Here are the twins at 7 months, being cheeky, Charlie on the left, Sophie growling at the camera on the right...
They are no longer babies now though, 1 year old now. Charlie has been walking for over 2 months, Sophie is very nearly walking without aid. Both into everything and along with their older brothers adding to light up our lives every day.
I am sorry not to have kept in touch and doubt after all this time any of you still check this blog, but I do still think of all my friends from the m-blog days and hope you are all well and that life is good for you. As soon as I get some free time I will come and catch up!
Okies, well the waffle has returned yet again *grin*
I can't seem to get used to this new format on here (shows how long it has been)...but at long last my laptop is fixed and I no longer have to share a puter *rejoice*! I am sure I will get used to the BETA posting engine eventually, but why is it every time I choose a smiley I loose my post?
So, avoiding smilies I will attempt a brief (yeah likely) update....
Actually this is likely to be a singing the praise of motherhood update sorry to those that aren't that way inclined, you may read no further *grin*
I am still as nutty as a fruitcake! At the moment I am sporting very scabby eyebrows,due to having lost my tweezers and having a run in with some hair removal cream. For 2 days I looked like I had gone 10 rounds with Mike Tyson, but now the swelling has gone down it doesn't look so bad...but damn me I look scarey anway *grin*
The twins are fab, I feel like I have had a second chance at motherhood, especially now Sam recently became a teenager.
Sam's Birthday was a blast! I have always (read, since I was a terribly awful teen) been warey of teenagers, but having met Sam's friends at his party I decided I want even MORE kids ;) They were great fun and a joy to be with...except they decided to throw me out of the room during spin a bottle and wouldn't tell me who Sam's latest crush was *sulk*, so I ended up poised with my glass against the wall. The little gits even closed the window so I couldn't get a sneaky photo shot grrrr.
It was an 'eyeopener' when Sam came charging out of the room to tell me he had,had a snog with tongues with one of his girl-friends! He was so happy that night, bless him! Apparently the friend he kissed is one of his best friends so it meant 'nothing' *rolls eyes*. I went into a complete panic about whether I was being too relaxed about these things and stuff, but knowing Sam the way I do, I realised it was just experimental and I have nothing to worry about. I also felt very pleased that he could tell me personal things in a very matter of fact way without embaressment.
At the end of the night my motherly pride shot through the roof when he handed me his school report...it was excellent, he is nearly a straight A student! The comments and attainment grades were fantastic, I can't believe that, that lad from such hard beginnings has come so far...and Hubs and I can share no claim in his success, he has done this on his own. I am so proud of him!
Ethan is well being Ethan, he is going through his footy is everything, School and Mum are boring stage and I'm trying hard to get him through his pre-high school exams which are looming. It's such a shame as he is actually brighter than Sam, but doesn't have any inclination towards study. I am a great believer in letting kids develop in their own way and not stealing their childhoods away by pinning them down too much, but it is really frustrating when you can see the ablility.
The twinlets are now 7 months old and I am loving it :) Charlie is crawling and into everything, he is as bright as a button, but also a total terror. Most of my time these days is spent retrieving him from where he shouldn't be, and he knows it! He always turns around, looks at me and grins when he is doing something naughty...bit of a bright spark already. Sophie on the other hand is the most placid and contented baby I have ever come across. I marvel at the two of them every day and realise how lucky I am :)
Now, what am I upto? Well, of course I am as always upto 'stuff' ;) I have another fabby weekend planned, with friends staying followed by Easter Monday and Tuesday spent at the Royal Albert Hall in London seeing the Finn Brothers wahoooooooooooooooooooooo (that'll be 8 this tour). I will follow that up with seeing my new discovery James Blunt next month. Where would the world be without good music?
Eeek right, I have to go, Charlie has awoken!
I will finish with a piccy of myself and the sprogs on mothers day...
Been a while eh! Unfortunately the best laid plans of mice and men were ruined when I broke my new laptop *sniff*. I am back to sharing Hubs pute...along with the sprogs.
Life's been sooo chaotic lately, but fab :) I don't think I have updated properly here since it must be urmmm August last year!
So, whats been going on in waffledom?
Obviously I gave birth to the gorgeous twinlets, who give me joy every second I am with them *besotted*! They popped out 36 hours after I was enjoying the Finn Brothers fan club gig in London's Regent's Park. I then managed to fit in another 6 gigs after that on the UK tour *grin* and met my song writing/singing idol Neil Finn on 3 occasions (once accidentally in Oxford, my home town) and I got my piccy taken with him too ohhh and he got down on his knees and played guitar right infront of me and my friend J *grin grin grin*.
My beautiful babies were 6 months old yesterday. Charlie is crawling and zooming around in his baby walker (backwards), he's so unlike my other three...blonde, big blue eyes,fair skinned and tubby! Sophie is dark haired, green eyed and dark skinned (like her brothers and Dad)...I still feel weird saying the word "daughter", she is beautiful and the most contented baby I have known! My days are very full and contented for the most part :) They both have the cheekiest grins, if they smile at me I get distracted!
Poor Hubs was in an RTA on Christmas eve, and is still suffering a bit with a whiplash injury, but on the mend. New Year and up until yesterday we had a string of illnesses between us...culminating in Ethan and the Twins getting chickenpox, which was hard work!
Phew, I can't think what else we've been upto, but it's sure been busy! Hopefully at some point this weekend I will get a piccy of my little family...for now, I must sign off as I feel an urge for humous and toast *slurp* :D
At long last I don't have to share my Puter with the rest of the family and can update at will!
I've missed all you peeps (especially all that were previously at m-blog)! I hope you are all well and in good spirits and look forward to catching up here soon...I may bore you witless for a while with a lengthy catch up from the past 4 months ;)
I'm back, having secured a new ISP yeeehaaa. Eeek so much catching up to do, and so little time. I hope all are well in tblog land and look forward to catching up with peeps soon...
Wahoooooooo! Just had a call to say that my cousins wife Lynette is in labour!!!! Heheh our family is going bonkers! They're all hoping that I'll do the same, today, so that we can be in hospital together :) The plans for a HUGE family party are already underway *massive grin*. Soon there'll be 3 more for the family tribe :) My Nan will soon have 14 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren...no wonder she's excited!
