A Cruel Twist of Fate

Four people were sick in this house yesterday. Four. Alas, the one left healthy was Henry and at seven months is still unable to feed and change himself. Sammy was sick a few nights ago and perhaps that is where the contagion began but Jay felt under the weather at the lake yesterday. We went to dinner with the Rolands and had planned to continue on to their house for games but passed after Sammy fell ill again after eating. Driving home, Jay and I decided that Sammy was the one who got him sick and it was weird that I wasn't since I was the one who cleaned him up that night. Once we were home, we quickly put the boys to bed and I started to feel sick.

The rest of the night was miserable for Jay and me. We both shut off our lights at 8:30 and suffered through chills and fever until morning. We were both achy Sunday morning and when Sammy woke up crying early Sunday morning it seemed a silent duel began over who would get up to take care of him. I was determined that Jay know how sick I felt so held out longer and Jay got out of bed to see what the problem was. He was sick in his pullup again so Jay cleaned him up and brought him into bed with us. Then Henry started to cry. I figured Jay getting up earlier meant he was feeling better so delegated morning feedings to him. I was so achy. Every single body part hurt -- shoulders, back, neck, hips. I did get up about a half hour later and found the boys fed and Jay miserable. He went back to bed and I had the kids for awhile feeling very sorry for myself. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. Where was my chicken soup? The heating pad? Mom?

It was obvious we shouldn't be at church with our potent germs so I found a substitute organist and settled into reading the paper. The boys are much better at being sick, I realized. They had moments where they felt sick but they didn't mope all day like us adults. I think both Jay and I were wondering why we weren't getting taken care of. Or at least getting more sympathy. Jay woke up when Seth and Sam wanted lunch and Jay decided to fix them ramen noodles and found a can of chicken soup for himself. He asked me what I wanted and I told him I wasn't hungry. He immediately defended himself by stating that neither was he but he felt dehydrated and needed something salty. As if eating would equal concession that I was, indeed, sicker! I told him I believed that he was still sick and to eat away. I escaped back to our bedroom and fell back asleep. When I woke later, I felt a lot better. I made myself a smoothie and sat on the couch with the family. Jay continued to be sick and I realized that I had lost the overall sickness contest. Jay was clearly sicker than me. I took over whatever childcare remained (by this time, Seth and Sam were pretty much on autopilot) and later made dinner while Jay fed Henry. The boys were amazed when bedtime came around that they didn't have to change into pajamas because they were still in theirs from the night before! We watched Lemony Snicket and A Series of Unfortunate Events and went to bed.

I hope these stars never align themselves again. We both are feeling fine today. Thank goodness.