Trip back to Taiwan

Here is a pic of Gemma cruisin' in the boat this summer. I will try to go backwards through the summer and give you some highlights through the next few weeks, but we'll start with the trip back to Taiwan.

Our trip started good. She slept great at Kala's, woke her to put her in the car at 3:45am, and had an uneventful drive in. Customs was busy but we were there early enough so it was no problem. (Calgary airport is EXTREMELY busy on those flights to LA, SanFran, etc. Not enough customs agents working and a tonne of flights al leaving at the same time) As we were standing to board the plane, right at the plane's door, she threw up. What a great way to start the day I thought, drat. Wrapped up her sweater, got on the plane. with a half hour left on that flight she threw up again. This time no salvaging the outfit. Stripped her down to her diaper, went to the bathroom and got as cleaned up as we could. I didn't have any extra clothes on hand because all oversized carry on had to be gate checked and put under the plane, so as soon as we were off the plane we got our bag and got her dressed again. Had a major cleanup in the real bathroom at the airport, rinsed the yucky clothes, etc, and waited around for our next flight. We had chicken noodle soup for lunch, trying to think of what would be healthy yet not hard on her stomach and she ate ok. Got on the next plane.

Well, those 12 hour flights just get longer and longer and longer. She slept a lot, which was good. I saved her some dinner, because I figured she would need to eat and she had just the carrots. After that she threw up 4 more times. She didn't even seem upset. She was acting normal. She would jut look at me weird, cough, and then blah. No crying or anything. By the time we landed she was in her last outfit. One more time and she would have had to wear her jacket and leg warmers off the plane! And, for good measure, she threw up in the car on the way home. Fortunately I was prepared and the beautiful car Chris had hired for us was spared (unlike the airplane pillows and blankets...)

She seemed ok at home, asking for milk, etc, and I cooked her some plain pasta. She had diareah twice. (can't spell it, sorry) Then at 8am she had the HUGEST puke I've ever seen (sensitive readers stop NOW). It was like a fountain. First it covered our Poang chair. Then she opened her mouth and more came out, all over her body and feet, till she was standing in a pool. It was very very very disgusting. Fortunately I had my loving husband home to assist me, so we got everything cleaned up. Since it had now been almost 48 hours without holding anything down it was off to the doctor for us.

He didn't have too much to say. He asked if she had had any recent illness and typed frantically as I relayed the last month for him. With all the visiting, other kids, hospital visit, traveling.... it was hard to pinpoint what the exact problem could be. He gave us lots of medicine and said to come back if she still can't eat later, or if she gets a fever. When you only weigh 20 lbs not eating for 2 days is a bit of a problem.

We bought some baby cereal, as Dr. recommended, and she has eaten a bit. Had some oatmeal this morning, and soda crackers, so my fingers are crossed. One runny diaper last night, but thats it, so hopefully she is on the mend. We so badly want to go visit Elias and Andy and Audrey but am too scared to contaminate with whatever bug she's got .

Now that we are back I will update frequently. Welcome back, loving readers!