Lots of luck and love to Lynette & Ady...keeping my fingers crossed that all goes smoothly :) *wipes a few tears away*
I thought I would make this 2 part update, getting the preggy stuff out of the way first and onto my plans for the weekend and other stuff!
After my 4 hours at the hospital, I was wiped out! I'd been up since 2am and so had to cancel my afternoon plans of seeing my brother. Any thoughts of sleep were wrecked by the BBC ringing Hubs, more about that later! In the evening Cally, Neil & Jess (the pup) came round. It was only going to be a fleeting visit, as Cally had managed to line us up a hairdresser who also popped in to just have a quick chat and to see what we wanted doing. I told her she can do what she likes with it! So, cut and colour, both unknown (anything will be an improvement) booked for Thursday *bliss*. We ended up chatting and having a good laugh till late. It was a really nice evening :)
Onward to Hubs bid for fame...
The Programme Director had decided in his infinite wisdom that I would be a health and safety liability and so I'm not now required at the audition. So, my having decided to make the sacrifice to miss the Finn show, it was no longer an issue *phew, rejoice*. But talk about throwing the cat among the pigeons!?!?! They then decided it would be better for Hubs to spend ALL of Saturday in London *ahem* Excuse me???...and if I'm in Oxford and go into labour Hubs would miss the birth!
Understandably, I was feeling rather upset by this, so I told him that the decision was his to make and resigned myself to having to make arrangements for a different birthing-partner 'just incase'. HOWEVER after a chat with my totally superstar friend J *beams* (Where would I be without you?), our problems were solved! J offered for me to spend the day with her in London...YEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA and it's close enough for me to jump into a taxi and get to the hospital which happens to be 2mins from BBC house!
On Saturday morning, I'll go to J's while Hubs will go for his voice training sesh and first audition. If he passes that, he then goes onto a second audition with 2 of the Judges from Fame Academy. They rang again this morning to ask if he wanted to bring someone else with him for moral support, so he's taking his brother *Oh dear, the Chuckle Brothers on the BBC :D*. Fingers crossed for Hubs, he is sooo excited and I am excited for him!
Then, on Sunday, it's time for a HUGE DOSE of FINN FANDOM! Picnic in Regent's Park, meeting up with some luverly peeps and then THE gig *droool*. Front row seats, how cool is that! Again, all thanks to J *Sainthood is just around the corner girly* ;)
So, now the plans are all in place, I have to sort out my paper plane designs and try to find something 'suitable' to wear, decide on picnic grub, work out hospital routes etc etc.
...of course there is always the chance that I will have another even more exciting event to deal with...who knows? Anything Can Happen *wink, wink*.
Yesterday was CHAOS! With help from Hubs I managed to wash my hair in the sink and get all defuzzed, nails done and generally spruced up ready for my hospital appointment. The 'Chuckle Brothers' managed to sucessfully get me in the car and get me out again in one piece ;)
Appointment 1 was for my scan at 10.15. This went really really well :) I can't believe how well the twins are doing, they already weigh about 6lb 3 & 6lb 5 (which was Ethan's birthweight at full term), little porkers heh!
Next it was down to clinic. I will spare the very unladylike details of the 'queue to pee' incident, but suffice to say the new invention that enable's ladies to stand up while they pee is very amusing indeed, as for 'weigh and display'...I am still in blissful ignorance as to my current weight ;) Unfortunately we were then kept waiting to see the Consultant and during this time my legs and feet were swelling up alarmingly again *rolls eyes*.
We eventually got to see 'The Prof', who was, for once, quite sympathetic to my ongoing discomfort and pain, and at last i have a prescription for some pain relief. The feed back from him was amazingly positive AND I was given the go ahead for the weekend. All of my test results have been so good, along with my 'normal' b/p, so they're now going to let my midwife take over and no more clinic...unless of course I happen to get to 39 weeks without giving birth. After seeing 'The Prof', I got to see another Consultant, who I assume deals with the 'birth' side of things, unfortunately his office was right over the other side of the department, so I had an embaressing few minutes while Hubby took the mickey while I tried to keep up on crutches, anyway, he was a very nice man and again I had lots of very positive feedback about the birth. I am AMAZED and sooooo happy about this after such rocky beginnings *beams*.
It's now just a case of waiting! Could be anytime :D
I've been up since 2am having fallen asleeps infront of the TV...actually we both did, and neither of us got to see the end of Waking The Dead grrr. TV at 2am is so 'h'educational' ;) I'm not sure that learning to order Black Pudding Tart in Spanish is going to get me too far, and do I really 'need' to know about the mating rituals of the Narwhol. I think I know the world news off by heart for the past 24 hours as I got stuck in the Sky News constant news loop! However, I reckon I'd make a great chat show host...move over Trisha and let the Debs loose, being paid to advise peeps about sex and stuff, what fun! I suppose that or being a politician...imagine the global chaos I could inflict!!!! MMMWWwuuuhaha
The reason I couldn't get back to sleep? Yesterday has left me with my head spinning! If there is a God up there, he's having a bloody good laugh at my expense!
I don't know if I'm over excited, over tired or over sexed (sex? it would be more like sumo wrestling...kinky) :D but, I'm definately over something... "shut up girl and get to the point"
I had a call yesterday morning from the Researcher at the BBC for the Can't Sing, Singers programme. I was slightly thrown off course when it was actually 'me' she wanted to talk to and not Hubs. She said "You're expecting twins", "Err yes" I said blah blah, a few funny quips thrown in by me about the fact that Hubs wants to duet with Kylie for the Christmas No 1, and I'm sure she thinks I'm bonkers...anyway, basically, after explaining that they are due any day now and that I look like an incapacitated Sumo Double, she wants us to BOTH attend the audition/filming...wait for it...THIS WEEKEND! Well, bloody hell, I nearly fell off my chair! Of course I have a brainwave and say that I'm in London on Sunday anyway, so we could pop by, before I get my Finn fix (hurriedly adding that they were in Crowded House, just to make sure she knew who I was talking about). Err but unfortunately, they want us there all day, infact could we stay in London for the weekend?
