Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Itchy

We have been running an experiment the past two nights, to see just how many times Larry and I can be roused from slumber by a coughing child before one or both of us goes stark raving mad.

It's not looking good.  I got more sleep during Navy boot camp.

Seasoned parents know that by the 3rd night, the child is coughing less.   I was looking forward to being able to lay my tired head down on my pillow and sleep a deep, dreamless sleep tonight.  All day, as babysitting plans and carpools were laid waste by children with sore throats and tummy aches and who knows what-all, I comforted myself with the thought that - once evening fell and this whole messed-up day was finally put to rest - at least Susie would not be waking us with her coughing.

My friend called me at 9:15, as I was embarking on my last stint of the day as family chauffeur, driving David home from Civil Air Patrol.  The friend, I might add, who was generous enough to let me bring my sick Rachel to her house this afternoon, where Rachel (and her germy pillow) lounged on this friend's couch while I ran to a doctor appointment.

Me: Hey, what's up?

Friend: I'm heading to Target.

Me: At this hour?  Why?

Friend: Oh, just picking up some hair things...

Okay, right there I should have understood what was happening.  But it had been a long day.

Me: Well, that's nice.  I'm going home.  Time for bed!

Friend:  You see, I noticed my eight-year-old scratching her head today...

So I headed to Target and we stood in the aisles and discussed the merits of various lice-killing methods (with her teen daughter standing there saying, "Could you guys keep it down?").  We even reminisced about a similar episode 2 years ago, and then the one 4 years prior to that.  Ah, nostalgia...

And could someone tell me why, of all nights, Rachel picked this evening to fall asleep in MY BED? 

13 comments:

  1. Itchies AND sneezies. I already rue the day . . .

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  2. If they were only boys you could just shave them bald and be done with it. Good luck. It can get out of control so easily. But still better the bed bugs.

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  3. I remember those days. Complicated, in our case, by the fact that the children's father would not de-bug his place when I de-bugged ours. And the kids went back and forth every weekend. Once the youngest left elementary school, the problem stopped.

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  4. I KNEW that I should not have read this! As I was clicking over I told myself not to. I reminded myself that you have the same bug issues that I have and it could only be something that would freak. me. out. for the rest of the day, but alas, read I did. And even though I know it's simply the power of suggestion, my head itches and my tummy is clenching. *shudder* Hope you don't actually get them!

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  5. Oh no! NO NO NO NO NOOOOOOO!

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  6. You people have more stuff crawling around on your heads: first centipedes, now this. I'm excited to learn which critter will take up residence next! My money is on silverfish.

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  7. Oh, SH!T. (And I think you know I don't swear.)

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  8. Ohhhhhh noooooooo........ Bugger all. Emphasis on the Bug. That sucks :(

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  9. Thanks. My head itches now.

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