the never-ending cold

We have been out of commission here for a few weeks. Avery missed a week of school, we stayed home from church, we were basically cooped up at home for what felt like FOREVER! Avery started to come down with a nasty cold at Disneyland, which was not the best timing. She was uncomfortable and more irritable than usual, but still able to have a little bit of fun. On the drive home however, things went from bad to worse. The cold took over completely. All in all, it took about 2 weeks for the cold/flu to run its course. Four of those days were ABSOLUTELY miserable because Avery (like her dad) is an unsufferable patient. Whiny, demanding, cranky. Avery for a few days refused to wipe her own nose or move from her position on the couch. She demanded that I get up and wipe it for her every 30 seconds or so. There was at least one day in there that I thought I was going to lose my mind. With Paul home for reinforcement, we finally got her to wipe her own nose (after several excessive tantrums ending each time with Avery crying herself to sleep on her bed), which helped my outlook on life tremendously. I am sure a few trees were sacrificed in the process, as she went through boxes of tissues daily, but at least my sanity was saved. Some of the symptoms lingered- the cough, but her spirits renewed after the fever broke for good. I think she still has some residual congestion because she seems to be having a hard time hearing- everything is "what"- even if I am just a few feet away... or, "I can't hear, turn it up please" when I can hear the tv from the back room. I took her to the doctor, but he didn't seem too concerned. We will see what happens. Hopefully it is short-lived.

Finley came down with the same thing- fever, stuffy/runny nose, and horrible cough just about the time Avery was on the mend. As opposed to Avery, Finley just wanted to snuggle and sleep- much, much easier. I got the stuffy nose and cough, which was not so fun added on top of the normal aches and pains during the last few weeks of pregnancy. Fortunately (for us all) Paul stayed healthy- he was the only one of us not to get the nasty bug.

We are FINALLY all feeling better and back to our happy, healthy selves...

just in time to welcome a new baby into our family!