ugh, ugh, and ugh

I have several posts in the works, but we've been felled over here by a couple of illnesses.

Gabe has some kind of gastrointestinal bug.

I have mastitis.

Both stink. Really, really stink. Literally and figuratively.

Gabe is lethargic, whiny, feverish, and has been having nonstop diarrhea since yesterday. Today we're on strict orders not to feed him anything at all and to keep pumping the electrolytes into him.

Mine started earlier this week when I began noticing that Josie wasn't draining my breasts all the way. A couple of days ago I realized that I had a lump in one of my breasts, and suspected a blocked milk duct. Although I started treating it immediately, by yesterday morning I was achy, headachy and feverish.

All I have to say is thank goodness my parents are still here. We would be so totally screwed without them. Yesterday I was incapable of getting out of bed and today, although I'm a bit better, I'm overwhelmed with the prospect of washing my hands every 30 seconds to keep the contagion away from Josie.

Plus, I'm feeding constantly to keep the mastitis and blocked duct from getting worse, and pumping when I'm not feeding to reduce the pressure. This never happened with Gabe, I suspect because he was such an avid eater. He would eat from both breasts and still be looking for food, whereas this little girl will munch for 10 minutes and come away satisfied. My boobs haven't quite caught on to the difference, I guess.

Anyway, I'm hoping that we'll be back to normal in a couple of days, hopefully in time for my parent's departure on Saturday. And I'm doubly hoping that we get a reprieve from illnesses for a little while! Keep your fingers crossed!