PROUD of my family for fighting the spew!

BritMumInNZ

The theme this week on ‘The Gallery’ is ‘Something I Am Proud Of‘.

At first I thought how proud I am of my small boobs for breastfeeding three children past two year’s of age (yes, Alice is going strong and will still be feeding – without a doubt – come her second Birthday in three months time). I really never thought they’d be up to much – but it’s amazing how much milk they can produce! But really, how to photograph that?! Nah…

And then, something happened on Sunday, which by Tuesday I felt proud of…

A most horrible virus took grip of our family in the middle of Sunday night and finally let up part way through Monday night. If I’d had the energy to raise a camera and take a picture of the scene, it would not have been pretty – or one that I particularly want recorded in my photo archives (some memories are better left in the past!). All I will say is that on Monday the entire family was laid very low, with crippling stomach aches, headaches and the inability to hold down even water. Charlotte and Sophie lay in the lounge, dozing in and out of spewing. They didn’t even ask for the television to be on – as the noise and flashing bright light made their headaches worse. Alice was a brick. She slept, she was sick, but when awake she still managed a smile, saying, ‘Poor Alice, sick’.

That was Monday.

Tuesday, after being housebound for two days, and facing a mountain of washing, we couldn’t face it anymore. By 4 o’clock, and having managed to hold down a little food, we went to the beach for some fresh air medicine. You wouldn’t think we’d been horribly sick the day before would you?

Feeling a lot better!

We look fighting fit don’t we?! Dan and I had to laugh, as whilst we at the beach we bumped into Sophie’s teacher doing triathlon training! We quickly explained and she totally understood – but you’d never believe we’d been so ill if you’d seen us on the beach this evening.

This was Charlotte…

Charlotte on the mend!

This was Sophie…

Sophie on the mend!

Dan and I felt a lot better too…

Dan and I feeling a lot better!

And along with Alice wanted to show those nasty bugs where to go!

Be gone bugs!

And just incase that mean ‘ole virus didn’t get the message, Dan did his Jedi mind-warp thing hoping the virus would leave us well alone in future…

Jedi mind-warp on the virus

And here I am racing with the girls on the beach…

Remembering how to use our muscles!

You’d never have thought we’d been so sick. Dan and I looked at our girls laid low on Monday, dozing and barely moving, muscles aching, so still, so calm, so quiet… so uncharacteristic. Dizzy on their feet and wobbly when they walked. They didn’t complain at all, they just surrendered to what they could not control. They rested and fought well. So proud of them.

It was a joy to see them bouncing around this evening and it was as though we were all wanting to pump our muscles in the air and rejoice in the feeling of good health. Of course we’re still a little tired and not completely recovered (possibly still infectious) but we feel a whole heap better, thank goodness! And the running and jumping only lasted half an hour before mutterings of, ‘I’m tired now,’ rang out. But I’m proud of my family for battling on and finding humour when there isn’t much to laugh about.

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34 thoughts on “PROUD of my family for fighting the spew!”

  1. Yay for small boobs and breastfeeding, my small boobs refused to give any milk unfortunately.  I love the photos, the beach always makes me feel a bit better 🙂 xx

  2. Oh you poor loves….feel for you..was it food poisoning or a bug…probably won’t know but the pictures after the event are so uplifting!!…take it easy and hope all recovered by now!!
    Big hugs all round.

  3. Aw, yay!  What a strong family!  Viruses like that can completely wreak havoc, can’t they? It always feels so wonderful when they’re gone, though, and makes me incredibly thankful for my usual state of health :-)  Glad you guys are all feeling so much better!

    Just curious – how many times a day do you b-feed Alice?  Are you still doing multiple feedings, or is it just once daily?  I have a friend who b-fed her little ones past a year, but she dropped down to only 1 morning feeding per day.  Still beneficial, but not as time-consuming.

  4. Oh you poor things. I usually manage to avoid the tummy bugs, lord knows what I’d do if I was ill as well as the kids and Rog. Here is to good health for the Lee family!

