Thursday, February 12, 2009

Those Fateful Words

"He's been so good today." I'm not even kidding when I tell you that every single time these words are uttered about my son, he turns up sick the next day. When he starts feeling bad it just dials his strong will down a few notches and makes him a bit more compliant.

Last night when Curt got home from Wednesday night church, he said those fateful words to me. I thought it was strange because Jackson had really been a handful all day. I'd told Curtis that morning that he'd probably need to have me committed by the day's end. So I was quite surprised and, honestly, a little dismayed that he'd been so good for his dad. Why, WHY, does he have to be so ornery with his loving mother who birthed him from her very own body three short years ago?

So this morning after I fed Annabeth, I went into Jackson's room because I could hear him talking. When I walked in I saw him covered in something gross. It took me a minute to figure out whether I was looking at poop all over his legs and sheets or puke. When I saw his face, crusted over with vomit, my heart sank. He had gotten sick in the night and somehow it did not wake him up. I have no idea how that happened.

Thankfully, that one episode was all it was. In the morning he had plenty of energy and wouldn't stop asking me for food and juice. I felt so bad, but all I gave him was crackers and a little water. By nap time he really did seem sick, but there was no more throwing up. Then he slept three hours. Bless his heart.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't spend a good part of the day obsessing about how much I hope this doesn't spread to Curtis, Annabeth and me. But I realized that the last time the stomach virus visited our family was exactly one year ago, right before Melissa's wedding. That is something to be thankful for. Granted, I did pay some major dues with all my morning sickness last summer.

Annabeth is having her first fussy evening, right as we sit down to watch The Office. So I must go. But before I do, I have to acknowledge that today is/was my due date. I'm so thankful not to still be pregnant on this day. And I'm so, so, so thankful to have that little sprite already here in her swing in my living room, even if she does fuss all through our favorite show.

35 comments:

Marla Taviano said...

Oh! Ugh! So sorry about the puke!! We haven't had it here in almost a year either. Lord, please, may it never return!

Little Sprite. I love it! So sweet!

Fran said...

OH MY WORD! Poor Jackson. My youngeest, Dylan who is 8, got sick like that MANY times on Christmas Eve. He wouldn't come down to tell us because he was afraid of seeing Santa Claus. Poor baby just got rid of it all, all night long, by himself. Broke my heart. Right there on Christmas morning.

I'm praying that noone else gets it. You are such a good, good momma.

Love,
Fran

lori said...

Awe, sending prayers up for Jackson and for it to not go to anyone else

Beth Herring said...

Amanda - I just got through reading your birth story - every word! I loved it. I don't really know how I got here, but when I first started reading about Jackson and Annabeth, I was like "wow,that's Amanda's kids names, too" THen I saw your picture and was like, oh, wow!

I am so glad I found your blog. You are so delightful. I myself have another grandbaby coming in 7 weeks! Number 5 for me and I am only 46!

Many blessings on you and your family,
Beth

Keri said...

There is nothing in this world like "Mother Guilt". I have had a good dose of that this week as my son went into surgery for something I should have had checked over a year ago. Thank God the surgeon told me that it would have been just as bad a year ago......I very much needed to hear that!

You are a good mom.....I just feel bad that you had to clean all that up!! Yuck!!

Unknown said...

Poor Jackson...I'll be praying healing and protection over your whole household from this awful "bug." I am not sure, but I think my sister-in-law said that her immunity was up more after birth because she needs to pass that on to the baby, but the baby is really vulnerable - So I'll pray double duty for the Princess Annabeth, Curtis and even Jackson so he is not visited again.

As to your question why Jackson is so ornery for his mother who birthed him just three short years ago and not for others... Well, it is because we love our firstborns so stinking hard and long that they know who loves them so unconditionally that we will occasionally give up! Not really, but the truth is - children usually can get away with a lot more ornery with Mommas (talk about gracious) than with any other human being on earth except for maybe Grandmas and not lose an ounce of that precious thing we call Momma love.

Enjoy every second... They slip away all too quickly my friend. They do. Blessings and love, M

Ashley McWhorter said...

Two little words for that sweet little Annabeth...Gas Medicine or Gripe Water (I guess that is more than two little words.:) ) Anyway...will work wonders!!

Moose Mama said...

Praying that Jackson will not be too sick for too long... and certainly that no one else will get sick.

I thought of you today and that this was your due date as we celebrated my husband's birthday tonight. Glad you didn't have to wait till today to meet your sweet little princess.

Melana

Smelling Coffee said...

So sorry about the tough day with Jackson!

The pictures on your LPM post were adorable. My son was 20 months old when my daughter was born and those midnight feedings when it was just Abigail and me, alone in the quiet of her room, are some of my most precious memories of her babyhood. I would do just like you're doing - even after she was asleep, I would hold her, study her, and pray for her.

What a precious family God has given you. I am praying for you.

Big Mama said...

Bless your heart. I'm going to pray that the stomach bug will pass the rest of you by.

Annabeth probably knew The Office was going to be kind of lame tonight.

The Ugly Beautiful said...

I too love the office and in my opinion, it wasn't good tonight anyways. Your wee one is adorable! Congrats! :)

Andreea said...

Poor little guy! And poor mommy. I hope he feels better soon.

Anonymous said...

Girrrrrrrl! I've been there with Ella. Except it was in Midland on the morning we were planning to drive (8 hours) home to Houston. Yeah, she threw up an hour and a half into the trip on the way home (too late to turn around). And then twice more before we arrived. MERCY! I've never prayed more for survival in my life. I'm praying protection, rest and covering for you all. - Emily

Kim said...

