Wednesday, February 13, 2002

When it rains…

This morning started out much the same as the previous two mornings. As usual, I slept in as long as I could get away with and spent the next 20 minutes rushing to get everyone ready to go out the door, Devon washed, brushed and fed, and made sure Devon had all of his school stuff together and ready to go. However, when I went in to get Jenica from her bed, she was covered head to toe in puke. She wasn’t a bit fussy, in fact she seemed quiet content until I picked her up. Then she continued puking all over herself and me. Fun.

Rather than just putting her in the car as is, like I usually do, I was forced to wipe her down as best as possible and get her dressed. As a result, Devon was running late in getting to school. I think he mostly made it on time, but I hate having to rush that much. I will be ever so thankful when this week is finished. Anyhow, as Devon is exiting the vehicle, he exclaims, “I wanted to bring candy in for my class for Valentine’s Day! His look is that of a pathetically heart broken soul. How can I deny him? I contemplate sending my half-full container of tictacs but quickly realize that won’t suffice. Instead, I promise him we’ll get candy when he goes home from school and he can deliver it tomorrow, ON Valentine’s Day.

Jenica was fussy off and on during the day but only spits up once. She convinced me that she needed a banana more than life itself and ate the whole thing. Probably a very good thing as I suspect what wasn’t coming out her mouth would have started coming out the other end. Argh. About the time she was halfway through her banana I realized Sebastian hasn’t had breakfast, and not only that it’s his birthday so I should do something special for him. He requested waffles (thankfully) and I dutifully served them up. It seemed like things were getting better.

Sebastian took care of a grumpy Jenica while I cleaned up the mess she’d made puking on everything. I tried desperately to get her to take a nap for me, but she would have nothing to do with me, instead preferring Sebastian’s company. He offers to cuddle up on the couch and read to her and sure enough, she fell fast asleep.

After transferring her from his poor tired arms to my bed, I decided I might have enough time to nap, too. I’m tired to my very soul. I have been for awhile now, but there’s not much I can do about it. Anyhow, I couldn’t sleep so I decided to read a chapter or two while I waited for my eyes to get heavy and my thoughts dull. The second my head hit the pillow, Jenica was wide awake and in need of wild playtime. It seemed I wouldn’t get my nap. Once again, Sebastian came to my rescue. He convinced Jenica to play peek-a-boo with him in my closet and they did that quietly while I dozed for about 20 minutes. It wasn’t enough to thoroughly rest me, but it was enough to keep me going.

When the time came for Sebastian to get his shoes on so we could get Devon from school, he refused to put his shoes on. At first, I thought it was just because he was getting sleepy and wanted to watch TV, instead. Nope. Not at all. A bit later, he complained of his tummy hurting. I managed to get him dressed well enough to plop him in the car at least and we took off to get Devon. Insert much giggling, screaming, sarcasm, and potty humor and you’ll have my ride back home. How I craved for a nap then, but again… it was not to be.

My husband called, insisting that we should meet up at Red Robin for dinner. I explained that the kids weren’t feeling well, (never mind how exhausted and crappy I felt) and that perhaps it wasn’t a good idea. He grumbled some complaint so in order to appease him, I agreed. All three kids fought as hard as they could but I managed to get them all presentable for a public establishment. Sebastian by this time is curled up in my big chair whimpering that his tummy hurts and Devon is insisting he needs medicine for his headache. My own head feels ready to split open and Jenica won’t stop crying… in tears, I prepare to call to cancel our dinner and insist that he just go alone when suddenly Sebastian decides it won’t be so bad and that he can handle going.

The second we pull into the parking lot he barfs. Daddy had just opened the van door and got covered in puke. Thankfully, I had a change of clothes in the car for Sebastian and TDO was wearing his leather coat, so he was able to mostly clean himself up. At this point, I just want to curl up in the back of the van and sleep for a month. I couldn’t fathom what we were doing there. After a bit of discussion, and at Sebastian’s insistence, we went inside and ordered. Sebastian got up with his daddy on a couple of occasions to go to the bathroom, but they were false alarms. Still, it was obvious we had no business being there. My husband insisted we finish dinner, though. Neither of us ate much, nor did Jenica or Sebastian. Devon ate enough to make up for the rest of us though.

What a sad and pathetic birthday for Sebastian. We did stop by Wal-Mart and pick up a couple of toys he’d been wanting. He was so excited and wanted to play with them as soon as we got home. Instead, I put him straight to bed, along with his big brother. Now Jenica is there and soon TDO will pry his sleeping self from my couch and go to bed, too. I think I ought to head that way, myself.