I’m attempting to participate in the Momalom Five for Ten Event and the first topic of the five is titled “Courage.”
Hmmm,I could write about the time I moved across the country to a state I’d never visited or when I moved to Nebraska for college when 98% of my high school stayed in Iowa. I would write about the time in 7th grade when my little brother got dishwasher soap in his eyes and I almost called 911 and I freaked out but still took control of the situation because I was babysitting. (Wow, even writing that I got tense.)
Instead, I am choosing to write about something scary. I had to step up, take a breathe and do what I had to do in the moment I needed to. What was this courageous, turning point in my life?
Taking my sons rectal temperature.
Yep, it was scary and nerve-racking. My grandma talked me through every moment of it. But I did it.
See, Ethan was only 20 or days old and he was feeling warm. I was certain he had RSV or pneumonia or something deadly .(even though he had never even coughed.) So in new, frantic mother fashion, I called my grandma crying. I was worried and my mom wasn’t answering. I opened the brand new thermometer and fancy rectal tips. I turned it on, took off his diaper and just shook. I didn’t want to hurt my baby boy. My grandma assured me he would be fine so I pulled back his legs and went in. Poor kid, screamed like I was killing him. I cried too. We were both one big puddle until I heard that “beep, beep!” I looked down, expecting to see 103.4 or some other awful number.
I knew I had achieved a new courage badge on my mommy vest when the whole rectal thermometer episode ended with a healthy 98.7 degrees.
Thanks for sharing! The rectal thermometer is one of my biggest new mommy fears. You would think they would have found a better way to check by now!
I had my mother walk me through the first rectal temp w/ my son! So so scary.
But you did it! 🙂 Especially when you know there’s something wrong and the pressure is so much… it takes such courage to keep it together.
LOL. I know you probably didn’t mean to make me laugh but trust me, I am laughing with you. I called my mother in law frantic because my newborn son had snot that I couldn’t clear (and I am a Respiratory Therapist). Oh the new mom syndrome!!
I came to you via the link at Momalom!
I was definitely going the humorous route! I’ll be making more Momalom rounds during naptime! Thanks for stopping by!
Oh god, this is hilarious! I remember an equally harrowing incident with that bulbous-snot-sucker-thingy when Miss D. was a week old. TOTAL panic.
I loved this!
Brilliant! And I am so totally there with you! I never could bring myself to take any of the kids’ temps this way – I did it under the arm. Heck, I can’t even take my DOG’S temp this way! Good job for stepping up and doing it in spite of your fears. True courage!
Okay, here’s one for you…plug your noise and pull the barf bag a little closer…I had to scoop my three sons’ poop into 10 little plastic jars last week. Um, courage? I guess so, yes! It was the most horrific thing I’ve yet to do as a parent. I’ll stick a thermometer ANYWHERE, long as I don’t have to do THAT again!
Oh that is so funny! If it’s any consolation, I have two boys and I have NEVER tried. Refreshing post, thank you!
I cried when I cut my daughter’s finger nails. After that first time…it was my husband’s job forever after. I lacked the courage to try again.
Kudos to you!