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 Hope23,

Sorry to hear you've been suffering from this bug thats doing the rounds. From what I can gather it seems to hang around for at least 3 weeks.

I do hope you start to feel a lot better soon.Just feeling physicaally lousy is going to upset your emotions, as if you  haven't got enought o cope with anyway.

I think you are right to try and take it easy until you are completely better. My husband , parents and friend have all had this in the last 3 weeks. I am hoping I don't get it but you never know.

Take care

Best wishes

Annabel. xx

Hi Annabel,  Thank you for your kind wishes, and I must admit I'm quite relieved to hear that other people say the bug hangs around for about 3 weeks since I usually shake things off quickly and was beginning to get a little worried.  I know it's only a bug ad usually wouldn't take a lot of notice but there have been so many bad things this year I almost seem to be expecting something else bad!.  I hope things are going OK for you and that you manage to avoid the dreaded lurgy.

Jules, sorry to jump in on your thread, I have left you a message earlier.  Take care both of you.   Hope x

Hi Hope

No problem with people jumping in when they fancy a chat, thats what so good about the forum, you just catch up where and when you want - no pressure.  Sorry to read you still suffering but from what Annabel says sounds like its doing the rounds. Am praying I  steer clear, really do not need that when I am doing 'granny duties' from tomorrow.  Heard from my daughter this afternoon (needs me to take in milk in the morning on my way round) that baby has been fractious during the day but very good at night so she is grateful he has got it the right way round!!

Would certainly recommend pacing yourself and not trying to do too much until your body has had time to recover.  It can be very lowering in itself without your added emotions playing a huge part.  As to going to the gym that would send me straight round the bend - manage to walk past regularly but never considered actually going inside.

Hubby was ok about going up to the factory (am sure secretly delighted they still need his imput) but unfortunately a 1hr journey turned into a 3hr nightmare when they shut the motorway because of a lorry fire so he did not get there until 1 p.m. thus missing lunch and returned home very weary about 4.  Has been asleep for the last hour or so, so have put dinner on low and it may be supper as I do not like to wake him just yet. Strange how things work out, originally he should have been going tomorrow but they changed their plans.  I expect tomorrow he will be glad to take it easy but may come and visit our daughter later in the day depending on how he feels. I am sure a cuddle will bring a smile back to his face.

Look after  yourself. Bye for now. Jules xx

Hi Jules,

Just catching up again with you.

Glad to hear you've had a bit of retail therapy recently, good time to do some when you are off from work.

Hope your daughter and family are all fine and your elder grandson is coping with the noise from the baby.

I am planning a bit of xmas therapy when I go to see the consultant in November.An excuse for a day out.!!!!

Have a good friend coming with me so we can have lunch out as well.

Your husbands loss of self identity is classic. Long may they keep asking for his advice at work.

You are absolutely right about it being easier to buy presents for women than men Jules.Maybe there's just more stuff we women use/like/want.!!!!!LOL.

Had a lovely email from my son in law recently thanking me for the crumbles I left for him in the freezer, I gather he has now run out of them!!!! Do you think thats a hint.?

Busy here until the Visit England inspecter comes in November, looking forward to a little more personal space after that to prepare for Christmas.

Hope you have a good time at your son's Jules.

Annabel. xx.

Hi Jules,

Glad to hear hubby made it to work despite the nightmare motorway journey!  I bet he does like giving them advice and it probably makes him still feel part of everything.  I did laugh about your comment on walking past the gym but never going in, I usually find it theraputic at the gym (that shows how mad I am!), but am definitely going to wait until fully recovered until I go again,  planning some retail therapy  today instead. Hope you have fun with your grandsons today, I'm sure a cuddle with baby will make your hubby smile.  Have a good day.  Hope x

Morning Annabel and Hope

Quick catch up before I head to my daughter'sfor the school run.  Thankfully she is slowly returning to normal.  She is managing to do most things albeit a little slower than she would like!!  By the time I got there yesterday both children and her had had their breakfast and her eldest was getting dressed for school.  So it was just a case of 'keeping an eye' whilst she got ready to go out and then we all did the walk to school.

