Where have all the house calls gone?

Let me start this post off by saying, I am truly grateful to have my dad around. Not only is he a great dad, but he also happens to be a doctor. When each girl was in her first year of life, I would take them up to his office to weigh and measure them on the off months of their regular doctor appointments. (The baby books have spots for each month's measurements, but you only go in for 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months. What were they thinking? They really should coordinate that better. Or, maybe it's just that not everyone is as compulsive as I am.)

Charlotte visiting Papa at work when she was 1 month old.

Molly checking Charlotte out with Papa's stethoscope.

Anyway, whenever something weird is going on, be it a rash, a cough, a fever, I just call my dad. We actually have a family doctor separate from my dad, but it is so convenient to have a direct line to a doctor. I don't have to go through the rigmarole of calling front offices or nurses, and then waiting for someone to be available to return the message. Just a quick call, "Hey dad, do you think I should worry about ... " And, we've never actually had to take either girl to an urgent care clinic or even to the doctor when they've been sick. Only for regular growth checkups. We even get him to come over to make house calls. So nice.

Well, recently a problem developed. My dad decided to leave the country. Those of you who know my dad, know this is not a new thing. He's constantly traveling to some far away place or another. But, this time, well, the girls decided to get sick. I mean, it is January, which in the world of preschool means massive, and total germ infestation. I really should've expected it. But, oh, I was so naively optimistic. Apparently, I put way too much trust in my tiny, pocket-sized antibacterial gel. (Be warned: Bath & Body Works will lead you astray with their good-smelling, cute-looking, adorably named bottles. It will not protect you from the pure evil that is KID GERMS.)


My dad left last Tuesday. By Wednesday, I had to take Molly in to the doctor's office for her very first ear infection. She'd spent Tuesday night screaming in pain clutching her ear, while simultaneously throwing up. It was a fun night. So, off we trouped to the only doctor in the office with a same-day opening. By, Thursday night, Charlotte had developed a fever of 103, which continued off and on for the next three days. I kept thinking she was getting better, then she would lay on me and shiver her whole body, while saying, "cold, cold, cold." Then cough herself into throwing up. Aack! What to do? Oh, did I mention that Cory left town for a long weekend on Thursday? Yeah, and that I then got sick on Saturday?

On the plus side, I did get this adorable picture of Charlotte when she passed out in the middle of playing in the morning while Molly was at school. Being sick is tiring.

Basically, all I'm saying is that I've been completely engrossed in the household sickness for the last week, all the while, my dad has been touring Italy. He gets back tomorrow. It couldn't come soon enough. And, he's not allowed to leave again. I'm starting a petition. Would anyone like to sign?

Tally from this week:
1 bottle amoxicillin
1 bottle children's Tylenol
8 boxes of Kleenex*
2 boxes of adult cold medicine*
6 loads of vomit-covered laundry**

(*still counting ... )
(** please god, hopefully, no more counting)