RECENT HAPPENINGS

Thursday - Nana looked after Alice for the morning while I had a haircut - unfortunately it's too short and not the most flattering, it should be better in a month or so! Other than that we had a quiet day, Alice was obviously poorly and got worse through the afternoon, eventually we went to bed, where she vomited all over the bed and both of us at about 6pm.

Friday was another quiet day for her and she was still not herself, but no vomit so there was some improvement. I popped to her school to deliver the teaching staff their pressies and collect Alice's bits and bobs - they were very kind and had been planning for one of the teachers to call in with everything - that goes to reflect how caring they are. Luckily she doesn't realise all that's she's missed - a theatre trip, Christmas party with a visit from FC, Christingle service and Santa's Grotto, and the things that she did know about she was too poorly to care about, poor baby. I'm so grateful that she was well enough for the Nativity - think I'll have to swap days next year, I don't want to leave it til the second performance just in case (strangely I thought of this whilst I was there on Tuesday, Mother's Intuition?)

Saturday - we spent at home, I was still being very careful as I didn't want a repeat of Wednesday. We trialled a Christmas recipe and later on T arrived to help me bring in the Christmas tree.

Today was panto day. We went to Bristol to see S*now W*hite. Alice complained of a tummy ache after breakfast (that's how Wednesday started) but was OK. We both thoroughly enjoyed the panto, it was good but not as glitzy as last year's. I got quite emotional at the start, as Alice snuggled in whilst straining to see it all, marvelling at the change in the time since last year's panto and at how lucky am to be with this amazing little girl. It was obvious how much more she understood and enjoyed this year, when she got home she pretended to be the 'W*icked B*itch!' (I love free!)

Tonight I put the lights on the tree whilst Alice threw the tinsel pieces all over it - it was immediately obvious that decorating the tree is a rite of being 3 (and so different to last year when she was happy to watch TV while I decorated!) Not only is decorating a rite, but there's so much opinion to WHERE the decs should go - I can see that I'll have to do some discrete moving after bedtime - as I'm THAT picky too!! When I put Alice to bed I always talk about what we did today and what is happening tomorrow, I've already prepared her that she has to wait for me to decorate the tree!

A VERY LONG DAY

Alice was slow to wake but quick to say that she was hungry, so hungry that I got up before the second alarm to shower so that we could go downstairs. Alice's appetite varies, she's often hungry first thing but then doesn't eat much for breakfast, usually the popularity of breakfast inversely relates to how well she's eaten the night before. Yesterday she ate very well, this morning (unusually) she ate exceedingly well - 2 W*eetabix, a banana and then 3 sultana rolls, so I wasn't very surprised when she complained of tummy ache in the car.

Wednesday isn't a usual Nursery day, but they were having a special trip and all the children were invited to go to the theatre. Things went down hill when we got to school, she asked to be carried (not a good sign) and was clingy when we got through the door - moany crying when not in my arms, so after 5 minutes of not settling I asked if she wanted to stay or go home, home was chosen so that's what we did. I prompted her to try sleeping in the car and she did (another bad sign). We got home and snuggled for a while and she revived significantly, by lunch she was far better so I decided we'd go to the garden centre to have lunch and choose our Christmas tree (I was going to choose the tree while she was at nursery). Alice said she was hungry so we went for lunch first, ordered and sat looking at the decorations while waiting for our meal (Alice really wanted mashed potato), after 10 minutes or so she wanted a cuddle and then started to cry, within minutes she'd vomited over me. Once I'd cleared up and she'd calmed down I started to take her home which only made her more upset as she wanted her mashed potato. It's not a good feeling to walk through a garden centre, covered in vomit, leading a screaming child - I hope not to do that again!

She was better for most of the afternoon and ate some dry biscuits at about 3pm, but by 5pm she was hot and flushed and not at all happy, then within minutes she'd doze off for a little while, by 6:30pm we were both exhausted and she tearfully agreed to go upstairs for some TV and a cuddle. When she got to bed she curled up and didn't want to know, telling me to leave her to go to sleep. She's in one of those states where nothing makes her happy and she thinks she wants something only to cry when she gets it and change the request to something else. I hope that this is only a 24 hour bug, it's awful watching her go through this, exhausting too, meanwhile we're running low on the pink medicine, I'm down to the sachets so I must get out in the morning.

