…and it’s only Wednesday. But things are looking up. We’ve just had a lot of vomit and diarrhea around here. That’s all. And those two visitors are never really welcome, but they’re especially unwelcome on the heels of a week like last week (which was laden with fevers and fits and ER visits.)
But you know, as hard as it is to care for a sick child, I’ve felt something intangible about me this week that’s been remarkably sustaining. And I think, I know it’s proportionally related to the amount of praying I’ve been doing. I’ve had all sorts of tiny, revelatory moments during the past eight days that have reminded my heart of important things it needed to remember. Case in point: I’m not usually inclined to think, in the middle of a midnight vomit session, “I’m so glad I get to be this child’s mother. I’m so thankful I’m the one who can comfort him all night tonight and all day tomorrow.” My thoughts are usually more akin to, “It smells like a sewer in here. Who was the dim-wit mother who brought her sick child to the nursery?” (I know. I’m not proud.) I think perhaps the pregnancy is at play somewhere in all of it; the heightened spiritual awareness coming from the fact that creating life is a close partnership with God. And as much as it makes my airway constrict to think about forthcoming decades of cleaning up after “didn’t quite make it” incidents and scouring WebMD in the wee hours to rule out Crohn’s disease and appendicitis, it is also sort of breathtaking to imagine that there are decades’ worth of insight, compassion, patience, empathy and unquantifiable love yet to absorb because I’m the one they call “mama.”
There are also tangible things that help mellow the crazy of a week like this — like peaches going on sale for .99/lb. Peaches that are actually sweet. And juicy. And perfect stirred into my morning bowl of vanilla yogurt with a few Grape Nuts (for crunch.)
And surprise packages from friends. And a closet full of painfully adorable little girl clothes from a baby shower that couldn’t have been more lovely, thrown by friends who could not be more genuine and dear, where we ate mapley, pecan-topped sticky buns that could not have been more diabolical (nutritionally speaking.) Or more delicious (sensorally speaking.)
And this guy. (Also delicious, no matter which way you are speaking.)
Who took me to this place a couple of weekends ago.
Again…delicious.
And (wishfully thinking) of the possibility of another date night with him this weekend.
Oh, and peanut butter toast with a sliced banana. (Tangible.) And always helpful. With everything.
oh i love peaches and yogurt, so much!
So sorry about the sickness!
I got to snuggle my friend’s baby girl today and about died and went to heaven. You are such a lucky lady and will have so much fun with her and your little Henry. How fantastic is that?
Feel better soon!
Poor Henry. You have such good perspective though. And that photo of you and Nate on the bench is so good–you look gorgeous!
Missing you guys soooo much. We love El Norte. I have to have their queso at least once a week… BIG HUG
Your thoughtful words make me feel so grateful for my own journey as a mother. Really Emily, you articulate your feelings so beautifully and candidly. I really love reading your blog!
You look simply lovely, Em. I am SO glad you posted a picture of you and Nate. I just love seeing you with your darling belly.
Wasn’t it plain old fun to chat!? It was much needed. It gave me another thing to smile about today. Thank you, Love.
Hey there~ yep I’m a blog stalker from Medford. But my Blog stalking confession isn’t the reason I’m e-mailing. I wandered if you knew about the free deliveries the UPS Store in Riverwoods on N. University makes everyday to the MTC? They will take one package per person, under 5 lbs to the MTC each day after 2:00 pm. We found out the day before Colton left the MTC for Colorado. So I made a batch of cinnamon rolls, put it in a cheap plastic container and he absolutely loved it. Just thought you’d like to know that tid-bit of info for Ryan. I think he’s still there? Kay
Sorry Henry’s been sick! Poor guy!
What a sweet post. Being pregnant and having a new baby is so very special, humbling, and spiritual too.
We bought peaches too but they were disappointing.
Great to talk to you tonight!!