Bug's Bug Bites

Being a first time parent can be trying. You are still gaining the experience and knowledge that makes you the expert you hope to become. As for me, I've had a couple of close calls; one of which took place last night at 1:30 am.

Yesterday Bailey and I were playing in the grass in our front yard, which we do often. We both have several bug bites from the previous evening. The mosquitos have been pretty severe in the evenings lately, but we were out at about 4 pm and the sun was still high and the mosquitos were still hiding away devising their war plans for the twilight hours. Still, Bailey managed to get two bites on her right leg, one on the knee and one on the ankle. They swelled up quite fast. We fought back with Benadryl and topical Melaleuca Oil, but by bedtime they were no better. We gave more Benadryl and put her to bed. She woke up at 1:30 am crying and acting very weird. She was upset and moving funny like she had mild Parkinsons Disease and couldn't keep her eyes focused on anything. We immediately freaked out and ran her to the ER.

Including check in, triage, being seen by a Doctor, the discharge process and getting back to the car, we had spent less than 15 minutes, but I'm sure lots more than that in money. They took her vitals and everything was normal. She was already acting more like herself and seemed a bit irritated that we were not at home putting her back to bed with her stuffed turtle. The doctor came in and tried his best not to laugh at us as he basically said, "Those are bug bites. Kids sometimes get bug bites, but if her temperature is normal and all else is normal, the swelling will go down within about 2 days. Benadryl every 6 to 8 hours is the only real treatment." I could only answer with, "So, we're dumb for bringing her in here?" Of course he said the obligatory things to comfort us that it was a good decision but just overly cautious. Of her funky behavior when she woke up, they said it was just a side effect from the Benadryl. The nurse, however said her kids would have to be near death for her to bring them to the ER. Thanks!!! That makes me feel better.

Needless to say, we were out of there pretty quick. As we walked to the car, Bailey called out behind us, "Bye Bye, Doctor!" What a smartie! She was back in bed by 2:30 am and was worn out on Benadryl so she went right to sleep. Michael and I, on the other hand, tossed and turned a while.