Monday, October 09, 2006
Sunday, October 08, 2006
This week has been a bit of a blur, we've had lots of friends visit us!
First the final lot of midwives came on monday to "sign" us off. They were happy that things were going well. Next we had my friends from work visit us for lunch - slightly bad timing of the next visitor who turned out to be the health visitor - more on her later. It was good to see some friends from the office. I'm also glad to say I dont miss the office one bit at the moment - I'm pretty content being at home and being a mum to Emily. The guys popped over to check emily out and bring us some food and pressies from the office. Oh and I do love pressies! The office gave kindly organised a collection and we received a fair amount of money to purchase any needed items and goodies for our new little bundle.
Now onto irritating Health Visitors. Our one turned up right in the middle of my friend visit, and being direct as I am I asked if we could speed things up so I could get back to my visitors. Not a rude request I thought I mean all she had to do was give us our little red book, hand over some leaflets and weigh Emily. Oh no she had to launch into her patronising speach all about health visitors and their professional backgrounds - to be honest I really dont care, I had to point it out to her that I already had a 9 year old and therefore have already been through their system and I knew all about what they did and their training. Then onto the next thing - for the 5th time I've been asked "and how are you feeding her bottle or breast?" - I have to admit I have no patience for fools - something of a gift sometimes as I find it really easy to tell people who annoy me to leave me alone and sharpish! Drew appreciates this when we get cold callers trying to sell him new mobile phones or double glazing - we've come up with several ploys such as "oh yeah I'm actually dead please leave your message after the tone - beep", or my new tactic as we've had 2 companies call us within the space of 2 minutes is to be nice in their first call and tell them "sorry not interested in your offer" and then when they call again I tell them how annoying they are and they are to remove my number from their database and never call again otherwise I'll start charging them for my time.
Anyway I digress from the Health Visitor scene earlier. Maybe I should point out to all these health professionals that they should make a note of my answers and share their info with each other - surely it would make sense and they could cut down on the amount of time they spend repeating banal questions. She duly noted that I wasn't impressed with her bedside manner and then tried the tactic of using her psychology training to ask "if I had a bad experience with a previous health visitor" - I pondered this for a while, to be honest I couldn't remember my last health visitor. So I just said "yes" to lull her into a false sense that she was right. Next banal question "so do you think you'll pop down to the clinic before your 6 week check up?" - I answer "no". I resist the urge to add in "not if I can help it!". What the heck do I want to pop down for - I have no questions to ask, I have no problems that need resolving and if I did I would ask, I would seek advice. I would speak to my lovely team of midwives who have taken the time and care to get to know both Drew and me over the last 9 months. I would speak to the team of Doctors and consultants who have understood our concerns and have been straight talking with us and treated us like adults with brains. Pfffft - hissy fit!
When I spoke to Tosha this week it became clear why the HV would want me to visit the clinic - they want to ask more stupid questions such as "is your partner beating you, or are you a victim of domestic abuse?". I also understand from Tosha that they want me to play child psychology like games and fill in questionnaires about my happiness - sheesh! Are you A) happy, B) very happy or C) very sad? I find these things tedious.
First the final lot of midwives came on monday to "sign" us off. They were happy that things were going well. Next we had my friends from work visit us for lunch - slightly bad timing of the next visitor who turned out to be the health visitor - more on her later. It was good to see some friends from the office. I'm also glad to say I dont miss the office one bit at the moment - I'm pretty content being at home and being a mum to Emily. The guys popped over to check emily out and bring us some food and pressies from the office. Oh and I do love pressies! The office gave kindly organised a collection and we received a fair amount of money to purchase any needed items and goodies for our new little bundle.
Now onto irritating Health Visitors. Our one turned up right in the middle of my friend visit, and being direct as I am I asked if we could speed things up so I could get back to my visitors. Not a rude request I thought I mean all she had to do was give us our little red book, hand over some leaflets and weigh Emily. Oh no she had to launch into her patronising speach all about health visitors and their professional backgrounds - to be honest I really dont care, I had to point it out to her that I already had a 9 year old and therefore have already been through their system and I knew all about what they did and their training. Then onto the next thing - for the 5th time I've been asked "and how are you feeding her bottle or breast?" - I have to admit I have no patience for fools - something of a gift sometimes as I find it really easy to tell people who annoy me to leave me alone and sharpish! Drew appreciates this when we get cold callers trying to sell him new mobile phones or double glazing - we've come up with several ploys such as "oh yeah I'm actually dead please leave your message after the tone - beep", or my new tactic as we've had 2 companies call us within the space of 2 minutes is to be nice in their first call and tell them "sorry not interested in your offer" and then when they call again I tell them how annoying they are and they are to remove my number from their database and never call again otherwise I'll start charging them for my time.
Anyway I digress from the Health Visitor scene earlier. Maybe I should point out to all these health professionals that they should make a note of my answers and share their info with each other - surely it would make sense and they could cut down on the amount of time they spend repeating banal questions. She duly noted that I wasn't impressed with her bedside manner and then tried the tactic of using her psychology training to ask "if I had a bad experience with a previous health visitor" - I pondered this for a while, to be honest I couldn't remember my last health visitor. So I just said "yes" to lull her into a false sense that she was right. Next banal question "so do you think you'll pop down to the clinic before your 6 week check up?" - I answer "no". I resist the urge to add in "not if I can help it!". What the heck do I want to pop down for - I have no questions to ask, I have no problems that need resolving and if I did I would ask, I would seek advice. I would speak to my lovely team of midwives who have taken the time and care to get to know both Drew and me over the last 9 months. I would speak to the team of Doctors and consultants who have understood our concerns and have been straight talking with us and treated us like adults with brains. Pfffft - hissy fit!
When I spoke to Tosha this week it became clear why the HV would want me to visit the clinic - they want to ask more stupid questions such as "is your partner beating you, or are you a victim of domestic abuse?". I also understand from Tosha that they want me to play child psychology like games and fill in questionnaires about my happiness - sheesh! Are you A) happy, B) very happy or C) very sad? I find these things tedious.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been kind enough to send us gifts for Emily and Phoebe. We have been blessed with a beautiful daughter and lots of loving friends. I'd like to say thank you to everyone who has helped over the last 9 months - giving us baby items like car seats, moses basket, bottles, toys and lots and lots of baby clothes. We truely appreciate everyone's kindness.
A big thank you to Lisa who not only hand knitted a lovely blanket and hat for Emily, but for also being my standby birthing partner and confidant throughout my pregnancy. You are a dear friend who I shall cherish in my heart. I hope Jack and Emily will have many play dates together.
Another thank you to Tosha who has given us so much baby items from breast pumps to baby clothes and baby books. Emily also looks forward to play dates with Kalila in the near future.
Big thank you to Beckie who helped plan the baby shower/pamper party with me.
a big thank you to everyone :)
Amanda and Steve - how to totally Oz out a baby!
A big thank you to Lisa who not only hand knitted a lovely blanket and hat for Emily, but for also being my standby birthing partner and confidant throughout my pregnancy. You are a dear friend who I shall cherish in my heart. I hope Jack and Emily will have many play dates together.
Another thank you to Tosha who has given us so much baby items from breast pumps to baby clothes and baby books. Emily also looks forward to play dates with Kalila in the near future.
Big thank you to Beckie who helped plan the baby shower/pamper party with me.
a big thank you to everyone :)
Amanda and Steve - how to totally Oz out a baby!
Monday, October 02, 2006
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
some new photos!
http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k3/chenderson99/Emily/week2/?action=view&slideshow=true
Well last night Emily decided to be kind to us and have 3 hours sleep in between her feeds. Long may it continue.
Anyway I promise to blog more soon but we are really busy at the moment with endless washing and getting ready for Rob and Suzy's wedding this weekend. I hope to have some video clip of Emily on the blog soon.
http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k3/chenderson99/Emily/week2/?action=view&slideshow=true
Well last night Emily decided to be kind to us and have 3 hours sleep in between her feeds. Long may it continue.
Anyway I promise to blog more soon but we are really busy at the moment with endless washing and getting ready for Rob and Suzy's wedding this weekend. I hope to have some video clip of Emily on the blog soon.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Saying goodbye to old friends.
I had to say goodbye to my nipple piercing this week. I've only had it for a couple of years and it was a symbolic piercing that Wendy and I had done in London before she left for Baku. Instead of being blood brothers we were booby sisters. I'm sad to see it go but at the moment my boobs have another grand function to perform in feeding our new baby Emily.
So I duly removed my piercing, placed it next to my alter of worship (the television in our bedroom) and I said goodbye.
The boob fairy visited that night and left me with a couple of "things" that now resemble something from a porn film! Holy cow! I thought I was going to be able to get to sleep on my sides, front and back - but it's not to be! These boobies are too huge to even sleep with. I shall be calling in for some reinforcements :)
I had to say goodbye to my nipple piercing this week. I've only had it for a couple of years and it was a symbolic piercing that Wendy and I had done in London before she left for Baku. Instead of being blood brothers we were booby sisters. I'm sad to see it go but at the moment my boobs have another grand function to perform in feeding our new baby Emily.
So I duly removed my piercing, placed it next to my alter of worship (the television in our bedroom) and I said goodbye.
The boob fairy visited that night and left me with a couple of "things" that now resemble something from a porn film! Holy cow! I thought I was going to be able to get to sleep on my sides, front and back - but it's not to be! These boobies are too huge to even sleep with. I shall be calling in for some reinforcements :)
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Day 2 in the New Baby House
Got some more pics http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k3/chenderson99/Emily/week%201/?action=view&slideshow=true
Got some more pics http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k3/chenderson99/Emily/week%201/?action=view&slideshow=true
Day 1 in the Baby Sister Household.
We had a bit of a scare on Tuesday evening when the doctor appeared at our door at 7pm, saying she came back to check Emily as her heart rate was low. This obviously scared us a lot, and the Doctor indicated that she was still concerned from her previous check that afternoon. The Doctor called the paediatrician and had a chat, whilst we were realing from shock not knowing what to do or say. Finally the doctor came off the phone and said the paediatrician was happy with Emily's heart rate and didn't think it was anything to be concerned about. The Doctor then went onto admit that she normally doesn't do these visits and it wasn't her "area" - we weren't feeling very confident with her. She then told us another doctor would come to visit Emily the next morning - in the meantime we were left to ponder what was going on, was there something wrong - needless to say I didn't sleep much that night as I constantly watched Emily to make sure she was breathing and that her fingers and toes were pink. I cried - I was scared.
The next day Dr Baxter arrived and checked Emily's heart rate - it was about 130 which was normal. He confirmed that heart rates ranged from 100-190 at this early stage and it wasn't anything to worry about. We were so relieved, and also relieved to hear from Lucy our midwife that Dr Baxter was very knowledgeable.
Glad to say we both slept more soundly last night - even though it was interrupted with lots of feeds and changing dirty nappies. But we were happy to see Emily feeding better and looking more awake than on her first day.
We had a bit of a scare on Tuesday evening when the doctor appeared at our door at 7pm, saying she came back to check Emily as her heart rate was low. This obviously scared us a lot, and the Doctor indicated that she was still concerned from her previous check that afternoon. The Doctor called the paediatrician and had a chat, whilst we were realing from shock not knowing what to do or say. Finally the doctor came off the phone and said the paediatrician was happy with Emily's heart rate and didn't think it was anything to be concerned about. The Doctor then went onto admit that she normally doesn't do these visits and it wasn't her "area" - we weren't feeling very confident with her. She then told us another doctor would come to visit Emily the next morning - in the meantime we were left to ponder what was going on, was there something wrong - needless to say I didn't sleep much that night as I constantly watched Emily to make sure she was breathing and that her fingers and toes were pink. I cried - I was scared.
The next day Dr Baxter arrived and checked Emily's heart rate - it was about 130 which was normal. He confirmed that heart rates ranged from 100-190 at this early stage and it wasn't anything to worry about. We were so relieved, and also relieved to hear from Lucy our midwife that Dr Baxter was very knowledgeable.
Glad to say we both slept more soundly last night - even though it was interrupted with lots of feeds and changing dirty nappies. But we were happy to see Emily feeding better and looking more awake than on her first day.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Saturday, September 16, 2006
The Postman Always Ring Twice!
pah humbugs he did this morning, once at 7.55 am and the next time at 9.15 am - trouble was it was me who was running down the stairs to get to the door in time. Why is it that during the week they are never here until after 10 am but at the weekend its always so bleeding early when they arrive? Most disgruntled person today. It's Drews 35th Birthday today, and we are supposed to be going out for a meal with a few friends tonight. I also have a Tae Kwon Do grading at 3.30 this afternoon and I can't remember my previous patterns - on top of this I've had a broken nights sleep, I snoozed from about 8 till 9 pm last night, then had a proper sleep from 11 till 4 am and then again I was awake for a couple of hours so I had to potter around and move to the spare room so I could read my book for a while in order to get to sleep again.
Pah - I'm looking forward to doing very little on Sunday!
pah humbugs he did this morning, once at 7.55 am and the next time at 9.15 am - trouble was it was me who was running down the stairs to get to the door in time. Why is it that during the week they are never here until after 10 am but at the weekend its always so bleeding early when they arrive? Most disgruntled person today. It's Drews 35th Birthday today, and we are supposed to be going out for a meal with a few friends tonight. I also have a Tae Kwon Do grading at 3.30 this afternoon and I can't remember my previous patterns - on top of this I've had a broken nights sleep, I snoozed from about 8 till 9 pm last night, then had a proper sleep from 11 till 4 am and then again I was awake for a couple of hours so I had to potter around and move to the spare room so I could read my book for a while in order to get to sleep again.
Pah - I'm looking forward to doing very little on Sunday!
Friday, September 15, 2006
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Baby Shower
Boozing Babes from the party - http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k3/chenderson99/Pamper%20Party/?action=view&slideshow=true
Boozing Babes from the party - http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k3/chenderson99/Pamper%20Party/?action=view&slideshow=true
No Sharks allowed!
Last night Drew decided to test out the birthing pool
here are the photos - http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k3/chenderson99/Pool/?action=view&slideshow=true
It takes up more space than we thought - but the size is perfect just for me to lie in - but excuse the photo of me in the pool with the girl who looks like Wednesday from the Adams family - she was having a grumpy looking day!
Last night Drew decided to test out the birthing pool
here are the photos - http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k3/chenderson99/Pool/?action=view&slideshow=true
It takes up more space than we thought - but the size is perfect just for me to lie in - but excuse the photo of me in the pool with the girl who looks like Wednesday from the Adams family - she was having a grumpy looking day!
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
How to max out on chocolate
Rich Chocolate Mousse (serves 4)
Ingredients
175g plain chocolate - coarsely chopped or grated
3 tbsp water
15g unsalted butter
3 yolks from medium eggs
225ml double cream
1 tbsp vanilla caster sugar
50g chocolate flakes to decorate
1. Put chocolate and water in a bowl and microwave on Defrost for 1-2 mins, until the mixture melts. Remove bowl and add butter. Stir until melted and cool for 5 minutes. Stir in egg yolks one at a time. Leave to cool for 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile whip the cream and sugar together until soft peaks form. Reserve one third and fold the reamining whipped cream into chocolate mixture.
3. Divide into individual serving bowls. Chill until set. Decorate with reserved cream and chocolate flakes
Rich Chocolate Mousse (serves 4)
Ingredients
175g plain chocolate - coarsely chopped or grated
3 tbsp water
15g unsalted butter
3 yolks from medium eggs
225ml double cream
1 tbsp vanilla caster sugar
50g chocolate flakes to decorate
1. Put chocolate and water in a bowl and microwave on Defrost for 1-2 mins, until the mixture melts. Remove bowl and add butter. Stir until melted and cool for 5 minutes. Stir in egg yolks one at a time. Leave to cool for 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile whip the cream and sugar together until soft peaks form. Reserve one third and fold the reamining whipped cream into chocolate mixture.
3. Divide into individual serving bowls. Chill until set. Decorate with reserved cream and chocolate flakes
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