Our week started out with Luke waking up Monday morning with a killer rash all across his face, arms, chest, and back. In the 2.5 years that Luke has been in this world, he has never had a rash, ever, except for a mild reaction to peaches as a six month old. We knew this wasn't a food reaction, because it was localized and blistered in some spots. A quick Google search turned up pictures that matched the non-contagious poison ivy or the ultra-contagious hand, foot, and mouth. You know, just what you want for a two year old who touches his baby brother ALL THE TIME.
We hurried off to the doctor, who echoed what Dr. Google showed us. He was pretty sure it was poison ivy, but also felt that the rash could be HFM that hadn't yet showed up in the form of mouth ulcers. He told us to watch it for the next day or two and see if he developed anything in the mouth, though he gave us a prescription for steroids. The next morning, Luke woke up and the rash had flattened out into a classic poison ivy pattern. On Wednesday, my parents came over and said, DUH YOU HAVE POISON IVY ALL OVER OUTSIDE OF YOUR FENCE. They didn't yell it at us, but they may as well have for as awful as we felt. Shane and I don't get poison ivy, although both of our moms get it so bad and so often that all they have to do is be three blocks away from a poison ivy leaf and they're covered.
We abandoned our dirty hippie no weed killing mantra, and Shane sprayed the hell out of everything with three leaves. And Luke, oh Luke. Have you ever been on steroids before? Have you ever been around a two year old before? The two are a deadly combination. We hit the full force of the steroids yesterday when he woke up an emotional, angry wreck. He couldn't get enough to eat, and he couldn't hit me or cry enough times. He refused to nap, and finally passed out in time out after he threw something at Tommy.
I should also mention that Shane had to go into work for five hours, giving me my first test as a mother of two. I'm pretty sure I failed miserably. At many points, both boys were crying. I'd pick Tommy up, only to have Luke wail at me to put him down. I'd pick Luke up, and Tommy would start to cry. I spent most of the time counting to five and saying, Steroids, steroids, steroids. And okay, I may have had a small glass of wine at 4 o'clock because it was either that or run screaming from the house.
Today is Shane's last day off before he returns to work, and it's going to be a good day, regardless of the steroids. Right now, Luke is "helping" him mow the lawn, and then we're going to walk to the library to check out a Thomas the Train DVD, followed by a picnic in the park. Selfishly, I get a night out tonight, and I'm not going to apologize for looking forward to that, because hey, I need a break!
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15 comments:
oh girl, I feel your pain! We can only give our best - and that's what you're doing.
No shame in your best including a glass of wine at 4:30.
Poor Luke and poor Erin! As one who is allergic to everything, I have been on the'roids many-a-time. I feel his pain (and his munchies). Beucase I would suck as a parent, I would totally just plop him infront and let the TV be his mommy while on steroids. :-)
You post made me tear up. I think because it so vividly reminded me of difficult challenges in my life when our kids were little. I know all about multiple kids crying at the same time. (Once I had to call my husband home from work at 2 a.m. when they were sick.) Anyway, I'm glad things have settled down and I'm glad you're getting a night out. Enjoy it. You deserve it!
Yep, my former babysitter's son has had to be on steroids several times and it's always a sight to behold. Not a fun sight, but a sight nonetheless.
I love your reference to Dr. Google. It's one of my favorite doctors. ;-)
OH my gosh, HAVE FUN TONIGHT!!
I am sorry to say I did giggle at the wine at 4 or run screaming from the house!! Totally understandable! Have fun tonight!
You sure do need a break. Oh, the joys of motherhood.
Holy Cow, that is crazy that you had poison ivy in your yard.
Ugh...terrible! My good friend's 2 year old has leukemia & the time of month that he has to be on steroids is terrible. :( and for the record, I had a white beer at 3:00 today....the very second I heard matt in the garage.
Hang in there, I'm certain you will not fail miserably.
You'll look back and laugh some day. But, seriously, your pediatrician gave steroids to a 2 yr old when it was'nt life-threatening?
Adjusting to the new routine is tough, even without steroids. You are doing beautifully, I have no doubt at all. In a few weeks, you won't remember a time before managing both of them! Hope you had a fabulous night out.
Terrified of the "effective single mother of two" routine that's upcoming (I'm due in Sept) - I totally pre-emptively empathize with you on that. If you have survived, maybe I will too.
Also, I'm really glad you mentioned this story. Like you, I APPEAR to be one of those people that is not allergic to poison ivy. My mom can weed it out of the garden by hand. My brother is like YOUR mom - just look at it funny from across the yard and he gets rashy! I'll remember to be more aware now that the kiddo gets out more. Thanks!
Hang in there.
I used to have to be on steroids all the time, so I know how they make you feel. I cannot imagine being on them at his age. Poor kiddo. Poor you. And I would have had the wine too!!
That sounds awful. Seriously. And even though it won't make you feel better. We all have motherhood fail days. It has to be so hard when they are both young. i never had that challenge, but some days it FEELS like I have a bunch of three year olds in my house (including the Mr. sometimes :)). Hope Luke is getting better.
I feel so awful for the boys and for you. That hopeless feeling of NOT being able to help is just so sad and frustrating. I hope this week brings back all the health and wonder to your beautiful little boys!
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