tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29784598613736157472024-03-13T03:36:43.138+00:00Life UnexpectedLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07693927098032739132noreply@blogger.comBlogger1177125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978459861373615747.post-35310599563819384552023-12-02T09:43:00.000+00:002023-12-02T09:43:04.903+00:00Christmas Gift Ideas for the Kids 2023<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3AfhL2M9fI3FT1Xm_188fNADST9IrvwncVQtcANCkRmraIMnRCX7HUQoOjwjeDrXrOWS8Jt5fRIuTzPgjsmDrmjWxo6T65R4IkEnbgBxFQOuHowJy8EeMgU8s0oqpFbMEUbfXdZjW3T_UUEKfK-C5HyimDKcvOtzKuw_W_QPqAffN7UrA2aiJIiFgOJV/s2048/IMG_1341.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3AfhL2M9fI3FT1Xm_188fNADST9IrvwncVQtcANCkRmraIMnRCX7HUQoOjwjeDrXrOWS8Jt5fRIuTzPgjsmDrmjWxo6T65R4IkEnbgBxFQOuHowJy8EeMgU8s0oqpFbMEUbfXdZjW3T_UUEKfK-C5HyimDKcvOtzKuw_W_QPqAffN7UrA2aiJIiFgOJV/w640-h640/IMG_1341.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Welcome to the Christmas Gift Ideas for the Kids edition of Life Unexpected's Gift Series for 2023.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I feel like I have been super prepared this year and somehow I actually started my Christmas shopping back in July for my now 12 year old Leo, and 7 year old step daughter. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I have been on a mission to make this Christmas as amazing as humanly possible, being a blended family (and still a relatively new one) means that we are only on our Fourth Christmas, and only the Third one where we have been a complete unit. </p><p style="text-align: center;">This year though is our very first one all together on Christmas Day.</p><p style="text-align: center;">This year we get Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! </p><p style="text-align: center;">Of course this means I have gone all out with Christmas Eve Boxes, matching family PJ's and I have completely lost all control over my present buying. </p><p style="text-align: center;">It has actually been a lot of fun having to shop for a boy and a girl. It's opened up a completely different dynamic that I haven't been able to show case on my blog before.... So here we go!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Advent Calendar Ideas for 2023</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjISZN-GjTssqkmSHON5akSgx0pocYN4Bgy-jT-OdCc667FmxnTdXjpwGZNU6sC_I2ZHlosG0qQ6xgMkNjuNwoLLQH0k_5d6kRdaEpTKfW0OV-OaOR0IA3dydtCLfs0YERjpeRiyifhbubDEXLyzOiXCMvul7a91uhz3pnC0ll15tmd-pCMCDGuTnagAm6/s4032/IMG_1416.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Playmobil Novelmore - Battle in the Snow Advent Calendar" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjISZN-GjTssqkmSHON5akSgx0pocYN4Bgy-jT-OdCc667FmxnTdXjpwGZNU6sC_I2ZHlosG0qQ6xgMkNjuNwoLLQH0k_5d6kRdaEpTKfW0OV-OaOR0IA3dydtCLfs0YERjpeRiyifhbubDEXLyzOiXCMvul7a91uhz3pnC0ll15tmd-pCMCDGuTnagAm6/w640-h480/IMG_1416.jpeg" title="Playmobil Novelmore - Battle in the Snow Advent Calendar" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Advent Calendar's have come such a long way since I was a child, in my early years I recall not being allowed chocolate calanders and used to be incredibly excited by the simple ones that had pictures of the nativity scene behind each door! It wasn't until I got older that Chocolate Calendars made their appearance!</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">This year the children will have a chocolate calendar each, Leo has opted for the <a href="https://www.lindt.co.uk/lindt-teddy-advent-ar-250g" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lindt Teddy Augmented Reality Advent Calendar</a>. I found this for £10.00 in the CoOp which was a good few pounds cheaper than in competitor shops.