*Board* Silly

What could have led to this madness?
Andrew had a severe case of cabin fever this weekend.

Our family quarantine began Wednesday night. Approximately 25 seconds after publishing the previous entry that highlighted the events of Henry's special day, Andrew's urgent plea fills the air.

"Ali! Get up here!" As I make way up the stairs to Eliza's room, I call back,

"What's wrong?" I hate the suspense. I hear Eliza sobbing. What am I preparing myself to find?

"Hurry!" I sense panic, which is an uncommon emotion for Andrew. His face is nothing but concern as he stares down at Eliza. The shock hits me as I take in the mess that is my daughter. For the first time in her life, she has covered herself in vomit.

"It was the birthday cake."
I thought that twice. First, I was literally seeing the partially digested version of her slice of birthday cake (gross) and second, I immediately concluded that an over indulgence of cake was the cause. Certainly, she was not ill with the stomach flu. And judging the quantity that was smeared across her bedding and tiny body, she was definitely done throwing up. (I WAS SO INCREDIBLY WRONG ON BOTH ASSUMPTIONS!)

In the most heart breaking of cries, she sputters

"I'm SO naughty Mama!" she exclaims. Eliza is beyond confused and exhausted. Physically, she feels awful. Trying our best to comfort her, Andrew gives her a quick bath. I, the Mama, am on clean up duty.

Doing my best to spare you details (too late) Andrew, the hero father of our children, offered to sleep in her room. All night long, he was there to assist her with the bowl, hold the hair off her face, rub her back, etc. The poor dear was up every half hour, he estimated.The next morning, *surprise, surprise* Andrew & Henry fall victim to the flu monster. I immerse myself in the aftermath. I detest the stomach flu.

Enter the miracle... exercising a whole lot of faith (and using massive amounts of hand sanitizer), I pray that I will be spared the illness long enough for Andrew to recover. Five vomit-filled days later, I'm still healthy and well.

Andrew slept with Eliza two nights straight. I offered, but he encouraged me to sleep, to keep my resistance up - so that I could keep up with the insane amount of dirty laundry :) and the care of our family. His compassion didn't end there.

He was nearing insanity with all of that "free time" away from work. In fact, on Saturday, he actually went into work to begin to make up for the days he missed. He spent his sick days trying his best to occupy Eliza. He painted her finger nails, played "Thomas the train" with her on the computer, built towers with blocks, measured our windows for blinds (we're retiring our post of being the neighborhood fish bowl) and cut Eliza alphabet shaped letters, a bus, a car, a hat and adjustable glasses - out of cardboard. Here comes the cheese filled Hallmark inspired line for today's post.

The illness was ugly. Our teamwork was beautiful.

Now who's the nauseous one? Sorry about that. Seriously though, when you're dating you don't spend much time thinking about the way in which you and your potential spouse are going to handle a nasty case of the stomach flu together. The way we served and cared for our sick kids was more fluid than normal. The misery of their situations didn't allow us to indulge in a moment of selfish behavior. And so it is, life really is better when you're in the service of others. A lesson, I know I'll forget the moment everyone is well and happy again. I'm a slow learner.

The worst has passed, with the exception of Henry. He is eating well, but woke up with a fever this morning. :(

As for our dear friends who came to celebrate Henry's birthday last week; as a party favor, they left with the the horrid germ. Before being slammed with the illness herself, one of the above mentioned friends, picked up a few items for me from the store. Thanks Michelle for the Pedialite, Gatorade, chocolates (you know me so well) & the surprise present for Eliza (she lit up like a Christmas tree when she discovered it). Your act of kindness means a lot. I am SO SORRY you're sick. Get well soon.