I woke up to someone pulling my arm and the sounds of sobs which were being muffled.
I Instantly knew that it was Louis as 1) he was to small to reach my shoulder to shake and 2) the sobs were being muffled by his dummy.
I turned around and saw my 2 year old staring up at me with tears glittering in his eyes while other tears were falling.
We had only just got Louis a big boy bed after he learnt how to climb out of his crib, which nearly gave me and Niall a heart attack, so he must be using his new sense of freedom to come and get us.
'What's the matter Lou Lou?'
All he did was reach up for me which I gladly picked him up and placed him on my chest. He soon snuggled into me and his cries started to soften.
'Did you just want some company?' I asked while playing with his soft feathery hair.
He nodded his head and fell back asleep. I contemplated taking him back to his room but all hell would break lose if he woke up somewhere different than where he fell asleep.
We only did this once and never made the same mistake again. He was so upset he physically cried himself sick! We think it's due to his past but we're not 100% sure exactly what happened.
We have only had Louis with us for about 6 months and except from having the odd nightmare he has been settling in great. Are eldest Liam who is 5 adores him and Louis adores his older brother. We were worried that Liam would get jealous as he would no longer have us to himself after 3 years, but we weren't to worry as Liam has taking a very caring role towards Louis.
I pulled the duvet over me and Louis and I could hear as he breathed that he sounded congested and he also felt a bit warm against my bare chest, but I just put it down to the fact that he's been crying and fell asleep.
***
The next morning I awoke to the alarm going off and Louis shifting in his sleep while trying to find a more comfortable position.
I gently rubbed his back in hopes that he will settle back down but when I was rubbing his back I could feel heat coming from him even through his shirt.
I gently lifted his shirt so it wouldn't wake him and placed my hand on his bare skin. He was defiantly warm in my opinion, to warm at that. Just then Niall started to move about.
'Morning love'
'Morning Ni.'
'How long has he been in here?'
'I'm not sure exactly what time he came in here but he was crying and looking for cuddles.'
'Aw bless!'
He started to get up but I quickly stopped him.
'Hang on before you get up does Louis feel warm to you?'
'What do you mean?'
'I think he might have a temperature.'
Niall placed his hand also on Louis' back as he couldn't reach Louis' forehead due to his face being stuffed into my chest, and agreed that he was warmer than normal.
He got up out of bed and came round to my side and started to gently coax Louis out of sleep.
'Lou Lou can you wake up for papa?'
He slowly opened his eyes and tears soon began to fall as he reached for his papa.
'Your okay baby, do you feel icky?'
He nodded his head and let out a small round of coughs before his nose started to run. He was also starting to shake so I went and got a blanket that he could be wrapped in to keep warm.
Once he was wrapped up and securely back in Niall's arms I lifted my hand and felt his forehead.
'He's defiantly to warm Ni.'
'He can you grab me his dummy thermometer?'
'Sure love.'
I walked into are bathroom and got the thermometer and kids cold and flu before heading back into the room.
'Look baby daddy has a new dummy for you!' Niall said excitedly as we knew Louis was quite content at the moment with the one he had. He turned his head away from me obviously not wanting to change dummies.
'It will be really quick and then you can have this one back.' Niall tried to bargain with our 2 year old and it did eventually work as Louis handed me the one he was currently using and I quickly placed the new one in is mouth.
I turned it on and watched him to make sure he didn't spit it out and a minute later I removed it.
'Dummy please' I could tell he was congested as when he didn't have his dummy in I could hear him wheezing and his voice was incredibly horse.
'Hang on Lou I want to give you some medicine a minute'
'No daddy.'
Louis really hates taking medicine and it is like world war three trying to get him to take it.
'What was his temperature?'
'101.9'
'Lou come on you need to take the medicine to help you feel better.'
'Noooo'
'Haz I will handle this can you go make sure Liam is moving as he has to leave for school in an hour.'
'Yeah course love.'
'Oh and also can you ask him if he feels alright as there is a chance he may of caught what Louis has, you know what he's like though so make sure you see if he's warm.'
'Yeah okay, Lou when I come back I expect that medicine to be taken!' I said sternly which made him cry even more.
I headed down the hall to my eldest's bedroom which was basically just full of Toy Story things.
I opened the door and i saw my 5 year old son curled up in a ball in the centre of his bed with only his brown hair sticking out.
'Li Li time to wake up.'
He groaned a little and rolled over to face me.
'Morning Li do you feel okay?' I said while feeling his forehead for an abnormal temperature, which I didn't fine.
'Yeah daddy I'm fine why wouldn't I be.'
'Louis is sick and I wanted to make sure that you didn't catch it as well as you and Lou were together all day yesterday.'
'Oh is he okay?'
