Flies so Fast

Lois turned 18 months last Aug. 17, Friday. She's speeding through toddler hood, I'm being left behind. I wish to hold on to her pre-talking days when she's clueless about what she likes. Now, it could get tiresome enumerating all the possible things she could mean when she speaks. Her developing speech and growing preferences some times prove detrimental when she's hungry or irritated. How would I know she wants me to carry her when she says 'baba'? Or that she wants the TV channel changed to Disney Playhouse whenever she says 'jujo!'? Or that she wants water when she screams 'dedo'?

So it really was a compliment when my friends came over and played with her - they were also making up for having missed greeting me during my last birthday- and noticed how I was able to interpret noises she makes. How proud was I whenever Lois would agree of what I told them she means - like 'teteks' pointing to her Ninang Marj's bag which means 'Let's check your cell phone, I think there's a text message that came in.'

It's a good thing I'm able to focus on her 100% of my time. Understanding toddler talk is hard! I don't think I'd be able to read her as correctly if I'm not her primary caregiver. At this point, the minutes, hours, days, that pass on become so meaningful. (We'll I think I'm really cherishing it I find it hard to do other things.) I can now relate to other moms who look at the clock and can't believe it, it's almost end of the day. Days could go so fast, was I really having that much fun?

Fever
It has been the second time that Lois had this one-day fever without other accompanying symptoms. First time was during my birthday. She was running a fever reaching as high as 39C and was throwing up. Worse, her pedia was out of the country and the alternate ones were all unavailable. Daddy Paul decided we should go to the Emergency Room to have her checked, and once there, the attending pedia told us to monitor further. She gave us the usual paracetamol recommendation until things stabilize. She also advised us to give her sponge bath often to decrease the fever and relieve her condition. I think she thought we were these crazy, panicky parents who fidgets off to the ER when the baby’s gets a boo-boo. We'll, I was all packed up just in case we had to be admitted. Paul was a worried father, and Baby Lois was sleeping through her 38C fever. We could really have appeared so inexperienced. That's why this time around, I made sure I broke the news to Paul that Lois is running a fever well armed. I've monitored her temperature for the last three hours, given her medicine and have consulted medical-savvy friends and other moms on what to do. But Daddy Paul still has to take an emergency leave because Lois was all-over him, never wanting to be put down or left by herself. It's 'daddy!' with matching tear stricken cheeks.

Whatever possible reason she's getting sick like this, I really have no clue. She's not teething, nor has broken any bone. Some say it's really the 'in' thing. We'll I hope she won't get updated anymore and that the power of prayer will always cover her.