Dear Sam

It seems like a lifetime ago that I was waiting for you to arrive. Night after night I would sit and wonedr 'Will tonight be the night?' I would sit, rubbing my tummy, talking to you - wishing and wondering. I often imagined what you would look like. Would everything be okay? Would you be beautiful? Would you be healthy? WHEN would you come to meet us?

When your due date came and went I wondered what was keeping you? I often sat alone in the dark telling you we were all waiting. But you were determined to keep us waiting!

Now I look at you, your bright sparkling eyes as you give me a dribbly grin. Your little nose screwing up in delight! I sing to you and you babble back at me. Your legs kicking excitedly! Perfection! That is what you are and certainly worth the wait.

It feels as if you have been here, brighening our days forever. But it has been just 3 months. And they have flown by. 3 fantastic months spent with a truly delightful, adorable and precious baby boy.

Now, as I think back to the days when I was sitting, wondering and wishing - I realise that all my wishses came true. Thank you Baby Sam for sprinkling such delight into our lives. You are adored and loved more than you could ever know.

All my love forever

Mummy
Xxxxxxx

My little star :)

Mr. Postman brought a letter today addressed to the parent/guardian of Christopher Bowden. The postmark was Barton Primary School. And inside was a letter saying that he will be awarded with the Headteachers Special Award :) I have been invited to watch him get the award on Thursday 1st April. If you remember he won it last year too when he was in Reception :) Now he has it again in Year 1. What a superstar!!!!!


My baby boy is growing out his sleepsuits. He has size 'New Baby' and his little bitty toes come right to the end of the feet. I think he is going to need 0-3 months already. But I am not going anywhere near Mothercare this weekend as Next has their 2 day sale so we all know how busy it will be.


Who wants to see a pic or two? Okay then...

First up is 'Sleepy Sam'. Because as soon as I picked up the camera he gave the biggest yawn!!! And I caught it! Not sure if the yawn was because he was tired or fed up of his photo crazed Mama!


Then a full length one:


and finally one I was not going to share but have :)

Yay!!!

It's Friday!!!! This rainy week is at last almost over! And I can stay in bed tomorrow. Well if his lordship lets me ;) But he is usually sleeping for an hour after we get up - so heres hoping for an extra hour in bed. And I won't care what the clocks say when they go forward. I will get up when baby gets me up.


I have 2 pictures for you today. Aren't I nice to you? First up is the most adorable little hand...





Then we have a sweet sleeping boy


His eyelashes are growing nicely :) You couldn't really see them when he was first born but now they are looking pretty.

I haven't heard back from Mothercare yet about the sling - but they did say allow up to 2 working days. I have my doubts that they will do anything. I guess it is the company that made the sling that should offer people a refund. But it doesn't hurt to try!

Better go and get on with some work while my little man sleeps. Catch you soon!

Hmmmmm....

I am sure many of you have heard the news yesterday/today about the recall of a particular baby sling as 3 babies have died while in them - being suffocated in two different ways. Either the soft material covers their nose and mouth and they suffocate within a minute. Or because baby can be in an almost 'curled' position while in them that alone can block their airways. They cannot cry for help and weak neck muscles stop them being able to move their heads. They slowly suffocate. And apparently the American commission of safety put out a warning about these style slings just a month ago.

Anyway, the point is that the recalled slings while not the same brand as my sling it certainly is the same style. So I really do not feel comfortable using it now. But I feel that if there is a potential risk with this style sling then everyone should get their money back - regardless of the brand.

This is the two slings. The recalled one and the one I use:

Ignore that. I just went to Mothercare to grab the pic and they have stopped selling it. I have emailed them and asked if they will replace it with another style carrier. I feel they should if they are not happy to sell them anymore.

This is a link to my sling

They do a nice 'all weather' carrier which comes with a rain cover. Ideal for the quick trips to school. As much as he loves his pram it is a lot of work to get it up in the rain, covered in the plastic, him in it etc without anything getting too wet. A carrier can be put on and him in it while in the car. He wouldn't get wet at all. So fingers crossed they agree to swap it :)

Anyway I have rambled enough. Catch you soon!

2 weeks...

ago my sweetheart came to stay :)

Squirrel the protector...

He is so cute! He loves his baby brother so much. Earlier, baby was sleeping in his pram. Squirrel kept asking me to get 'Baby' out of there so he could kiss him. I explained that baby was sleeping so would have to wait for his kiss till he woke up. When he did start to wake he et out a little squeak and Squirrel got cross with me - saying 'Baby is crying. Get him out of there' in a really growly - I am cross - voice. Don't give me chance to get up will you Squirrel?! LOL.

