diddyangel

Center Parcs Part 2

2009-02-22T03:40:00.000-08:00

Well I didn't manage to continue you last night I was so tired!! I sorted out all the washing - all 9 loads!! Started that I did manage to upload all the photos onto Facebook all 120 of them and then went to bed so sorry to leave you there, where was I....

We didn't have to wait too long for the gates to open to drive round to the villa and because Abi had her dvd on she was so good.
Once we drove round to villa Ed brought everything in while I started to sort things - the villa was really nice 2 storey with 2 double and 2 twin bedrooms 2 full bathrooms with showers and baths and a separate cloakroom. Lovely open plan living dining and kitchen area too.
Once we were sorted we got freshened up and got ready to go out to dinner - we'd booked to eat out on the first night as thought it'd be easier we went to Hucks the American Diner it was really nice they had a childrens buffet which was a brilliant idea as then the children could eat as soon as you sit down rather than having to wait around for ages. They also did some amazing cocktails!! It was another late night for the children so another quick bedtime. I too didn't stay up too late as was exhausted but Ed stayed up with Danielle and David for a bit and the seemed to get through quite alot of wine!!

Tuesday morning Ed woke up with a terrible upset tummy involving him being sat on the toilet for alot of the morning - Danielle's boys had a fencing thing to go to so was quite nice as we had the villa to ourselves and a nice relaxing morning within an hour of Abi getting up we found out she too had the tummy upset which wasn't pleasent bless her. Ed and David went off in the afternoon to do their Quad biking experience - they had an amazing time. Abi had a long needed nap in the afternoon as after all the traveling and 2 late nights she was very over tired we ended up waking her up after 3 hours as we needed to leave for her "Messy Play" session which although we had to keep rushing to toilet she really enjoyed they had huge paddling pool type boxes full of custard, rice krisipes, spaghetti, rice, cornflour and water etc etc they also had painting and glueing etc - she was in her element!
Once we'd got the children into bed we had a nice relaxing evening.

Unfortunately over night I started feeling really unwell and came down with a horrendous vomiting bug which ended up in me just laying on bathroom floor as it was easier than running back and forth from bedroom to toilet every few minutes, I felt so so ill I ended up pulling muscles in my chest from wretching so much I stayed in bed until about 4pm. Ed still went out to the bowling we'd booked with Danielle, David and the children in the morning and they had a lovely time. Abi was chuffed as they actually had bowling shoes to fit her - when ever we've been in the past they don't have bowling shoes small enough for her.

Thursday I woke up feeling alot better could keep down toast and fluid so we all went at 9am to the tots sports activity that Elliot, Alexander and Abigail were taking part in - it was great fun they had lots of different activities to take part in - one of them there were lights built into the floor and when a light lit up they had to run and jump on it and as soon as they'd done that to set of sensor another light would light up they all loved it. After lunch we headed to the pool as none of us had D&V anymore so felt it was safe and Oliver went in for the first time ever - he loved it!! Splashing and smiling and kicking his legs - he was so sweet falling asleep on the changing mat in the changing room again afterwards. We got back to the villa where we met up with the others then David, Alexander, Elliot, Ed and Abigail went off to the Mammal magic while Danielle and I stayed behind with the babies to give them their dinner. When they got back we all headed off to Cafe Rouge for our last night meal - it was really nice Oliver was a little star and slept the whole time in his pushchair -Ed and Abigail tried Snails!! I was safe and stuck with chicken!!

Friday morning was spent packing up and loading up the car - we were meant to vacate villa by 10 am I don't think we left villa until 11am though!! Ed took the car off to the carpark and Oliver Abigail and I went off to feed the ducks and wait for Ed - when we met up we went to the centre and went swimming - we had a lovely long swim and then had some lunch in the pool area. It was about 4pm by the time we'd finished and all dressed and back into car and we set off to our travel lodge - we arrived by about 8pm and the kids were asleep in bed by 8.30pm Ed and I had decided we were going to wait for them to fall asleep and then catch up on the Eastenders we'd missed on iplayer - but we ended up falling asleep too fully dressed!!!

Saturday morning we had a nice lazy morning as there was no rush as we didn't need to vacate the travel lodge until 12pm we had a nice shower and a little Chef breakfast and set off for home at 10am. We arrived home at about 12.30pm yesterday!

Right I really should get on with all that washing now and we've got the Christening to properly organise now as it's only about 3 weeks till that but I wasn't going to get really stuck into it until after the holiday - so now need to get my bum into gear and get on!!

Will speak soon

Here are the links to all 120 photos that I have uploaded onto Facebook there are 2 links as you can only upload 60 photos per Album on Facebook. I thought this would be easier than trying to upload them all on to the blog!!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=78577&id=505506469&l=b424a

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=78583&id=505506469&l=58130

Center Parcs 15-21 February 2009 Part 1

2009-02-21T02:55:00.000-08:00

Wow what a week!!

We've had a lovely time and are currently about an hour from home so I thought i'd use this time to update you seen as Ed is driving! It is quite sureal driving along the moterway sat on msn and the internet!

After my last stay in hospital my lovely Uncle brought me a mini laptop with 3g card and contract so that when i'm in hospital I can still stay in touch with the outside world and keep up with my ebaying :-) But also can use it times like this although not as necessary!

Well Friday 13th Feb mum spent the day with me at home helping with Abigail and Oliver as I was still pretty weak and tired from hospital, it was a nice relaxing day - Sainsbury's online delivered with all shopping for holiday and I did several loads of washing ready for holiday.

Saturday was a mamoth washing day getting everything we wanted for holiday washed dried and ironed. We popped into town in the morning and had a coffee where Uncle Anthony gave me my laptop - I was so taken a back by his generosity it was the best present ever! We got a few bits in town we needed and paid some money into the bank. We spent the rest of the afternoon sorting everything out and generally getting sorted. By the time the children were in bed I didn't feel like cooking and also needed to pop to sainsburys for a couple of bits for the holiday so I popped to Sainsbury's and on the way back got Ed and I a mac donnalds for dinner - very naughty but very nice!

Sunday morning we woke up and got ready for church - I decided seen as church is literally a 3-4 min walk it'd be easier to put both children in double buggy and walk than geting them both in and out of car and thought I was up to it - how wrong was I I was also running a bit late as always for 9am mass so ended up having to walk quite fast - by the time we got there I could hardly catch my breath and felt sick an dizy was rather told off by mummy!! The walk home wasn't as bad as was no rush and I could take my time and lean on pushchair. I then got Abi and I some breakfast when we got in and did the final bits of ironing for the holiday. She then went over to Ed's mum's to play while I got on with the packing. First I went to get car cleaned inside and out so it was all nice for the long drive, took Oliver with me he was really good. When I got back I set to packing everything into the cases and packing the kitchen bits up and organsing the overnight bag separate from the main cases so we wouldnt have to unpack everything when we stopped over that night. We finally got everything packed and ed loaded it all into car had some lunch and set off around 5pm - we'd aimed to leave at 2!! We had a good drive stopped for some dinner at a serviced at around 7pm but there was only burger king which I didnt really fancy after having maccy d's the night before but didn't have much choice, the microwave to heat babyfood didn't work either so poor Oliver ended up having freezing cold dinner!! We finally got to travellodge just before 10pm Abi was so good watching her dvd the whole way but didn't fall asleep until 9.30pm which was the worst possible time as we had to wake her 25 mins later when we arrived so she was really upset and crying we got them straight into the room and I got Abi into her pjs and straight into bed she was quite happy by this point as i'd told her as a special treat she could go to bed without a bath and teeth brush!! She settled pretty quickly although had a bit of a moan that there was no microwave to warm her milk!!!! We gave Oliver a quick bath and settled him down - and by 10.30pm they were both sound asleep what stars and slept through till 7.30am!

Monday we all showered and got dressed and had a light breakfast i'd packed cereal bars and bananas and by the time we were ready Danielle rang to say she was almost at travellodge - good timing! We pretty much set off straight away and it was only an hour to travellodge we passed alot of snow about a foot in places where it had drifted!! Wasn't a bad trip and within an hour we were at Center Parcs! We parked cars in carpark and headed off to the center for a swim. Oliver and I didn't swim as my neck still had its dressing on from where I had my central line and Oliver's chest was bad so we sat on side - although i'd put my tankini on was SO hot I stripped Oliver down to just his vest but he kept looking at me like what are you doing to me in here mum!! I gave him his bottle then we watched for a bit and then decided I might as well give him his lunch while we were sat there. Just as I was finishing giving him his pudding they all came back - good timing - we all set off to changing rooms for a shower - even though i hadn't swum I was so hot a sweaty I needed one too got oliver dressed again and he fell asleep on chaning mat bless him! (Will upload a pic of that later not goign to upload photos until we're home as would jsut take too long to upload!!) We then had some lunch once all dressed and Oliver carried on sleeping in pushchair. I wasn't hungry so went off to find out where Abi's tots 2-4yr olds disco was going to be at 3pm that we'd booked for her. No one seemed to know I went from place to place and was getting more and more uptight and stressed so we gave up on it as she was getting ratty and tired anyway and we popped into medical centre with Oliver as his chest was still pretty bad - he was wheezing despite his inhlaors and had a horrific cough. The nurse in there was useless though and despite his sats beign 89% and wheezing away she said he needed his inhlaor - he'd jsut had it and was still wheezy! She said he didn't need to see a dr - i don't know how she can make this decission but we made the decision if he got anyworse we'd find the local hospital as she wasn't going to get as a GP appointment we were not too worried as he was eating and drinking. We then headed to car to wait as the gates would open between 3-3.30pm to let us to the villa :-) We all got in the car and put the dvd on for Abigail and I had a little time on facebook :-)

* Going to have to pause it here as we're nearly home and hopefully it will upload ok and i'll carry on when we're unpacked and settled :-)*

2 teeth!!

2009-02-12T04:21:00.000-08:00

Well the title says it all really Oliver now has 2 teeth!! Got his second while I was in hospital!! He now has the 2 bottom front ones :) Need to get a good picture of it!

I'm home now not 100% but alot better. Bit manic here at the moment trying to get everything sorted ready for sunday when we're off to cumbria!!

Its so nice to be home though, check below for the post I typed in hospital but have only just uploaded.

Might blog before we go but if not will blog when we get back :)

Much awaited first blog of 2009!!!

2009-02-12T03:02:00.000-08:00

I know I know I worry you all by not updating but I promise I’m ok – well as ok as I can be updating from a hospital bed bored out of my brain which is probably to be honest the only reason you’re going to get an update as I actually have the time to sit and type up what has happened. That is the problem when you leave it so long it then gets a bigger and bigger task to update and you put it off more – vicious circle!I don’t have any internet access so this will be uploaded when I’m back in the land of internet when I finally get out of here, but for now looks like I’m staying here.
I had a rather nasty asthma attack rushing me in and now am still here on high flow oxygen needing 2 hourly nebs am on IV aminophylinne and hydrocortisone and ended up having an emergency central line put in in resus as had no access as had left it slightly too long to come in and was shutting down! Am on a stupid cardiac monitor as my heart is playing silly games too so I’m pretty tied to the bed which is rather frustrating!!
Oliver has visited a few time enjoys trying to eat the re breathing bag of my oxygen mask and had a good grab at my central line causing a bit of a panic among us and the nurses! Is funny looking back now!
I’m really hoping to be home soon as we’re due to go to Center Parcs on mon 16-20 Feb (Half term) But are travelling up on Sunday 15th so this doesn’t leave me very long to pull myself and my stupid stubborn lungs together!
Oliver is now 8 months (6 corrected) weighing a whopping 18lbs 4oz on the 50 centile plotted back to his due date age. He now holds his head really well loves his food and is putting anything and everything into his mouth! He got his first tooth last week and there is definitely another one on the way. He isn’t really making much effort to sit yet but I’m not too worried as he’s only corrected 6 months so has a way to go yet and after such a rough start he’s bound to be a little behind. He’s such a happy little man always smiling and so so good I am just so lucky!
He has had a rough time with his lungs having 2 rather nasty bouts of bronchilitus needing nebulisers prednisolone steroids and an admission into hospital for some oxygen therapy. He is doing ok now currently on another course of pred but have changed his inhalers around and seems to be doing better is just a happy wheezer! We decided to re home Pippa our much loved baby choc lab as with Oliver’s allergies and chest and how busy we were. Not only was the hair not helping him but it wasn’t fair as she wasn’t getting the attention from us she deserved but we found her the perfect home and she is settling down nicely we will stay in close contact with them which will be nice. It is sad but for the best.
Abigail is doing well now does 3 sessions a week at Nursery Monday 12.15-2.45 (lunch session) and Wed and Fri 9.30-12. She loves it and it’s nice as it gives me a bit of a rest and some time with Oliver. She now does trampolining and Gymnastics which she loves. She continues to spend one day a week with my mum to help me out which she loves and so does my mum as it gives them some quality 121 time. Since her last admission to hospital she’s had her kidney scan which didn’t show any problems and she also was started on Singulair for her asthma as like Oliver has had quite a few prednisolone courses and needing silly amounts of ventolin which in turn makes her hyperactive and is not a good mix! An already very energetic 3 year old doesn’t need to be made anymore hyperactive!! So far the singulair has done its job in the fact that it has helped her asthma but one of the side effects of the drug has come out quite severe in her causing aggression and anger which is so not like her and driving me mad!! We’re going to stick it out a while and see if it calms down as would be good if she could stay on it to control the asthma.
We like probably most of you had a shed load of snow last week which left Ed’s school closed for 2 days so we had a brilliant time with daddy home and nursery closed playing in snow making snowmen etc – Oliver and daddy did stay indoors but Abigail and I braved it with about 5 layers of clothes on – she thought it was brilliant and we made a pretty impressive snowman I must admit! The majority of the snow has gone but her snowman is still standing all be it now minus the face features and looking very sorry for itself!
I hope this brings you all be it rather briefly up to date with where we are now, I’ll now try to stay in touch a little more but like I say this won’t be uploaded until I get home anyway then it won’t be long till we’re off on holiday.
I hope everyone is well and even if I don’t update my blog – I do still read yours!!! J

Will Leave you with a few photos since the last blog not in any order i'm afraid I have real trouble in uploading them and getting them in with writing on here! But have chosen a few to see what we've been up to - busy with Snow Abigail's 3rd Birthday on 23rd December and Christmas too!!!

Abigail and her snowman!

