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So listen to this.  The following is a list of illnesses that have rolled through my house for the month of February. Yes, we have really packed all this in during the last 3 weeks:

My oldest (4) has had:  the stomach bug, x2.
My youngest has had:  the stomach x1; 24 fever bug.
Me:  I'm the lucky winner for the month.  I've had the stomach bug both times the kids have had it, and last week when I thought we were all on the mend, I got the flu.  In fact, I'm still in the midst of it but today's day 6 and I'm finally feeling like I can at least function (somewhat)  So please excuse any typos and poorer-than-usual grammar mistakes as the fever appears to have taken away some of my intellect (along with the energy, health, etc.)

Hubby's been the lucky one and gotten by with only a minor cold, which has been a relief to all of us as he's really pulled through the past few days with the kids.  It's true what they say - you really can't afford to be sick as a Mom - but when it comes to the flu and when you're laying in bed and can't move, something's gotta give.   Anyway, it's been a mess here and I'm surprised the local health department hasn't quarantined off my home as a germ-zone.

Anyway, in honor of my life the past three weeks, I've put together a list of flu and cold season related products.  Items I probably should have been using more of and will be in the future!

The first is Airborne - my mother has been swearing by Airborne for years.  I've only recently hopped on that bandwagon and I can't believe I'm saying it but I do believe taking this stuff makes a difference.  In the least, I notice that when I take it when I feel a cold coming on, that the colds tend to be shorter-lived that my usual colds.  I've taken it quite a few times this winter.  I have yet to actually take this before boarding an airplane - which is what I thought this was originally marketed for (although "airborne" is actually meant to be named after the airborne germs, not being airborne in a plane).

Now it's more commonly known as a good health formula for all sorts of environments (including living in a house with a germy toddler and preschooler.)  Anyway, it's a tablet that you put into a glass of water and it disintegrates and you drink it down.  It doesn't exactly taste wonderful - I've tried a few and of them all would personally recommend either the Lemon-Lime or the Zesty Orange as the best tasting ones.  You can also buy them in packets that can be poured into a water bottle. 

It doesn't hurt to try - and given this time of year and all that flies around, I'll try just about anything.  I've been taking at least two a day with this flu bug and is it making a difference?  I'm not sure but it certainly isn't hurting things.

The Exergen Temporal Thermometer is the best.  I use it primarly for the toddler (as my oldest can use an oral one just fine now).  I used to take his temp rectally, which while accurate, isn't always the most fun to do.  As long as I'm steady with the thermometer, I can get a good reading from this.  I got it at Walmart.  An alternative are the Summer Infant Strips - I have a friend who swears by these.


My oldest has the frog humidifier from Target running in his room each night.  We also have the Vick's Warm Mist Humidifier running in the hall most nights - I only recently turned it on and always do that - they say you should have humidifiers running throughout the winter as colds and germs thrive in the dry air.

Lastly, I have to give a shout-out for Mucinex D.  I had never taken any Mucinex before, although I had heard good reviews in the past.  I visited Urgent Care over the weekend, my flu had gotten so unbearable, and the doctor recommended I go out and get some of this.  It's been a life-saver.  It's a cough suppressant and nasal decongestant and it lasts 12-hours.  Unlike other 12-hour medicines I've taken in the past (where you feel like death 8 hours in and you have to wait the last 4 hours to take something else), this stuff really works and works for the duration of the time it claims to work.