Gone deaf

We've finally put Michael to bed. He has screamed for the majority of the evening because three of his top teeth are coming through. He is in so much pain despite us medicating him and doing everything we can think of to distract him. Putting him in the Ergo carrier and pacing with him seems to be the only thing that works for any length of time.

I have just purchased a Rabbitts ~ Mat. It is a changing mat with a 4-point harness and is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY because Michael refuses to stay still on a normal changing mat. Even Phil has a really hard time changing him. Michael cries the minute we put him down and then he arches his back, throws his head back and turns sideways. It is like trying to change an eel. The best way for me to deal with this battle and stay sane is just to win it without a fight. The worst time for me is in the morning when in addition to changing him, I have to give him his vitamin D drops, moisturise his face, neck and torso and dress him. He howls the whole time. I know he wants his independence, and he wants it NOW but until he learns to dress himself and use the toilet then he's going to have to cut Mama some slack.

Phil had an incredibly hard time of it this evening when he gave Michael a wash and got him ready for bed. At one point he said we were at DEFCON 1 which made us both laugh - although we couldn't hear the sound over the howling.

We're going to the zoo tomorrow so hopefully the distraction will help everyone.