Playing in the snow
The begginings of our snowman

Mummy and Abigail walking to nursery

Abigail on her birthday at her party

Abigail dressed up in her Upsy Daisy outfit - one of her favourite birthday presents

Enjoying her party food tea :)

Abigail on her Iggle Piggle Scooter that mummy and daddy got her for her birthday

Abigail in her chefs hat and apron she got for Christmas from Grandad

Oliver's 1st Christmas

Abigail in her goggles from Fr Christmas

Abigail with her Birthday certificate from tumble tots

Abigail on her new bike from Fr Christmas

Abigail infront of our Christmas tree all dressed up to go to the Panto - Cinderella at the Civic Theatre with mummy and daddy

Oliver watching his big sister at a birthday party (can't remember which one we've had so many this month)

Oliver and mummy

Abigail as a butterfly - the first time having her face painted at Millie's birthday party

Doing some sponge painting at home with mummy

One of my favourite recent pictures

It never rains but it pours

2008-12-14T02:56:00.000-08:00

Well what a time we've had since my last blog!!
Where I left it last time - i'll try pick up to fill you in but its been a while so might not remember it all!
I got up on Wed and rang to get an appt at GP for my ear, dropped Abi at nursery and then headed there with Oliver. I had a ear canal and middle ear infection so was started on ceflex 500mg 4 times a day and a steroid/antibiotics spray to put directly into the ear 3 times a day. He also said my chest was infected but I didn't feel it was but he started me on 750mg cipro anyway!
Picked Abi up from nursery and she was excessivly tired so we all had a small lunch and went to bed. We slept for about 3 hours!! When we finally woke up Abi went to go for a wee and was screaming in pain when she wee'd this continued over the next few hours and got to the point that she was refusing to wee because she knew it'd hurt - so I took her to the out of hours GP at the hospital - of course she wouldn't do a sample for him so he treated her on symptoms and said she had a urine tract infection started her on Trimethaprim twice a day. I gave her paracetamol and she fell off to sleep and after about an hour she did a big wee in her nappy and it didn't wake her up which was a good sign.
I kept her off tumble tots on Thursday for the obvious reasons we had a lazy morning. She was alot better and not crying when going anymore wasn't right though and had yet another afternoon sleep!
Friday she woke up and seemed ok so thought she'd be ok for nursery, although she wouldn't eat breakfst - this is pretty normal for her. within an hour they'd rung me and asked me to pick her up I was there within about 10 mins and got her home she had a temp and was just grumpy and crying, so I gave her some calpol and put her to bed she refussed a drink or lunch. I woke her up after 3 1/2 hours her temp was 39.6 and she was so lethargic and almost not with it. I gave her some more calpol and she fell straight back to sleep. When Ed got home we tried to wake her up but she wasn't having any of it and despite the 2 doses of calpol her temp was still 39.2 so I rang the dr's these things always seem to happen out of hours or at 5pm on a friday evening!! They told me to bring her straight down so Ed stayed with Oliver and I took her straight down, the dr saw her straight away she was very lethargic and half asleep on me as I carried her in the dr took her temp and even after being outside where it was freezing her temp was still 39.3 he said her tonsills and ears looked red and started her on some augamentin he said she was also showing signs of dehydration so to push the fluid and get 2 doses of antibiotc regualr calpol and re acsess at 10pm if no change to contact out of hours GP.
I went to pick up prescription and got her out of the car and carried her in still asleep. We got home and ed got her a drink and some antibiotic with alot of persuasion she took it and he laid her down on sofa and she was immediately sick all over herself and sofa.
We cleaned her up gave her a bath and got her some clean pj's and gave her a 30 min rest then tried again she seemed to keep antibiotic down and by now oliver was asleep in bed so Ed went off to work, she dosed off but woke up about 5 mins later being sick again took her temp and it was 40.2 C!!! I took her covers and pj's off and laid her back down while I was pottering abot doing bits about 10 mins later she started to fit - being sick while she was fitting her eyes were rolled back - it was so scary I didnt know what to do - after what seemed like ages but probably was under 2 mins she stopped fitting and was just staring like she was staring through me she didn't know who I was - I rang ed but he had a student there on his own who was only 10 so he couldn't leave but told me to ring him mum who lives in same road as us and she was here within about 40 seconds. We rang out of hours dr and by now although still extreemly poorly Abi knew who we were they said to go straight to A&E. I threw a few things in a bag my meds and hers and a change of clothes and we headed off and Hilary stayed here with Oliver - Poor Abi was sick about 3 times on way to hospital and by time we got there she was covered I rushed in and receptionist was lovely getting me some wipes and a little gown for abi who was by now shivving and a blanket and some clean sick bowls and said we'd be acessed shortly - we were kept waiting just over an hour!!! Abi continued to be very drousy very floppy couldnt sit and throwing up all the time. When we were finally called in to be acessed they rushed her straight into resus and had a dr there straight away! They put her on a drip as by now she was really dehydrated checked her blood sugar and took some blood - she was laying there through all of this not registering it at all it was so scary. By this point Ed had arrived it was around 9.30 they said she'd be admitted but the medical childrens ward was at a different hospital so organised an ambulance for us but being friday night we waited till midnight for this! Ed then went home to be with Oliver and I stayed with Abi, when we got to the other hospital she was seen my different dr's who although she was asthmatic said we had to give her ibrufen to get her temp down as paracetamol alone wasn't doing it and she'd fit again if we didn't - it did start to bring her temp down but made her really wheezy and was needed 10 puffs of ventolin every hour!

They started her on some antibiotics through her drip and monitored her closely! We were finally discharged on Tuesday to come home. Abi temp was controlled and switched to oral antibiotics and was keeping down fluids.

I don't think I slept at all Tuesday night I stayed in her room with her but she was ok and has continueed to pick up this week. Although not herself is a hell of alot better!

Until Friday we had a restful few days all catching up on missed sleep and being so happy to be home. Friday Oliver woke up with a nasty cough and wuite wheezy nothing too horendous though so just kept an eye on him but by 8pm it had got alot worse and being afriday night again ed was out at work so I rang NHS direct who listened to him over phone as said I needed to take him to A&E as he was very wheezy and struggling with every breath. It was exactly a week since i'd last been in A&E!!! My mum came over to stay with Abi who was sound asleep in bed and I took Oliver down when I got there the receptionist recognised me!!!

Oliver has croup and was given oxygen and steroids to reduce the inflamation in his airways!

We're home now though but as the title says - it never rains but it pours!

Its now Sunday and we're all still in our pj's having a really lazy day and going to put the tree up later I think :)

I hope everyone has had a better few weeks than us!!!! Here's to a healthy 2009!! I've attached a few pics for you too xxxx

A poorly soldier before she had her fit while dosing on sofa

A very content sleepy boy before he got poorly

A very hot and bothered little girl

Feeling a little better and playing an In The Night Garden game with daddy

Sleeping peacefully

Enjoying a visit from her brother

02/12/2008

2008-12-02T11:52:00.000-08:00

Abigail playing with mummy's "sexy shoes" for Toria's funeral
my gorgeous boy - happy because he's in the chair he gets fed in

Peacefully sleeping

Gorgeous girl doing some colouring

I haven't blogged much recently as a few things have been going on and I haven't been able to haven't felt up to it and just haven't had time!

Firstly i've been back in hospital again since my last blog luckily managed to escape after only a 5 day stay but it was on a short stay medical ward so not very pleasant!

I've been really down about lots of things mainly Toria's death, i just can't seem to get over it I know she would be so cross with me for being like this but I just can't seem to crack out of it I miss her so much and am so sad for her family, luke and poor little Edward growing up without a mummy! It makes me feel guilty that i'm alive and seeing these things- i know all very messed up and i know she'd be cross with me for thinking like this.

As well as me being unwell both children have too, Abigails asthma has been horrendous too she's on steroids which have made her behaviour horrendous! Lots of sleepless nights involved!

Oliver had a nasty d&v bug last weekend was like something out of the excorcist - one time i'd just put a clean nappy on him and re dressed him and started to go downstairs when he went again filled his nappy and it started to leak so I ran to bathroom and held him in there as no carpet in there - when I tell you what it was like you'd think i was exagerating! It was up to his neck and down to his toes and all over my bathroom floor i've never seen anything like it and didn't know where to start to clear it up! I spent all Sunday bathing him - washing clothes and mopping floors from vomit and poo!!

He's alot better now but its set him back with his reflux and continues to be sick for up to 2 1/2 hours after a feed!

I've now come down with a horrendous ear ache today which is effecting my speach as it hurts to move that side of my face so I think once i've dropped abi at nursery in the morning i'm going to have to get myself off to GP.

I was at clinic last week and had the good news they don't want to see me for 6 weeks so not till after Christmas!! I have changed around my inhalors in the hope that it will enable me to reduce my pred a bit as I can't get below 30mg at the mo - obviously back up to 60mg from last admission - I HATE STEROIDS!!!!

We are now in the run up to Christmas so hardly see Ed he just works so hard and does such an amazing job providing for all of us but I just hate not seeing him. He works every evening and this weekend he's working 8-3 on sat and all day sunday so we're just not going to see him - and its only going to get worse christmas is a busy time for musicians.

Argh enough moaning now - i'm hoping my christmas cards will arrive soon so I can write them, we've gone for Bliss charity cards this year - quite appropriate I feel after Oliver being born so premature this year and spending alot of time in the NICU.

I am almost done Christmas shopping and have done Abi's birthday shopping too so almost there!

I have decided on Abi party but am just booking the final bits before we send out invitations :)

Am off to bed now as really don't feel that great and don't want to be tired if we have another early start like this morning! I think they like to see daddy before he leaves for work at 6.30!

Toria's Funeral 21/11/2008

2008-11-21T11:44:00.000-08:00

I've just got back from a very moving lovely day saying goodbye to Toria, i'm totally shattered so will post properly tomorrow but wanted to share with you a photo I took when we all let off helium balloons with a photo of toria and edward on and a message to the person that found them...

This Christmas

2008-11-14T06:18:00.001-08:00

Hello,
this Christmas I'm planning on making some sick children smile simply by sending some post.Post Pals brightens the lives of seriously ill children (most of whom are fighting cancer or going through transplants) and their siblings by featuring them on the website www.postpals.co.uk with their own page, with their story, interests and a forwarding address. Members of the public from around the world can log on and send cards, letters, emails and small gifts to brighten the child's day and let them know someone cares. Post Pals does this all year around but at Christmas they run some special schemes.Reindeers (volunteers) are assigned to a young child and during December they send a card from each of Santa's reindeer, talking about anything from loving it when carrots are left out or how full the sleigh is getting. Its great fun to use your imagination and the children really enjoy it, one boy was so relieved as it meant santa definitely knew he was in hospital at Christmas and another girl thought the reindeer wrote to her as she was good in helping her mum look after her disabled brother.The elf scheme is another project, a little like the Shoe Box appeal we all know. You're assigned a child and you have a read their page to get to know them. Then you gather up gifts to the value of £15 and send them off to the child in December. Post Pals needs to find 240 volunteers for this so please spread the world about how to make a difference this Christmas. A picture of little Aled with his elf box can be seen here http://tinyurl.com/64pq5b and a picture of Nikita with the bear she was sent can be seen here http://tinyurl.com/6mq9rj (sadly she passed away on Christmas Eve, a couple of weeks after this picture was taken).You can also send christmas cards or little gifts to any child, just log onto www.postpals.co.uk click on "News" to find out how to volunteer and see how a simple gesture can make a big difference.About Post Pals; www.postpals.co.uk - Post a Smile on a Sick Child's FaceWinner of Queens Award for Voluntary Services 2008Supported by Princes Trust and Children in NeedPatron Fearne CottonPost Pals on the BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/3673782.stm

05/11/2008

2008-11-05T10:23:00.000-08:00

Making shortbread although daddy thought we were just making mess

Oliver smiling for the camera

Abi enjoying sitting on the banana ride

Abi enjoying bowling

Oliver sleeping through bowling!

Abi and Daddy at Dinner at Chimmi Changers

Our firework pictures for Abi's firework topic at nursery

Abi ready for her first Monday session at nursery she now does 3 sessions a week the monday session she goes for lunch!

I'm sorry i've not blogged but i've just not felt like it.

We had a nice half term with ed off as you can see by the pictures, unfortunately my asthma hasn't been all that great am on such a whack of pred now just to keep going my body is getting used to the higher doses so i'm needing higher and higher, i've also resorted to using my o2 aswell as blue nails when walking round isn't that great!

Oliver and Abi are both well for a change! Abi is enjoying nursery had her photo's done today so i'm looking forward to seeing those! Her first nursery ones!

Ive been doing lots of selling on ebay we're saving up for out Center Parcs holiday next year.

I've just joined a forum with other mums who's babies were born in may 2008 its really nice and they all seem really friendly.

Hope everyone is well

RIP And Fly Free Toria

2008-10-23T02:47:00.001-07:00

Toria Crossland

13/02/1985 - 22/10/2008

Fly free now you will never be forgotten always on my mind and in my heart

The worlds best mummy, daughter, sister, friend.

Update on Us

2008-10-10T02:52:00.001-07:00

Oliver all snug in his pushchair
One set of feed and medicines that Oliver is on!
My gorgoeus girl enjoying the October Sunshine at the park
My skinny little tumble tot!

I thought it was about time I updated about us, if you've been following my blog you'll know that one of my dearest best friends has been fighting for her life in intensive care so hence i've not really felt like blogging about how we're doing as it just didn't seem right my little problems are nothing compared to what she's going through! Now Toria has turned the corner I feel its ok to tell you what we've been up to!

Anyway, Since Abi started nursery at the begginging of September the poor little thing has had one thing after another!

Starting with both ear infections and a horrendous chest infection the ear infections cleared up with a course of antibiotics after about 5 days but the chest infection is still going.

Shortly after that course of anitbiotics finished she came down with Hand Foot And Mouth Disease where her mouth filled with about 30 ulcers she couldnt talk or swallow and was really really poorly nearly admitted into hospital with dehydration but we managed to keep on top if that with ice lollies to cool her mouth and get a bit of liquid in there!

Then that took a good 10 days to go but because everytime she put anything in her mouth is was so sore she got a complex phobia about eating - the weight has just fallen off her not that she had any to loose in the first place!

Then last sunday she kept wetting herself and crying saying her bottom was sore - at first I was a little cross as she has been dry for about 8 months now! But then I thought this isn't right anyway put her to bed and about an hour later she woke up screaming in pain saying she needed the toilet I put her on the toilet and she went but it was almost totally red from blood - she was rushed up to broomfield and now has a kidney infection so is on yet another course of Antibiotics!

The poor little thing! She still has a stinking chest infection too is hacking away!

She is so withdrawn now we are trying to get her back into things get her energy levels back up - she can't walk very far at all now so are trying to make her walk that little bit further before she gets into the pushchair. I took her back to tumble tots yesterday she managed a little but promptly fell asleep in the pushchair afterwards as was shattered!

When she woke up we went to the park to cheer her up a bit as it was a lovely sunny october afternoon, she enjoyed the swings but needed to be pushed the whole way home where as before as the park is so close to us she would have walked home.

Oliver on the other hand is doing amazing! He is still on alot of medicines with every feed - see picture but is doing really well he is smilling away and can almost hold his head now, he sleeps through the night and is such a happy baby we are so luckily!!

Myself I haven't been too well either but these things happen and we need to carry on!

I hope this finds you all well and thank-you so much again for all your prayers!!!

