Sunday, September 21, 2008

Could you please pass the Benadryl?

It's official, well official from Dr. Mom that is and the fact that my sister called this week to tell me Matthew has it and since we were with them just last weekend............the twins have handfootmouth disease. I know it sounds bad. They really should not use the word disease if it's not really a disease. For those of you who don't know what it is, it's a viral infection that produces little red bumps that can itch or sometimes be sore and the most common places for them to appear are your hands, feet and mouth. (Hence the name) My little uns though have them on their booty, legs and hands. Late in the week I started noticing these little bumps when I would change their diapers and even though I slathered the diaper cream on religiously, they never went away. Last night I noticed James had a few bumps on his feet and this morning they practically cover the back of his legs. And he has a few on his hands. Audrey's actually look better on her booty area but she does have a few on her feet and legs. I haven't found any in their mouth yet! It cannot be treated with antibiotics (not that mine could take them anyway) so all I can do is give them Tylenol and a little Benadryl to help in case the bumps itch. Hooray! Benadryl during the day! This means extra long naps and more quiet time for dear old mom to recharge her "patience"! And I need the extra quiet time, trust me. Today is Sunday so dear old dad is out "pulling the plow" on his own which means it's just like any day of the week around here. Except with extremely irritable youngins! Poor babies, I know they don't feel well and can't help it but did I mention that they are irritable? Audrey is overly aggressive and excessively whiny which means she plows through any and everything in her way with extreme force and really pitches a fit when things don't go her way. James is overly sensitive and can't be more than 2 inches away from me at all times. And Audrey has been so crazy today, the minute she comes his way he starts swatting at her and covering his eyes.


I am thanking God today though that He has blessed me with a sense of humor even in the most challenging circumstances! I can't help but laugh at James who for 1 minute or so forgets that he must be touching me to feel okay and ventures off to play in toy land. All of a sudden he sees me and realizes he's not touching me and his world starts to crumble. Or he could be really enjoying himself playing with the toys hanging off the exercauser until his overly exuberant sister bumps into, him knocking his pappy out to which she grabs, sticks in her mouth and scurries away leaving him pappless and completely crushed. Bless his heart he is having the toughest time today.

I can't help but laugh at Audrey who is happy as a lark until she sees her brother in my lap and starts having jealousy issues which lands two whinny babies in my lap. (At least she's not trying to push James out of my lap yet!) She has tumbled on her face a million times already today (I'm attributing her extra clumsiness to the Benadryl) and barely makes a peep. But let James be playing with a toy she wants and the tears start flowing like a stream!

They are still just as precious to me today as they were yesterday but today is just one of those days where you eat all the chocolate you can find, drink absurd amounts of Dr. Pepper and continuously feel the urge to run outside and scream!!!

10 comments:

Dianne said...

Hey, Mama,

Sorry to hear you all are shut in today. I had to google HFMD...I was confused. I was thinking HOOF and mouth. I'd heard of that...but bovine in nature. Sure enuf. It's bonafide.

Thank the GUT Lord for His grace in doling out generous measures of a sense of humor. It's downright beneficial with chirren. And, hearing their coping measures is hilarious. Loved James needing his "touchstone" in you and Audrey "plowing" through hurdles in self-soothing maneuvers. What a hoot your blogs are.

Should I ship reserves of the Dr. and chocolate? I'll do it. And, pray God will apply humor generously.

Sydney Sanders said...

MANNIO, MANNIO! Even though i just got off the phone with u...i still had to check out the blog to read more on this "diesease". poor babies! and poor mommy! trust me...choc-o-late and dr pepper is the best medicine and comfort for ANYTHING! :)

the ladner family said...

poor babies! i can't stand it, james looks so pitiful with his bruise! hope you all can get some rest soon.

Kelly Spezzano said...

Poor little punkins, and Poor you... I am glad, though, that you are able to have your "laughs" about it all and thank the Lord for Benadryl! :)

Laura said...

How awful! My boys have had that, and their bumps didn't itch. They were painful. The insides of their mouths looked terrible. Their bottoms, knees, hands, feet, and elbows were all terrible! I can certainly feel your pain, and I hope the little ones feel better soon! And I agree with Dianne. Pray for generous amounts of humor!!

Ms. Robin said...

Hello my Amanda Grace,
This is Dr. Howell..........I do remember all 3 of mine having this disease.....The good news is that it is NOT long-lasting and Benedryl is "Mama's best friend"....I'm glad you are keeping your sense of humor through it all. Looking at life with a "smile" through what "could be" tears is like looking through rain with sunshine......There's always a rainbow there! (Hey, I thought that one up on my own!) :)
So, keep on smiling and loving on those babies like you always do so well......Meanwhile, I will be praying for you all.

Lots of love & kisses,
Ms. Robin (aka Dr. Howell)

Emily said...

Wait a minute!?! Benadryl is for sick children?!? Because I distinctly remember Mom administering a dose to me and all three brothers before a road trip or two when we were all four under the age of 8. Although she did say something about sniffles or allergens or something. Hmmmm . . .

Dianne said...

Emily,

I LOVE your humor, too. I was such a nervous nancy with my children. If only I had known and give them "medicinal" doses. Not saying for whom it would've been medicinal.

Amanda said...

Surely all 4 of you had to have had a runny nose or something. I mean, I can't think of a reason that would make Ms. Mona give such quiet, calm children something that might or might not make them sleepy.Hmmmm......:)

Dana said...

You poor thing! Allie has never had that but I have nephews that have and it is a buger! You always get double doses too don't you! Will pray for you as I know anything extra to deal with with two children is a major ordeal!! Love you!