Friday, November 09, 2007

maybe we should have a weekly awards ceremony

I think I can claim the Worst Mother Award this time.

For the few days before Halloween, Gabe started getting up at night. Repeatedly. Sometimes with screaming. We happened to be visiting my in-laws at the time, so I assumed that all of the screaming could be attributed to a new place, a new bed, different routines.

Then we came home, and the screaming continued at nighttime, and during the day he would occasionally tug on his ear.

I know, I know. Right now, you're thinking, DUH.

But the thing is, I'd already taken him to the pediatrician twice in the last couple of weeks because he kept tugging on his ear and both times it was teething. Teething! So I didn't want to be the idiot mother who takes her kid to the doctor AGAIN for teething.

You know the end of this story already, I'm sure, because when I took him to the doctor this third time, he had an ear infection. I am properly ashamed of myself, and as I sat rocking Gabe the last few nights, I also feel appropriately guilty for making my sweet baby suffer unnecessarily.

I suck.

Gabe has been on antibiotics for 10 days now, and appears to be feeling better, and had his ears checked again and all is clear and healthy. Thankfully.

The same can't be said for me, though. As Gabe has improved, I have been getting sicker and sicker. First a runny nose, then a cough, then a stuffy head, then unending snot, then pounding pain behind my eyes, then inability to clear my ears, and since yesterday, pain in my teeth. Weird, right?

Turns out, I have a sinus infection and double ear infections. Fun, huh?

I guess karma is a bitch. Next time, I'm taking him to the pediatrician 17 times, even if I get sent home 17 times for teething. I'll send our pediatrician a letter of apology in advance for being annoying.

6 comments:

OneTiredEma said...

oooh, I've had the teeth-hurting-sinus-pain before. It sucks. I've finally reached a point in my nursing life where I am willing to take Sudafed, only to find it doesn't work as well as I remember it...

Hope you are on the mend! And Gabe too, but he'll bounce back quickly, I'll bet. (Eat lots of yogurt to reduce the chance of thrush as you take antibiotics....sez mother hen :-)

Meika said...

I thought we were finally getting a break with our own Little Teething One when I noticed that she had her thumbs stuck all the way into her mouth all afternoon... yeah. One-year molars. At nine months. Why am I not surprised?

And in great mothering moments, a couple weeks ago I turned around to see her teething on my razor. Ahem. Ooops. How she escaped unscathed, I don't know, but she was fine. Me on the other hand... Anyway, just to say that you can have the trophy this week if you want, but I definitely have a couple coming my way, too. :)

Rev Dr Mom said...

Hope you and Gabe are both on the mend.

And don't be too hard on yourself. I'd be we've all qualified for that award a few times.

Anonymous said...

Get well soon!

Geggie said...

Bless his heart (and your's too!)

Hope you're feeling better.

BabyMac said...

I would like to thank my fellow nominees...

I get a few awards this week. 2 falls off the couch, a banging of the head a few times and an allergic reaction to insect bites that was the cause of 2 (not 1) trips to the Emergency room.

I hope you feel better soon!