Having a Sick Toddler

Everyone says "sick babies are no fun"....

Little L. is sick today.  She started having a runny nose a few days ago, but nothing else.  Yesterday the coughing and sneezing picked up, and then the sore throat came into the picture.  While I was finishing up one of my evening classes last night, Little L. woke herself up with a coughing fit.  I went to put her back to sleep after giving her some more medicine, and she fell asleep quickly in my arms (it's been a while since she did that last...).  And I just held on to her.  As I held her helpless, sleeping little body, I couldn't help but be overcome by love for this precious little girl God has entrusted to me and Husband.

I know that everyone gets coughs, everyone gets sore throats, and I know I'll face this forever throughout her life, but right now it feels like something is terrible wrong.  She has never had a sore throat like this, nor has she ever been able to really tell us about it before this time.  There was no more guessing yesterday afternoon as she put her hands on her throat while she coughed, and left them there even after the coughing stopped.  It is heartbreaking to see, because I want to take away her pain, her discomfort...but I can't.  We take care of her and wait.  It will go away; I know that.  It is part of life; I know that too.  But I'm sure all you parents out there will agree with me that it is a terrible feeling to see your small child sick.

After putting her back to sleep again last night, Husband went and got some medications that his mother (a nurse) recommended, and we got those ready for the next time she woke up.  She woke up again around midnight, burning up with  a fever.  I took her shirt and socks off, turned the fan on low in her room, and we gave her her medicine, which she willingly took.  She fell asleep again quickly.  It was a long night....every time she shifted in her crib or coughed, I think Husband and I both woke up.  And at least for me, I had a hard time getting back to sleep each time.  

Little L. woke up this morning at her usual time, despite me hoping she'd sleep in!  She woke up happy, though less chatty than normal.  That was explained by her hoarse voice, when she finally did start chattering away.  She is happy today, though tired.  I put her down for a nap over 2 hours earlier than normal, so I am hoping she will end up taking two naps today, and try to sleep this thing away!  

I guess this is me just trying to vent my emotion-filled, overtired feelings out for the WWW to see...you know, being a first-time mom and all.  Sure, Little L. is over a year and a half old, but I still feel like so much is new to me.  She's been sick before, but it is heartbreaking every time.  

As for medications....I prefer natural; I've never liked taking medicine except when necessary.  But I don't know much about home remedies for different things, plus this was late at night and I just wanted to get something into her that would help her get better.  I know lemon and honey help with a sore throat.  What else are good home remedies, for all kinds of illnesses??  Help me out here, guys! :)  I know she'll get sick in the future and I want to know what to do, without having to depend solely on medications.