Talk about throwing a spanner in the works! Here is my VERY HUGE DILEMMA! This is my Hubby's dream. He has always wanted to be on stage, a born show off, loves making peeps laugh and being entertaining. But how can I possibly miss the chance to go to the Fan Club Gig? I've waited 'years' for this! I don't know WHAT to do? I can't possibly go to the gig without him, incase I go into labour...can I? It would be too much to put onto my luverly friend J to have the responsibility of me 'alone' and 'imminent' as well as needing to be pushed around in a wheelchair, and what if I went into labour? I'd mess it up for other peeps! AAAARGHHHHH sings "I just don't know what to dooo with myself, just don't know what to dooo with myself" tralalla. I really have NO wish WHATSOEVER to be on TV (unless of course it's to take over from Trisha...wrong station), but shouldn't I be really unselfish and allow Hubs his chance of fame for 15 minutes?
I can't help but reflect back to the beginning of this pregnancy where I came up with my perfick birth plan. Picture the scene...Birthing Pool in my living room, all my frenz there with glasses of good red wine, candles and incense and the Finn Brothers playing live in the corner, while I give Birth quietly, godesslike and serene and then hold baby aloft like that scene from the Lion King...this was totally scuppered by my expecting twins! Now I have a deep fear that these nutty thoughts are going to come back and haunt me, and I'll give birth in the fountain in Regent's Park during the pre-gig picnic while the Finns do their soundcheck in the background!
Will I get on the New Years honors list if I give in? Will I be Sainted? Yes, it would be appreciated, but no doubt soon forgotten...what's that lyric from Neil Finn urmm something about 'kindness that leaves you without debt?' I don't think I can be that 'nice' and unselfish or can I? *frowns*.
Another problem is that I'm under a specialist unit at the hospital, and I can see that my Consultant is going to be far from amused that I am being so laid back this late in my pregancy, especially as I'm supposed to be resting up (I can rest in my wheelchair). Then there's the issue of my hair, hamster cheeks and elephant legs, I can't possibly go on TV looking like this!?!?!?!
Ok *calms, and remembers to breath*. I guess it all hinges on what the Consultant says today. I wouldn't entertain the idea of going at all if this could in any way endanger the babies, but if there's a way of getting to London on Sunday, what do I do (bearing in mind I am very unconventional at the best of times and a bit of a rebel)?
Love, peace, Gaviscon and pelvic floor exercises
Debs xxxxx :shock:
Nearly there update...piccies, temporary disabledness and a good weekend
HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY TO MY YOUNGEST SPROGLET ETHAN!!!!
I am still here at 36 weeks resembling a female sumo wrestler a little more each day ;)
It's been a tough couple of weeks. I had to give in and call out a midwife last week, due to my becoming immobile due to pain. The final straw was when Hubs found me at the bottom of the stairs, a blubbing wreck as I could no longer get upstairs on all 4's and my legs and ankles swollen to twice their normal size. The concern being that due to my previous problems with preeclampsia during my first pregnancy that it had re-occured.
All the basic checks showed that this was not the case, and I felt an immense relief, however the immobility is due to SPD (basically oversoftening of the pelvis). My attempts to grin and bear it probably caused more harm than good *let that be a lesson to you Debs*. I was told I would need physio ASAP, luckily for me they had a cancellation on Thursday afternoon.
So, I am now getting about on crutches and awaiting a wheelchair. My bed has been moved downstairs into the living room and I'm banned from going upstairs at all :evil: I can't get to the bath/shower/wardrobe, so have had to resort to using the washing-up bowl to get washed and give Hubs my clothes order the night before. I'm surviving on 4 hours sleep a night, if I'm lucky, due to having to sleep upright ,and I'm living on a diet of marmite on toast and iced lollies :D This is likely to last for a while after the birth, so I am having to plan very carefullly how I will cope with twin babies and not being able to get about properly.
I just had a marvellous weekend after a bad attack of the grumps and p'd offness/cabin fever. I gave myself a good talking to, as things could be a lot worse. As long as these babies are ok, this is all just a case of adapting to a new set of circumstances temporarily. I have too much to look forward to, to give in to grumpiness! The support I have received from family and friends has been fab. Straight away I had offers of help from my Gran, Mum and my luverly friend Lisa, and J & D offered to come and cheer me up on Saturday afternoon as Hubs was working.
J & D arrived bearing a 'Belly Survival Kit', which was a bootiful bunch of Lillies, chocolate *slurp*, facial treat and some good reads. The pushchair and travel cot got delivered, so with much merriment J set about 'constructing' them, I'd forgotten how much space we will need for all the baby bits and bobs! D decided to practise his skills with his new camera and took some very amusing shots of myself and the belly and I just waddled about and had a giggle. It really took my mind off things :)
Yesterday, we decided to suprise youngest sproglet for his 10th Birthday (which is today). We set off early down to the South Coast (having wedged me into the front seat and making a note of where hospitals were on the way) with 2 of Ethan's friends. The weather was STUNNING! Ethan was sooo suprised to see us all :) The boys all went for a swim in the sea, while Mum and Allen set me up on the sun terrace with a nice comfy lounger and a glass of red wine *bliss*. The neighbours kids came and joined us for a BBQ in the afternoon, and we let Ethan open his pressies. I ate far too much, and reckon I doubled my belly size with strawberries and cream, and birthday cake. I'm so glad that Ethan had a nice time, as I feel terribly guilty not being with him today.
This week is going to be 'interesting', a twin pregnancy is considered full-term at 37 weeks, so, we're expecting them 'any day now' eeek. I have a clinic appointment tomorrow with my Consultant (more fun and games involving wheelchairs) so hopefully he will give me an idea on when I will be induced should I reach 38 weeks. I also need to sound him out about my trip to London on Sunday *fingers crossed*...yes I am NUTS!
