To steal from Miss Austen, it is a truth universally acknowledged that when parents go to bed later than planned, one or more of their children will wake up in the middle of the night and cause them to get even less sleep. At least that's how it works around here.

The middle girl is still a snotwad, but feeling much better. She's shared her germs with everyone else in the family, except her big brother. While I had a 12-hour unpleasant fever and chills, Justin and the baby have been laid low for a few days. The baby's fever hasn't risen past to the point where we must call the doctor, but she looks pretty pathetic with drippy eyes and nose.

The night before last, she could only sleep if I propped her head up on my arm. Last night she just couldn't sleep for very long at all and then only if you held her upright. I spent many dark and restless hours wishing that I owned a recliner, which is not a wish that has ever passed through my head before.

I long for the end of snot-covered faces.