Hang in there! I think that dealing with throw up, with young ones, is one of my least favorite mothering jobs. At least Jackson was able to sleep through it. Pray the rest of your family stays healthy and this was the only episode for Jackson.

Mel @ Studio MCA Designs said...

You could be describing my oldest. She was always so good when she was sick. Even though, I did not like for her to be sick, I was thankful for the compliant behavior. My mom could not stand it when "she was just not herself". She also played hard and slept hard, and often slept right through the vomiting, bedwetting, etc.

Praying for protection over the rest of the family, especially that precious little one.

Three Fold Cord said...

Amanda,
We have the bug too. Puke all over the van and my 2 1/2 yo as well. You are not alone. I am so sorry. I hope you don't get it. I didn't and neither did the baby. Praise the Lord.

As for fussing through our fav show...been there, done that and I am sure to do it again. Micheal and Holly sittin' in a tree, oh how I hope it comes to be! They are stinkin hilarious together.

Love all the pics from the previous post. she is so tiny! My little girl was 6lbs. That coming home outfit did me in...precious!

katiegfromtennessee said...

Little Momma, Jackson got the bug? Not good. Boo. Poor little guy. I pray that it does not spread to you or Curtis or Annabeth! You did pay your dues last summer, didn't you? (feeling for you:)

Blessings, love in HIM, and ((HUGS)),

katiegfromtennessee

Gayle @ thewestiecrew said...

Poor, sweet little Jackson. :( I hate tummy bugs and it always breaks my heart when the little ones get it.

I'm hoping that all the little germies leave y'all alone, too.

JottinMama said...

The same thing happened to my little one in the middle of the night about a year ago - I felt so bad for him. And that nasty tummy virus hit our house a few weeks ago - and I'm sooo thankful it is gone. I was obsessed with hand sanitizer before - but you should see me now!

I'm praying no one else in your family gets sick :)

Blessings,
Kate :)

Mary H. said...

Bless his heart and yours. I pray that you, Annabeth and Curtis do not get the bug.

I just have one child. Reading your blog amazes me. I can't even imagine a baby and an almost three year old.

Hope you have a wonderful Friday.
Blessings

Patty said...

Oh Amanda! I am praying that God protects the rest of you and that Jackson will feel better today!

Love,
Patty

petrii said...

Poor Jackson =( Bless his heart!! The stomach flu is just the worst on little tikes. Hope he is feeling better and hope ya'll don't get it. In fact prayed for that very thing for ya'll this morning before I read this post. Isn't God good!!!

Have a Blessed day,
Dawn

Lauren said...

I AM SO GLAD HOLLY IS BACK IN THE PICTURE! I missed her!

Oh man, I feel bad for poor Jackson. Yuck.

Allison said...

Poor Jackson. I hope that he feels better and pray that it does not spread to the rest of you!

Nesha said...

Praying that the bug will pass on by! My youngest is home sick today with croup and high fever. He climbed on my lap to watch some TV and fell asleep. I decided to move us over to the desk so I can hold him and do computer stuff. But, before I did move I studied him. I love to study my boys when they don't know that I am, especially sleeping. This son has blond everything: hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, the fuzz down his face and arms; I love taking it all in. Then, I read your post on the LPM blog and about Jackson's eyelashes and Annabeth's lips, oh, a mother's love and joy.

Lindsee said...

1) The Office was hilarious. I so hope you got to enjoy it! Blews yourself today by either watching an hour of T.V. or taking an hour long nap. ;) (You know, in honor of a new baby.)

2) That awful virus is awful. Praying for peace of mind for you (I am the exact same way) and that it stops at Jackson.

Lindsee said...

So, I just read the other comments about The Office. Maybe I am just easily entertained?? Who knows, but I had a good laugh!

Heather said...

Oh, poor things! I HATE the stomach virus!!! Hope Jackson is feeling better and that the rest of you are spared!

Swan Family said...

Oh no!! I'm so sorry...those times are never fun!

Marc and Charity said...

Thank you Amanda! I'm miserable, as you can imagine!! Ugh. And wondering if they got my due date wrong?!? At least that is what I keep telling myself. Ha.

I hope Jackson feels better soon and it does not spread. There is nothing worse to me than cleaning up someone else's vomit and the other! Even if it is our precious children's. Eeewww.

Hope you are getting at least a bit of sleep!
Charity

Lauren said...

Awww, poor guy. Hope he gets to feeling better!!!!

Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife said...

Oh poor girl... If it makes you feel any better, my second boy was asleep was in my bed last night, woke out of a dead sleep, leaned over the edge and barfed huge right in my running shoes. I was just thankin' the Lord he missed my purse that was wide open and only inches away.

Glad Jackson is feeling better and praying a germ-resistant bubble around that precious baby. (I've always heard babies can't get viruses? Is that true?)

Steph V said...

Amanda, JD did the exact same thing last Wednesday. He woke up and was complained that his stomach hurt. He laid around for about 20 minutes and then threw up. After that he was fine and wanted to eat and drink everything in site. I too only allowed him to have juice and graham crackers. I finally gave in a couple hours later and he was perfectly fine. How odd!!!

Anonymous said...

My daughter had her 11th birthday yesterday, complete with a slumber party. One girl had too much pizza, lemonade and cake and did the projectile vomiting all over the bathroom. Bless her heart, she was just short of lifting the toilet lid. Umm, yeah. She held a lot of birthday party goodness in that little tummy of hers!!

I'll pray none of the rest of you catch Jackson's bug :-)

Anonymous said...

Poor guy... throwing up sick is the worst!!!