Monday, December 22, 2008

Typhoid

We've been sick. Really sick. A horrific stomach virus has marched it's way through our family, starting bright and early Friday morning when I woke up to the sound of Katie retching in her crib. It's been awful. Really. No, really. You don't know. I won't go into details because honestly, they're truly disgusting.

LaLa seemed to have it the worst, the poor little thing couldn't stop throwing up Friday afternoon to the point where I was ready to call 911... and she has in turn recuperated the fastest. I'm chalking it up to her love of Pedialyte -she guzzles it. Any flavor, doesn't matter, she'll drink it. No dehydration for her!

Katie is not a fan though, and she is fighting me on every sip of fluid I've gotten her to take over the last four days.. and believe me, I've tried EVERYTHING. Every flavor of Pedialyte, Gatorade, water, water with lemon, chamomile tea, even flat ginger ale. All she wants is milk - but if I give her milk, well, it ends really badly. It's been a vicious cycle. And now she doesn't even want to drink the milk - I think she doesn't trust me anymore. I can't imagine why.

PJ got it. And I got it. We are all slowly getting better but it's been a bad bad few days. I am fervently hoping we are all well by Christmas Eve.

I have been wanting to write about Jack's Toy Drive, I am so sorry I am late in posting this. It was such a HUGE HUGE SUCCESS!! I think we were all overwhelmed by the generosity - the number of toys received is absolutely incredible. The girls and I went over to PJ's family's house where the drop off day was... here's some pictures of the girls inspecting all the toys...





This past Saturday his cousins dropped the toys off at The Children's Hospital of New Jersey - unfortunately we weren't able to go due to the aforementioned TYPHOID but I know everyone was thrilled with all the toys. I will hopefully be able to help hand out some of the toys on Christmas.

Thank you thank you THANK YOU for helping - it will make a difference in so many families lives, I can tell you that first hand. I am missing Jack something fierce right now, this first Christmas without him, his stocking hanging on the fireplace, his ornaments on the tree, but no Jack. It is a sadness I didn't know existed, an emptiness, a constant missing of something, someone. Christmas just doesn't seem right this year, doesn't feel very jolly. But this toy drive truly helped to make it feel a little bit more like Jack is here with us.

See, he was always Santa's helper....

25 comments:

MtnGirl said...

Merry Christmas to your family! At least Jack did not get the typhoid! And I'm glad to hear HIS toy drive was a huge success! Hope you get better soon!

Anonymous said...

I love the picture of Jack with his Santa hat---it made me smile.....Merry Christmas to all of you and hope that you are all feeling better very soon!

Anonymous said...

Such a beautiful baby boy. I am glad that so many people participated in the drive! I think it should be an annual thing. You can have seasons of Jack, different fundraisers for kids. Sorry you guys are not feeling well, I hope you feel better and SOON!!!
XOXO Jessica

Linda said...

What a beautiful picture of Jack.
You poor sick family! I'm so sorry you got that nasty virus. I hope the girls are more themselves very soon. I know its scary when they can't tell you how they feel.

Lauren said...

I'm glad to hear the you are all on the mend. I hope that you can help hand out toys on Christmas. It's wonderful that you are doing this in honor of your beautiful baby boy. We miss you Jack!

Shosh said...

Wow, that is an inredible amount of toys!! And feel better soon! I had food poisoning last week....these stomach things are NOT pretty.

Abbie said...

I hope you all feel better by Christmas!! That is wonderful that the toy drive went so well!

chemmom said...

You don't know me but I can help you with Katie drinking. Buy her lactose free milk it will not make her sick and it will keep her hydrated and give her some sugar so she will feel better.
I love reading your blog and hearing how your girls are doing and the wonderful things you do in Jack's memory.

proudmama02 said...

What a sweet little Christmas elf! Jack's photos always make me tear up - his personality just comes shining through. We're so glad to hear the toy drive was such a success!! So many more kids made happy because of your little Jack. I am sorry this time of year is so hard...and I do hope you and your family get well soon, and that all of you get to enjoy your Christmas!

Rachael Schirano \\ Rachael Schirano Photography said...

oh no, that stinks that you have all been so sick! i will pray that you are all well by tomorrow so that you can enjoy celebrating christmas! glad the toy drive was such a success, that is amazing!

