An allergic reaction.

We had a little scare this evening with Laetitia having an allergic reaction to either the cashew or macadamia nut she had while we were having apperitif with Anne and Nico at our place. It started with her saying that there's something on her tongue/in her mouth and then she started complaining of some discomfort. It quickly led to her vomiting and then saying that her stomach hurts. For a while, I thought she might have eaten something bad but when she started scratching and then her body started turning red and hives developed I quickly realised it's an allergic reaction. It's a first so we immediately called the SOS doctor helpline. The paediatric doctor has a wait of 2hrs so we asked for a normal doctor. At the same time, Etienne called my father in law (a doctor) to ask if there is anything specific we should do. After determining it was not "life-threatening", we just tried our best to comfort Lae and distract her from her discomfort. Anne and Nico took their leave to allow us to deal with Laetitia in peace. Poor little one was in so much discomfort.

Finally the doctor came, prescribed some medication which Etienne had to go get at a 24hr pharmacy 20 mins away, we gave Lae the medicine and she quickly fell asleep as it was pass 10pm and she was totally exhausted from the ordeal.

The thing is I had given Laetitia food containing some nuts (hazelnuts, pecan, walnut, almonds etc) but she never had any reaction. I guess this time it was a whole nut that's why. Anyways, we will be more vigilant with nut products going forward.

Poor darling is sick.

My poor little one is down with fever and vomited twice yesterday evening. She's feeling better today but is still a little whingy.

Hopefully things will look up soon as she has been asking to go to the swimming pool but I prefer to stay away until she is fully recovered.

Added on 16th June.
PS: Thank God! She is recovered. :-)

Chicken pox update

Laetitia is feeling much better and is coping very well with the chicken pox. It is not fully over (though we should see the end of it soon). Right now, we're on day 10 of the illness and it's clearing up.

We are in the south of France at my in laws and she is having fun being in the outdoors. She gets to get out twice a day and have lots of fun playing.

These are some of the photos I took.

In the playground in Paris on Friday 22nd (Seventh day)


Taken on the 10th day. The spots on her face is clearing up. And she is wearing a beautiful Clippo hair clip.
Most of the spots have crusted over and only the bigger spots have a crater right now but I understand that it is normal and should heal. Currently aside from the medication prescribed by the doctor, I am also apply Avene's Cicalfate cream to help with the healing and scar prevention.

Chicken pox

My poor little chouchou has chicken pox. Etienne noticed two spots on Saturday and on Sunday, as I was changing her diaper, I saw the spots and was quite sure it was chicken pox as they all had the water blister look. I was expecting it since there has been an outbreak in the daycare. And guess what, on Monday morning when I called them to inform them that Laetitia has chicken pox, I was told that I was the fourth parent who called that morning! All these poor kids.

Since then, the spots have multiplied. Poor darling. I have been giving her antihistamines and showering her with the medicated foam to help with the spots but it is really making her uncomfortable. She kept telling me that it's painful and she is not eating very well. But one good thing is that she is still sleeping regularly so I have been able to have a good night of sleep each night. And on some days, I have the nanny come in to look after her while I take a breather and go out a bit. I must say that she is considerably easy to look after even though she is suffering though this illness. Yes, she is much more whingy then usual but who would not with all these itchy and sore spots.

Here's some pictures of my darling and her spots.

On the third day (Monday 18th Feb)


On the fifth day (Wednesday, 20th Feb)

On the road to recovery

My poor baby was very sick over the weekend. It started last Thursday night with the both of us running a fever and climax on Saturday with a horribly high fever of almost 41 degrees. We had to give her three baths during the day to bring the fever down and when finally in the evening it continued to spike to more than 40 degrees, we bit the bullet and called the Pediatre SOS number to have a doctor come to our place to check her out. It turned out she had a slight ear infection/cough/running nose and a gastro. She was prescribed numerous medication and her very doting papa went out in the middle of the night to search for a 24h pharmacy to get the medicines.

She is now finally getting better and is well on the road to recovery. Thank you God. We did take a couple of photos and I will attempt to put them on the blog this weekend. It's crazy how little time I seem to have now that I am working.

Attack of the bacterial/virual infection of the stomach?

Arrrrggghhhhh...... poor baby and poor mummy.

My little pie is being attacked. Poor little darling vomitted four times yesterday. And she HATES it when she vomits. It makes her so upset that she cries more. And she had a fever to cope with at the same time.

I googled some information about vomiting and fever and from her symptoms, it seems like it's a stomach bacterial attack. But then it's only vomiting and fever with no diarrhea. Hmmmm... It did say it will pass in 12-24 hours and so far she seems to be better. We are also trying to avoid giving her milk though. She had some yogurt in replacement of milk for breakfast. I think we'll keep to light and small meals for her today.

I'm so tired as I was up trying to get her to go back to sleep till 1.30am. And she decided to get up at 8am this morning. Okay, I also know I should not complain considering that lots of mums of young children do not get 6 straight hours of sleep.

The flu bug got her this time.

Well, my baby is sick again. :( It's not the new tooth which is making her grumpy and giving her a fever, it's the flu. And my poor little thing has been so ill this last month that she has not been putting on weight. She is only 100g heavier than a month ago. We went to a new Paediatrician as I felt that the previous PD prescribes medications (e.g antibiotics and cortison) too quickly and does not sufficiently explains the purpose of the medications nor the illness/recovery process to me. It's hard for me when my baby is ill and even harder when I do not get information of what is really going on. Plus, I do not like putting too much medication in my little one. Ha! I don't even believe in taking medication myself when I'm sick. *Not that it's a good thing when I am really ill.* Anyways, the new PD is great. Although I did come home with numerous medications, two were vitamins which he explained would be helpful to build up Lae's immunity since she has been sick relatively more these last two months. Another one of the medication was homeopathic. He also told me to call if Lae does not get better within 2 days. I was advised to give Lae more fluid in terms of juice or milk as she needs the calories since her weight gain is on a low side for the month. So far, this PD's approach is very agreeable for me.

So, in view of the fact that I should help Lae get back on track with her weight gain, I am more determine than ever to make sure she eats well. I went to buy some fresh produce for cooking her meals and got her the biggest spinach leafs ever! Don't believe me? Check this out. ONE SPINACH LEAF is bigger than my palm!

I made spinach, tomato, carrots and lamb porridge for her today. I think it was yummy since she finished the entire portion (200ml) given to her.

Onto more fun stuff, last Monday, my friend, fellow Message mum, Parisa, came over with little Amelie (or Millie as we affectionately calls her). The kidlets had a good time playing. Here's a lovely shoot of the two cuties.