Discharged

Jane, my midwife came today to discharge me. I'm going to miss her actually, as she has cared for me quite a bit over the last few years. I first met her in late Spring 2006 when I first fell pregnant, unfortunately that pregnancy ended in miscarriage, so I didn't really get to know her.

Then, when I fell pregnant with Jacob at the end of that year, she was extremely caring and sensitive when I went through lots of wobbles and worries about potentially having another miscarriage. Fortunately everything progressing normally and the pregnancy was relatively easy and we have Jacob.

This time I got to know her quite a bit better, probably because of our choice to have a home birth, I had a couple of extra appointments with her and we chatted about more than just my pregnancy over the last nine months. In fact the only time I didn't see her was during the birth, as she was on holiday! To have such a supportive midwife makes pregnancy and all its decisions much easier to deal with. Jane definitely helped me to remain cool, calm and collected all the way through. I felt much more in control of my pregnancy this time.

The team of community midwives in Chester are an extremely special group of women, they are completely on board with home birth as an option (assuming all is well in pregnancy and there were no complications in previous pregnancies). Even though I had not met any of the women who came to deliver Daniel, they made me feel like they'd been involved in my care personally all the way through my pregnancy.

So, now we are under the care of the Health Visitor. We met her at Jacob's one year check, she had just taken over from the previous health visitor and I was worried that she was a bit keen. However, she came to visit this week and I really like her. I found her really supportive and constructive, she also had some good suggestions with the feeding issues that I have had (Daniel is extremely hungry all the time).

Sunflowers

Well, I thought they would never flower! These are Jacobs sunflowers, he planted the seeds in the spring, then transferred them to our front garden and has taken his watering responsibilities very seriously

There is one left to flower, which is now taller than me, so hopefully that one will flower over the next week.

I hope they make you smile. They make me smile every time I go outside.

Home Birth II

So, this time last week I was well and truly in the swing of things. Labour, well it really hurts! It was completely different to my hospital labour experience, on the whole it was a much more relaxed and natural experience. It went much quicker and I managed the whole thing with just gas and air - although at one point I would've taken the drugs!

So, after 5 hours 50 mins (official time) Daniel George arrived on our living room floor, a lovely healthy weight of 7lbs 12oz. We sat on the floor together for a little bit and then we went upstairs to my own comfy bed in my lovely quiet house.

We had amazing midwives who were fully supportive of our home birth decision. I am very lucky to be a completely average pregnant lady, with completely average labours.

And, although he doesn't think he really did anything, I really couldn't have done it without Mike. He was once again an amazing support physically (I have bruised his leg) and emotionally. Thank you wonderful husband.

Well, a week on and I am still feeling a little uncomfortable and am just getting used to surviving on much less sleep than I would like. However, I am making the most of having this beautiful tiny baby, because, blink and he'll be all grown up!

Home Delivery

I have given birth :). Daniel George arrived on Thursday afternoon, weighing a healthy 7lb 12oz. As planned we had a home birth, which was amazing.

As it is only two days ago I have yet to load photos, however I shall try to do it in the next few days.

Norton Priory

This weekend just gone was the English Heritage Open Days across England. So, when we looked for something to do on Sunday Norton Priory came up as being open and free admission.

We went quite late in the afternoon and just had a potter around in the sunshine for an hour or so. I don't think we could quite believe how busy it was.

Overdue

Yeah, more opportunity to scrap in pink. I never thought I'd get to use this kit! I got Mike to take a few pictures so I think there may be a 12x12 layout that needs creating too.

Well, I am overdue now! My friend text me today to say I should try to hold out until 20.09.2009, as that would be the next cool date.

Ice- Cream Bribery

Last week Mike went to pick Jacob up from nursery. They were all playing outside in the cars and on the bikes. After watching him for ten minutes he was unable to coax out of the car he was whizzing round in. So he ended up dragging a kicking and screaming child away from nursery.

I went to pick Jacob up and didn't want to drag him home, so offered him chocolate ice-cream, worked an absolute treat. Bribery is ok sometimes.

Cheshire Ice-cream farm is defnitely one of our favourite places to visit. In addition to lots and lots of ice-cream, there are ducks, hens, rabbits, cows, sheep, pigs, goats and donkeys.

Afternoon Naps

The prompt today was all about re-learning something. However little did I expect to actually re-learn something.

Well, I learnt that I like afternoon naps too! I used to have afternoon naps when I was pregnant with Jacob. Also when he was new I would sleep when he slept. I think this is my favourite learning so far.This photo was taken after his nap. He loves climbing into our bed, so I got him to pretend to be asleep for my page today.

Due Date

So, once again it pretty much came and went (big sigh). I am now an overdue pregnant person again.

