Yesterday Kwabi came home from daycare with multiple bouts of vomiting fluids he had drank that afternoon. By the time I got home around 7 p.m. our poor baby had thrown up maybe 6 or more times since Kwasi picked him up from daycare that afternoon.
Luckily, as the evening wore on, he continued to play like his normal self, drinking plenty of water, and holding it all down. I carefully lined his bed with a thick beach towel, as well as a towel under his head, just in case.
The first (and last) time he had a stomach bug with vomiting and diarrhea was December. In fact, I had requested time off from work to spend my 30th birthday at the spa, only to end up being puked on by a weary toddler that could do no more than cuddle on my lap (I guarantee it will be a birthday I will never forget, or regret, simply for that quality time we had that day).
Thankfully, Kwabi had no episodes of vomiting last night, or this morning after eating a full bowl of Cream of Wheat. I went to work, leaving Daddy and Kwabi to continue their male bonding since Kwabi couldn’t go to daycare today.
I admit that I felt guilty for leaving him, although he felt fine. Had he been vomiting and lethargic, I would have taken off without a hitch. But considering that he was fully engaged in playing with his choo choo trains this morning, and had an appetite, I felt confident that Daddy could take care of him and still be able to be a productive work-at-home employee.
As I was gathering my things to leave, I was apprehensive that Kwabi would cry out for me, pulling on me that he wanted to go bye-bye, too…that he couldn’t bear to part with me. But to my surprise, there he sat at the kitchen table, stating, “I want to color!” with a pack of washable markers and paper in front of him, and snacking on a plate of luscious strawberries.
“Bye, Mommy!”
HUH?
Is this the same child that cries every time he thinks I am leaving him?? How could he just say “bye”??
The fact that he was okay with me leaving made me realize that it was completely OK to leave him home with Daddy. I didn’t have to feel guilty that I wasn’t there to be with him, too. In fact, he needs this time to bond with Kwasi. His being okay with me leaving this morning was proof that he is getting comfortable separating from me, because he is starting to be able to find comfort in his father, too.
Kwasi took him out for a walk this morning…colored with him…put him down for a nap…
And all I could do was smile to know that the two most important guys in my life had a beautiful day together without me 🙂
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