Like the above newspaper-like heading reads, BellaRose did contract the flu (most likely from her cousins/aunt; they're forgiven) and had a bout of vomiting lasting 6 hours last night.
I was at a friends house when I got a call about BellaRose horking like she never has before. Her mother entered her room, due to ominous sounds of discomfort by Bella, only to find copious amounts of hork in her crib. After sitting with her for a bit it seemed she might be feeling better when just then, round two of 20 individual vomiting sessions commenced. I was still not home et so her Omi came up and helped out with the regergitating child. Finally, I arrived to the scene of the incident and helped comfort my darling child and relieve my wonderful wife of her vomit duties. We both sat with BellaRose for quite awhile, through numerous bouts of sickness, until finally we thought it best for at least one of us to get some rest while the other nurses the poor child back to health. Since mom had been with her in the beginning, I opted to stay up with her. Letting her rest in my loving arms, BellaRose had a few more episodes of illness before finally giving up the ghost and falling asleep due to pure exhaustion. In fact, we both fell asleep in the easychair for a bit before moving to the couch. At about 3 am, Lizzie came out to get us since Bella hadn't been sick for an hour or so and we layed her down in her crib and called it a night. Oh, and what a night it was. I had this ominous feeling that this was only the first of many nights like this, where mom and dad have to comfort a sick child until they fall asleep in your arms and then you have to clean up their "mess". Nothing makes you feel more like a parent than instances such as this.
I felt bad for the poor kid. You could tell she really hated getting sick like that and who doesn't. Lord knows I don't like the taste of stomach acid that lingers for awhile. And to be puking for that long, one can sympathize with her for being so upset. But she slept good and this morning we weren't quite sure what to expect. We are pleasantly surprised, however, with her demeanor thus far.
Since she woke up this morning she has been in high spirits, as playful and as chatty as any other day of the week. Her appetite as well was good and she was equally as thirsty too, which can be expected for a girl who vacated her stomach of all its contents the night before. I tried to make sure her breakfast was at a nice slow pace and it contained easy-on-the-stomach foods. She did real well and after breakfast was ready to take on the world. Later I gave her a bath since I was certain she had some remnants on her person from the night before. She much enjoyed that too, which she always does, and after getting dried off and dressed she was ready for her "nap". This one, however, would certainly be longer than normal to make up for lost hours. She is still asleep now, making this a 3 hour nap and counting. She needs it, even if it will mess up her schedule for today. If she makes it till 4ish she might not need another nap until bedtime. We shall see.
So, the scare of the flu bug may be over though it may come on stronger in the evenings. Only time will tell. I certainly hope she is overit. Nobody deserves to endure horking of that magnitude or scale, especially not a 22lb, 14-month old darling baby girl with eyes like diamonds and a smile that could melt even the coldest of hearts. I guess I'm a little partial. I'm allowed to be. I'm her dad.
