When Mama Is Sick...

Whew.  What a rough week.

It started out great.  I had grand plans for Ava and me.  We would go out for breakfast.  We'd make afternoon trips to the pool.  Drive up to Noblesville and visit Mamaw and Papaw.  Have play dates with friends.  Go to lunch at Olive Garden and shop at the mall.  Maybe even take a trip to the zoo.

We did manage to check off a few things on my list of adventures.  Monday morning was spent sharing a chocolate chip bagel and yogurt parfait at Panera.  As I sipped my mocha and dipped chunks of our bagel into raspberry cream cheese, it felt special.  A mommy and daughter breakfast date. 

Afterward, we drove across the parking lot to Meijer to complete the grocery shopping.  Ava is a really good girl during grocery trips.  She sits in the cart, swings her legs and quietly watches as I fill the cart with fresh produce, Teddy Grahams and milk.  And when I lean in close to her and smile, she rewards me with a slow grin that seems to say, "This is fun, Mama."  But you wouldn't know that those are her feelings during the majority of the trip.  Most of the time, she looks bored. 


But as her mom, I know she's not bored.  She's very seriously taking everything in, learning about what Mama buys, which aisle the cereal is in and what kinds of people shop for groceries at ten in the morning. (most of them have gray hair) 

Tuesday started out a bit slow.  I didn't feel 100% that morning, but thankfully Ava slept in so I got a little more rest.  Once she was up and dressed, we ate breakfast and quietly played inside as rain pelted on the windows. 

Not wanting to be stuck in the house all day, I called Mamaw and we headed to Bob Evan's for a lunch date.  Ava had a great time!

Things took a turn for the worse once we got home.  I started feeling really achy all over, to the point where Ava was fussing and wanting to be picked up and I just.couldn't.do.it.  And then I sat on the couch and sobbed from pain and frustration and guilt.  Ava quieted down immediately when she saw that I was crying.  I pulled her onto my lap and told her that it was okay, that Mama just wasn't feeling well.  She looked at me intently with her big blue eyes and then gently patted my cheek.  What a sweet baby girl.

The rest of the week passed agonizingly slowly.  My temperature rose steadily to 102.6 one night.  I ached constantly and nothing made it better.  The house became a disaster area as Ava was left (somewhat) to her own devices, playing and scattering toys and dumping things on the floor while I laid on the couch. 

When Mama is sick...snacks are left on the table for little hands to find later.

When Mama is sick...mints suddenly become a fascinating way to spend 15 quiet minutes.

When Mama is sick...two fake plastic cans provide hours of entertainment (literally - she slept with them overnight and carried them around all morning)

When Mama is sick...it's hot dogs with ketchup, mandarin oranges, and peas for dinner.

When Mama is sick...there are messes to be made with alphabet magnets, chocolate pudding, and a roll of paper towels - thankfully not all at the same time!

Sometimes, Mama gets sick.  It happens, and you have to deal with it the best you can...even if that means sobbing uncontrollably while texting your spouse and family members because you need help.  My saving graces were a husband who took off of work early and skipped a charity golf outing so that I could rest and go to the doctor; our garden tub full of lavender bubble bath to somewhat ease the aches and pains; phone calls to my mom, who empathized and said she'd get me anything I needed; and, in a bittersweet way, the weekend to myself as Ava and Jeremy went ahead as planned to visit family in North Manchester.  Two full days of rest, bubble baths, reading, watching TV, and staying in my pjs.  I think that's the best way to end my sick week!