Getting worse before it gets better

There’s something in the air around here. A lot of things. Not only is the flu going around, but now it seems Ella may have a virus – the foot, hand and mouth disease.

It sounds so terrible. But after learning a little bit about it, and talking to some experienced grandmas at work, it’s pretty common. Kinda like the measles. It involves spots that turn into blisters that can be painful. It’s a virus too, so you can’t do anything about it. You just have to let it take it’s course.

My sister found out her kid had it on Sunday, Mother’s Day. I felt so bad, she had to miss the dinner at my house and poor Finn, he’s got another ailment. I noticed two little blisters on Ella’s foot yesterday, but all day I wasn’t sure if that was really it or just from her shoes. So I wasn’t sure what to do. Should I make arrangements for Ella to be home all week? It’s my busiest week ever! Also I missed on Friday due to her fever … which is a beginning symptom of this virus. Hmmm. Another sign she has it.

That night when I gave her a bath I noticed faint little spots on her legs. Yep, it’s in the mail. She was a little grouchy yesterday too. And Finn was the same way. At one point at the grocery store I had to let her stand in the grocery cart to appease her. She stood on the waffles and was taking things out of bags. But I didn’t care anymore.

I am so worried about passing it to the other kids at the sitter’s too. One of the babies is the nephew of the sitter and the whole family is in a wedding this weekend. I would feel awful if some of their family had to miss it because of this.

So we have a game plan if she does in fact have it. My husband and I are basically going to take turns working … I’m going to try to work 2 day shifts and 2 night shifts and he’ll do the opposite.

I never really knew that kids get sick so often. Now that I think about it, I do remember several unfortunate puking incidents growing up and my mom coming to pick my up from school quite a few times … I guess it’s one more reason to appreciate my mom this mother’s day.