This past weekend, Nana and Papa Bolton came to visit us in Santa Monica. Everyone except Parker had a fabulous time -- the poor guy became sick with a horrible ear infection. He woke up on Saturday evening at 2AM radiating heat. He had developed a fever of 102, and he was in so much pain. He wanted to do nothing but sleep on my chest. It was a horrible experience, not being able to do anything to help him. Not even a trip on the legendary Santa Monica Merry-go-round could make him smile. Doesn't he just look like he's in a ton of pain in this picture? I feel guilty for having taken it!
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| "I don't feel so good," Parker said. (With his eyes.) |
- Tuesday: Fever still hadn't broken. Doctor said to give it one more day.
- Wednesday: Fever still burning. Puss coming out of the ear, which means, a burst ear drum. Horrible. More antibiotics, this time in drop form.
- Thursday: Fever persists. Doctor calls in a new oral antibiotic for us to try.
- Friday: Fever is down, but not out. Doctor requests we come into the office on Saturday.
- Saturday: Both ears look terrible, but the burst ear drum was looking better. Still, they suggest a shot of antibiotics. Yes, a shot. Huge needle. Poke it right in Parker's tush. Dreadful experience for Mom, Dad, and Baby.
- Sunday: No fever. But Parker is still not himself.
- Monday: Back to the doctor to get Round 2 of the antibiotic shot. Now that Parker knows what to expect, he starts to scream as soon as he sees the nurse walk past the waiting room window. I feel horrible.
- Tuesday: Parker smiles a couple of times. He is almost starting to act like my favorite little boy in the world.
- Wednesday: One more check-up and one more shot of antibiotics. Ugly, but at least this ordeal is finally over.
Parker was basically sick for two weeks. Which means two weeks of Jeremy and I trying to figure out how the hell to make our worlds continue -- mine at school, his at work -- without backup babysitters. Our dear friend Mitzi helped us out one day when I had a test. And Jeremy was able to work from home and take sick days here and there. But I finally realize why people always say it must be hard having a baby without family nearby.
Sure, it's hard not to see our families regularly -- it would definitely be nice to have a full house for every holiday or special occasion. And it would be great to have a free babysitter every now and then so that Jeremy and I could go on a date and act like the immature adults we were two years ago before Parker and pregnancy forced us to grow up. But the real beauty in local family is just how willing and able they are likely to show up at your door. Someone to babysit so you can write a paper or take an exam. Someone to take your kid to the doctor so you can attend a very important meeting. Someone to cook dinner when your sick child refuses to lie down and must be held. Someone to just HELP.
Friends help, it's true. And we're lucky to have some great friends. But friends have their own lives and kids and never-ending out of control illnesses. Family -- or shall I say, GRANDPARENTS -- especially if they're retired, can afford to drop everything and do anything for their precious grand children. And I'm not saying that with a snarky tone. It's just the truth.
For the first time in my entire life, I thought, "Maybe we would be better off living a bit closer to our parents..." But since our parents live in three different states, there is no chance in HELL we'd be the ones to move. Who wants to play that game? So rather than embark on an exercise in futility, I hereby welcome any and all grandparents to move to California. And if you feel like getting into some real estate, we'll gladly accept your contributions to a home with an official in-law suite!
By the way, here's a pic of Parker now that his ears are doing better. Back to normal and cute as ever.
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| No more ear infections! |
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