It started this morning when I went to get Hayden up for school.  Dean popped up in his bed, though not as quickly as he usually does.

“Hi, Baby!”  I went to pick him up as he always likes to cuddle first thing in the morning.

“Hi, Mama.”  He said in this voice.  You know the one your kids use when they aren’t feeling well.  And I just knew something was up.  Ok, no problem, it’s what we do, right?

So I picked Dean up and held him to my chest, and he snuggled in.  I woke Hayden up, hoping he was ok.  Did I not cook the chicken right last night?  Lord, are the older boys ok?

“Hey Mama! I’m up.”  Whew… Hayden seemed ok.  He went downstairs, and I carried Dean into their closet to get Hayden’s clothes for school.

I assumed Addi was fine, as he got the bus just fine this morning just like he always does - with a smile on his face.

“You guys ok?” I asked Corey and Joe who were in the kitchen as I carried Dean down the stairs.

“Yep, I’m fine.  Why?” Corey answered.

Joe just nodded and waited for my answer.

“Maybe Dean just has a little flu bug.  It’s fine.  Get ready for school.” The boys finished getting their lunch and off they went.

Hayden ate, and I got him dressed.  We usually go outside to wait for the bus around 7:40, and the bus gets there a few minutes later.  

7:39…

“Eww… Mommy!  I think Dean is gonna be sick.” Hayden tells me.  I turn around and see Dean sitting up and gagging.  I run to him like I always do, and hold my hands under his mouth.  Gross, I know… but I panic for a moment.  I see one of their little toys buckets right there on the ground and grab it.  I help him hold his head over it and rub his back.

“Gross!  I’m never using that one again.” Hayden tells me… probably a good idea!

7:41…

“Shoot, Hayden run and tell Daddy Dean’s sick.  We got to get you on the bus.”  

Off Hayden ran, but Dean seemed to settle down, so I cleaned him up quickly, tucked him back in on the couch, and bundled Hayden up. 

“Mommy will be right on the porch, ok?  Got to help Hayden.”

“Ok, mama.  Love you.”  My sweet little boy.

I went outside with Hayden, and poked my head in every 10 seconds to make sure Dean was ok.  The bus rolled up, Hayden gave me a kiss, and ran to jump on. And I went back inside.

I know kids get sick… it’s just part of life.  But all little kids have that voice… it sounds so weak and sad.  Dean rarely complains when he isn’t feeling well, which makes it even sadder to us.

“Mama, I want you to hold me.” He told me and crawled into my lap a little bit ago.  He snuggled his head on my chest and just rubbed my hand as I held him.  And then he got sick again, our poor baby!

So, we cleaned him up and settled him back into his little pallet on the floor next to the fireplace.

“Do you want to watch a movie?” I asked him.

He nodded, so I got up to see what we had.

“Kung Fu Panda?” I asked him.

He weakly shook his head, “No/ Mama, Cars 2.”

So, for now he is happily watching Cars 2 cuddled up in his blankets next to the fireplace.  His laughter is quiet, but I’m just happy to hear it.