Can You Hear Me Now?

We took Baby to the pediatrician yesterday afternoon for a follow-up on his recent ear infection. As the receptionist took my Visa Card for the visit co-pay, I quickly tallied the expenses for this ear infection:

$15 co-pay for sick visit on Christmas Eve

$8 co-pay for prescription Amoxicillin

$7.19 for Debrox eardrops to soften earwax
(Baby is a wax factory, has narrow ear canals, and hates the ear flashlight)

$1.59 for Johnson’s Safety Cotton Swabs to collect softened earwax without poking a hole in Baby’s eardrum

$20 co-pay for follow-up doctor visit on January 4 (insurance company raised the co-pay for 2008. Thanks)

$29.57 for vacation time from work for Mommy to drive Baby to doctor

$8 co-pay for prescription Omnicef

$20 co-pay for follow-up doctor visit on January 17

$29.57 for vacation time from work for Mommy to drive Baby to doctor

$36.78 for vacation time from work for Daddy to go with Mommy and Baby to doctor so he could hold Baby down while doctor used the stethoscope (not kidding)

Total Expenses for Ear Infection: $175.70

For as much as we’ve invested in Baby’s ears, the least he could do is use them. For instance, when Mommy says, “Baby, NO. Please don’t climb the fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Baby get boo boo.” Baby COULD acknowledge Mommy and STOP climbing the fire extinguisher.

Is that too much to ask?

Since Baby won’t be reimbursing us for his care or using the ears that we paid darn good money for, I plan to be a very difficult old person.

P.S. Baby's ears are all better.