Christmas Sickness

We had done it! We had survived Loran being away most of December, made it through the going-away party, girls’ birthday party, Christmas program and Ella’s fifth birthday without major mishaps. A few bouts of completely random vomiting and a blizzard, but otherwise, we were all intact and ready for Christmas. We decided to celebrate our family’s Christmas on the 22nd since we had the whole day free. It also let us take down the Christmas tree on the 24th in preparation for the move (seriously, how sad is that?!).

Given the girls’, especially Ella’s excitement over Christmas, I was really looking forward to this time with them. I was excited for the gifts we’d put under the tree for them. In past years, I had *maybe* over purchased for them, more in quantity than quality. Then halfway through their present piles, they’d have tired out and were near tears. This year, they had a few, carefully curated gifts.

The girls patiently waited throughout the day to open gifts, even though it was killing them to wait. I had dinner in the slow cooker and cheesy buns rising. As the sun sank, we gathered around the tree and it was finally time to tackle those gifts.

Lily’s reaction towards her gifts was just as I’d hoped. Total elation, even when she didn’t know what it was. She’d open a gift, and even if she’d only exposed a plain cardboard box, she’d ohh and ahh over it, exclaim how wonderful it was and then in her sweet little voice, ask, “What is it?” We’d then help her uncover the rest of the gift and she’d become even more excited! Ella, was another story. Our usually happy girl seemed completely indifferent to each gift uncovered. Everything she opened got a lukewarm reaction, and she’d set it down with an “eh”. It was rather disheartening.  I felt like I’d completely let my girl down at Christmas.

The girls started playing with their gifts as we worked on getting dinner ready. Then, we got an answer to our unasked question. Ella complained that her ear hurt. Of course, it was 5:30 on a Saturday night. Of course, urgent cares near us closed at 5. Of course, we were going into the middle of a weekend that turned into Christmas. Of course, we had a regularly scheduled doctor’s appointment for Ella on the 26th.  It was like the perfect storm. The only open urgent care clinics were 45 minutes away. I decided to try a service I’d heard about on the radio called Virtuwell. An online diagnosis with phone consultation. While they couldn’t diagnose Ella with an ear infection without actually seeing the ear, they did prescribe ear numbing drops and gave us some tips on how to alleviate her symptoms so we could get her through to the 26th.

Turns out, I didn’t ruin Christmas! Illness did. Only four days until her doctor’s appointment…

On the 23rd, we had originally planned to take Ella to American Girl for her birthday outing and then celebrate Christmas at Nana and Papa’s house. Ella wasn’t quite 100%, but wasn’t miserable. We cancelled the American Girl outing and instead took her to Toys r Us to pick something out while Lily stayed with Nana and Papa. We picked out a sweet bedroom set for Ella’s American Girl doll, Rebecca. Once we were back, we had a great dinner and dessert and then sat down to open gifts. Ella had a little more pep in her step, we were feeling pretty good about her health.

Three days until the doctor’s appointment, feeling pretty good!

Christmas Eve, the girls were able to sleep in. Ella was still not 100%, but seemed to rebound okay with ibuprofen. I took down all of our Christmas decorations in preparation for the move (except stockings!) We met Grandma, Grandpa and Chelsey at church and enjoyed a nice Christmas service, Eagle Brook style. After church, we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa’s house for some Chinese food, yule log watching and gifts. While there, Ella was chilled and tired so she cuddled with Loran under blankets before dinner and then started to perk up once her ibuprofen kicked in. Lily was her usual congenial self. Insisting we build castles around her while she wore a tiara. Classic Lily. After dinner, there was some commotion, some noises on the roof and the girls were at the window looking for Santa! Sure enough, there were boot prints in the snow and gifts from Santa on the front step! Oh, the excitement!

Chelsey gave Lily this great interactive puppy. The package kept barking, yet Lily didn’t seem to notice. Her reaction was hilarious. She LOVES this dog and named it Rowan after our neighbor girl. For Lily, our move was defined by when the moving truck would arrive and reunite her with her Rowan Puppy. In fact, when we did happen to unearth it from the moving box it was in, we walked it into the girls’ room (yes, it walks) and Lily looked up and yelled, “MY ROWAN PUPPY IS BACK!” and swooped it up, giving it the biggest hug. It barks at me a lot, but it’s still better than a real dog.

We got home and found a card in the door from Jingle Bells, saying goodbye. He had left a surprise of new pajamas for everyone. Of course, the girls were too tired/cranky/sick to care. Not quite as magical as I’m sure Jingle Bells thought it would be.

Two days to go…

Christmas morning, Ella was doing worse. Santa’s visit lifted her spirits. She received a pretend cat, just like she’d asked for. Lily got markers and paper and all was right with the world. Luckily, Santa brought Lily some washable markers because we found both girls huddled together drawing on one another’s faces. Of course.

One child took their reprimand harder than the other.

We called Virtuwell again for some reassurance, they gave us a few more ideas to make Ella feel better and we limped her through the day. We went to the Redmann Christmas. Unfortunately, Ella just wasn’t feeling well. She as cold and shivering, tired and just out of it. After we ate, we decided to leave so Ella could go home and rest. We stopped at the Straight’s house on our way home so Ella could make an appearance, figuring she’d stay home with Loran for the evening Christmas festivities at their house. Luckily, her ibuprofen had kicked in by the time we arrived there, so they got an hour with a happy Ella.

Loran stayed home with Ella while she rested and he packed. Lily and I headed back to Straight’s house for Christmas with everyone. Lily really missed having her sister there. That last sentence was a complete lie. Lily savored every bit of attention she received and really enjoyed having the spotlight on herself. She literally stood in the middle of the room performing. Singing, dancing, making odd noises and faces, whatever would get attention.

I gave Jacob a huge box filled with balloons that were filled with random things, but one had a gift card!

John had Chelsey and he gifted her airline miles. She cried. I cried.

Despite the late night, Lily and I chatted the entire way home. Ella and Loran cuddled, watched a show, had some snacks and she was in bed early. She slept well and Lily went to bed filled with Christmas joy.

It was hard to believe that Christmas night would be the last night we would sleep in our house. Come morning, a packing crew would ascend upon our house and box up our belongings. That little Dynamite house held a lot of memories of Christmases past, new baby’s first nights, and every day occurrences. Lots of reflection that last night in our home.