NYE 2015

To say that we started our day early is a bit of an understatement. It started with K complaining of tummyaches and nausea the night before. After coaxing her to go to bed, turns out she did wake up abruptly needing to vomit. Her vomitting spell did not abate and sometime in the dead of the night, she started having the runs. It felt vaguely familiar as it was the same behaviour she displayed when we were in USA and she had to be put into diapers to help manage the runs. After constantly purging out everything that she consumed, no matter how tiny a sip of water, the husband was concerned she may be dehydrated so at 4+am, he made the call to bring her to the emergency clinic for consultation. I had been half-asleep while the husband was tending to her through the night, and at that point I woke up. It was also at about this point that J got up and started to complain of tummyache too... and just as we made the decision of dividing-and-conquering with me staying home to be with the boy and the husband going with the girl... J vomitted... twice. At this point, we were resigned that they both very likely had something similar and we all got changed to go out together. By the time the consultation and payments were completed, it was 6am - the skies was not even bright as we made our way home. (PS: J requested for a sip of water at the hospital lobby and he took it and minutes later, even before we made it to the car, he had proceeded to vomit the sips of water he took earlier along with everything else more right in the middle of the hospital lobby - oops. That's how strong the terrible virus was!)

 

Once home, the children were put to bed promptly and thankfully, they managed to sleep despite being dehydrated and uncomfortable.

 

Poor little girl

 

Poor little boy

With them asleep, the husband managed to catch some snooze and we both left home at about 9am to go to work. It was a pretty quiet time in the office and I managed to accomplish the things I needed to... and after arranging to meet the husband, we made it home by 5pm to two sickly and tired children. Our initial plans of heading to a friend's party was cancelled as we opted to stay in on a quiet, quarantined night.

All they could stomach was plain porridge with pickled veg.

They were both very weak and it was heartbreaking watching them lie so listless... the boy went to bed earlier and we managed to entertain the girl with launching a boardgame that the children received for Christmas... and it felt great to see K break into smile a couple of time while we were playing together.

Playing games... bonding

K went to bed about 11pm and the husband and I sat in our living room watching TV... and we pretty much welcomed 2016 with no fanfare. We stood in our home, watching the fireworks that was blasting away at different parts our island... K was awakened when we went in to kiss the children and she managed to catch the fireworks too.

We ended the night very simply - by just continuing to watch TV, drinking some wine and going to bed. Even though it doesn't feel good to see the kids in discomfort, I'll like to take this episode positively that we're detoxing for 2015, to get ready for a better 2016! Truly, what's most important is that our family is safe and well, and together with one another. What more can we ask for?

Here's to partnership in handling crisis and challenges, viewing things positively and emerging stronger, healthier and better!

Happy New Year!