I know I am going to have my hands full with little bear. You can see it as he tries to swing his leg over the top of the safety gate. I think he is within about six inches of getting over. I am worried half to death. He is constantly and consistently trying to climb, scramble or otherwise head into trouble.
He has suddenly decided that he likes having his teeth brushed - new fruit flavoured toothpaste! I think the record for teeth brushing is now six times in one day, but I am not complaining. There are worse things for him to do.
He is still not speaking, so when he decides he wants to brush his teeth he will turn the tv off, look at me and poke his finger in his mouth like a toothbrush. Then he picks up his teddy bear and heads purposefully to the foot of the stairs.
Today was a bit of a breakthrough. He growled when he was pretending to be a tiger and hissed like a snake.
It was a wonderful and infuriating moment. It was wonderful because he was making noises as a way of communicating and infuriating because he copied something from tv, despite my relentless and unceasing efforts to get him just to say anything. I suppose it is a wonderful preview of when teacher will know best.
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
Backache
I've hurt my back. Many years ago I tore a muscle when I leant over to clean a bath. It just shows that housework can be bad for your health.
It rather passed into legend with dear heart because for a simple muscle problem it caused a lot of problems. It was initially diagnosed as a kidney problem, so I was in agony for ages. Perhaps because of that it does flare up again occasionally.
So now I have a bad back, which currently hurts intensely at any activity like brushing snow off a pavement. Or putting groceries away. Or washing up. Or getting washing out of the washing machine.
Little bear was outraged about fifteen minutes after I left him to go to sleep - he had pulled the top off the night time bottle (he saves some for later) and it was all over him and the sheet. I would swear there was less than an ounce when I left him with the bottle - but it spread! I have no idea how I managed to do all the stretching and bending to change the sheet. I am now officially in pain.
And the really horrible thing about it isn't the pain - yes it hurts but it is just physical pain. What is driving me dotty is that now that my happy pills are working properly I want to start doing stuff, and I can't. Grrrr.
It rather passed into legend with dear heart because for a simple muscle problem it caused a lot of problems. It was initially diagnosed as a kidney problem, so I was in agony for ages. Perhaps because of that it does flare up again occasionally.
So now I have a bad back, which currently hurts intensely at any activity like brushing snow off a pavement. Or putting groceries away. Or washing up. Or getting washing out of the washing machine.
Little bear was outraged about fifteen minutes after I left him to go to sleep - he had pulled the top off the night time bottle (he saves some for later) and it was all over him and the sheet. I would swear there was less than an ounce when I left him with the bottle - but it spread! I have no idea how I managed to do all the stretching and bending to change the sheet. I am now officially in pain.
And the really horrible thing about it isn't the pain - yes it hurts but it is just physical pain. What is driving me dotty is that now that my happy pills are working properly I want to start doing stuff, and I can't. Grrrr.
Little bear has a cold
Little bear has a cold. It is completely not serious, not threatening and not a matter for the doctor. Of course I am fussing myself silly.
He had been a little off colour for a while, then Saturday he was not himself. We had visitors and instead of investigating all the opportunities for treats and cuddles he just sat on my lap. On one level, it was lovely to have that cuddle, but it was so sad that he needed it.
On Monday he perked up considerably - and that is when his nose became so very productive. It has been gruesome, not helped by his long-standing refusal to have anyone, and I mean anyone, wipe his nose. If you heard his complaints as I advanced with a tissue or a damp flannel you would think the poor child was about to be murdered.
I think he can only breathe through his mouth at the moment, so he is not keen on his usual toast. However he is tucking in to lots of bottles during the day. This is probably a Bad Thing but at least it gets liquid and nutrition into him. He isn't even eating pears, though he tucked into some Impossible Pie earlier.
I wonder if dear heart would notice if some of his grapes went missing. It would be a lovely pick me up for little bear. I'm sure dear heart wouldn't mind, and what the eye doesn't see...
He had been a little off colour for a while, then Saturday he was not himself. We had visitors and instead of investigating all the opportunities for treats and cuddles he just sat on my lap. On one level, it was lovely to have that cuddle, but it was so sad that he needed it.
On Monday he perked up considerably - and that is when his nose became so very productive. It has been gruesome, not helped by his long-standing refusal to have anyone, and I mean anyone, wipe his nose. If you heard his complaints as I advanced with a tissue or a damp flannel you would think the poor child was about to be murdered.
I think he can only breathe through his mouth at the moment, so he is not keen on his usual toast. However he is tucking in to lots of bottles during the day. This is probably a Bad Thing but at least it gets liquid and nutrition into him. He isn't even eating pears, though he tucked into some Impossible Pie earlier.