Toria Update

2008-10-10T02:46:00.001-07:00

Toria is still in the ITU but alot more stable she is making definate progress she is needing alot less support and although it still on the ventilator is trying to breathe on her own!
Thank-you from the bottom of my heart for all your thoughts and prayers, I couldn't have done this without you!
The power of prayer is working!
Come on Toria you can do it keep fighting!!!

Please pray hard

2008-10-03T11:54:00.001-07:00

I don't know if any of you know toria she is one of my very best friends. Toria went into the brompton on 1st September, she responded to IV's well and decided to get her new port fitted while she was in her crp (infection markers in her blood) had come down enough and a cancelation came up so she got it pretty quick. Unfortunately the surgeon managed to puncture her lung during the procedure. She spent a long time with a chest drain in HDU eventually after a long 2 weeks the drain stopped bubbling and she managed to get it out and move back over to foulis. She had a rough few days with her asthma tried atrovent nebs but they made her swell up, she had the physio called in lots and was coughing up pots and pots of sputum. On wed 1st Oct she text me that things had gone alot worse her crp was over 300 her heart rate was very high and they put her on NIV but at the end she put she was going to be just fine - typical toria! I got a text from Luke her partner that said she is in ITU fully sedated,intubated and under paralysis and that her chances arn't good. I'm absolutely devestated, she is such a fighter but I just don't know if she's strong enough. Luke and their 9 month old gorgeous son Edward could really do with our prayers at the moment. Cf is so cruel she is the bestest friend ever and has a gorgeous son and partner waiting for her. This can't be happening she's got to fight. Please pray for her

Birthdays, antibiotics, reflux and no blogs

2008-09-16T05:01:00.000-07:00

Oh dear what a naughty blogger its been nearly a month!

(see below for holiday blog)

Have posted you some photos of Abigail and Alice when we went to the beach and Abigail with her sunflowers we grew this year in our front garden :)

We have been rather busy since back from holiday Olivers reflux went mad so he has been back and forth to hospital and GP frequently as have I as have had a nasty infection. Oliver is now on 5 meds for his reflux he's trying to catch up with me!!

Abigail has started nursery and loves it - we've had a few tears but I expected this, it is good for her to spend sometime away from me and socialising with other children.

It was my birthday yesterday and I was totally spoilt!! Had a lovely night in with ed we got both children in bed early and had a bottle of champagne and a chinese takeaway :)

Promise to try blog again soon! Hope everyone is well

Devon 2008

2008-09-16T04:48:00.001-07:00

We had a lovely time and had lots of lovey days out as you can see by all the pictures - I took lots but didn't want to bore you all with them all.

Luckily I was only too poorly to get out of bed one day. We didn't have any rain either which was nice had a little sun but it wasn't spoilt as was dry. We had the most gorgeous cottage we stayed in with 2 shetland ponies in the back garden which abigail was over the moon about. There was also a small heated indoor swimming pool which abigail loved. Oliver was really good his reflux wasn't too bad while we were away - not like the night before we left when he was so sick it literally COVERED our bedroom lol he even managed to get it under the bed! Impressive!

Off on holiday!!

2008-08-21T09:43:00.000-07:00

Just a quick blog before we're off to Devon in the morning.
I'm nearly all packed up apart from what we have to pack in the morning.
Unfortunately I managed to tred on an old rusty nail while going back and forth down side ally to car but have checked and am up to date on my tetnus until 2012!
Oliver had his second set of injections today, abi got really upset bless her but the nurse gave her some sweets and she was soon ok!
Oliver did his best ever night last night lets hope it continues - he went to bed at 8pm woke at 4.58am had a bottle then went back down till 8.30am!! He now weights 11lb 1oz!! just hit the 5kg mark! What a little porker!
Right better get on so much to do and think about. Won't be able to blog from devon but promise to blog when we get back

Frogs and more family time

2008-08-16T13:30:00.001-07:00

Oliver filling out his moses basket

My arm after having my contraceptive implant fitted
The frog Abi and I found doing the gardening
Abi Asleep in car on way back from Ed's Grandmas
Oliver on his play mat (see the blured legs he was so excited he was kicking her legs)
Oliver in his big boy cot!
Chubby boy

We've had another nice week the summer holidays have just flown by I can't believe its 2 weeks till ed goes back to work!!
Monday I had clinic and Ed had Abi and Oliver.
Tuesday Abi and I went to see Milkshake live at the cliffs Pavilion (see previous separate post)
Wednesday Ed was in work and I spent the day sorting out all the things that had sold on ebay and parceling them up getting them to post office etc - so far we have made £500 selling stuff on ebay :-) I'm addicted now ed thinks he'll come home one day and the house will be empty LOL Then we all slept for 3 hours in the afternoon till Ed came home. In the evening I had puppy training
Thursday Ed was at work again as the A level results came out Mum came with me into town in the morning to sort a few bits then I met Beccy and Eleanor in the afternoon at the park we let the girls use up some energy for an hour!
On Friday we dropped off mine and Olivers repeat prescriptions ready for Holiday and then went off to Southend again but this time to see Ed's grandma. We had a Toby Carvery lunch which was lovely.
Today I had a really lazy morning I just couldn't be bothered to do anything but finally kicked myself into gear and had quite a proactive afternoon doing some gardening with abi finding the frog! Doing 2 loads of washing and cleaning my bathroom so am feeling pleased all be it shattered this evening.

Milkshake Live

2008-08-16T13:11:00.000-07:00

Noddy and Tessie Bear
Fifi and Bumble
Rupert Bear
Peppa Pig and George
Ashton and Eleanor sharing a pushchair
Noddy and Rupert Bear

Unfortunately the photos haven't come out that well. But we went off to Southend on Tuesday to see Milkshake Live Milkshake is the cbbc of channel 5.
I was a bit dubious of taking abi to theatre as Abi isn't even 3, but I took her booster seat that we use at our kitchen table for her to sit on and she could see it and absolutely loved it. I'm interested in booking up for the christmas panto as she loved it so much and I LOVED the panto as a child.

Butterflies, Spiders and family time

2008-08-11T12:18:00.000-07:00

Unfortunatley I don't have time for a full blog but I've uploaded some photos of what we've been up to to keep you all going :-)
The first pic is the massive spider Ed caught in our hall :S

Alton Towers 28/07-30/07/2008

2008-08-04T04:28:00.000-07:00

My gorgeous boy fast asleep
Ed and Mike on Oblivion front row far left
Brian and Ed coming off Spin Ball Whizzer
Brian on the test your strength

Ed and Mike on Spin Ball Whizzer - you can make out their arms in the air
Ed playing golf trying to win the car!
Mike and Ed trying to dress Oliver
Ed, Brian and Mike back row coming off Nemisis
Oliver asleep in his pram how he stayed the whole time at Alton Towers - What a star!!

On Monday 28th off we headed to Alton Towers! Abi had the choice of comning with us or staying with my mum but she chose to stay with her Nana - which was probably the best option as Alton Towers is aimed at bigger children hence us going :P
So Brian Mike Ed Oliver and I headed off. We stopped for lunch at the harvester but only having some salad as it was way too hot to eat 31 degrees and SO humid we were all looking forward to the 3 1/2 hour journey just to be in the Air conditioned car!
When we arrived at the premier travel in we all showered then went to the pub garden next door for a nice cold drink!
We had a chinese buffet for dinner which was so scrummy and there was the biggest chocolate fountain i've ever seen!!
Ed came back to the room with me to bath Oliver and Oliver and I went to bed as I was shattered but Ed went back out for some more drinks - he didnt get back to the room till gone midnight but I was so sound asleep I didn't even hear him!
We got up and got everything ready for the day and met Brian and Mike in at breakfast - who hadn't been able to sleep at all so had already had their breakfast.
Shortly after we headed off to the park for our first day, it was brilliant - the weather was good around 24 degrees and alot less humid and Oliver was a star sleeping the whole day in his pram only waking ever 3 hours for a feed! As we had the dissabled wrist bands we didn't have to que for any rides which meant we had done all the rides on the first day some even 2 or 3 times! I'm not a great lover of water rides so refused to go on the water rapids but Ed, Mike and Brian insisted that you don't get that wet well I wish i'd taken a picture but it was to wet to get my camera out!!just as they got on the ride the heavens opened with the biggest terenchal thunderstorm i've seen in a long time! They came off the ride like complete drowned rats! I can't think of anything worse than having to stay in wet clothes all day myself - but did find it very amuzing seen as they were asuring me that you don't get wet!! LOL
That night by the time we got back to the hotel and had a shower it was gone 9pm by the time we got down for dinner far too late I had a nice started of cured meats Olives sun dried tomatos bread and oil as I couldn't face a main meal. It was really nice. We had a nice evening and finally fell into our beds at around midnight!
We set our alarms for 7 but Oliver woke at around 5.55am fed and settled again at around 6.20 and we both fell back to sleep waking with the alarm feeling really rough as really we shouldn't have gone back to sleep should have just got showered and ready after feeding Oliver.
We had to pack everything up as you have to vacate the room by 10am so had to pack up the car before heading to the park again.
We had a much more relaxed day only going on the things that we wanted rather than doing everything again. Then we stopped for lunch and then the men went off to the crazy golf and Oliver and I went back to the car for a sleep before the drive home.
We arived home to find it was still humid i went striaght round to pick up abi who was watering my mums garden in just her knickers! It was so lovely to see her i'd missed her SO much. She had had a lovely time though going swimming, to the park for picnics making and playing with PlayDough and going shopping with Nana - she was so full of it we didn't get her into bed till 9pm but it was so lovely to have her back!
It was a lovely few days away but so tiring - have needed another break to get over it!

Overdue catch up (again)

2008-07-20T06:05:00.000-07:00

Abi at Ashtons Birthday party (Ashton's birthday is 26th Dec so has an un birthday in the summer)
My little or should a say big munchkin now in his car seat
Daddy and Abi exhausted after carrying the shopping in from car
Abi all ready on her way to nursery
Abi cuddling up on sofa with they teddy Toria brought her - possing of course!
Abi and ollie cuddle time in abi's bed at nap time

Once again I've let you all down and my blog go! So time for an update!!

Oliver now weighs 7lb 5oz! What a porker! He was due this week 15/7/08 so is now officially meant to be here and is officially a sort of newborn size! He's starting to have wakeful periods now which is nice.

He was seen by the peadriatric consultants this week and diagnosed with GORD which is reflux the answer to why he is so sick after every feed and doesn't go long inbetween feeds. They have started him on some medication for it which so far seems to be helping. Abi had a birthday party to go to at go wild which is a childrens indoor play area she loved it.

She also had her taster morning at nursery where she will be starting in september she was so excited going and was fine as mummy was allowed to stay, she enjoyed painting and the play dough but as soon as I had to go out to feed Oliver she flipped. I think looking back now it was a mistake going for the taster morning as now she'll expect me to stay when she starts in september and I can't. We'll see though. She's going to be doing Wednesday and Friday mornings. I'm sure she'll love it once she is into the routine of it.

We gave up this week and brought a double pushchair the buggy board is brilliant when she is in a good mood and not tired but she's just not ready to be without a pushchair yet. We got a really good one on ebay though which is in almost new condition.

Only 3 more days and then Ed is off for 5 weeks I can't wait!!!

Brother and Sisterly Love

2008-07-05T13:21:00.000-07:00

Here are two of my latest favourite photos! Ollie and Abi having a cuddle in Abigail's bed at bedtime and Ollie and Abi looking at each other ready for bed laying on Abi's bedroom floor.
We're all really well, had a busy week if you haven't checked in lately scroll down as i've posted a few updates over the last few days.
Oliver weighs in at 6lb exactly :) or I think it 2.72kg he's feeding really well I'm still breastfeeding but pretty tired as he feeds so often! I really want to feed him myself for as long as I can as its so good for him and also so much easier than sterilising and making up all those bottles!!
I just love this weather when we've been home Abi and I have just been in the garden - its so lovely to be able to be outside. Oliver's jaundice has almost gone now through all the sunlight we've had.
Off to get some sleep now please read Abi's tumble tot olympics post and sponsor her if you can!! x x x

3ft People Festival 01/07/2008

2008-07-04T10:30:00.000-07:00

As my long time blog readers may remember (or you can just cheat and read back) This is the 3rd year we have been to the 3ft People festival. We went with Abi's best friend Eleanor&her mum Beccy.
It was a really hot day on Tuesday reaching 30 degree's, it was a very long hot day&hard work as it was my first real day out with both Abi and Ollie but its a great festival for toddlers and definately worth going. There are lots of shows&activities making things and doing things also animals to touch( abi even touched a snake!!!! soft play areas and a disco at the end. It really was a great day!
Photos attached!

Tumble Tots Olympics

2008-07-04T09:10:00.000-07:00

On Thursday 3rd July 2008 Abigail competed in her first sponsored event. The tumble tots sponsored Olympics! They raised money for St Johns Neonatal unit which is where Oliver was cared for and treated for 19 days after he was born 8 weeks early - they saved his life so was a charity very close to our hearts. Abi raised over £450 and did so so well here are some photos of her taking part!
If anyone wants to sponsor her its not too late we are still collecting in sponsors please leave a comment or email me at charlottearscott@hotmail.co.uk It is an amazing cause.

5 weeks today

2008-06-26T12:13:00.000-07:00

Pic 1 - My Sleeping angel
Pic 2- Abi and Daddy posing with the parrots
Pic 3 - Sloth
Pic 4 - Abi and Daddy looking at the Elephants

Monday with Ed off on paternity leave we headed for a lovely family day out to Colchester Zoo. The last time we went was just after Christmas and it was bitterly cold so cold it hurts so it was alot more enjoyable and amazing to see the difference 6 months makes with Abi - she was asking so many questions and really taking it all in. She loved the monkeys the best so got a small soft monkey with magnetic hands to take home who has slept with her ever since. It was so lovely to have some quality family time. When we're at home we're always rushing round and doing chores and never sit down together so it was lovely.

Tuesday we went out to lunch - back to the pub we went to that I blogged about near the end of my pregnancy when I was on o2 - what a difference this time I was walking without any oxygen and what was the other difference oh yeah I had a baby with me!! LOL It was lovely weather was gorgeous and both children were brilliantly behaved!

Wednesday I had clinic it went really well.
FEV1 - 1.67 - 45%
FVC - 2.07 - 49%
Sats 94% on air
I'm amazed at how great at only 5 weeks post delivery my little squished lungs are doing!
My consultant was over the moon and happy for me to continue reducing my steroids which I am made up about!

Thursday Abi had tumble tots this morning then we went to my cousins as they live right by tumble tots and still hadn't met Oliver. Abi played really nicely with her son Maceo. Then we had lunch with my friend Rachael and her daughter Millie and then spent the afternoon in the garden which was lovely.

The health visitor popped round to weigh Oliver and he's a whopping 5lb 9oz!! What a little star! He's been so good but scared the living day lights out of me today as has had a couple of episodes of going blue while feeding - i've been assured its ok and just keep an eye on it its just him forgetting to breathe while feeding. Abi and I have been making cakes all evening as its Eds birthday tomorrow so he can take them into work we make A choc fudge cake, double choc chip muffins and choc chip cookies! Should keep them going at work!

