I had a whole post planned for today but Mazzy got an ear infection last night and it quickly proceeded to take over our lives. I think at one point, probably at about 4am, Mazzy, Harlow and I were all crying at once.
I did not sleep for one second. Mazzy was inconsolable and screaming and crying like she had been possessed by the devil for pretty much 12 hours straight. Overtired + sick + three-year-old drama queen makes for a very trying evening.
We were both in Mazzy's bed, we were both in my bed, we were both in the glider chair, we were both on the couch in the living room, we were both on the floor. Finally, I gave up trying to put her to bed and turned on the television only to find that our Netflix wasn't working. You can imagine how that went over.
All the while, I was trying to make Mazzy understand that if she screamed too loudly, she would wake the baby, which would result in less attention for her.
Not exactly a concept easily understood by a toddler, as evidenced by her continuous screaming. If you heard it from your house, I would not be surprised. If she woke your baby, my apologies.
Mazzy finally fell asleep at 8:30am, less than a half hour before I had to wake her up to take her to the doctor. The doctor's diagnosis was "the beginning of an ear infection" so I'm hoping we nip this in the bud because I can't even imagine her reaction to a "full-on ear infection".
Next was the process of forcing her to take the medication which always ages me a good 5-10 years. I even promised a lollipop afterwards and that didn't convince her to sit still and just swallow the stuff.
Where's Mike? Away for work in San Francisco.
But I'm looking forward to simulating the experience for him as soon as he gets home. You think the Dutch could figure something out?
Anyway, the photo above of Harlow looking at a Curious George book like it was a Playboy magazine with a centerfold was the only thing that brought a little levity to my night, so I thought I'd share. Parenting really sucks sometimes if you don't have a sense of humor.
Tomorrow, I'm doing something fun with all the "Babe in a Mug" shots so keep them coming. Just post them on the Mommy Shorts fanpage.
And now, I'm going to drink my third cup of coffee.
she’s reading already? genius!
horrible, hideous ear infections.
hope everyone is feeling better today.
and that picture of Harlow, priceless. 🙂
Oh poor poor Mazzy. I used to get ear infections as a kid and the pain is ridiculous. I imagine I responded in a similar drama queen fashion. These days I feel your pain more though…. I hope the coffee was good to you – though you deserve something a little stronger! Hope all back to normal soon. Harlow is too cute for words!
Poor little button … problem with ear infections, they are always worse at night, because of course we want to lie down to sleep – but that causes the fluid pressure to build so causes pain! Hope the meds kick in soon and you now have 6-7ish hours to figure out how to get her to sleep tonight sitting up … or that she is too tired to stay awake anyway, so either way can get a good nights sleep 🙁
I hope Mazzy gets better soon and that you get some rest. I know what you mean about trying to get her to take the medicine. My own little drama queen (Alyssa) made a hug screeching deal about taking some pink chewable antibiotics. She put it in her mouth and ran screeching to the living room and buried her face in the couch. About a week later, I was vacuuming behind the couch and found a little pink pill mountain!
I know that I’m just another mom giving you advice but.. dairy is a huge factor in ear infections. Later in life I’ll give my son dairy but right now I have him on an all vegan diet and have yet to have an ear infection (he’s 13 months).
I hope you get some sleep tonight! I’ve dealt with a gassy baby (who refused to let it out) all night long, many times. I feel your pain.
Poor sweet girl, and Mommy! Both my kids get chronic ear infections…they are gut wrenching because the kids are in so much pain and there isn’t a lot you can do. For us, a steady supply of ibuprofen and Tylenol help a ton until the antibiotics kick in and relieve some of the pressure. Also, you can ask your doctor for some numbing ear drops that have lidocaine in them to use for the first couple of days, again just until the antibiotics start doing their thing. Between that, and falling asleep on my chest in a rocker/glider and pressing warm wash cloths on the ear(s) that hurt, we can usually go 3-4 hours at a stretch through the night until we can get to the doctor the next day. Hope your little one feels better soon, and you all get some rest!
That picture of Harlow reading the spread is hilarious and the picture of Mazzy snoozing is adorable. I love sleeping baby/toddler/kid pictures.
I always just have to laugh when parenting…because sometimes if I don’t laugh, I’ll cry my eyes out instead. You’re right, humor is KEY.
They were gross. And I got away with it. And I’m still alive.
I can relate to this SO much. My son had so many ear infections we had to get tubes.
And then LAST SATURDAY I woke up at 1 AM and my right ear hurt. Bad. My first ear infection in over 30 years.
I posted some tips about how it really feels. It might shed some light and maybe help you through any other nights..
http://danceswithchaos.wordpress.com/2013/04/15/oh-so-that-is-why-you-were-screaming/
My husband and I had our first ear infections in about 30 years this winter and those suckers HURT!!! I have new sympathy for my poor kid who endured infection after infection and finally ended up hospitalized for mastoiditis two years ago. NOW I get why she was screaming so much.
Oh, and during about 90% of those days, my husband was away for work. So I get it.
Definitely focus on the moments of levity!
oh poor you!
Get well soon, everyone in your house!
So much sympathy! That totally sucks. One thing I am a die hard fan of is Wally’s Ear Oil (available in health food stores.). While I’m not usually big on homeopathic remedies, this one has saved me many a sleepless night, and avoided countless rounds of antibiotics. We used it for my oldest son to avoid having to get tubes as a little guy. I’ve used it myself, and it really does soothe, as well as dry up some of the crud. Since there’s bound to be a next time (I’m sorry to say) perhaps forewarned is forearmed! Kids are always at their sickest when the husband is out of town, and the carpet cleaner is broken. You have good vibes sending your way. Hope some sleep is available to you all soon!
Put a drop of breast milk in her ear. I’ve never done it, but I have a few family members that swear by it. Also, when I would get them when I was little the only thing my mom could get to take the pain away so I could sleep was a heating pad on low next to my ear. I don’t think they necessarily recommend that anymore, but something warm might help her. And you. (hugs)
My boys et ear infections ALL THE TIME! It sucks! You know what someone JUST told me? Chewable meds. Tylenol/ Ibuprofen AND ANTIBIOTICS! You can get them in chewable forms. My 2 year old spits the liquid right out or gags on it, so I asked if there was a chewable one and YES! I just give him an m&m at the same time to cut the bitterness and a couple more when he swallows the whole pill. Good luck! Hope you are all feeling better soon!
That is a great idea. Or ask if it can be taken with liquid or food. We had some that could be done with food, so I inserted the dose into juice. The worry is the kid not drinking it all so not getting the full dose, but. didn’t pour a two litre jug, lol – just 1/3to 1/2 cup. Since we never drink juice was also a treat. Worked like a charm.
Also in case you forgot, be ready for the usual side effect of antibiotics – sore tummy and diarrhea 🙁 Advice re:cutting out milk may be good until that is one as diarrhea/vomiting can cause temporary lactose intolerance, ergo the diarrhea lasts a lot longer.
I always assumed The Man in the Yellow Hat was a sex offender. Why was he always around kids and hanging out with his monkey?
Um, ca-reepy!
🙁 I do hope you got some eventual rest.
This works! I did it to myself when I had an awful earache.
I see you are getting a lot of tips on here, which is great. Wanted to add one more 🙂 My chiropractor can do an ear pull for kids (and adults–i have had it done, myself) that forces a small amount of fluid through the eustachian tube–and it makes your ear feel soooooo much better!!!!! It also promotes further drainage so the ear can heal. Our family’s most recent ear infections had the ear pull and even though my son still had the infection he had no pain within one day, and the infection cleared up on its own. Fantastic!!!!
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