I will leave you with these piccies of the ever expanding bod from last week and a link to the one's D took on Saturday... from semi-normal to sumo in one week :twisted:
I feel like CRAP! It's been an up n downy few days. I'm suffering big time with severe pelvic pain and struggling to walk at all now. For the past two nights I have woken up in agony, feeling like someone had run a hot blade across the bottom of my stomach and on top of this I have caught hubby's cold *atchooooeeee*, if things get any worse I am going to have to give in and call the midwife :(
Monday
I had a check up with the midwife which went well. Twin 1's head is in the pelvis and Twin 2 is still head down, so there is a good chance of a normal delivery :) My b/p is down *amazing*. I was offered physio for the pelvic pain, but declined as I really can't face trying to get to any more appointments (I didn't know then, that it would get worse)! She thinks I will probably have the twins in the next fortnight *eeeeekkkk*. My midwife is totally lovely by the way, she always compliments me on my looking glam *laughs* and on my neat, stretchmark free, belly. It's a small thing, but much appreciated when you're feeling the way I do at the moment! Later in the day, my old hairdresser knocked at the door to say hi, I haven't seen her since last year and when she left I had a lump in my throat as again she was very kind and said some nice things *grin*.
I had a call from Fi's Mum and sister Kate to thank me for the flowers and letter :) The day after social services took Joshua away, it went to court and social services were made to eat humble pie *raises an eyebrow*...at least justice was done. Sadly Joshua was taken back into hospital as he was loosing weight, but Kate is back home now with her Mum and visiting him everyday and they will soon be reunited properly at a private hospital in London. So, fingers crossed for the pair of them :)
Tuesday
We decided to do a mad dash down to my Mum's to deposit the Sproglets until the twins are born. They will have a much better time there, and be less bored. I struggled with my concience on this one as I'd had idea's of spending 'quality time' with them before we double our numbers in the Sproglet stakes, but I couldn't cope with their friends in and out all day and dealing with their strops! As it's turned out it definately was the right decision *phew*.
Wednesday
Hubs decided to come down with a cold *rolls eyes*...of course he called it flu and took to his bed, but soon brightened up when he got the phone call from the BBC (see previous entry). It's looking very likely that they will have him on the show. He has an audition in August and then if he gets on, will spend 2 evenings a week in London having his voice trained. The show goes out at Christmas I think. This weekend I have to put up with him doing his two taped entrys ARGHHHHH *reaches for the earplugs*!
Yelli (from the Museum) came and spent the evening with me :) It was really nice to see her as always and talk about life outside of these four walls. We had a lovely catch-up, hearing about all the goss from the Museum. It seems the Director got his £15 million from the lottery fund and it's being topped up by Lord Sainsbury, so the Ashmo will get it's facelift British Museum stylie. I was quite sceptical about it being 'modernised', seeing as it's Europe's oldest public Museum, and thought they would ruin it, but having been to the BM, and seen the modernisation there, I am now a convert! I was sent a bag of fruit from my lovely Phillipino friend Lillian and some beautiful outfits for the babes from Yelli and Paul and lots of messages from members of staff. I promised to visit once I can figure out how to get into town with a twin buggy ;)
Thursday
Awful day :(
It was our 15th Wedding Anniversary, and I'd been looking forward to it for months. It wasn't that we were going to do anything special, it was the sentiment behind it. After the rocky time we'd had for a couple of years, there were times when I really didn't think we would make 15 years. I put my heart into the wording of the card I brought for Hubs, and even shuffled my way (in pain) to the shops to buy one, as well as letting him choose a silver ring and organising a double celebration meal out with my Dad and Brother. It of course all went 'tits up' (to put it politely) :( I got up extra early to make Hubs a cup of coffee in bed, and found him downstairs hurriedly writing a card. Hubs then came home from work early with his cold and spent the entire day in bed. The meal was cancelled. There were no suprises, no heart felt words, no nothing. I spent the day sobbing, feeling unloved and utterly fed up. I couldn't look at him or talk to him all day and night as it just broke my heart :(
Too much time alone then made me think too hard about things, and I started to feel all insecure about other things. I don't know why, but it made me feel that I try too hard sometimes. I put myself out to make people feel special by throwing party's or organising fun things and I guess it hit home that some peeps take it for granted and will never reciprocate or appreciate the gesture. I suppose I am heading for another big disappointment with the Finn gig too. I get so excited about these things, and was so looking forward to not only seeing the Finn Brothers but also getting to meet up with some of my favourite peeps (although I get the distinct feeling that one or two will be relieved if I don't go). Like our Anniversary, I have waited years for this! Ho hum, that's life I suppose!
Friday
After a bloody awful night, waking in agony and very little sleep I decided to leave Thursday where it lay and not dwell on it a moment longer. Hubs had another day off work with his cold, but bucked up by the afternoon and at last started getting the bedroom ready for the twinnies. I had a productive day sorting through all of my bits n bobs and having a theraputic clear out. I feel I'm finally getting somewhere!
So, that was my week! Hopefully the weekend will be better and I can finally get the twins things ready and set up in my bedroom so that I can have some peace of mind and 'rest up' as the Midwife ordered.
Uhmmm very scarey, Hubby is at this moment on the phone to the researcher at BBC1! Uh oh! They want him to go to the audition for 'Can't Sing, Singers' (the next Pop Idol lmao)...she's interviewing him as we speak and I am totally winding him up *evil grin*. This is HYSTERICAL! He just described himself as stunning looking...I shouted out he's George Clooney's double *NOT* :D Watch this space ;)
Where to start? It's been a busy ole time on the friends and frenz front :)
I've had a few suprise visitors and calls from peeps I haven't been in contact with for a while. The funniest of these was my friend Kaz who actually lives just round the corner turning up on my doorstep with her grand-daughter Ellie (you can tell you're getting old when your friends have grand-children *giggles*). Kaz and I have been good buddy's for about 5 years now, and used to see each other every day, but with my not doing the daily school run since last September and Kaz now working full-time, we seem to have kept missing each other. She didn't know about the twins until last week, so she got a bit of a shock :D We had a really good catch up and chinwag, both of our lives having changed very drastically over the past 9 months. Kaz had become a grand-mother for a second time that morning, her sons girlfriend had had a stomach ache at 9am, had baby by 11am and was home by 2pm...I can only hope I am going to be so lucky!
