Shaun Groves
This plague ripped through Brody‘s house and Brian’s before reaching mine this morning. Why this morning? When I’m wifeless.
[For newcomers: Brian is my brother-in-law/friend/former road manager/booking agent/resident in my neighborhood and Brody is Brian’s neighbor/friend/my current road manager. Both have loads of germ-bearing children…apparently.]
Gresham’s fever hovered around 102 and Gabriella’s around 103 most of the day. My usually hyperactive non-stop-talking oldest kids laid motionless in a lump on the couch like giant whining bean bags.
Gabriella, actually, rarely complained, but took care of Gresham like the miniature Becky (that’s my wife) she is. “Do you need more to drink, Sweety?” she’d ask. “Uh huh,” he’d whisper/moan back.
Penelope stayed at an even 98.6. She and I folded laundry, stacked blocks, drew pictures to cheer up the patients and had a pretty good and very quiet day together.
I now have a slight fever and a scratchy throat. But I also have loads of drugs and juice on hand. Brody and Kristen (that’s his wife) brought us all the necessary plague-enduring goods – part of a deal Becky worked out with Kristen before she left town I suspect: “Look in on him every once in a while, Kristen. Make sure he’s feeding them, like real food, not just chips and Oreos, O.K.? I pay you when I get back.”
Unrelated: When does my wife get to use the bathroom? Seriously. I feel like camel.
Grovesfan says:
I’m sorry to hear that you’re having to deal with sick kids. I think it’s nationwide as it seems to be plaguing kids around here too.
Not mine thankfully as they’ve been strictly instructed NOT to get sick, injured, or otherwise require more than hugs, kisses, and weekly trips to the grocery store until tax season ends. So far, so good. Of course, some fool is allowing them to go skiing the last weekend in February (home about the time you arrive I think) and anything could happen. Oh, wait, I was the one that signed those permission slips!
Beth
Kat says:
I’m sorry your kids are sick. We just went through that and it certainly gives you an appreciation for healthy, happy rambunctious kids.
About the bathroom thing, you may be interested in these two posts I wrote awhile back:
A Vacation Is Being Able To Go To The Bathroom Alone
A Vacation Is Being Able To Go To The Bathroom Alone Part 2
John Stickley says:
Isn’t it amazing how much more we end up appreciating our wives when they’re not around?
I feel your pain, and will definitely pray for you and your family tonight.
Karen says:
Uh… I think camels just go to the bathroom wherever and whenever they want. But I get what you mean.
I pray it’s short-lived and everyone is back to normal soon.
liftyourfocus says:
You should drink up some Emergen C. It’s an immune boosting/energy boosting powder you mix with only 4 oz of water. It says you can take it up to four times a day but usually one helps me out sufficiently unless I am coming down with something then I take it three to four times a day. I was run down earlier this week and started to feel bad but after a few days things cleared up and I think it was in part due to the Emergen C. I also tried Airborne when colds were going around in December and it was pretty helpful. I still got a cold but it was a really wimpy one, just some sniffles and a cough. Emergen C is cheaper though, especially at Wal-Mart.
Hope everyone feels better!
Beth says:
Somedays, when both my magpies have been talking over each other since before they awoke (both talk in their sleep), I wish that for a few minutes they couldn’t talk. Then at some point they get sick, and just lay there, and it just breaks my heart.
I hope they mend quickly!
Les says:
Get well. All of you. Soon.
God Bless!
I’ll second the advice on the Emergen C. ‘S good stuff.
Steven says:
Hope you get better soon. Thanks goodness for wives that look out for you behind your back!
Susanne says:
I feel your pain…my husband and I both got the tummy virus last night, and we had to deal with hyper kids this morning. We were queasy, sick-feeling, and they were saying, “We want to go outside! I want pancakes with lots of syrup! Play with me!” At least they were well.