The Dreaded Stomach Virus

it's been awhile since i've blogged, and i'd like to be able to say that it's because life has been super-exciting. but really, i've just been lazy in my blogging, so here goes...

last wednesday i got caleb the flu mist, which he has had for a few years now. that evening he started running a fever, so i assumed it was due to the mist. well, on thursday he started having stomach issues - BOTH kinds, if you catch my drift - so i knew something else was going on. caleb has had a stomach virus twice before, and both times he ended up getting fluids through an IV for dehydration. why? because the child will drink nothing but water and chocolate milk. neither of these are great choices when you have a stomach virus. whenever he's sick and i come at him with a cup, he insists on looking at and smelling what's inside. you would think i was trying to poison the boy. believe me, whatever you may be thinking i should try, i've tried it. pedialyte: check. gatorade: check. sprite/gingerale: check. popsicles: check. jello: check. flavored vitamin water: check.... see what i mean? 

so on friday we went to the pediatrician to make sure he wasn't dehydrated. do not pass GO. do not collect $200. he wasn't dehydrated, thank the Lord, and they did a finger stick to make sure it was viral, which it was. i have to say, my child is a trooper. he let that nurse stick his finger and bravely watched the blood trickle down that little tube while he answered her "distracting" questions. mommy just watched caleb's face. so after a trip to the pharmacy for some phenergen gel (didn't even know that existed in gel form, but it's pretty nifty), we went back home for hibernation mode. 

i was able to get him to drink some apple juice and eat some dry cheerios and applesauce. but you should know that all this time caleb has been asking for chocolate milk. "when can i have some chocolate milk? chocolate milk will make me feel better. when my tummy is better i can have chocolate milk." and on and on and on....so darn cute. so yesterday morning, after no major problems for almost 24 hours, i told him when the clock said 8:15 he could have some chocolate milk. so i'm in the living room and i hear him yell from the bedroom, "it's 8:15!!" he was watching that clock like a hawk i tell you. his face lit up like a christmas tree when he got that milk. and i thought we were home free...then not too long after that he needed to go to the bathroom. in a BAD WAY. so chocolate milk was banned once again.

now it's sunday, and we've had almost 24 good hours again. and the chocolate milk questions haven't stopped. so this morning i resorted to soy milk. yum, right? soy milk with just a tiny bit of chocolate powder mixed in. he drank it slowly, per mommy's command. and now soy milk is called "new milk." for now he is satisfied with the new milk. earlier he told me, "when Jesus makes my tummy all better i can have my old milk." old milk = good ol' cow's milk. "yes sunshine," i replied, "when you're all better you can have old milk." 

so here's hoping and praying we can make it through today so that tomorrow he can have his beloved "old milk."