An awful bug

Prior to Thursday, as a stay-at-home mom, I hadn't had to ask Nicholas to stay home from work. One Wednesday afternoon when I had to go to work and Nicholas did, too, we hired a babysitter for the first time. This past Thursday morning, though, was rough.

If we back up to Wednesday evening, you'll find me getting chills and having Nicholas heap the blankets on top of me. I felt HORRIBLE. I hadn't felt that bad since 2008 when I wound up in the hospital after catching something on the way back from Belgium. And because I was so achy and so miserable, I said to Nicholas, "If you have to take me to the hospital, call Sylvia to watch Olivia. Her number is in my phone." He asked, "Are you serious?" I said, "Kind of." (Sylvia is our German neighbor who I have become friends with over the past three years. She, Olivia, and I walk almost every morning around the neighborhood with Puck, Ringo, and her Old English Mastiff, Fiona.)

I made it through the night, getting up twice to feed Olivia. In the morning, Nicholas had to leave the house by 7:50 to get to his first class. He asked if he should stay home. I said to go ahead and go to work, just come home as soon as possible since I knew he had classes and meetings. I called Sylvia and said I wouldn't be walking since I didn't feel well. Nicholas went to work, and Olivia and I did some low-key playing--reading, playing on the play mat. (This is the time that I wish I allowed her to watch TV!) By 9:30, I felt pretty horrible. I was talking to Stephanie on the phone, holding Olivia, and putting away dishes when I thought I was going to faint. I didn't. I sat down on the floor and vomited. Yuck. And vomited. And vomited. And I didn't feel better. Olivia was crying; she was still in my arms and I was vomiting over my shoulder onto the kitchen floor. Ringo was eating the vomit. And I was literally sick. I called Nicholas between gasps. I said, "Help." He said, "I'll come right now." He was in the middle of class. Thank goodness he kept his phone on. I called Sylvia next to come over and keep Olivia while I changed and cleaned up.

Anyway, long story short (okay, that was already long), I had an awful bug. I stayed in bed for three hours and then got up and went to the doctor. She said it has been going around and don't eat ANYTHING for 24 hours. Then do 4 saltine crackers. Then broth. Then the BRAT diet. When I got home from the doctor, Nicholas wasn't feeling well. He started throwing up hours later. Thank goodness Nicholas gave me those five hours to rest, because he was sick after that. And Mama has to take care of everyone. This was a time when I REALLY wished we lived closer. The doctor said you could only get this if you ingest it. I was worried about Olivia because everything goes in her mouth now. But, we have been washing hands and disinfecting everything and so far, so good. Today is BRAT diet day. Tomorrow I'm hoping that real food will go okay.

In other news, Olivia is still cute. See below.