Bit of a rough ride this week...

​Been a bit of a rough ride this week. We had to stay in hospital on Monday night as Rafe had developed a wheeze and his respiratory rate was high. He has had a cold and cough for a couple of weeks but has been okay in himself but on Monday my mum and dad noticed he had a wheeze so made an appointment at the doctors. He was seen by his GP, who wanted him to be checked over by a paediatrician. It was just as I was finishing work so we went up to the hospital and he was breathing quite fast and you could really hear a wheeze. They gave him an inhaler – which was not fun at all. I had to basically hold him down while a nurse popped a mask on his face and we had to administer one puff, for 10 seconds, 10 times. Which was obviously scary for Rafe and he was getting quite distressed. They monitored him further but the wheeze came back so they wanted to admit him for the night. He was actually quite well in himself, he was happy enough but obviously was a worry. And you just feel so helpless. The night was pretty rough as he didn’t want to be put down as was obviously unsettled and frightened as a nurse kept coming in to do observations and give him a nebuliser. So I think I got a glorious one hour of broken sleep. But luckily he was discharged in the morning and we were told he had a viral induced wheeze. Apparently it is common, and even more so in children who have had bronchiolitis (he had it when he was 6-weeks and was quite poorly and in hospital for 5 days) and doesn’t mean he will develop asthma. We have had to give him an inhaler every four hours until hopefully tomorrow, so I took the rest of the week off work as carer's leave as you need two people to administer the inhaler – and well honestly, I just didn’t want to leave him. He really hates the inhaler, but is getting better. Someone advised putting stickers on the mask part (I think the medical term is a volumatic spacer) to make it more ‘fun’, which has helped and we just give constant praise. It’s been quite tough but so thankful and lucky to live near our family, with husband still away, they have been such an amazing help. But it was hard not having husband here – and he was uncontactable so I couldn’t even tell him we were in hospital. Not like he would have been able to help and he would have just worried but just needed to hear his voice, and have him here for support. But he is back home next week so beyond excited/emotional/relieved/let me sleep for days please.

​Rafe hasn’t been settling well at all at night which is understandable. But slightly exhausting. He’s also coming alive during and after his bedtime feed again which at times is funny as he is chatting away and bouncing up and down on the bed – but equally I do want to say GO TO {INSERT POSSIBLE SWEAR WORD} PLEASE. But hopefully he will settle back down soon as I can’t quite down coffee all day or drink wine. The dream combo. I think when my husband is back, he should be able to take a week off so going to try and drop his morning feed, see how he is and even possibly attempt the before-bed feed. Or the other way round. I am going to feel incredibly emotional about it all but at the same time my nips are killing and I want a break before I have to give my boobs away to baby number 2.

Had my 20-week scan this week. Didn’t find out the sex in the end and I was surprised as I just didn’t even feel slightly tempted. I do think it is a boy though but going to do the old wives tales like I did last time for a bit of fun – but as long as bubs is healthy, that’s all that matters. Have another scan in a couple of weeks to check the baby’s heart and my husband will be able to make this one. But the sonographer this week said from what she can see, nothing to worry about. It’s just a constant worry having kids isn’t it?!

Rafe’s still not walking (just turned 16-months) but I know it’s nothing to worry about yet and he will do it when he is ready. He is walking around furniture, walking holding hands but seems to be scared to let go and stand on his own and doesn't stand with his feet flat. Any tips to help with this? I know people have said, you will be wishing he wasn’t as mobile once he is walking but I am just so ready for him to walk now! I’m constantly running after him anyway as he is so fast crawling, I almost feel like it will be easier to have him walking. So yeah, any tips to help him gain more confidence please!

So a bit of a tough week, made better by the scan – and that husband is back next week. Feels like it's been longer than 7-weeks, we've done so so much longer than that, it's just been a tough few weeks. Rafe is okay though, it’s obviously just been a worry – and exhausting. But he’s a champ! So many people have said, “oh my son was the same, constantly in hospital for his chest when he was little – now he’s fine”, so I know it’s not uncommon but if all these winter bugs can just do one – I’d be grateful.

Till next week,

Faye x