A long week...

I had always dreaded the moment when Maelyn would get her first cold or flue. I hate seeing others suffer through illness and really didn't want to deal with watching my child feeling sick. What I hadn't bargained for was that all three of us would end up getting sick at the same time.

How do you veteran parents handle the entire family getting sick?!

I have been sick with a bad head and chest cold for about a week now -- but I am finally starting to feel better. I found it really hard to take care of Maelyn all day when all I really want to do was crawl into bed. Then, a few days later, Maelyn caught my cold and the fun really began.

The coughing and sneezing, which was not a pretty sight, was non-stop in this house. Maelyn was quite miserable, ending up with a fever as well. She wanted to be held almost all day long, not accepting a cuddle on the couch in the slightest. I just couldn't hold her all day long, so I pulled out the toddler carrier that I had brought to China. It was the best thing I could have done -- it worked so well! She was very content to be resting and sleeping again me, her head snuggled into me and going with me wherever I went.

I would count down the hours until Paul could come home and help out -- but she always seemed to do better in the late afternoon and evenings, after having had a nap. Sleeping during the night, however, did not go so smoothly. I have been up with Maelyn at night A LOT and I can't wait to get back into our regular sleep routine -- we have been so spoiled with her ability to sleep for twelve hours at a time.

Now it is Paul's turn -- poor guy feels terrible. I cannot wait until we are all healthy again!

A few pics to share...

Helping Daddy take out the trash...

Notice the yogourt spread into her hair??