Our Weekly Journal - Soft Play and Colds

Our Weekly Journal - Soft Play and Colds

Another short and late post as we have all had colds (flu?) here. Bad chests, nausea, achy limbs, sore throats - in fact so much I won't bore you with the details. Needless to say I have spent most of it on the sofa or in bed.

Bear was quite poorly last week too but seems to be getting through it now. He is still loving Welsh school so that is good news.

On Tuesday we popped around Bears house while he was at school and Grandad took Mummy to look at a new pram for Bee. I stayed in and had lots of baby cuddles with Bee.

Our weekly Review - Cefn Mably Farm Park and a Horse Ride

Our Weekly Review - Cefn Mably Farm Park and a Horse Ride

It's been so busy again this week. Bear started Welsh school on Monday and loved it. He then started coughing badly in the night so Mummy took him to the doctors on Tuesday. He has croup, but just needs a close eye so went back to school. We collected him at 11.30 and brought him home. We didn't want to make his cough worse by letting him out in the cold or running around. He seemed lots better on Wednesday so after school we went to Cefn Mably Farm Park.

Our Weekly Journal - A Quick Catch Up

Our Weekly Journal - A Quick Catch Up

I haven't written a weekly journal for ages, in fact the last one was 2nd October! Wow that was a long time ago, until I checked I didn't realise how long it was. It isn't that we haven't done anything, in fact we have been very busy, it is my SAD. I just can't be bothered. Nothing has any point to it so I carried on with posts I had committed to, and left all the chatty stuff.
I mean who reads it anyway? What is the point? I didn't even get the lap top out for over a week at the beginning of November.
Then last week I received a Christmas card from my sister, she told me how much she loved reading my blog, the journals and the Junk Food one (it brought back memories for her too) and I realised that I actually enjoyed writing about our days and there are people who enjoy reading it. So I decided to do a catch up, there's a fair bit to include so grab a cup of tea and read on...

Our Weekly Journal 23rd Jan 2017

Our Weekly Journal 23rd Jan 2017

We started the week with a first for us. Bear was playing with his trains, he was still in his PJs and he counted his trains 1-2-3-right up to 10! Then he did it again. I quickly got my phone to record him and he stayed silent. Then after prompting he counted 4-5-6..... he just wouldn't start from one again. Since then I have caught him counting many times but not  from one to ten so clearly. He obviously can do it but doesn't want prompting.

Flu, Bear and Me

This week we should have been getting festive. Trimming the tree and making greeting cards but Bear and I have been poorly with flu. I have been so tired with a sore throat and achy limbs. Bear has had a bad cough and runny nose with hives. Hives are a rash that can be caused by an allergy, a sting or a virus. Bears is due to a virus and there is little we can do except treat the symptoms, Calpol, anti-histamine cream and various smelly oils and balms.

Bluebells and Macaroni Cheese

Bluebells and Macaroni Cheese were a small part of our week. We didn't go far because Bear has been poorly with a cough and cold again. I know toddlers get between 8 and 12 colds a year but we have now had enough! If your little one is suffering too why not check out my old post on how to care for your toddler when they have a cold?

The weather forecast for the week wasn't good either. Arctic winds and rain or snow, so we didn't make any plans to go out. We stayed close to home.

Monday morning was beautiful. The sun was shining even if the wind was bitter so we thought we would join the Cardiff commuters and head out early to see our local bluebell wood. We were really lucky, all the traffic was heading the other way.

Bear amongst the bluebells

Painting, Peasants and Poo

Painting, Peasants and Poo sort of sums up our week. Bear wasn't well. He had been sick in bed at home and we weren't sure if it was coughing that had caused it or a bug. Then he had some nasty poo's. Lots of poo's. Poor Bear. It seems that as soon as he gets over one illness another hits him. On top of that teething. Life is hard for a toddler.

The weather had turned colder and very unpredictable. It was still school holidays so we decided to stay away from indoor activities and other children in case it was a bug.

We visited Cosmeston Country Park and Medieval Village where Bear was very amused to find an old lady peasant asleep in a very dirty bed.

