The Summer of the Sicknesses

Apparently our family was absent the day that immunities were handed out. It's about the only way I can explain our near-constant sickness. We're reasonably health-conscious people -- we take our vitamins, we eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables (and protein, too, for those of your remembering Mama's fleeting meat-free days in grad school), we drink plenty of water, we play and exercise in the fresh air, and we sleep as much as possible for a family with small children.

And yet, someone is almost always sick.

The girls both had fevers a couple of weeks ago. And then Kathleen had a strange stomach virus (the sort that only manifests itself at 2am and then lies dormant for a few days and then reappears) and then John David got his two month shots, so he was cranky, too.

For about two minutes, we were all well.

And now it's Daddy. He was feeling miserable for a few weeks and finally visited the doctor. Turns out, the poor guy has mono. We're not sure whether the girls had it, too, since (according the internet) the virus is generally milder in children. We think there's a chance the girls had it first, and then (through their generous use of our cups and such), passed it along to Daddy. We do know that Mama can't get it, since she came down with it in college. And we're grateful for that, because if she hadn't, who would run the circus? But for now, Daddy's spending a lot of time with the circus, lying on the couch, trying to read his schoolwork (but not quite mustering the energy), reacquainting himself with various mind-numbing daytime television shows, and regaining his strength.

It's not exactly the carefree, adventure-filled summer we were anticipating. Still, though, we're largely enjoying the slower pace of days at home, sharing our activities and discoveries with Daddy. (The girls have been most excited to get to share in the stash of popsicles and push-pops for Daddy's sore throat.) Daddy's had a front row seat for everyone's growing and learning -- he's witnessed Kathleen write her name for the first time (with considerable coaching), Madeline exercise her independence and determination ("Myshelf! Do it myshelf!"), and John David begin to smile and even laugh. Even if they're not the adventures we imagined, those are some pretty sweet summer memories.

But let's hope the fall is healthier!