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

Hi Annabel

Quick update before I go to the shops to get the things I forgot yesterday!!  Picked up our grandson from school yesterday and gave him tea and played 'crashing cars' whilst having my brain numbed by CBeebies!! for an hour.  Then the doorbell went and there was my daughter, son in law and of course of new baby all on the doorstep!!  After a few arguments and lots of instructions on what not to do she had been allowed to come out of hospital.  Her iron levels are still causing some concern and they were considering a further transfusion but she was getting very stressed which was affecting her heart rate and so they have given her iron tablets instead (and a load of laxatives to help with the resulting constipation!!).  They stopped long enough to fill us us, have a drink and pick up their eldest and then were dashing back home to sterilise the bottles ready for the baby's next feed.  Am sure she will feel loads more relaxed being in her own home and she has the midwife coming in today.  The main advice to her was to act as though she has had a ceaserean and take things very easy,  no lifting, short journeys by car ok and slow walks but absolutely nothing strenuous thus giving her body time to recover.  She has asked us round later today as she wants our rocking chair (baby really liked the one in the hospital!!) so we are going to take it round. We will ring first to make sure she is up to it, of course.  Hubby is great at cooking so they wont need my efforts in that department (thank goodness as its my pet household hate!!) but once he goes back to work I can do her housework and the school runs where necessary and my hubby is currently happy to play chauffeur.

Hope all is well with  you and  your family. Sounds as though work is keeping you on your toes.  I am dreaming of Tuesday next week as thats when my time off begins!!  Chat again soon.Jules x

P.S.  No luck at the bingo but enjoyed a glass of wine with my friend afterwards to 'wet the  baby's head'.

Hi Jules,

So glad you hear your daughter is home and also that hubby is such a proud granddad.  Hopefully this wonderful event has done you all good.  Have a good weekend.  I'm nursing a cold/virus that I've had for over a week and now hubby has got it, so having a quiet weekend with family. Hope x

Hi Hope

Just wanted to say get well soon. So many colds and coughs around at the moment. We have had several people go down with bugs this last couple of weeks at work. Doing my best to steer clear as would rather not catch anything to stop me helping my daughter in the coming weeks.  My leave begins next Tuesday so I will be able to help with her housework and the school runs unti she is given the all clear by the midwife.  She is not one who enjoys sitting about at the best of times and having it forced on her at present is causing some frustration!

Do take care and really hope you feel better after resting up this weekend.  Jules xx

Hi Jules,

It's great to read that your daughter has been allowed home. What a lovely surprise to have them turn up on your doorstep like that!

I think everyone recuperates more quickly back in their own homes with familiar things (and people! ) around them, plus, hospital routines don't exactly aid recovery!

It's good to read that the arrival of Zack has boosted your hubby's spirits too. Babies always hit the spot when it comes to lifting spirits

Hope, sorry to read that you're nursing a cold. One of the delights of working in a school no doubt! I'm glad to be missing out on the annual October bug fest that blights our school as soon as the ancient heating system is fired up! Hope you'll soon be feeling better! Can I prescribe a little hot toddy? But don't let Jules' hubby know as I know he wouldn't approve of any tampering with a scotch

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, hugs to you both, Jo xx

Get better from your cold soon Hope. This virus seems to be doing the rounds. My husband has had it this pass week, even stayed in bed one day!!! unheard of. Just been over to visit my parents who have both had it this week, made sure they have all shopping in.  It seems to be quite a nasty cold. Hope I don't catch it before Monday got two cottages to clean then.

Hope you have a really relaxing weekend and feel loads better.

best wishes

Annabel. xx

Gald she's home now Jules it's often better for them to be in their own environment, much less stress and fretting. My daughter was also put on the iron tablets .

Interesting I too hate cooking these days it's just a hassle, but I make the effort for others, husband included!!! ,lol.

Hope you have a fun weekend, you are going to be even busier for the next few weeks.

Speak soon

Annabel. xx

Hi Jules, Meerkat & Annabel,

Thanks for all your good wishes.  I can't believe I still feel bad as I usually shake these things off quickly, perhaps I'm just run down.  Hope you are all doing OK, and Jules you make sure you avoid the bugs so you can spend time with your new grandson and look after your daughter.  Take care everyone.  Hope x

Hi Jo

My daughter so pleased to be in her own comfortable surroundings.  We safely delivered our rocking chair yesterday afternoon (her hubby and I managing to get it up the stairs to their flat). First person to sit in it?  my hubby (never bothered with it at home) though as its wooden was a little hard on his bot!!!  Of course there is now a cushion on it and my eldest grandson thinks its great!!  We stayed for just over an hour and the little 'un slept all through the photo sessions!!  He has been very good so far and even did a five hour sleep during the night.  Hubby was on night duty to help my daughter regain some strength (she looking much better and lots of smiles now) and apparently the baby likes motorbikes already (on the tv during the night!!!). We left just as the midwife was visiting and my daughter is already planning her 'out and about plans' for next week. though knows not to rush things

It is lovely for my hubby to have something good to focus on as his pain has been 'breaking through' again the last few days and he always dreads what that will mean at the next check up (last week in October).  I know he is worried they will  have to increase his medication as this would probably mean no more driving  and the mention of public transport leaves him in a very black mood!!  Following your comment to Hope I suppose I could point out that he could have a larger scotch(his oncologist made the mistake of telling him he could eat and drink what he likes - think she should have added 'within reason' but dont suppose it matters much now). Bless him he only has a tipple on a Friday Night, neither of us being big drinkers - still have bottles in the cupboard from past Christmases.

