There's No Greater Worry Than When Your Baby Falls Sick


Theodore came down with a fever of 39.3 on June 18 2010. His hands were slightly purplish and cold when we discovered so. I called Irwin immediately. Luckily he was at Great World City at that moment which was relatively nearer to our home as compared to his workplace. He didn't drive then, but took a cab home and picked us up to go to the pediatrician.

As this was the first time Theodore had fallen ill, as parents we were rather helpless but listened attentively to the pd's advice. 1ml of Panadol; hourly temperature taking and recording; if temperature goes beyond 38, one round of cold sponge bath; if temperature goes beyond 39, two rounds of cold sponge bath. Theodore's temperature came down after 1ml of panadol. After six hourly though, the fever came back.

On June 19 8am, Theodore's temperature was back at 38. Without hesitation, Irwin made the call to check him into the hospital.

The hospital's policy was that if the baby was 3 months old, he could be adminstered medication, and need not be hospitalised. As Theodore was 2 months and 28 days old, he had to be hospitalised, and discharged only if he was fever free for 24 hours.

Hence, we began the three days hospital stay, with Irwin and I staying 24 hours with Theodore (apart for three hours where we would go home to shower and take a one hour nap). The blessings in disguise was that this incident has brought Theodore, Daddy and Mummy closer together as a family.

2 Months 1 Week Old - My Baby

That Sunday, the nanny was taking her off-day. So Irwin and I handled Theodore all by ourselves.

We did pretty well, except that we are not skilled at helping Theodore sleep. Irwin is very good at playing and getting Theodore all excited. For me, of course its the feeding and stimulating his next developmental milestone.

So, we couldn't quite get him to sleep, but we sure supplied him with lots of fun. But you know, its actually a skill and it requires patience (apparently 15 - 20 mins) to help a baby sleep. We didnt quite achieve it. Irwin tries for 5 mins, and when it didn't work - its playtime! Ha, the only time Theodore slept was when we put him in a baby carrier and walked around the estate downstairs. New parents - so naturally we are learning!

Not planned for, but we love you

Closer friends may know that baby Theodore wasn't planned for. Irwin and I were rather surprised the moment we realised so. I bought one pregnancy test kit, and despite it being positive, I bought another one to check again. Still, with both kits being positive, I wasn't sure and I wanted to wait till the gynae confirms through an ultrascan.

Now, I am a happy mum. Thinking back, the pregnancy in the first four months especially was a roller coaster ride. Hello, vomiting few times a day. I didn't even brush my teeth for periods of time as the toothpaste makes me nausea.

Now, I have a bundle of joy in my arms. Theodore is starting to smile and laugh frequently and that really makes my day. I also enjoying watching him and his developmental milestone. On 2 months 6 days, Theodore blurted out a "Hello" as I said it repeatedly. Irwin and I were in shock and our hair stood on end. No one would expect that at a two month point.

Theodore is also quite skilled with his musical mobile now - such a joy to watch him get all excited and trying to hit the rotating soft toys. Sometimes, he stares at the smiley faces and smiles to himself. Today, I put him on his tummy and he pushed himself to his side - thats another first..

In my prayer session everyday (or every other day..hehe), I pray for a happy and perfectly healthy individual. So far my prayers have been answered, and may he and all other sentient beings continue that way...