I wonder if dear heart would notice if some of his grapes went missing. It would be a lovely pick me up for little bear. I'm sure dear heart wouldn't mind, and what the eye doesn't see...
Worrying about evil cat
Evil cat is not a well kitten. The vet has pronounced early stage kidney disease, we are feeding her a special diet. Actually what happens is that we put down the special diet, she takes two mouthfuls, walks away and then complains with unrelenting insistence until fresh is put down.
But she is losing weight. She has never been that substantial, just a bad attitude in a fur coat really. Now she is starting to look really slim.
I don't have the heart to make all the jokes about wishing I was losing weight. Tonight she actually came into little bear's room and she slipped through the bars of the shut safety gate. In fact, I watched her slip through the narrowest part of the safety gate on her way out. She has never been a chunky cat. In fact, she is quite petite, although her attitude is as butch as a bulldog.
I have decided not to take her to the vet this weekend, as she does not seem to be in any distress and she is still functioning quite well. She was lively enough this afternoon when she was wanting more food. There is so much weather about and a trip to the vets with evil cat is not to be undertaken lightly. However tomorrow I plan to ring up and get an appointment for next weekend. I think that is the longest I want to put it off. Of course, if she seems distressed before then we will take her in earlier.
It was awful last time she needed a sedated examination. The vet called dear heart to come and get her as evil cat was getting distressed, and he couldn't make it. However she needs a sedated examination to get a urine sample - honestly, it would be so much easier if she just piddled!
She is making the mouse unavailable as I type - she believes she has right of way on the computer desk and I have never managed to convince her otherwise, but I do believe she is a little more clingy than before. She is sitting there, ears half akimbo and vibrating with a purr. She is so beautiful. I hope that the vet can reassure us that she is not in pain and that she will soon pick up.
But she is losing weight. She has never been that substantial, just a bad attitude in a fur coat really. Now she is starting to look really slim.
I don't have the heart to make all the jokes about wishing I was losing weight. Tonight she actually came into little bear's room and she slipped through the bars of the shut safety gate. In fact, I watched her slip through the narrowest part of the safety gate on her way out. She has never been a chunky cat. In fact, she is quite petite, although her attitude is as butch as a bulldog.
I have decided not to take her to the vet this weekend, as she does not seem to be in any distress and she is still functioning quite well. She was lively enough this afternoon when she was wanting more food. There is so much weather about and a trip to the vets with evil cat is not to be undertaken lightly. However tomorrow I plan to ring up and get an appointment for next weekend. I think that is the longest I want to put it off. Of course, if she seems distressed before then we will take her in earlier.
It was awful last time she needed a sedated examination. The vet called dear heart to come and get her as evil cat was getting distressed, and he couldn't make it. However she needs a sedated examination to get a urine sample - honestly, it would be so much easier if she just piddled!
She is making the mouse unavailable as I type - she believes she has right of way on the computer desk and I have never managed to convince her otherwise, but I do believe she is a little more clingy than before. She is sitting there, ears half akimbo and vibrating with a purr. She is so beautiful. I hope that the vet can reassure us that she is not in pain and that she will soon pick up.
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
Bought wipes
I am ashamed to confess but I bought some wipes, marketed as being for cleaning the inside of fridges and microwaves. I ought to be ashamed of myself - they cost two pence each! However, the deed was done and I did a quick wipe at the microwave while I was waiting for the kettle to boil. I checked to see if it needed to be rinsed before microwaving some sausages and pasta for little bear.
Now, I am aware that there are some very silly people out there, but surely there does not need to be a warning on a packet of microwave wipes that they should not be used as baby wipes. I mean, really! Who would use cleaning wipes on a defenceless child? Apart from anything else, baby wipes are considerably cheaper.
I wondered what else was on the pack. Well, there was a sell by date. Why? Why on earth have a sell by date on cleaning products? Surely a packet labelled antibacterial isn't going to go off like cheese. I mean, given that there is scent and antibacterial oojamaflips, perhaps a 'use within x of opening' I could understand. Anyway, the sell by date has long since gone - I even bought it after the sell by date had expired. I am confident that it will not break the microwave.
Now, I am aware that there are some very silly people out there, but surely there does not need to be a warning on a packet of microwave wipes that they should not be used as baby wipes. I mean, really! Who would use cleaning wipes on a defenceless child? Apart from anything else, baby wipes are considerably cheaper.
I wondered what else was on the pack. Well, there was a sell by date. Why? Why on earth have a sell by date on cleaning products? Surely a packet labelled antibacterial isn't going to go off like cheese. I mean, given that there is scent and antibacterial oojamaflips, perhaps a 'use within x of opening' I could understand. Anyway, the sell by date has long since gone - I even bought it after the sell by date had expired. I am confident that it will not break the microwave.
