Hate is such a strong word, but I do hate you, RSV...

I miss our daughter's smiles... :(

So Sophie's been down with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) since Friday and it's been awful. Dr. Youssef diagnosed her with it at her 6-month check-up (which is why we haven't gotten her shots) and told us that it would get worse before it got better. She really wasn't kidding... The weekend was horrible with Sophie developing a worsening cough and congestion, a low-grade fever, watery eyes, and raspy breathing. She was such a mess and our hearts broke for our poor punkin'- it's like she didn't know what hit her and was just so helpless from the discomfort. And she gave out these pitiful whines and whimpers just in case we didn't already know she was hurting... We kept her at home from daycare yesterday because she seemed like she just needed Mama and Daddy close by, and lots of snuggles, on top of fluids like water and breastmilk. There's technically no medication for RSV- we just have to wait it out and let Sophie's immune system do its job. I've given her baby paracetamol for her fever but nothing else apart from that.

Dr. Youssef says that Days 5 or 6 are when the symptoms will peak and then they'll plateau and then diminish over a week or so. We're at Day 5 now so hopefully it can only go uphill from here. While her physical ailments seem to be improving somewhat (no more fever and improved coughing), she's still not her usual happy, cheery self. Fighting a virus and dealing with all that congestion without being able to sneeze it out is hard work and Sophie's just been a little moody and listless. Not a happy camper, I'm afraid... I miss how easy it was to make her smile- all it took was me waving at her or kissing her fingers. Jude could make her laugh just by looking at her and clapping... Even her teachers commented today that they too miss her squeals and shrieks. Sophie's smiles and laughs have become such an important part of our day that I'm feeling their absence so much it almost hurts :(

Boo RSV! Go away and give us our baby back!...