Isn't it romantic

M and I are going on our tenth year together. We still adore each other, sure, but our idea of romance has become more M bringing the laundry upstairs for me or making pancakes and coffee on a lazy Sunday afternoon than a dozen roses or box of chocolates. But for this Valentine's Day, we decided we needed some couple time, so we went on the brunch cruise on the Odyssey out of Boston.

I wasn't sure we were going, because Boo had a nasty stomach flu on Wednesday night that thankfully cleared pretty quickly. But then M got it and spent Friday being sick. I told him if he didn't feel like sailing around Boston Harbor, I would understand. But he felt better for Saturday morning, so off we went.

We left the Boo with my parents in Melrose. They were thrilled to get time with their grandson. We drove into town and parked at the Rowes Wharf garage, watching all the beautiful people going in and out of the Boston Harbor Hotel. Then we boarded and settled in on the ship.

It could not have been nicer. The weather was beautiful, and the food was outstanding. Each couple got a single long-stem red rose (to me, nicer than a dozen -- I had my bridesmaids each carry one flower instead of a bouquet at my wedding), and there was a musical combo playing, complete with dancing. We took a walk up to the deck, watched the city and the harbor islands go by and just enjoyed each other and the food and atmosphere. After the week of sickness and work and stress, it was so fabulous just to sit quietly with my husband, enjoy some good food and listen to the ocean.

On our first date, we went to the North End, so the original plan was to go walk around there afterward. But M was really pushing it to make the cruise, so we got the car afterward. We stopped at the cemetery to leave my rose with my late grandfather. Then we went to the Hilltop butcher shop to get M some prime rib. We had coffee with my parents, picked up the Boo and came home, tired, happy and having enjoyed each other.

I love you, M. A perfect day with the perfect man.

What a week!

I haven't been in the office since Monday because my son has had one of the lovely viruses going around. You moms know what I'm talking about: seven to 10 days, got to run its course. He's been running fevers and feeling like ass. He's also not eating great, which is unlike my moose son. He started getting sick Saturday, and only now does he feel better. Poor Boo.

Have a good weekend. I'm praying for warmth and health.

Oh, what a night

So Boo has another stomach virus. I hear it's going around. He threw up yesterday. And threw up. And threw up. Until he had the dry heaves. He was scared. So was I. The doc said to give him small amounts of Pedialyte at a time, which meant someone had to stay up with him all night.

Enter my super husband.

I came downstairs on occasion to check on things, but my man stepped up to the plate and took care of Boo. He's amazing. Boo seems better today. I'm sick of sick, man.

Cheap clothes

I went to JJill and Talbots on Saturday and cleaned up. The clothes were, in some cases, 75 percent off. I walked out of Talbies and Jill with two pairs of pants, a pair of shorts and two sweaters -- and was only $70 poorer. Spread the word.

One other thing I got Saturday was an infected tear duct. I pulled weeds in my yard, showered, changed and headed to the mall. On the way there my eye started tingling. Well, by the time I got to the mall it was red and swollen. Doc has me on antibiotics. Yuck. Boo's done with his and I start up.

And the world rejoiced for the silence

My throat started feeling scratchy on Friday, and by today, I am in full-blown laryngitis. For some reason, my colds tend to go into my throat and render me mute for a few days. Trying to sip tea and keep quiet today to give my voice box a chance to heal. If you need me, email.

Croup, croup, croup, croup, croup

That's what Boo sounded like Monday morning when he woke M and me out of a sound sleep, sounding like a barking seal. And that's what he has. A 2 a.m. trip to the ER and some steroids later, and he's on the mend. Poor baby. He does like the word croup -- laughs when I say it. Lately he's laughing and talking up a storm. Sweetie.

The things on my mind:

Hillary. Goodbye, my friend.

Gas prices: When does it stop?

This heat is disgusting. Glad today's the last day. Been hibernating in the house.

Is daycare making my son sick?

Burnt offerings

Boo is still sick. His food is basically passing right through him. I've been on the phone with the doctor every day and have had to ask family to pinch-hit to watch him because I can't send him to daycare. Doc seems to think the diarrhea will just take time to resolve, but I am freaked about him becoming dehydrated.

And I am fried. It's been an ear infection, now a stomach bug, and now I have the same bug now that I've kicked the ear infection. I feel like crying all the time. I was supposed to see my therapist yesterday, but when I tried to take Boo out, he puked. In the store. So I didn't want to bounce him around too much. Sometimes, being a new mom can really suck. I'm sorry to keep asking the Internet at large for advice, but any moms who want to offer any on how to kick this burnt feeling, stop stressing and take care of my kid will be my new heroes.

A crappy weekend

Actually, it wasn't terrible. I got my marigolds planted and some mulch laid down, M opened the pool and we got some ice cream. The poo poo part comes from the baby.

Sunday morning he threw up his bottle. And threw up again. And again. We were scared and called the doc. She suggested to us he might have an obstruction, so we put him in the car and went down to UMass. He was thoroughly evaluated, and he has gastroenteritis, AKA the good ol' stomach flu. Yes, it's viral, and there's not a lot they can do for it.

So Monday he seemed better and we actually had him on some formula. Then we were walking around new Super Wally World when he hurled. All over himself. Poor bubba. I made M abandon the cart in the middle of the store and we brought him home. We managed to get some more formula in him, and he held it down, but this morning he had some diarrhea, so I worked at home and stayed home with him. He's a cranky boy because he wants formula, but I need to give him Pedialyte every few hours, and it just ain't holding him.

Any tips? This has been one long, shitty day. On the upside, I am doing much better.

Sick at sea

M and I just got back from a two-day cruise to nowhere on Norwegian. It basically was an excuse to drink, smoke, gamble and record baseball games with implied verbal consent (remember that Simpsons episode where they went into international waters?). Unfortunately, I started feeling assy as we were leaving, and I only got sicker as we were at sea. I spent most of our trip in bed, being rocked to sleep by the ocean. M and I have more to say about this cruise, but that's all you need to know for now.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and mom wannabes!

What a drag it is getting old

I spent yesterday in bed. Not doing anything fun -- with the flu. I was so sick that I had to have my in-laws come and take the baby so I could sleep. Body aches, fever, stuffy nose, absolute exhaustion -- you name it. My MIL asked me if I'd eaten. That would have involved getting out of bed, so I pretty much went without food yesterday.

In the good news department, because I slept, I woke up this morning with no fever and just some congestion. Just in time to go to work. I asked my doc if passing it to Boo was a concern, and he laughed and said, "Where do you think YOU got it from?" Of course, Boo's cold is much better, except for the sniffles. Ah, to be young again!