The Cruds

**Deep Breath**

It's actually nice to be able to breathe again. February has been a month of 'The Cruds' for the entire family. For several weeks running, we have passed around the flu, or a cold, or whatever it is that makes the back of your eyes hurt. It started the way most devious, malicious conditions begin...at daycare. Not that there is anything evil about daycare (particularly not ours), but when you get kids together in a group - kids that can't yet cover their mouths or stop the drool - sickness plays a game of 'Duck, Duck, Goose' until everyone has been the goose at least once.

First Hailey was the goose, then she tagged Daddy, who tagged me - but my turn lasted long enough that I caught her and Daddy again. Then Hailey got in a double ear infection to win the game.

She was beyond miserable, she just 'was'. She wasn't really a toddler, she was a being that sustained herself on a seemingly endless runny nose. She didn't want to eat, play or really even stand up on her own - all she could muster was enough energy to sit on your lap and cough. I took her to the doctor's office and she looked so bad that people in the waiting room were concerned for her. You know you're in a bad state when people tell you to go ahead of them. One nice lady even told me she hopes Hailey felt better soon because she looked so miserable.

However, ten doses of antibiotics and infant Motrin later, she is back to her new tricks - stripping off her onsies, climbing on chairs and dancing to her favorite music. She even feels good enough to pin the dog down in a wrestling match.

I'm just glad that:

• Sam's Club sells Kleenex in bulk
• that February is halfway over
• that the dog is a really good sport (because I think he could have taken her in a fair fight).