My daughter needed a 20 min sit down by the time we got back to get her enegy back.  I have now learnt the full extent of the trouble she had after the birth, the report basically saying we are still lucky to have her because of the level of blood loss/blood clots.Once again a reminder of how life is so precious.  Anyway no need for any cooking on my part (phew) as she already prepared the freezer with meals and her hubby is also cooking. Concentrated on hoovering and washing up (along with a cuddle along the way).  The new baby has so far been pretty good and is mostly on a good four hourly feed routine which fits nicely round the school runs!!!  Now that he is home my eldest grandson is coping with the 'crying noise' (sleeps through the night undisturbed by it and says if its too bad he goes into his bedroom and wears the ear defenders Grandad gave him when he went to watch the drag racing!!).  The baby also has no problem sleeping through noise of hoovering/thunderstorm and children playing around him so fingers crossed it stays this way.

My daughter thankfully pretty laid back second time around despite the scary start for the new family.

Yesterday morning she decided to take her first drive so we took the new edition to see his great gran (my Mum)..  Not much interest (none expected knowing her feelings about children!!) from her but other residents and the staff were lovely and we stayed around half an hour (and had a photo taken of the four generations).  She felt happy enough doing short drive and has been told not to take long journeys for at least six weeks.  She has clinic check up on Monday and they are hoping the iron tablets/antibiotics she is on will all help her recovery.  Still taking mild painkillers three times a day.  Grandad came round in the afternoon and after we all walked round to pick up the eldest boy (he had a friend coming to play for an hour) he took me home (and then he slept for much of the evening).  No doubt my hubby is enjoying the new edition but also feeling more discomfort and showing his usual withdrawn self as we get closer to his check up.

Annabel, hope your parents and hubby are beginning to feel a little better and that you are still managing to steer clear of the bug and Hope keep that recovery/rest going and both take care and have a peaceful weekend.

Hope, I know today is a difficult one for you but still wanted to send you good wishes for your Birthday.  Thinking of you and sending virtual hugs.  Bye for now.  Jules xx

Hi Jules,

So very sorry for the late reply to this message, but just wanted to say massive congrats to you, your daughter and all the family on the arrival of Baby Zack.  Sounds like your daughter has had a pretty hard time, but glad all seems to be getting better, and hope she will be fully recovered soon.  Sounds like you have been giving her masses of support which I'm sure has been much appreciated.

Sorry to hear as well that your hubby has had a few ups and downs, but am sure the arrival of his new grandson is helping keep his mind distracted - I hope his pain has eased a bit now.

All ok here - it was my birthday last week, which I spent as a quiet, lazy day off work, for obvious reasons didn't want to do too much this year.  My husband and I then had a long weekend away, and left our daughter with her grandparents at our house.  The weekend away was not really for my birthday, just ended up being coincidence that it was so close, due to work commitments and availability of babysitters!  It worked ok, except Elizabeth has been suffering with recurring ear infections, which came back whilst away so she was a bit miserable (and not sleeping well) the last couple of days.  I think it took Grandma back 30 years or so....!!

Well, like I say, huge congratulations again and hope to hear from you soon,

Catherine xx

Hi Jules,

I'm so glad to hear that your daughter is doing well now, didn't realise things had been so dodgy at the birth.  Yes life is precious and we have to try our best to make the most of every moment.  Thank you for the birthday wishes, I have posted on my site.  Everybody has been very kind to me today and I'm feeling more positive, as well as feeling a lot better from the "bug".  Speak soon.  Hope x

Hi Catharine

Thanks so much for your message and good wishes, really appreciated.  So glad you managed a relaxing birthday and weekend away (probably long overdue and much needed).   Ear infections are a real pain in the ..... and my eldest grandson suffered with them a lot during his first 3 years, so much so he ended up under the hospital to be monitored and was borderline at one point at having grommits fitted but then miraculously seemed to grow out of them and was eventually signed off!!  Now, nearly 2 years on only seems to get a bit of trouble when he has a really bad cold. Hope Elizabeth is feeling better now and am sure got lots of attention from her grandparents.  Just seems so typical that these little problems crop up when you having a break.  Hope too that your Dad is keeping well.

