Sunday, August 7, 2011

Mom, I don't feel so ... bleahhh

That's the best imitation I can come up with of the sound my kids make when they uncontrollably vomit all over. I don't know if I'm alone in this, but my kids seem to throw up a lot. I'm sorry if this topic turns your stomach, but it's on my mind this week, especially after yesterday. I'll get to that soon. Last week wasn't a great one for the Thiel family. It started a week ago Friday when Ben and Paul were supposed to go on their first camping trip with their Grandma and Grandpa Thiel. Ben came down with strep, and though he and Paul were able to go the next day, they were sad that their much-anticipated trip had to be shortened.

When the boys returned from camping last Sunday, Ben was pale and feverish. For no reason I can see, as he was on antibiotics, his fever lingered into Wednesday. Then Paul, who has tubes in his ears and was on ear drops for an ear infection, spiked a fever. A very expensive trip to the ENT revealed that his infected ear was so full of fluid and crud, the drops weren't even making it to their destination. Lovely. Sickness always stinks for kids, but it feels especially unfair during the summer.

We had a busy weekend planned: for Saturday a gathering with all the Thiels at Mark's parents' house, for Sunday Mark and I competing on relay teams for the Oshkosh Triathlon. We thought we were in the clear, you know, at least we had gotten the boys' sickness out of the way in time for them to share some fun with their cousins. Not so fast.

After eating a big lunch and two desserts, Paul began to look green and said he didn't feel well. I should have known: note aforementioned proclivity toward puking. I think I was in denial. It was hot outside and in the house. Maybe it was just getting to him. I was sitting outside when Mark came and said we had to leave. Paul had, well you know, down the steps and onto Mark's parents' carpeting. I went in to discover the acrid smell of bile mixing with the warm air in the house. I was mortified.

Sadly, I think we're developing a reputation. This isn't the first time we've had a run-in with Mark's family. Two Christmases ago, Ben and Paul had stomach flu, and they inadvertently passed their malady to numerous members of the family, resulting in a very ill New Year. I wouldn't blame them if they shudder a bit every time we arrive. (Side note: turns out strep was to blame for Paul's sick stomach this time.) Believe me, I have other embarrassing stories as well, like the time Ben threw up at church and it ran down the sloped floor, and the second time he tossed his cookies there, this time in the hall. Come to think of it, we probably make St. Bernard Parish a little nervous, too.

Next weekend we will go on vacation with my family. At least the boys have gotten it out of their systems. Or have they? Watch out Ceman family.

No comments: