My Happy Family

Sweet Sisters

Just arrived !!!

MIA

I took a self-imposed couple of weeks off from my blog, as I'm sure you can guess that things were a little crazy round here.

Things are a little better at home. Ivan has finished clearing his mums house and will hand the keys back tomorrow. He found this task really hard and in turn was not always pleasant to be around. The atmosphere was very strained during the week and I found myself biting back at him when I didn't mean to.

He has also visited the grave a few times, which I think is a good thing. He said he found it peaceful, so I'm glad he has somewhere to go when he is finding it hard.

I had a bit of a dip during the week and was heading for an emotional breakdown but I came through it ok. I'm tired from doing everything about the house and doing things I shouldn't be doing only two weeks post-op. I've got an infection in my uterus and a slight infection in the wound. I'm on antibiotics and the MW will be ringing me again in the morning to see how I am.

As well at the 3 antibiotics per day, I also take 2 pain killers, 2 iron tablets and 1 folic acid tablet. Shake me and I will rattle!

I may have got my last B12 injection last Wednesday. I've to go for a blood sample this Wednesday. If the results come back with my levels all returning to normal, then I can stop the iron & folic acid and no more B12 shots!

Lauren is doing great. She is brilliant at the eating and sleeping thing that babies do a lot of! She had a 4oz bottle at about 2030 hrs last night and didn't wake until 0515 hrs this morning! And again today, she had 5oz at 0830 hrs and slept until 1415 hrs! So I can't really complain.

I take each day as it comes and don't get too stressed about having a routine. She was a little colicky to start with but we have now got stuff that I put into her bottle and it appears to be helping. She is very hard to get wind from! Doesn't take that from her daddy. She is also a very slow feeder. I was use to Caitlin guzzling down her bottles like she was not getting another one but Lauren likes to take her time, maybe have a little *shut eye* after an ounce or two and then finish in her own time!

I think the hardest part so far is planning your day or arranging to go out ~ so now I don't! Plan that is. At first, I didn't go out. Didn't want to, didn't need to. Then I tried to plan what time I was leaving the house etc. and when that time came and went, I felt a failure. I felt stressed. So, now I don't plan. We do get out nearly every day, even if it is just a walk to the shop but we just go out when we are all ready. When ever that may be!

Caitlin is doing good. Sometimes it is hard with her around Lauren but I keep reminding myself that she is learning and doesn't mean to keep waking Lauren up!

Last week I felt like I was always shouting at her to be quiet, then she'd go and put her high heels on and clip clop across the wooden floor to show me just how loud she could be!

This week we were having problems with her running away from me when ever we went out anywhere. I'm seriously thinking about getting the wrist reigns out and attaching her to the pram! That will teach her.

But that said, that's what it is all about. We are now a family of four and I'm learning, Ivan is learning and Caitlin is learning.

Lauren, well she is just lying there and being too cute and too cool!

I will get time to update the site next week. I'm sure when my head is clear I'll have lots to say and tell you about.

Unfortunately we lost Ivan's mum this week. We came home from hospital on Thursday afternoon and Ivan called to visit her in the evening and found her body. The past few days have been really tough and there is no light yet at the end of the tunnel.

Lauren's homecoming was not as expected and we feel a bit deflated about that but the main thing is getting through the 'now'. We are a strong family and when things settle, we can be thankful for our bundle of joy.

Ivan feels bad about not being here for me and the baby considering I'm still in pain etc. and I in turn feel bad about not being there for him when he needs me most.

Poor Caitlin has been shipped off to my sisters and I'm frightened that she might associate it with the new baby but I understand it is what's best for her at present.

Introducing

Lauren Margaret McKeown

Born :: 11 July 2005 @ 1423 hrs by c-section
Weight :: 10 lb 2 oz
Length :: 57 cm
Head Circ :: 36 cm

6 Days To Go

*To Do* List ::

GP visit on Monday DONE

GP visit on Wednesday DONE

Hospital visit on Thursday

Check baby monitors are still working DONE

Check sterliser still working / find instructions DONE

Pack baby hospital bag DONE

Get Travel System out and aired DONE

Wipe down / clean Travel System DONE

Shop for easy meals/food for Ivan & Caitlin when I'm in hospital DONE

Cook meals to be frozen (curry, bolognese, sweet & sour, lasagne etc.) DONE

Clean house and change beds

Make sure all washing & ironing up to date

Show Ivan were Caitlin's clothes are kept etc.

Show Ivan how to do Caitlin's hair

38 Weeks

Taken on Saturday evening!  Not liking the stretch marks (that weren't there a few weeks back!)

Caitlin & Me

Now I'm in my final week I keep looking at Caitlin and wondering how she is going to handle the next few weeks.

I'm starting to feel very hormonal and just want to keep cuddling her and reassuring her.

I honestly don't think it will be a major issue for her. She is very accepting already and just these past few days she has got over protective of my bump and won't stop touching, kissing or rubbing it. Even in public she wants to lift my top up to say "Hello, baby sister" At my dad's party last weekend another little boy wanted to touch my bump and Caitlin said "No, that's my baby sister".

I really don't want to upset her in any way and I hope she has the confidence to deal with the changes we face as a family.

As a little treat, I've just booked tickets to the preview of the film Madagascar this Saturday morning (it's not out until 15 July and I don't think I'd be able to go then!). We can then go to lunch and have a little Mother / Daughter quality time.

Countdown!

10 (9) Days To Go

I can't believe I've only 10 days until my section. I have a feeling it will be a long week ahead!

I'm still excited and really looking forward to it but I don't think the nerves will kick in until next weekend. The thought of having surgery does scare me. I have a funny feeling I will spend the weekend with my head down the toilet being sick (that's the way my nerves hit!).

I have a busy week ahead of me. I've to go to the GP on Monday & Wednesday for my B12 shots. I've a final antenatal on Thursday. I need to double check my hospital bag and the baby stuff. Make sure the monitors & sterliser still work. Spend a day cooking food that can be frozen to be used when I first come out of hospital. Get a present for Caitlin from her baby sister (I'm searching for a hard bodied doll that she can bath etc. I'm guessing when she sees me toping & tailing every day she will want to pitch in and if she has a doll to use it might make the situation less stressful!)

Antenatal Update

I had antenatal yesterday, making 6 hospital trips in 8 days!

Urine was clear and the results from last batch of urine (sent off because of protein) showed nothing to worry about.

BP 122/77

I had a very detailed scan done by the Consultant but she forgot to write the baby's measurement down! It was measuring big again, 41+ wks.

Now for the (not so good) news. They took more bloods to be tested and started me on a course of B12. I had a shot in the bum and then lucky me, I get another one today. Then again on Monday and Wednesday. Then once a week for three weeks, then once every three months for a while!

They are still a little concerned about the low hemoglobin, iron, B12 & folic levels. I've had the iron treatment, started the B12 treatment and start taking folic acid again from today after my B12 shot.

I asked if this was soley down to my poor diet and whilst it doesn't help things, it is just how my body is reacting to this pregnancy. The baby is zapping all my *good* supplies and leaving me with very little reserves.

I've to try and rest to give my body a chance to build the levels back up before the c-section on Monday 11 July.