Friday, March 27, 2009

Cures for the common cold

What a week it's been.

We spent last weekend at home - a rare weekend simply pottering around the house and walking in the local area. We spent much of our time in the garden as the weather was so fine. But then both Little Planet and I caught colds, which have plagued us all week. It's been a particularly stressful week, because Little Planet is now - in her ninth month - going through separation anxiety. She has gone from being a baby as contented to play alone as with others, to crying every time I walk away from her. Plus she's teething. In fact, her first tooth (the bottom left) cut through today. So she has been very cranky and irritable and I have been doing the best I can, with a cold, to give her the attention and cuddles she needs. But it's been hard. I've hardly seen M as he's been working long hours. So I've been home alone at night feeling completely sorry for myself and worrying about the baby.

The upside of the week is that she has started crawling in earnest and she's suddenly gone through a major developmental spurt, which is amazing to witness. She's copying actions and sounds more, she's trying to mimic words and sentences, she's interacting with her toys in ever more dexterous ways, she's showing a preference for her books over her toys, she's pulling herself up, she's dashing from one end of the room to the other, she's anticipating actions and words, she's waving hello and goodbye, she's feeding herself finger foods... just so much.

Life is ever more hectic now and much more exhausting. Trying to keep up with her and trying to keep her entertained, and having to hear her cry so much because I have dared to turn my back on her for a second, has been particularly draining with a cold. Fortunately, my friend came to spend the day with me and keep Little Planet company while I took some rest. And yesterday, my mother-in-law arrived to take over the reigns as I had a meeting at work to discuss the account I will be working on when I return to work in a few weeks.

I also took advantage of being in central London on my own and scoured the shops for a lightweight Spring coat. I found a gorgeous black tiered trench coat at the Burberry store on Bond Street and treated myself to it. Retail therapy is perfect for curing adult colds.

And a grandmother's loving attention must be perfect for curing a baby's cold, because Little Planet has also recovered.

So now the weekend has rolled along again. I think it will be a good one...

4 comments:

Olivia said...

Ooh noo. She's hit separation anxiety right before you have to return to work!!

I am glad you have found wonderful people to take care of her while you're at work.

Menaka D said...

Hi there,

I love your blog! Came across it about an hour ago and I've been reading your posts especially the ones on the pregnancy. Most importantly, about your labour experience.
You have one beatifuuul daughter there! She's just so adorably cute!!

Cheerio!

Admirer from CA :) said...

PH, i haven't seen little PH in a while. If you don't mind could you please post her latest snap? :)

Planethalder said...

Hi O, yes, good timing, not!

Welcome Menaka, and thank you :-)

Hello Admirer. I'm no longer publishing photos of my daughter now that she is getting older - just to preserve her privacy... But believe me, I think she is so beautiful that it is hard to resist the urge to post a photo of her here every day :-)