May flies by...

Yet another month ticks by, and another tough one.  Edward started nursery school very positively and confidently, then had a wobble a week or so in when he got really upset one Friday morning, then didn't want to go back on the Monday.  Alls well that ended well though, and he seems to have settled well.  A few weeks ago his keyworker suggested he wore 'big boy pants' so we've done that for... maybe 4 weeks now?  It has been really tough, with about 3-4 changes of trousers per day, but we're getting there, in fact this weekend he had no accidents and so far today none either, so perhaps we're winning!  Such a slow process though!

Last weekend we spent the day with Dave and Claire at Birmingham University - picnic, cold weather, relaxing afternoon, lots of walking.  That day seemed to herald the end of the non-stop rain and dismal weather we've had since arriving home from our holiday about 6 weeks ago.  Last week, particularly towards the end of the week, it has been hot and sunny every day, and most importantly dry!!  All three children have had slapped cheek syndrome, with Sarah starting off with her red cheeks last weekend, then Edward having last Friday off nursery, and spending much of his time asleep.  In fact he is asleep on the settee now, hence unexpected time to blog, as Sarah is having her nap too.  His rash is now on his legs, and he is generally ok, although he has been a bit off his food, and just tired, with a tired look in his eyes.

The trampoline is now up, a viewer came to see the house last Friday, and another is coming tomorrow.  We've got the Olympic Torch Relay in Much Wenlock on Wednesday, and Elizabeth has the day off school on Friday, before I drive up to Hull on Saturday for Nick's wedding.  Swimming has been going really well for Elizabeth, she's just started the second 'block' of lessons having passed Stage 1.  I'm 23 weeks now, varicose veins a nightmare (bought support stockings, maternity belt etc), itching bad, uncomfortable, massive, back hurts, can't believe approx. 17 weeks to go.  Sarah isn't feeding much now, although she says she still wants milk she just nibbles at it nowadays.  I'm walking Sunday and Wednesday but only a short circuit around Shifnal.  Husband waiting for news after job interview last week.  I get my iPad on Thursday, students (AS ones anyway) have left - exam tomorrow, so peaceful week this week before half-term.  Peace at last!

trials and tribulations

We're back from two weeks at Lower Norton Barn, pictured left. Pretty soon into the holiday we realised that we were working flat out all day, with just a moderate pace to maintain in the evening given that we had the dishwasher and no nappies to wash and fold... and basically this is the pattern for the next 10 years or so, or so it seems! Exhausting. I'm exhausted. We rowed extensively about a wedding we (not the children) have been invited to in June. We bickered. The children loved every minute - having the space to roam in the house, being on the beach, going to the zoo, being out and about... they had a ball. Sarah is walking confidently, and talking more - words include baby ('ba'), moo, poo, dad, chair... and she can point to her nose, eyes, teeth, mouth, hands, feet, tummy and bottom, and to me, husband, Elizabeth and Edward.

Got back to news that the Downs' Syndrome blood test reveals 'low risk' so that is good news. Too tired. Too tired. When does it end.

dating scan

We had the scan on Wednesday morning, nervously lying on bed holding husband's hand while Edward looked on and Sarah sat in the corner in her buggy sucking her thumb. Just one baby (was beginning to wonder) and all ok. Due date 24th September. Took our three pictures home with us, and gradually started telling people. Seems a bit more real but a bit surreal also!

12 weeks pregnant

And what a few days we've had... everyone has been ill, variously... Elizabeth was sent home from school 2 weeks ago now, with sickness/tiredness. Edward went down hill the following weekend, then Sarah and Edward have been really niggly, tired, out of sorts and full of colds with hacking coughs. My cold/cough never really left me, but last week I began to go down hill on Thursday, as I was setting off for work. I struggled through the day with plenty of Paracetamol, but really felt not with it. Limped through Friday then when I hit the weekend, just went rapidly down hill. I had to take Elizabeth to her first swimming lesson at 8.30am on Saturday morning, followed by Tumble Tots for Edward at 11.30 followed by a bloody 5-year-olds party at Jungleland at 3.30, and all the time I just wanted to curl up and sleep, not that I could get comfortable anyhow to actually rest. By the end of the day I lay in bed and sipped chicken and sweetcorn soup from the chinese takeaway with copious glasses of Ribena, but was absolutely done in.