Right Oliver just woken up for a feed so got to dash. First night of getting him into his routine tonight he was bathed with Abi and went to bed in a dark room at 7 he's 5 weeks now so needs to get into a routine and realise the difference between night and day. Lets hope it means we get a little more sleep at night! Ed's birthday tomorrow so really looking forward to that! More than him I think!!

One month old

2008-06-22T08:21:00.000-07:00

Just for you Toria ...
Hehe I am well overdue an update and am very good at moaning at other people for not updating their blogs but useless at updating my own!
Well Oliver is one month today - how time flies!
We're doing really well at home. Ed is off on paternity leave at the moment which is a great help as I had a really tricky week with Abigail last week I knew it was to come but was quite hoping we'd get away without it!
She loves Oliver to bits as you can see from the photo's she is very 'mother hen' and wants to hold him and give him milk from her boobie, you have to watch her obviously as she is only 2 1/2 but she is very gentle with him and gives him the most gorgeous kisses telling him "it's alright sweetheart" (obviously copying what I say but sounds hilarious coming out of the mouth of a 2 year old!!)
The jealousy and attention seeking kicked in on Tuesday last week and Thursday was the worst day when I attempted to go to town with them both on my own physically I felt up to this but mentally I obviously wasn't. In the time we were in town (just over an hour) Abi wet herself 11 times laughing when she did it! I had only taken 3 changes of clothes with me. Bearing in mind Abi was completely potty trained without any accidents for a good 3 months before Oliver arrived. Looking back now I can see why she was doing it, people kept stopping me with the pram admiring Oliver and paying no attention to her so how does she get mummies attention? ... Wet herself we got stopped an awful lot but then you don't often see a 4lb baby!
The last few days with daddy home have been alot better and she's done all her wee's and poo's on the toilet so today when we were at tesco she got a new little soft toy to add to her In the Night Garden collection she chose a tombliboo (spl) she only needs 2 more tombliboos and she has the whole collection. I have also promised her when she wakes up from her nap we'll make some cakes.
Oliver is doing well he has had his NG tube out now and is feeding completely on me his weight has dropped a little to 4lb 10oz but as long as it doesnt' drop any more then we should be ok to stay ng free. He now feeds about every 2 hours during the night though which is a little tiring so we brought some of the tommee tippie breast and bottle bottles to try with the freezer full of breast milk we have from when he was in NICU so Ed can try give him a bottle for one of the night feeds.
Its Ed's birthday on Friday so got that to look forward to and get ready for this week. Abi is a magical age and is really looking forward to it.
Right better go and get another load of washing online and feed Oliver before Abi wakes up. I hope this brings you upto date. I've added a couple of photos 1. Oliver looking very summery. 2. Daddy and Oliver snuggled up watching tv. 3. Abi, Daddy and Oliver having cuddles. 4. Nana ,Abi and Oliver. 5. The Chocolate fudge cake that Abi and I made for the nurses on NICU to say Thanks for everything they did for us. They are very special people who work there they are angels!!

Photo update

2008-06-12T12:54:00.000-07:00

We're home!!

2008-06-10T14:01:00.001-07:00

Well the title gives it away Oliver came home today under the care of the community neonatal nurse he is still receiving some NG feeds but feeding really well off me. I'm so tired I'm not going to do a full update but just wanted to let you all know in blogland :)

2 weeks old!

2008-06-05T11:15:00.000-07:00

Wow doesn’t time fly Oliver is 2 weeks old today, it only seems like yesterday that we were getting ready for the arrival of Oliver but then on the other hand it feels like he’s always been here, part of our family.
Oliver is doing amazingly well, he is out of HDU now and in a side room in a cot which is nice as we can get some privacy with him and also nice for the other parents as it means Abigail isn’t running round them all day. Its nice now he is out of the incubator as it’s easier to see and touch him.Oliver is now off all monitoring and drips etc he just has one monitor while he is in his cot which monitors his breathing rate as prem babies have a habit of forgetting to breathe sometimes. He has no lines in just his Ng feeding tube which goes in his nose into his stomach now. He is on 2 hourly feeds of 29ml and is offered to breast feed when ever is awake enough and showing interest. He’s had a couple of really good sucks but tires quite easily.
Oliver’s main problem now is his weight he’s 9oz less than his birth weight and by day 10 they expect them to have reached their birth weight if not be pretty close to it again which Oliver hasn’t done. They are now adding fortifier to my milk to give him extra calories and nutrients to give him an extra hand in gaining weight so far (3 days in) it hasn’t worked but hopefully each day now he’s getting stronger he can concentrate on gaining weight.
To come home Oliver needs to be at least 4lb 6oz and feeding totally on me and thriving so now its all down to Oliver.
He is such an alert gorgeous little boy I just can’t wait to get him home and we can get on with family life.

Photos and lawnmowers

2008-06-04T00:21:00.000-07:00

Here are some photo's to keep you going!
As you can see Oliver is doing amazingly well, has had a brilliant weekend and the only reason I haven't updated is due to Ed managing to mow through a cable on Saturday while mowing the lawn which left us without internet an tv until yesterday!
I will give a full update later but a little manic now in the mornings as ed is back at work so Abi and I are on our own and need to get up to Oliver by 10am to do his morning cares. The only second I get to get on here is while I express. But I knew you were all desperate for an update and were worried something was wrong it is quite the opposite :)
I appologise if I haven't replied to a text it isn't that i'm ignoring you just we're at the hospital all day and when I get home I forget who i'm meant to text! Keep texting me I do honestly like to hear from you!!

Oliver enjoying his dummy in his cot
Abi and daddy enjoying a kangaroo cuddle!

Morning update

2008-05-31T00:23:00.000-07:00

Oliver asleep last night with his dummy

Wide awake!
How much of my hands fit into my mouth?

Well as you can see by the photos Oliver is doing amazingly well, he's still in the neonatal HDU in an incubator but has been over 36 hours breathing on his own on room air. He is up to 7ml per hour on his NG feeds so getting there to getting off the drip. He now weighs 1.96kg .
Last night we tried to see if he'd latch on to me which he did without hardly any help and had a few really good sucks so i'm really hopefull with time as he gets stronger this will come on :)
I'm making the most of spending time with Oliver and Ed together as we won't have this time come Monday as Ed will be back at work.

AM Update

2008-05-30T03:24:00.000-07:00

Morning,
I hope you enjoyed the photo's - if you missed them look below! I finally worked out how to get them across and it wasnt me being thick it was the adapter to put the micro SD into to make it into an SD card size was faulty! Anyway thats all sorted now so i'll be able to update with photos from now on :)
I wanted to say a MASSIVE thank-you to everyone for their kind words prayers cards gifts and support, i will get round to thank-you all individually but I just wanted to let you know we do really really appreciate it just don't have alot of time at the moment as i'm sure you can imagine. Thank god i'm expressing my milk for Oliver as that is the only time I actually get to sit down rest and get online at the moment!
Oliver is doing amazingly well now he's really turned the corner now and we're on the right road. Oliver has been off CPAP and oxygen since 10am 29/5 and is maintaining his sats and his blood gases are good! He has been moved out of Neonatal Intensive Care and into the Neonatal High Dependancy unit! He is still on his glucose drip but slowly weaning down and slowly increasing his milk down his NG tube we need to get up to 13.5ml per hour and when I left him this morning at 10 he was on 7ml per hour so we're getting there.
His jaundice has cleared up alot. He's still having a few episodes whe his heart rate and oxygen level dips really quite low for a few seconds but he recovers from there well and just needs a little bit of stimulation to remind him the machines arn't doing it all for him anymore!
Yesterdat afternoon Ed and I went up while mum had abi we washed him and changed his nappy it was nice to get some quality time together with my two boys we both got to hold him too which was amazing thats the first time Edward has held him.
I popped up again in the evening with mum which was nice but i'm pretty tired now so actually going to lay down for half hour I think, everything else will have to wait!

Oliver Photos

2008-05-29T14:28:00.000-07:00

As promised in no particular order.....

The first morning home

2008-05-29T00:36:00.000-07:00

Morning all,

A morning update just to let you know how we're all doing. I was officially discharged last night (good job really as i'd emtied my room and taken every single thing home earlier in the day!!) Mum took me up to Oliver once Ed and I had got Abi to bed. It was a little hectic yesterday afternoon getting home etc but was really nice and was lovely to be here to put Abi to bed. Ed has been amazing with her and taught her to do so much on her own as I can't lift her as I had a c-section and you can't lift anything heavier than your baby for at least 6 weeks! She can get in and out of her car seat on her own and she can get in and out of her bed - we just need to suss the toilet! Bless her it doesn't help her she is so little :)

Ed was sorting out some photo's of Oliver for me for the side of my bed when we got home and Abi wanted some too - I thought that was lovely and good sign!! She tells me she loves her little brother and she's a big sister! :)

I got to do Olivers mouth care and nappy change when I arrived which is lovely to get some hands on things with him, they took him off CPAP for a while so I could give him a proper wash and he did so well they let me do some kangaroo care without CPAP too! He had a little facial oxygen but held his sats (oxygen levels) really well! It was the most amazing feeling having him skin to skin on me again he seems to really love it too his heart rate comes right down. He got himself into the fetal position and went to sleep! Mum got some pictures but unfortunately I still can't get them onto my lap top - Ed's going to have a look for me today we had a look last night but it was v late.

Once mum and I had said good night to Oliver and he was stable back on his CPAP with his pilots goggles on to protect his eyes from the lights of the photo therapy machine we went up to the postnatal ward to get discharged, I have to go back everyday but i'll be up there everyday anyway seeing Oliver and at least this way I get some time with Abi and Ed too.

I didn't sleep brilliantly but better than I had in hospital, i'm weaning my oxygen down now as I really don't want to be so dependant on it i'm having long periods off it too and my sats haven't been going too low which is great, so I only slept on 2lpm last night but it wasn't my chest stopping my sleeping was worrying about Oliver and getting comfy with my stomach too as i'm still pretty sore from the c-section. It does feel really weird being home - hard to explain but i'm not pregnant but Oliver isn't home with us either and its not right. I'm hoping it'll become easier but for the moment poor Ed has to put up with the hormones from me!!

I rang up first thing this morning while Ed and Abi were still asleep to get an update on Oliver - he'd had a great stable night and apart from being alittle sick this morning due to the pressures of the CPAP he's fine. So they omitted one feed just to give him a rest.

Abi is up now so i'm off to have a bath and get dressed we're going up to see Oliver in a bit. I'll update again tonight.

Oliver Malcolm is here!

2008-05-28T08:59:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry for the slow updates but i've only just got home from hospital about an hour ago!
Oliver Malcolm was born on 22/05/08 at 15:44 weighing 2.03kg
He's in the NICU still but is now on CPAP which means he is breathing on his own but a machine is just giving him a little support. He's had a rough start giving us a few scares! But we seem to have turned the corner now on the right road to recovery. I've been able to hold him twice too which has been so nice and helped me bond with him, the second time was kangaroo care where you have the baby on your chest skin to skin which I must admit was the most amazing feeling in the world!
They started to give him some of my milk starting 1ml every 4 hours through an NG tube into his stomach last night apart from his glucose drip this is the first thing he's had feed wise so hopefully this will help his recovery and give him the strength he needs to fight :)
I promise to get some pictures up here later i've got my new phone now so need to work out how to do it.
I will keep you all updated it will be easier now i'm home.

The eve of the big day

2008-05-21T11:21:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post tonight to let you know that the c-section should be taking place shortly after 2pm tomorrow (Thursday 22/5).
I don't have to be there till 11am as had all the bloods and paperwork done today which is nice.
I think everything is pretty much sorted now.
I had a lovey all be it very tirng day yesterday with Alice we went to Lakeside for the day and had lovely tapas lunch too :) I slept well last night was in bed by 7pm!
It was all sorted out today chest side of things what will happen i'll go to HDU from theatre until i'm stable and then to the ward. Hopefully it won't be too long till I'm stable enough chest wise to get to St Johns (the maternity hospital) where my little man will be taken once being born.
Im pretty nervous to the point of being sick but am sure everything will be fine!
I'll talk to you again once i'm a mummy of two!!

Sunday

2008-05-18T03:11:00.000-07:00

Me feeling very fat at 31 weeks!

My new hair cut!!
Abi in the babies car seat!!

I've had a nice few days we've been getting the final bits ready for the little mans arrival on Thurday including washing the car seat covers when we'd put it all back together Abi got in and strapped herself in!! She is still in the right weight range to fit in this seat all be it a bit long!

I had my hair cut - which was a lovely surprise as mum had sorted it all with our hair dressers that it was ok to go in on oxygen etc they were all lovely and it def makes you feel better to be pampered!

We also had our tour around the NICU neonatal intensive care unit yesterday which although was scary was nice to meet the staff and see where our little man will be brought as i'll be in a different hospital to him at first. We stopped off at mothercare on the way home to get some prem nappies as you have to provide your own while your baby is on the unit - they are so tiny!

Ive got a nice few days planned as my last few pregnant!

Monday mum has Abi so i'll be resting lots and my new upgrade(another story i must update about that later) mobile phone which i talked myself into :) will arrive so i'll get to play with that.

Tuesday my best friend Alice is coming for the day i'm hoping if I feel well enough to go out to lunch and even a bit of retail therapy in my chair of course!

Wed i have an appt at the Maternity hospital to do all the paperwork for Thurday and then I have chest clinic at the main hospital so will be busy morning. In the afternoon Abi will have her friend eleanor over in the afternoon to play which will be nice as I can rest and she loves playing with eleanor.

Then Thursday is the big day!!! So nervous but so excited! :)

Alot Happier

2008-05-15T09:41:00.001-07:00

How can you not be happier when you wake up to this every monring :)

I'm sorry if I came across selfish yesterday to you all on here and on msn I was just so disapointed!

I didn't sleep too well last night but have done quite alot today and things are more sorted in my head.

On the day Ed, my mum and I will be going up to the hospital and Abi will be with Eds mum and his two sisters who she just adores!
Ed will be in theatre with me and mum will be there after so Ed can go across to the Maternity hospital with the baby and mum can stay with me until i'm stable enough to transfer across to the Maternity Hospital. So now thats all in my mind and I know where everyone will be thats a big weight off my mind.

The hospital rang today and Ed and I are going to the Maternity hospital on Saturday to meet the NICU staff and look around so I am happier about everything.

I'm ok this eve and looking forward to a nice weekend just the 3 of us the last one!!

Thanks to everyone for all their lovely words :)

We got our date!

2008-05-14T12:09:00.000-07:00

Wow well its taken me all day to actually sit down and type this as I haven't been too sure how to word it!
The appointment today didn't go quite how we thought it would. I've been booked in for my c-section next Thursday 22nd May 2008. I'll be 32 weeks.
Its all quite scary and exciting at the same time.
I'm glad i've got to the magic 32 but feel really dissapointed in myself not to go further I got further with Abi but then every pregnancy is different and they know whats best!
8 weeks is pretty early but lets hope with being such a good size and having already had the steroid injections to mature his lungs he'll be ok :)
I'll update more when I get my head round it more I think - so much to do in a week!

