Mom I THREW UP

While working on finishing a piece of furniture, my phone rang.  I am not in the habit of answering it when I am a mess.  So when the voicemail beeped, I thought I better listen.  Never dawned on me that Espen was at school and there may be a problem. 

This child is never sick.  He eats everything.  Licks most things.  And somehow has managed to have very few head colds and only had a stomach bug once as a tiny toddler.  Thankfully he has not had an antibiotic for anything other than swimmers ear.  So imagine my surprise when the nurse left a message saying he was in her office because he threw up.  I immediately called her back and said I was 3 minutes from school.  And I am! 

When I got there, he was barely in the nurses office, hanging onto the door... afraid (perhaps because the nurse is a total stranger, perhaps because he doesn't know what to do when he throws up, perhaps just because he didn't feel good).  He saw me and the tears started and the clinging. He then told me through his tears "MOM I THREW UP".  None of these behaviors are familiar to me.  Espen is not a clingy child nor does he cry much and he is not ever sick.  So I carried him to the car and managed to get him to let go of me long enough to drive us home.  And my baby clung to me and cried while we went inside.  Clearly he did not feel good!!

Finally I got him settled on the couch and he went to sleep.  It is super weird seeing my son laying so still during the day.  It is bizarre to see him so calm.  It is odd to have him ask me to hold him.  I can tell he is not feeling well.  I have no idea what to do with or for him.  Because for 4 years I have not had to deal with a sick child!  We don't see him slow down (even when he has had a head cold).  He is always on the move and totally independent.  This little boy laying so still on the couch makes my heart hurt.  He seems so small and fragile today.  I am thankful for his strength and spirit.  I am thankful for his health.  I am thankful for who he is and for the sensory issues we deal with every day. 

Doug is picking up clear drink, popsicles, Gatorade.... not things we usually keep I guess.  In a quick hurry I cleaned the entire house and sprayed Lysol all over so we can minimize anyone else feeling yucky. 

He woke up a little before one and took a bath and told me he was ready to go to therapy gym.  I told him I had cancelled for today.  He was PISSED off at me.... so the crying started all over.  Then he told me "But MOMMY I need that therapy".  Ahhhh... maybe he is starting to notice when he is feeling the need for some sensory input.... 

I will keep him home from school tomorrow.  I think that is fair to the other parents.  And clearly next time my phone rings while he is at school I will answer it!  I just never thought it would be about Espen!  Lesson learned!