Jackie said...

It's so amazing to see all the toys and what a huge success!
Well wishes your way for the family and Merry Christmas!

Elyse said...

Glad LOTS of toys were collected :) Jack is watching over you all right now. MERRY CHRISTMAS to you!!! Hope everyone feels better soon.
~Elyse~

Anonymous said...

He was Santa's cutest little helper. And look at all those toys he inspired people to donate!

Merry Christmas... feel better!

Anonymous said...

God bless you all. Know that Jack is with you and will be giggling right along with your girls Christmas Day. He's there. You'll feel him. I'm sure of it.
Merry Christmas to all....

Anonymous said...

I am a nurse at the Childrens Hospital of New Jersey so I can speak first hand of the difference your toy drive has made - the look on the childrens faces are priceless when they receive a gift. Please know that Jack is living on through your generosity and kind spirit and his life has made a difference in so many others through this project!

Christa said...

YUCK that all of you were sick!!! That really must have been rough..I'm hoping you are all 100% by tomorrow! I am so glad to hear that sweet little Jack was an inspiration yet again. I love that picture of him..it made me tear up, too. It's so amazing to me to see how much good a little boy can bring to the world:)

Jody said...

Typhoid sucks. My girls won't drink Pedialyte, either. I couldn't understand why until I was hungover and James told me to drink it, and it was seriously the thickest and nastiest thing I have ever tasted. I almost threw up from that, not the alcohol! So, now I understand why my poor babies don't want that shite.

Merry Christmas to all of you. I hope the sickness passes, and you're able to enjoy your day, and feel Jack around you.

Randi said...

I am glad to hear sweet Jack's toy drive went so well.
I am holding you and your entire family in my heart.
Love,
Randi

Anonymous said...

I am not sure if you have heard this poem, but I recently saw this and immediately thought of you.

REMEMBERING

Go ahead and mention my child
The one that died, you know
Don't worry about hurting me further
The depth of my pain doesn't show.

Don't worry about making me cry
I'm already crying inside
Help me to heal by releasing
The tears that I try to hide.

I'm hurt when you just keep silent
Pretending it doesn't exist
I'd rather you'd mention my child
Knowing that she has been missed.

You ask me how I'm doing I say
"pretty good" or "fine"
But healing is something on-going
I feel it will take a lifetime.

By Elizabeth Dent

Anonymous said...

Megan, it was such a thrill to buy gifts for Jack's toy drive this year. I bought one in honor of distant cousins who we usually exchange gifts with, but this year decided to do something meaningful instead. Thanks for giving us this wonderful opportunity to spread even more and more of Jack's love. Enjoy your Christmas!

Anonymous said...

I hope you all are feeling better and were able to enjoy your first Christmas as parents!!! I hope the girls went crazy opening their gifts and that you went crazy taking pictures!! Glad to hear Jack's toy drive was a huge success!! Touching even more lives...your Jack!! Merry Christmas!!

Patyrish said...

What horrible timing to get a bug like that. I hope you are all feeling better and that you had a wonderful Christmas.

I miss Jack too, seeing his pictures. he's with you always.

Jessica said...

So sorry for the sickies. No time to read the other posts, but FYI, when the vomitting and diareah occurs get rid of the milk and give them lactaid. When they are sick like that they can't break down the lactose,and that just makes them sicker. Hope you're feeling better. Happy Holidays.

Anonymous said...

I just wanted to tell you, when my babies were sick and would not drink anything at all I would make peppermint tea with a bit of sugar in it. You would not believe how much they love it. And it's nearly clear, so no stains. Caffeen free and all!! It helps not just with replacement of fluids, but also for upset tummies, gas and colic.

Alana said...

Typhoid! Bleck! So sorry to hear you were all sick...sounds dreadful!

FYI---my Emma would always refuse Pedialyte as well. Then I froze it in our make-it-yourself-popsicle holders. Once she thought she was getting a "sweet treat," she had multiple servings of pedialyte in one day. :)

I remembered your Jack and your sweet family. Especially as I reflected over the last year. The Santa's Helper picture of him is so very special.