The "ahem" (ex-squeeze me?) cough

Ava has the funniest little habit now... She seems to cough to get attention. Doug thinks she continues to do this just because she learned how, and it's one trick in her very limited bag, at this point. I would tend to agree. She's been doing this for about a week or so.

She didn't seem to be coughing substantially, so we didn't worry too much about it, until yesterday afternoon. She coughed and seemed to be congested. Her voice was a little raspy. Although still our typical gleeful camper, I knew something was up...

She was sleeping more than usual yesterday. When she was awake, it would only be for an hour or so at a time (normally she'll be up for around two hours or longer). When she coughed last night (once or twice), it sounded like a croup cough I've heard from other kids in the past. We took her temperature (result=normal), gave her some Infant Motrin, put socks on her, turned the fan down in her room, and opened up the vent to allow her room to cool off with air-conditioning, without being drafty.

Being a first-time mommy, my mind starts racing... I grew-up across the townhouse court from a woman (Nita) who became mentally-disabled from a high fever she experienced in her childhood. She couldn't live on her own, so she lived with her mom. Nita loved to bring her radio outside and dance to it. She was very sweet, when I knew her. But, remembering how a fever can affect anyone in this way, I freak out a bit... Ava hasn't had a fever at all, thankfully.

I called Kaiser Permanente to ask them if there was anything we could do to prevent her cough (possible cold) from getting worse. They didn't seem to be of much help, as everything the nurse told me was fairly intuitive (you can use a vaporizer, keep head elevated, watch for decreased appetite, watch for decreased wet diapers, watch for decreased activity). So when they asked me if I wanted an appointment for the morning of 07/20, I told them I would just call back in the morning, if necessary.

Ava seems fine today. She isn't sleeping as much, either. Her cough is better. 'Still has a smile as wide as the Amazon River. Better yet, I guess you could say she has a "Nile Smile" ;-)

I think she is getting close to getting her first tooth (lower). Maybe this has something to do with it?

We'll keep you posted with the gummer-update!

Love,
Shelly, Doug and Ava