From the Trenches

The Everything Virus

This picture doesn’t really do justice to the mess and chaos in our house right now.  I snapped it last night, as I sat nursing Ellie, chuckling out loud at the mess. We’ve been hit with what I call the “everything virus.” Those of you from New York know the everything bagel: sesame seeds – check, poppy seeds – check, coarse salt -check, onion – check: it’s got it all.  I hate them.  Well, that’s pretty much how this virus works too, only substitute sesame seeds, salt and onion with fevers, croupy coughs, vomiting, and diarrhea (Can you write that on a blog?)

I was considering writing a Top 100 Things to Be Thankful For When Your Kids are Sick list, to keep myself from going down the path of utter self-pity, but I only got to #2 (the ripe avocado I had with lunch) before I had a total meltdown about a couple things I needed from the grocery store, and my inability to get them without dragging the kids out.  It wasn’t really the rice cereal, though.  It was the battle with the insurance carrier, and the stress of waiting to hear about the house, and the exhaustion that comes with sick kids.  The rice cereal was just the straw that broke the camel’s back.  So, I don’t have words enough to thank my dear, dear friend Jean Ellen rescued me (despite her busy day) with the rice cereal and Pedialyte (and threw in some chocolate dipped-chocolate chip cookies and a dinner to boot!)

So, today, I’m thankful for:

1. Jean Ellen – her act of kindness & the hope she instills in me by her example
2. modern medicine
3. running water
4. disposable diapers (I know, I know…)
5. those avocados
6. conversations with Laura
7. cuddles with Ellie
8. the warm(er) weather & open windows to get some fresh air
9. Ted not working tonight
10. both kids napping simultaneously

And that’ll have to do for today. Baby’s waking up.