The Mommy Badge

Once again, I have earned another beloved "mommy badge". I've been wearing the "I've Been Pooped On" for a while now. This one is the all too lovely..."Crusty Snot on the Shoulder Badge". It's the one that you don't really notice until someone points it out to you. Like your husband, who blatantly asks "What is THAT on your shirt?" and you reply with a very casual "Oh, it's snot" and continue to go about your business (without changing shirts). The poor husband is left standing there wondering where his sexy wife went. Well, the answer to that is: She is on vacation until the offspring is no longer requiring frequent suctioning, Benadryl every 4 hours, and vapor baths every night. Just be glad I brushed my teeth today, okay.

So, obviously Olivia is suffering from a horrible cold that has left her miserable at times. Mostly at night when all is calm in the house. This last week has flashed me back to the newborn days of sleep deprivation and the feeling of complete cluelessness. I thought I was beginning to become a pro-mom and I felt like I had some knowledge to this whole parenting thing. It's amazing how one little snotty kid can change that in a flash!!

Another thing that never ceases to amaze me is the fact that I AM A NURSE. Which to me has always meant that I had an upper-hand at managing these health crises. The problem is...at work, we have many different options for sucking snot out of a kids nose...aka Respiratory Therapists bearing long tubes connected to a canister on the wall which catches all the loveliness. At home, I have the bulb sucker that was sent home with me from the hospital after delivery.

I now know the reason I see parents just letting their kids have snot running down their face. It is NOT worth the fight to try using this very simple piece of equipment.

So, if you see me at Wal-mart today and Olivia is looking rather DKish (Dirty Kid-ish) then put yourself in my shoes. And thank you for pointing out that crust on my shoulder or even better...thank you for staring at my shirt and not saying anything. That is very sweet of you.

One more question...Would it be weird if I sent my kid to the church nursery wearing a mask? Yeah, you're right...not the cool thing to do for sure. I guess it's the price we will pay to get a little more Jesus in our lives.

Sincerely,
The Proud-Wearer-of-Bodily-Fluids-Mom