Caleb did.

When he first developed the fever on Sunday, we didn’t think much about it, only perhaps he’d caught something; maybe from his sister.

But you wouldn’t know it.

Caleb has been running around being his cheeky self, toddling around in circles at tv jingles, walking after HM when he sees her, playing and demanding the toys that Caitlin is playing (and Caitlin demanding it back). If you didn’t touch him, he certainly wasn’t showing any of the visual signs of suffering from fever.

Naturally worried, we took him to the nearby children’s clinic Tuesday evening- yup, it was already 36 hours since the fever started. The pediatrician kinda went “Yup, fever”, poked a spatula making Caleb puke on his floor, “Yup, sore throat, and stuffed nose too” and charged me RM80 for making us wait for him almost 3 hours (when we registered him we were told to come back in an hour. We did, and still had to wait our turn), and prescribed paracetamol and rhinothiol, two of which you can already buy from your neighbourhood pharmacy, and also what Dr Pixie‘s already prescribed before.

Yesterday, Wednesday, his fever had subsided. Again, you wouldn’t know it because of his still normal (ie high!) level of energy. Last night in the lift on the way upstairs, HM was carrying him. He had knocked out- and I still thought Why not, he’s probably lethargic from the fever. I had noticed Caleb had rashes starting from his jawline going down under his pj’s collar. Since he was already asleep I didn’t endevour to examine him, and subsequently forgotten about checking him at all when he did wake for a while.

I made a conscious decision not to administer any more medication, since the fever was going away, and let his own defenses fight the other symptoms.

Today at work Grandma calls me and says the rashes seem to be getting worse. Since HM was mobile today, I left it to her to administer to the little man.

Tonite, after coming home from work and a work-related function, HM tells me that she had spent some time looking for another children’s clinic, and was about to go to a further suburb when Dr Pixie returned call (Dr Pixie’s hours were later in the evening, at the other side of KL, during very peak rush hour). Spoke to Dr Pixie about Caleb’s condition, and without mentioning beyond “Caleb’s got a rash and he’d just recovered from fever”, Dr Pixie correctly asked questions related to all the above conditions-

“Did he have fever for 3 days?”
“Yes…”
“Did he otherwise act all normal?”
“Yes..”
“The rash doesn’t seem to be annoying him in anyway, right?”
“No..”

She called it roseola infantum

Without reading all the contents of the above link to Wikipedia, HM says Dr Pixie said:

• that kids aged under 3 get it;
• there’s really nothing we can do;
• nor need to do, and
• it will go away eventually; probably also in 3 days.

Good thing Caleb left his mess on the dr’s floor. Honestly that was our second visit to that clinic with Caleb, both times the 2 different dr’s got their diagnosis wrong.

Caitlin had fever on Sunday.

So she didn’t attend her 1st session of her art class (actually it would be her 2nd session, they allowed her a trial session last weekend to assess her: behaviour, “standard” of her skills like drawing & painting, etc, to decide which level / class to put her). We decided to let her try out these art classes to see how she goes with her keen interest in drawing and colouring.

So she stayed at home, despite very much looking forward to attending it. Sometimes she is such a darling with her “okaaay” when we explain how she can’t do something she really wants to.

Tried my best to keep her occupied, though she had already planned on an activity- to cook herself some soup.

ABC soup no less. Locals cook this with the most basic of ingredients: Tomato, onions, potatos.

She had wanted to add some beans too, and I insisted we added some peas too though she doesn’t really like them in real life.

In case you can’t tell, there’s the stove, the pot, and the ingredients. I helped her staple the ring to make up the pot

Yes, she is handling a pair of scissors. She started using them last year before turning 4 without my knowledge, to make things. Touch-wood she hasn’t hurt herself yet so far, and under my watchful eye since (when I do see her use it) she’s been quite okay with them. Let’s hope she remembers to keep them from her younger brother though.

Yeah, I have been rather lazy on this blog- I know.

So here’s the “dilemma” in the making; one that we will very likely come across in our role as parents; likely more than once in fact.

Say you have more than 1 child in the family. You have planned for a getaway- be it a holiday, or simply a trip to the mall. And one of your kids falls ill.

Do you:

1. Go ahead with the plan, leave the sick child behind;
2. Cancel the whole trip (and work out how to re-coop the funds or change the dates)?

