In fact, it happened again yesterday, at 3am. Tru started complaining of a tummy ache an hour earlier, so I climbed into his little car bed with him, hoping he’d fall back asleep. I rubbed his head, scratched his back, tried all my magic mommy tricks to soothe him. When he said, “I going to throw up,” I scrambled to get out of his bed, reached for him in the dark with hopes I could carry him to the bathroom in time. No such luck.
I swear every particle of food he’d eaten over the past week hit me like a tidal wave; I was covered from my neck down to my toes. And I thought nothing of it. I got him to the bathroom, told him to wait there for a minute. I woke Brad up, telling him nonchalantly I was covered in vomit. He launched into action, getting Tru out of his soiled PJs, gathering all the bedding and starting a middle-of-the-night load of laundry. I sent middle-of-the-night texts, canceling the nanny and rescheduling meetings.
This is what we do now. With Ryder turning 10 this week (!!), we now have a decade worth of real-life scenes like this – and we laugh so hard remembering the most cringe-worthy moments of our own version of Parenthood.
Snot on our sleeves. Pee on the carpet. Poop on the walls. My 15-year-old self would have been horrified to think this was my future. Heck, my 28-year-old, pregnant self might have been equally horrified!
But there is an indescribable seismic shift when you become a parent. Your heart actually aches with growing pains, as an avalanche of new priorities replace petty stuff that no longer matters. Your brain feels like mush, on information overload. And your ego takes a beating, eager to be the best parent ever, but humbled to the core by a love you never could have imagined and constant reminders you don’t know what the hell you’re doing.
I had lots of work-work to do yesterday – deadlines, calls and meetings. It all got pushed aside so I could care for my little guy, who spent 12 hours throwing up every 20 minutes. Stupid norovirus. And today we’re home again as he recovers. I’m helplessly behind. I desperately need a shower. And we’re now watching The Alvin & The Chipmunks Christmas Movie for the 17th time. Kill me now.
Still, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I adore my work-work, but my most important life-work is raising kids who feel unconditionally loved and cared for. It’s the hardest job I’ll ever have and, believe me, I’ve threatened to quit a few times – which they always find hilarious. Because they know that know no matter what they do – including covering me in puke – I’ll always love them like crazy. Which, I guess, means I’m doing my job right.
*****
Speaking of parenting, this card has been flying out of my shop lately. I don’t know how or why, but thank you! I love knowing lots of new mamas are being celebrated on their little ones’ first birthdays. And I’m thinking I may need to create another for those of us deep into the journey. Stay tuned…
I’m so sorry to hear about Tru being sick and you being covered in vomit. It’s so hard to watch our babies not feel well and to feel so helpless, wishing we could take all the hurt away. I hope you are both feeling better soon and may the “catch-up” gods be there for you as you find your way back to your work.
It is, Michele! You just want to make everything better, the way they THINK you can!
Oh Liv! Even now with my boys as teens, if any of them are sick, it just throws me a bit off kilter. Even if I am able to get a little work done, my heart is over there with them as they lay feeling sick. Not a time to try to be a creative genius
Sending Light to your little guy (and to you)!
Love the way you put that – so true, Maryellen!
I love this post. It rings so true in so many ways. My little guy (and subsequently our entire family) was down for the count last week with that pesky virus. Although we are a little earlier on in our parenting journey, so this was our first round at the throw up rodeo. I remember at a certain moment realizing I was covered in barf and not caring one bit. All that mattered was that my son knew I was there and that I loved him and he was going to be ok. Such a heartfelt post, thank you.
Uggggh, the whole family, Jenna? I remember when our oldest was newborn, both my husband and I got rotovirus and wound up in the hospital. It was so awful! Hope you all are on the mend!
Poor Tru (and you!)! Best wishes for a speedy recovery. My kids got a huge kick out of the film clip…thanks for the laugh!
Ha! I know, it STILL makes me laugh!
2.00am Monday morning for us, in our bed! Hope your son is feeling much better!
Nooooooo! Hope everyone’s back in normal!
sorry for laughing….just so many stinky smelling memories rushing
over me right now and my heart warms at all of them.
HOW is that possible.
In fact, some days I’d love to be able to comfort and kiss away their owies
like I did then. Even when it meant holding my best tupperware bowl up to
their too tired to puke anymore little forms and hoping that this would be
the last time that night they hurled:)
Every word you so artfully wrote touched every morsel of my heart
and I thank you for the warm memories:)
(hope everyone else stays well)
love,
Jennifer
YES, Jennifer! You put it perfectly! Yes, how many pots and tubs have we held, wishing we could scoop up their pain and misery at the same time? I know someday I’ll miss it – isn’t that a miracle!?
I hope Tru gets better soon! I actually bought your card not too long ago…and just looked at it again today! I’m saving it for my friend who had a boy last year…still a couple more months until he turns 1!
Aw, that’s so sweet Kate – love knowing that!
Just a thought….I wish you could create that card as a printable file, so that we could get it printed! I would give it as gifts to my new Mama friends!