Kat called yesterday and made my day. She said only two things but they were like breaks of sunshine through overcast skies.

First, after listening to me grip about by mucusy, crabby, sicko baby, she offered to take her off my hands for a while so I could nap/rest as needed. Now, that’s a good friend!

Second (and more importantly), she gently reminded me that all kids get colds. This is the way of the world. And although it may seems like Leina is suffering and ungodly amount, in reality, she’s just going through normal baby trials. I guess being a mom and spending all day listening to her cough and sneeze, after a while, I’ve convinced myself that she has the world’s most deadliest cold and is on the edge of no return. Having a sane person gently suggest that maybe, just maybe, Leina is a normal child with a normal cold blew my mind.

After talking with Kat, I threw munchkin in the stroller and headed to the park during a sunbreak and what did I find? Every kid there had a cough just like Leina. Every kid there was using their sleeve as the world’s most convient tissue. Even more amazing, all the parents seem unfazed by all of the sneezing and coughing of their child. They were acting like it was normal!

That’s when it hit me. Ok, Leina is sick. Ok, she’s teething. But you know what? She is also OK and so am I.

Armed with the sudden insight, I felt my chest relax and my stomach unclench a little. I think we’re going to make it after all!

Oh yes, I’m sending out more Ofotos of the munchkin enjoying Cheerios. This one was my favorite. I bet you didn’t know that to truely enjoy your O’s, you must first place a few on your shoulder. This enhances their taste. Don’t believe me? Try it for yourself and see!