  5. Cheers Hay, feeling a lot better now x Thankfully we’ve only had this type of virus twice now in the past eight years. Ghastly virus. But certainly makes me appreciate feeling really well now we’re over the worse! x

  6. Hi Jenny, I feed Alice several times in 24 hours. I rarely feed in public places now – mostly just at home or in the car. She eats a wide range of foods and drinks milk and water from a cup too, but extended breastfeeding is a fabulous natural comforter for when little ones are ill or teething (I rarely need to use Pamol – just lots of extra comfort feeds). 

    It’s quite exhausting on my body though – still not menstruating and the sleep deprivation has affected my serotonin levels – which have needed a mild medicinal boost. 

    It wasn’t something I ‘planned’ to do when I became a mother – I just found myself feeding on demand and comfort feeding. I didn’t feel I could let my babies sleep far from my side, and so went with what my instincts told me. 

    It’s meant a lot of restrictions on my ability to go out on my own – especially in the evenings – but in the ‘big’ scheme of a lifetime this was something I personally felt content with – though I totally understand it’s not for everyone. I reckon I’m have ‘cave woman’ ;0)

    Sarah x

  7. Awww, thanks Michelle! I have to say mine didn’t offer much with my first child – emergency c-section slowed down the natural release too – but after extreme pain, and lots of very long demand feeding sessions, my milk supply finally starting producing a good amount around the six week mark – but my poor first child was a little hungry 🙁 – thankfully she had a great birthweight, plenty of wet and dirty nappies and I had an amazing midwife and the support of a lactation consultant too. If it wasn’t for them and my incredibly supportive husband, I would have given up. With my second and third children the milk came through explosively 🙂 more positive birth experiences too x

  8. Thanks folks, feeling on the road to recovery and so much better now we’re eating and drinking again 🙂 Lots of love and see you soon! xxx
    P.S. Looks like cousin Jane may be here on 21/22 Dec to help with Sophie’s party too!!

  9. Having a break from illnesses by escaping into the great outdoors is the best remedy for
    lifting spirits – and it looks like your brood were rejuvenated, albeit for 30
    minutes. Nonetheless, you have awesome pics to prove your triumph. Well done, Mama!

    Lien.
    http://allnewadventures.com

  11. Eeek tummy bugs are the worst! Glad to see you got out and got some fresh air though, that’s exactly what you want after being trapped inside dealing with grubbiness for days on end. Looks like a brilliant time 😀

  12. Great photos, feel nostalgic now, as we live din Sydney for 5 years, now bakc in london…and never really travelled around NZ, but have been to Auckland. I woulkd love to go skiing to NZ, that is my dream…
    Glad you have battled the virus, well done family 🙂 @Kahanka:twitter

  13. There’s nothing like some fresh air to blow the cobwebs away. And how lovely that you could kick that virus goodbye with a lovely run along the beach. As I sit in cold and very foggy England with a rotten cold, I’m feeling very jealous. Hehe. xx

  14. wow i adore those photos – such fun and energy being show cased! you would never have known you had all been under the weather before! you cannot beat getting out and getting some fresh air – making your cheeks all flushed and glowing!! aww you all look so happy. photos and a family to be very proud of xx

  17. Glad you are feeling better. Love the pic of you in the air. Feeding a child of 2 – right off to find the follow button 🙂

  22. Illness is poohy! Glad to hear you are all starting to feel better now!
    There is something about beach photos that just appeals to me more than any other setting. I just always associate them with fun. Looks like you had a great time!

  25. whenever we’re lucky enough to be by the sea, my husband always goes on and on about getting a ‘good lung full of the sea air’ … looks like you got plenty.  well done on kicking those germs to the erb (or should that be surf?) x

  31. Bugs are so awful when the while family catches them but I love those pictures. You look like you’ve taken some of those with a trampoline! Boobs are always worth being proud of!! 🙂

  32. Hey love. So sorry to hear of the bug but wow great you all bounced back quickly. Thats what being young and healthy does for ya I guess 🙂 hope the rest of your week has been better xx

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