Caked in Curdled Milk - Updated!

Despite it being Sunday, the morning began much like any other, with Sumie's iPhone blaring at us to wake up.  Two snoozes later we finally found the motivation to turn off the alarm completely.  Sumie rolled out of bed and started preparing for a day on call at the hospital.  I turned on the bedside lamp and opened my book, hoping for a little quiet reading before the day officially began.

Mimi, however, had woken up with us.  She normally sleeps through our alarms and morning routines, and if she does wake she almost always hits her own snooze button and cat naps at least until Sumie and I have both showered.  This morning, however, Mimi wasn't putting herself back to sleep.  Her whining persisted and so Sumie snuck out of the bedroom to snatch Mimi and bring her back to our bed.  And that's when I heard the following.

Sumie:
"Good morning, Mimiko!"  (Sweetly)
"Mimi.  What's this?"  (Playfully)
"Ohhhhhh.  Oh no."  (Quietly.  Discoveringly.)
"Oh my God."  (Softly.  Beginning to get a sense of the situation.)
"Oh my God."  (Louder.  Understanding sinking in.)
"Ohhhh  my Gahhhhhhd!"  (Louder still.  Abject disbelief.)

Me, from the bedroom:  "What happened?  Did she poop?"

Sumie:  "No.  She threw up.  Everywhere."

Mimi has been a remarkably healthy baby.  She's only had a few colds in her short life and very, very rarely brings back up what she takes in.  It had been at least a year since she'd last spat up in her sleep.  When we found her this morning she seemed OK - no fever and just a little crankiness - but something had definitely disagreed with her tummy. 

Sumie extracted Mimi from her room and started drawing a bath.

"Can you take care of the sheets?"  she asked me.

"On my way."  I strolled sleepily through the hall and entered Mimi's room.  

Now, as a parent, I've dealt with my share of stinky and disgusting substances, but nothing prepared me for what was awaing in Mimi's room.  As I crossed threshold the smell grabbed hold of me.  It assaulted me.  Walking into Mimi's room was like walking into a putrid abandoned dairy.  In August.  Not the most pleasant experience, particularly early on a Sunday morning.  And then there was the bedding.  The sheet, Mimi's PJs, and her blanket were all caked in curdled dairy.  It was like she fell asleep eating cottage cheese and then woke up three weeks later.

But the damage done to the sheets and blanket was nothing compared to what Mimi had inflicted on poor Nyan-nyan, her little orange stuffed kitty and best friend.  I can picture what must have happened quite clearly.  Mimi, feeling ill and insecure due to her upset tummy, had probably cuddled Nyan-nyan tight for a little reassurance.  And that's when her belly's wrath was unleashed.  I have to give that little kitty his due.  He took the full brunt of that onslaught and was still there for Mimi, though a little worse for wear, when we found the mess this morning.  After a quick spin in washer he was feeling a bit better.

By mid-morning Mimi was feeling better as well.  She was still a little weak, a little queasy, but she was keeping down water, was fever free, and was playing happily with her house.

I'm not really sure what caused Mimi's upset stomach - perhaps it was a few too many crackers and a bit too much steak with our friends last night - but the girl does seem to be on the mend.  And having her a bit under the weather this morning hasn't been a burden.  In fact, it's meant more cuddling for me.  I guess, despite the ominous start, the day's turning out rather well after all.

Update! 

Mimi is not 100% yet, but doing much better.  She was quiet most of Sunday, but had regained some of her appetite, and playfulness, by dinner time.  This was good news, because we were having dinner with our friends Hanayo and Juan at their apartment in Nob Hill.

Unfortunately, particularly for Hanayo and Juan's nice white rug, Mimi hadn't quite fully recovered.  Toward the end of dinner, our lively conversation was gently interrupted by a soft little "hwarf," followed by a chunky stream of egg, miso soup, milk, and rice.  A few sniffles and wet rags later, Mimi was feeling chipper again.  She even insisted on more miso soup, which this time she was able to keep down. 

Mimi went right to bed last night, slept well, and woke vomit-free.  Hooray!  But this morning wasn't all smiles and sunshine.  Mimi, perhaps still feeling a bit under the weather, couldn't decide if she wanted to stay in her crib and sleep or come out and play.  Here's the solution she came up with. 

Not the one I'd employ, but it seemed to work for her.  15 minutes later she was up and about.  It's good to see her feeling better.