the swine flu can't get us

because Mr. Mononucleosis has taken up residence instead.  3 of the 4 kids have been hit with mono and I refuse to name names as their social lives may be jeopardized. 

Actually, they all have the ok to be at school and to interact with other humans their only no no is sharing cups, water bottles and things of that nature as well as eating utensils - this will put a damper on their day to day life as they share eating utensils all day with their friends, it's the thing kids do nowadays.

He-that-shall-not-be-named to spare social repercussions does have a swollen spleen because of this mono jive and has been benched from sports for a month.  It's always warms a mothers heart to hear the doctor say something about an enlarged spleen followed by you don't want to get hit by a ball or player because it will cause internal bleeding.  Does the doctor realize I have TWO boys that do more damage to each other than any soccer player or ball.

So that's our story.  Please don't shun us when you see us out in public - come talk to us, shake our constantly wash hands, hug us - just back away from our eating utensils.  As much as you may want to share our fork we have to follow doctors orders.

playing hookie

It's time for some blog catch up...

A few weeks ago Nate woke up in the middle of the night complaining about some pain in his knee.  It still hurt in the morning (and he never complains about being sick or hurt unless he really is) so we kept him home.  The pain never got better and he was having a really difficult time walking.  This made for a fun day since we still have no downstairs bathroom and I had to somehow get him upstairs to use the "facilities".  It was a bit of a nightmare so it was off to the doctor's office to see what was up.

We were told he had strained some muscle in his leg fairly badly and he should stay off his leg and use crutches when necessary until Friday - if it still hurt on Friday bring him back in. This was not good news since it was on Monday and the thought of keeping a child home all week that was not feeling sick did not appeal to me.  I could already hear the "I'm bored" comments. At least when they are throwing up or have a fever they don't complain or whine much.  Yes, that is my sympathetic mothering skills speaking.

Long story short...we got him on crutches he stayed home 2 more days and by Wed. afternoon he was running around out back and jumping off walls.  And for the two days of non sick school skipping...all I can say is thank you to all the japanese animators that created Pokemon.

denise baker reporting

(dramatic music plays)

(announcer) "Flu Watch 2007"

(anchorman) "Denise, what can you tell us about the latest flu developments?"

(top paid, gorgeous reporter Denise Baker) "Well, we had a bit of a calm in the flu storm last night. Nathan spent a horrible day throwing up but ended the evening well with a small cup of chicken soup and jello. He managed to get some much needed rest and kept the food down. Everyone here at (dramatic music plays) "Flu Watch 2007" had our fingers crossed and with the rising sun this morning felt good about the worst being over.

But as all our viewers know, Chuck things can take a turn quickly. So, the violence continues. Nathan has again begun to throw up. Professionals have been called but they all respond the same, "It's going around right now, there is nothing we can do for him." All they can offer is this advice, "Watch for dehydration and if you see the signs get him to the ER."

We will continue to monitor this situation here at (dramatic music plays) "Flu Watch 2007" We will let you know of any changes. Chuck, back to you in the newsroom."

#5

Need I say more?!?!?!

and still contiunues

The vomit count here at our household at 4:29 pm...

Nate - 4 and still the reigning champ! If he can't start to keep some stuff in his tummy I think we will need to make a visit to the doctor tomorrow.

and continues

Vomit on aisle 3 - clean up!

The violence continues (and it does sound violent, trust me) 9:41 am, second one of the day.

the vomit report continues

Nate woke up and immediately ran for the bathroom to throw up - stop the insanity!

the vomit report

Here is the latest, because I know you all are dying to know who has been throwing up.

Nate continues to be the master thrower upper. He had his head in the toilet again at 9:42 tonight. He is not keeping anything down - I'm sure the pintos and cheese from Taco Bell didn't help. He swore to us that he was feeling better and he seemed to be doing fine so against our better parental judgement we gave in. It seemed like a good call since there was no way Derek or I could stomach cooking and we are way to stinky and greasy to walk into a grocery store for soup (and yes, we are still in our jammies) Driving through and having some one hand us food sounded good. Tomorrow I am going to have to will myself to the store to get soup, jello, popsicles and ginger ale (after I shower, of course)

The rest of us are dragging along. Emily has started to feel worse tonight - we are keeping our fingers crossed that it turns out to be nothing.

To quote Luke he feels "awesome". I will be shocked if he escapes this.

I mentioned in my last post that Dave's family and Grammy got hit as well, but it gets worse...Jodi and Deanne (Derek's cousins) were here visiting from Utah for Christmas. They had Sunday dinner at Grammy's along with us and Dave's family. Once we all got sick we called Deanne to see how she and her family were doing - all were well. We didn't bother Jodi since she and her family were spending Christmas at Disneyland. Deanne hadn't heard from her so we figured all was well. Wrong!

Jodi's family spent Christmas day at Disneyland by going on one ride and then spent the rest of the day with various family members sick. They even braved the drive home to Utah with people throwing up.

Still not sure why Santa felt compelled to share this with all of us but at least we have a Christmas to remember. Here's to Deanne's family and Luke...stay healthy!

have yourself a sickly little christmas

Not only did Santa bring a Wii for Christmas he seems to have also brought the stomach flu.

Emily started off the festivities Christmas morning around 4am with a trip to the toilet to throw up (I think she was the only kid to make it to the toilet - good thing we have plans to rip out our carpet and get new flooring)

Nate was next and the poor kid had a miserable Christmas - he continued to throw up the whole day. He felt better this morning and tried eating but it didn't go over well - two trips to the bathroom after eating.

Derek and I didn't feel great in the morning but figured it was because we were tired - wrong! He and I ended up staying in bed nearly the whole day, except for the time spent hugging the toilet. My brother and sister-in-law were here and I felt so guilty for abandoning them - we weren't exactly the best hosts. I hope they don't get the gomboo.

Megan was ok for most of the day but by the evening she wasn't feeling 100% I think it was about 1:30 this morning that she began to pay her respects to the toilet gods. It is now 12:20 pm and she is still sleeping.

Lucky little Luke is happy and healthy and we are hoping he continues to be.

Santa also remembered Uncle Dave's family and Grammy Baker - instead of enjoying Christmas dinner together at Grammys we all spent the day in isolation at our homes.

We look wonderful today sporting sleep hair and wearing jammies we have been in since Christmas Eve. We are hoping that there are never more then three of us needing the bathroom at one time - that might be a problem. We are looking forward to enjoying our Christmas presents when we feel better.

Hope you all had a healthy and wonderful Christmas.