lemon socks

Oh my goodness what a week. I will keep this short and sweet as there isn't much to report. First part of the week was spent fretting over Rhea's runny nose...was it a cold? teething? How was I to know? Should I be giving her something? Then Thursday night her poor little body felt so very warm...I had read in one of my stack of baby books that 9 times out of 10 a mother can tell if her child has a fever just by putting her lips on their forehead..and my lips were telling me it was time to buy the most expensive thermometer on the market so I could get a slightly more accurate and probably unnecessary reading. Bert though we could make do with a $10 new thermometer which confirmed her fever (but had to be put under her arm which she HATED).

The next day I called the pediatrician who gave me a list of homeopathic remedies to give her and the reassurance that I could call back or bring her in should I feel the need. As the day progressed her fever kept getting higher but her mood, though slightly more irritable and tired, remained pretty positive considering. Two more calls to the pediatrician (which gave me a short history on the purpose and benefits of a fever, some more reassurance, and a German fever buster technique provided by Imke) and I had Rhea sporting some lemon socks.

Lemon socks are supposed to soothe and help relive a fever and I'm here to tell you that I do believe they worked. Basically you soak some cotton knee highs in some very cold lemon water then put them on your baby (she didn't like that part) then you cover those with another pair of cotton knee highs and then a pair of wool socks. Once we had that whole contraption together on her legs (again where is the camera!!) she settled right down. It also brought her fever down a whole degree which was enough to help her feel more comfortable while still allowing the fever to do it's thing. And after much fussing with the underarm thermometer the decision was made to go out and get that fancy pants ear thermometer after all. Which came in handy the next day to confirm that Rhea's fever had broken and that mine had just started to rise!

When I said short and sweet I guess I should have been referring to my piece of the sick story...this story begins Saturday afternoon and it ended last night. Basically I got sicker than I have been in recent memory...ending up in bed with only brief viewings of the girl for nursing and shared naps. It was absolutely brutal...and if during one of my fever induced chill sessions someone had suggested ice cold socks...I would have hit them over the head with them. It was really hard on Rhea having me out of commission, she would cry every time she saw me (again...just brutal). We are still feeling the repercussions of those two days...she is very clingy and easily frustrated. Poor little bean.

All this said...I do believe we are on the mend and I'm looking forward to some healthy and active summer days very soon!