The Virus Strikes Back and Return of the Virus

When we called the nurse at our pediatrician's office about Colin's virus, she told us, "Make sure you wash your hands really well, because these viruses usually have a fecal-oral transmission." However, soap and water was not stopping this bug.

Sunday at midnight, I threw up all the Soothing Chicken Lettuce Wraps I'd eaten (not so soothing on the way up), and vomited about 4 more times, with the diarrhea, of course. A few hours later, Anthony started to get sick, too. Anna's school was off for President's Day, but not Colin's. I decided to muster every bit of strength I had to drive him to school. As excruciatingly difficult as it was, I knew it would be better than watching him out of the corner of my eye as I lay on the couch/not really watching him at all. Plus, all the preschool activity would wear him out much more than repeated episodes of Dora the Explorer. Colin was so excited about going to school, picking up his backpack and lunch, running out the door. Anna was excited to see her brother's school, but I was a little embarrassed to notice I hadn't brushed the rat's nest out of the back of her head while she chatted with the teacher. The drive home was about as fun as scratching your nails on the chalkboard for 20 minutes while trying to keep up a conversation with a plucky 3 year old. At home I crashed in the bed while Anna watched Nick Jr for a record 4 hours.

Anthony summonded up the strength to pick Colin up at 1, then he crashed and I put Colin to bed, and played Candyland with Anna. I made the kids bean burritos for dinner (Anna's favorite) and Anth and I were able to eat a grilled cheese sandwich. About 10 pm I decided to turn in, after reading my favorite blogs. Then Anna started vomiting.

We changed her sheets and gave her the bucket, but within minutes we were changing sheets again (you'd think we'd learn). Finally, we decided it would work better if someone slept with her, and of course she chose me. So instead of a restful night, I slept in her bed and woke up to help her vomit in the bucket every 30-60 minutes. The weird thing was, most of me didn't even mind. I felt so sorry for her, being so freshly reminded of how miserable persistent nausea is. Also, she was so sweet and trying so hard to be good - when you know she felt like total crap. We also took a nap together this afternoon, and I don't think we've done that since she was nursing.

She was almost normal at dinner tonight, actually eating some food. Anthony said, "You know it really grosses me out, that whole fecal-oral thing." Because believe me, we really do wash our hands around here. Religiously after the diaper changes. And the washing machine has been on overtime. Its not like we have dirt floors, either! But, when you live with these wonderful grubby little people, who love you with their whole little selves, and give big open mouthed kisses, I guess some sharing happens. If that's the price of this love, I'm happy to wallow in it.