So it’s the school holidays; this being the 2nd week already in the 2-week break. I had taken yesterday off planning to bring Caitlin out, even if it was a simple trip to the mall (the kids are cooped up at home too much too long). By lunch time Caitlin’s fever seemed to have returned. But she knew of the mall-plan, and pleaded to still be able to go.

“No, we are (all) not going anymore; just quickly finish your lunch and we’ll get you your meds..”

By which time Hot Mummee gave me the death stare.

Why should everyone not be able to go anymore just because one is unable to??

Perhaps I grew up in a household where, from experience, I was once down with something and the whole family wasn’t able to make the daytrip to the local beach; and that this was also the same “philosophy” practised by some shows / movies I have seen. My rationale is that it is very unfair for the sick child to be left behind whilst the rest gets to “have fun”, adding salt to the already sulking spirit.

HM however, is of the opinion that the party should still go ahead, and leave the sick child with a relative; that the deposits (or whatever) and plans made for the trip should not be wasted.

What would you do?

Hot Mummee and I came home on Sunday morning.

The flight from Melbourne arrived KL at 5am local time; I booked the overnight one to save a day(light) for when we arrived, but didn’t realise till later that it actually arrived that early.

But in any case, we did “gain” a full day despite my suffering a massive headache due to lack of sleep and/or dehydration.

But it’s good to be back. The daughter was very pleased to see us, and had many catch-up stories to share.

But seeing the son was a more significant event. It seems he has picked up some new skills of “standing up” on his knees, arms up like a “Yay” stance, just because! And much to our dismay he’s also a lot more cry-baby when he is not picked up / carried!

Today (Monday) was (also, just like in Australia) a public holiday. We spent a lot of time with the kids, and it was during this time that these antics of his were evident. It’s funny, when it was just Hot Mummee, Caitlin and I around, he’d whimper at first but soon dies down with only a very inquisitive what-the-heck-are-you-adults-doing look on his face. But as soon as our helper turns up, he starts whimpering “needing” her to pick him up.

So it’s no surprise who’s been spoiling my son.

We will need to break him of this habit; managed so with Caitlin that even though she asks to be carried sometimes, at least she accepts quite readily that we cannot anymore; only when we visit my brother’s house that I do still carry her- they have 2 dogs and one of them is a (albeit friendly) doberman!

More “bad” news is that Caleb has also gotten back into the habit of waking up at nights! Since his flu is over, he’s a lot more alert now!

ARGH!

Talk about sitting on it.

About a month or so back, due to bad parenting on our part, we had neglected to ensure Caleb was changed quickly and often enough.

It’s “interesting” that being in contact with urine long enough creates such a reaction on human skin. At first we weren’t too sure what the ultimate cause was.

Our guess was confirmed upon Dr Pixie’s first look / impression.

The affected reddened skin covered from between the butt cheeks, forward toward the scrotum, and stopping between that and the you-know-what (I don’t want spam bots picking up that keyword). That last bit (pun?) was the giveaway sign, given how the liquid is trapped in these crevices under the diaper. There was nothing wrong with the skin on the upper side of the ahem and upwards.

Dr Pixie also confirmed that the area would hurt; probably sting is a better description. This explained Caleb’s discomfort in those days. He was a real pain in ass to feed, manage etc, because he had a pain in his ass ha ha.

Here’s what Dr Pixie prescribed.

No more talcum powder on the groin / area; at least for now. When changing, wash / rinse the area as you would but no soap. Soap would only aggravate the area and the sting. Dab / pat dry- again, rubbing dry would also be painful on the skin. And go get this concoction: Hydrocortisol and Zinc oxide; to be applied on the reddened skin after each wash / change.

Hot Mummee and Grandma went out looking for this. Apparently the pharmacist they went didn’t have this, but was able to mix it. I don’t know if it was expensive, I doubt it was though.

That last treatment really helped our little man (another pun?) In probably 6 hours or 2-3 changes later he was feeling almost normal, and the area cleared up not long after.

Sharing my kids-treatment record with you here.

The following is the picture I was taking, when I was talking to Caitlin about indecently exposing oneself and being aware of molestations.

Looking and touching the burn site now, it feels almost like regular skin. I still don’t probe it very much, fearing that it may still be tender for her and inadvertently hurting her. But as far as I can tell she is okay now. There is still a small speck of scab, but it is not much bigger than what you’d get from scratching a mozzie bite.

