Hand... Foot... and OUCH!

I remember being so excited to bring Ezra home from the hospital.  To match that excitement, I also remember feeling anxiety about being all alone with out a nurse or doctor an arms length away.  I found comfort in having our temperature taken every hour or so and the thought of using a rectal thermometer on my little man made my skin crawl.  They repeatedly told us that Ezra would have to be hospitalized if he had a fever over 100.4.  This turned me into a bit of a wreck.  I was so afraid that something was going to happen to my perfect baby.  I can remember sitting there holding him just balling for fear of "something happening to him."  We pretty much didn't leave the house for the first month and had limited involvement with the outside world for the first 3 months of his life.  I kept Ez in a total bubble... Looking back I realize I was a bit of a maniac, but my diligence paid off (luck) and we were able to avoid a fever for his first 9 months of life. 
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The first signs of fever included a really weird diaper change where he had his eyes closed and was rocking his head from side to side making very strange noises.  This was followed by an unexpected nap in my arms. From there he was super clingy and cuddly.  Ez has always been a warm body, but as we were getting him ready for bed we noticed that he was sunburn hot.  We gave him some medicine and catered to his every whimper all night long. 
This marked the beginning of a two week fever fight.  Overall he was in pretty good spirits.  Other than extra time hanging out in his diaper, or having a wash cloth on his head, oh and a return to being up all night, we went about our usual routine. 

Until... Tieba noticed "warts" on Ezra's feet.  Upon further examination I realized that they were blisters and they also happened to be on his hands.  At this same time we realized that he had been drooling more than usual, and probably had sores in his mouth... Thank you Google diagnosis, Ez had hand foot and mouth disease! 

Unfortunately, we discovered this too late and he already contaminated the Buehler family and myself.  I now have a greater appreciation for the discomfort he was in and would like to rename the virus, hand foot and OUCH! 

We survived our first fever with much help from our on call Doctor Kelly.  Having her a phone call and mile away makes the little medical emergencies so much more bearable.  Don't know what we'd do with out her! 

M