to take a rectal temperature”!
It wasn’t long, however, before she felt hot again. And this time she did look pitiful. I felt so bad for her. It’s true what they say. If you could, you’d take the misery from them and endure it yourself in a heartbeat.
So anyway… I took her upstairs to check her temperature. I was so nervous! I really didn’t want to; but I want to be a good mother, so I bucked up and did it. All I can say is: I am a complete dope. It was so easy! Totally not worth the anxiety and despair I put myself through. Why do I do that to myself? Allie didn’t even notice or care. Really, I am such a fool.
Allie’s fever went up and down over the next 3 days, as did her moods. She’d be perfectly happy for a while, then you could tell she felt puny; but she was never really fussy – she’d just get quiet. Here are two pictures, both taken the same day. She obviously doesn’t feel good in one, and is her old self in the other. Poor baby.
I had no idea it worked that way – I figured she’d be feeling crummy and fussing the whole time. I must say, Allie’s first illness was waaay easier than I had imagined it would be. I attribute it all to Allie’s sweet and content nature. She really is an amazing little girl (but I’m sure I’m biased). It was nice to get to stay home with my baby girl and do nothing except hang out with her. Time is definitely going by too fast!
So anyway… I took her upstairs to check her temperature. I was so nervous! I really didn’t want to; but I want to be a good mother, so I bucked up and did it. All I can say is: I am a complete dope. It was so easy! Totally not worth the anxiety and despair I put myself through. Why do I do that to myself? Allie didn’t even notice or care. Really, I am such a fool.
Allie’s fever went up and down over the next 3 days, as did her moods. She’d be perfectly happy for a while, then you could tell she felt puny; but she was never really fussy – she’d just get quiet. Here are two pictures, both taken the same day. She obviously doesn’t feel good in one, and is her old self in the other. Poor baby.
I had no idea it worked that way – I figured she’d be feeling crummy and fussing the whole time. I must say, Allie’s first illness was waaay easier than I had imagined it would be. I attribute it all to Allie’s sweet and content nature. She really is an amazing little girl (but I’m sure I’m biased). It was nice to get to stay home with my baby girl and do nothing except hang out with her. Time is definitely going by too fast!
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