Originally titled: "Stuck between a Petunia and a Dash"
Petunia is now sick. Here's an excerpt of our pre-bed conversation:
Petunia: "Mama, I'm freezing!"
Mama: "I know, Petunia, it's because you have a fever and the medicine isn't working yet."
Petunia: "Mama, I have chicken pox!"
Mama: "I'm quite certain that you don't have chicken pox, Petunia."
Petunia: "Duck bites! I have duck bites!"
Mama, intrigued: "What are duck bites?"
Petunia: "THESE! (pointing)"
Mama, giggling: "Goose bumps, Petunia, you have goose bumps."
Petunia: "Goose bumps, duck bites, WHATEVER, I just want someone to warm me up!"
And with that, we ALL climbed in my big bed -- a feverish Petunia on one side, a still-fighting-a-cold Dash on the other side, and Mama in the middle. We've never attempted this before, and I must say that it was very sweet while it lasted. I never woke up to post last night because with Petunia asleep on my left shoulder and Dash asleep on my right, I was quite stuck. Petunia sang Dash to sleep, and they were reaching to hold each other over me. Since Dash doesn't ever want Petunia near me or near his sleeping quarters, this was a very special time -- like he knew she was sick and needed me too.
But, as I said, it didn't last the night -- as Petunia's fever broke, she started tossing and turning and talking A LOT in her sleep, waking Dash who demanded FiFi and cried for Daddy-hold-you. So, at 2:30, I asked Petunia if she could go back to her bed -- especially because I hadn't yet gotten a wink of sleep. I expected a fight, but instead? She said, "Thank goodness, that baby's been keeping me up all night."
Originally posted to Rox and Roll on Vox, November 16, 2007.
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