My daughter is slowly regaining her strength and is managing really well.  We visited my Mum on Thursday for about 30mins and managed to get a photo of the four generations (she was not so happy about being snapped!!) and that was first time driving for four weeks and managed well.  Think now its more a case of building her energy levels back and being careful.  Certainly all very frightening at the time but she says she has learnt a great deal more about how precious life is no matter how old you are!  I have been helping out the last couple days (housework and being that extra pair of hands) and the mums up the school have been so supportive - one even dropped in a family sized casserole (along with present for baby and big brother!!).  Big brother very proud and being such a good boy though did not like leaving Mum the other morning (first time she had had tears before school) but once in his classroom with his friends was all smiles and no problems since.  Lots of extra cuddles from Mum and Dad and the grandparents all helping no doubt.

My hubby is, of course, enjoying seeing the new edition and has had cuddles galore (baby very relaxed and already settled into my daughter's routine feeding wise  and apart from a couple of evening yelling sessions has  been just waking for his night feed and going back in his moses basket  till the next feed - long may that last).  Big brother also sleeps through baby crying which has helped enormously.  I have next week off (its half-term and we can help with outings to the park, shops etc.  My son and his girlfriend are also on holiday from work and are taking the eldest nephew out for the day so if all goes to plan I am taking my daughter/baby out for lunch as their treat).

I hate to admit it but I am so enjoying not having to go into work and its going to be very hard when I h ave to go back!!

Well enough of my rambling, have visitors coming this morning and helping out at a kids party this afternoon (that extra pair of hands syndrome again!!).  Hubby is out this evening with his friend as their local pub is having its official opening night (following re-fit and new landlords) so I shall sit down and watch Strictly Come Dancing and enjoy a little peace and quiet.  Have a good weekend and take care of yourself.  Jules xx

Morning Hope,

Was so pleased to read that you are feeling better and that the bug seems to be going at long last. Am sure you appreciated being surrounded by hubby and sons for your birthday and hope you have a relaxing and peaceful weekend and some R&R during half-term week.  Take things easy and get  your strength back and look forward to chatting again soon.

My daughter continuing to make slow an stready progress though still having to take mild painkillers (not surprised) alongside iron tablets and antibiotics.  Has managed first drive and also doing the walk to and from school (not one to sit around)  so I have been doing the housework and keeping her company (lovely to have time to chat too).  Baby so far so good, quite content and feeding well.  They both have appointments at clinic on Monday and then first Health Visitor visit in the afternoon so as its half-term  I am going in to keep the older brother amused.  Am really  enjoying being useful, having someone to talk to and NOT having to go into work for another week.

Have a good weekend.  Best wishes and virtual hugs. Jules x

Morning Hope,

Was so pleased to read that you are feeling better and that the bug seems to be going at long last. Am sure you appreciated being surrounded by hubby and sons for your birthday and hope you have a relaxing and peaceful weekend and some R&R during half-term week.  Take things easy and get  your strength back and look forward to chatting again soon.

My daughter continuing to make slow an stready progress though still having to take mild painkillers (not surprised) alongside iron tablets and antibiotics.  Has managed first drive and also doing the walk to and from school (not one to sit around)  so I have been doing the housework and keeping her company (lovely to have time to chat too).  Baby so far so good, quite content and feeding well.  They both have appointments at clinic on Monday and then first Health Visitor visit in the afternoon so as its half-term  I am going in to keep the older brother amused.  Am really  enjoying being useful, having someone to talk to and NOT having to go into work for another week.

Have a good weekend.  Best wishes and virtual hugs. Jules x

Hi Jules,

Glad to hear the children's birthday party was a great success.  I hope you have a lovely week off work, I'm sure you will be kept very busy with your grandsons (may need another holiday to recover afterwards!), hope Zack continues to lift hubby's spirits.

I had a day in London yesterday with hubby and friends, out for a meal and drinks which was very nice.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend and fingers crossed the storm which is forecast doesn't affect us too badly!   Hope x