My prediction for giving birth is the 19th or 20th September, much to the amusement of my midwife. However, even she is coming around to my logic!

So, I'm afraid it is still a case of watch this space.

Family Time

Often I think that we need to have have plans to have special family time. I was reminded on Sunday afternoon that any time can be special when you are with your family, even just lounging around on the bed on Sunday afternoon.

I'm so glad I picked up my camera to take some pics. I've got enough for a 12x12 layout for my album. Don't I have two very cheeky boys. Say cheese!

Lazy Sunday Afternoons

We had such a funny half hour on Sunday afternoon after getting Jacob up from his nap. All three of us giggled away, so I picked up my camera for a few family snaps.

Baby Shower

Did you know that nappy cake is made out of actual nappies? Well, I didn't until I arrived at my baby shower to find my two tiered nappy cake pride of place in the middle of the table.My fabulous friends Luci and Abbie organised a baby shower for me. I was on strict instructions not to give birth before Saturday! Fortunately there was lots of scrummy cakes and scones to eat. There was also a hunt the parcel and a quiz. It was such lovely afternoon spent with fantastic friendsFor anyone who is interested in making one then there are loads of online tutorials.

Think Pink

Before I tell you the story, just a quick confession. I didn't use left overs today. As I rarely get to scrap in pink I made the most of it and picked a full sheet of paper and chopped it up. I loved scrapping in pink though, so I don't feel that guilty.

How much was I looking forward to going girl shopping. I never get to do anything pink, especially now Mike's god daughter is older. So off I went to Toys R Us all optimistic that I would find loads to pick from.

Well ten minutes into the trip I found it really isn't that easy buying for a two year old girl who you don't really know. I had all but given up and was about to go down the safe book option when I spotted this tea set. Hooray, hope she likes it. Not sure why but blogger decided the photo should be in landscape, however it is definitely a portrait shot, so apologies if you a get a crick in your neck!

Another thing I've learnt this week doing the project. Sketches rule, thanks Shimelle, I think they are the only way I've managed to stay on top of things

New Carpet

We had a new carpet fitted yesterday. The man in the shop told me the fitter would arrive some time after 12pm. So I waited in. And i waited, and i waited and i waited! He arrived about 4:40pm, however he was done and dusted in 15 minutes, quite impressive.

He said he still had two more jobs to do after our house.

Not a very pretty picture today I'm afraid!

Triangles

You wouldn't believe how many hours it has taken me to get to this stage! I'm not even half way through my stash of triangles.

I am really enjoying it though, I'm starting to think I won't be finished by the time our new baby arrives.

Not so grumpy Jacob!

I can honestly say that yesterday morning did not start well. I had had a terrible nights sleep and then I was awoken by a whinging two year old. Rubbish, today is going to be a long day.

However, I couldn't have been more wrong. Jacob's mood seemed to improve throughout the day, the morning was spent playing with soft stuff, squashing, rolling and cutting. I even managed to get some photos of him saying cheese and grinning at me. In the afternoon we went to Cheshire Farm for ice cream, it's never too cold or rainy to go for ice cream and to see the ducks!

I have to admit though, my determination to just use up bits and pieces on this project has been tested in this layout. Not my finest work, but I decided I would just do and see what happens. So please let me know what you think! As I said yesterday the photos will be attached when I have enough to print, but below is my pic for 02.09.09.

As I have to stay in today (we're having carpet fitted I shall be cracking on with my other crazy project my quilt, so if you're interested I'll pop some pictures on here later of any progress I make!

Today I learnt...

Well, despite Jacob's best efforts I'm still up-to-date! I've decided to print all my photos in 6x8cm on the printer so I'm going to wait until I have a full sheet of A4 before printing.

However, if you scroll down you can see the photo I took yesterday of my not quite flowered sunflowers. I'm still managing to just up leftover bits and pieces. Not sure where these buttons are from but I just had three.I should just point out, these aren't my sunflowers but Jacob's, he grew then from seed and has very much enjoyed watering them through the summer.A quick thanks to everyone who has been stopping by, I have loved receiving your warm and lovely and confidence boosting comments.

Learn Something New Every Day

Following the craziness of starting to make a quilt just days/weeks before I'm about to give birth I have now embarked on another craft project.

Learn Something New Every Day is a September project where I should be able to produce a mini-book of things I have learnt/observed through the month of September. In my defence, I did sign up for this January following Journal Your Christmas before I knew I was pregnant.

So, I shall do my best to keep as up-to-date as possible but don't go holding your breath. As you can see I am currently on top of things as I have sat and made my cover this morning and cut all my cardstock up for the rest of the month.

I have decided that I shall mostly be using up bits and pieces, so nothing new will be bought and I don't expect there to be much in the way of embellishment either, but we shall see!