Flu or Candy Overload?

Unfortunately, whether AJ's enormous vomiting episode last night was a result of too much candy eaten at the pack meeting or a case of the flu....the result is the same. We are taking it easy today. And considering he hasn't been acting sick this morning, I can't complain too much. Sometimes easy days are extremely welcome. Granted, when I was scrubbing the carpet last night 9alongside my husband, by the way), or washing behind AJ's ears in the bathtub, or rinsing vomit out of 5 towels, I don't think I was feeling very grateful. But today, in the after-math....we're doing ok.

I did have one chance to laugh last night, and as a mother I felt compelled to share, despite the fact that I have to use the word vomit and throw up more than once. As I was cleaning AJ in the tub, Necco asked me where my camera was. A few minutes later, I found her taking pictures of Daddy, wiping vomit off his own clothes. He looked up at me and said, "This is the worst and the most any of our kids have EVER thrown up." I calmly said, "No, I've had worse."

The funny part was that he didn't believe me. As much as I tried to tell him that I had seen worse, and that I had, indeed, had more vomit on me than he had on himself at the time....he didn't believe me.

I realized that I rarely have to deal with that kind of mess anymore. What a wonderful thing, to have children old enough to recognize those tummy rumblings and walk themselves to the bathroom before ruining the carpet or couch. I certainly don't miss dirty diapers and babies who throw up uncontrollably.

But, believe me, I have done my time. Last night was not the worst. How many mornings have I gotten up and said to CandyMan, "Boy, that was a rough night...." after spending hours changing bed sheets in the half dark, comforting a sick child in the bathroom, only to hear, "Oh, really? What happened last night?"

CandyMan is a wonderful dad and husband. I mean no disrespect. But a mother's job is just different. It will always be different. And I will continue to be the one wiping up the vomit, drying the tears, and changing the beds. I wouldn't have it any other way.