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Little bear climbs
Little bear is getting far more active. He has just had his second birthday, and aged me several years.
The first I knew that he could climb out of his cot when there was no other furniture around was when I heard him singing to himself one morning, then a thud and an anguished cry. I shot into his room, and really I honestly believe he was more cross than hurt - it shouldn't have happened like that and he wanted to play!
Once we managed to find a gate to go across the oddly shaped door, he was in a bed. Those nights between the mountaineering expedition and the fitting of the gate were dreadful. One or two I actually spent in with him, and the others I was waking up anytime a pin was dropped in the surrounding three miles. Little bear was, of course, fine.
He did manage to get out of the room at one point (I think he climbed over a pile of toys in his play pen before we managed to get the gate on his room fitted) and I found him one floor up, crying because he couldn't work out how to come down.
When I informed dear heart, he went upstairs to check and sure enough there was clear evidence that little bear had had a good play in the top bedroom. What I hadn't realised was that he had also completely trashed the spare bedroom also. Thank goodness he avoided the bathroom.
He also regularly climbs up the north face of his high chair, up onto the backs of chairs, up onto the tv unit... I was told that when he had his first big bump he would learn a little caution. He hasn't.
The first I knew that he could climb out of his cot when there was no other furniture around was when I heard him singing to himself one morning, then a thud and an anguished cry. I shot into his room, and really I honestly believe he was more cross than hurt - it shouldn't have happened like that and he wanted to play!
Once we managed to find a gate to go across the oddly shaped door, he was in a bed. Those nights between the mountaineering expedition and the fitting of the gate were dreadful. One or two I actually spent in with him, and the others I was waking up anytime a pin was dropped in the surrounding three miles. Little bear was, of course, fine.
He did manage to get out of the room at one point (I think he climbed over a pile of toys in his play pen before we managed to get the gate on his room fitted) and I found him one floor up, crying because he couldn't work out how to come down.
When I informed dear heart, he went upstairs to check and sure enough there was clear evidence that little bear had had a good play in the top bedroom. What I hadn't realised was that he had also completely trashed the spare bedroom also. Thank goodness he avoided the bathroom.
He also regularly climbs up the north face of his high chair, up onto the backs of chairs, up onto the tv unit... I was told that when he had his first big bump he would learn a little caution. He hasn't.
Evil cat and how she is
What an embarrassing lacunae in my posting. Well, I am just going to try and fill it bits and then be a little more dedicated.
I think the first thing is to give an update on evil cat, as she is trying to sit on the keyboard as I type.
She is in the very very very early stages of kidney failure, and thus on a special (expensive) diet. I do trust my vet, they are lovely and are very competent at dealing with over anxious owner syndrome. That means, regrettably, that if they say it is kidney disease, that is what it is. It is sad to see her, however, because she is starting to lose a little weight and she didn't have that much to lose. She is also getting very smelly and her tummy sounds like a special effect sometimes - not what you want when she is trying to sit across your throat.
She is also a little more clingy. What is sad is that she has always slept downstairs, but now she cries in the night - not pain but lonely. I daren't let her up in the night, I need some sleep, but I do feel for her.
She is, regardless of the diet, getting inexpensive dolphin friendly tuna tomorrow. Tonight she was cornered by little bear and he grabbed a handful of fur. Evil cat just cowered, and I wouldn't have blamed her if she had scratched him. Of course I told him off, with the usual effect, and he is usually good, but for an evil cat, she behaved pretty well.
I think the first thing is to give an update on evil cat, as she is trying to sit on the keyboard as I type.
She is in the very very very early stages of kidney failure, and thus on a special (expensive) diet. I do trust my vet, they are lovely and are very competent at dealing with over anxious owner syndrome. That means, regrettably, that if they say it is kidney disease, that is what it is. It is sad to see her, however, because she is starting to lose a little weight and she didn't have that much to lose. She is also getting very smelly and her tummy sounds like a special effect sometimes - not what you want when she is trying to sit across your throat.
She is also a little more clingy. What is sad is that she has always slept downstairs, but now she cries in the night - not pain but lonely. I daren't let her up in the night, I need some sleep, but I do feel for her.
She is, regardless of the diet, getting inexpensive dolphin friendly tuna tomorrow. Tonight she was cornered by little bear and he grabbed a handful of fur. Evil cat just cowered, and I wouldn't have blamed her if she had scratched him. Of course I told him off, with the usual effect, and he is usually good, but for an evil cat, she behaved pretty well.
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