I don’t get sick often.

Prior to the start of 2017, I think I could count on one hand the times that I had a high fever in the last ten years.

One of the hardest parts of parenthood so far came when we had to take our daughter on her first trip to daycare. Up until that point, we’d entrusted her health to no one less than ourselves. Now we were handing her over to caretakers who could only tell us that she would be as safe as the industry demands. Daycare centers are, by definition, the perfect place for virus transmission. They’re like little toddler airports. We were warned that Jaina might contract 8-12 colds within her first year.

Since April, we’ve been riddled with sickness and disease in our house. Right on track:

• Ear Infection
• Cold
• Hands, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD)

What I hadn’t really considered, was how easily these viruses were going to jump to mom and dad. In hindsight, it makes sense. Jaina reached out for me and I pick her up. The next thing I know she’s got her hand on my nose, spreading her germs all over me.

The result?

The chills, the sore throats, the fever!

It’s all too much! It stalks us every other weekend!!!

Thankfully, Jaina, punches through each new illness like a champ. Sick one day and healthy as ever the next. My doctor jokingly tells me, “Oh yeah, she changes over so quickly, she’s basically just the delivery system for whatever she’s bringing home to you.”

That isn’t to say that I blame her cute little baby face.

Quite the contrary. At this point, I’m thinking of a great business proposal. I mean, seriously, why aren’t we selling any clean room suits in the 9-12 month range? Seems like we are missing a sizable market if you ask me. Just zip her up in one of those and set her lose at the daycare. The kids can’t spread sick if they can’t come in contact with one another.

As I write this post, I am working my way through my share of Hands Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD). It’s not great. Thankfully, I appear to have been spared the worst of it as both my hands and feet lack any blisters that can plague poor unsuspecting adults. It’s just a lot of mouth pain for me, and my pain threshold is loooooow.

Ah well, finger crossed things are up and running soon.