Last Saturday night Jake went to bed early complaining of a headache. I thought that was pretty unusual but figured he was just really tired. He woke up the next morning with a sore throat. No big deal. I decided he was probably getting a cold. That's how all of my colds start. We went to the Cards game with Dan's family to celebrate my father in laws birthday. Jake seemed tired at first, but he really got into the game and had lots of fun. We all did.
Nothing that some cotton candy and a little ice cream can't fix.
I love the glimpse of my smiling mother in law in the above shot! Cute!!
Of course, he even found a penny.
He seemed fine all evening until bedtime. He started to run a low grade fever, and I noticed a rash on the tops of his feet. I figured he had strep because two friends have had it recently. By Monday morning he was covered in a rash on his feet, legs, arms, hands, ear, and mouth. I was still thinking strep. I was wrong. It's hand, foot, and mouth. What a nasty virus. Kate had it many years ago, but her symptoms were different than his. She ran a very high fever and was vomiting before the rash started.
After the Monday morning appointment, I knew we were inside for the week. It was all about keeping him occupied and keeping his mind off the very itchy rash. Itch isn't normal in kids, but there are different strains going around this year. It kind of reminds me of what I went through with the crazy case of pink eye!
The itch wasn't too bad during the day, but the night was a different story. Monday and Tuesday nights were brutal. It took two hours both nights to get him to sleep, and he had trouble staying asleep. As soon as he would try to relax, the uncontrollable itch would begin. I tried wet washcloths, cortisone cream, Ibuprofen, oatmeal baths, and antihistamines. The antihistamines didn't touch the itch and just made him so jittery. Dan did some research, and that led us to what finally helped. The answer for him was Ibuprofen and Benadryl Cream. Remember that if anyone you know comes down with this! Of course, we didn't figure this out until night three!
Here is a little peek at what he did to stay occupied all week.
Empty a toy box. Fill it with cozies. Climb in and watch movies.
Lots and lots of play doh.
Plenty of Facetime with Izzy.
Thank you, Izzy, for occupying so much of Jake's time this week! That was the only way I got anything done!
I'm happy to say that he is no longer contagious. He's feeling much better. The rash is still pretty nasty, and the doctor's office suggested we avoid getting him too worked up and sweaty. We don't want to aggravate it.
He will get back to school next week...just in time for his last week of school! It should be an interesting summer!
I want to end this post with some favorites from a recent maternity shoot. The family has three small children and is expecting TWO more! Home shoots are my favorites!
I was so excited to see this gorgeous rose bush in the yard!
The kids were so good and so cooperative. Big brother, Owen, was a great helper! ;) I can't wait to meet these baby girls!
