1641 Something sickly this way comes…

I’m not sure how the nasty plague first caught hold, but I do know that I was the one who brought it into our home and shared it with Gus.  So, 2/3 of this family have been really disgustingly sick this week.

I enjoyed 13 of the loveliest hours of my lifetime this past Sunday.  Alternating between the bathroom, the "bucket", and sleeping in a coma.  When morning finally came, I was freaked out about being pregnant while being as sick as I was.  So, I paged the OB’s office.  The doc was very reassuring – telling me before I had to chance to ask – that the baby was probably being very still (which was true and scary for me) and that was because I was so sick.  As soon as I felt better, the baby would perk right back up (which was true). 

On Monday my intestinal issues were resolved, but felt like someone had driven a semi over my body.  Every muscle in my back was crying out for mercy.

On Tuesday Gus started the day with some Sesame Street and projectile vomiting.

It’s bad enough when an adult catches an "intestinal illness" of this caliber.  Imagine being a 19 month old little boy who has NEVER had anything more than chest congestion and a cough. 

Having just experienced the special kind of joy that comes with this particular illness, I thought I would at least be able to anticipate what Gus was in for when he started puking.  Oh, not so.

There’s no way to describe the helpless feeling of being a mommy nursing her baby through his first really nasty illness.  I felt lost.  Here I was – The Mommy – the one who is supposed to not only have all the answers, but the ability to make bad stuff stop…and I was lost. 

Honestly, I really just wanted to call my own mommy and ask what it was I was supposed to do to make it all better.

My own mommy was so good at handling our childhood illnessess.  She always spread out blankets on the couch to make us comfy (and protect the couch, I’ve since learned!) and tucked us in there in front of the t.v.

So, I looked at my sobbing child – and snapped to it…

I grabbed several "wash and go" baby quilts that people gave us when he was born.  I covered the couch and made him a nest in the crook of my arm.  When the next wave hit him, I was (almost) prepared for it!  I rubbed his back and talked to him gently all while catching vomit in a towel.  It was a shining moment. hahaha.

I recovered the couch and needed more towels several times that day.  While he sobbed and was freaked out by the treachery of his own little body, I soothed him and said a few prayers over him.

See mommy, I noticed even the little things you did for us when we were kids.  Right down to those pink and blue blankets you used to make a comfy nest in the couch when we were sick.  I really missed  you this week.  I really wanted to tell you how horrible it was to feel so helpless watching my baby be so sick.  I’m sure you would’ve made me feel better about my own Mom Skills.  I just really needed to hear the sweet calming sound of your voice.  I miss you, mommy.