Santa brought me and the kids the stomach flu. James came down with it first, although we didn’t realize it at the time because he is a) always happy, and b) always drooling. The excessive drool has been known to cause him to choke/barf, so when he had a rough night leading into Christmas (including tossing his cookies on Mike in the wee hours), we assumed it was just teething. But he threw up twice more, and he slept the majority of Christmas day. Luckily, he had the mildest case.
I came down with it, very powerfully, on Christmas Evening. Luckily everyone had gone home, because friends, it was rough. Soooooo rough. Like, if I even shifted my weight while laying down I became nauseated and had to throw up. We all know I’m a professional puker, so you can believe me when I say OMG so bad. It really solidified that whole, “no more babies” thing!
At around one in the morning it became clear to Mike that I was seriously ill, and he emailed my parents to see if they could help me the next morning. He knew I was going to be in no shape to care for the kids, and he had to go to work. THANK GOODNESS my parents were able to come help…especially because Annabel started throwing up around 8am.
So what I’m saying is the days since Christmas have not been some of my favorites.
I feel like the three of us have turned a corner and we’ll be back at full-power soon. While Annie and I were recuperating on the couch, we spent a lot of time looking at the pictures my cousin took of the family on Christmas morning. Despite not being himself, James still had a lovely first Christmas, and Annie and I agree that the pictures of him opening presents are our favorites…especially these:
Annie says, “Look at his cutie face!”
Eating paper, because that is a baby’s job on Christmas.
“This did not taste like I expected, you guys!”
He took present unwrapping very seriously. Here, he went up on one knee for extra leverage.
Annie came over to help him, and as you can see, he was none too pleased.
This picture makes me laugh for hours.
More about Christmas tomorrow…after I get another dozen hours of sleep. Thanks for the flu, Santa.
Jordan says:
We had to postpone Christmas on my Dad’s side of the family due to half of the family getting the regular flu. 2 of my 3 cousins, aunt, dad, and stepmom all got it and it was BAD. My poor stepmom is still down over a week later. So instead of doing my stepmom’s family on Christmas eve and Dad’s family Christmas day, we ended up waiting til Saturday and Sunday. I actually liked it- less stress on everyone to get from house to house (divorced kid problems), and I spent Christmas day NOT getting the flu. Win-win!
Hope y’all are all up to full speed soon!
Jordan says:
going to my stepmom’s- not doing my stepmom’s. That could’ve been awkward. (This is why I shouldn’t read and comment on blogs at 3am)
CyndyBush says:
Dying laughing at that last pic, especially Wrigley’s thought bubble.
I got some sort of flu-like virus for Christmas. I got the flu shot so I’m not calling it the flu. I even got it a little early, which I assume mean Santa hates me a LOT. It lasted till a couple of days after Christmas, for good measure.
I really thought I’d been a good girl this year….
Greis says:
Glad y’all are feeling better!! Love ya!
Sue says:
I hope that all of you are feeling a lot better real soon, Heather.
RzDrms says:
But…but…did you *also* get your sewing machine?!
Heather says:
YES!!! My mom and dad got it for me. SOOOOO excited to set it up!!
Jessica says:
Yikes! Glad you are on the mend!! The flu has been NASTY this year!
Great pictures!! I love the ones with James is sticking his tongue out. And that last one is a crack-up!
Mary Brock says:
I came down with the flu Monday and was quickly joined by my husband, daughter & son! We finally had family over last night to celebrate Christmas and exchange gifts. What a rough week!! Glad you are all feeling better
shannon says:
Your captions on that picture…made me laugh… Especially the Oh Snap. Hope you are feeling better soon!
steph says:
So sorry you all were sick. Our family met up in Florida for holidays. our daughter has flu. Hoping no one else gets it. Omigosh that picture is hilarious!
Alissa says:
This happened to my family Christmas 2012. Baby got stomach bug one week before Christmas. Hubby and FIL got it three days before. We steam cleaned all carpets, wiped down every surface with lysol, wore gloves, the works. Then, I hosted 20 people Christmas day. That night, I got it (thank god for Zofran). Then, 8 people who visited Christmas Day got it. Yay!
What. A. Nightmare. So sorry – I promise by this time next year it will seem funny. Kind of.
Glenda says:
Glad you’re all feeling better!
Thank goodness for parents!
Meg says:
Oh no! Hope you all feel better soon. My sister and I have both nursed wicked colds (not as bad as the flu, I’ll admit!) since Christmas, while my grandparents came down with a stomach flu at the same time. Things were… well, interesting. But we survived the holidays. And yes, the pictures of James are still adorable!
amourningmom says:
I hope that you are all feeling better very soon. Stomach bugs are the worst! Wishing you lots of rest & recovery. xo
roshan says:
Flu or no flu, Jamesie brought his A game to opening presents. Just look at his face! It will be fun to see what he does to all the presents when Annie’s birthday comes along next month.
Norma says:
That last one made me laugh too! So funny, especially Rigby. And your babies…stunningly beautiful, all of them!
Lisa says:
Oh my lord, these pictures are precious! Thank you for sharing a glimpse of your Christmas with us. I’m sorry the past few days have been rough for you, but really glad to hear you’re all starting to feel better. Let’s hope the flu doesn’t visit your house again this season!
jackie says:
I missed your posts those few days! Happy to hear everyone’s on the mend. James looks like Annie in the first serious – present – opening picture. Your caption is hilarious! Also, envy everyone wearing shorts…it’s nice to know it’s warm somewhere!
Paula says:
I’m glad you’re all on the road to mending. I loved that last photo. Cracked me up because I could so hear Rigby saying “Oh snap!” in the raspy voice of Mike.
Glad you got your sewing machine. Excited to see your creations!
Miriam says:
Oh how I have missed your posts, I just assumed it was holidays, not illness.
Love the last picture and the captions, here’s to a wonderful 2014.
Annalisa says:
I got the flu earlier this month. Fun times. No one else home had it, not even the baby. Somehow, my hiding away in our room whenever my husband helped keep the kiddos busy, plus hand washing galore did the trick. I wasn’t sure whether to be bummed I had influenza type A all to myself or glad no one else was shaking like a leaf for days while moaning “I don’t think I’m gonna make it”. It was annoying enough while I was doing it. Sorry you all had a full house of norovirus.