Chicken Pox
We have been dreading it and dodging it for a while now as it did the rounds of playgroup and nursery but finally we have succumbed to the pox!
When Rory returned from nursery on Thursday I noticed what looked like a scratch behind his ear, by Friday night it looked like a zit and by Saturday it was big and pussy and there were two more on his bum, by Sunday he looked like a pizza…. I immediately took to Mumsnet to find out the best treatments – medicinal and natural – and, as ever, was inundated with some very helpful suggestions – thanks Mumsnet!
On the medical side I was advised to dose Rory with Piriton, something I was very nervous to do as it sent him completely hectic the last, and only time, we tried it. We decided on a morning approach so he could run off steam and, true to form, the Piriton sent him a little crazy but definitely helped ease the itching. When we gave him a second dose in the afternoon it seemed his body had adjusted to the medicine and this time it actually made him sleepy – result!
Talking of sleep (or lack thereof) we had a really rough night on Sunday when Rory just couldn’t get comfortable with the itch and we were up and down all night. Nick eventually took the little germ monster downstairs at 4am and they watched back to back Charlie & Lola’s for the next 2 hours before they both finally passed out. Monday night was also disrupted but Tuesday night he slept right through so hopefully we are on the home straight…
The other things I am finding really helpful are bicarbonate of soda in the bath (my Mum’s suggestion) and also a gel called Vira Soothe that I picked up in Boots – the calamine lotion was just too runny. A couple of Mumsnetters also suggested porridge oats, apparently you put them in an old pair of tights, run the bathwater through them and the milky consistency eases the itch.
If you are also suffering the pox good luck to you and if you aren’t, keep well!
Best Wishes, Emma & Rory x
Rory the Diva
What a week, I am exhausted…. The toddler tantrums are escalating daily to the extent that I think Rory has decided to go straight into full blown teenage angst! The slightest thing sets him off; his food is too hot, his sock has fallen off, teddy looked at him the wrong way……. The biggest trigger is when I try and do something for him that he feels he really could do himself; he likes to squirt his toothpaste onto his brush, soap himself down in the bath and wrestle his shoes and coat on and off. I know it is a great sign that he is developing but it sure is hard work!
We have however scored a small success in the run up to toilet training. Every night before bath time we put his little toilet seat in place and sit him on it…. and last Thursday he used it! There has been no repeat but heck this small victory counts!
Rory also had his best ever swimming lesson this week. We are really lucky this term in that there are just four kids in the class and this week two were away meaning we pretty much enjoyed a private lesson. For the first time ever Rory ‘swam’ in his armbands and without support, kicking and splashing and blowing bubbles. However, I rather shot myself in the foot by introducing Rory to the baby pool ahead of class. By some miracle we arrived poolside 10 minutes early and Rory decided he wanted to get into the baby pool in which he can stand up to his chest. Then, showing off to the instructor who came over to chat, he flung himself in and proceeded to try and swim the length of the pool, we obviously cheered and he felt like Rebecca Adlington. Of course this meant that half way through the main session he had a complete breakdown, screaming (the tears were rolling down his cheeks) and virtually hyperventilating, to get into the baby pool. I was SO embarrassed…..
In other news, I am now working with a group of adults with learning disabilities and have volunteered to lead our next session after the bank holiday. I am really nervous and just as excited! I have been volunteering with the group since January and enjoy it enormously. At the risk of sounding trite and patronising I find my time with the group incredibly uplifting and life affirming, they are all wonderful people and I am really thrilled at the opportunity to work with them. My session is going to be based around a local concert in Cookham called ‘Rock the Moor’ which hosts old 80’s performers (like Billy Ocean) and I intend to play lots of cheesy music (which gets everyone going) and dig out some fun ‘poptastic’ facts, I may even invest in some shoulder pads…….
Enjoy your weekend, Emma & Rory x
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