31 week scan

2008-05-13T11:19:00.000-07:00

Just a quickie tonight - we'll know more tomorrow when we see the obs dr in the morning and i'll update then. But the baby weighs 4 1/2lb so I might not be gaining weight but he def is! He looks all ok!
It was nice to see him again although he didn't want to be seen much kept moving so we didn't get a scan picture this time.
I came home and slept for 2 hours - just the smallest things are too much.
Have got up again now and had some yummy fish pie and salad for dinner. Will let you know how we get on tomorrow.

A lovely weekend

2008-05-12T11:05:00.000-07:00

Abi enjoying digging in to daddies icecream!!

What a gorgeous weekend we've had. We've been so lucky weather wise its been gorgeous all weekend :)
We had a quiet morning on saturday getting everything sorted to go out for a pub lunch :)
Ed loaded up the car with everything and got Abi in while I walked slowly to car, he drove and off we went to the Viper pub - ed's favourite but we can only go with Abi in the summer as have to sit outside with children. This was the perfect day for it. Abi covered in factor 50 and her hat loved the freedom of the garden we told her she could run around as long as she stayed on the grass (it was nice and secure)
We met with some of ed's friends there which was nice. Abi was really good which also helped.
By the time we were heading home I was pretty shattered but it was def worth it.
Sunday Abi and I went to church for the first time together in quite a while as I just haven't been up to it but now we have the portable o2 sorted it makes things much more possible. So mum picked us up and we got settled. It was nice to go but tiring explaining to everyone about the o2 etc, everyone was lovely though.
Abi and I then slept for 3 hours when we got back! Ed's mum came over in the afternoon to help with some bits around the house which was lovely of her - so another lovely day.
Today mum had abi and I have rested - i did a little bit of sorting in the nursery everything is pretty much ready now all clothes are washed and ironed and in drawers moses basket up etc etc
I have another scan tomorrow to check the growth of the little man - hopefully everything is going well so i'll update tomorrow with another pic if we get a good one - the bigger the baby the harder it is to get a good pic.
Hope everyone is enjoying the weather while it lasts!

End of another week

2008-05-09T12:22:00.000-07:00

Ashton and Abi in the dog kennel keeping out of the sun today!

This picture really made me giggle all the toys in the back garden and they choose to play in the dog's kennel!

Physio went really well yesterday, she ordered me a conserving device for my portable o2 cylinders which will make them last alot longer. Also a back for my bed so I can sleep sitting up like in hospital. We did some good physio and then some relaxation excercises which were good. I was pretty tired afterwards and seen as mum had Abi at her's i spent most of the day in bed.

When ed got home we decided it was such a nice evening we'd go for a pub garden dinner we invited mum and steve seen as they have been such stars having abi recently. It was gorgeous weather and all lovely until two stupid women sat right next to me who was sat there with a cylinder by her side with big letters plastered all over it O2 OXYGEN and promptly lit up their cigarettes!! I'm not moaning so much about the smoke - people have to smoke outside now and I was sat outside but the idiotic factor of smoking next to an oxygen cylinder!!

Anyway today has been nice too, mum had Abi this morning then brought her home a bit before nap time as she had to go off to shiatsu. BOC came and delivered me some new portable cylinders for the weekend he also gave me the conserving device the physio ordered yesterday which can make my cylinders last up to 4 times as long! Which is great as means we can go out more. Will take a bit of getting used to as you have to make sure you breathe in deep enough to trigger to oxygen to come out.

Abi then announced it was nap time and slept for 3 1/2 hours till I woke her up as asthon and gemma were here. We spent rest of afternoon in garden and it was lovely.

We've got a nice weekend ahead, i'm just hoping I can spend it out of hospital spent everyday last weekend back and forth to hosp!!

Hope everyone has a good one and enjoys the weather!!

Clinc update

2008-05-07T11:45:00.000-07:00

Abi and daddy playing piano

Abi playing playdough
Abi's elephant she made all herself with a trunk!
Wow look at me another post!! I must have far too much time on my hands! I'm loving my comments thanks so much and I'm glad you like the photos I just think it cheers it up a bit.

Today I had 2 clinics to attend St Johns to see consultant obstetrition then Broomfield for chest clinic - it was too much we thought it might be and we were right i went straight to bed on getting in and didnt do any walking mum pushed me and drove.

St johns went ok - basically they are keeping a close eye on me - weekly now with scans and waiting for chest side to say right thats it no more and they'll deliver me. I'm going to have weekly scans and clinics here. So if something starts effecting baby then they can intervene.

Broomfield- i was accosted by nurses when i got in the door for blood pressure etc where we found my sats only to be 86% on o2 which wasn't the news I was hoping for! I didn't do lungfunction as not alot of point at the mo with baby pressing on lungs. We didn't have to wait too long to go into consultant we have comprimised that I can stay out of hosp if I don't deteriorate any more as its better for me and abi if i'm at home. He is going to get the ward physio to come out to me daily mon-fri to help with physio and breathing techniques to see if it will give us a bit more time! That starts tomorrow at 10am Ruth is lovely and i'm sure she'll help me loads. Mum is here all day everyday helping with everything bless her I don't know what i'd do without her. Ed is stressed at its a-levels at work.

Basically we want to hang on a bit to deliver the baby as the longer i can go the better for baby but its getting the balance right as we also don't want to me to get too poorly. 34 or even 32 would just be so much better!

I hope everyone is ok and just keep praying we can go longer :)

04-05-2008

2008-05-04T11:12:00.000-07:00

Yay people read me :)
Makes me think I should update more often hehe
Right this weekend has been rather hectic like I said in last post I'm on verge of going in and really want to stay out if I can, Thursday mum had Abi for the day so I could completley rest. On Fridayi'd had a pretty rough night breathing wise and still wasn't great so Ed stayed home from work, my chest consultant rang to talk to me about how I was feeling etc and he was concerned by the sound of me on the phone so off we went to get checked out. This was fine we thought till we got my last portable cylinder out of the garage only to find when we connected the head bit that it was 3/4 empty when should have been full - great! By the time we got to the hosp I was on the red nearing empty but made it luckily!
Friday everything was checked I had an hours trace of the baby aswell to check that everything was ok there as if my sats are low then its not good for him. He's fine :) My sats were a little low so am now using 5lpm and my sats are sitting around 94-97% if i sit like a good girl and do nothing!
Saturday Abi went off with ed's mum to visit his grandma in southend for the day, ed went off as he had some teaching to do and seen as it was so nice I decided to sit in the garden check my emails and read my book Pippa was being really good she kept bringing her toy and then settled down beside me - result! I must have been sat there a while and I thought Im not actually feeling that great considering i'm sat here on 5lpm o2 waited a bit longer and was getting more and more out of breath, so went in to look at concentrator - all looked fine came back outside and sat down and realised what the problem was, where i thought pippa was being a good puppy laying next to me she'd actually chewed some lovely big holes in my o2 tubing!
Since the oxygen service has been taken over by BOC you don't get spares! So with my long tubing chewed i connected up to concentrator with my nasal specs tube which meant I was stuck within 1m of the concentrator - not fun. I rang up BOC and really appologetically explained they were really nice and said someone would be out within 4 hours. By this time Ed was home so he sorted out an extention lead so my concentrator could be outside next to me and within an hour a lovely man came and sorted out my tubing and gave me a spare! Result!
By this time it was time to go back up to the hospital for my checkup again the only other portable cylinder we had wasn't really portable a size ZH for those of you on o2 weighing 14kg so poor Ed now has one arm longer than the other. Unfortunately things didn't run quite so smoothly on the ward the baby kept having accelerations in his heart beat so they wanted to monitor for longer, it was also found that I had glucose +++ in my urine so probably heading down the gestational diabetes route - not really surprising being on 60mg preg for so long.
After alot of debating I was allowed home at 8pm on strict instructions I came back in morning. By the time we got home we had to pick Abi up and put her straight to bed - not nice as i'd missed her so much I wanted to spend time with her.
Abi woke up nice and early this morning though so we didnt miss her for long!
The hospital was much more positive today babies tracing was fine and my sats were 97%! So won't go back now unless any problems till Wed when I'm due at clinic.
Abi is in bed now and ed is just out playing for even song will be back shortly and i'm hoping for a nice cuddle up on the sofa and a quiet night as we haven't had one yet this bank holiday!
I'll leave you with some pictures as it makes the blog look less boring :)

Me yesterday bored sat on the CTG monitor which monitors the baby

My favourite photo - Abi kissing the baby
Abi pretend feeding the baby!
Our stupid cat who got a spoon attached to the magnet for the catflap on her collar!

01-05-2008

2008-05-01T07:23:00.000-07:00

Scan at 22 weeks
Scan at 28 weeks

Pippa isn't quite so small now and is very cheeky!
Abi playing with her aqua draw mat brought by auntie tracey
Abi asleep on mummies hospital bed on mothers day
Abi asleep in her big girl bed! The wrong way up!
Mummy and Abi with bob the builder!

I think I need to stop starting my post by apologising as thats just getting boring! I don't know if anyone is even still checking my blog! I am very very naughty!

I am now nearing 30 weeks pregnant, and unfortunately things haven't been such sweet sailing as we'd hoped and the first half of the pregnancy were. I've been in and out of hospital, in ITU with my asthma and then contracting Hospital contracted pneumonia!!

I am at home at the moment but am on o2 all the time and am on the edge of going in. I've had the steroid injections I had with Abi to mature tha babies lungs at 28 weeks so thats a weight off our mind. We've had a couple of scans since my last post and have found out we're expecting a little boy!

Abi has been really well, she is now fully potty/toilet trained and such a lovely little thing, she is so grown up and very excited about the baby being born, she is great at helping and runs round doing little errunds for me and loves it. Unfortunately Abi didn't get to start pre-school as the risk of her getting chicken pox while i'm on high dose steroids is too risky for me so she won't start now until September.

I fractured my ankle 2 weeks ago - just getting up of sofa didn't realise my leg was asleep and tried to walk ending up in a not very deignty heap on the floor!

This does make things rather tricky with a big bump using crutches and my oxygen lead trailing behind I think I am asking to do the other one!

I have uploaded a few pictures (still haven't found the lead but ed has shown me how to upload by bluetooth!) and hope someone actually reads this!

14/02/2008

2008-02-14T10:54:00.000-08:00

I'm not as keen on blogging without photos - but blondie here can't find the lead again maybe i should tie it round my neck!!!
I'm now nearly 19 weeks pregnant its flowing by so fast! I've had a few appoinments now the specialist is very positive although I have to have another c-section but maybe deep down i knew that!
I have another scan in a couple of weeks which im really looking forward to so I can see the baby again.
Its been half term this week so Ed's been home which has been nice for the extra help. Unfortunately I have a bad back so we haven't done much but its been nice to not do so much bending and lifting!
We're still looking at double pushchairs are totally lost if any readers know of a good one let us know we'd be interested to hear your reviews!!
Pippa is growing fast has just turned 4 months and still has as much energy we are now driving her to an open park to let her run and not lead walk her as its just not working! She loves this and is good as comes back to her name. Her toilet training is so much better obviously still the odd few accidents but she is sill so young! I have to get some new pics up here!
I hope this finds everyone well and i'll try update some photos soon :)

21/01/2008

2008-01-21T16:00:00.000-08:00

Well its been a busy few weeks but looking back I don't actually know why we've been so busy! Abi is 100 times better now and back to her normal self. I unfortunately had a horrid ear indection leading to a perforated ear drum last week and felt very sorry for myself - ear ache is so invading!
Ed has been working hard but is now doing his private teaching at home which is much better as he is only "away" for the lesson time not all the traveling time too.
I have been looking at pre schools for Abi I saw one last week that I really liked and am seeing another tomorrow morning. Abi will be starting after Easter so she is used to coming before the baby comes she is definately ready - not sure I am to leave her for 2 1/2 hours but i'm sure i'll appreciate the rest!
Pippa is growing fast is now allowed outside but really isn't getting the hang of walking on the lead!
I have my first appointment with my specialist who will look after me throughout this pregnancy on Wednesday its hard to believe that i'm 15 weeks already- it is flowing by.
I hope this finds you all well and thanks so much for all your lovely messages and emails after finding out my news :)

Overdue Catch Up

2008-01-08T11:05:00.001-08:00

Well here is an overdue catch up I uploaded some pictures to jog my memory as to what we've been up to!! Unfortunatly there are not alot of pictures of Abi's Birthday and Christmas as we made the mistake of getting lots of video footage and forgetting the poor camera!
Anyway here goes!

Abi on Christmas Day at my mums (one of the hours she was actually awake!)

Abigail's Kitchen we brought her for her Birthday
Abigail on her birthday in her pretty dress (Aged 9-12 months which was huge!!)

Abi about 10 mins before we were due to leave for her party at the wacky warehouse!! I'd sat her down to help me pump up balloons!!

Abi and Eleanore at the playgroup Christmas Party

Our lovely new puppy Pippa

Abi and daddy at the Zoo looking at the girafes

Our other news pretty self explainatory I think :)

Leading onto my scan I had yesterday at 13 weeks and 1 day I am due with our second baby on 15th July 2008 :)

Well here is my brief update of all the has been happening heres to a happy and healthy 2008 to everyone :) x x x x

A Prayer request

2008-01-08T09:48:00.000-08:00

Please take a few minutes to read this site and say a prayer for this family at this difficult time
www.cfhusband.blogspot.com

I will update soon. We are all well

21/12/2007

2007-12-21T12:23:00.001-08:00

Hi all,
A very delayed post here I think. Lots has happened unfortunatley Abi's bad luck hasn't really changed she is still poorly has now lost quite a bit of weight and is really not herself just sleeping on and off all day.
It was her party for her 2nd Birthday today I can't believe it has been 2 years since I started this blog and my little bundle of joy came into the world!
Abi did attend her party perked up for a little bit but spent alot of it watching havng cuddles Ed seemed to enjoy himself though (it was at the wacky warehouse!!) When it came to blowing out her candles she wasnt too sure so I had to blow them out so now we need to get practising before sunday!
I have lots of photos to upload up here will try get it done over the next few days.
Marjolein came for the week at the beginning of december we had a lovely time very tiring! (those new lungs have definately given her a new lease of life!!)
We also now have our gorgeous chocolate lab puppy pippa who is keeping us very busy!
I hope you are all ready for Christmas I unfortunatley am not and am going into town with my star of a cousin tomorrow for lunch and to get the last bits.
Sending lots of love to you all x x x x

20/11/2007 One thing after another

2007-11-20T11:28:00.001-08:00

It really is one bug after another for poor little Abi this winter. Abi now has croup and a chest infection so is on Steroids and anti biotics with raging temperatures and really struggling to breathe having coughing fits all day and night, none of us are getting alot of sleep including Abi as soon as she doses of she wakes up coughing again poor little thing is exhausted.

