Hand, Foot & Mouth

Ben caught the dreaded HF&M disease.  Here is happy Ben before:

 And here is afflicted Ben during:

We don't have any "after" photos yet, because he's not better yet.  HF&M disease is a common childhood illness that presents strong symptoms in young children (similar to chicken pox), and mild symptoms in older children.  Lucky Ben caught it almost six months sooner than Zeke did (Ben is 16 months old and suffering his first infection, Zeke was 22 months old when he first got it).  Ben spent five days not eating or drinking very much because of the red blisters in his throat and mouth and his bum was very sore and had innumerable blisters.  (The doctor admitted that the name is misleading - it should be called "Hand, Foot, Mouth, Legs, & Bum" disease.)
He's now progressed to some impressive, pus-filled blisters on his feet and one toenail is purple and looks to be trying to fall off.  He is also very irritable.  Very un-Ben like.
We're hoping for a recovery this week - Mom is tired of being inside and tired of worrying about spreading sickness to others.  We have a lot of park time to make up.