Where are babies photos? He had them done in hospital and was told they would arrive in about 5 days. He is 10 days old now and still no pics :( On a happier note I have ordered the prize for the winner of 'Guess the date & weight' so that should be here soon :)

Okay. So we are down to 2 names. Which looks/sounds nicer?

Any More?

That is the question of the moment. When anyone sees me, whether it be my Midwife, the Health Visitor or general 'friends' they always ask, within 2 mins of being in my company if I will have any more babies. Why do people need to ask that? It is often closely followed by a 'Not going to try for a girl once more?' Okay. HELLO PEOPLE! I do NOT have babies hoping that I get a girl. My boys give me more then enough love & joy. I have even had one online friend recommend a book to me. She had 5 boys and then read this book telling you how to get a girl and followed the diet and instructions and got a girl. Thanks so much for your help :) <-- Yes - that is in a sarcastic tone! I wouldn't swap my boys for all the girls in the world.

Anyway. My answer is always the same. Anymore babies? No. Not unless I win lots of money on the Lotto and can buy a nice big house. Then Yes. I would have more babies. Another 1 - possibly even 2. But I don't hold my breath at winning the Lotto. So there you go...

Baby was weighed today and is back to his birth weight. She was really happy with him as most babies take 2 weeks to get back to where they began. He also passed his hearing test so all is good.

Are you fed up with hearing about baby day after day? Okay. I will talk about something different. My Dyson blew up last night. Poor thing was very tired and has had many recycled parts added to it but last night it actually died. Well, it was more like a spark, smoke and a horrific noise. I was like 'Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! I NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED a hoover' so Daddy rushed off to Currys and bought a cheap £50 one. It is a bagless one made by Samsung and although you can tell the different in quality compared to the dyson it does the job nicely. And Squirrel was determined that it would be put to good use and sharpened his crayons all over the carpet today while the Health Visitor was here. Thanks Honey!

Catch you soon!

Soaking up every moment

Today I sat on my bed and totally absorbed the 'moment'. My baby boy was nestled into me, his little body molded against me and his head resting on my shoulder. His little legs were tucked up underneath him. I sat there looking at him, taking in every inch of him, trying to burn the memory of him being so new and tiny into my mind. I don't ever want to forget how it feels to hold him in this way - even though I know that as he grows the memory of him being so small will fade. I will one day see a new baby somewhere and find it hard to believe that he was ever 'that small'.

When he wakes at night (which he does often) I enjoy it. I enjoy sitting in the darkness, holding him close and looking at his perfect little face. I enjoy every moment.

How can life deal such different hands to people? As one person is celebrating another is living the unlivable? At around the same time that we welcomed our baby into the world - Layla, the little girl who was dying from cancer, lost her battle. Same day, very close to the time. As I look back at the past week - and the joy of having our new little boy around us, the pleasure of having him - Layla's family are struggling to get through each day. They describe the feelings when they find her clothes mixed in with theirs. Or a toy of hers. And her car seat that they know she will never sit in again.

I know I am lucky. And I will never forget it.

At this exact moment...

At this time (4.54pm) last week the world became a little sweeter :)

My baby, one week old :)

This time last week...

I would have been sitting on the ward, waiting to see what they had planned for us. Feeling my baby wriggle around and knowing that it would soon be for the last time. I was wondering what he would look like. It seemed hard to believe that I would be meeting him so soon. My mind was buzzing...

I look at him now, sleeping sweetly in his pram, and it seems like he has been here forever. I cannot imagine my life without him now. He has slotted in so well and is such a sweetheart.

In just a few short hours my baby will be a week old. And what a wonderful week it has been.

My brave baby boy...

screamed the place down when the nasty lady stabbed the needle in his teeny tiny foot :( He went blood red and was inconsolable. But he is okay now. Ha had a nice sleep and has forgotten all about it.

Baby was weighed again. At birth he was 8lbs 4ozs. On Friday he was 7lbs 7ozs. He lost 7% of his birth weight which is the average amount (can vary up to 10%). Today he was 8lbs 2ozs so he has gained 10ozs in 3 days. Piggy!

They LOVED Squirrel. They wanted to take him with them - saying he was fab. He was being rather cute and charming! He was telling them all about his game, all about his baby and then gave them all a sweet. He then did a big burp and said 'Whoops! Pardon me!' Bless him!

Anyway, here is baby awake for todays pic. I think they look so funny awake - bless them!




I was playing with my flash so apologies if it is a little 'light and bright'.

Before I go - Lew won a competition at school today - and so came home with a huge bag of Haribo. They had to guess how many miles away Australia was - and the closet won :) Clever boy!!!