I also had a visit from Lisa this week *it was good to catch up girly*, and my cuz Nikki and catch-up phone calls from Yelli and Elena updating me on life from the Museum, Ami-sis catching up on all her exciting future plans, and Charm-sis who had me in hysterics as normal *grin*. She has given up her job as a Midwifery Nurse and become an Undertaker! Now I know why we get on ;) Lastly I also had some bad news from my friend Fi which I will go into later.
My brother rang with great news, to tell me he has actually got a job!!!!!!! I am sooooooooo pleased for him! Hopefully this will be a turning point for him as he left school 3 years ago, before taking his exams and hasn't had more than 3 months employment since and had lost his confidence. I'm hoping we'll all go out and have a double celebration next week on our Anniversary...there is a bottle of champagne just waiting for such an occasion ;0)
Then I had some sad news. My friend Fi is an old school friend, and we've always kept in touch, even when she spent 10 years in the US. For those that have read my diary entry's on the old site you might remember that Fi moved back to the UK with her fiance Dave. I was witness at her wedding here in the UK last year, along with her sister Kate. Kate was also at the same school, but 2 years younger.
When Fi was living in the US Kate was diagnosed as having Schizophrenia and had a very, very bad time for many years. Finally, over the past 2 years Kate has had her illness managed with medication and proper care and turned her life around. She's a lovely girl and she's kept in touch since the wedding. When I announced I was expecting, it turned out Kate was expecting too. On Tuesday last week I had a call from Fi to say that Kate had had a beautiful baby boy 'Joshua' and I was overjoyed for her.
On Thursday I had a call from a totally distraught Fi to say that Social Services had just come in and taken Joshua away :( This was TOTALLY unjust, the baby was NOT in any way at risk. Fi's mother had been appointed legal guardian if Kate gave birth prematurely, until such a time that Kate went into the special Mother and Child Unit. They have just taken away her basic human right's as a mother and taken a baby away from it's mother when the bonding process is at its most important and to make matters worse, rather than place the baby temporarily with his grand-mother they've put him in to foster care. Fi asked me to go and visit Kate, but I declined, as I think under the circumstances it would just distress her even more, and too be brutally honest I too would find it too overwhelming. I am heartbroken for them, I really am :(
So, there we have it, for now, that's my friendly update...tomorrow it's stuff and nonsense catch-up ;)
I thought I would try a proper update, my brain just doesn't want to concentrate for long at the moment ;) But, seeing as it's 1.07 am and everyone else is asleeps I thought I would do my twinny update now, which will be lengthy as it's for my pg diary and do the 'what else has been going on lately' bit tomorrow ;)
Last week I had my 32 weeks check-up with the Consultant, and my first 'normal' clinic appointment...this is the one I 'dread'!
It all started at 8.30am with me trying to waddle my way across to the hospital, yes, even though I live next-door to it, it still felt like a 10 mile hike! I had only had one cup of tea and was half asleep, hungry and had an empty bladder.
Item 1 on the agenda, Wee sample...great (emphasis on sarcasm here)! No way was my bladder going to cooperate! I could hear a group of similarly pg women all stood outside my cubicle saying how they were desperate for the loo, that's it, my bladder froze totally...lady in the next cubicle sounded like she was managing a pee that sounded like Niagra Falls. I tried turning on the tap, thinking of rivers and allsorts, and eventually managed to squeeze out a few drops. I came out red faced and wishing that I was somewhere else, faced with a room full of women who could all see my pitiful attempt of a pee sample!
Then onto the next humiliation...weigh and display. I made a comment about the scales groaning and was muchos relieved when the results showed up in kilograms...I still work in stones, so I am still blissfully unaware of how much I weigh *evil grin*. Next, b/p, always a bone of contention seeing as I've been labelled as having a hypertensive pregnancy, it's hardly suprising if my b/p shoots up when I go to clinic *rolls eyes*, fortunately there were no gasps of horror like I've come to expect. Then onward again ready for the blood-letting-lady queue...sadly there wasn't one! I even tried to persuade the girl that came in after me that she could go first, she declined, so I gritted my teeth, rolled up my sleeve, winced and was out again within 2 minutes. In those 2 minutes Hubs of course had managed to recount the tale of my passing out at a previous blood test to the entire waiting room Grrrr! Oh please, just pile on the humiliation!
I finally got to see the Prof, who as normal, managed to make me feel stupid. I have utter respect for the man, but, he has a tendency to talk to you like you're a naughty child *raises an eyebrow*. He was very pleased with the progress the twins are making and expects me to go to 38 weeks not 37 (Cinderella you SHALL go to the Regent's Park gig). Prof was none to amused that I had a scan booked with a different department (not my doing, it was the hospital that arranged it). This has been the case right the way through this pg, none of the different departments communicating and me ending up in the middle not knowing who is in charge of what! The midwife telling me that the surgery can't monitor my pg, the Prof insisting they can blah etc zzzzzzzz. Anyway, the upshot was that I then had to wait around for my scan and was told to return to the clinic again afterwards to see the other Consultant *rolls eyes*.
Prof decided to write a note to the scan department giving a list of 'extra's' he wanted looking at. I was quietly quite pleased as I love the scan, the longer I could gaze at those two fidgety little beings the better :) I'd been having nightmare thoughts that something was wrong with Twin 1 for the past 2 weeks, as I'd wrongly assumed that they were still breech and transverse and thought I could only feel number 2 kicking. It was great news to hear that what I had mistaken for a head sticking out from under my ribcage, was infact a bottom, and that both have moved into head down position *phew*. They look so cute, head to head, facing each other...urr and most likely punching and kicking each other too ;) They were on the correct centiles for growth as for singleton babes, which gave them each an est. weight of just over 4lb each, which was fab to hear :) Then it was the quest for finding out the sex of Twin 2 and I am very happy to say, that it is 'definately' a girl, she wasn't being coy this time, and we were able to clearly see both of them. I would have been just as happy if they'd told me it was 'definately' a boy to be honest, it was just the daft thing of having enough baby boy clothes to cloth quads and no pink ;) Mission accomplished on Level 2, it was back down to clinic to see the other Consultant, who confirmed that all was going really well, and, at last, at 1.30 in the afternoon my appointment was over!
