The Sick Days of Winter

Will this ever end? This is the question that has been burned into my brain these last few months. And don't say it... I know there are a few more months to go before we stay warm and sunny :)

Since the babies birthday, they have either had an ear infection or a cold or a cold and cough or in all honesty, I don't think that their initial ear infection ever went away and this is why we have been struggling so badly these last 6 weeks.

Anyway, so long story short because I'm sure most of you don't really care about their sick stories but... Long story short, after taking antibiotics the second time around, both Austin and Rio broke out in this massive rash. (Which now we are pretty positive was the cause of Austin's rash at the beginning of January and not the MMR but who really knows that answer!!) ...Massive rash and so they had to go off the medicine and then were of course in pain and sleeping horrible and were sad and ornery most days. I seriously was beginning to think I just was doing something wrong because they were kinda grumpy most days. However, our little Atlas man (Jax) has been such a trooper and doing so well. He got over the ear infection and whether he has a cold or not, he's fine and happy. What a strong little boy!

However... Austin broke out first and we ended up taking him back in and the doctor said, "oh yeah, that is definitely a reaction to the medicine. He's allergic to penicillin." You think??? Crazy!!! Both my dad and my grandpa are as well so I guess if allergies can be genetic, then there you go but it is just so scary to see your little child totally red and covered in little hivey welts all over. But, as per Austin, he acted just fine and happy other than when I'm sure his ear was hurting. We took him off, they gave him something else and we waited to give it to him so his body could relax a bit first. Then... we ended up a few days later getting the antibiotic shot for he and Rio because things just were not changing for either of them. Hopefully, we are on the tail end of all this yucky stuff! This pic below is Day 3 of his reaction. He ended up kind of looking like a little map. Outlined red spots all over. But.. still smiling :)

Rio on the other hand, just kept getting worse. She woke up with the goopiest eyes I've ever seen! This pic was taken with Spence's phone so it isn't the best but if it gets close up, you'd see her gooped eyes, snot and anything and everything running out of her body. She'll hate me for this pic later but it just shows how bad she felt and looked. Poor little girl!

This pic below is Rio's rash - she was not nearly as bad as Austin but she acted like it bothered her a lot! She would rub her legs and feet together so hard that she broke blood vessels. While she "tried" to sleep, she rubbed her ears so badly, they were bruised the next morning! I felt so horrible! So obviously there is a little reaction for her as well. So, so sad. Her rash went away quickly and she stopped itching and now after her antibiotic shot, she is SO HAPPY! It's like she finally feels better. I am so glad for her.

But honestly, the best little kids in the world! They have hung in there for weeks now. We love you! Thanks to those that have still been willing to be around us even though we are honestly, the germiest family ever right now :)

PS. I posted their new 1 year old pics - so cute if I do say so myself :)