It is hard to believe...

that this time last week, as I was watching Dancing on Ice, that my baby was wriggling around so much, sticking his knees in my ribs and poking his elbows out my side. I remember watching it at wondering if 'tonight would be the night'. I remember going to bed, struggling to get comfy as he wriggled around, nodding off into a light sleep, each time I woke thinking 'You going to come out tonight baby?'. And eventually the morning arriving and him still in there and me doing another school run with all the 'STILL no baby' comments.

Now I look at him, 5 days old, and it seems as if he has been here forever. I can't imagine him not being here now. And he has been a treasure today. Such a good boy.

Today I share a picture of him dressed as my teddy bear :) It is not the nicest picture but I couldn't resist sharing it with you.



Tomorrow will be a sad day. The midwife is coming to weigh him - and to do his heel pick test :( Yes, my sweet baby boy will have a needle in his little wrinkled foot and 7 spots of blood squeezed out :( Please think of him tomorrow and hope they don't hurt him too much. Horrible, horrible people.

Can I end this post by thanking my Mum for being the best Mum in the world, and for my boys for the lovely card and pressies they gave me today. I love you all.

Day 4 - and the results are in!

And he has been a star. He slept all the way around Asda today so we could get our shopping done :) He had a feed and then slept all the way home. Then he took an hour and a half sleep in his pram. I washed my hair and got some washing done. He is now wide awake and quite happy. He is enjoying his daddy's bright yellow t-shirt :)

Here he is today...



Okay. So here are the official results of the 'Guess the weight and date' thing.

The closest weight winner is...... MUM!

The closest date winner is....... MUM!

Ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!! So she wins both prizes. I am sure there may be a little something for another entrant too. ;)

I am going to try and get some pics of my babies together tomorrow. I do have this one of Squirrel holding his new brother. This was taken when he was less then 24 hours old. Squirrel really did want to love him lots.



Anyway. Off to enjoy my bath :)

Here he is!

Sleeping in his pram. He is almost 3 days old now :)





Rather cute don't you think?

Finally...

My lazy boy is I'm my arms :)

He sure wasn't keen to come see us all was he? In the end it was a case of 'bad luck baby, we are coming to get you!' and sadly there was nothing he could do about it! I think once they had pulled the plug and started to empty the bathwater he thought he would admit defeat and come say Hi!

The most annoying part of it all was the delay. We went from being admitted at 9am on Tuesday to 11am. So we had 2 hours to kill when we really wanted to get the show on the road so to speak. Then we turn up and get taken to the ward and given a bed. They come back quickly to say that based on my notes and the fact I was already at 3cms at my last appt that they would talk to my consultant but probably send us up to delivery and break my waters to get things going. Ideal as much more gentle for baby then a hormone drip.

We sat waiting for an hour - bored. They came back and said they would monitor baby for a while, just to check he was happy in there. So we sat attached to the monitor for about 20 mins. All was perfect so they left us saying they would be back to move us up to delivery soon. They were all very nice and kind but it was almost like being in the dentist chair, with him holding a pair of pliers over your tooth saying 'soon'.

In the end we planned for Daddy to go collect the boys from school. As he was about to leave (2.40) they came and moved us to the the delivery suite. He still went off as I knew we would be sat waiting still.

10 mins later the midwife came in and it was my named one. She poked her head around the door and said 'What are you playing at? You shouldn't still be here' so I said 'You thought you could run off on holiday and escape me - but I waited for you to get back' (it was her first day back after a holiday abroad). She also had the student from my previous appt with her and she joined in with 'So you decided against a carpark or school birth then?'

Anyway. She broke my waters at 3.15 but his head was acting as a 'stopper' so not much was there. So she said walking around the room would help it leak from around him. They would give me 2 hours. If nothing was happening in that time they would set up a drip. She left saying 'keep walking'...

So walk I did, while talking to him, telling him not to be scared and that I would be waiting for him. In the corner of the room was his little plastic crib waiting for him, with the heater on so it would be warm and snuggly. A little pampers newborn nappy say hanging on the edge. Everyone was as ready as they ever could be to meet this little boy.

It was about half an hour later until the first sign that he had given up his fight and would make his way out with protest. I texted Daddy with a simple 'Ouch' and he responded with a 'Wait for me. On my way'.

