“Go to bathroom.” That’s what Pea said just before it happened.
This story begins as Pea and I are laying in her bed last night, trying to go to sleep. For all intents and purposes, this was a fairly standard evening. Except for the fact that we were going to bed a little later than usual, everything seemed as it always does.
Oh, I should mention that Pea has a cold. A nasty one that is making her nighttime breathing a little laborious. Ok, that’s an understatement. She’s so stuffy that she sounds like Jabba the Hut when she’s laying on her back.
Turns out this stuffiness plays a key role in the rest of this story.
Just before it happened, Pea chose extremely specific words. She didn’t say “Tata,” which means potty in our world, or even “Big Bed,” which she often says when she is goofing off and trying to extend her awake time.
She most certainly didn’t say “More milk,” another favourite evening extension tool of hers.
She said “Go to bathroom.”
Good thing I listened.
Within a minute of arriving in the bathroom, Pea was filling it with puke. In the sink, on the floor, on my clothing, on hers, and (worst of all) on the shag bathroom rug.
Now, this where my story turns from gross to awe-inspiring.
To my knowledge, this is only the second time Pea has thrown-up in her short existence. The first time was over a year ago, before Pea could sit up properly or speak.
I say this to illustrate that Pea is not a veteran vomiter. She is not a child with a finicky stomach who would recognize the pre-T/U sensation and understand from experience that Daddy wants her to throw-up far from installed carpeting and bedding.
And yet, she knew. She gagged a little, recognized what was coming next, and asked to be taken to the safest place in the house for vomiting to occur.
Considerate. Compassionate. Thoughtful. Empathetic. These are all words I would use to describe my little girl. Even when she is feeling sick, she still takes the time to consider the effect of her actions on others.
(Now if I could just get her to have a little empathy when she’s kicking me in the neck in the middle of the night. But that’s a different post.)
After it happened and I got her cleaned up, we went back to bed and snuggled close. She didn’t cry or whine like her Daddy still does when he’s feeling sick. She simply nestled herself into my body and fell asleep.
Even when her breath smells like turned milk and cheese, I love this little girl beyond words.
PS – I mentioned Pea’s stuffiness was a key part of the story. It appears she had a rather large bit of phlegm stuck in her throat, which initiated her gag reflex, and Bob’s your uncle.
Oh you poor thing! Both of you!! Yay for making it into the bathroom though… I swear, when vomit comes to plague our lives, no matter how many towels or extra sheets I use to drape the upholstered things, somehow, puke manages to to make it into awful, hard-to-clean places for mummy to take care of. Gross.
I hope she’ll never change. And I hope she feels better soon!
There was only one major rule in our house when the kids were small and sick.
Mummy doesn’t do puke.
Thanks Dad!
Yay Pea and lucky Daddy! Although my girls don’t vomit a lot, I have had nights where I’ve changed the bedding and our clothing 4 or 5 times. You are very lucky and Pea is very clever.
Excellent job Pea! That skill will definitely serve her well for years to come! She’s practically ready for University now! ;o) So lovely when they are a little bit sick and snuggly… not that you want them sick but the snuggly bit is nice.
Josh spat up for the first 12 months of his existence. The smell of turned milk and cheese was his eau de Cologne.
Very cute pic. Wow, Pea is definitely ahead in the vomit department.
We had the most civilized stomach bug last year. My son actually woke up in the night, went to the bathroom, puked in the toilet and then went back to bed. This happened a few times in the night without a single thing to clean up or a need to get out of bed. Good times 😉
Poor Pea! Good for her….nothing worse than changing puke covered beds…ah my last new years is ALL coming back to me!! What a cute picture too!
Pauvre p’tite pitoune! She’s a smart one 🙂 Nice work, Daddy.
Awww…Poor Pea. Hope she’s all better soon.
Congrats on making this milestone (the ability to sense impending vomit) with Pea. It’s an important one!