Sunday. Mother's Day. Not much better. Lay in bed, then panicked into getting ready for my 'booking in' appointment at Wrekin maternity ward, having opened my lovely cards from my three lovely children (husband too ill to buy presents!). He was going to take the three of them to his Mums to deliver Mother's Day presents, but their behaviour was going through the roof (or floor!) so delayed that until I got back from my appointment. Until the dating scan the due date I now have is 28th September. Had blood tests, was booked for Shrewsbury, felt strange to find out I am now high risk because of my age, and high risk for thrombosis because of my age and number of children.

Monday, husband to Edinburgh, hopefully for the last time. So tired. So so tired. Sinuses now the main problem. Had enough of being bloody ill!!!

8 weeks pregnant

I had a dr's appointment today - well, an intital appt with a healthcare assistant to check my blood pressure, record my weight, and apply for the maternity prescription exemption charge card thingy. Felt a bit 'formal' - the first step on the journey towards #4 officially. Edward was blissfully unaware, and Sarah sat in her buggy clutching her 'baby doll' even more blissfully unaware.

At the moment the tiredness is the worst thing. I feel sick most of the time, and am constantly gagging, but never actually sick so I know it is ok, if unpleasant. The tiredness is difficult to work with though. A week with Elizabeth at home for half-term was quite challenging, and today has been a much calmer day with just the two of them. I'm gearing up for major changes ahead when Edward starts pre-school, the beginning of another new chapter. Sarah got her first shoes on Saturday, so she is growing up in her own way too. She communicates so beautifully in her own little language there doesn't really seem a need for words, but she sort of says 'Da' for Daddy, 'Mum Mum Mum' when she wants to, and can say 'wowowowo' and do animal sounds (sheep, pigs etc). She has taken lots of steps now, and it is a matter of days before she is officially off and walking, but for now she is loving the attention when she does bridge the gap between the two of us, or lets go of the sofa and reaches out for me. She loves her 'ba ba' (Baby Doll), and her hats, and her new shoes.

About to pick Elizabeth up from school now having just cleaned the kitchen and bathroom floors, washed the doormat/mop/cleaning cloths, and tidied up from lunch time. I find the key to post-lunch survival is not to sit down. If I sit down I'm done for! We're going to drive over to Madeley to try to sign Elizabeth up for some swimming lessons, starting in a couple of weeks time. So that is one of my New Year's resolutions nearly sorted.

7 weeks pg

Initially I felt encouraged by the fact that I felt no more tired than normal, but these last couple of weeks have been tough. I've felt more sick, and that wall of tiredness, like wading through cement... well its started. I'm scared because there is so much to do. This week is half-term, so I'm having a bit of a break from college work, but that in itself is relentless, and there is always so much to do with the children. That said, I had a night out on Friday night with the local Mums (and I don't think they suspected I was anything other than lightweight by not drinking heavily!!) then a day out in Shrewsbury with Anna on Saturday when I broke the news to her. She was, as I guessed she would be, pleased and happy for us both. Husband told his parents, and I think they were quietly happy too. No more house viewings, no more news. Just when will this tiredness end??!!

We're in the midst of a sickness bug, but we do have good news!

After Elizabeth's illness on Wednesday, Edward started throwing up on Friday tea-time, and proceeded to do so for another three hours, then yesterday night (Sunday) after I returned from my walk I went dizzy, cold, and felt really ill. Started throwing up around 9.30pm, not pleasant. Spent until the early hours moaning around in the bathroom, freezing cold, gripped with horrendous stomach cramps... awful.

But, on Saturday, we had good news. Tentatively bought a digital pregnancy test, have never used one before so thought I'd treat myself for the fourth one. Didn't even really need to check, but sure enough it did say 'Pregnant' so #4 is on the way. Initially felt a wave of terror, then on discussion with the husband felt that we're on the final furlong, the path to normality starts here, and obviously we are so extremely lucky. Fingers crossed everything will be ok.