Old lady peasant asleep

How to Care For Your Toddler When They Have a Cold

The season of goodwill is upon us. Fairy lights, Christmas trees, tinsel and the common cold. Oh yes! Just before and during Christmas is the time our little ones will catch a cold and all our festive plans will go on hold until they are better.

In fact children get between 8 and 12 colds a year, and most of these between September and March. No wonder they always seem to be coughing and have a runny nose.

Bear has been very poorly recently with a cold and so I have spent ages on the internet looking for advice on what I could give to a 14 month old to help. The advice I found varies slightly with age, below is for toddlers over 6 months of age. I also spoke to a pharmacist and their advice was to carry on as we were doing (as below). He also tried to sell me a homoeopathic cough mixture, which I politely refused.

Bear, when he was really poorly, wearing a tissue box

This week - From Einstein to Washing Puzzles

We say all the time things such as "don't they grow quickly" "where has the time gone" but the difference in Bear over the last couple of weeks has been enormous, not his physical growth but his development.

He now wants more interactive and imaginative games. He still enjoys things that make a noise when hit or pulled but he wants to feed his doll, put the farmer into his tractor or people into a bus. He likes to carry things especially if they are too big or too heavy. He walks with confidence, gone is the Frankenstein monster, except when he wears his new slippers that have a rattle in them! He shakes his feet one at a time and walks with a stomp so they make a noise.

He just loves my iPad. He likes to get Siri on it and then looks at me and I ask for pictures of different things. A cat, a dog, a monkey, a lorry, Einstein. Einstein? you ask, well that wasn't me that was Grandad. Grandad asked Siri for a picture of Einstein, Bear laughed at it and then did his own impression.

Einstein and Bear

He loves taking things out of things he especially enjoys helping with the shopping.

Helping with the shopping

He also loves putting things in things. Clothes in the washing machine, rubbish in the bin but this also leads to fun discoveries. A puzzle piece in the washing machine, books in the bin, a plate under the washing in the basket, anything at all in Grandads boots! I just keep finding things in the wrong place. I really must remember to check the washing machine before I put it on and Grandad to check his boots too.

A very clean and wet puzzle piece

Bear putting something into Grandads boot

These slippers rattle, Bear loves to stomp in them

I found a plastic plate under the washing

Putting books into the bin

He is talking, I mean really talking. OK we don't understand what he says but he has the tune just right, the words well they still need a bit of work! He also gestures with his hands up and open when we say "all gone".

He repeats everything said to him and at the time it's perfectly understandable, it just doesn't always make sense on it's own.

What new words can he say?

Hickory Dickory Dock
Clock
Bubble
Tea
Potato
More
Poo

We didn't go to Tots club this week because Bear was poorly. He has had the most awful cold and cough, which he probably caught at Tots club in the first place. He was so poorly that on Thursday night they all stayed at our house so Mummy and Daddy could get some sleep and I sat up with Bear. He tried so hard to sleep but every time he settled he coughed and woke himself up. We did all the usual things, snuffle babe on his chest, Olbas Oil on his clothes and on a tissue in the room and raised one end of his mattress so that he wasn't lying flat. Even with all this it was a long night.

Half past midnight and he's tearing up tissues and wearing the box

Worse though was that he stopped eating and drinking. We like to give Bear good food including fresh vegetables and fruit which he usually loves but this week even white chocolate buttons and chocolate cookies were only a small temptation.

Spitting out Oranges

White chocolate buttons being squashed not eaten

Cookie in hand but not being eaten

Bear  licked the ketchup off his chips but wouldn't eat them

So he's now slowly getting over his cold and we have to try to fatten him up again! There wasn't much of him to start with. I just hope that next week he enjoys his food.

Do you have any tips on helping your little one when they have a bad cold?

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Baby Clinic, Tots Club and MMR Side Effects

It's been a strange week. We had a few things planned, Berry Hill Farm on Monday to order our Christmas chicken. Baby clinic on Tuesday to get Bear weighed and measured. Tots club on Wednesday.

