Sick and Tired of being Sick and Tired

Since Daniel has been in daycare, he has literally come home each week with some new life-draining mutation that gets him sick. Then it's only a matter of time before Tary and I succumb to its chilling vice grip and get sick ourselves. I'm so sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Daniel had the flu two weeks ago. I thought it was way too early for flu season. However, little did I know that it’s never too early for the flu when your kid is in daycare. Our poor baby had nearly a 101 degree fever.

While taking care of Daniel, Tary started showing signs of being ill. On Friday, Tary came down with a 103 degree fever. She then developed a nasty cough. After coughing up some blood, Tary had to go to the ER (#5 if you're still counting). She was diagnosed with bronchitis and was prescribed some antibiotics.

By Sunday, the flu had gotten the best of me and I came down with a 102 degree fever. What's kind of ironic was that I normally would get a flu shot by this time of year but I was too sick (from daycare) on the day they were giving flu shots at work. Anyways, the next few days were brutal. Tary and I were both sick and we both had to miss a few days of work. It was hard taking care of Daniel and getting an adequate amount of rest.

On Tuesday afternoon we received a phone call from daycare. They needed us to come and pick up Daniel because he had conjunctivitis in his right eye. When we got there, he had a mucous-like discharge coming from his right eye. We rushed him to the pediatrician's office. The doctor confirmed the diagnosis and also informed us that Daniel had bronchiolitis and possibly an ear infection. Daniel was prescribed some ointment for his eyes.

The next day we were saddened to see that Daniel's conjunctivitis had spread to his other eye. We brought him back to the pediatrician for a second look. The doctor confirmed Daniel had an ear infection and was prescribed some antibiotics and a nebulizer to help with his cough.

Fast forward to today and the Trinh family is doing much better. Daniel's conjunctivitis has cleared up. His ear infection is improving. His chest sounds clear enough to stop using the nebulizer. Tary and I have pretty much recovered from our bouts with the flu but we both have coughs to show for it.

Daycare is killing us. I'm sure there are plenty of good reasons for sending Daniel to daycare but I can't think of any positives right now. Maybe when we're ready for Baby #2, we'll strongly consider having Tary stay at home with the kids. Hopefully we can survive until then.

Daycare = Germ Breeding Center

On Saturday morning, I noticed that Daniel was sneezing quite a bit, had a runny nose, watery eyes, and sounded congested. My worst fears were realized; my poor little baby was sick! My thoughts ranged from concern for Daniel to scorn for the other babies in the daycare who passed their germs onto our innocent little Daniel!

Daniel didn't seem to mind being sick but Tary and I were still worried. We took him to the pediatrician's office just to be sure. They weighed him (15 lbs, 4 oz.) and the doctor checked him out. She reassured us that it was just a cold and that he would be fine.

By Sunday, Daniel seemed to be doing better but Tary and I definitely weren't feeling well. I can't remember who told me this but he said something similar to, "Once your kids start going to daycare, you'll never feel healthy again." Truer words have never been spoken.

I was still feeling sick on Monday so I had to call in from work. I hate calling in sick because I always feel guilty. Many people abuse their sick time and I pride myself on my own work ethic. But when you're really sick, you have to rest and Monday was just one of those days. Thankfully Tary has Mondays off so it made it a little easier to take care of Daniel.

Our little Daniel is such a tough little trooper. He never complains and you would never know that he was sick save for some congestion. I wish the same could be said of his Daddy. I could use a bubble bath...

First Day of Daycare

Today was Daniel's first day at daycare. As I walked through the door to the nursery, an adorable baby girl crawled over to see Daniel. Aww, he's already made a new friend. A pair of babies were playing on a mat to my left. Another was playing in her crib while lying on her stomach. The pair of teachers watched on.

Daniel was still asleep from the car ride over so I quietly took him out of the car seat and placed him in the crib they set aside for him. I spent a few moments giving some last minute instructions. Maybe it was a subconscious stall tactic. It was finally time for me to go.

It was one of the hardest things for me to leave him there. I know deep down inside that he's ready for this. He is used to different people holding him and taking care of him. I just wasn't sure if I was ready to let him go.

I can't believe that Daniel's now almost 3 months old. Our little boy isn't quite so little anymore. He's talking a lot more as you can see from this video.



His umbilical hernia is almost completely healed. He likes trying to stand up. I know he won't stay a baby forever so I'm just enjoying this time in his development. As much as I want to hold him, protect him, and baby him, I know that part of being a dad is knowing when to let go. I'm just glad that I get to still watch on.