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Along side their chocolate this year, we thought it would be nice to include something a little different for each of them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQhwd6uthDABuBV4yRlBeiHdijSb3VqgcCuBvO6wEyZmuyCra0JvkvW0jhDQTtD1srlzJVyCMwP3ci8cuSL79ezfG0-NCsvO800CeKA8RCxH-tf30rsizhyPypzTUf0XXlGZXXEYpIjj_cYsm65_GXWmGRvIav1wz0G0ZDFB6OAV7QPtM_btWNzGQpva0/s4032/IMG_1266.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQhwd6uthDABuBV4yRlBeiHdijSb3VqgcCuBvO6wEyZmuyCra0JvkvW0jhDQTtD1srlzJVyCMwP3ci8cuSL79ezfG0-NCsvO800CeKA8RCxH-tf30rsizhyPypzTUf0XXlGZXXEYpIjj_cYsm65_GXWmGRvIav1wz0G0ZDFB6OAV7QPtM_btWNzGQpva0/w640-h480/IMG_1266.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQm4DrS5uJaySQCie2ZyR48IkIw0RNFViqufY7PeOpWbHeZHdt9I4dyiEiNKly30llOp6tNCSld5sMrQkmE1neUbx0dP2kFAswgIL0yzWdxyfv7Atj6d4NhXesQ_FlvmWV86VzYfkFaMmXP9rVYV3BBDI5cjb0uHY1lvPMkubdvjEk6YXBIjF185Wj6Xk6/s3959/IMG_1419.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Playmobil Novelmore - Battle in the Snow Advent Calendar" border="0" data-original-height="2702" data-original-width="3959" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQm4DrS5uJaySQCie2ZyR48IkIw0RNFViqufY7PeOpWbHeZHdt9I4dyiEiNKly30llOp6tNCSld5sMrQkmE1neUbx0dP2kFAswgIL0yzWdxyfv7Atj6d4NhXesQ_FlvmWV86VzYfkFaMmXP9rVYV3BBDI5cjb0uHY1lvPMkubdvjEk6YXBIjF185Wj6Xk6/w640-h436/IMG_1419.jpeg" title="Playmobil Novelmore - Battle in the Snow Advent Calendar" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Playmobil have a great selection of 2023 Advent Calendars, and we have always loved a good Playmobil set! Leo at 12 is definitely growing up but has proven that he is never too old to enjoy a play figure, although he doesn’t really play with objects in the conventional way anymore, he does like to display them around his room (along with an abundance of Prime bottles!)</p><p style="text-align: center;">Leo has been sent the Playmobil Novelmore - Battle in the Snow Advent Calendar. The count down starts on the 1st December and goes all the way through to Christmas Eve. Behind each door are figures, weapons, armour and knight accessories. As each door opens you will find that you are building a complete Winter Novelmore scene!</p><p style="text-align: center;">With a little girl in the house, we also get to look at alternative advent offerings, which makes my heart so happy! The Disney Frozen Musical Christmas Advent Calendar by Danilo is absolutely magical, and I am very excited to present this one to you.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNdZE2-E_oW027XSOJLTg3J3WNQIPW-qfcd0zEQaekWH-NELv4wEP5BcVLNpMtgCyDyWce8qAluxyZdvhgt1ytm2uhknVxf9gFDwFTUfzvaT6jAbiBKSz0NvUn_wbPPZNYw98nIghIgXHuOAhaCuBor8a78J-IgfBD_He1FxUEP6c-JH52XTTa9_Bomwz/s4032/IMG_1267.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNdZE2-E_oW027XSOJLTg3J3WNQIPW-qfcd0zEQaekWH-NELv4wEP5BcVLNpMtgCyDyWce8qAluxyZdvhgt1ytm2uhknVxf9gFDwFTUfzvaT6jAbiBKSz0NvUn_wbPPZNYw98nIghIgXHuOAhaCuBor8a78J-IgfBD_He1FxUEP6c-JH52XTTa9_Bomwz/w640-h480/IMG_1267.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRT8S_eVfIRJzLk_tVZZPUhrn0cMFJXhlsafYThHqFlMSJrcETXzVF89VwSUK27AXQzidBiTeYfRi13JL_DqDHao95-BprUU1iC_DU456dyU1PSOTwrThvLQA87xQG8JCYYpqtfcDPWfXenlRAVZgJX9eJ-4etdQvgs9wSo6KY8Rk3wrs5TVa7QOLXNWFf/s4032/IMG_1426.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Disney Frozen Musical Christmas Advent Calendar by Danilo" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRT8S_eVfIRJzLk_tVZZPUhrn0cMFJXhlsafYThHqFlMSJrcETXzVF89VwSUK27AXQzidBiTeYfRi13JL_DqDHao95-BprUU1iC_DU456dyU1PSOTwrThvLQA87xQG8JCYYpqtfcDPWfXenlRAVZgJX9eJ-4etdQvgs9wSo6KY8Rk3wrs5TVa7QOLXNWFf/w640-h480/IMG_1426.jpeg" title="The Disney Frozen Musical Christmas Advent Calendar by Danilo" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0u8nIdNrSVdbZnJS-lfrVpsGeWenCE3DozS9A_ss6CmtBMGK6U2KIr7d7j_rh3Xv4zylXt-Ac_tadfkBKG3Rh-2n8TZ9HggNB1QYo4_I9SVtKqXX2__aihc17cP2DKQFuQQYH-qHLetmuWnfx1IEdFI4VwOpjNyMmtzEdKQjszw2JbDq1HQzgypU1uXc3/s4032/IMG_1427.