We started on Monday with the happiest, hungriest toddler ever and over the weekend he had given mummy and daddy their first kiss, on the nose (so cute!).

Bear sat patiently for me to take his photo and then put his sock on.

He was eating everything put in front of him not typical for Bear who is a fussy eater to say the least. He also handed back his fork and didn't throw it or food on the floor.

He was so happy too. A little ray of sunshine. I really didn't want him to go home!

Then on Tuesday we were taking Bear to baby clinic to see the Health Visitor because we had failed to get to see her last week but the toddler that was brought to us was not the same one as yesterday. He wouldn't nap in the morning, he wouldn't eat or drink anything. Everything upset him and made him have a tantrum. Even his favourite cup and spoon only kept him happy for a minute.

Bears first encounter with pearl barley.

Bear wanted to go out but the weather was appalling. Rain and really windy, the tail end of storm Barney so going to the park was out. I put him in his all-in-one and wellies and went into the garden. He loved it! He loved the wind and rain but mostly stirring dirty water with a brush. It was the first time he had been happy all day.

After lunch we went to see the Health Visitor. 8 babies in front of us, oh no! I could have done without this as he was so grumpy.

Bear likes to wear his wellies on his hands and feet

Grandad and I took it in turns to follow him around the waiting room. He walked over to one mummy and baby and picked up a blanket that they had dropped on the floor and gave it to the mummy! Then gave himself a round of applause. How cute is that?

Eventually it was our turn and I tried to put Bear down so he could be measured. Bear was not going to cooperate at all. He refused to wave, or clap or talk. He just screamed everytime I put him down, Nanny's boy. We thought he may be teething but we knew it was more than that. When he is well he only wants Grandad, when he's poorly he wants Nanny.

We managed to measure his length and weigh him. The Health Visitor was happy with everything so off we went. We decided that if he fell asleep in the car on the way home we'd carry on so he could nap. His eyes looked heavy and tired but he was fighting sleep so we drove around, after 25 minutes he was still wide awake so we headed for home. Just as we were almost home he fell asleep. So another 30 minute drive around the lanes of North Cardiff.

They are lovely lanes, through a couple of small villages and quiet although this day they were full of flood water and debris from the trees blown down in the bad winds. So over a few pot holes and some Daktari* driving we got home.

On Wednesday Bear was so poorly! He was so hot although Mummy had taken his temperature and it was normal. We thought we'd wait and see what he was like after his breakfast but it was soon obvious he was ill and Mummy text me to ask me to give him Calpol. We only give Calpol when he really needs it and after about 40 minutes his temperature started to come down. He didn't eat breakfast but went to sleep for his morning nap quite easily.

I talk to Mummy via email and while he was napping she suggested it may have something to do with his jabs. I checked the piece of paper the nurse gave us last week, rash, lumps in throat and groins...mm so I googled it.

The NHS website stated;

About a week to 11 days after the MMR injection, some children get a very mild form of measles. This includes a rash, high temperature, loss of appetite and a general feeling of being unwell for about two or three days.

Definitely MMR side effects.

We decided to go to tots club anyway because he wasn't infectious. He hasn't been for ages because we would rather be outside but now the winter is here we are going each week.

We turned up an hour late, I'd got the times wrong. Silly me. So we only had 20 minutes but Bear loved it!

Bear loved the saucepan and fries!

So a mixed week, from perfect toddler to unhappy sad toddler. I know his jabs are important but I wish they didn't make him feel so bad. Lets hope next week he's full of beans again!

Did your little one have any side effects from their jabs?


*Daktari. Very, very old TV series set in Africa and at the beginning of every episode the Jeep drives through flood water very fast so it sprays up really high on both sides.

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Bank Holiday Blues?

It's a bank holiday week. Whoopie! You all shout. A long weekend for everyone. 

It does mean that I only had Bear for 2 days because Monday was a bank holiday (awww) but he gets to spend an extra day with his mummy (yeahhh). 

So why the blues? 

