I am hoping that Vera is nearing the end of her last cold for this season. And while I would think I would be pretty safe with that assumption I then look outside at the freshly fallen snow. It's April 12th. Good grief. I need to open the windows and get some fresh air in here. Come on, spring!
I've learned a few things while Vera has been sick this winter. First -- babies don't sleep well when their noses are filled with snot. And since babies don't sleep well, nobody sleeps well. We've had some rough nights at the Harper household. I must say I have an amazing husband who always shares the nighttime duties of getting up with Vera, but there were many mornings when we both woke up just exhausted. Although, I'll confess I know that recently there was a night when we were both so exhausted that I slept through a few of her times waking up and so Derek got up four times and I only got up twice.
Second thing I've learned. Babies have a lot of snot in their noses. If there was a profession of "nose wiping" I would be a really good one. Although the many runny noses have taught Vera to dodge the snot sucker. There was a time when she would let me use the snot sucker on her nose, no problem. Now she does everything she can to avoid it. This results in many used kleenex sitting next to us as we plan on the floor.
Number three -- this is only the beginning. I know we are just at the beginning of Vera getting colds and whatnot. And while it's so hard to watch her struggle with her little stuffy nose, I know she'll be okay. And that leads me to the last thing.
There is only so much I can do. I can wipe her nose. I can put her mattress on an incline. I can turn on her humidifier. I can get her as much rest as possible. But really, a cold is going to run its course. And sometimes all I can do is cuddle her and love her and that's the best medicine there is.