RECENT NEWS

Alice hasn't got any worse, the spots have scabbed and are slowly going (very slowly). We stayed at home until yesterday when we went to a local soft play centre. She is getting better but she's still very clingy and tearful with a very low tolerance threshold. She missed nursery last Thursday but went back this morning, she didn't want to go and cried as they took her away, but she was settled and focused on playing her musical instrument when I returned and I got her 'usual' response when she saw me, 'Mummy!' runs to me, jumps into my arms and tells me that she loves me - it's a wonderful feeling to be on the receiving end of such love and joy. I also gave our notice of leaving to nursery today, it made me sad to write it, it was always the plan to leave in August but the time has gone so quickly and they've been so lovely with her that I will definitely miss it and I'm sure that she will too.

Meanwhile I've been researching holidays - I wanted to take Alice to Eur*disn*y and thought that I'd found a recent deal, but with single person supplements etc it was still beyond what I wanted to pay. Instead of ED I think that we might be going to Swansea - quite a contrast, but I think that I've found a good deal for a hotel with a pool and it's also across the road from a sandy beach, seems too good to be true but I hope to be proved wrong - it's only just over an hour from home so if it's awful we'll come back!

POXY SPOTS!

Alice had 3 PT accidents in the last hour before bed on Tuesday evening. She ended up with no clothes on - which was when I noticed what I assumed to be insect bites, on closer inspection they looked poxy. Alice had been very demanding and more than usually naughty, clingy, tearful, it was obvious she was ill.

After finding the spots I consulted Nana Next Door and we concluded that there were at least 5 poxy ones with at least the same number that could become poxy. I dosed her up before bed and waited to see what developed overnight. On Wednesday evening we went to the doc's, she wasn't sure either and diagnosed 'probable chicken pox'.

Since then the spots still haven't developed and I've heard of a virus that makes the child very grumpy and slightly spotty for a few days - which fits Alice's symptoms exactly. So I think that Alice doesn't have chicken pox but this other virus instead. Meanwhile she's still a bit grumpy, her appetite's improved and she's extremely cuddly, she's getting better but not there yet. Alice would like me to believe that the spots are all gone - so that we can go swimming!

SPOTWATCH!

Alice's poxy looking spots on her hips disappeared overnight and the rash over her shoulder/collarbone has spread slightly but not turned poxy. For now, I don't think that she has chicken pox but she continues to be grumpy - but that could be teeth!

SPOTS

We went swimming this morning.

A teatime I realised that she had a rash across one collarbone. It was slightly raised and red. At bedtime I noticed some pus filled spots on one hip and a couple on her other hip.

I think she has chicken pox. We've had contact with it in the middle of last week, about 10 days ago - the incubation period is 10-21 days.

AWOL AGAIN - AND A GENERAL CATCHUP!

Me, poorly. I got conjunctivitis last Thursday, I've still got it and now a throat infection too. I'm feeling rough, I didn't go to school and I've slept a lot during the last 3 days. I'm on my second lot of antibiotic eyedrops and I'm on pencillin for my throat too, I think it's beginning to take effect. My right side has been worse than my left, my throat feels like I've swallowed razors, my voice is a little hoarse too.

Alice is fine. Her speech has exploded again, her vocabulary's getting bigger, pronunciation clearer, she's saying more and parroting less. She's also really showing that she's got a very cheeky sense of humour, she's such fun!

I decided that after nearly 4 months of going 1 whole day a week to nursery that it was time to increase her hours, she's finally back to enjoying the day but still a little reticent at dropoff time. I asked to add another morning, they told me the following week that the morning I'd requested wasn't available until July, then this morning they rang and said she could start whenever I chose?! I'm pleased, but a little confused about the situation.

FEELING ROUGH AND ANTICIPATING TOMORROW

. . . me that is, not Alice. Alice is fine but because I'm feeling so rotten she's had a quiet day. I've had a quiet day feeling awful - a tummy bug and serious indigestion with no reason for it.

Tomorrow is Nursery Day - Alice has consistently denied that she's going to Nursery but will say that she won't cry and that if she doesn't cry she'll get a sticker. I think it's progress as even though the response is negative she is less adamant than she was (originally she'd go rigid, now it's 'just' denial). I expect that she'll cry again, but I'm hoping that she'll willingly stay. Nursery say (and in part I agree) that 1 day a week isn't sufficient to build a routine and so it'll take her longer to settle, I believe that the changes on 'Snow Day' are more to blame.

INSPIRATION STRUCK AFTER 11PM!

. . . not usually my most productive time of day . . . Alice was having a bad evening . . . ended up in bed with me for an hour or so, but after she'd calmed down she still couldn't settle down to sleep, so she ended up in the cot and slept through til 8.30.

Meanwhile, I was wracking my brains about her temperature etc.

TEETH!

I checked this morning and I think that her final set of molars (for now) are rumbling. She smiled when I produced the teething gel and we've had smiles and giggles already this morning!

CRYING AND KITCHENS!