Upon closer inspection there are small areas that do look slightly “more severe” in that it has a slightly lighter pigmentation, with a very light tinge of gloss- typical of scar from a cut.

So now the whole area is looking like this.

And I reckon it is time to look into the various creams, gels, applications, etc, that are available on the market as treatment for reducing visible scarring.

The above link to Wikipedia also included a list of treatments, with Mederma list at the top. It had this description:

Mederma- Contains allium cepa, and many other ingredients, i used it on cheek piercings that started to go crazy, it cleared them up, so in the case of piercings mederma definetly works and is way cheaper than other methods.

It would probably also be the cheapest from Guardian pharmacy’s shelves too, seeing as the other ones I saw there were in forms of patches of wrong sizes (too small).

Based on the photo, think I can start looking at these treatments?

A girl’s entitled to wearing mini skirts proudly!

So all the dry brown skin has pretty much “dropped off” the wound / site now; leaving a pink patch (or “continent” as one of Caitlin’s cousin exclaimed) there. It still looks quite fragile, so we’ll leave it for at least another week before we begin considering indulging in (one of) her favourite activities- the pool. But in all, there is no more open / exposed skin anymore.

So now I think we can start considering the other aspect from the healing of this accident- getting rid of the the scar.

I know some of you have suggested mederma and equivalents. Do you have anymore, or any experience with this and other brands, and how they have worked out for you? Would appreciate any(more) suggestions…

While she is only 4, and also that I am her father, there will be a time in her life where she’d like to be able to wear a short skirt; or at least that I will (have to) allow her to! I wouldn’t want my daughter (even if it wasn’t Caitlin) to be weary of something like this and feel inhibited from enjoying her young adult life….

A quick update.

I took this photo last night, and sent it to Dr Pixie.

It’s not as painful as it looks. In fact the only feedback I get now is that it is ticklish!

It looks shiny because of the flash on my camera. It is actually dry, but the “new” skin is smooth and dry, effectively giving it a sheen.

Dr Pixie replied saying that it looks like it is healing “cleanly”, but that it is likely to leave a lighter pigmentation as a result of scarring. I initially enquired if I could apply Eurax on the site, since Caitlin has been complaining that it is very itchy, and we don’t want her to be scratching the area at all!

She said no, which was also my initial reaction; general reaction, to letting things heal as naturally as possible.

Dr Pixie did say to continue using the SSD though, which we did because it does have antiseptic properties in it, and since there are still skin areas that need peeling but which may likely be peeled by itchy fingers leading to hey-I-am-not-ready-to-be-exposed-yet new unready skin being open to infection….

Caitlin is already asking when she can go (back to) swimming… I’d like to bring her too. She needs the break.

A short update post.

Don’t mean to gross you out; and it’s not as yuck as it looks..

These were taken by Caitlin herself with my phone. Don’t know what prompted her to, likely cos she was just toying with the camera than intending to photo-document it.

Still, it will effectively be what they are.

She has been very good about it, really looking after the site ensuring no harm come to it, not breaking the blister.

The blisters themselves are a little smaller now, making the sac sag, making the fluid inside swish around!

The white bits are actually the SSD cream.

On the first night when talking to Dr Pixie, she was suggesting getting Caitlin some panadol due the the pain. I have been positively-reinforcing her that she’s been “a brave girl”, because other than the immediate hours she’s been very good about, didn’t need any painkillers.

Update: Saturday afternoon, Jan 10

Caitlin is actually due for her MMR shot between now and 6 years old. So we brought her to see Dr Pixie; to also let her have a look at the scald.

Like most other people who first saw it, I am sure her heart sank too. Everyone I spoke to about the incident never knew how bad it was.

Anyway she said to leave it alone, don’t rupture the sac, and don’t need to apply the SSD anymore.

Unless..

The sac ruptures. At which time we should start applying SSD again at the puncture site, since SSD itself has antiseptic agents in it. There is no need for the SSD on the dried areas though.

However, if the site does indeed get infected due to this puncture of the sac/skin; the signs include reddish fluid discharges, then we should administer fucisic acid, likely under the brand of Fucidin.

Because Caitlin could still wait a little longer for her MMR shot, Dr Pixie thought to spare her another trauma of an innoculation (INJECTION!!)

So, We came home. And wouldnt you know it, the sac ruptured!

I don’t think it was intentional, from being itchy fingered or accidental bumps. It was likely that the swishing was too much and the skin (was thinning?) couldn’t hold much longer.

