The Family Flu

Well, I have a least a partial explanation for why Ben has been so off-the-wall. He came down with the stomach flu Monday night, and Brian came down with it Tuesday morning. Even though they were sick, I felt glad to have them home Tuesday morning. I guess all the fighting over the weekend left me just wanting to have a better day together.

On Saturday we had driven up to a big Christmas tree farm and cut down our own tree. We chose the biggest tree our family room would hold. There’s a big green stripe on my ceiling, where the tip connected as we raised it, as testament to that.

We put on the lights and added the ornaments. Brian and I spent some time Sunday night adjusting everything, making it just right.

So Tuesday, after stomachs settled a bit, Brian took the boys downstairs and I sat at my computer to place a few last-minute Christmas orders. About 30 seconds of quiet later, I heard a noise and turned to see our gorgeous seven-foot tree crash to the floor. Our tree stand dumped about a gallon of water on the rug, and shards of broken ornaments littered the area.

Thank God Brian was at home when this happened. There’s no way I could have gotten the tree back up and steady in its stand by myself. But the poor guy, he’d fuss with the tree for a few minutes then bolt to the bathroom to be sick. Joy to the world!

We got the tree back up and the lights back in place. We stuck the unbroken ornaments back on the top third of the tree, since the kids can’t resist playing with them. Brian mounted the tree to the wall with wire and an eye hook. We never did get it to stand straight, but somehow imperfect seemed about right.

This morning I woke up with the stomach flu, and since he missed the last few days, Brian had to go to work. There’s something so horrifying about watching your spouse leave you with the kids for the day when your stomach is tied up in knots and you’re running a fever.

But, there’s something so magical about hearing your baby’s heartbeat for the first time, which I did yesterday. I don’t feel less afraid of miscarriage, or more secure that I’ll have a baby in my arms come July 10. But it is a start, and enough of a blessing to keep me from whining too much about today. After all, it’s just a stomach bug, this too shall pass. But please, God, not on to John. Don’t let it pass on to John!