Happy April everyone! Today’s new release is the Letter E Song. Yes, I put my daughter’s name in it, and yes, if you too have an Emma feel free to explain that it was written just for her.
Today I’m sharing a story called “Lauren has shortcomings.” Two things to know before I do: I am a germophobe. And my son Freddie has Celiac disease, which is an allergy to gluten.
A few weeks ago Elizabeth and I went on a date night to a new Pop Up restaurant. They are inherently more exciting because they pop up! And then disappear! As soon as we got there and parked (and not a moment before), our babysitter called and said Freddie threw up. So I said, Elizabeth you do so much for the family, you stay, I’ll go home and deal with this.
No. As soon as I heard the word barf, I went into a tail spin. Obviously Freddie got a stomach bug. We would all get it. We should cancel our plans for the next week, maybe two. I remember getting the bug last year. I remember weeping on the bathroom floor. I hate the stomach bug. I know everyone does- but I hate it the most. It’s called catastrophizing and it’s what I do when I’m awake.
When we got home Elizabeth ran to Freddie because by then he had thrown up several times. And because she’s a functioning adult. I also ran… first to get a mask. I was going to follow her when a thought popped into my head. What if Freddie ate gluten? He shouldn’t have, he never does, this has never happened. But….maybe?
On a whim I ran into the kitchen and I tore open the garbage like an animal looking for, well, gluten. And there it was, right on top. An empty box of ravioli. There had been a terrible mix up and Freddie was accidentally given regular ravioli instead of the gluten free ravioli he was supposed to eat. Poor Freddie. But it was gluten!
I immediately ran upstairs yelling “Gluten!” and I hugged Freddie so tight, offering him all the comfort I could, now that I knew he wasn’t contagious.
It certainly wasn’t my finest parenting moment and I am able to admit that. But I am grateful for Elizabeth and anxiety medication. And it’s something I can learn from, until it’s actually the stomach bug, and then I will move out of the home.
You can find the Letter E here, and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more.
Questions, comments, concerns or feelings of disappointment toward me, please send them to hello@woobyandfotty.com.
Don’t forget to feed the fish.
Love,
Lauren