We’re all fine. I had to say that before I threw down the fact that croup is life-threatening. So for all you new parents out there, it’s an unmistakable cough like the bark of a seal often coupled with difficulty breathing. And the immediate cure is to turn on the shower hot and steam them up or go out in the night air. Then get checked out by a doctor.

Nobody’s lips turned blue in our house, but David did wake from his nap yesterday barking away. Half-asleep myself, I grabbed him, cranked the shower, and called John from our now sauna. John had not had the lecture on croup, particularly the life-threatening part, that I just offered you, so he wasn’t sure why I was freaking out. Besides David could definitely breathe because he was screaming away.

After some Tylenol and a call to the nurse, David and I both calmed down. I now know about this really cool option the “after hours urgent care” center at Children’s Hospital. You can make an appointment, no hanging around the emergency room for hours. And they have great toys.

The doctor said the nights were going to be worse, and it would probably last three days. Let's all think good thoughts as we head into night two.