A Cold July?

I am so thankful that up until now, Cutter has been spared from sickness. His winter birth at the height of flu season certainly set the odds against him, though I’m sure our stock in Purell and Lysol helped to fight off any renegade germs that may have attempted to take up residency in our son’s tiny body. Alas, it was during one of the hottest weeks on record that he developed watery eyes, a runny nose, and the saddest little cough and sneeze you’ve ever heard. Can you feel the irony?

My baby has been battling through with valor and tenacity akin to that of a warrior in battle, though this war involves germs and snot – not generals and swords. All it takes is one look at his sweet, snotty face for my heart to melt. I am praying it is spreading tender drops of healing love into his body – poor thing.

Perhaps the worst part is the fact that there is not much that I can do for him, and that the one thing that does bring him comfort is perhaps the most aggravating of them all: the nasal aspirator. I loathe that thing with a hatred that runs deep through my veins. I don’t know who cries harder when it’s time to de-snotify his little nose.

As much as I know this is a little blip on our radar, I can’t help but be saddened by his first cold. Mind you, I do believe in exposure to some germs and dirt in order to help the immune system learn to fight. By no means do I promote keeping my child in a bubble of protection.

Trivial as it may seem, it is still upsetting to know that my baby is not feeling like his normal self. Regardless, I am quite enjoying being his mother and caring for him when he needs me the most. That is a reward worth the battle fought.