Tuesday morning was not a good start. Bear had been up most of the night crying inconsolably. He had been holding his head and pulling his ear, not another ear infection please. 

Zombie mummy and zombie daddy dropped Bear off at just gone 7am with the request that I get him to the doctor. It's a Tuesday after a bank holiday this is going to be fun. 

So phone in hand waiting......

7.58....Too early? Shall I try? No I'll wait

7.59 I'll try now "sorry the surgery is closed blah,blah..."

7.59 and a half...wait...wait...

8.00 quick! Ring them..."beep,beep,beep!" It's engaged! Who are these lucky people that get through? Not me.

A thousand billion redials later I hear the wonderful sound;

"ring ring, ring ring. Good morning how can I help you?" 

I love this woman, if I was closer I would hug her. With a little bit of negotiation I get an appointment at 8.50. 

"Is that too early?" she asks, "No its great. I'll get my bag I'm on my way."

Bear meanwhile has drunk his bottle, eaten his Oatibix and is looking at my toast with anticipation. He certainly has an appetite. 

If you didn't know Bear you'd think he was OK but there's something not right. The way he swallows, he's not so bouncy or so loud. He wants to be carried everywhere. He doesn't want to play "walking" or "crawling" just "carrying".

He gets a thorough check by the doctor. Ears fine. Chest fine. Red sore throat. Give him regular Calpol and fluids.

Thank goodness for that, really didn't want more antibiotics and earache poor Bear.

So what's new this week?

He can stand unsupported with a ball in each hand and when he realises he isn't holding onto anything he lowers himself gently to the floor.

When he was dancing with his grandad I asked if he'd like some biscuit. Like a flash he turned his head to me with mouth open. He certainly understands biscuit.

He enjoys biting his balloon and letting go. The splash of saliva that hits his face makes him happy.

His climbing is progressing well. He can climb everything in the house. Nothing is an obstacle for him, he'll soon be good enough to tackle The Old Man of Hoy! 

He can put the little stick men into his Galt pop up toy.

He now gives us things. He doesn't just hold them out and grip so firmly it's a battle to take them from him, no he hands us things. Everything, again and again and again...

Cause and effect. He's known this for sometime but I'm fascinated that he knows the light switch turns the lights on and off. That the door handle opens and closes the door. The buttons on the remote turn the TV on and off. He knows the correct button to turn the Playstation on. How clever is that?

We are learning "hot" and "cold". On the draining board was an upturned saucepan, lovely and warm from the sun. "Hot" I say as I gently place his hand on it. He looks at me and again I say "hot". He rests his hand on the saucepan. Cold how do I do cold? Ah put some cold water in a bowl. I place his fingers in the water "cold" I say "cold". He puts his hand on the saucepan "hot" then in the water "cold". 

Feeling chuffed I lose concentration for a second. Bowl in hand he throws the water over himself. Over the worksurface. "Wet" I say.

His mummy tells me he is now the proud owner of 5 teeth. Well done Bear.

I know your little one is clever too, I'd love to hear what they get up to.

Week 5 Cold Bear

Another week gone. What happened this week? Well to start with Bear had another cold. Now I know babies have to build their immune system but why all at once? Isn't teething enough?

Quite topically the BBC had a report on their breakfast show on Monday about how many weeks per year a family is sick if they have one child. 

Basically if a household has no children then they have 3 to 4 weeks a year of someone ill with a virus

Add one child and it goes up to 18 weeks a year

Two children - 29 weeks and

Three children - 30 weeks!

That's over half the year in a household with 3 children!

Now I think most of us knew that as soon as the little ones go back to school then everyone gets a cold or a sore throat or some other horrible illness but I didn't realise how much sickness just one child could bring, so I've decided to give Bear back........not really love him and his snotty nose xx

Worse than that, I've caught Bears cold. I like to think that I'm pretty resistant to coughs and colds and have been lucky to have avoided all the other ones doing the rounds. This did give me some empathy, I am blocked up, have a sore throat and a headache. Poor Bear.

So what have we done to help?