Alice woke with a high temperature again (though she did manage to sleep through the night). She woke crying - unusual for her and also she has NO tolerance, crying ramps up quickly and even though she wants to be cuddled it doesn't reduce the crying episodes - not cuddling though exacerbates the situation.

So no J0 Jingles today - she probably would have been better for the distraction but I didn't want to share her bugs.

This morning the electrician returned. We now have under-unit lights and power on the island but he's coming back to check the sockets. The plumber arrived at lunchtime. The little dogs escaped - I chased Fusspot, running down the road in my slippers, not fun.

Alice woke from her nap crying. She cuddled in and continued to cry. She cried so hard that I couldn't even get the medicine into her. She wouldn't be consoled. After 45 minutes crying she vomited. She continued crying on and off for another half hour or so - asking to be picked up, snuggling in, getting down, crying as soon as her feet hit the floor - she repeated this over and over. She didn't know what to do with herself, she wanted Mummy, but cuddles didn't always help, she had to have a Pickles Bunny with her (and wasn't happy that I wouldn't let her have the vomit covered one back - she did have a choice of 3 others!)

It was an exhausting afternoon for both of us.

Suppertime was much better. French Toast - Alice ate, mostly unaided, feeding herself with a fork! She was happy and proud, she enjoyed her FT but was easily upset. She only ate 2 spoonfuls of fromage frais - extremely unusual.

Bedtime - she wouldn't drink ANY milk, again extremely unusual. An hour later she was screaming again, calm but hiccupy when picked up, I took her into my room for 45 minutes or so, but she cried again as soon as we entered her room, 10 minutes later she was asleep.

By this afternoon, when she was calm she didn't have a temperature but her behaviour is completely out of character - lack of appetite, lack of patience, being inconsolable, crying, crying, crying. Yesterday the doctor couldn't find evidence of illness, today I know that she's still poorly even though I don't know what's wrong. I'll see how she is overnight but I suspect we may be back at the GP's.

Poor baby.

HEALTH UPDATE

Last Wednesday we both went to the Dr's.

We both had chest infections, both had a 7 day course of amoxacillin. We've both nearly finished the course, neither of us are better. Alice was sobbing and miserable this afternoon, running a temperature - she had pink medicine, no change, a tepid bath worked and she had more medicine at bedtime.

I feel rough. I've never seen her like she was this afternoon, she's definitely still poorly. Guess where we're going again tomorrow?

WHAT'S THE TIME?!

Spring forward . . . fall back . . . I know the rhyme . . . I understand the rhyme . . . it usually works for me . . . not this time!!

I woke up yesterday morning, remembered the time change, checked my time-signal clock, Alice woke, morning got off to the usual start - until the grandfather clock chimed the same time as clock indicated. Ooophs - time signal clock HADN'T automatically updated as it usually does . . . I started to get confused . . . the morning went to pot . . . got the planned jobs done (went to W@itrose) but was totally confused as to the correct time.

I'd planned to shift our routines by 30 minutes (just run a bit early) to get Alice half way to the 'new' time. My plan was in ruins before we'd managed to have lunch (late by new time!) Plans weren't helped by me fitting a bug - I feel rough, thinking's hard, coughing's harder, state of confusion is becoming my usual state.

So yesterday Alice didn't really adapt at all to the time shift. Today? She didn't nap at all at lunchtime and I managed to keep her awake all afternoon - she was shattered by bedtime and fell asleep very quickly, only to wake several times (so far) and scream for a couple of minutes each time, poor baby.

Me? I'm shattered too - late night last night and then an early morning parcel before 7.30am! My body-clock's confused - not helped by tiredness.

Home? Still in chaos. Kitchen progress? The units are all in place but without kick-boards, end panels, pelmets and cornice. The missing bits came in today (to the store) and I found out by accident - when I rang to check progress! Then I asked why I hadn't been told, they fudged an answer and didn't even apologise. Then they said they couldn't deliver for another 9 days, on checking they could get them to me in 2 days - relieved but not impressed. The tiling's finished but they still need a silicon seal to the worktops. The electrician was here all day - he's coming back tomorrow and hopes to get finished by the end of the day. The painter started today (back door hallway, kitchen and playroom) and should be finished by Thursday - if the kitchen skirting board is fitted in time to have been painted by then! Then next Monday the playroom and study will be recarpeted. Next Tuesday swimming classes start again - after lunch I'm going to lie down - on new carpet and stare at my beautiful newly arranged kitchen as I drift off to sleep in my quiet (but probably still dusty) home!! It's another step towards making this place my own but I may never eat toast again!

