I spent the day home today babysitting Rae because she wasn’t feeling too well. She threw up most of her dinner on Thursday night, the vast majority of which landed on me, and subsequently couldn’t keep down her Friday morning bottle. It was decided that I would stay home to nurse the babe back to health and potentially be in to work by 11.

Three feedings, a bath with daddy and three outfit changes later, I had been successfully puked upon 5 times in a 24 hour period. I’m contacting Guinness tomorrow to see if this is some kind of a record.

Needless to say, Rae actually had a pretty good day. She slept a lot and didn’t seem too distraught about the fact that she was getting 0% of her reccommended daily intake of vitamins, minerals and pureed veggies.

I, on the other hand, have learned how to extend a 9-month-old over the kitchen sink while she projectile vomits – all the while spouting reassuring, nurturing phrases from my own mouth. I’m certain this is a skill that will be helpful later in life.

I guess my main thought about today is this: seeing your child in pain brings out the best in you. I’ve never loved Rae such much as when I comforted her today. You’d think cleaning up someone else’s technicolor yawn would not endear that person to you, but that’s just what it did. Every time she needed me, I was there. Every time she fell asleep in my arms I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to be the father helping his little girl through a rough day.