1. Lots of fluids. Bear lost his appetite on Tuesday. He refused food but did drink his bottle. We offered water frequently too. Bear is good with a sippy cup and actually likes water so this was easy. Wednesday he was still blocked up so lots of water as he refused his bottles. His appetite came back and he ate really, really well. Why fluids? Although they can go a day without lots of food you do not want them to get dehydrated.
2. Snufflebabe vapour rub. I am a great believer in Vick and this is the baby equivalent. I know some people scoff at the idea but put some on the soles of their feet as well as their chest. Yes it works, how? No idea.
3. Rest and cwtches. Bear was very fussy and clingy, well I had no other plans so whatever he wanted he got. Oh and I don't believe you can spoil a baby or a child with too much love.
4. Fresh air. I'm not sure if this helped Bear but it made me feel better. We were lucky to have sunshine (yeah!). A trip to the park, a go on the swings, a picnic in the garden.
5. Paracetamol (Calpol) last resort. I didn't have to give Bear any as he seemed to be coping OK, he didn't have a temperature, he wasn't crying or grizzly (grizzly Bear lol!) but don't forget pain killers. Used in moderation they are a blessing, not the first thing to give but if Bear was poorly (like when he had ear ache) he would get it and at regular intervals too. 
6. Baby wipes instead of tissues. Mummy suggested this. When we have a cold we use the tissues with balsam but a baby's nose is so delicate that we didn't wipe it constantly and when we did, we used wipes. It worked for us, Bear did not get a sore nose at all.

Having a drink from his sippy cup

In the tent eating homemade muffins

Bear with leaf on the way to the park

Bear watching the other children playing

If playing doesn't work then get them to help around the house.

Bear helping with the washing

Bear helping Grandad fix a gate across the door

 After a lovely week we had the most amazing sunset in Cardiff. This picture really doesn't do it justice. It was taken with my ipad, no filters or other magic.

Sunset

What are your tips for getting through coughs and colds?

Earache and Sore Throats

Grandad and I have been looking after our grandson, Bear, one day a week for a while now in preparation for his mummy going back to work and us looking after him for 3 days a week.

I have been looking forward to this day with excitement and trepidation. Certainly more fear than I had at the thought of looking after my own children.

We will be having him every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. This first week though we were having him Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday due to his mummy's work commitments. Thank goodness for that. Monday he woke up very unhappy, crying and screaming. Now Bear is a happy baby, he always smiles through tears and would rather be in a state of laughter than anything else. This was so out of character. His mummy sent me a short video of his poor little screams and cries after he had been given Calpol and it was decided that this was a poorly Bear and so off we all went to the doctors for an emergency appointment.

Mummy and Nanny do not drive so Grandad, Nanny, Mummy and Bear all went to the doctors. He was so poorly. He had a temperature despite the Calpol, he was floppy and just plain unhappy.

After what seemed like ages, but in reality was probably no more than 20 minutes, we were seen by the doctor. Ear infection and sore throat. Poor Bear, no wonder he was unhappy, earache and a sore throat. So antibiotics for a week and regular doses of Calpol.

Poor mummy too, going back to work after 9 months and baby Bear is so ill. Poor Nanny and Grandad too! Our first week of caring alone and he's not well.

It was a hard week. Bear would not sleep in his cot, only on me. He didn't have much of an appetite either. Not surprising having earache and a sore throat. There was nothing wrong with his jaw clenching though. Trying to get him to take antibiotics and Calpol, oh my! We had lots of advice from friends "put it in a syringe" "just squirt it into his cheek". Bear just clenched his mouth tightly shut and shook his head side to side at every attempt. We all ended up covered in sticky Calpol and smelly antibiotics. It was everywhere. But just like all babies he bounced back quickly and was soon spreading more food on his face than in his mouth.

His trousers were just covered in food, I really must buy a better bib! So after a quick change into the only trousers I had, (mental note; ensure I have at least one change of clothes) he took a little walk along the sofa.

So the end of our first week. It was hard work but that little smile makes it all worthwhile. Must research baby led weaning for next time. Oh and buy some bibs.