'Yeah Li he's fine he's just going to spend a few days in the warm watching movies. Now get up and get ready and meet me downstairs for breakfast.'
'Okay daddy!' And then he jumped out of bed and ran for the bathroom. He's defiantly not sick I thought to myself.
***
When I walked downstairs into the kitchen I saw Niall putting toast in the toaster but Louis nowhere to be seen.
'He's on the sofa watching cartoons, I managed to get him to take the medicine.'
'That's good hopefully he will perk up in about 30 minutes then.'
'Hopefully but I also took his dummy away as he sounds to congested, and is struggling to breath through his nose so he needs his mouth to be open.'
'Alright Liam is fine by the way he literally jumped out of bed this morning.'
'Well that's something at least.'
I walked into the lounge to see Louis curled up under a blanket clutching his stuffed tiger stripes and looking sorry for himself.
'You okay Lou Lou?'
'Dummy?'
'I'm sorry baby boy but since your nose is blocked we need you to breath through your mouth and you can't do that with a dummy in your mouth.'
As I told him this he looked like he was going to cry again and that's the last thing I want, so I quickly picked him and cuddled him into my chest.
'Your be okay Lou Lou don't worry.'
He just snuggled into me more.
'Do you want anything to eat?' I asked him but I already knew the answer. He shook his head but I carried him into the kitchen any way to get him something to drink.
As I walked in I saw Liam fully dressed in his school uniform sitting at the table eating cereal and drinking a glass of orange juice. I ruffled his hair as I walked past and headed to the cupboard to get a sippy cup to fill with water.
'Here you go Lou Lou you need to drink.'
He nodded his head and took a few small sips before handing it back to me.
'Can you drink a bit more?'
He shook his head and buried it into my shoulder.
'Right come on then Li let's get you to school.'
'Alright papa.'
I bent down so Li could give me kiss and then he also gave Louis a kiss on his forehead.
'Daddy why is Louis hot?'
'He has a fever baby, which is when his temperature is above average. It helps fight all the bad germs that are making him sick.'
'Oh okay bye daddy, get better Lou.'
'Have a good day Li.'
And then he left the kitchen to finish getting ready for school.
'Alright then love I phoned Louis' nursery to tell them that he won't be attending and I also phoned your work to say that you were going to be looking after Lou.'
'Thanks love.'
'No problem I will leave work early today to pick Liam up on my way home so you don't have to take Louis out of the house.'
'That's great, love you!'
'I love you too, be good for daddy Lou I will see you later.'
Louis poked his head out of my shoulder and looked up at Niall before waving and then placing it back in it's hiding spot.
Niall then left the house with Liam and I was left to take care of my sick 2 year old.
***
The medicine that Louis took must of done something for him as he has been playing with his blocks on the floor for the past 30 minutes.
When I came back into the room after using the bathroom Louis got up from his place on the floor and walked over to me before looking up at me.
It really was an adorable sight he had a bright red nose, his cheeks were bright red and he was rubbing at his eyes with his tiny fists.
'Daddy up'
I picked him up and he cuddled into me. My guesses in his suddenly cuddly behaviour is that he must be due for more medicine.
'Shall we get you some more medicine and then take a nap on the couch baby?'
He nodded his head which meant he must be feeling bad as he is happy to take more medicine.
I got up with him and brought him into the kitchen and sat him on the kitchen worktop.
When I was searching for the medicine he started to cough suddenly and it must of scared him as he started crying. I rubbed his back until the coughs died down and he calmed down before I grabbed the medicine and put the right amount into a little cup for his age.
'Here you go Lou.'
He shook his head but when I told him that after his nap he will be feeling a lot better and might be able to play with his blocks again he swallowed the medicine.
'Come on then I think it's time for a nap.'
He made grabby hands toward me and I scooped him up and brought him onto the couch. I placed him on my chest once I was comfy and once he got settled I started playing with his hair.
Poor Louis was so congested that as he slept he was letting out these cute little snores.
He had stripes clutched in his tiny hands and I don't think he has ever looked so adorable.
I took a photo and sent it to Niall and then posted the photo onto Instagram with the caption 'poorly baby means cuddly baby not that I'm complaining.'
***
I must have fallen asleep as the next thing I know I hear the door opening and closing.
'Ni is that you?'
'Yeah and guess what.'
'What?'
'We have another poorly baby.'
As he says that Liam walks into the living room sniffling and coughing with a bright red nose and cheeks.
'Aw Li do you feel poorly?'
He sadly nods his head and to be honest looks a bit lost.
I hand a still sleeping Louis to Niall who takes my place on the couch and lies down while I take Liam upstairs to get him changed and find out what's wrong.
'Come on Li lets go upstairs.'
He comes up to me and I pick him up and carry him into his room. When we reach his room I sit on his bed and sit Liam on my lap.
