Squeaky Wheel

The thing about your third-born is that she's not the only one in line for your attention. She may have pushed her way to the front of the line for this season, but the other two still need their due.

Miss Boo came home from school last Friday looking and acting sick. Since the stomach flu has been circulating around our small town, we took drastic measures: farm out Rooster to the grandparents, quarantine Boo to the second floor, and stock up on Lysol and Clorox products.

I have never been paranoid about germs, but with our 3-week-old bundle, we have to be real careful not to let her get sick. There's our own sleep to think about, plus the way those tiny ones end up back in the hospital if they can't keep fluids down.

After a single barfing episode Saturday morning, her symptoms were limited to sore throat, cough, and achiness (I can't make that word look right). She stayed home from school Monday for good measure, but acted ready to return.

Tuesday, yesterday, the focus was back on Lulu, who, apparently coincidentally, had three episodes of major spitting up in 24 hours. This from a baby that has hardly spit up at all so far. By the second time, I was starting to wonder if there might be something more serious afoot.

Needless to say, I didn't sleep much last night with this baby who seems to have had an upset tummy for more than a day now. Once Captain and Boo were off for the day, I settled Lu down and went back to bed. For 45 minutes.

It turns out Miss Boo's part in the drama is not over yet. I had to go pick her up from the nurse's office this morning with a temp of 104. She is back in bed now, complaining of an upset stomach.

I shudder as I contemplate that this might be that stomach flu bug. Yuck, yuck, yuck. I think my tummy is starting to hurt, maybe it's only sympathy pain.

Crossing my fingers.