On Monday I get to visit the Midwife for my 34 week check, and I've decided that I will, afterall, bring up the matter of the severe back ache and pelvic pain as it's now getting unbearable. I tend to concentrate on the twins wellbeing at these appointments, and don't mention the discomfort of all the minor niggles, such as cramp, heartburn and general aches and pains, but I have now reached a stage where I am only comfortable in horizontal position and the simplest of tasks is painful and I still have to get my bedroom decorated and ready and reorganise the guest room and nursery blah blah blah!
Ok, that's enough waffling on, it's taken an hour and I'm beginning to see double lol!
It's 1.06 am and I'm awake due to overdosing on caffine having run out of decaff!
I thought I'd pop in and offload a few thoughts!
1. I have a sneaking suspicion that twin 2 is going to be hyperactive, it's such a figet! Twin 1 worries me as I can't feel him as twin 2 is lying over the top. I am really impatient for Tuesdays scan.
2. I did something daft today (for a change). I LOVE putting together flat pack furniture and after purchasing a nice unit for the twinnies clothes thought I would spend today assembling it. There were 6 slatted shelves that had to be put together with 3 different sized screws...it wasn't until I ran out on shelf 5 that I realised I'd used the wrong screws oooooooops! So, tomorrow while Hubs is at work I have to unscrew them all so that he doesn't find out, as I'm always telling him off for not reading instructions properly! Errr and I will have muscles in one arm to rival Arnie due to having lost my ratchet screwdriver and having to do them all up manually :evil:
3. I am totally fed up with back ache, pelvic pain and heartburn :evil:
4. Errrrr I really should go to sleep!
Love n peace,
Debs xxxxx :shock:
Nutty waffle...actually this was yesterdays and I forgot to post it!
Urrrr I'm having real problems with my memory! I've lost count of the amount of times I've waddled my way upstairs to do something and forgotten by the time I've got to the top. I've also made a cup of tea without the teabag and most heinous of crimes I remembered Father's Day for Hubs, but forgot my Dad, Step-Dad and Dad in-law OOOOOOOOOOPS, I'm soooo embaressed...so just incase I don't retrieve my brain cells after this pregnancy, I'm wishing you all a very Happy Birthday, Christmas and Easter in advance!
I've discovered a new talent, to go along with tying cherry stalks with my tongue, I can now add that I can wedge a bottle or glass inbetween my boobs and balance it on twin 2's head, and if I sit down I can actually tip it up and drink it without using my hands...yes, you guessed it, I have too much time on my hands again (cross stitch is far to mumsy)!
I'm in waffle mode because I'm waiting for the water to heat up so I can have a bath to ease my poor aching back. I dropped Gorgeous George Clooney a line requesting his presence for a back rub, but alas he hasn't arrived *sniff*, which is probably a good thing really as I am totally hormonally driven at the moment and as much as Hubs is rather enjoying this, I think I've worn the poor man out and I really wouldn't want to wear out George while he's filming!
By my calculations, if I'm to make the Regent's Park picnic & gig, I will have to start putting my induction plan into action at the end of July. The local curry house will be inudated with orders for Vindaloo's and Hubby will be encouraged to drink lots of red bull to keep his energy levels up. If anyone has any other suggestions on how I can encourage the twinnies to come out to order, they will be greatfully received...prize for the winner!
What other nuttyness is going through my brain today? My plans for a 'Socks Reunited' website. I have sucessfully reunited 14 pairs this week and only have 48 singles left. I did wonder about using the remaining socks to make Neil and Tim glove puppets? Where on earth do odd socks go too???? Lastly (as the water should be hot now), I would like to report that at least 3 of the kids tadpoles are now rumoured to have back legs...only another 100 or so to go!
So, there we go, waffleymad woman signing off...
love, peace n nuttyness
Debs xxxxxxxx
Hmm and I really must get my 'In Labour' CD compilation made!
I keep starting to waffle, but am so easily distracted at the moment, my brain is in another zone! It's been a very eventful time with lots and lots happening, most of which I have probably forgotten already due to brain cell shortage (pregnancy really does make me more forgetful...suprising, but true).
I suppose I should start with last week...urmmmmmm
Wednesday was Lisa's Birthday, unfortunately I wasn't able to see her, so I decided to suprise her by sending Hubs to her work with a bouquet of flowers. The poor girly was in a meeting and apparently went very red *sorry Lise*. I was amused to hear that the girls in her office thought that Hubs was her Dad (after he was mistaken for the sproglets grandad earlier in the week, my Dad and his mothers husband...it was the beard that did it, fortunately now removed).
Most of the rest of the week was taken up with decorating and getting the boys room habitable again, mission accomplished...well nearly! I worked my little sox off and struggled my way through the week due to lack of sleep as the twins are kicking 24/7 and I can't get comfy. I managed to fit in a tiddly bit of retail therapy with my lottery win and brought some more essentials for the babes. I felt a right plank when we got to the shops though, as I suddenly burst into tears as Hubs and I were discussing how different it will be if one twin IS a girl. Mum and Allen arrived on Saturday armed with all the baby clothes that I supersticiously stored at their house for the past 6 months. It was lovely to go through them all, especially Sam's premmie clothes, they're sooooo tiny, it brought back lots of memories of the boys when they were ickle and helpless.
I was supposed to hit the town with the girls to celebrate Lisa's b'day on Saturday night, but due to a misunderstanding between Hubs and I, I ended up not going *sniff*, but ended up chatting to Mum and sharing a couple of glasses of wine until late, it was good to spend some time with her and catch up on family stuff.
Sunday.
Sunday was my lovely friend Jen's 30th Birthday party down in Sussex.