'How long have you been feeling poorly for?'
'After play time so I told the teacher and she sent me to the nurse. Then papa came to pick me up.' I could tell he was tired he was falling asleep while talking to me.
'What feels poorly Li bee?'
'My nose and my head.'
'Does your throat hurt?'
'Hmm' I took that as yes and then he broke into a round of coughs.
'Looks like I have two poorly babies to take care of now.'
Liam just cuddled into me as I rubbed his back to try and get him to stop coughing and when he did he looked even more tired.
'Do you want to change into pyjamas Li or joggers?'
'Pyjamas please daddy but can I wear my toy story ones?'
'Of course you can baby.'
I got Liam changed and then went and got the thermometer from the bathroom as Liam was to old to use the dummy thermometer as well as another bottle of kids medicine as I didn't want to go all the way downstairs to get the other bottle.
'Li you know you asked me earlier why Louis felt hot when you kissed him?'
'Hmm'
'Well you also feel hot now so I want to check your temperature.'
'Okay daddy.'
'Do you want me to put it in your mouth or under your arm?'
'Don't mind.'
I decided to take it through his mouth if he didn't mind as that way was much more accurate.
'Can you open your mouth for me the Li?'
He did as told and I inserted the thermometer into his mouth and under his tongue. I played with his hair while we waited and soon enough there was a beeping noise sounding in the room.
I had a bit of shock when I read that his current temperature was 102.5 as he didn't feel that warm to me.
'That's quite a fever you have there Li bee it must be making you feel quite miserable.'
He nodded his head and I started to pour children's cold and flu into a cup for him which he took easily.
'Do you want to stay up here or do you want to come downstairs with me, papa and Lou?'
'Downstairs don't want to be alone.'
'Okay come on then sweetheart.'
***
Once we got downstairs I got Liam a cup of water and made my way into the lounge.
When I got into the lounge I saw Louis awake but still looking quite tired. I wouldn't be surprised if he fell back to sleep. When Niall saw me he smiled sadly at Liam and once I had sat down we started talking.
'How is he?'
'Not great his temperature is 102.5 and he says that his nose, head and throat hurts.'
'My poor little Li bee'
'Papa' I heard Liam say quietly and he started to make grabby hands for Ni, so I got up and gave Liam to Ni and took Louis back over to the couch with me.
'Feeling any better Lou Lou?'
'Hmm' he mumbled as he snuggled into my chest placing his ear over my heart.
'Have you checked his temperature since he's been awake?'
'No I was about too but then you came in.'
'Okay let's do that now then Lou Lou.'
He looked up at me when he heard his name and I simply lent over to reach for the dummy, which was on the coffee table, and slipped it into Louis' mouth who instantly started to suck on it.
When it beeped Louis pouted as I removed it but he was still breathing through his mouth so he couldn't have a dummy yet.
'What is it love?' I heard Niall say from the other side of the room and when I looked over Liam seemed to have fallen asleep.
'101.5 which is lower than this morning but not by a lot.'
'Don't worry he will be back on his feet in no time.'
I looked down at Louis who was looking up at me.
'Can we watch a movie.'
'Course we can which one do you want?'
'Finding Nemo'
I should of guessed.
***
Louis recovered from the flu within the next couple of days, but Liam had somehow managed to get a stronger strand than Louis and therefore was still feeling pretty miserable.
This was quite a big problem for me and Niall as Louis was full of energy and didn't seem to understand the term quiet.
'What are you up to monkey?'
It was Saturday morning 5 days after the flu had hit the household, which meant Louis didn't have nursery and me and Niall were both home.
Louis was stood in the corner of his room basically emptying his whole toy box onto his bedroom floor.
'I want to help Li Li feel better!'
'And how are you planning on doing that?' And then he found what he was looking for.
'Me be a doctor.' He said as he showed me his toy doctor kit like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
'Alright then doctor Louis lets go but you need to be quiet.'
'Okay daddy'
And then he ran off to Liam's room with me closely behind him. When we went inside Niall was currently reading Liam a story and he was cuddled into his side.
'Li Li I help you feel better.'
Liam just whimpered obviously still feeling pretty bad so instead of letting Louis use all of his toy equipment I let him help me out so he was still being helpful and still a doctor but it was stuff that had to be done anyway.
'I'm going to start cooking dinner I will leave you to it.'
He kissed Liam's head and got out of his grip before leaving me with Liam and Louis, who was still in full force doctor mode.
'Louis can you put your toy equipment down and grab me the device on Liam's table?' I said from my position on the bed as Liam cuddled into me complaining that he was cold.
'What this one daddy?'
'Yeah that's the one sweetie'
He came over to me and handed me the thermometer.
'What does that do daddy?'
'It tells me how warm Li Li is so I know how poorly he still is.'
