Sick Girls

Both my daughter and wife are sick... at least today they're in better spirits. My wife (Laura) and I just got back from Orlando on Wednesday. My daughter (Isabel) stayed with my parents while we were gone - she had also JUST gotten over an ear infection and virus or so we thought. On Thursday, I was at work playing catch for being gone to Orlando, an additional conference two days before that, and a few days with a faculty candidate. By 1:30pm, Laura had called to say she was so sick that she could take care of Isabel. I tied up loose ends and went home to find that Laura was really sick and Isabel had a temperature - again. So, I went into "Super Dad" and caretaker mode. I took Laura to the doctor at 3:30pm, dropped off her prescription, took her home, took Isabel to her appointment at 5:00pm, then dropped off her prescription and picked up Laura's, got home, tried to catch up on work, went back out at 7:30pm with Isabel to pick up her medicine, came home, gave Isabel her medicine, gave her a bath, and put her to bed. In all this, Laura knew I HAD to be at work the next day for the important Search Committee meeting, so she called her mom who drove 2.5 hours to help out. Now, back to the story. I sat down to work again when through the monitor, I heard a wet sound like water. Isabel had vomited ALL OVER her bed. She's about 9 months old - that's a lot of vomit for such a small girl. Laura's mom showed up soon after and helped me out. I REALLY NEEDED IT! We got Isabel and the bed cleaned up, put Isabel back down to sleep and I spent another hour working before I went to bed - on the couch. Laura's doctors thought she had strep throat and she was in a contagious period. I didn't want to take any chances.

I know, I know... poor me. But it was stressful with everything going on. The next day, the Search Committee meeting had drained me (it was long and taxing). By the time I got home, I was beat. I ran to the grocery and picked up new medicine for Isabel (she puked again - we linked it to the first medicine). That night, I got a bit snappy with Laura. I really had no more resources to give. I apologized shortly after. I can be a real baby when I'm sick, but when I had two sick people to care for and a job to stay on top of - it was draining. I'm sure others are in worse situations than I - it was a new situation for me.

Today (Saturday) they're both doing much better and Laura has been helping out (partially because she hasn't been able to hold Isabel for a few days). We have been LAZY and it's awesome. I'm hoping to do the same thing tomorrow.