The day started in total chaos with 6 of us all trying to get into the bathroom and get ready. We'd been emailed an alternative route which should have been easier (Goodwood races, so traffic was bound to be slow), unfortunately the printer refused to print and so Hubs jotted bits down on a piece of paper. Firstly we got stuck in horrendous traffic on the way into London, and then we got lost in Guildford, by this time I was getting totally fraught. Things were made worse by some plankton driving at full speed towards us and making Hubs swerve to miss him,unfortunately it caused the seatbelt to burn my twin belly and frightened me big time...so I burst into tears *rolls eyes*. In the end Hubs gave in and brought a map...the journey was plain sailing after that with me navigating. This happens everytime we go somewhere, I've lost count of how many maps we've brought :D
We arrived at Jen's Mum's beautiful cottage about 2 hours late *ooops*. For some weird reason I'd had a thought that there might have been another suprise in store for Jen,and as I walked into the house, there was Jen surrounded by peeps,and straight away I spotted a beautiful sparkly ring on her engagement finger! Of course that was it, in my overly emotional state, as soon as she spotted me I burst into tears in full view of everyone *plank*, I felt such a numbnutz! I couldn't stop...sorry Jen ;) The party was lovely, the weather was perfick, the food totally scrummy (I wont divulge how many different deserts I had *evil grin* and it was nice to meet peeps I had heard about and be able to put faces to names.We left late afternoon and got stuck in more traffic taking the usual route through Newbury grrrr.
We got home at 8ish by which time I was exhausted! I had a quick rest and cuppa and then Hubs drove me to Party Number 2, which was a family get together for my Aunts 50th Birthday. By the time I got there plenty of wine had been consumed and everyone was in a very merry mood and being rather naughty *grins*. It was great to see that my Dad and brother had turned up too, a rare occurence seeing both my parents in the same room! I came to the conclusion though that my entire family are bonkers!
So, it was a totally fab weekend spent with very special people. Yet again I find myself counting my blessings, I'm a very lucky girl :)
It's been a while, and I've got soooo much to waffle about!
1. Twinnies
We reached the 28 week point a couple of weeks ago, and had another scan and check up. Both babe's are doing really well! I've been advised that it's unlikely that I'll go full term (37 wks with twins) as they are both rather large... which explains the torpedo belly :) Twin 1 is breech and Twin 2 is Transverse, but there is still time for that to change. Twin 2 refused to help us solve the mystery of what sex it is by crossing it's legs and sticking the placenta between them, we did however get a very good view of 'it's' buttocks...warped humour like 'it's' mum already :twisted: I'm just keeping my fingers, toes and legs crossed that I can make it to at least 34 weeks, delivery day is scarily/excitingly close for comfort!
Finn stuff
After being totally overjoyed at having such fab tix for 3 gigs (one of which is the day after they twins are due oooops). This weekend has been spent in utter Finn happiness! my lovely friend Jen came to stay on Friday, we listened to the new Tour EP and I have to be honest and say that 'Everyone I Love Is Here - I Wont Give In' was enough to give me goosebumps and reduce both of us girly's to tears. It's beautiful, and lyrically perfick for delivery suite wahooooo! Jen and I spent most of today being very creative and plotting & scheming for the Frenz of the Enz picnic :twisted: I just hope I can be there...I guess it'd be just TOO perfect!
Rest of the weekend
Yesterday after eating chocolate *slurp* and listening to Finn Brothers, J & I popped into town. I did struggle rather, with walking, and realise now I have limits. I managed to buy 2 maternity tops (I was down to one outfit that fits)...sadly noone seems to make them to cover twin bellies grrrrrrr :evil: so, I have to wear things with a bit of nekkid belly flesh showing, I just hope I don't scare anyone! :shock:
To top a perfick few days Hubs just called me into the TV room to tell me I got 4 balls on the Lottery YEEEHAAAA...it's not a fortune, but it means I can go and buy a few necessities for the babies...more shopping eeeeek!
*Jumps up n down. Slaps self in face with belly, and makes babies feel sea sick, followed by a few victory laps of the study* If you hadn't guessed from that, I am totally ECSTATIC!
THE TICKETS ARE BOOKED!!! Debs is taking in 3 concerts of pure Finnful bliss wahoooooooeeeeeeeee AND I CAN'T WAIT!!!!
I'm so happy, that when Hubs spilt half a tub of emulsion paint on the kids bedroom carpet this morning I just said "Ah well, never mind" heheheh nothing can dampen my mood this morning! :twisted:
Love,peace and the Finn Brothers,
Debs xxxxxx
PS I missed another thingy off of my list the other day...England v France on Sunday WOOOPEEEEEEE (I have a very fetching hat and flag in readiness and I'm going to squeeze the belly into one of Hubs footy shirts...goes off doing C'mon England chant)
Why do I scream for pleasure? Dates edited for Jen ;)
I'm going utterly insane! Why do I scream for pleasure? (lyric pinched from Crowded House) The Finn Brother's have at last announced their UK tour dates AND not only is there a one off Club members only gig (front row seats :twisted: ) but they are playing my home town!!!! How happy am I? What a year this is turning out to be!!!
1. VERY IMPORTANT!!! June 26 out for Lisa's b'day drink June 27 JEN'S 30TH BIRTHDAY PARTAY in Sussex ;) ;) ;)....hehehe THIRTY JEN? HAH! and a bit later in the evening Aunts 50th B'day Party back in Oxford! Phew...Debs Party Animal officially coming out of retirement for the weekend ;) 2. July 22nd Our 15th Wedding Anniversary 3. Sometime in July/Aug (of greatest importance or else I will pop) I will give birth to the twinnlets *huge Debs type grin* 4. Aug (If I'm not in hospital) Club gig 5. Oct Ami's wedding 6. Oct Finn Brother's in Oxford AND 'Debs House is Crowded' Party 7. Nov Finn Brother's in London
Mornin' Waffle *haha boing* I think someone must have slipped me some caffine ;)
I'm a woman on a mission this morning! I've got some good and funky music on the stereo to match my mood Franz Ferdinand (ta for the tip-off Jen) and Blondie and plans galore.
Yesterday was good and productive. I poly-filled the walls and woodstained the bunk bed *groovy*. I got a bit irrate when I realised that there's no way I'm going to get away with painting straight onto the walls, so next week I suppose I'll be up & down ladders afterall with lining paper...Hubs doesn't 'do' papering. This room seems to be taking forever!
I'm trying very hard not to get annoyed about the fact that the Nursery certainly wont be done before the twinnies arrive as we have to have heating pipes and a radiator installed, which unfortunately means having to take up the laminate flooring and floorboards and that will take ages grrrrrr! However, apparently, our long list of 'things that need doing' is in hand and being looked into. If I get fobbed off with wait until next April once more, I am going to have to take to using the online voodoo doll (which I haven't used for ages...pregnancy seems to, for some unexplicable reason, calm me) and inflicting virtual pain on the man's tenderest bodyparts *evil grin*!!!
