For the first time since becoming parents, Bryan and I both got sick.

Our symptoms were brutal but passed relatively quickly – this was not the tough thing. The tough thing was managing our sweet little baby girl through it all.

I spent the weekend watching her, mostly on my own. I am a seasoned veteran at the individual tasks – feeding, diapers, walks, etc. – but the idea that Bryan wouldn’t be able to help at all was constantly lingering in my mind. I also dedicated a good chunk of my brainpower to the idea that she could get sick, how can I keep her from getting sick, how would I know if she got sick???

When Bryan and I switched off being sick (because we live in a one bedroom apartment and it was inevitable), I had the opposite worries. Is Bryan OK? Does he need any help? Wait, I can’t help! Is she sick now? Would Bryan be able to tell if she got sick? Wait, I can’t be worrying – I don’t have the brain capacity to worry. Won’t it make it harder for me to recover if I’m stressed???

Anyway, baby girl is starting day care next month, and by many accounts, having a child in day care is like welcoming your home to all of the germs in all of the other children’s homes. This cycle will definitely repeat itself again!