It doesn’t look so gross now, but it also means we gotta watch out ensuring the site is kept clean, now that there is a puncture exposing bare skin.

There are a few things in life that you kinda expect to happen to you; and when you are a parent- to your children.

You expect them to fall down once a while.
You expect them to get hurt once a while.
You expect them to get a bump on the head, a cut there, a bruise here.

But you don’t expect them to be scalded.

At dinner tonite, Grandma was serving up dinner. Caitlin was seated already next to me, at the far side of the table against the doorway into the dining area. Grandma was coming in with bowls of hot soup. She makes them really hot. She reached forward to put a bowl down infront of Caitlin for her, and it slipped out of her hand, away from her, towards Caitlin.

Without really thinking I made the mistake of trying to sweep away the soup from her lap; thinking to remove the hot element from skin.
Grandma comes in to carry her off the wet seat.
I went to get some cloth- anything, to wet with cold water to put over the area.
Grandma says NO.
By which time Mummee was rushing down after hearing the scream. She was shouting DO NOT GET ICE.
My wet cloth was ignored. I could see some peeled skin. It looks like what it’d be like a few days after being sunburnt.
Mummee came with toothpaste, and we all started to spread it over the area.
Caitlin starts to settle.

The old school Chinese old wives way was NOT to encourage quick contraction after a hot expansion. My basic first aid was ignored. We then remembered some ointment bought from China by either grandparents, which had quickly healed the assistant’s hands during the sideshow (more like freakshow) demo, where he applied the ointment immediately after grasping red hot iron bar- don’t ask.

4-5 hours later we are back at our apartment, our regular routine, ready for bed. Mummee’s gentle dabs removed the toothpaste ready for another application of Chinese ointment. Cleared, we could see the damage. Blisters. Multiple of them. Bigger and smaller than peanuts. And the roll of broken skin.

I called Dr Pixie to ask what else we could do other than to air it. She said to go get sulphur silver diazine. It would help with the burn, and it is also antiseptic.

In the conversation I related the whole ordeal, whether it was likely to scar- YES. Provided the blisters aren’t popped during this whole time. but definitely there will be different pigmentation during / after healing.

But I made the worst mistake. I effectively already removed some skin when I swept her lap. It would be those area that is guaranteed to scar; don’t even talk about popping the blisters, I had already effectively done that.

I went to the only 24 hours pharmacy I could think of- Pantai Hospital, not too far from here. Got 60g of the cream, at RM12.40. They call is Flamazine

She is sleeping now with Mummee.

In the coming days these are what I am anticipating:
- her in her school uniform- how do we ensure the area is kept medicated?
- her in her school uniform- how do we ensure she doesn’t get the area accidentally bumped / scraped / pop the blisters?
- her in regular clothes- to remove them to go pee? Who’s gonna help her removal?
- her in bed- same precautions as above?

I feel like shit. I feel much worse actually.

I kid you not. This was what Caleb did a few days ago.

I was at work and Grandma called to tell me of this.

Apparently he was crying quite profusely. You know how at each Waaa… babies would then draw their breath for the next Waaa…? Well, he didn’t. So he turned blue in the lips, then in the face, and went limp.

Grandma had the shock of her life. She quickly stroked him, patted him on the body and face, and then Caleb woke up.

So, upon finding out this I quickly called Dr Pixie to tell her of this.

Is this a physiological condition?
An inherited condition?
A psychological condition?
Are there any dangers to this?
WHAT’S GOING ON??

Very calmly, Dr Pixie tells me that this is nothing new. Kids do this to get attention, to get things their way; that there is nothing to worry about.

The only thing she said was out of the ordinary was that Caleb is (already) doing this at such a young age of 9 months; my own niece / her own daughter did this once when she was 2.

She did say these words though: Do not give in to the boy’s demands. This is how kids become spoilt brats – they start getting adults to give into them and the trouble starts.

Most of the explanation and conversation revolved around behavioural attitude rather than anything medical.

You can imagine my astonishment at hearing all this. But then when I was hearing this explanation I was reminded of the saying about kids who “.. held his breath till he turned blue to get his way…” It all kinda clicked at the point.

I knew this boy was likely going to be a difficult child with that behaviour, but now with this incident, or shall I more accurately say, manipulative behaviour, we really have a troublemaker in our hands…..

