ear infection

Days 1 – 4 of Project 365

January 4, 2014 by TheBoyAndMe 69 Comments

1-3 of 365

1. And sleep… (I'd hoped for a more exciting photo for the first day of the 2014 project but the day was busy and tiring and it was bedtime before I had a chance to take a photo, let alone the inclination. The Boy is on his second ear infection within six weeks and I spent a lot of the night nursing him as he screamed in pain. That saw us rush out to the Out of Hours doctor's surgery to get antibiotics, for which I was late as I had a horrendous headache and was finding it difficult to get going. Because I was late I drove too fast and set off a speed camera. I came home reticent but overjoyed to spend the afternoon with my brother and his family. Then I took mum for her Christmas present, to see Singin' In The Rain and have a meal after. I came home to discover a sweaty and sobbing little boy in pain. I hate Winter because of what it does to him.)

2. Reflecting (As we took down the Christmas tree and examined all the wonderful shininess of the baubles, we have a good old chat about our Christmas and all our favourite parts. The Boy loved seeing Edward the Elf, having new toys and spending time with people who came over to see us.)

3. Teamwork (We met up with some friends in Techniquest for the afternoon and The Boy and his friend had a great time exploring science displays and a 'Don't Do This At Home' science show.)

4. Aaaarrrr! (A friend gave us an unwanted pirate set which she'd bought from the damaged stock directly from Playmobil, randomly there was a vet in there! )

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The Chair, Again

January 1, 2014 by TheBoyAndMe 11 Comments

The chair is the same.

Less padding in its seat now, but that's ok because there's more in mine.

The green cushion is squished out of all recognisable shape and could never be interpreted as ever having been square now.

But the chair is the same.

The tune on the mobile is the same.

Your dark eyelashes rest against your flushed cheeks in the same way that they did three years ago, but now those cheeks aren't as round or chubby. The Cupid's bow of your lips is more pronounced, your nose longer and taking shape. Your hair darker and more coarse.

Your face is still squished against me in the familiar manner of a child desperately seeking comfort from his mother, desperately trying to take the pain (of yet another wretched ear infection) away.

You curl an arm around my neck and pull yourself closer. Bring your knees up to your chest as I wrap my right arm around your lower half tighter to stop you from slipping. My left arm is burning with the strange angle it is contorted into to hold you close. Three years ago I could hold you with one arm nestled into me and type up a blog post with my right hand on my phone. Now I need both arms to hold you tight, while your legs dangle almost to the floor over the edge of my lap.

I contemplate my next move. How do I lift you enough to place you back into bed? Waking you is not my concern, the sheer effort of standing up while holding you is enough to consider. I tuck you in and smooth your hair, positioning Oliver Monkey under your arm. When did you become so big? Tonight has proven though that you won't stop being my baby for quite some time yet.

And the chair is still the same.