05/11/2007- a weekend away

2007-11-05T11:55:00.000-08:00

I apologise for the lack of blogginess but I'm back now and have had a gorgeous weekend away. Julia took Abi and I away for the weekend to her parents house for the weekend, we've had a lovely time and been thoroughly spoilt. It was so nice to be away and not thinking every two mins oh I must do this and that. Abi loved having all the attention. Unfortunately Ed couldn't come as he works on Sunday. He really missed us and came in from work today with a huge gorgeous bunch of flowers for me :) I really am so lucky!
We're all settled back now and I didn't have too many emails to get through :) I'm getting much stronger and have more energy now just need to build my appetite back up.
I hope everyone is ok of course i've added I few photos of the weekend for you too see it was GORGEOUS!!!

17-10-2007

2007-10-17T13:14:00.001-07:00

I'm sorry for the lack of bloggingness but for once I do have a good excuse!!

On Thursday night I was sat watching tv relaxing when I had excrutiating pains in my side under my ribs on right hand side which took my breath away. My immediate thought was that I had a collapsed lung and was rushed into hospital. Luckily it wasn't but not so lucky I have a gall bladder infection and possible stones!

I was admitted to a surgical ward put on a drip anti biotics and morphine Iv and told they couldn't opperate to remove the gall bladder straight away as the infection was so bad it could cause sepsis! great!!

Anyway i'm home now on oral antbiotics and strong painkillers (not quite like morphine though which completely knocked me out!!) and have to wait for infection to calm down and then go back to have my opperation to have my gall bladder out!

I'm just glad to be home now it was the most awful experience and i missed abi so much!

Hope this finds everyone well and I will keep you updated when I'm awake as when I eat it agrivates it and also not eating makes me very weak and just want to sleep!

A couple of hospital pics!!

Abi playing on daddies shoulders
Mummy and Abi having a cuddle the day I came home waiting for my drugs to come up very bored!!

Abi's rash on her face and neck after eating mango! So now thats apricot, plum and mango she can't eat!

A few kitten pics update

11-10-2007

2007-10-17T13:09:00.001-07:00

Thurday lunchtime we went out to lunch with my good friend Tracey and her mum my "Aunty" Den. We went to Harvester it was lovely to see them and Abi enjoyed the attention!

She seems much better in herself just tires easily but I can understand that it has really taken it out of her! Anyway you'll see why this is a back dated post in my next post!

10-10-07

2007-10-10T11:26:00.000-07:00

A cheeky little monkey sat watching mummy in the kitchen

Isis playing with her kittens

One little one venturing out!

A little kitten trying to find its mum

The view from my kitchen sink its so pretty with all the autumn colours :)

A quick update to say we couldn't get in a drs this morning was emergnacies only! Have updated a few photos for Becky of the kittens they have started to venture out of the box today and then cry their eyes out and get their mum to put them back in again.

Abi had Eleanor round to play for an hour today first time since before she was poorly after 40 mins she cried her eyes out asking to get into her bed! Bless it wore her out so much! As you can probably see she is still really pale.

Mum rang today from south africa - she did the most amazing thing today bottle fed a lion in a reserve! They are having an amazing time - abi was very confused once she'd spoken to mum as she thought she was back.

Got dinner on now ed due in any min so must dash.

09-10-2007

2007-10-09T07:47:00.000-07:00

Abi and Aunty Alice at Pizza Hut
Daddy anf Edwin moving the sofa we borrowed while ours was being cleaned

Abi in her pushchair wearing last years coat as she doesnt grow!

One of the kittens once it'd had its flea treetment (was not impressed!)

Abi asleep in her big girl bed (we changed her cotbed from a cot to a bed as it was killing me getting her in and out all night while she has been unwell) - the bed guard we brought didnt fit so used the chair up against it to stop her falling out!

A nice one of Alice and Abi

Alice Rich (Alices boyfriend) and abi

A skinny abi doing some colouring in the kitchen

A quick update with some photos that explain the last few days. Abi now has energy for a few hours but is sleeping every 2 hours for 2 hours during the day and then a good 15 hours at night she is so exhausted and lost so much weight its horrible but positive that she is better than she was she finished her anti biotics yesterday and is going to see the dr again tomorrow to see what the plan is he wanted to see her 48 hours after she came off anti biotics so i'll let you know.

I took mum and steve to gatwick last night and stopped of at bluewater on the way back for a spot of shopping without abi it was really weird shopping without a pushchair - i brought abi a different side to her bed to stop her falling out and a certain person who reads this blog birthday present so wont tell you what that is!!

I'll update tomorrow once i've been back to dr

07-10-2007

2007-10-07T11:20:00.000-07:00

Ooohhh a new colour get me!!!

Sat here lonley tonight as Ed is out at a Harry Hill gig! I'm sat with my feet up watching x-factor I've not got any ironing to do as I did that all yesterday Abi was in bed by 5.30pm and Ed did all the washing up from the roast dinner!! So i'm preety lost - always wanted it and now I want something to do lol! I even ironed my bed linen (now thats desperate!)

Mum and steve are off on their hunnymoon tomorrow to south africa for 2 weeks i'm taking them to the airport at 3pm. Going to really miss her and I think Abi will too!!

Abi seemed slightly better again today ate some dry cherios for breakfast 3 small mouthfuls of sandwich for lunch and 3/4 of a small portion of roast dinner for dinner - the most in over 2 weeks!

Isis and the kittens are doing well - they have been wormed and treated against fleas now and are growing fast!

Abi meant to have her swimming lesson tomorrow but she won't be going so will actually have a Monday mornin to myself for a change :) before I have to drive to Gatwick and back of course.

06/10/2007

2007-10-06T11:56:00.000-07:00

Thank-you all so much for your kind messages. Poor little angel really has had a rough ride the last few weeks. I think the infection is finally shifting she keeps coughing and being sick mostly phelgm (only way she can really shift it I think as she cant cough it up) her temps are still coming and going but certainly much less.
We had an interesting 29 hours when the whole of our road had no power!!! With a poorly soldier that just wanted to watch barney on the sofa this proved rather tricky!!
I've just done 2 hours ironing so am all upto date now so thought i'd update you lovely lot!
It was so lovely today to see Abi actually eat something as she's gotten rather skinny the last few weeks even though there wasnt really anything for her to loose!
Hope this finds you all well. Off to do an online grocery shop now for all the fridge and freezer food we lost during the powercut!!

01/10/2007

2007-10-01T12:37:00.000-07:00

A quick blog just to let you all know Abi was really poorly this morning with temp of 40.3 and hard to wake again so took her straight to dr - she has a chest and an ear infection so is now on yet another course of antibiotics. I really hope she picks up soon. Thanks for all your kinds messages and emails they really cheer me up :)

30/09/2007

2007-09-30T04:47:00.000-07:00

Abi giving a little hello wave even though feeling poorly!

One of the kittens!

Aunty Becky and Abigail having a cuddle on the sofa

A quick update as Becky is here so I have 5 mins piece which is really rare recently!

We have had a quiet few days Abi seems better for a little bit then goes back down! The temperatures are coming and going thick and fast! Dr seems happy for me to carry on giving calpol to reduce them!

Ed had a great night out (ps rebecca i don't have clue who he is ;) ) Ed was full of telling me about it at 1am when he got in!! Julia and I had a nice couple of hours and ended up having a curry as she'd already had pizza that day and some diam bar cake from Ikea - YUMMY!!! She went early as Abi had a really high temp so brought her onto my bed and cuddled her!

We had Mum steve Becky and Harry round for dinner last night which was lovely abi refused to eat though!

This morning was the first morning that Abi asked for breakfast in over a week which is really positive!

Becky is here this morning as she has a cake bake at school tomorrow and needed to make some cakes. When she asked I did think it meant helping her - not making them for her while she laid on sofa with Abigail ;)

The kittens are now a week old and have trippled in size they are so cute. Isis is being a great mum. They are going to start walking and opening their eyes in the next few days which is when the trouble will set in i'm sure!!

26/09/07

2007-09-26T13:11:00.000-07:00

Haven't updated for a few days as not alot has happened but I have a really poorly soldier again today. She went to bed at 6.10pm last night and woke up at 9.45am this morning but 11.30am she was asleep in my arms and slept till 3.40pm! She had a temp of just over 40 this eve (104 for you oldies ;) ) then was really sick which brought it down to 38.6 (101) and has gone back to sleep.
I really hope she is better tomorrow pool little thing!
The kittens are growing fast - doubled in size since saturday and are so cute they still can't stand up or open their eyes.
Isis has certainly given me a few heart attacks with them she sits on them carries them round and i find them everywhere so she is now confined to the kitchen!
Ed is off to croydon on fri night to see Derek o corer (spl ) guy from most haunted! So julia and i are going to have a girly night in once abi is in bed with wine and pizza are really looking forward to it!

Some more kitten pics

2007-09-23T11:30:00.000-07:00

Kittens!!!

2007-09-23T04:56:00.000-07:00

Well Isis went into labour just before 10 last night and by 2am this morning we had 5 beautiful tiny kittens :)

2nd one being born
2nd one falling out!!

3 feeding before number 4 was born

5 happy kittens having their breakfast this morning!!!

They are so tiny I didnt realised quite how small they would be!! Was a long night as Isis did not want to be left on her own bless her. She's a great mum been up washed and eaten this morning and is looking after her young so well!!! God knows how she feels as i'm shattered! Abi was so cute this morning when I showed her I wished we tooka photo!

poorly soldier

2007-09-21T04:07:00.000-07:00

I have a little poorly soldier the last 2 days with a rotten cold and chesty cough which has set off her asthma (like mother like daughter!)

She is just laying around wanting lots of cuddles - which in a way is nice as i don't get many cuddles anymore! Her temp keeps going up and down and i'm not allowed out of her sight which is quite tricky!

We've had 2 sleepless nights with her coughing and wheezing all night its so hard as I can't really explain to her why its happening.

Lets hope she'll perk up this afternoon and be better to see daddy tomorrow :)

Ps Isis still not dropped yet!! ;)

19/09/2007

2007-09-19T10:45:00.000-07:00

Was going to update tonight again and be really good and get back in the hang of it and now i've sat here i really don't know what to write apart from abi has yet another cold and isis hasnt had her kittens so i'll jus tput up a couple of recent pics of Abi playing at the park this week.

Opps!

2007-09-18T10:53:00.001-07:00

From this cute little kitten....

.... to 5 1/2 month old pregnant kitten due in the next week!!!

If its not one thing its another! My kitten is now one of the youngest kittens to get pregnant! She herself is not old enough to be spayed but is pregnant and ready to drop anyday!!
Just what we need a cat about to give birth!!

I know I haven't updated in ages I'm useless!! By the time abi is in bed i'm so tired all I want to do is sleep and relax! The longer I leave it between blogs the harder it gets to blog again!!
So much has happened since we blogged last we have settled in been on holiday to Holland and to Alton towers Mum turned 50 steve had his birthday they got married and I had my birthday too!! So its been a busy few months!
Anyway stay posted I promise I blog again soon

Catch up photos

2007-07-24T01:48:00.001-07:00

Here are the photo's i've promised in no particular order

The van

Brian trying to look useful ;)

Ed first use of vacum in flat (the day we leave!!)

Abi making a mess in her new house

Our new pet frog in the garden who came to say hello when we were clearing the garden

Ed and brian trying get more in the bin

Nana and Abi in ikea

Mummy abi and nana at ikea

Abi and eleanore playing in the paddling pool

Abi with her new sandpit

Daddy and Abigail in pub garden

Abi and eleanor doing lunch

Abi eating "ladybirds" (blackberries)

Abi found her shaddow

mmmm tasty

Abi and daddy

Abi and eleanor

Abi at 3 ft festival

Abi and eleanor at 3 ft festival

Am i meant to eat this?

Abi helping to pack!!

Our living room the night before

The van nearly packed

The HUGE van

06/07/2007

2007-07-06T11:55:00.000-07:00

Evening all...

I have a bit of a confession... I still haven't found the lead for my camera to my computer and I have lots of photo's for you all :(

We have had such a busy week this week. Unfortunatly I was unwel on Monday and Tuesday so Ed stayed home from work. Wednesday and Friday we went to the 3ft people festival ( you might remember we went to that last year! Abigail absolutely loved it so much to do and its all enclosed and safe so she could run around.
Thursday we went to Ikea (its illegal not to go to Ikea when you move!!!)

So we haven't had time to breathe this week and the house sure shows it! But we're home all day tomorrow so im sure will get lots done.

Ed is off to Paris with the school on Wednesday till Friday - we're going to miss him SO much!!

Hope this finds everyonw well

Online at 36!!!!

2007-06-28T11:59:00.000-07:00

Hey all we're back!!! (at last!) No we didn't fall off the end of the earth as some of you thought just been incediably busy and didn't get internet till this week as ed decided i'd empty more boxes if it wasnt conected :( true but harsh

Well the move went really well actually better than well i'd def recomend the removal company we used to ANYONE they were true stars!

Well its two weeks since my last post and it seems like we have been here a lifetime already it really is home.

It was ed's birthday yesterday so another hectic day and Abigail has a party to go to tomorrow a teddy bears picnic party that she is very much looking forward to!

Now we're back online i promise i'll be back to more regular updates

Photos to follow when i unpack cable to transfer pics to computer!!

All packed up and ready to go....

2007-06-14T11:01:00.000-07:00

Well nearly!!

We're nearly all packed up now. The cats are going off to mums at 7.30am and the removal men are due at 8.30am the final few bits are being thrown into boxes tonight and the morning.

Abigail has been really unsettled today but its to be expected!

I'm so excited now one more sleep to go!!

We wont be connected up until mon next week so this is all the blogging for now.

Hope everyone has a good weekend and i'll see you when I move.

Moving!!!

2007-06-07T07:29:00.000-07:00

I had a phonecall today to say we are exchanging contracts either this afternoon or tomorrow morning and we are completing next friday 15th June!! :)

I can't wait I am so excited now it is all happening but got so much to do before then!!

Abigail thinks this packing is great fun as she takes stuff out as quickly as i'm putting it in!!

This is the photos and details of our new house if you fancy a nose :)

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-6951459.rsp?pa_n=1&tr_t=buy

So probably a lack of blogginess now as lots to do hope this finds you all well :)

03/06.2007

2007-06-03T10:21:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of bloggingness, but instead of it being a lovely restful halfterm we all ended up seriously ill with food poisening after going to a BBQ!!

It started on sat night and ed and I are almost 100% now but Abigail still isn't so it has taken over a week to get over.

We had the emergancy dr out for us all - which ended up in me being admitted - luckily Abigail was keeping down fluid so was allowed home with Nana to look after daddy but I wasn't so lucky I was really dehydrated and ended up bleeding from my stomach from wretching so much - not nice.

Ed is back to work tomorrow - some holiday he's had!!

Hopefully Abigail will start piling on the weight again and get her appitite back soon.

Hope for a happier post next time.

xxxxx

Abigail feeling very sorry for herself still looking pale!!!
Mad kitty!!!

