School’s back and that can only mean one thing, Back-to-school flu, otherwise known as another kid’s germs jumping on my kids and destroying our lives!
Sound extreme? I have had not one, not two, but three miserable, whiny, crying, screaming, feverish, vomiting children in my house for the past four days! I know you’re jealous and wish you could hop on a plane and head straight to my germ factory, but sorry, we are closed to visitors for the time being.
Sunday night at my house is usually quite relaxing. The husband and I partake in our weekly cheat meal. My husband “exposes” this weeks conspiracy as to why he is losing in this week’s fantasy football match. Side note, my team is 2-0. Take that suckers! And then we settle in for a nice romantic viewing of Breaking Bad.
But the 6-month-old decided to kick off hell week by burning-up with 101.4 degree temperature. Let the party begin! Sunday night consisted of maybe two hours of sleep. Baby Bear refused to be put down, and nothing makes a teething, on fire baby feel better than chewing on mommy’s nipples all night.
But we survived the night. I manage to get Doctor Strong (my 8-year-old son) fed and out the door for school bright and early Monday morning. As I’m trying to entertain the miserable Bear and get Bean (my 4-year-old daughter) ready for school, my husband calls and informs me,”The school called. Doctor Strong is sick. Go pick him up.”
Damn it.
Monday’s count for sick kids, 2-1. This isn’t looking good.
Tuesday morning Doctor Strong is vomiting and has a lovely barking cough. I can’t get him an appointment at the pediatrician except for times Bean has to be dropped off or picked-up at school. Off to Walgreens Take Care Clinic we go.
Walgreens Take Care Clinic’s one-stop-shop for all your sick needs is a great invention! We can get dirty looks from the grouchy old dude who is waiting in the sick area of the Walgreens for his meds, receive a quick diagnosis from the nurse practitioner, request a signed sick note for school, pick-up prescriptions and purchase other get well goodies in one stop!
Doctor Strong is diagnosed with a double inner ear infection and the flu. He is contagious for the next 24 hours. The excitement isn’t over yet.
After our Walgreens adventure, we drop Bean off at school and head home to rest for a couple of hours. Baby Bear is starting to chirp up and is now just a drooling mess. Doctor Strong is feeling a bit better after taking his antibiotics and cough syrup. I decide to celebrate a day on the mend with shrimp scampi for dinner.
“Mommy, my head hurts. My tummy hurts. Mommy. Mommy. MOMMY!” This nonsense is followed by non-stop ear screeching screams from Bean.
DAMN IT!
I have yet to understand the need for a child to scream as loud and for as long as possible while they are sick. Are my kids the only ones who do partake in this screaming phenomenon?
I have work to do and leave daddy with parenting duties. Writing a lease is so relaxing and thrilling at this point. I search the MLS for my dream home, while daddy battles the children.
Wednesday morning, Bean decides to vomit all over the living room and herself. Let the party begin!
She grudgingly accepts my offer of Advil and has slept most of the day. Doctor Strong is better and wasting away watching Nick Jr. Bear is fussy in her swing, but at least I’m getting a break.
My friend suggested I treat myself to an extra classy treat – an economy sized Arbor Mist in a brown bag. I think the brown bagged special is the perfect reward for four days of flu induced, kid trauma.
