Ok, so we went to the beach on Mother's Day - my Grams, my son, and I. We got back last night. Monday, I wake up with a sore throat, headache, body aches, fever of 102- the works. Can't eat, can barely drink. My tonsils are swollen so much you can hardly tell there is a whole in the back of my mouth. This went on for the entire trip.

But, let me elaborate. My grandmother is the type who believes that anyone who is younger than her, can handle anything and because of her age- (she is only 70) - she is the only person on earth allowed to have aches and pains or complaints. So, my week consists of me having 2 children to handle...One is 2 1/2 and has tantrums, meltdowns, and crying spells - along with messy pull-ups, constantly being hungry for food we DO NOT have, and wanting to watch movies on a portable DVD player that Grams conveniently does not know how to work.

The OTHER child is older, 70 years old - to be exact, and can reach all those annoying things in a hotel room that you would otherwise be thankful that your smaller child cannot, such as - the EXTREMELY BRIGHT overhead light in the room, the microwave with an annoyingly loud "ding", the bathroom and front doors that will not close without slamming them, the sink that apparantly does not give out any water unless it is turned on FULL BLAST and the refrigerator door, also needing to be slammed in order to close properly. This child does not know the area, and wakes me frequently to ask where can she get ice, where do they sell ice cream, how much does going to the pier cost, will I get up and drive her to go eat, and am I getting up at all and ofcourse, my other child needs

Whew! I have to say, in many ways - I am GLAD to be home. I did make myself get up everyday to do SOMETHING with my child so I would not ruin his vacation. Sunday - we went to the beach when we got there, Monday we did the same and went to the pier. Tuesday, I made myself blow up his inflatable car so that we could get in the pool (ouch!!!my throat!!) And Wednesday, we had to come back but we hit the beach in the AM before leaving and we went to the aquarium before heading back. That was fun, he was SO excited about the fish, turtles, etc.

So, we get back last night and I feel like I am going to collapse from all the driving, no eating, fever, etc. After I took my grams home, my son and I headed home and hit the bed. This morning, I drop him off at daycare, go to therapy, then make my way to the doc. STREP THROAT. Big surprise, I always have had throat problems, but when I think back to the past week or so, I think about my son's sniffles and almost raw nose. So, since I am still on leave until Monday, I think I may as well pick him up and take him to his doc to be safe. I think, he probably has allergies again, they will suggest Claritin and I am already giving him that. I tell them I have strep and she does a throat culture on him - STREP THROAT!

WHAT???? Oh my POOR BABY!! And he is being such a brave little man. All week while I was whining, lying in bed, complaining, hardly able to move - using all these "pains" as excuses for him having to be quiet, to calm down, to sit still for a minute, to STOP DOING THAT- my sweetie had it too! I feel so bad. Even his doctor commented on how well he seemed to feel for someone who had strep throat.

So, we go get soup, juice, and yogurt for todays meals and get our prescriptions filled. Then, I take him straight home and we both take our meds and lye down. I just woke up because I heard him get up and go to the bathroom. How do I feel? Still miserable, but I can already tell that the swelling has somewhat gone down in my throat. No desire to leave my room, I brought the juice and a cup in here with me as a matter-of-fact. How does he feel? After an hour and a half of watching Gremlins on my TV in my bed with me, my son is no longer interested in "rest" and could care less if it is supposed to make him feel "better". He says he is all better. In his room playing with his toys, bringing me his new-found treasures every few minutes to share.

 So, I guess what my son has taught me is....things are only as bad as you let them be. Sure, my throat looks worse than his and he does not have a fever, but his nose is RAW with blood and all and he just says "I will blow my nose mommy, put some medicine on it" And he is still fussing over me like I am the child. He just asked me "you not need rest no more, mommy? it's time for you to get up?" and he has been asking me all day if my froat (throat) still hurts. What would I do without him??

Tags: Tired