"Look, I'm so strong!" Rawrrr

Donned in her safety helmet, knee pads (she calls them "knee knee pad") & elbow pads, she strikes a pose while shouting for my attention "Mummy! Look at me.. Look at me, I'm so STRONG.. "

Yes, we bought our clumsy tot the pack for her scooter riding because well, she is learning and we reckon she may have a few tumbles here & there. The moment she put the gears on, she strike out this pose. I thought it was hilarious - just look at how serious she is, trying to look "strong" & tough. Oh boy, I wouldn't mess with her if I see that face in the playground.

On the other hand, she really is our brave girl. Two weeks ago, she ran a fever for 4 nights and I was pretty worried so brought her to see the GP 2nd time and she advised me to bring her for a blood test - which I did in the same afternoon. We took a cab to the hospital and they had to give her an anaesthetic cream to apply, then wait for 55mins before going back to them to do the blood test. After the test, the kind nurse (a kind middle-aged man who took her blood, he looks like santa claus) gave her a plaster and then with a pen, he started to draw a funny face on it. That made SW laughed! (Oh, I love how she laughs) She was brave throughout the ordeal although she did complain to the nurse that she was afraid of needles, to which the man said "Oh no.. no needles, only butterflies!" And he took out this needle drawing equipment which looked like a butterfly with 2 yellow wings. Bless him. He is great with my child (and i'm sure many kids). It was a stress-free & pleasant blood test at the Newham Hospital.

(She is fine now, the fever went on for 5 nights in total)

Here she is at home.

First bus trip without stroller

8 Feb 2010 : 2 years 7 Months

(Photos taken in Melbourne Zoo)

Today is the first time I took Shean Wenn out on a bus without her stroller. It is actually just a short ride away to the dentist (probably 7 mins on the bus but 30 minutes to walk). It was very chilly today (2-3c) and I was in pain so I decided we should just take the bus. Before the trip, I already told her I expect her to behave herself, hold my hand all the time when we walk and definitely no running around on her own, "There are alot of cars on the road & it is very dangerous." She nodded that she understands.

We left the house at 1030am for my 1050am appointment. We arrived just in time! After waiting for about 15mins, the dentist asked us to go in. It seems my wisdom tooth not only erupted but also caused an infection in my gums. The dentist, she gave me an antibiotic and stronger painkillers because I told her for the past 4 days, I was using paracetamol to help my pain and even that, it only helped me for 2 hours.

She also asked me if I wanted to extract it and I said i would! It is unbearable! She gave me a referral to another clinic where they have the facilities to do so. I did my first extraction of wisdom tooth 2 years ago there. It was such a breeze.

Shean Wenn was very well-behaved throughout my consult and was given a sticker by the dental assistant. She was obviously very happy with that!

On the way back, I stopped by a pharmacy to get my medication and initially thought we could walk home (15minutes walk). But then it started to drizzle slightly, SW was beginning to show she was tired from walking (from bus stops to dental clinic & to pharmacy) and my mouth was in serious pain. Anyway, I spotted the bus coming our direction so hurried to the bus stop to wait for it. It was only a 1minute ride home but I didn't care. When we arrived, I quickly took some medication and rest. The "strong" painkillers took TWO hours to work its "magic" and I was silently cursing - even the panadol can work in 30minutes!!!

Little Miss Sunshine no-more

Since Monday afternoon, Shean Wenn suddenly developed what seems to be mild fever at first... by night, it was pretty high (39+c). That night & the night after, I spent around 3 hours each night applying wet towel on her forehead in attempts to bring the temperature down - together with doses of Ibuprofen & Paracetamol.

My little <開 心 果> "hoi sum gor" (cantonese for "Happy Chappy") was no longer a happy chappy those days.

A visit to the GP revealed she has throat infections & anti-biotics was prescribed for her. Today she seems to be in slightly better mood & no fever.

Fever & Lantern Festival

On Friday night, my baby developed high fever. It was 39.3c when I first took her temperature so I woke her up and gave her Paracetamol. The hubs was back from his biz trip so he & I took turns to monitor her condition. By 1.30am, her fever didn't subside. I was beginning to be really worried. We decided to bring her into the A&E (Accident & Emergency) at Royal London Hospital. They have a Children's A&E there so we went there straightaway. The attending Dr checked her and told us she didn't have any infections, just the common cold + fever. We were advised to give her Paracetamol to control the fever.

Next morning, her temp didn't subside, and went up to 39.9c. We brought her in again. This time, the attending Dr asked us some additional info (does she have any contacts with other kids, etc). She then checked her and found that she has ear infection and was prescribed anti-biotic.

A&E twice in 10 hours. :(

Her temperature subsided today (Sunday) but she has bad sorethroat, so everytime she drinks or eat, she'll cry out after swallowing. Her voice has gone a little hoarse. Poor girl! We were house-bound the whole weekend so that she can recover.

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival. SW got an electric lantern to play with (when she has the mood to play with it!).

