October 24, 1973
Dear Diary,
Well, we survived our first big crisis: Sarah caught her first cold! I never thought I’d be so stressed about sniffles and sneezes, but here we are.
It all started yesterday morning when I noticed that Sarah seemed a little more fussy than usual. At first, I thought it was just one of her “moods.” But then came the telltale sign—a tiny sneeze that sent a droplet of snot flying like a confetti cannon! I’ll never be able to look at that sneeze the same way again.
Helen and I exchanged worried glances. We both knew what this meant: it was time to whip out the thermometer. I cringed at the thought of taking her temperature. I had heard horror stories from other parents about how impossible it could be. But we had to do it. So, armed with the thermometer and a sense of determination, we set out to tackle this mission.
The moment we got the thermometer near her, Sarah let out a wail that would make any opera singer proud. I half-expected the neighbors to think we were torturing her! I quickly learned that taking a baby’s temperature is not for the faint of heart. It was like trying to measure the temperature of a greased pig!
Eventually, we managed to get the reading—just a mild fever, thank goodness. I sighed in relief, but then the panic set in. What do you do for a baby with a cold? I had no clue. I mean, I can’t exactly hand her a tissue and say, “Blow your nose, kid!”
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
After consulting several parenting books and online articles, we discovered a world of remedies. Humidifiers, saline drops, and warm baths were all on the list. We went into full-on “operation sick baby” mode. I filled the humidifier with water, hoping it would magically turn our living room into a tropical paradise.
But, as is the law of parenting, nothing goes smoothly. The humidifier gurgled and sputtered like it was about to explode. I had a moment of panic, thinking we’d create a mini water park in our living room. Helen and I exchanged worried glances, but after a few minutes, it settled down, and we cautiously resumed our mission.
I spent the rest of the day playing nurse. I felt like a cross between Florence Nightingale and a clumsy clown. I tried to keep Sarah entertained, but all she wanted to do was snuggle. So, we cozied up on the couch, wrapped in blankets, and watched reruns of old sitcoms.
I have to admit, despite the worry, there was something comforting about those moments. Sarah’s little head resting on my shoulder while I attempted to sing her favorite lullabies felt like a tiny piece of heaven. Sure, I might have sounded like a dying cat, but hey, it was the thought that counted, right?
As the day wore on, Sarah seemed to be feeling a bit better, and we both learned to navigate the world of baby colds together. I realized that it’s not about being perfect; it’s about showing up and being there for each other through the snotty chaos.
We survived our first illness, and I’ve officially earned my badge as “Sick Baby Caregiver.” And if I can handle that, I feel like I can handle anything parenthood t
hrows my way!