I looked up the internet to research this. I did find a lot of the same things as what Dr Pixie said, plus more:

Here are some links which I visited:

http://www.baby-medical-questions-and-answers.com/toddler-discipline.html

http://www.baby-medical-questions-and-answers.com/child-behavior-management.html

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Pediatrics-1429/Crying-Toddler-1.htm

And at the end is an excerpt from the last link above.

What a scare! Other than that quote above, none of us had ever heard of anything like this before, what more a 9 month old already starting to try manipulating the situation and people. Grandma still doesn’t believe this and asked to recheck this “condition”.

In a lot of ways, it kinda shows that this could possibly be a very smart boy.

I only hope that this genius will only use his power for good and not evil…..! Well at least be on his parents’ side! He already looks at his Daddee in a certain way!

Breath-Holding Spells
What is a breath-holding spell?
A breath-holding spell is when your child holds his breath when he is suddenly injured, frustrated, angry, or frightened. Breath-holding spells begin between the ages of 6 months and 2 years. They occur only while the child is awake.
During a breath-holding spell:
• Your child may make 1 or 2 cries and then hold his breath in expiration until he becomes blue around the lips and passes out.
• Your child may stiffen and may have a few twitches or muscle jerks.
• Your child will breathe normally again and become fully alert in less than 1 minute.
What is the cause?
An abnormal reflex allows 5% of normal children to hold their breath long enough to pass out. Most children do not do this deliberately.
Holding the breath (when frustrated) and becoming bluish without passing out is such a common reaction in young infants that it is not considered abnormal.
How long does it last?
Breath-holding spells usually occur from 1 or 2 times a day to 1 or 2 times a month. Children usually stop having breath-holding spells by the time they are 4 or 5 years old.
Breath-holding spells are not dangerous, and they don’t lead to epilepsy or brain damage.
How can I take care of my child?
• Treatment during attacks of breath-holding
These attacks are harmless and always stop by themselves. Time the length of a few attacks, using a watch with a second hand.
During an attack, do not hold your child upright. Instead, he should lie flat. This position will increase blood flow to the brain and may prevent some of the muscle jerking. Put a cold wet washcloth on your child’s forehead until he starts breathing again. Don’t start resuscitation or call a rescue squad–it’s not necessary. Also, don’t put anything in your child’s mouth because it could make him choke or vomit.
• Treatment after attacks of breath-holding
Give your child a brief hug and go about your business. A relaxed attitude is best. If you are frightened, don’t let your child know it. If your child had a temper tantrum because he wanted his way, don’t give in to him after the attack.
• Prevention of injuries
The main injury risk of a breath-holding spell is a head injury. If your child starts to have an attack while standing near a hard surface, go to him quickly and help lower him to the floor.
What can I do to help prevent breath-holding spells?
Most attacks from falling down or a sudden fright can’t be prevented. Neither can most attacks that are triggered by anger. However, some children can be distracted from their breath-holding if you intervene before they become blue. Tell your child to come to you for a hug or to look at something interesting. Ask him if he wants a drink of juice.
If your child is having attacks every day, he probably has learned to trigger some of the attacks himself. This can happen when parents run to the child and pick him up every time he starts to cry, or when they give him his way as soon as the attack is over. Avoid these responses and your child won’t have an undue number of attacks.
When should I call my child’s health care provider?
Call during office hours if:
• More than one spell occurs each week.
• The attacks change.
• You have other concerns or questions.

Caution: Call a rescue squad (911) if your child has a different kind of attack during which he stops breathing for more than 1 minute or turns white (not blue).

I used to rollerblade, or more correctly, inline skate (Rollerblade is actually a brand name).

I say used to ‘cos my middle-aged knee has been reminding me that I am not as young as I used to be; since something like 2003.

One time in the late 90′s, way before I was (in the mood of) seeing anyone, I used to spend lots of time with my family. I remind you that I am the youngest, which means there are lots of nieces and nephews already. The oldest of that generation, a niece of 15 years my junior, is also rather keen in sports, and had a pair of skates herself. Whenever Dr Pixie visited with the kids, I’d get this niece to go skating with me in the neighbourhood roads. It was quite good fun, connecting with her, getting a workout as well- uphill skating really works the ass muscle.

Anyway. During all those times no one said anything about her and I skating around. Then there was a family trip to Awana where again we brought our skates. After settling in at the hotel, I asked her if she wanted to go skating. She said yes, and it was then that Dr Pixie commented “Hey, you are a girl lah, what if you fell and get bruises and scars on your legs??”