Well looks as though we will be cossetted inside today - its very wet and miserable outside.  I was going to go the the Farmers Market and Artisan Craft Show (once a month locally) but getting drenched does not appeal!!!  Have a good day and chat again soon.  Jules xx

Morning Hope

Just a quick post to say hope you are feeling a little better today.  These bugs are such a nuisance and as Jo says working in a school always means you are more at risk with the kids spreading all the germs around.  Sitting here listening to a storm raging outside and there was I planning to walk to our monthly Farmers Market and Artisan Craft Fair!!  Well unless there is a dry spell before 2pm think I will give it a mess as do not fancy being drenched!!!  Hope you letting your menfolk spoil you.  Adding to the hot toddy can thoroughly recommend honey and lemon and putting your feet up with a good book!!  Take care and chat again soon.  Jules xx

Hi, Jules xxonly just seen your post ....CONGRATULATIONS x such lovely news the birth of a new baby x all good wishes to you and your family x Tonic

Hi, Jules xxonly just seen your post ....CONGRATULATIONS x such lovely news the birth of a new baby x all good wishes to you and your family x Tonic

Thank you so much Tonic.  Its lovely to have something to celebrate and he is a real cutie (but then I am a bit biased).

Hope all is well with you and the family.  Jules xx

Hi Tonic

Not sure how often you pop on to read around but just wanted to offer my condolences on the loss of your Mum.  I have only just see your posting on another thread and just wanted to say will be thinking of you at this emotional time.  I am sure you are surrounded by your loving family but can well understand why you want to see the end of 2013.  Sending virtual hugs and peaceful thoughts at this sad time. Jules xx

Just wanted to say congratulations to you Jules on the birth of your grandchild.  Sorry to hear there were some complications but the main things is both mum and baby are home and doing well now.  Take care.xxx

Thanks so much Beaker. Its lovely to have the support and response on the forum.  Happily my daughter has been signed off my the midwife (as has baby) and just needs to take 2 weeks of iron tablets for now and go to clinic in 2 weeks's time.  Baby had lost a few ounces (but thats quite normal) and they were all out today registering his birth so popped into show him off at my place of work.  Very sweet.

Take care of yourself.  Jules xx

Hi Jules,

Glas to read your daughter and Zack have been signed off. That was a nice touch; bringing him into your work place. I bet it pleased you.

Enjoy your two weeks off and bet you are going to give Zack more than a few cuddles.

Do take care, Brian.

Thanks Brian. Yes my workmates have been great support to me and were delighted to see the little new edition.My daughter often pops into the shop when out shopping so they have seen he pregnancy progress - only fair that they can ooh and ahh over the baby.  Think my daughter had done enough for one day though and no doubt she is sitting with her feet up now as her hubby is a wizz round the house and very 'hands on'.  The other Nana was supposed to be visiting this afternoon and the other Grandad (they are divorced) and his new wife will be popping down on Thursday (they come from the North now) so think that takes in most of the immediate relatives visiting.  My daughter is not one to sit still for long and I am going to give her a hand on Thursday (fetching and carrying etc) but expect it will be more like a girlie gossip with the menfolk out of the way. My hubby has been asked to pop into the old workplace as they have a problem to solve (need his brain!!).  First day of my hols tomorrow and I am off to the hospital to get my blood tests done - 6mths has passed so quickly and will be interesting to see the results in a couple of weeks regarding my cholesterol levels.  If nothing else I am a little over a stone lighter!!!  Of course, if the levels have not dropped I will be celebrating with a very large bar of chocolate and then taking the pills!!!

Hope you are feeling much better now and continuing to take it a little easier and also that your wife is feeling better following her tumble.  Best wishes  for a peaceful week and hope you can soon catch up with the grandchildren as they help make us smile.  Jules xx

Hi Jules many thanks for your condolenses, so thoughtful of you , xx I dont come on very often but do like to see whats happening, have a nosey!. I, m not very good at joining in the conversations though.So happy for you , noticed your daughter has been discharged and family all home together xx enjoy your time off work with them, thinking of you often even when I am not on line take care x tonic

Hi Tonic

Sorry to hear your news and my thoughts are with you at this time of year.

Take care and look after yourself and if there is any pampering on offer grab it with both hands.

Mickied with virtual hugs

Hi Jules

Great news your daughter is home again with her little bundle of joy.  Tell her not to be doing too much and listen to what her body tells her.  She will have no worries whenever her mum is about.

Glad to see your hubby's work still call upon him and no doubt he will not hesitate when he receives that call.

Good luck with the blood tests.  My mum has to get those carried out too because of her cholesterol levels.  Heart problems run in her family so she needs to get her bloods checked every 4 months.

Still no news on the work front and as they say no news is good news.  I just recall the same thing happening this time last year too.

Well enough from me and I hope you enjoy your time off with your new baby grandson and daughter.

Take care

Mickied