Weekend-Schmeekend

I had great plans for the past weekend. Fun was to be had by all!

My folks were coming into town to celebrate Emma's birthday a little early, since they won't be here on the day. Grupo Fantasma was playing at Central Market on Saturday night, and we were all going to go. I've heard much about this group and have wanted to see them for a while. Central Market seemed the perfect venue: outside under the trees, good food, good beer and wine, and a playscape for the wee one.

Sunday, the husband's band Mundi was playing at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center for their Spring Plant Sale. I love the Wildflower Center. Especially in the spring. My Dad loves plants, and there's the Little House with activities for Ms. Emma. All this, and we'd be supporting Darrel and enjoying the music at the same time. What could be better?

But alas, the weekend gods did not smile upon me or mi familia.

Firstly, Mom called Friday morning saying she wasn't feeling well. She still wanted to come, but thought she should warn us about the possibility of her getting us sick. Ha! I said. I laugh at your puny Edna germs. We have Austin immune sytems. Bring 'em on!

Upon arriving home after work, I found Emma laying on the couch looking pale. She had 102 fever. Ugh. So much for Austin immune systems. Several of her friends at school had been out too.

My folks came anyway. Emma had moments of feeling not too bad, mixed with moments of feeling like crap. Her fever went up and down like a bloody lift all weekend. Then, to put the icing on the shitty-weekend cake, my Dad fell ill. I felt like we should quarantine the house.

So, no Fantasma, no Wildflowers. I suppose there will be other near-perfect weekends.

As I sit here on Monday afternoon at home, Emma is still ill. I took the day off and took her to the doctor this morning. No ear infection, and her lungs are fine. She may have strep, and I'll know that tomorrow. Or, he said, it could just be a virus that causes a 4 to 5 day fever. Lovely. Dave at work's little one Ian had something eerily similar last month. So, something's going around. I would not have felt left out if it had skipped right over Emma.

If her fever continues past 5 days, the doctor said, it's time for blood work. I can't even think about that. What does that even mean? They take some blood and look for....what? Perhaps I don't want to know.

I hope she recovers soon. I feel so damn helpless. All I can do is give her tylenol, water, and juice and hope for the best. What a great Mom, huh?

Oops, Emma's awake. Gotta go.