Me & JP, Conversations with a 4 Year Old — The One About Throw Up…

JP is my 4-year-old grandson. He and his mom and dad and their English bulldog lived with us while their new house was being built.  One of the best things about having them here was spending time talking with him.  It makes me hopeful for the next generation.  He is so wise and so much fun!   You can find all my Me and JP stories here.

Sometime around 12:30 p.m. Friday night.  JP is having a sleepover at our house and is in the guest room, where he usually sleeps.  My son, David, whose room is next to the guest room,  comes to our room and says JP is calling me…

JP:  Nana, didn’t you hear me calling you?

Me:  Baby, I’m so sorry, I didn’t.

JP:  I threw up, Nana, I’m sorry…  (Poor baby, he sure did!  On the bed, the pillows, himself – thank goodness for waterproof mattress pads and washable foam pillows.  Miraculously, his stuffed foxes that he sleeps with every night did not take a hit…)

Me:   Oh, honey, don’t worry, it’s okay.  Nobody means to throw up, you couldn’t help it.  Come here by me.

JP:  No, Nana, don’t hug me.  You’ll get your nightgown full of throw up.

Me:  Ah, okay, well, can you take your pajamas off?

JP:  NO, I don’t want to touch them!

Me:  Honey, I’ll help you.  How does your tummy feel now?

JP:  It feels lots better, Nana.  Oh, wait, I think I might have to throw up more.  (And he does…)

JP:  What is that stuff?

Me:  I’d say it’s your dinner from last night.  Why don’t you lay down in Papa’s computer room while I change the sheets on the bed?

JP:  Nana, how am I going to fall asleep if I have to keep throwing up??

(After the sheets are changed, I lay down with him and he does fall asleep by about 2 a.m.  Unfortunately, he sleeps like a starfish, so I go back to my room at 2:30 so we can both get some rest…)

 

This morning, about 7:30 a.m. 

Me:  How do you feel this morning?  Maybe I should text Mommy and Daddy…

JP:  I feel good.  You can text them later, after we have McDonald’s for breakfast.

Me:  Oh, baby, I don’t think so.  Maybe some toast?

JP:  I don’t feel  hungry right now.   Papa made me some tea with honey.

Me:  Okay, just take a few spoonfuls and see how it goes.

JP:  I think I’m going to throw up again.  (And he does…)

Me:  I think I’ll just text Mommy and Daddy now.

JP:  Can we have McDonald’s next time when I don’t throw up?

Me:  That sounds perfect!

I’m doing laundry and having a tough time getting the smell out of some things like his jammies.  Someone suggested a mix of 2 cups hydrogen peroxide, 2 t. baking soda and a few drops dish detergent to soak clothing in or use on carpet.  Seems to be working.  Coincidentally, same mixture we used on Inga, our Norwegian Elkhound, when she got sprayed by a skunk so I have lots of peroxide on hand!  What an exciting life I lead…