Me feeling very sorry for myself in hospital

A sad few days

2007-05-22T10:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday and today I have been really struggling with things emotionally.
I woke up yesterday to a horrendous migrane which made me throw up everytime I tried to move my head. I just about managed to get Abigail up and fed and then laid on the sofa with my eyes shut while bless her she played really nicely with her toys. The at 9.30 she actually asked to go to her cot - i couldn't believe it! And then she slept and played in her cot until 12.30 when i woke up feeling much better!
The rest of the day we had lots of cuddles and I struggled along - she really is an angel the only thing that made me smile yesterday.
Mum took me out to a jewlery party in the evening at her friends house and i brought a gorgeous necklace to wear to my cousins communion this Saturday.

Today has been slightly better as we made it out the house as yesterday I was too worried i'd burst into tears. Also the kitten had to have her first set of injections which Im sure would have looked funny watching me struggle trying to carry Abigail, the kitten in her box thing and Abigails bag into the vet!

Abigail had an early night tonight in bed by 6.15pm and i'm waiting for ed to get in. I think it being dads anniversary yesterday has brought up all the emotions I suppose I try not to think about every day as i'd just end up crying. I just miss him SO much. I really wish he had gotten to meet Abigail or even know I was to have her. Something tells me he knows as yesterday everytime I felt so sad even though i wasn't saying anything she gave me the biggest smiles and hugs to cheer me up which helped so much - she is my angel sent to me by him.

We have mother and baby group tomorrow so need to get back to normality and get on with life - which i will but I'll never stop thinking about you dad you are with my everyday.... i love you

20/05/2007

2007-05-20T12:06:00.000-07:00

Chelmsford Schools chelmsford festival concert at chelmsfor cathedral
Abigail posing in her car seat

As promised a picture of the new shoes

We have had a lovely weekend and enjoyed the nice weather too!!

It was the concert on sat morning which was lovely to see - i took a few pictures but couldn't get Ed in any im afraid.

We then spent the afternoon test driving and looking at cars to decide what to order as my new motability car - we've decided on the Ford S-Max but unfortunately there are none in stock so its got to be made for us so could take 12 weeks!!

Today we went to church then had a lovely long sleep and then Hilary simon and lillie came round which was nice as abigail had alot of attention.

Its dad's second anniversary tomorrow - I can't believe it has been 2 years already! I miss him SO much everyday. I love you dad.........

In memory of Malcolm Arscott 28/03/45 - 21/05/05

18/05/2007

2007-05-18T12:21:00.001-07:00

Another week has just flown by! We've had a nice week going out to lunch twice and abigail having her first hair cut!!

Abigail having her first hair cut!! Sitting still only as her mouth was full ;)
Isis deciding to sit in abigail's high chair - with this kittne we don't need tv she is so amusing to watch her every move she is absolutely nuts!!

On Tuesday we went out to lunch with Gemma and Ashton, Beccy and Eleanor and Shelley and Darcey to celebrate Shelley's birthday. It was lovely we had a lovey meal and all the girls behaved themselves and then went to the wacky warehouse so the girls could play.

Abigail and I also went out to lunch on thursday with Tracey :) She then dragged us round the whole of chelmsford choosing a wedding outfit - it was actualy great fun as she is so like me so indecisive, but we got the outfit and shoes!! (good job really as the wedding was the next day!!!) We also went to get Abigail's feet measured and she's grown again so another new pair of shoes. Haven't actually taken a picture yet so will add one soon. The picture of abigail getting her hair cut you can see the soles but will take a better one soon.

Abigail and I have had a lazy day today but went to Beccy and eleanors to play this afternoon the girls had a nice time and Beccy and I had a nice chat over a cuppa :)

Wow where has the week gone

2007-05-11T11:37:00.000-07:00

The title says it all really this week has just flown by - maybe as ed was only at work for 4 days because of bank holiday.
Abigail unfortunately is unwell again her asthma is really playing her up with a really chesty cough and a lovely bout of dioreaha (spl) to go with it! So this week has been sleepless nights and lots of washing.
Looking forward to a realxing weekend.
Some exciting news on the move front is that we are hopefully going to exchange contracts at the end of next week so our move is imminent! :) YAY
Hoping this is finding everyone well

Bank Holiday Weekend

2007-05-08T13:00:00.000-07:00

Aunty (EMY) Emily reading books with Abigail
Daddy and Abigail having a cuddle

Abigail enjoying Nana's wine

Abigail enjoying the curry

Abigail wearing mummy's shoes

Isis - our new addition to the family

We have had a lovely bank hol weekend very quiet and relaxing.

Friday our new addition was ready to be collected - 6 weeks old little kitten

Saturday we went to see GG Abigail's Great Grandma Dorothy (ed's grandma) in Southend for lunch. She couldn't get over how much Abigail was changing and growing up so fast!!

Sunday we went out for lunch and then had a relaxing afternoon playing with Isis, Nana Hils, Grandad Simon, Aunty Lillie and Aunty Emily came round

Monday we had a really lazy day reading books and lots of sleeping!! In the evening we went out for a very yummy curry with my mum and steve abigail enjoyed trying everything - its amazing what she eats!!

We had such a lovely relaxing time - it was a shock hitting reality again today with ed back to work and Abigail having a bad day being really stroppy refusing to eat or sleep and being generally grumpy!!

So i'm off to bed now for some well earned rest!

02/05/07

2007-05-02T12:31:00.000-07:00

Not updated for a while as we were getting over Abigail's nasty bug, and enjoying the sunshine.

Abigail is much better now and we are just concentrating on building her up! Went to see Alice at uni yesterday which was nice went out to pizza hut which was very yummy.

Abigail has tumble tots in the morning which she is really looking forward to.

Hope this finds everyone well and i'll update when we've got some news

22/04/2007

2007-04-22T11:39:00.001-07:00

We have had a much nicer last few days with Abigail well on the road to recovery and at the weekend with lovely weather and Ed home.
We had a visit from my dad's brother and his wife from Mansfield - I haven't seen them since the funeral so they hadn't seen Abigail.

We had afternoon tea at mums in the gorgeous weather and then had a night off after we put Abigail to bed. Lillie ed's sister came over to babysit and we went out for a drink for a couple of hours it was so nice just spending time on our own :) And it was made even better by Abigail behaving herself and not waking up until I had got in so our night didnt have to be cut short for me to come home and settle her.

Today we have relaxed at home to give my poor old lungs a chance to recover from the smokeypub last night (bring on june 1st!!) Abigail did some drawing - see pic and played with daddy :)

22/04/2007

2007-04-22T11:39:00.000-07:00

Today we have relaxed at home to give my poor old lungs a chance to recover from the smokeypub last night (bring on june 1st!!) Abigail did some drawing - see pic and played with daddy :)

A Poorly Soldier

2007-04-19T11:18:00.000-07:00

As you can see from the title, Abigail is still poorly it has been a week now and she has lost over 2lb which is alot when you only weighed 21lb in the first place!

So I have spent my week back and forth to the dr cleaning carpets and beds from sick and my washing machine constantly on.

When I get her up all she wants to do is lay on the floor with her 'mini'(her comfort blanket)

She has been put on baby formula again as it has all the nutrients in that she isn't getting at the moment also been put on vitamin drops.

Poorly little soldier and with Ed back at work this week I really haven't had alot of time to blog.

Hope this find everyone well

Not destined to have shoes

2007-04-14T13:06:00.000-07:00

You might have guessed from the title yes we have had another disaster with Abigails shoes! This child is not destined to have a pair of shoes!!

This time although I am happy to say it was not my fault!!

I found one of Abigails shoes last night in the middle of the back garden chewed to bits!

The only thing we can think that has happened is that Ed dropped it when he was bringing everything in from the car when we got back from Natalie and Spencers and a dog or a fox has got it and chewed it to bits.

So this morning we went to get some new shoes!!!

We then met up with my cousin Laura who is an avid reader of this blog... i'm not sure how many people read it, maybe you could leave me a comment if you do!

We went out to lunch to La Tasca and had tapas - yummy we then did some shopping but by this time is was all too much for Abigail and she crashed out!

Had a lovely day with such gorgeous weather!

Abigail having lunch
Abigail absolutely soundo
after lunch and shopping its all just too much for a 15 month old

Abigails new shoes

13/04/2007 - Natalie and Spencer's

2007-04-13T13:01:00.000-07:00

Spencer and Harvey

Harvey enjoying eating the paint

Abigail enjoying Harveys quad bike

Harvey and Abigail drawing

Harvey and Abigail

Natalie and Harvey

We had a lovely few days in Bexhil with gorgeous weather. We travelled down during nap time on monday and spent the afternoon at the park and then watched a film once Harvey and Abigail were in bed.

Tuesday we went to Drusillas which is a farm/zoo/playland all in one it was great the also had a Thomas the tank that you could ride on around the park.

Tuesday night we were meant to go out for a drink once the little ones were in bed but Abigail decided that mummy wasn't going to do that and to stay up ending up in us having to drive her round to get her to sleep finally at 10pm for her to wake at 111.15pm and not go back to sleep until 2.45am and then got up for good at 5.45am so not a great nights sleep had by all.

Abigail and I spent the best part of wednesday morning back in bed sleeping shortly after lunch we set off home and got caught in some horrendous M25 traffic so was straight to bed by the time we got in.

The reason in my delay blogging is we got up yesterday morning and Abigail got in her highchair as normal for breakfast but 2 mouthfulls in threw up all in her highchair, this continued for the next 2 hours to the point that there wasnt one bed or blanket or carpet that waxsnt covered in prjectile sick so we called the dr and were told to take her straight down, Abigail was then sick again in the car the dr thought it was just a bug but to bring her back if she didnt improve in 6 hours. Luckily she did improve stopping being sick and keeping down some juice, she managed some dry toast this morning but hasnt wanted to eat anything else. She is much better in herself just a little clingy. So yesterday was spent looking after Abigail continuous washing and cleaning carpets!

I'm hoping for a quiet weekend to refresh as I have clinic on Monday and Ed is back to work so need to be on top form.

Hope everyone is good sending big hugs xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Easter 2007

2007-04-08T11:26:00.000-07:00

We've had a lovely day. All be it with a early 4.15am start - i think abigail was excited as it was easter!!

Abigail and I went off to church at 9am and afterwards went to starbucks with my mum and steve as I gave up cinnamon swirls from starbucks for lent and 6 weeks is a very long time so couldn't wait to have one! It was delicious!!!

We then came home as by now (11.30) Abigail and I were shattered as we'd been up a very long time and had a sleep.

At 1.30pm Ed came home from his morning services and we went to Hilary's(eds mum) for easter lunch with hilary, simon, lillie, emily and great grandma Dorothy.

Abigail enjoyed playing in the garden and we couldn't have had better weather!! We had a lovely afternoon and are home now with Abigail tucked up in bed - Ed is out playing for evening song and i'm sat on here instead of packing which is what i'm meant to be doing. We're off in the morning to Natalie and Spencers in Becks Hill until wednesday as they have a little boy 10 days older than Abigail so should be lovely and I really hope we keep the lovely weather.

I hope everyone had a happy and healthy easter

Abigail playing in her car

Abigail and Aunty Lillie enjoying a ride in grandads wheelbarrow

Abigail posing in her easter bonnet

07/04/2007

2007-04-07T11:24:00.000-07:00

We've had a lovely first week to the easter holidays. Wednesday we went into town as had a few bits to do and stayed for lunch we had Tapas which was yummy. We had dinner at my mums so lots of nice food!!

Thursday we took Abigail swimming with Becky and Harry but unfortunately haven't got any pictures as you are not allowed to take any photos even if its just of your family in the actual shot! Ridiculous!! This world is getting stupid now!

Yesterday was good friday, we went to see our new house again to measure up a few things and to show abigail (oh god i've just realised I haven't blogged about that yet)

*UPDATE*
Ed got a job offer of Director of music at Our Lady Immaculate Church which he accepted, so we realised that we could afford to move somewhere bigger and most importantly as we have realised with the nicer weather a garden! So we put the flat on the market and started looking within 7 days of actually insructing the estate agents to put the flat on the market we had 3 really good offers on it and had found the perfect 3 bedroom house which just happens to be 2 roads away in the same road as Eds mum!! So we are now in the hands of solicitors and very excited planning things about our new home!

Ed and I went to church at 3pm and Abigail went to Nana Hils As it isn't really the surface to take young children too (very long and alot of it is in silence)

Abigail and I then went to my aunts house as on thursday my cousin was 21 so we went to celebrate and eat cake!!!

Ed had a concert in the evening so we didn't see him most of the day as he was getting ready and rehersing but it went really well i'm so proud of him he conducted and trained a choir of 40 to sing mozarts requium. I've been told it was an amazing concert and a great evening, unfortunatly it was too late so Abigail and I couldn't go.

Today we have had a really lazy day as I was so tired after a busy week, i got up to have breakfast but then went back to bed until 11.30. We took Abigail to the park this afternoon and she actually enjoyed the swing again!!

Ed is out now at the easter vigil and abigail is sound asleep in bed. I'm just watching saturday night tv relaxing prob head to bed soon as we're off to Hilarys tomorrow for lunch and i know its going to be a busy day.

Wishing you all a very happy and healthy easter

04/04/2007

2007-04-04T08:53:00.001-07:00

As most of you know the reason it has been a while since I have posted was on Monday I had my clinic appointment and was admitted as was having problems with steroid withdrawal so went in for some IV steroids. But I am back home now and much better and its now easter holidays so Ed is home too :)

We've done lots since I last posted!

On Monday we took Abigail to Marsh Farm with mum steve harry and Becky, it was a great day the weather was gorgeous Abigail loved it telling us what all the animals said but told us everything was a dog!! LOL

She loved looking at the animals from her pushchair but cried everytime we got too close!

Nana Maz and Abigail saying hello to the goats

Uncle Harry and Abigail saying hello to the rabbits

Abigail and Nana Maz looking at the pigs

Becky, Grampy Steve, Uncle Harry, Nana Maz, Daddy and Abigail.

Abigail now has a new cot which changes into a bed when she is a little older. This is her "helping" put it together

Abigail and daddy testing out the new bed!!!

Abigail had Eleanor, Ashton and Darcey over to play in the afternoon and they all posed as soon as I got the camera out!!

Abigail is now awake and I was trying to do this while she had her nap so better go will update again soon. Wishing you all a very happy and healthy easter xxxxxxxxxxx

Mothers Day

2007-03-18T14:22:00.000-07:00

What a busy day!

I have had a lovely day and am absolutely shattered now but as promised am updating my blog before I head off to bed.

Abigail started my mothers day with a nice wake up call at 6.30am which Ed slept through she chatted away to herself untill 6.50am but had enough and wanted to get up by then so I went and got her and brought her into our bed thinking I would get a card or something but Ed had forgotten to write it! We had a lovely family cuddle and I had lots of mothers day kisses.

While I was in the shower Ed wrapped my present and helped Abigail write my card. I got the Joss Stone album a best mummy certificate and a gorgeous card.