That was the last time we skated together.

I wasn’t sure what to think of it. In some ways I didn’t agree with the ‘prohibition”, after all, its a sport and she could skate reasonably well. On the other hand, I can understand the wish to avoid injuries that scar. I have another niece (this same one) who has a rather long one along her shin after falling into a drain (I think it was a drain). I won’t say that it is unsightly, but my eyes are drawn to it everytime I see it.

And as far as I know, she is still quite the athlete at school.

Having said that though, I think when Caitlin is of age I’d probably get her into some outdoor activities and active sports like this, but fully decked out in helmet and guards and kevlar vests and insurance with the ambulance on standby trailing us on first gear…..

All this is of course due to aesthetic reasons. It’s a bit sexist I guess, that guys can be all scarred and macho but girls have to be the immaculate creatures of elegance…..

Would you stop your daughter from getting into a hobby or sport that would risk scars? Or just let them be, within reasonable physical safety?

Photo taken.. sheesh I can’t even remember when. I know it was after Caitlin and before Caleb. This is the group organised by Skateline, the skates retailer in TTDI, that organises weekly or so skating trips around parts of KL. I still prefer the night skates at Putrajaya- nothing like skating on tiles and marble!

That’s me in the extreme right. I haven’t got the kevlar bullet proof vest. I don’t need it, see.

For a few months now I have been having this pain when I pee- it’s not all the time, it’s only sometimes. I told Daddee about it, but he looked like he didn’t know what to do. He said to just make sure I continually washed after I pee; it’s usually Daddee who washes me at home after I pee.

I think now he thinks he hasn’t been washing me properly. Poor Daddee, I think he feels sad and, what’s the word- Inadequate?

So last Saturday Daddee took me to see TuaKor (Eldest paternal aunty, or Dr Pixie) for a few things: That I have (still) been having hard stools, that I don’t go poo-poo everyday, and also for this pain when I pee.

So TuaKor examined me. I was so scared and I didn’t let her touch me. Daddee said it was okay; TuaKor needs to see why it’s been pain-pain when I pee.

They were right; TuaKor only opened me up a little and that was enough to see some, err, inflammation; I think they called it, that it is pinky-red. They started talking about me, saying that to make sure I am washed inside and not just outside my skin area. Also, sometimes using only toilet paper to wipe is not enough. Daddee used this big word to say that he wasn’t familiar the girl body.. ana.. anatom-something. I think that first big word is how he feels about touching this ana-thing.

So TuaKor asked Daddee to go buy this wash called Lactacyd, and to use it after each time I pee, for 3 days straight. TuaKor also said my no-poo-poo has something to do with my inflammation, but I think Daddee can’t see the connection either…. But I will continue making sure I eat lots of vegetables still.

First few times he washed me it was so painful I cried. I don’t know why- it could be that the soap or it could be that Daddee was too hard. After a few times, Daddee thought to ask me to wash myself. That’s a good idea Daddee. He stood by with the shower head running and made sure I washed inside before spraying me while I continue washing.

It’s been 3 days of use now; except when I went back to school after the holidays this morning. I think Daddee will insist I am washed with this wash tomorrow, and then that would be enough. I think NaiNai (paternal grandma) was also teaching Daddee that this wash is quite drying, but suggested to still use it once a week to ensure.. hy… hy… oh I give up.

Daddee forgot to ask Dr Pixie what the adult-name is for my pain-pain.

After the visit to TuaKor’s clinic, as promised, Daddee took me to the big underground aquarium at the twin towers KLCC to check out the sharks being fed… I think he felt bad to miss his friend Auntie Kathie and her 2 boys!

Seems like a season for sequels. Nope, I haven’t watched The Dark Knight yet….. I have watched Hellboy 2 though…

Anyway, there’s been a build up of activities that have accumulated to a juncture at which there’s been a bottleneck, inhibiting the easy flow of movements, effectively creating a plug that is causing a backlog of new activities waiting to be cleared.

Yes, it took me a good while to write that simple passage of nonsense.

On weekends, we make it a point to sleep over at my parents’, since it is the only time everyone gets to see each other.

