Flea is sick.
She has a raging temperature and hasn’t been able to keep down any food or water since about 9am yesterday morning.
She spent the entire day yesterday curled up in an armchair under a blanket, dozing fitfully and watching movies. Today, with a temperature of 39.5, she didn’t even want to get out of bed.
I spent the day emptying out bowls (don’t ask), mopping brows and carrying my hot, tearful daughter to and from the bathroom because, “It hurts to stand up because my legs are all wobbly”.
I tried to sneakily balance the laptop on the bed and do some work while she slept, but I only managed about 10 minutes before one beady little eye opened and a small voice croaked, “Mummy, you can’t cuddle me properly with only one arm, you know.”
Fortunately, the fever seems to be lessening, and I tucked Flea up for the night with a final dose of Calpol.
I went downstairs and lay on the floor. I don’t tend to feel sorry for myself very often but tonight I allowed myself a few minutes of self-pity before reminding myself that although being a single parent means you get to do most of the work, you also get most of the rewards.
Ten minutes later, there’s a voice at the top of the stairs.
“Mummy?”
Given that this was the first time in 24 hours that Flea had stood up, I presumed it was something important. So I went into the hall to see a rumpled figure and a worried face looking down at me.
“Do you love Brown as much as you love me?”
Brown is Flea’s favourite soft toy.
“No, darling. I like Brown very much, but I love you more than anyone else in the world.”
See? I’m a great parent, really.
“Oh,” said Flea. “I think I actually love Brown as much as I love you. Is that okay?”
“Sure. Why not?”
And with that she trotted off back to bed.
She's still delirious with fever, clearly. Poor lamb.
Fever talk clearly. I hope that she feels better in the morning and that you do too.
Aww bless her that is a lovely story. My little girl was exactly the same just after Christmas. In the end it took about 1½ weeks for her to get back to her normal self. She looked skin and bones by the end of it. I hope that she feels better soon. Treat yourself to a glass of wine tonight, you deserve it!
aww bless you both, that has bought tears to my eyes. Wishing your lovely LO a speedy recovery and sending you so many heaps of respect I can’t see my computer screen. xxx 🙂
Awww- I have to confess I missed the bit about Brown being her favourite soft toy, and wondered if she was talking about the politician. It made more sense when I read it carefully. I hope she’s feeling better tomorrow and that she doesn’t share it with you.
Oh, sob…bless her…she’s such an engaging character. I cna’t imagine how horrendously hard it must be, but you’re obviously doing a totally brilliant job because she’s star.
So sorry she’s so poorly though, bless her. She must be on the mend though. Ooooof I bet you’re on your knees 🙁
x
ahhhhhh poor thing – hope she feels better really soon!
Oh God I hate it when they are ill, I mean really ill. There is so little one can do and you just have to wait it out – sounds though as if she is feeling better. Good to know she loves Brown as much as you…
Thanks Pip, I hope so too!
Aw, glad your little one’s picked up now, though.
Thanks Jenni x
Wow. That would be weird, eh?
I mean *even* weirder.
I am on the floor. I might never get back up.
Thanks Lorraine, me too!
I know. There’s me thinking I was special, or something.
Poor thing. Hope she’s better soon.
And by the way, that looks suspiciously like my blanket. Give it back.
Oh poor wee thing. It sucks when they’re sick doesn’t it? Especially when we don’t have anyone else around to help out. Hope she’s better asap. x
Poor Flea, I hope she’s feeling much better soon.X
Aww, bless her poor little thing, I hate it when they are sick. Still managing to be cute though.
Poor thing- I hope she feels better soon!
Total fever talk there! I hope she feels better soon xx