Morning Jules,

Was just wondering how you got on when you visited your Mum this week, and also how your daughter got on at hospital?  I do hope things are not too stressful for you and that you can try and have a relaxing weekend.

I'm waiting for my eldest to come home, he has spent somewhat of Freshers sleeping on fellow pupils floors after social events - latest was a toga party last night!  I'm off to my counsellor this morning, had originally been thinking I wouldn't need to see her for too much longer but have been so emotional this week so will talk things over with her.

The weather is forecast to be nice this weekend but is looking a bit gloomy at present.  Here's hoping it brightens up and the sun shines on us all.  Take care  Hope x

Hi Hope

Hope you visit to the counsellor was helpful and its good for you to be able to talk things through and this should last as long as you need it.

I have just returned from visiting Mum and she was ok though I am sure a little concerned at how long she will be able to stay where she.  She has amazed the staff at how forthright she was when social worker 'interviewed' her and they are left in no doubt as to what she wants. All the care staff came to see me whilst I was visiting to make sure I was okay too - very sweet.  I stayed until she was due to go into lunch and we even managed a bit of a laugh when I showed her latest photos of her great grandson.  He has really enjoyed his first week in Reception and keeps telling his mum that his teacher is the most beautiful one in the school!!

Hubby and I picked him up from school on Friday as my daughter had to return to hospital for a second day of tests and monitoring.  Specialist blood tests with regard to her liver function have been sent off and unless she hears otherwise she returns to clinic next Friday.  The last set of bloods were borderline but all readings for the baby were good.  If the new blood tests show certain 'rises' she may have to be taken in and possibly induced (she is now 37 weeks and would probably welcome is being over and done with!!).  Anyway so far so good.  I have an overnight bag ready and waiting and she has several friends on standby to get her to the hospital if her hubby is at work.  Mind you she is still driving herself at present!!

When we met our grandson at school (its only 10mins to his home) he told Grandad that he could meet us there as it was healthier to walk!!!  My hubby's face was a picture as he drove off and I walked the little tyke home!!

Life's stresses seem to come and go but having the forum to offload certainly helped me to see things in perspective this week though I think my mood swings are more due to hormones than current circumstances.

Sounds like your eldest having a great time during Freshers but will no doubt be looking forward to some home cooking.  Have a great weekend with the family and will catch up again soon.  All the best and look after yourself. Jules xx

Morning Jules,

Just wondering how things are?  I take it no baby news yet?  You must be in tender hooks now.  Hope x

Morning Hope

Yep we are all just ploddig along. Hubby seems to be more tired of late but this is probably more due to inactivity as he still just sits around all day despite being told that there is no reason he cannot go for walks.  With worklife being over he just shows no interest but maybe one day he will adjust and I will get a smile again.  Work has  been very busy as we continue to get ready for Christmas but as today is my day off I took our grandson to school as my daughter had upset stomach and understandably not sleeping too well now.  We are going to get him from school later and have him at ours for dinner to give her a rest!  Other than that all is well.  Hope you keeping okay and that your eldest enjoyed his weekend at home. Take care Jules xx

Hi Jules,

Hope you are well and that daughter of yours is doing okay.

I am sure she is feeling like having this baby now as she must be due.

How is your grandson doing with school and looking forward to the baby still?

I am sure your daughter will appreciate the time and space you are giving her today. So nice to be able to help them, and feel useful ourselves.

I bet your grandson looks foward to coming to grans for tea.

Agghh, you've mentioned that Christmas word, I wonder when one gets the time to organise Christmas. He ho.

Well I had better get off and do some more work.
Take care

Annabel. xx

HI to all my virtual friends

Just wanted to share our news.  We became grandparents for the second time at 9.32 this morning to Zack, a 8.14oz  bouncing boy!  All the family doing well and my daughter rang about an hour ago  as our eldest grandson wanted to tell us all about  being a big brother as his Dad had picked him up from school to go visit the new edition.  All well and happy and glad the wait is over. Jules xx

Hi Jules,

"Congratulations".

I bet you and your husband are over the moon with this, and I can see nanny wanting to give Zack a cuddle as soon as possible.  You all must be very glad the wait is over Thank you for sharing your good news with all of your virtual friends on here. Will talk again soon.

Best wishes to you and all your family, Brian

Hi Annabel

As you can see from above post the waiting is over. Everyone very happy (but tired).  we got the call at 6 a.m. and our daughter went into hospital around 7 so all in all nice and quick.  She rang a while ago and just waiting to be seen by doctor and then should be allowed home later this afternoon.  They say they can go back tomorrow for baby's paediatric check but all looks good.  Our grandson was so excited on the phone telling me all about being a big brother and my daughter says he is wide eyed and being very good and cant wait to go to school and tell everyone he has a new brother to look after.

Thankfully he settled into school very well and is now full time, though only a couple of weeks till half term (I am on leave from next Wednesday when my son in law goes back to work so she can have an extra pair of hands when and if she likes for a while). Timing was great as I don't work Tuesdays!!  Think being with new baby brother has superceded tea at Grannys so off the hook for cooking twice

Hubby has found his 'smile' again today  and hopefully it can take his mind of his next check up for a bit (planned 29th OCT).

Am lucky re Christmas this year as its at my sister in laws so just need to turn up and the whole family are there for 3 days and we can all muck in!!  As to the shopping thankfully we have small family and only just token gifts for adults (grandkids get a bit more).  We have our grandsons 5th birthday at end of November so will be focussing on that next!!.

Hope you and the family are all keeping well.  Chat again soon.Jules xx

Thanks Brian,

All chuffed to bits and once they are settled back at home and are ready for visitors we will pop in.  No rush as would rather my daughter rests when possible and plenty of time to play catch up. Have a feeling it will be the 'older brother' who will get my attention first as he is full of it all and very excited to tell everyone about it.  Jules xx

       HUGE CONGRATULATIONS!!!            

What fantastic news, Jules! So glad your daughter and baby Zack are well. What a big baby! Lovely name too.

It's great that your eldest grandson is so excited and enthusiastic about his new baby brother. I loved it when the children in school wanted to do 'Show and Tell' about their new siblings! (Quite a regular occurrence in a primary school!)

Enjoy lots of cuddles with both your grandsons and we look forward to hearing lots of updates over the weeks about how everyone is doing.

Take care, hugs to you all, Jo xxx

Congratulations & welcome to the world Zack!  Oh I bet you are so pleased and glad to hear it has put a smile back on hubby's face.  Bet your grandson is proud to have a baby brother too.  I expect you may be rather busy over the weekend, but look forward to hearing all about baby when you get a chance. Hope x

Thanks so much Jo.  As you can imagine it has lifted everyone's spirits.  Just as well she did not hang on to him any longer. He was 14oz bigger than his brother!!!!  According to the midwife he was one in a million (born with waters intact!!).

Hope you are doing okay and will chat again soon.  I see a spell of nappy shopping ahead!!!  Take care Jules xx

Thanks so much Jo.  As you can imagine it has lifted everyone's spirits.  Just as well she did not hang on to him any longer. He was 14oz bigger than his brother!!!!  According to the midwife he was one in a million (born with waters intact!!).

Hope you are doing okay and will chat again soon.  I see a spell of nappy shopping ahead!!!  Take care Jules xx