5 mins later confirmed that yes, he was ready. By 4pm (15 mins after the initial pain) I text Daddy again saying 'Ouch *shouting it this time* lol. I was walking around the room still, determined that I would not stop and risk him changing his mind, and I looked UT of the window and saw Daddy drive into the carpark. I went back the the other side of the room as by this point I didn't want to be out of reach of the call button. Daddy came in and I think was surprised at how much had changed since he had left. It was now 4.15 and I was demanding the Gas & Air. We called for the midwife and she was like 'Woah! You were fine less then half an hour ago' and ran off to get it for me. The student midwife was still there and she was due to finish at 4 but didn't want to miss it - as this was the be the first birth she had been present at. They called in a 3rd person as you need two fully qualified people present. Just 10 mins of pushing later and the world was blessed with the cutest little boy. He was handed straight to me and I looked at his adorable little face as he was trying to open his eyes. He still hadn't cried and they like babies to give a good yell to help clear their lungs so she came over and wiped him with a towel and he screamed in protest - and she thanked him :)

I will be back later to share his first couple of days with you - and maybe a pic or two :)

Thanks for reading!

Afternoon...

Just wanted to pop in and let you all know I am still here and waiting. And for those who may not yet know - Tuesday is the day we will be forcing eviction. Now if being served papers and being told to 'get out of there' is not enough of a threat I don't know what is. Only time will tell...

Maybe a little TMI!

(TMI = Too Much Information)

Just got back from my rather amusing appointment. It was a midwife I have never seen before as my usual one is on holiday. There was a student there too. And it was laugh a minute! At one point she was like 'Look at us - we are all getting hysterical now'. Ha ha ha!

Starts with her asking for my sample. And me having to say how it is in a makeshift pot as I lost my lid. LOL! I promised I hadn't taken in a cup of tea seeing it was in a baby milk pot and looked a lot like tea. Lots of traces of stuff showed up - like protein and stuff I can't spell. So they are sending a sample off to check for infection.

She asked if it was my first and I said 'Ummmm....No. 6th'. They were like 'WOW!' Then she asked 'How does it normally go for you?' so I replied 'Quickly'. And the student pipes up and says 'Oh please be quick so I can be there - you will be my first'. I told her she may well regret saying that! Then they opened my notes and read about Lew and she went pale and said 'I shouldn't have said that'. Ha ha ha. They asked if I was planning a Home Birth. I said 'No. But I am not planning a Drs Surgery or school classroom one either - but anything is possible'. The student was like 'I really shouldn't have said that should I?' LOL!

She said she would do a membrane sweep* and went off to find a blanket. She came back without one saying 'I can't find one. I will have to use some of the tissue off the roll' (The stuff they lay on the couch before you lay down') so picks up the roll and there is only one square left. LOL. She was like 'It's not my day is it?' and scurries off to get a new roll. She gives it to the student to open and says 'Tear off a big strip please so she can use it to cover herself up' so I add a 'If it has to go round me it needs to be a HUGE strip'....

Anyway. Was dilated 3cms and said it was very thin and stretchy. She was like 'Oh its head is well down I am giving it a real good tickle'. Ummmm.....lovely! So she was there tickling his head and he was protesting jabbing his feet into my ribcage as if to say 'Hey lady stop messing up my hair will you?'.

That is about it. I am waiting on a phone call later today with an induction date if nothing happens before. So watch this space.

Catch you later!

*If you are wondering what a Membrane Sweep is and why it is done - here is some copied and pasted info:


If this isn't your first baby, then you should be offered a membrane sweep at your 41 week antenatal appointment, if you haven't already gone into labour by then.

Membrane sweeping is done by your midwife or doctor. While internally examining you, she will simply "sweep" a finger around your cervix (neck of your womb). The aim is to separate the membranes around your baby from your cervix. This releases hormones called prostaglandins, which may kick-start your labour.

A membrane sweep increases the likelihood that labour will start within 48 hours. It has a higher chance of working if your cervix is already softening and preparing for labour. It does not increase the risk of infection to either you or your baby.

A membrane sweep can be uncomfortable as the cervix is often difficult to reach before labour begins. Some women find the procedure painful so you may want to try out your breathing techniques to help your relax while it's being done. There may also be some slight "spotting" of blood and irregular contractions immediately afterwards.

If your baby is overdue you should be offered a membrane sweep before considering other methods of induction.

No more changes...

to your guesses people :) Here is a run down on the final list. There will be a prize for the closest date and a prize for the closest weight.



Dates:
Mum: 2nd March
Mr. T: 28th Feb @ 3pm
Tracey: 24th Feb @ 11.10am
Ken: 26th Feb @ 11.32am



Weight:

Mum: 7lb 12ozs
Mr T: 5lbs 3ozs
Tracey: 6lbs 9ozs
Ken: 6lbs 6ozs

Thought I'd better...

post something - or else I would be bullied about it tomorrow.

