The Joys of Stomach Flu

Why can't someone invent a shot for stomach flu?  I mean for crying out loud they figured it out for the regular flu so what are those slacker scientists waiting for?!?!? 

Here is a summary of my day today:

5:45 Wake up and do some relaxing yoga
6:15-7 Finish up several emails to my customers
7:00 Enter Children's room with a big smile on my face as it is usually my favorite part of the day.  The smile disappers when I am greeted with the umistakable smell of vomit
7:00-7:15 Clean said vomit out of crib, pull out all sheets, toys, pacifiers and begin lengthy clean-up process including opening windows and bringing in fans to air out the smell
7:15 Change disgusting runny diaper and put a pound of Butt Paste on the poor red bottom that has been sitting in diarrhea all night
7:30- Attempt to wrestle milk cup out of toddler's hands since I have now determined he has stomach flu and cannot drink milk
8:00 Scramble around the house in search of items the kids can eat.  It turns out I have no bananas and only one applesauce. 
8:30-10:00 Try to entertain sick children inside the house
10:00 Take children outside to swingset for a change of scenery
10:05 Step in giant pile of dog poop
10:05-10:15 Clean dog poop off shoe
1:00 Put kids down for naps.  As I carry my three year old daughter upstairs she wraps her arms around my neck super tight and whispers in my ear, "Mommy, you're my most favorite Mommy in the whole world."

At that point, I realize I'm lucky that I get to be home with the kids when they're sick.  They need their Mommy when they aren't feeling good.  I still have fond memories of my Mom taking such good care of me when I was sick.  In fact, I remember almost feeling lucky when I was sick because I knew my Mom would pamper me.  And I'm lucky they only have the stomach flu.  It could be much worse because at least they will get better eventually.

So yes, for now I'm grateful...until tomorrow when I have to pull sheets off the bed again that are covered in vomit and little pieces of carrots, bread, etc.  Kids sure can be fun.

Secret Amusements and Heartache of a Working Mom

Yesterday Little Buddy was sick.  He didn't feel good and he needed his Mommy.  I wanted to cuddle and hold him and make him feel better.  Instead I had to drive 6 hours in the car to an important customer meeting in an attempt to salvage my big deal of the year.  Since I'm in sales, I'm really feeling the pressure that always comes at the end of the year. 

I'm lucky because I have a nanny so I don't have to cancel important meetings when the kids are sick.  On the other hand, there is nothing more excruciating than having to worry about your son's cough when you're 200 miles away.  Frankly, my nanny probably has it the worst because I have to pry my hands away from phone to keep myself from calling every 10 minutes to check up on everyone.  How is he?  Is he crying?  Does it seem like Munchkin Girl is sick too?  Does he still have a fever?  What is it?  Have you given him Advil?

Poor girl.  I don't know how she puts up with me.  To combat this nervous energy while I was stuck in the car, I decided to find ways to amuse myself.  I had to stop at a gas station on the way down to pee.


Look closely.  The soap dispensers have been removed for unknown reasons.  Instead, they placed a mysterioius blue liquid into a catsup bottle and placed it on top of the counter.  I opted for Purrell at this location.


Okay, I'm sorry.  Maybe I have a dirty mind, but why can't they just change the name of this franchise?  Does it really have to be KUM & GO???!!??



This was an advertisement for a tech center.  Frankly, I thought this was pretty clever marketing.


I had to pee again on the way home, so I tried to pick a classier gas station.  I was fooled.  Check out this sign, taped to the lock.  Very comforting.  Oh, so the door DOES lock...


Just in case you were smoking at the gas station, here is where you put your cigarette butt.  Nicely labeled.


By this time, the nanny had taken Little Buddy to the doctor and they put him on some oral steroids to help his breathing.  Mommy likes medicine so I was happy.  My meeting went well, but it was a long day in the car being stressed about Little Buddy.  I decided to treat myself to an ice cream cone from MacDonald's.  I heard they only have 80 calories.  At least that's what I tell myself in order to rationalize an ice cream cone at 2:00 in the afternoon.

I pulled up to the window and ordered. 

"I'm sorry Ma'am, we don't have vanilla ice cream cones."

"What," I almost screamed.  I really did feel almost frantic.  "Are you serious?  Did McDonald's discontinue ice cream cones???"

"Ma'am you're at Wendy's not McDonald's."

Oops.  Mommy needs a vacation.