Well, we made our first unscheduled trip to the pediatrician’s office today. While Daniel’s cough seems to be slowly improving, Rebecca woke up with a goopy, yellow, crusty left eye. No waiting for a callback, I was one of the many people causing a busy signal at the doctor’s office at precisely 9AM. We got in at 3:15 and were seen right away, no waiting! I do like my pediatrician quite a lot. She took one look and said, “yup, conjunctivitis.” She checked ears to make sure there was no corresponding ear infection, and upon hearing Daniel’s cough, took a quick listen to both of their chests. All is otherwise well, and a trip to the pharmacy later, we have enough antibiotic ointment for four little eyes, just in case.

Oh, and if you’re keeping count, that’s four teeth pushing against little gums, one congested cold, and one case of pinkeye. And a 3-hour flight coming up on Friday. Wohoo!

*shakes fist at the sky*

I wish I’d had my babies about a year earlier. Because various agencies keep taking things away right when I need them. First, it was the damn Bumbo chair. As soon as my kids started to enjoy being more upright, they were subject to the stupidest recall in history, and in the space of two days could no longer be found in any of the stores where I had walked past them so many times before. At least then I could go on Craigslist.

Now, a we all know, the FDA has given a big “no” to cold medicine for infants and toddlers. Just in time for Daniel to get a cold with a nasty, pleghm-y cough. Just in case the teething wasn’t keeping him up enough, now the moment he finally falls asleep, he wakes up coughing. My poor boy. All I want is for my baby to feel better and go back to sleeping well. And this time, there’s no Craigslist to help me. What with the whole “serious and potentially life-threatening side effects can occur,” I can’t just disregard it and go buy some Robitussin. What do they have to offer me? Keep him well-hydrated. Hi, the kid’s only nutrition comes in liquid form, and he’s pretty much never met a bottle he didn’t like. I don’t think that’s a problem.

And yes, I know that coughing is a good thing and helps loosen all the gunk that’s in his chest. But when I’m holding him and have my hand on his back and can actually feel the congestion, or when he’s crying the sweetest, saddest cry I’ve ever heard because his gums hurt and he keeps coughing and he’s just so tired… I just wish there was something I could do for him.

Won’t be the last time, I’m sure.