INTRODUCING CHARLIE

Everyone else in the Sloan family has been introduced and now it's Charlie's turn. Don't worry-Charlie doesn't have eczema, however Charlie feels the impact of having two itchy brothers with eczema. Our wee Charlie bear is a quiet natured, caring wee guy- don't get me wrong,  he can be a wee roughian too but generally he is a sensitive wee soul. Charlie can often be found walking to his room at night for bed with a handful of treasures he has collected on the way to take to sleep with him. Some of these have included Lego, wooden spoons, a hammer and anything he can swipe on his way!
Charlie once said he wished he had eczema like Oscar. I explained to him that Oscar gets very itchy and that eczema hurts him. The very next day Charlie woke up with a tiny patch of eczema behind his knee..his wish had come true! He was so excited so we had to get all the special creams out and make a big deal of his patch of eczema so he felt included. He helped to put the cream on and I think he felt very special as he wasn't missing out!
Sadly Charlie has learnt that when I'm stuck on the couch with Oscar or Harry, he takes himself away to do his own wee thing. Usually this is playing with duplo or Lego. He will entertain himself for long periods of time. He doesn't pine for my attention or try to do something to create attention, he just sits quietly playing. Of course I talk with him but some days I certainly haven't been able to sit and play with him and this makes me feel terribly guilty. The thing about being a Mum is the mother guilt is always there! Charlie is now at Kindy for three days a week and he loves it. It is great knowing he is there interacting with children, learning and being stimulated- something I haven't been able to provide for him over the last while. As Oscar's skin has been healing Charlie has observed and noticed that things have got better for his big brother. A few weeks ago he exclaimed "Oscar you have skin now". I guess Charlie only knows Oscar as having red skin! He has also
commented quite a few times lately "Oscar your skin looks so good". I'm not sure if he is overhearing
 us then repeating what we have said, quite possibly but still it is lovely to hear. The saddest thing we have heard Charlie say is "I'm the only well child in this house". Gosh what a strong statement from a wee three year old. Both Andrew and I make a special effort in the weekends to do something with Charlie out of the house, one on one time with him.
 With Oscar having more energy now this means Charlie and him have been having some lovely
moments playing together outside running around, this has been wonderful for not only them but for Andrew and I to see. I'm sure they are going to have a lovely Summer together getting up to
mischief!
Hopefully Charlie will get to read this one day and know that we always tried the best we could to
share our time and love between all three boys. It's certainly not easy finding the balance when two
out of three children demand and need your attention to help them feel comfortable. However we love all three of our boys so very much.. To the moon and back xxx

Our wee Charlie Bear

Collecting treasures

Charlie asleep with his soft toy cat 'Pirate'