Like Brother, Like Sister...unfortunately in this case!

The doctor confirmed at her appointment on Tuesday that Brynlee does have RSV.  Luckily it's not really too bad (due to breastfeeding!  Yay me!) but she is doing breathing treatments just to be proactive.  And she's getting a steroid to help with inflammation.

Brynlee has taken after her brother in many ways - due dates, actual birth dates, looks, facial expressions, first (and pretty much the last haha) time rolling over, when the first teeth popped through...I could go on - and we now have to add getting RSV and needing breathing treatments to that list.

Cade, 6 months, 2007

Brynlee, 7 months, 2011

We're using the mouth piece with Brynlee versus the mask because, well, she screams bloody murder when I try to hold the mask up to her.  Not because she doesn't like it necessarily or is scared of it or anything like that.  It's because she can't hold it the way she wants to hold it, aka put it in her mouth, and she just flips out.  At least with the mouth piece she can chew on it and breathe in the medicine. 

The biggest obstacle we had with Cade was that he whined a little if we put the strap of the mask around his head.  Temperament is definitely a way that Brother and Sister have not been alike! 

Oh illness, why must you exist?!?

We’re back to co-sleeping, at least for the time being.  Actually, we didn’t ever really establish regular co-sleeping habits with Brynlee due to my middle of the night pumping distraction and her big brother’s early rising routine, so it was better for her to be in her own dark, quiet bedroom.  I love co-sleeping though.  I did with Cade for several months and I enjoy doing it with Brynlee whenever it works out.

The reason we’re co-sleeping now?  You can blame RSV.  I’m assuming that’s what she has anyway.  Cade had it when he was 6 months and she’s showing the same symptoms.  Plus the little girl that I watch just had it (side note: Bridget, don’t you dare feel guilty! J)  I do feel somewhat to blame though, as if I’m not breastfeeding her “right” because, why else would an exclusively breastfed baby, who never leaves her mommy’s hip, get RSV?  I know my thoughts are irrational.  Babies get sick, it’s inevitable.  But still, I hate that I can’t do anything to get rid of it, so to cope we’re co-sleeping.  It’s easier for me to comfort her when she wakes up SCREAMING without any warning and when she needs propped up to help keep that God-awful snot out of her nose.  I can also monitor her breathing when she’s in bed with me and when she gets wheezy, I can take action. 

I’ve learned a couple things during this pandemic and thought I would share.  Turns out, the first child doesn’t always teach you everything you need to know.  Here’s what I’ve learned:

-My husband doesn’t wake up to the shower running (for our steam breathing treatment), even at 2:00 in the morning.  I guess that’s not something he considers unusual.  Thanks for the concern, dear!

-The toilet is not good for trying to rock a baby to sleep…

-…especially a baby that’s excited about the sound of the running water, thinking she’s going to be taking a bath.

-Laying the baby beside you on your own pillow is a great, easy way to prop them up so they can sleep easier.  This however, is something I already knew.  What I learned is that a 7 month old has a wonderful sense of humor and bonking their head against yours while you both lay peacefully on the pillow is hilarious.

-Sleeping in a recliner isn’t really that bad when you consider the alternative – not sleeping.

-Sitting in a (hot!) steamy bathroom for 10 minutes, while trying to keep a baby happy with the usual “I’m gonna get you!” games gives a person a splitting headache that lasts for hours.



No, my camera isn't this crappy.  This is during one of our steam treatments -
right before I got a headache that lasted the rest of the day.



But seriously, if there’s anything to enjoy while your child is sick, it's definitely that you have an excuse to cuddle more, give extra kisses, rock them longer and even co-sleep.  I know that’s what I’m enjoying anyway.

Ultimate Slacker!

I could possibly win an award for America’s Ultimate Slacker tonight.  Ok, maybe not the ultimate slacker.  First, let me show you the “dinner” that I’m eating right now:

My son’s dinner: PB&J, a banana and some milk.  He was lucky to get that.  My husband's: one of his protein shakes (he's part of a strenuous workout class right now) and chips and salsa.  At least my daughter ate well.  A thawed cube of sweet potato zucchini and some breast milk! J 

The reason I’m posting this is because I started my morning reading another blog post about the “perfect mother” and have thought all day about why mothers find it necessary to criticize each other.  Every move I made today, I thought, “What would another mother think of this?” or “I wonder how many other mother’s have done this exact same thing.”  I wasn’t getting down on myself.  Just curious thoughts. 

