Chicken Pox

Harry on Sunday  - he didn't want to smile for me

One of these days I will look back on this time and smile. I will be able to make Harry laugh about how he looks. We have been invaded by the chicken pox!  Two weeks ago the kids were unknowingly exposed to chicken pox. My thought was that this wouldn't be too bad. If they got them then it wouldn't be such a bad thing. I remember having them when I was young. I knew they were very itchy and simply irritating. I didn't realize they could be as bad as Harry got them.

I noticed some spots on Harry Saturday night after bath time. I didn't notice any spots on Kathy until the next day. We stayed home from church and did some crafts to go along with a Bible story. We took it easy. I thought, "This isn't so bad." Harry woke up Monday morning covered - his back, chest,  face and neck had little red spots all over. Kathy only had about half a dozen. Harry was miserable all Monday. I stayed out in the living room with him Monday night so he wouldn't wake up Kathy all night long. Every time he cried I felt like crying too.  He looked terrible.

We suggested a bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) bath. He refused. The sight of the spots all over his chest scared him. We did get him to hop in the bath for a bit on Tuesday and it seemed to help him.

All this while Kathy was getting new pox but very few. Even now I think she may have two dozen. Harry must have a few hundred.

They are finally on the mend. I have learned that soda baths definitely help, and cream is better than lotion. I was also able to find some children's Benadryl at the local pharmacy. The kids slept pretty good last night.

Even then, it really hasn't been too bad. They've been pretty good about not scratching. Instead if it itches really bad they just rub that area lightly. I've seen Harry pat his head lightly - the ones in his hair are pretty annoying.  It looks funny because it seems like he's smacking his head. 

I hope they're pretty healed up by Christmas next week. Last year we all had the stomach flu the week before Christmas. Hmmm...what will we get next year? :)