Barf

A few rules of parenting:
1) Children will always seek out their parents when they are about to throw up. They feel bad and are scared. They need comfort.
2) Children are unable to vocalize they are about to get sick. They don't have the experience to understand what is about to happen.
3) Children always get sick in the middle of the night. Therefore, they are going to get sick when you are asleep, usually on you, which means usually on your bed.
4) Children get sick without any warning in behavior, usually following a big dinner or lots to drink, guaranteeing a spectacular BARF! when the moment comes.


Between the cats, potty training Will and the previous times he's been sick, we've been sleeping on waterproof mattress pads for the last year. If layered properly under a regular mattress pad, I never notice. Heck, it's been pointed out that I can sleep on concrete. Any possible discomfort from such bedding is paid for in spades when evenings like tonight come about.

I don't remember Will coming in our room or getting in bed with us. I simple woke up when he threw up on me. We're well drilled. Emily came around the bed and picked him up. I went to the bathroom, removed my soaked, chunky shirt and got a washcloth ready. After wiping myself down, I cleaned the washcloth and gave it to Emily, who had stripped Will by now. I then stripped the bed, noting what now needed to be washed and thankful he missed dry-clean-only items like feather pillows or our duvet.

Ten minutes after the "eruption," we are settled back down. The mattress has once again been saved and the only problem remaining is some extra laundry tomorrow (today). One of us snuggles down with Will, surrounded with towels and a bucket on the couch downstairs. Emily drew that duty this time around. I'll be asleep again very soon, and I'll need it because a sick toddler really has a way of wiping out any parental sleep as well. I simply was impressed enough with us that I felt our wider audience would love a post at 3:45 in the morning. Vegas has set the over/under until the next time at 2 1/2 hours, so I'll need the sleep. I'm taking the under.

Categories: Personal, Will