'Why didn't you use that when I was poorly?'
'We used a different device on you because you are still to little to be able to hold this under your tongue.'
He looked at me quite confused.
'Remember when I gave you a different dummy?'
He nodded his head.
'Well that special dummy told me how warm you were.'
'Oh when can I use that?'
'I'm not sure Lou when your bigger probably.'
'But I am big. I'm a big boy!'
I knew I was going to have tears if I wasn't careful and that was last thing I needed and I'm sure Liam didn't want that either.
'Alright Lou come here and we will try.'
He walked over to me and climbed on the bed so he was on my lap.
'Open your mouth.' I said as I turned the device on.
He did as told and let me insert it under his tongue.
'Now you need to shut your mouth and keep it in place until it beeps.'
He nodded his head and to my surprise he managed to keep it their.
'Good job Lou.' I said as I removed it from his mouth.
'What does it say daddy?'
'It says that your temperature is 98.6, which is exactly where it should be.' I said as I started to tickle him and he let out his cute little giggles.
'So can I use that one now?'
'Were see what happens next time your sick.'
He nodded seemingly satisfied with that response.
I told Liam to sit up and I inserted the thermometer into his mouth while I placed a hand on his forehead.
'Why is your hand there daddy?'
For a 2 year old he sure had a lot of questions.
'When you have a high temperature you can sometimes tell without having to use a thermometer and this is one of those ways.'
'Can I feel?'
'Liam is it alright if Louis feels your forehead?' I asked Liam as I didn't want Louis doing anything that Liam wasn't comfortable with.
He nodded his head slowly and Louis placed his little hand on top of his big brothers forehead.
'Can you feel that it's warm?'
'Yeah' he said as he removed his hand and wiped it on his jeans probably because it's quite sweaty.
Just then the thermometer beeped and I removed it from Liam's mouth.
'Still quite a high temperature Li bee I'm afraid.' He groaned and curled into me.
'What was it daddy?'
'101.7'
'Oh so Li Li is still icky?'
'I'm afraid so sweets.'
'Can you pass me that bottle of medicine and the little cup next to it?'
He nodded his head and climbed of the bed to receive what I asked for. I will admit he was being very helpful today.
'Here Li take this.' I said as I handed him the cup with the medicine in.
'Daddy what can we do now?' He said as I saw he was back looking at his doctors kit.
'Come here'
He did as told and I told Liam to roll onto his back.
'Place your hand on my chest.'
He did as told I moved it so it was over my heart.
'What can you feel?'
'My hand keeps feeling something move.'
'That baby is my heart and it's what soothes you when your scared and you place your ear over it.'
He looked up at me amazed.
'Do you want to feel Liam's?'
He nodded and I guided his hand over Liam's heart.
'Can you feel a difference?'
'Liam's is faster.'
'That's another give away that he still feels poorly as his heart is going faster than what it should be.'
'Will he be okay.'
'He will be absolutely fine but for now I think we should leave Liam to get some rest with papa who will be back in a minute and go and some food into that tummy of yours.'
Louis squealed and started taking of for the stairs I'm guessing to go and find Niall.
'Get some rest baby papa will be back up in a minute and I will keep doctor Louis away from you for the rest of the day.
'Thanks daddy.'
I kissed his forehead and made my way downstairs where I found Louis sitting on Niall's lap telling him about how he is now a real doctor.
'And then I placed my hand on Liam's heart and his was faster. Oh and guess what daddy says I can use the real thermometer now as when he tried it on me I managed to hold it in my mouth.
'Well it sounds like you have had fun but come on let's get you something to eat.'
He got up and placed Louis on his booster cushion at the table so he could reach and put a bowl of pasta in front of him.
'I'm going back upstairs with Li call me if you want me.'
'Alright love he's nearly asleep so if you just cuddle with him he will probably fully fall asleep.
He kissed me then made his way for Liam's room.
'Did you have fun being a doctor today Lou?'
'Yeah daddy it was fun.'
'Well since you have been so helpful how about we go to the park for a bit?'
His little face lit up at the idea of going to the park and he started nodding his head very quickly.
'Alright finish your pasta and we will go to the park for a bit.'
I made my way upstairs to tell Niall I was leaving to take Louis to the park.
'Yeah love that's a good idea it might burn up some of his energy hopefully and give Li some quiet time.'
'Alright I will be back later. Try and get some sleep Li while it's quiet.'
***
Thankfully when I returned from the park Louis was nearly asleep and therefore was quite calm.
'Lets go give you a bath and then we can watch the TV'
He nodded his head sleepily and I knew he wouldn't be awake for much longer.
***
Liam did eventually get better but it took a few more days. Louis was ecstatic to have his play buddy back and i was a relieved to have both my boys back to their normal energetic mischievous selves.