Folks at work have been tentatively asking me if we are pulling out of our recent spell of wicked bad Karma.  Close…we were so close.  But yesterday (day #4 of Kelly’s latest head cold) I could smell an impending sense of doom.  Last night Kelly got weird-cranky, wouldn’t take her last bottle, and spiked a low fever.  And The Momma said, “That’s IT.  I don’t need the Surgeon General and another night of NO SLEEP to tell me this baby has an ear infection!”

Prompt Care (which we promptly left) at the ER (a very popular spot for our local late night coughs and colds) had an 8 hour wait.  Thank you flu epidemic!  Off we went to the Immediate Care Center.   A lovely staff of very nice people had us in an out in just a little over 2 hours.  Aren’t we lucky?!  Kelly flirted with no mercy the entire time.  She sat in my arms, giggling, smiling, waving, playing peek-a-boo and sticking out her tongue to anyone who even attempted to make eye contact.  I had the Prom Queen of the Doc-in-the-Box.   I had a hard time convincing the nurses that this behavior represented Kelly in a bad mood.  But alas, Mommy knows her baby, and Kelly indeed has a good sized ear infection.

Is THIS IT, oh cruel WINTER FATES?!  IS THIS ALL YOU HAVE FOR US?!  Should I be on the look out for signs of the PLAGUE?  ARE THE LOCUSTS COMING?!  GOOD GOD!!!!!!  

So let’s tally the last 32 days, shall we?  4 colds, 2 flus, 1 croup, 2 ear infections, 3 minor outpatient surgeries, 7 doctor visits, 3 calls to the late night on call nurse, 7 trips to the pharmacy, 3 bottles of Vapor Bath, 2 bottles of infant tylenol,  1 bottle of child motrin, about 10 boxes of Kleenex, and 1 vial of Vicks.  We’re now a case study in “why statistics lie” at Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield.  Really, what are the odds?