I received a very amusing email yesterday from a friend who is trying hard to force me out of my artistic block that I've had for the past 5 years. I just can't put pencil to paper, so she's come up with a 'cunning plan' to force me into action, I now have to fill in this grid thingy for every day of June with a drawing a day *looks nervous* otherwise she will kick my backside...hard! I thought of calling this piece of art 'Telepathy', I'll send her the page at the end of June and she'll have to guess what I was 'thinking' of drawing *cheeky grin*...maybe not, she'll hit me!
Awwwwwww (quick interjection) Merlin's just come in again! That's everyday this week, I reckon his other 'host family' must have gone on holiday!
Well, Debs is now on a mission to go and do coat number 2 on the bunkbed.
Boy am I pooped, need to sit down! I feel like I'm about to explode...surely my belly can't get much bigger or heavier?!?!?! Yesterday evening Hubs and I went into a momentary panic, as just as I stood up, I had a Braxton Hicks, this combined with the fact that at least one twinny is very low down in my pelvis made me think that I was going to drop them both out there and then! It was quite amusing looking back on it *evil grin* Hubs face was a picture!
I'm in full creative flow at the moment, I have at last got around to sticking some of my CD coasters up on the study wall...very funky ;) Hubs did the sanding down yesterday. I can't find a breathing mask anywhere, what a shame (I HATE sanding *grin*)! I'm a bit warey about inhaling lead based paint content (being a v.old wreck of a house) with more layers of gloss paint on the woodwork than there are pages in the phone book! Today's creativity has also involved me being incredibly organised for a change...dinner is already prepared - tuna pasta salad and a yummy fruit salad for afters, healthy eh!?!
Merlin popped in to see me again today *huge grin*, I don't know how I mananged to reisist the urge to introduce him to the inlaws Cockatiel! The occasional wolfwhistle and one verse of pop goes the weasel is amusing, after 4 hours I really want to throttle it!
I just had a call from a friend offering babysitting duties and also offering to have the boys overnight if I get stuck during the Finn tour wahoooooooooooo! I told her she is up for sainthood!
I'm missing Hubs lots today, can't wait till he gets home, I need lots of hugs at the moment. Only an hour to go...
Love n peace
Debs xxxxxxx
Monumental waffle! Child free,poor bunnies,Frenz and dead sweetpea's
I'm operating on a single braincell this morning, clutching a large bucket of tea, scarey haired and not quite 'up' yet* Maroon 5 loud on the stereo might help!
I am getting so lazy at updating, from 'daily' waffle to 'when I feel like it' waffle *evil grin*. So, what have I been up to...
1. Debs house is a child-free zone for possibly the last time in a long time.
The kids went down to Mum's on Friday along with Mum's closest friends, their husband's and son, my Aunt, Uncle and Brother. It sounds like they all had the most fab bank-hol weekend :) My sproglets and our friends son got on really well and were having an excellent time on the beach, swimming and playing over at the cottage. I've managed to catch up with my sprogs on the phone briefly, they were both a bit upset as the very thriving rabbit community on the beach has been hit badly by Myxae (sp?) :( It sounds like it would be kinder if someone would come and cull the poorly one's as they are suffering and it is spreading very quickly :(
This is probably the last time in a long time that Hubs and I will be 'together alone', so we've been making the most of it *wink, wink*. Nicely luved up. Spending time snuggling up watching good films, eating good food, decorating and retail therapy :) I'll miss him when he goes back to work tomorrow...just don't tell him that I said that ;)
2. Catching up
It's been a good time, as always, for catching up with my nearest and dearest, and for making new friends too *big smiley*
Hubs had another card night, with a full house last week. Neil brought Cally along...and the pup. I personally think it was a cunning plan to prevent me from playing cards ;) It was really nice to have a proper chinwag with Cally, for someone so young, she's really got her head screwed on and was good company. The other's left at 10.30, but by then Cally and I were both firmly ensconced watching ER and refused to move until it had finished!
Dan popped in for coffee on his way to London (I can't remember which day that was), it was good to see him :) It'll be nice to catch up with other Frenz on the Finn tour, but by then hopefully I will have lost a couple of stone's and my 'torpedo' belly (Did someone say the word PARTY? *looks innocent*) ;) On Sunday Hubs and I decided to nip in and see Nita and Mark, as they commented, family peeps just don't seem to 'drop-in' anymore, I guess the family has fractured a little bit over the past few years as well as being ever expanding! Good catch up's with my closest friends has made this last week as ever another good one. Happy day's :)
3. Minor irrits
Being the airhead that I am, inspite of all my good intentions I've been a bit 'neglectful' of a couple of other friends... and my sweetpeas. All I can say is that it's a good job that my friends aren't dependant on me like my sweetpea's are! I put them outside to 'harden up' and forgot to plant them out ooops they are now deaded! *Mental note to check the tadpoles and answer emails today*
My cats are weirding me out! Finnley has actually moved from his spot on the top stair and only comes in very late at night for a bite to eat and then disappears again. I suspect he is out tarting it (I wont be at all suprised if there is an outbreak of black and white kittens in the locality soon). Merlin, who moved house last year has suddenly started coming back in. I have a suspicion that he is watching the house and waits for Finnley to leave for the day. Very odd and uncharacteristic behaviour from them both!
I'm babysitting the inlaws Cockatiel for 2 weeks, enuff said! *Evil Debs grin* Here kitty, kitty...
I'm battling against the odds to finish the sprogs bedroom! My tool kit has mysteriously vanished into that weird black hole that exists somewhere in the house (the same black hole that has left me with 48 odd socks, 3 teaspoons and 2 wine glasses).
My key essential maternity clothings no longer fit twin belly and I can't justify buying another set grrrrr!
Well, that's enough waffling for now, Hubs has just been out to borrow some power tools *evil grin* and they are beckoning! I apologise for taking up so much space and will try to do shorter wafflings in the future ;)
