Coughs, Chaos & Chicago
From allergy battles to highway hurdles
After last week’s whirlwind, this edition of The Dad Diary brings a more grounded, yet still eventful, chapter in our parenting adventure. While the pace slowed, the moments were no less meaningful—especially with Jasper at the heart of it all.
🤧 Germs, Allergies & Daycare Realities
This week, our little trooper Jasper battled a persistent cough, joining the ranks of Boss (my mother-in-law), my partner, and even our dog in the sniffle squad. Daycare, as we’ve learned, is less about necessity and more about exposure—both to other kids and the inevitable germ gauntlet. Mission accomplished; I suppose.
Wednesday night was particularly rough. Thanks to a cocktail of Canadian wildfire smoke and a pollen explosion from the dry spell, Jasper experienced his first allergy-induced headache. Thankfully, a quick call to the doctor and a combo of ibuprofen and Benadryl worked wonders. He’s been bouncing back ever since—though the adults in the house are still stubbornly resisting meds like it’s a badge of honor.
As for the dog, his allergy symptoms might not be from the environment at all—it could be a reaction to his recent vet check-up. We’re keeping an eye on him just in case.
🛠️ Home Makeover & Papa’s Return
On the brighter side, two big things are lighting up our week: a home remodel is underway (cue the chaos and creativity), and Papa is finally returning from India! His flight is landing as I write this, and we’re all eager to see how the immigration process goes—especially with the current headlines. Fingers crossed for a smooth reunion.
🚗 Road Trip to Chicago: A Comedy of Errors
Saturday brought a solo dad adventure: a one-night trip to Chicago. I’m a “let’s hit the road early” kind of guy, while my partner prefers a more relaxed departure. I compromised (read: delayed) and left at noon. Big mistake. Between three closed lanes and classic Chicago traffic, I didn’t reach my hotel until nearly 7 PM.
Oh, and did I mention the check engine light? Yep. It popped on right after I fueled up. I checked the gas cap twice—once on the highway shoulder and again at a rest stop. Still glowing. The car sounds fine, so here’s hoping it’s just a false alarm. Either way, the return trip promises to be an adventure.
🌱 A Journey Within: My 3-Week Challenge
On a more personal note, I’ve started a 3-week self-discovery series over on my Buy Me A Coffee page. It’s a free, heartfelt look at my journey—past, present, and future—as a dad and as a person. The first entry, Challenge, is live now, and the next one, Leadership Role, drops this week. I’d love for you to check it out and share your own reflections at https://buymeacoffee.com/davidbanigjr.
Until next time, keep parenting with purpose and humor.
—David (a.k.a. Jasper’s Dad)
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