Viral Fever Updates

Her fever has subsided, and she's gotten better in the past 2 days!

All smiles!

Thanks for all your comments and well wishes.

Coincidentally, she got better when her daddy flew back - you see, her dad brings her immense joy!!

On Saturday, we thought of bringing her out for some fresh air. It was a warm day with temperature reaching as high as 26c. I dressed her lightly in this top (which is a dress here) - look at how cute she looks in it although it does look abit big on her. :-D

("Let's go, daddy!")

We decided to check out a local park and farm - as the name suggests, it's supposed to be both a park, and a farm with animals for petting (such as chickens and ducks) and riding (horses). When we reached there, our first impressions were that this place was rather unkempt. We walked along a path where flora thrived and without proper maintenance.

My "horror" was when we saw a herd of sheep grazing infront of us, UNSHEPHERD and they were just left roaming freely. Surely, this is not real? (Hey, I have not come into contact with any real sheep before this, wearing their wool not counted) We decided to carry SW instead of letting her sit on her stroller. We walked on... suddenly, the herd of sheep decidedly to RUN, towards our direction (not surprising as they seem like they were heading this way when they were happily grazing). My body froze, my mind was racing "OMG, what if they attack us??". When they were nearing us, SW pointed to them and say "Baaah baaah" (sound that sheep make). Hehe. I was quite pleasantly surprised because all my hardwork teaching her and reading to her has paid off. She knows her animals! And she was not even afraid of them.

What are SW and daddy looking at?

Horses in the equestrian

We decided that we had enough of this place. Not gonna try looking for the petting farm so we left and went to the park next to this park and farm.

Here, Shean Wenn really enjoyed herself running about in the vast fields.

Please wear your hat, SW. It's too hot and sunny.

Dress - from Kym
Hat & Crocs - from grandparents Wong

Anyway, I learnt something from this trip : that there is no venomous snake in England (Those native to England are Grass Snakes and Smooth snakes). How did this piece of information came about? That's another story for another day. ;)

13th Month Update : Viral Fever

(My sweet darling!)

STATS
Weight : 9.25kg
Height : Approx 73cm
(25th percentile - British Standard)

Just a day shy of her turning 13 Months Old (23 Jul), she woke up at 4am with fever. Her body was very warm to my touch and I took her temperature immediately - 38.5c. I woke up, gave her some water to drink which she took willingly. I fed her some paracetamol and put a cold towel on her forehead to cool her down. I did that for a good half hour and she went to bed with quite abit of fuss.

(23 Jul afternoon)

In the morning, I called up the GP (General Practitioner) and one of them spoke to me and asked me to come in should the fever not come down. At 430pm, I brought her along to see him (Dr Bat aka Dr Quack as he is the only one on duty) - he says it is most likely a viral fever but to continue monitoring her. And if the fever still remains high, to visit him on Fri morning. Her temperature fluctuated the next 2 days, usually getting worse in the evenings and night. During the day, it actually came down to normal (36.5c to 37.3c). Nights, night time is the worst. When her temperature soars, she will become very clingy and whiny - the consolation, I tell myself is that at least she is displaying her discomfort so I can tell she isn't feeling too well. The past 2 nights, I have been waking up every 2 or 3 hours to take her temperature (she will wake up anyway), and I will also feed her with either Ibuprofen or Paracetamol (with Diphenhydramine - an antihistamine) to stabilise her temperature.

To cool down her temperature, I did the following :
> Alternate between Ibuprofen and Paracetamol (with Diphenhydramine) every 5 or 6 hours according to the respective dosage. (taking into account her body weight)
> Gave her showers 3 or 4 times a day. Luckily she likes it!
> Dress her lightly (or even without a top, as it was very warm yesterday).
> Put wet towel on her forehead.

(Cooling down her body temperature)

(Today, not as hot as yesterday, so she wears a light dress)

This morning, her temperature went up to 39.3c (HIGH) and I again gave her Ibuprofen. I called the surgery again and went in to see a GP (this time I got who i wanted, I really like this GP) eventhough by then her temperature went back to normal (36.5c). The GP checked Shean Wenn and found that she had bad throat infection and that may be the cause of her fever, but she thinks it could be viral as well. Since it is a Friday, she precribed us an anti-biotic and told me to monitor her for the next 24 hours before giving it to her. If the fever subsided and does not peak up, I do not need to give her the anti-biotics anyway.

I noticed in the afternoon that she had some minor pink spots on her body. My friends Michelle and Mrs Chip-Pea told me it could be just viral rashes, or the Roseola (both common in children). Anyway, the spots did not persist for long, by evening it has subsided quite abit.

We will still continue to monitor her. At least now that the hubs is back (he flies off for business during the weekdays and comes back during weekends, for the past FOUR WEEKS), he can help me with the night duties. Although of course, we pray she gets better soon.

For me, the worse is the erratic meal time - I woke up this morning with minor gastric pain. And of course, my internet time has also been cut back to 20% from the usual. :(