Croup

Tonight Jameson came down with the croup. Maybe its because I am personally very familiar with this particular ailment, but it didn't surprise me. I began hearing the tell-tale "seal bark" this morning and tried my best to get him to relax, just play quietly, he had another agenda though. Early this afternoon he was running around upstairs as I was picking up his play area, just RUNNING like a mad man.

This afternoon we dropped books off at the library and I began to see him wilt. In his car seat I thought he would fall asleep on the 5 minute drive. Then he wasn't interested in anything at the library, so we checked out a few books and headed to the market to pick up some cough syrup and elderberry syrup (helps the cough and immune system). However, neither of these things are good for the croup, so I think I was hoping it wouldn't come to fruition.

On our way home Jameson told me he was tired, and he could barely keep his eyes open. I put him upstairs in his chair turned on Nick Jr. and went to go make him some homemade chicken broth with some veggies and a slice of whole wheat toast. Luckily he ate all the toast, ate his broth and got a few spoonfuls of veggies. He drank some apple juice and water, so at least I know he has some nutrients in him.

Then I put him to bed, and he fell asleep quickly, but had that awful raspy breathing sound, and he didn't want to cough because it hurt. Twenty minutes later he was up crying and croup coughing, not able to catch his breath. So I picked him up, had Kev light some candles in the bathroom so we didn't have to turn the overhead (bright!) lights on. Turned the shower on as high & hot as it would go, and let the bathroom fill up with steam. Jameson was so upset, and couldn't really figure out what was going on. Coughing hurt so he would try to avoid it, only to have it burst out. The steam worked because he fell asleep and his breathing sounded better, but then when I adjusted him it started another coughing fit. I flipped the shower back on to steam up the room again. He fell asleep again and I put him in bed. Hopefully, he will get some rest before it starts again. I anticipate at least one or two more episodes tonight. I am cleaning off the guest room bed (its where I pile my clean laundry) so that he and I can sleep in a bigger bed. Not that I don't love squishing in with him on his twin-size bed.

Poor guy. I hate when my guys get sick. We have been very lucky and Jameson is rarely sick. He had a 12-hour flu this summer and I don't even remember the last time he was sick before that. OK, I hear my little seal barking. Send good, healthy wishes our way.