Sick ears and eyes

Elise and John Harrison both had their first (double) ear infections this past week . . . and respiratory infections and pink eye at the same time. Elise went from one sickness to the next having had a viral infection two weeks ago and a runny nose that carried over from one infection to the next. David and I both caught the respiratory infection and so between not feeling good ourselves, taking care of sick kids, trying to comfort our kids when they have nights of really rough sleep, and David trying to work, we are pretty exhausted. I am so tired in fact that when I was at the doctor's office with Elise today I looked down at my iPhone and thought that I should turn it on mute before the doctor came in...but, I just stared at the phone not remembering how to mute it. I did remember where the mute button was about 10 secs later. It started to sink in just how exhausted I was. I had high hopes of an afternoon nap, but after over 30 minutes of rocking and singing, I couldn't get Elise to go down for her nap. I put her down, she fussed and refused to sleep. I went back in her room and again tried to help her go to sleep . . . to no avail. Even though I imagine her ears were hurting, she was still so sweet, alert, and talkative. After more singing, rocking, and swaying, I put her in her crib hoping she would be able to go to sleep on her own. That didn't happen so neither did my nap. Hopefully tonight will provide some rest for the weary and further recovery. I think that one of the more challenging aspects to parenting thus far has been being sick at the same as the kids.