Ed went off to work and Abigail and I put our scruffy clothes on ready for the boot fair we collected Aunty Lillie and drove up there only to find it wasn't on ( even though the big sign said boot fair here EVERY sunday it obviously means every sunday except mothering sunday!!) So we decided since we were up and out we had to do something to went to Mac Donnalds for breakfast :)

Abigail had her nap and I got changed and did my hair and got ready to go out and then got her changed and off we went to meet daddy at church.

I was really looking forward to my lunch after church but didn't realise Ed hadn't booked anywhere!!!!! So after 90 mins of driving round you can imagine I was fed up and so was Abigail who was now starving and the pot of saltanas and a banana which mummy had was no longer sufficiant! At 3pm we finally got our lunch - it was very nice.

We came home briefly and then went to Hilary's (ed's mum) his grandma and uncle were also there. We had a nice restful afternoon and Abigail enjoyed wearing the hat Aunty Lillie wore out last night for St Patricks day (see pic)

I popped to my mum this evening but she had popped out to Grandmas so unfortunately missed her but will see her in the morning before Abigail's swimming lesson.

I'm so tired now i'm off to bed but i've had a lovely mothers day and hope everyone has.

I also want to send huge Birthday wishes to my special friend Emily (fellow brompton patient) who has recently had a double lung transplant and is home - she is such a corageous brave woman read her blog at www.pinkandsmiley.blogspot.com

Visiting Barbara 14/3/07

2007-03-17T12:52:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday I took Mum, Abigail, Annemarie(my cousin) and her son Maceo to see My aunty Barbara who sadly at 54 has early onset Altzeimers and doesn't know who any of us are anymore and is in a home which is very sad and hard to see so we all went together to see her and went out for lunch first.
It was a really nice day, Maceo is 8 months now and is taller and weighs more than Abigail - he is dark as she is fair and has the most gorgeous big brown eyes. He is a real cutie :)
Here are a few pictures of our day
Annemarie and Maceo-
My mum and Abigail eating a chocolate biscuit-

My mum and Barbara-

One of the nurses playing with Maceo-

Abigail and Maceo with some of the other patients and my mum in the background-

Annemarie and Maceo-

One of the nurses holding Abigail and Barbara giving her a kiss-

Annemarie, Maceo and Barbara-

A lovely week

2007-03-17T12:06:00.000-07:00

Wow it's been a week again already since I have updated. Where does the week go! Abigail and I have takeen advantage of the lovely weather and been out in it lots!

Saturday - Ed and I took Abigail to the park, she enjoyed climbing and loved the slide although didn't get the hang of having to lift her feet up to be able to slide now she wears shoes. But she didn't like the swing at all - see below she used to love the swings she is funny!

On Friday we went out to lunch as tomorrow (sunday 18th) is Beccys birthday (Abigails friend Eleanors mum) so we were ladies who lunch. It was lovely we went to the harvester and had a very big table and 4 highchairs and 4 pushchairs take up alot of room!!

Shelley and Darcey -

Gemma and Ashton-

Left to right Ashton, Abigail and Darcey-

Beccy (birthday girl) and Eleanor -

Today we took Abigail to Hylands parkfor some space and freedom where she could walk on her own without holding hands or being on her reigns outside and without the worry that she could run into a road or a car. She loved it!! Here are a couple of pics of my big girl walking :)

I've been feeling alot better this week and am off antibiotics now and reducing my steroids. I took Abigail to her swimming lesson on Monday the first time in weeks which she loved. Ed had 2 days off this week with a cold/virus thing so stayed well clear of him but unfortunately Abigail has caught a bit of his cold but touch wood so far apart from a cough and being snuffly hasn't been unwell as such.

My hayfever has kicked in with the lovely weather and had a slow release long acting steroid injection on thursday for this in combination with my antihistmines, eye drops and nose spray hopefully should be able to function this year when it is in full swing. Nose has been dripping all week though!

We went to see my aunt who is in a home with early onset altzeimers on wednesday took mum and my cousin (my aunts daughter) and her son - was a lovely day will update a separate blog with the pictures of that as I think there are alot of pics already in this one.

I'm looking forward to mothers day tomorrow and have a lovely day planned i'll update again tomorrow as a new day :)

Abigails idea of what a potty should be used for -

Friday 09-03-2007

2007-03-09T12:04:00.000-08:00

Today Beccy and I took Eleanor and Abigail to the Wacky Warehouse. The couple of times i've been before Abigail has played for a bit but then got a bit bored but today she loved it!! They played for 50 mins!! As you can see by the photos they had a great time and really played together as well!

This afternoon hasn't been so sucessful though Abigail was laying on the middle of the floor and just not herself so I took her temperature and it was 38.8 so gave her some calpol she perked up a bit but not herself. 2 1/2 hours later it was 39.6 so gave her nurofen and that brought it down to 38.8 by bedtime so have given her another lot of calpol and put her to bed. She isn't right in herself just laying around but ate her dinner and is drinking so i'm not overly worried, will see how she goes.

It might be a side effect of the measles jab she had last week as there was a 10% chance of a temperature and 4% of a rash.

Lets just hope its nothing too serious - its scary how quick they can get ill at this age! Within hours from the Wacky she was just lethargic laying on the floor not moving! With a temperature 39.6!

Had a slight misshap with Abigails shoes last night! They were getting grubby so as the instructions said could be washed on a 40 degree was without conditioner I put them on the 30 degree hand wash 29 min cycle without any detergent or conditions and they seemed to come out ok but now they are dry the colour has faded

and the colour ran onto her socks today! The real mishap though is I wanted them dry for today so put them on the storage heater to dry over night - but it got a bit too hot for them and have melted the rubber!

What a nightmare - so now although I will still right to startrite and complain about the colour running and fading I doubt they will do anything as they have 2 nice big melt marks in them!! What am I like!!!

Thursday 8-3-07

2007-03-09T11:48:00.000-08:00

Had a lovely day today the 4 generations went out for the day :) My grandmother, my mum, myself and Abigail went to Bluewater to do some shopping :)

I had a dr appt in the morning and everything went well I have reduced my steroids to 40mg (8 a day) now until I next see them which is nice. Had a week on 50mg so body shouldn't notice the difference!! Will see me next week which is nice was seeing him daily if not twice daily last week. Abigail trots into his room and straight to the toy box now and plonks herself down as if to say back here again i'll be here a while!

Bluewater was good although very tiring, I brought Abigail her summer coat lime green in next its gorgeous i'll add a pic soon thought I had one!! Some pink and white dungarees from John Lewis and the sicssor sisters album for me :)
Mum drove home and I slept the whole way. Felt pretty rough in the eve once Abigail was in bed hence the late update!!

The picture is of Abigail having her lunch in John Lewis waving to send a photo on my phone to daddy.

Wednesday- Clinic -7-3-07

2007-03-09T11:29:00.000-08:00

Abigail got on brilliantly at clinic today. She weighed 9.86kg which is 21lb 11oz!! What a little piggy!!
She was not impressed with the weighing scales took alot of bribing from myself Aunty Lillie and the healthvisitor to get Abigail to stay on them!

Ed had parents evening this evening so Emma kindly came over with a bottle of wine and once Abigail was in bed kept me company ordering a pizza a stuffed crust super supreme - wow yummy!!!
SOooooooo loaded with calories :)
Abigail was a little darling and went down like and angel not hearing a peep out of her!!

Had a lovely evening thanks Emma

xxxxx

06/03/2007

2007-03-06T13:07:00.000-08:00

Hey all back again :)

Did you miss me?? ;)

Well i'm home and i'm feeling alot better, still on Antibiotics and steroids although slowly starting to reduce steroids now (down to 50mg)

Abigail had her speech therapy assesment today and passed with flying colours saying over 20 words in the first 15 mins of the lady being here! So she is way above average and they are happy with her :) this referal was resulting from Abigail's poor suck when she was born (takes a long time the NHS) We have contact details if we need to get back in touch by open referal in the future up until she goes to school when she will be reasessed anyway.

Mum then took us to Sainsburys way hay an outing food shopping - holds back the excitement :)

Had a nice restful afternoon while Abigail napped and then Lillie came round and Ed arrived home within minutes of her getting here as the after school meeting was cancelled :)

I'm going to venture taking Abigail to Mother and Baby group tomorrow morning if I feel well enough as I can park just outside and so is no walking involved. Karen will be here tomorrow too to do the things I need help with changing the bed linen is the biggest help!

Going to take Abigail to clinic in the afternoon and get her weighed as we haven't been in over a month!!! So i'll update again tomorrow and let you know how much my fatty weighs :)

Hope everyone is well

Lots of love

Still here

2007-03-01T13:19:00.000-08:00

Well i'm still here, very tired and feeling sorry for myself!!
Abigail had the first of her MMR injections today we are having them done separately because of the *concern* about the triple vaccine jab.
The staff were lovely and very professional, Ed held Abigail and she didn't even flinch when they gave her the jab until about 10 seconds after when she cried her eyes out! Little chicken.
She has gone to bed fine is coughing alot tonight though so I hope she isn't coming down with anything!!

A quick update

2007-02-27T13:43:00.000-08:00

Just to let you know, i'm no better. I've been on the higher dose of 30mg pred since Friday and 2 Oral antibiotics and am no better infact a bit worse breathless wise. I saw the doc this afternoon and he gave me another 60mg of pred to take and another 60mg in the morining and to see him at 10.30am tomorrow.
I've had 60mg before when ive been really poorly but never 90mg in one day!
Anyway just to let you all know so if it goes quiet you know where i'll be The algarve de Broomfield Hospital!!!
I'll have my mobile and WILL NOT be in long
Lots of love

A quiet week

2007-02-25T11:18:00.000-08:00

Hi there,
Well this week has defenately been a come down on last week which was so busy!!
Monday - Abigail has her swimming lesson in the morning which she was not too impressed with as she had had a week of swimming without being told what to do!!
Tuesday - We had to food shop in the morning - abigail was surprisingly good and met up with some friends for lunch in town
Wednesday - Mother and Baby group in the morning and Abigail stayed with Nana Maz in the afternoon
Thursday - I wasn't feeling too well so we stayed in and had a lazy morning and then my friend Tracey visited and had a nice quiet afternoon.
Friday - I had several appointments so another quiet day and we have found out we are going to get help around the house with cleaning ironing changing beds washing etc from a lovely lady called Karen!
Saturday - My cousin laura visited in the morning and couldn't believe the change in Abigail as she hadn't seen her since Christmas and is now alot bigger and almost running round! We met my mum steve becky and harry for a coffee in starbucks my favourite but it was a little too much and i was shattered all afternoon had dinner at mums - yay no cooking or washing up!!
Sunday- went to church in the morning and spent the afternoon at my mums resting and watching Abigail play with mum.

So not really an exciting week but a nice one as I have had some quality relaxing time with abigail watching her grow and change everyday.

I have my other cousin Annemarie and her 8 month son Maceo coming tomorrow afternoon so that will be nice. He is bigger than Abigail - haven't seen him for about 6 weeks so I bet he is so lovely now.

Hope you're all well

Center Parcs!!

2007-02-16T16:01:00.000-08:00

As you can see by all the photos below we had a brilliant time away!! It went far too quickly though! I can't wait to go back soon. Abigail loved it all especially the ducks outside our livingroom window!! She got very confident in the pool and even went down the flume!!

She liked being in the trailer on the bike but not when daddy forgot he had a wide trailer on the bakc of his bike and crashed her knocking her over!!

Abigail slept through every night on holiday and went down like an angel every night - lets hope that carrys on now we're home!!

Abigail watching the ducks.

Abigail loving being in her trailer with all the swimming stuff!!

Daddy and Abigail

Ed on the flume

Abigail enjoying daddy's ice-cream

Abigail and daddy cuddling up on the sofa after a long day

Abigail enjoying her lunch and posing as always!

Ed abseiling

What is that on your head daddy??

Mummy and Abigail on the land train

Abigail being a big girl and colouring in a the restaurant!!

(Shortly after the photo was taken she bit a lump off the crayon and they went away)

Ed at the valentines meal

My valentines dinner!!

Mummy trying to eat her valentines dinner with Abigail sound asleep on her, it was just all too much!!

Our gorgeous fire in our villa so warm and cosy in the evenings and romantic!!

Abigail and mummy in the swimming pool

Abigail and mummy at dinner

Abigail enjoying a ride on daddies shoulders!!

Time for a new look

2007-02-11T11:49:00.000-08:00

After looking round my blog last night after updating i realised it was in need of a revamp and updating - the title still said my journey with baby bump who just now happens to be 14 months!!

So of course it would have to be pink :)

I am nearly all packed and ready for the morning i'm so excited. Will pack the last few bits in the morning and load the car - this is when we find we can't fit it all in even with the estate we had to buy once we realised how much stuff you needed to cart round with a baby!

Anyway I hope you like the new look and i'll update when I get back with the photos from Center Parcs.

Lots of love xxxx

Fun in the snow

2007-02-10T12:59:00.000-08:00

Here we all are wrapped up warm out in the snow!

Well everyone knew it was meant to snow on Thursday Ed and I woke up at 5.30am and looked out and there was only about 3mm - he was very upset as that meant all the schools would still be open so we went back to sleep at 6.30am when his alarm went off I looked out and nearly screamed there was a good 3inches!! We quickly tunred on the radio and started listning out and Ed's school was the 3rd one called!! So we jumped back into bed and cuddled up listning to the list of about 12 schools by 8.30 the list was taking over 20 mins to read out 469 schools were closed in Essex on Thursday I think it would have been easier to call out the names of the schools that were open!

Once we were all up washed and wrapped up warm we headed out the snow still falling to get my mum and head up to Hylands park it took so long as we couldnt touch the accelerator of the car or would skid across the road.

When we got there it was already quite busy and once strapped onto mum Abgial spent the whole time staring down at the white floor!

We had a lovely walk and really enjoyed ourselves throwing a good few snow balls!! ;) the kids in us coming out.

Thursday evening though i managed to burn the back of my legs on our storage heater and ended up at casualty with partial thickness burns to the back of both my thighs!!

I am ok though and we are off to Center Parcs on Monday and can't wait.

Will update again when I get back

We're back!!

2006-12-20T15:12:00.000-08:00

Wow its a long time since i've sat sown and done this!!
Firstly I need to appologise for not posting for so long!! After we had finally got settled and moved i kept putting off updating, the longer it got the worse it got at how much i'd have to update, and its finally got the point now i'm being naggd so much i've decided to just "start a fresh" from where we are now.

Basically since I last posted we moved, I became 22 and ed has started his new job,Abigail and I had 3 days in Dorset in a log cabin, i've had an episode in hospital and Abigail has had a few virus' and chest infections but we've coped really well!!

Here we are now 20th December 2006, ed has broken up from school today i've been dashing round like a headless chicken organsing Abigail's Birthday on Saturday and of course Christmas!!

Abigail and I are both healthy and looking forward to next week.

I hope this finds you all well and I hope this shuts some of you up nagging me to update, and I promise now i'm over the hurdle of the first post I WILL now keep up to date.

Lots of love to all