A More Delicate Constitution

Well, it's time for my obligatory "It's January and my kids are sick" post. It's true! January brings sickness to one and all! The boys have cycled through a stomach bug over the past 4 days. While stomach bugs are never fun, it has felt easier than in the past. Perhaps it's easier because they are older and have better "aim", if you will. Or perhaps I've given up the dream of having kids that don't throw up and can handle the indignities of it better.

I have felt for some time now that Jacob is my "barfy" child. He thankfully doesn't get sick in response to certain foods or in the car (so thankful), but when he gets a stomach bug his body is at war. A very disgusting, dramatic war. In fact I would say that if he throws up once you can count on, completely expect, that he will throw up at least 5 more times. Within 3 hours.

Allow me to sketch the time line of this week's sicknesses.

Wednesday afternoon: Nicholas has a fever. It resolves quickly and he acts normal all the rest of the day. We decide to stay home the rest of the day and the next day just in case. A stomach bug was on the prowl in our building and we didn't care to share our mystery illness.

Thursday evening: Nicholas throws up.

Thursday night: Nicholas doesn't have a great night's sleep, but generally does fine.

Friday morning: Nicholas throws up.

Friday all day: Nicholas is a bit tired, but completely well by day's end.

Saturday afternoon: Jacob gets a fever. Chilling commences.

Saturday night: Jacob is up 4-5 times in the night with a high fever and chills.

Sunday morning: Jacob wakes up, throws up, and does that 6 more times until noon. During this time he sends himself to bed to doze and puke alternately. Again, thank you aiming skills.

Sunday afternoon: Jacob feels better but is still fairly weak.

Sunday evening: Jacob is feverish and threatening throwing up again.

And so it goes. I frankly can't even begin to think that Jacob is over this. He's just...delicate. And he's been delicate through the ages. I actually have quasi-fond memories of nursing this little one back to health. Not of cleaning up "stuff" or trying to convince him that he can't eat yet, but the falling asleep in my arms thing is pretty wonderful.

Here are some of my favorite pictures of little sickie Jacob, starting when he was 18 months through today. This boy has had so many stomach bugs. I feel so bad for him when he gets like this. Poor little baby.


































































































Note Nicholas happily eating yogurt at the table. This was during the summer when they both had hand, foot and mouth. Only one of them, however, threw up at least 10 times and spent the day sprawled on the couch. They both spent the day in undies.


















And here we are today. We got out the legos for Nicholas (easily washed--just in case) and basically Jacob moaned and groaned and barfed while Nicholas tinkered and built and talked.

Matt even tried his hand at robot making.


















So, here's to good health and to iron stomachs. May the new baby have both. Please.