No matter how careful I was with the antibacterial wipes, or avoiding door handles, or pressing crosswalk (zebra crossing) buttons only with my knuckles, I still contracted a nasty bug that knocked me out for nearly three days. The sickness was a stomach flu of some sort and the worst one I can ever remember having.
Wednesday evening it all started and I thought it would go away throughout the night, like most sicknesses do, but I woke up on Thursday and could barely move. Before Jackson, I would have had to call off of work, feeling guilty about not going in, but knowing I wouldn't have physically made it to Preston on the bus. But now even though I'm on maternity leave, I felt really guilty because I had to ask Lee to stay home from work to look after Jackson and he's never called off of work for sickness. I knew that I wouldn't be able to play with Jackson or do anything for him other than feed him, so it was completely necessary that someone stayed at the house with me that day. Unfortunately, Lee had to stay off of work on Friday, too. Of course on Monday, he has a review at work so I'm sure it doesn't look too great taking two days off; but I didn't want Jackson to just lay around all day and in the long-run, two unscheduled days away from work in a year isn't detrimental to the company (I hope).
I felt sorry that I practically missed two days of being with Jackson, but it was reassuring and very pleasing to hear him giggling and talking to his dad whom he usually only gets to see after six o'clock at night and on the weekends.
And I would like to mention that other than entertaining Jackson for hours on end without any breaks except for the feeds, Lee was a great doctor even throughout the wee hours of the night--bringing me medicine, ice water, ginger ale, crackers, soup (although I couldn't manage the soup until the second day). He also did the baby's laundry, our laundry, the dishes, all of the diaper changes, put the grocery delivery away, and went to the store for more medicine. Even when I needed something in the middle of the night, he never complained.
I know that missing work bothered Lee a little bit, but I was sure to let him know how thankful I was that he stayed home to look after Jackson and me. I'm also very thankful that Jackson and Lee have not caught the bug and things are back to normal around here.
I am so lucky to have Lee and little Jackson!
Sweet little Jackson
Playing with his new toy: foil survival blanket
Watching The Fox and The Hound rather intently
Stretching out after some "Rhyme Time"
Rocking in his dungarees
Developmental updates: Jackson is talking non-stop now with so many new sounds in his 'vocabulary.' He loves to grab his feet and stretch his legs into a V position, but oftentimes, he lets go of his feet and just keeps his legs in the air by stretching. A couple of times, while I was sick, he would only eat for a minute or two, simulate sleeping (with his eyes open), and try to cuddle with me. I'm not sure this is normal 'development,' but it was a cute way of trying to stay with his mom for awhile when it must have seemed to him that I went missing for two days. He weighs 16 pounds 14 ounces as of January 25th. He sucks on his hand a lot. Jackson is rolling over more from his tummy to his back. He lifts his bottom and tries to push himself backwards and he sits up straight with little support on the floor and in his high chair. Jackson is proud that he grabs things with both hands or one-at-a-time, sticks our hands in his mouth, touches our mouths as we talk, deliberately throws toys on the floor, pushes buttons in his activity centre and on his talking puppy toy, and understands the purpose of particular toys. As far as watching and listening go, Jackson has started to stare while I brush my hair and seems to recognise the beginnings of songs that he likes. In the morning, he's started to stretch out his arms to be picked up from his playpen which is rewarding as a parent and a great way to start the day!
If you see Sammie Miles Davis, Jr. and Bella, give them my love.
