House of the Unhealthy

What a week for the Davis household. Sunday was a great neighborhood playday. All the kids from our court came over to hang out, and even the Dads were involved! The fact that it was the off-week before the Super Bowl certainly helped. It was a great day (into the night) and all the kids seemed to enjoy the company.

Monday began normally, but by the end of Charlie's day, it seemed obvious that she was a little off. Monday night, she began vomiting and had a fever that was getting worse. We were all up all night trying to help Charlie be comfortable and at least get a few hours rest. Remember... this really is only the second time she's been sick in 14 months.

Tuesday began as normally as possible, considering we all only had 2-3 hours of sleep. Beck went to work after Charlie went down for her morning nap. I took the opportunity to catch up on some work, and make a doctor's appointment for Charlie that afternoon. Her fever was getting worse (102.9) and we didn't want her to get too dehydrated. We didn't want to take any chances. The doctors went well, and Charlie's fever broke Tuesday evening.

Tuesday night, and Wednesday morning were normal, but at some point after lunch, Beck suddenly started feeling ill herself. I was 2 hours away in Frederick when I listened to a message saying she had been throwing up all afternoon and had to ask her Mom to come and watch Charlie while she laid down.

I called back and got the update. Beck was in bed, and unable to move, throwing up in a bucket, and having violent cramps in her stomach. Obviously we were concerned for our unborn baby's health as well, so by the time I got home, we decided to go to the ER.

Our friends Kristie and Yaphet came over to hold down the fort while Charlie slept at home, and Beck and I raced to the hospital. During the ride, I began feeling a little queasy myself.

During Beck's triage, I suddenly was overcome and had to run through the ER halls to find a bathroom to throw up and get a splash of cold water on my face. I seemed to be only a few hours behind Beck with this stomach ailment.

Thankfully, Beck's Mom arrived at the hospital to help. With Beck safe and getting IV fluids, I had to go lie in the waiting room (for the padded chairs). The doctors wanted to get some fluids into Beck before checking the baby's heartbeat and see if the contractions would stop. Meanwhile, I had to go lie in my truck in the parking lot with the heat blasting.

With everything under control in Beck's room at about 11:00pm, I knew I absolutely had to get some sleep. I decided, if I were going to get home, it had to be now or I was going to have to spend the night in the hospital too.

Beck's Mom was comfortable that the doctors were going to release Beck within an hour or two, and said she would drive her home, so I made a break for it. I can't remember much of the drive. Scary to say, but I was so focused on just making it home, that it went by in a blur.

When I got home at about 11:30, I told my buddy Yaphet thanks for sitting with Charlie, and asked him to let himself out... I HAD to get to bed.

The next thing I know, it was 1:45am and I hadn't heard from Beck's Mom. I reached her phone, and she said everything was fine, and they were discharging her as we spoke. They didn't get home until 2:45am.

Thursday was a bit more peaceful, but still a day of recovery. Beck and I both tried to sneak naps in between shifts with Charlie, and by the end of the day, when Charlie went to bed, we both were finally able to eat a little bit of toast and cereal.

Friday (today), we all seem to be back on track. My body is still very sore and drained from the wretching and not eating. Beck feels the same, but is back to work today, the little bulldog that she is. Charlie and I are having our normal Daddy/Daughter Friday.

With another little one on the way, it is SO hard to imagine how in the world we'd be able to handle all of this with TWO babies in the house. My buddy Yaphet always says, "you just adapt... you have to." I suppose that's right.