I think going from a working mom to a stay-at-home mom, I really set the bar high for what I wanted to do around the house and with the kids.  But even stay-at-home moms don't have perfectly clean houses or get dinner on the table every night.  And I'm slowly beginning to be okay with that.  So what's really important?  Slacker or not, I’m a pretty great mom.  Some days I’ll doubt that, but today isn’t one of those days.  Besides, isn’t it more fun to just let loose sometimes.  Who wants dessert before dinner? J

20 Minutes of Yoga = 2 Days of Sore Muscles

I’m usually not one for New Year's resolutions because of course, they are easily broken and that makes me feel like a loser.  So why did I start this blog with a list of New Year’s resolutions?  Well, this time I was trying to hold myself accountable.  Maybe if I put it in print for multiple strangers to see, I would want to follow through.  I have tried.  Really.  Okay, just kinda. 

My biggest issue, as is true with many others in this country, is creating a work out regimen and sticking with it.  I don’t particularly look out of shape.  I’ve been blessed with my father’s mighty metabolism.  But metabolism doesn’t build muscle!  I eat healthy and try to stay as active as possible with my kids but I am not in shape and a few choice areas of my body could use some work, if you know what I mean. ;)

I got myself my family Wii Fit Plus for Christmas and I’ve been super excited to really use it to its full potential.  I’ve set up my profile and set my goals.  I’ve picked my favorite games and exercises and created my desired routines.  Now, if only I could drag my sleep-deprived butt out of bed in the mornings to DO that routine, everything would be peachy keen!  If I could do that, this post could be about how awesome I am.  How I’ve met my first goals and how I have so much more energy.  But it’s not. 

I’ve “played” with this game maybe five times since eagerly opening it on Christmas morning.  One of those times consisted of 20 minutes of yoga, something I've never done before.  This caused two days of not being able to move my arms without a groan.  Who know yoga was so intense?  Why haven't I been more committed?  For a couple common, obvious reasons...

For one, I need to get up by 5:00 AM to have some time before my kiddos wake up, ready to have Mommy at their beck and call.  My daughter has deemed herself the queen of the castle and has been crazily difficult to get on a consistent schedule.  She changes it up every week.  I’m choosing to get other household chores (and a little blogging time) checked off my list during her nap times rather than working out.  Also, her nighttime habits have been less than desirable.  One morning when I was able to get in my "workout", the game greeted me with this lovely message:  "Good morning, Bre!  Do you feel refreshed?  Do you know it's been 14 days since you last trained?"  Thank you for that pick-me-up.  I’m getting maybe six hours of choppy, interrupted sleep each night.  No, I don't feel refreshed!

Secondly, my husband is gone for work by 5:00 AM, home by 4:30 PM and gone again (for HIS exercise classes) by 5:00 PM every night.  So for the majority of the day, I’m by myself with the kids.  By the time he gets back home, our kids are already fed, bathed and our daughter is in bed.  He’ll eat his dinner, play a little with our son then get him to bed before we crash ourselves.  I’m busy!

I know what you may be thinking: BOO HOO!  But before you play me the world’s smallest violin, remember that I’m not feeling sorry for myself or making “excuses.”  I’m simply agreeing with millions of other Americans and new mothers in saying, it’s hard to start and stick with a workout routine!  Cue “Biggest Loser”!  I’m venting, owning up to my failures J.  I'm hoping once I'm getting better sleep I'll be more eager to wake up at 5:00.  This used to be no problem for me!  I can run on six-ish hours of sleep, they just need to be consistent.  Uninterrupted!  I’m a mother, a wife and soon I’ll be watching my friend’s one-year-old four days a week.  I’ve never had a regular exercise regimen (unless you count high school basketball practice) and trying to start one while also trying to adjust to your newly expanded family is rough!  If you’ve done it, HUGE kudos to you! 

So I’m curious, what’s your never-fail tip for getting your exercise in everyday?