My poor little guys! This weekend Oliver and Milo came down with seemingly different illnesses on Saturday night- Milo a stomach bug which had him running to the bathroom every 10 minutes or so for 7 hours straight, and Oliver a high fever and just general listlessness. It was eerily quiet in the house on Sunday, two little boys who are usually so rambunctious staring silently at the ceiling for hours at a time, waiting it out patiently.
They were both just such troopers, though. Andrew, who was up all night with Milo, remarked that he did not complain or whine or cry once; rather, he was stoic and even polite (saying “excuse me” kindly when someone was in the way of his vomiting destination), quietly taking it and going back to bed over and over and over again. He seems to accept occasional illness as a part of life and understands that it will be over soon. I could take a lesson from him. Oliver was so good too, polite and only requesting the occasional snuggle or sip of soda (such a treat, as we don’t usually have it in our house, it was the only thing Milo could keep down Sunday). Might I venture to say that they are actually quite pleasant when sick? 
Outside, signs of spring are everywhere. It is still unseasonably cool, but none of us are up for the outdoors right now anyway. In fact, I have found that the warm air only entices me to forget my resting orders and push too hard. It happens surprisingly easily.
Andrew has been amazing. I can’t even express my gratitude, but to give you an idea, he has been doing everything- the laundry, the cleaning, most of the cooking, the yard work, the childcare, taking Milo to circus class, the shopping, the nighttime duties with the kids. He cleaned our basement (I can’t even begin to explain the magnitude of this…) and put up extra shelving. He did all of this on basically no sleep. I feel useless. Not being able to lift means I can’t carry groceries in by myself, or haul laundry baskets up and down the stairs. I can’t pull a heavy pot out of the oven without feeling pain shoot through my abdomen. I have to let him do everything, and it makes me feel fragile and helpless. It is not a feeling I am used to, or that I like at all.
Three weeks out now, after my appendix burst, here we are. I had no idea recovery would be this slow. “The hole” as Andrew calls it, the open incision he packs with gauze, is closing up nicely. There is progress, there is! Patience, and I will heal. I will get back on a trapeze… maybe?… in two months. Two months! It is frustrating to be so happy with my body and strength, proud of what I could do and what I was building on, only to have all that work stripped away, my muscles atrophied, my body winded after walking up a flight of stairs, grabbing onto the banister for support every time. 
In other news, Emil. Back to normal, feeling like his old self, he is an animated chatterbox we all adore. This weekend he insisted on wearing big boy undies (which he puts on all by himself) and my clogs around the house. It will be amazing and wonderful when we no longer have diapers in this house!
Happy Monday.
Hope everyone feels better soon, Lauren! I may have missed this but will your “hole” just heal on it’s own??
“Puke happens” as Jack told me once. Boy, was he ever right. Sending you healing and health. Spring is almost here. Burn some sage!!
Oh, man, Alejandra, I know, it’s so weird! Yes, apparently the hole will close on its own. It’s kind of amazing!
And yes, Maggie, puke happens. So lovely to see your shining face this morning. Sage might not be a bad idea!
Ugh sorry you got more sickness too over there, but it sounds like you’ve really got some good sports. We are far less gracious in illness over here!
It does sound like such a challenge to have to limit yourself and focus on healing, and frustrating that it comes just when you were in such a good place physically. I can’t imagine, but you will heal and I’m sure emerge with an even deeper appreciation and respect for your body. What an ordeal! Some good luck has to be in store for you guys.
I “leave” for a month and THIS happens?! Oh my goodness! I have been reading your blog for a couple years and love listening to your ruminations on family life and after having my first baby boy last year, I’ve been stuck to your blog like glue (you have three, so I am taking notes)! This past month hasn’t left much time for my reading habit, so I’ve missed so much. I came back to catch up and was shocked and so very sad to hear of your hospital stay. Thoughts of you, dear semi-stranger, are in my heart.
I’ve been meaning to comment – I feel like we are living parallel lives of (slightly impatient) healing and restrictions. I feel like I’m turning to complete jelly.
I was worried about you all during the storms. We took shelter that morning and that evening. I can’t navigate the basement stairs yet, so I huddle down on the first floor and hope for the best. My oldest started throwing up in the basement during the early morning tornado run – sickness always seems to come on top of stressful days / weeks / months.
Continued healing wishes for you. I completely understand the impatience, and also completely understand the tremendously helpful (and exhausting) role your husband has stepped into. I keep getting cards and little pick-me-up treats in the mail – when this is all over, and I can walk again and drive and climb stairs, I think my husband needs some time off, and some rejuvenation of his own!
Angela, thank you for commenting! It’s always good to hear from people, and even nicer to know that we are all connected somehow online… such a great community, and I feel so lucky to be on the other end of well-wishes. Thank you!
Kristin, what a fiasco! Throwing up during a tornado drill?! That was a really scary night. Glad you all are okay as well. Hang in there, we’re going to get through this crappy time!
I’m so glad you’re healing, although I know how frustrating it can be to wait it out before pushing yourself! I hope everyone is mended and well again, and yay for signs of Spring! Warm weather is coming our way. And I think once school is out we should probably get to the business of meeting somewhere around STL and have our kiddos run and play together. Deal?
Yes, Ruthie! I would love that! I keep seeing your pictures of your outings around St. Louis and thinking how funny it would be to run into you- it seems that we frequent all the same places. A meeting when school is out is a great idea!