Babydays: What I've learned this week about parenting (and other things)

September 28, 2004

What I've learned this week about parenting (and other things)

1. I hate fevers of 101+ that start the very same night I decide it's okay to put a blanket on Gus when he sleeps, thus convining me I have caused Gus to have heat stroke. LESSON: I WILL NOT ALWAYS BE ABLE TO BLAME MYSELF FOR EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS TO GUS.

2. It's hard to see someone you love so much feeling miserable. Having Gus wake up burning like a hot plate, crying and lethargic, scared me and I had moments of utter helplessness. LESSON: THIS IS ONLY THE FIRST OF MANY TIMES I WILL FEEL HELPLESS, BUT WILL TRY MY HARDEST TO NOT OUTWARDLY SHOW THAT TO GUS.

3. I've decided that I, too, want to go to a pediatrican rather than an adult doctor. They're uber empathetic, they don't make you feel like you're interrupting them when you call them on a Sunday, and explain everything. LESSON: I WANT A NEW DOCTOR. I DON'T LIKE MINE, I DON'T CONNECT WITH HER, AND I HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE. SO I WILL.

4. Ear infections apparently hurt. A lot. And may cause nasty fevers. And may make one prone to nursing every hour. Or all night long. Just maybe. LESSON: EVEN IF YOU TAKE GUS TO THE DOCTOR TWICE WITHIN THE WEEK PRIOR TO FINDING AN EAR INFECTION, YOU MAY NOT SEE ANYTHING BREWING. !!!!

5. Trying to work for the past two days while home with Gus is... challenging. I've found that PBS has wonderful kiddie TV shows during the day that seem to distract the little sick boy for a few minutes so I can sneak in some Visio drawing or email. I've also found that working when the sweet Gus is asleep works best. Overall? Being able to cuddle and comfort Gus during this time was heartachingly precious. LESSON: THE MORE I HAVE TO DO IN A PERIOD OF TIME, THE MORE EFFECTIVE AND CONCENTRATED I FEEL I AM COMPLETING THE TASKS.

6. I don't like mice.... let's say, I don't like THE SINGULAR MOUSE that is in our house. I will not freak out. I will not acknowledge that I googled "house mice" and found that mice have 21-day gestations, where they'll give birth to 4-7 babies each time. me <--- plugging my ears, closing my eyes, saying, "NA NA NA NA, I CAN'T HEAR YOU!" John saw it on Sunday. Today was my day for the sighting. Gus was nursing, the house was silent. Here comes the cute bastard, scampering under the TV table, stopping, perching on its back legs to sniff, and then scurrying back towards the piano. I stopped Gus, got up, went over to the piano, and pounded on the piano keys. (can mice hear??) I went and got Zeppo to come inside. I told her to eat the mouse. All she wanted to do was play with her stuffed hedgehog. Poop. LESSON: KEEP THE STUFFED ANIMALS OFF THE FLOOR.

7. Despite feeling bad, Gus was able to smile often, hug for hours, and say mama and a-da occasionally. LESSON: ALWAYS TRY TO SEE THE BRIGHTER SIDE, IT'S MUCH MORE PLEASANT.

8. Even though I can find twenty things at any one time to criticize myself about, I finally admitted to myself that I'm a good mom. LESSON: PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK OCCASIONALLY. AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR. :)

ps. Gus, the parenting books said starve a fever, but I think you should feed it.

Now Gus, I know I said feed, but you don't have to eat it all in one sitting.

Gus eating during the throes of the fever on Sunday. Naked but for a bib and diaper. You could cook an egg on him.

Posted by janna at September 28, 2004 05:56 PM

Comments

Oh, poor Guss! I am sooo sorry you are feeling icky this week. I was hoping that I was right about maybe having a tooth popping in. An ear infection? Doggone it! How does such a sweet boy get an ear infection? I guess the need to nurse makes sense now, buddy. You had that plugged up painful ear thing going on. I hope the Motrin worked and that you are getting back to normal. I want you to know that your Mommy is an excellent Mommy and she was asking all of the right questions when I talked to her on the weekend. I didn't consider an ear infection, I thought maybe a little "bug" or maybe a new tooth, way off, Aunt Deb. I promise you that in the future I will stick to the "lungs" and never try to second guess fever origins. I am glad to see that Mommy did strip you down and I am sure that helped. I hope you feel better soon. You know, what, Gus? Even when you are sick, you are still the most happy handsome 9 month old I know! hug and kisses, buddy. love you, Aunt Deb

Posted by: Aunt Deb at September 29, 2004 08:59 PM