Jeremy- Nine months later

It has been nine months since Jeremy showed up. Sally Ng’ang’a shares interesting highlights.

The first few days my hands were overflowing because I had a Caesarian section (CS) wound to nurse. But my husband was handy enough to keep the stress at bay. He bathed, diaper- changed, burped Jeremy after feeding, and soothed him to sleep, especially at night. When he left for work in the morning,’ my sister Cera took over. I am indebted to their unfailing support.

When the wound started healing and I could handle Jeremy, I appreciated my hubby and Cera more. The boy seemed so fragile and tiny. And then again, his umbilical cord had not fallen. So bathing him made me a nervous wreck. Adding to my unease, those first two months, baby would throw fits at bath time. Months later, it’s a different story. He can hardly wait to get in the water to splash it! Getting him out of it is something we really have to negotiate over.

Fright – fright
One time I went to take a shower and left my son on the bed. On coming back, he was not there. Baby thief! Is the first thing that came to mind. And there I was frantically calling, ‘Baby! Jeremy!’ I was sure going to look for him EVERYWHERE. Thankfully, the first place I checked, under the bed brought some relief. There he was peacefully lying, licking his fists as usual. I wanted to cry in relief as I pulled him out. As sense would have it, he had become strong enough to rollover-but there wasn’t enough room for that. So there he was under the bed, at least not hurt.

Then at about four months, Jeremy had severe diarrhoea for a whole week. A friend advised to see a herbalist to provide cure before his condition got out of hand. True to the word, I went along with the idea. And instead of my boy getting better from the concoction he had been given, things got worse. His now extremely watery pooh had red spots. This is when I thought it better to do with what I have been familiar with, and sought formal medical help. Gradually, Jeremy’s stool began to form and he got back to his usual bubbly self.

His qualities
My baby is a strong chap and a happy fellow. He is not fussy-all thanks to the Almighty. He is a great feeder who heartily relishes whatever meal. What he never really seemed to enjoy was breast-milk which he declined after his first four months. I wonder why. I replaced that with formula milk; and his health is looking up! It is my, prayer that Jeremy will be a gentleman and a passionate Christian. I also pray that he will have great wits in school and excel to his greatest dreams.

Sister – sister!
As already said, I am really grateful for my sister, Cera. You would bet that Jeremy is her son. When I’d get back home from work in the evening, my baby would not hanker after me. She is motherly, protective and hardworking to say the least.

We have only had to source for help with the washing of clothes which is done weekly. Even then, she does not allow anyone else to wash the baby’s clothes-but herself. She is the one who makes the baby’s menu. Sometimes it feels like she outdoes me where Jeremy is concerned. She is truly a God send.

END: BL 28/14