On Saturday, we took it easy. Hot Mummee slept in, but Caitlin was up “early” as usual (for a Saturday, by our standards). So Daddee has to keep her company and occupied. My mum wanted to go buy some fresh flowers at the wet market. So the 3 of us went. Then we came home, Caitlin had her lunch. I don’t recall if she had her morning milkies or not… Before her afternoon nap Hot Mummee and I sat with her to go through some of the new words she learned from school. Evening came, and only Caitlin and I, along with my parents and the 2 brothers and respective families, went over to Dr Pixie’s for dinner. Hot Mummee and Caleb didn’t go ‘cos the little man is only just coming out of (an)other fever and cold.

There wasn’t anything unusual about it. There were fish, vege, prawns, rice, and lots of fruits. Caitlin avoided the spicy stuff, but did get stuck into the fruits, especially the papaya and the rare treat of kiwi fruit.

We had a late night. Mainly ‘cos Caleb wasn’t there, allowing myself and Caitlin to remain and play / chat / explore the house. I reckon we got home around midnight. I think I did make her some milkies, but not the usual amount.

Sunday came and she only woke close to midday. Hours later, we packed up, went home to the condo, and the kids had their afternoon nap. No surprises- Caitlin wasn’t able to sleep quickly when night came. She probably only fell asleep close to midnight.

Before that, while washing up after brushing her teeth, I asked if she’d been. She hadn’t, for that day; and I can’t remember if I washed her up on Friday or Saturday night once, after her going.

Monday came, and it was going to be an interesting one.

Since she didn’t sleep early the night before, she was all of Miss Grumpy. Still, I managed to get her to school on time and outta-sight-outta-mind for me and on my way to work.

Like breaking news feeds of a major event, I get bits and pieces of info that I had to peace together: Sitting on the toilet for 3 hours, refusing to get off, only Grandma’s threats worked, insisting on wearing her brother’s diapers for just-in-case, trip to the nearest Dr, anema, but not satisfied, no afternoon nap. Somewhere in there was Hot Mummee’s interrogation on what happened / was served at Dr Pixie’s.

Poor kid is already lacking sleep, and is so constipated that she had to endure the up-the-ass too. I think it was only a squirty but nonetheless….

I think the only thing we’d done differently since part 1 was that Caitlin has finished her tub of prunes which Grandma had bought, and had effectively stopped eating it, or anything just as fibrous.

So I went to (finally) get a bottle of Duphalac, asking Grandma to administer today after Caitlin returns from school, 10mL, for 3 days in a row. Dr Pixie actually suggested to administer in the mornings, but since she says it will “work within 4 hours”, I also do not want any untoward mishaps to befall her during her school hours in the morning.

Hopefully when I get home later, I will be greeted with a wide smile I-am-so-finally-relieved fully rested 3-going-on-4-year old happy-as-I-am child, again.

Update: I was

As planned, Caitlin only consumed the Duphalac after school. Apparently she had to go only in some 50min later, just after lunch, with full of greens. She got some soft plop-plops! And later, after I had reached home and having dinner, she had to go again. I don’t know which “session” the duphalac worked on, but now the plumbing is at least cleared!

Grandma and I have decided not to put her on it again tomorrow, despite Dr Pixie’s instructions of 3 days in a row. If it were just one visit then maybe. But since Caitlin has had to go twice already today I think we will refrain from further use / dosage. I did also ask Caitlin if she had any stomach discomfort. She claims she didn’t. I hope it’s the truth and not that she is being brave.

Yup. The poor kid has to endure the hardness of her stools that she bursts into tears at the pain of it.

And she pushes hard too. To the extent that today, Grandma told me that there was a spot of blood on her pants.

The poor kid does eat her greens, and a great variety of them too, by the way. I also believe she drinks enough water too, and I encourage her to when I am with her. But yet she still has hard ones. Over the weekend I have had the “privilege” of sitting by her to chat with her while she had to go (I usually do this while waiting to subsequently wash her up). Three sessions / days in a row she was in loud tears as a result of the pain during pushing / passing.

Grandma is going to start buying again some prunes for her to eat. I have also suggested that she get some papaya too- the former being super fibrous, the latter being something of a laxative (some family members of mine have had to experience this after enjoying too much of it!)

What do you feed your kids to ease this inhibition? I don’t want to start relying on anything artificial like medication or suppositories. Rather I prefer something totally natural that could even become part of her usual diet.

Caitlin on the dunny having a chat with Daddee. I will spare her some dignity in future, promise!