STILL BUSY, ISH

. . . we both look better for a haircut but I'm still feeling rough. Other than our hair appointment it was a quiet day - socially and literally! I'm bored with feeling ill and fed up with not being able to phone friends in the evenings - talking hurts and my throat feels like I've swallowed razor blades, hopefully the antibiotics will take effect soon.

COMINGS AND GOINGS

Beach house is finally GONE!! Not without drama though - I had a phonecall this morning that there was one more document to sign before the sale could be completed, one mad dash into A and it was all sorted!

Then we went straight to M'b - for lunch with Grandad, GMJ and the gorgeous P. Lovely company, useless me feeling rotten and then a huge traffic jam on the way home. I think that they were all surprised how much Alice had changed, she was pretty well behaved but refused kisses (even for me!) "No!" is the new feature in the past few days, ugh.

Meanwhile I've got a throat infection and a very sore throat too - a course of antibiotics hasn't touched it yet and I've finished the first 3 days of a 7 day course.

TEATIME

We had lovely giggles after supper. You truly wouldn't know she was poorly - most of the time!

THE KINDNESS OF VIRTUAL FRIENDS

A fellow AP contacted me this afternoon, to remind me about lactose intolerance. She was very kind in the way she phrased her reminder and the suggestions she made. I'm blogging about it to publicly thank her (thanks A) and to flag it up in the hope that it might help others in the way that it has helped us. So, thank you A - hope to meet you at CACH in March.

So, for now, Alice is off dairy products and on half strength bottles. I was extremely sceptical about whether or not she'd take the bottle half strength (but like most things, I'll try it once and see how it goes), anyway she took it with seeming to notice that there was only half the usual amount of formula.

For supper tonight - toast and jam (just a scrape) and lots of water. I gave Alice the pieces to feed herself, thank heavens it was a hair wash night! Bath time and bedtime were uneventful (I hope that I don't live to regret that statement!) I do so hope that she's on the road to recovery - it's more exhausting when Alice is poorly than when I am!

TOO MUCH QUIET TIME AT HOME

9th day of illness. In those 9 days we've been out 3 times - each time to visit the doctor, twice for me and once for Alice.

We've missed so much, swimming class, music session, a special tea, meeting up with GMA and her girls, 2 special days with friends and this weekend should have been a special evening out for Mummy tonight and lunch with friends tomorrow.

I'm beginning to get lonely (must be feeling better) but there's no point in even asking people in as these bugs are NASTY and we don't want to inflict them on friends. I haven't made any plans for next week, hopefully we'll be free at the last minute and capable of doing things.

OH HEAVENS!

Nervous disposition readers - another warning, STOP HERE!

This morning was a quiet morning, Alice was a bit whingy but the nappies were fine - after last night's vomit there was nothing to come out.

Lunchtime, cheese on toast - Alice liked it, it reminded me of Grandma (she loved grilled cheese!)

As usual, while Alice was eating, some wind and follow-through was heard. After lunch I always take Alice straight upstairs for her nap. By the time we were in the nursery we were both drenched by what should have been in her nappy, ugh, poor baby, still poorly.

I MAY NEVER BUY RASPBERRY YOGHURT AGAIN

Warning - those of a nervous disposition please stop reading here!

Alice, illness, continues.

She was fine overnight, but woke at 7am ish (early for her), crying (very unusual). The sleeping bag trick worked - you can imagine the nappy, ugh. So, having consulted with the receptionist, I made a doctor's appointment for later in the morning. Doctor confirmed that Alice has a D and V bug - not difficult to do given the smell in the surgery before the end of the consultation. She went through many nappies this morning, but settled down by lunchtime (like yesterday) and was fine this afternoon. I gave her scrambled eggs and toast again (I know she shouldn't have too many eggs, but I'm hoping that they'll help her system). She had a jar of spag bol for supper.

She's more tactile than usual, sticking close to me and wanting to stay close. She's less vocal but more whingy, but if you didn't know her then you wouldn't know that she was poorly.

Bath time fun with no problems. Whingy for her bottle. Vomit, EVERYWHERE. Lots of vomit, screaming child, drenched mother and child. I moved her onto the changing table to start cleaning her up, more vomit, grabbed a towel, more vomit. Alice's 'thing' is definitely vomit, but this out did all previous episodes combined. It was a novel experience to have to change her nappy because the outside was saturated.

Clean up with wet wipes. Pink medicine. A clean baby-grow. A little milk. A big cuddle. Bed. Then I continued with the clean up.

Oh! The raspberry yoghurt? Part of supper, smells the same the second time around as the first, ugh!

VOMIT

Luckily not Alice or me!

Boozie's sick now. 3 times this afternoon, makes me worry as this is how Jolly started.