Spoonful Of Sugar

Several decades ago you needed a spoonful to help the medicine go down...but these days the flavor or children's medicines is so appealing they actually ask for more!

Since Gracie got her first dose of Tylenol after her booster shots, she has LOVED the grape flavor. Maybe because it was far better tasting than formula, or maybe it really does taste good (it smells like really good grape bubble gum), but Gracie has never fought to take medicine. She even requests it if we should leave the bottle out from the night before! (Don't worry it's child proof!) Boy do I wish that medicine was that good when I was a kid.

I start this entry lighthearted, but the truth is, that at only 2 years old Gracie already needs a daily dose of medicine.

For the past few weeks we have noticed that Gracie had been particularly grumpy. She lay around on the floor instead of playing, rubbed her eyes, had trouble sleeping, practically rubbed her nose off, and coughed and sneezed a lot more than usual.

Since Garren has what I consider debilitating allergies, it was no surprise when a dose of 24-hour children's Claritin changed our grumpy miserable baby back in to the energetic toddler we better know. It was like day and night after a few days on the Claritin. She is much happier, she sleeps better and has a ton more energy. Clearly her allergies were the cause of her down mood, and I am forever grateful that we have found a "cure."

I can't help but be a little sad though. While the miracles of modern science have made it easier for Gracie to accept medicine, and the convenience of once a day dosing--she is only 2, and it breaks my heart that she will have to take medicine everyday. Her body is so young and I have watched so carefully what she puts in to it, and now to add ingredients that I can't even pronounce.

The truth of the matter is, I would rather her be able to breathe and play-- and it could be worse. If the worse thing that ever happens to her is severe allergies, I will owe a great debt of gratitude. But, I am the mommy, and this is my blog so I can complain to anyone who will listen.

In the meantime I will focus on the positive, we caught it early. She could have suffered for many years before we found out that she had this problem, and we definitely deserve parenting stars for fixing the problem. Now, if we can only find a medicine that makes a child want to use the potty and give up her binki forever!!

***Picture above from last weekend at the park. Now, Daddy and Gracie share more than their cute faces--now they share allergies!***

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