So there you have it. My post for today. Bye.

























Ha ha ha ha!!!! I can't help it. I am bored and tired. I woke up at 1am last night (or should that be this am???) and was still awake at 4am. By the time I eventually dropped off it was morning and Squirrel was ordering me to get up. Yawn.... So now I am more than ready for my bed. And that is where I will be heading after posting this :)

Furry went to a birthday party today. Everyone there loved him and said how sweet he was. He was not really happy about going, hiding under the stairs saying he was not feeling well - but I know first hand how horrible it is to pay for kids who have accepted and invite and for them not to turn up. So I dragged him out the door telling him he would have a great time! And he did! He was buzzing when I picked him up! He has another party next weekend. His social calendar is much more impressive than mine!

Let me tell you what annoys me. Like really badly. Certain people who see you and say 'Have you not had that baby yet?'. Ummmmm...... 'Yes I have, but thought I would shove a cushion up my jumper and lock the baby in the boot - just so you think I haven't.' Derrrrrrrrrr! Okay. Sorry. Maybe I am being touchy.

It is okay when I get a text from people who ask if there is any news. That is cool - they haven't seen me. And it is sweet when people ask after me/us. Like Carl's boss. He asks every single weekday how everything is. And on Friday when he left work he said he hopes all goes well if anything happens over the weekend. Compare that to his Mum & Dad who never ask. They have not asked once how things are or anything. Well that is cool too - as long as they are not wanting to come round and visit within the first...ummm...lets say 6 months. LOL! Okay - maybe a bit harsh but certainly not for the first few days (or weeks) (or maybe months IS better).

Well I seem to have moaned a lot tonight so I will say bye for now and catch you again tomorrow. Have a good night!

Terms & Conditions...(Grab yourself a cuppa!)

this could be a long one!

I am unsure if any of you failed to spot the Terms & Conditions that were printed in extremely small print at the bottom of the 'Guess the time & weight' post. So I have removed it and will post it again here ;)

Entry into the competition has an administration fee of £50 per person.
Once your entry has been accepted this fee is payable regardless of if you chose to withdraw your entry.
Any amendments to your entry are subject to a fee of £30.
If you are the lucky winner - you will be required to pay a 'collection of prize' fee of £100.


Hope you are all okay with that?

Seriously now - I already know what your prize will be - and it may take up to 2 weeks before it is available. So if you are the winner - don't start whinging 'Where's my prize?' over and over because I will have no option then to kick you in the shins. Got it? Good. Glad we have cleared that up. Now I can continue...



New babies. Don't you just feel so sorry for them? I mean think about it. All that they are used to is being carried around in their little hot tub. They are never alone. They never feel hungry. They are never lonely. They don't feel pain. They are not cold nor hot. They are not poked or prodded. They just happily lay in the warmth of their 'bath' listening to the the same old heartbeat with the muffled voices from outside that do not really bother them. Then one day - suddenly, they are taken from their snuggly home and forced into this weird place. They feel air on their skin and hands all over them. They get poked and prodded. They feel cold now so have clothes put on them. They get hungry and maybe their tummy hurts at times. And when they sleep the get laid down alone, flat on their back in this big open space. They wake up not knowing where they are but knowing this is NOT their home. They are hungry, lonely and want to go back to the warm place they are used to. And we think its tough having to wake up in the night to comfort them? Poor things.... But while on the subject of lack of sleep - who wants to sign up for night duties? ;)



Sleep brings me onto my next part nicely. I slept much better last night. I wouldn't say it was perfect as it never is anymore but was pretty much as good as it gets right now. And I had a big block of sleep - from 3.15 till 7.00 without stirring. And at 7 I still nodded back off and got up at 9. How lazy is that?! But seeing it is back to school on Monday I thought I would make the most of it.



Isn't it nice to see the sunshine? My babies can trampoline! Yay!!! I really should try and get some pics of them. They can jump reeeeeeeeeeally high - or so they keep saying. I just agree and say 'Wow!!!!! Look at you'.....lol!

Anyway, I am off to clean the oven. And don't panic - I am not feeling ill....lol. But my eldest child has a horrible habit of putting food of all sorts directly onto the oven shelf and grease and bits of food drop off as it is cooking - and now the base of the oven has a nice coating of sticky, greasy stuff and it smells so bad of burning everytime the oven goes on - and last night he set off the smoke alarm at 10.15pm - and not from what he was cooking but from what he has collected at the bottom. And yes I tell him over and over but it is like talking to a brick wall. It is quicker to cook stuff the way he does it so he says, never mind the extra work he generates. But enough of my moaning and on with the rubber gloves...