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Disney Frozen Musical Christmas Advent Calendar by Danilo" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0u8nIdNrSVdbZnJS-lfrVpsGeWenCE3DozS9A_ss6CmtBMGK6U2KIr7d7j_rh3Xv4zylXt-Ac_tadfkBKG3Rh-2n8TZ9HggNB1QYo4_I9SVtKqXX2__aihc17cP2DKQFuQQYH-qHLetmuWnfx1IEdFI4VwOpjNyMmtzEdKQjszw2JbDq1HQzgypU1uXc3/w640-h480/IMG_1427.jpeg" title="The Disney Frozen Musical Christmas Advent Calendar by Danilo" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Each day over December as you open each door, you gradually build the Frozen scene. Behind each door are stickers and magnetic stand up characters! Anna, Elsa and Olaf are behind 3 of the doors and they attach directly to the mechanism in the base. </p><p style="text-align: center;">When the music plays the characters actually move and glide around the ice rink to the Official Disney Frozen soundtrack - Winters Waltz by Christophe Beck.</p><p style="text-align: center;">It's an absolutely gorgeous way to count down until Christmas, and something completely unique. I would have been absolutely over the moon to receive this as a child. This advent calendar has been designed to be robust and resilient against little hands and is suitable for children 3 years and over.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Disney-Frozen-Official-Musical-Calendar/dp/1838543481" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Disney Frozen Musical Advent Calendar</a> retails at £23.99.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I will be updating Instagram with snaps and clips of both of the above calendars, so keep an eye out on <a href="The Twin Phantom 2 Player Badminton Racket Set from Badminton HQ " target="_blank">Lifeunexpecteduk</a>!</p><div class="a-expander-header a-expander-partial-collapse-header" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; display: block; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; opacity: 1; orphans: auto; outline: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; width: 649.203125px; word-spacing: 0px;"></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Christmas Eve Box Ideas for 2023</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAx6Ly95j8pbEJR-PdCwcVlhzWUnQtdowEcifY0IGJFkfNgkdhNXJJrR3Ag9ZLpZp9awwkhCMAtv4UYwBV9AGCcBqqKTgD5MuTBgOn590xRcZtdeh4dJpKXy0dPXd0xdnvInnu7VKOPDoUGOULubZHfmtxVeLKVIapcMwiizh8_Wn8I_w0BK0eU_g2ooPw/s4032/IMG_1353.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Eve Box Ideas 2023" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAx6Ly95j8pbEJR-PdCwcVlhzWUnQtdowEcifY0IGJFkfNgkdhNXJJrR3Ag9ZLpZp9awwkhCMAtv4UYwBV9AGCcBqqKTgD5MuTBgOn590xRcZtdeh4dJpKXy0dPXd0xdnvInnu7VKOPDoUGOULubZHfmtxVeLKVIapcMwiizh8_Wn8I_w0BK0eU_g2ooPw/w640-h480/IMG_1353.jpeg" title="Christmas Eve Box Ideas 2023" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Both of the children have their own Christmas Eve boxes that the Elves bring back from the North Pole each year and place lovingly under the Christmas Tree on Christmas Eve.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Inside the Christmas Eve Box for Christmas 2023</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">- Matching Christmas PJs - £5 - £10 depending on size from B&M Bargains</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Christmas Gonk Mug - £3.50 from B&M Bargains</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Hot Chocolate Elf Bomb - £1.49 from Aldi</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Gingerbread Mug Huggers - £1.50 from Home Bargains</p><p style="text-align: center;">- A selection of Christmas Chocolates and sweets from Broadway - Cotswold Chocolate</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBLF_sG-DBHpHMICH-GIOqYd7fiFiZRoKWpK8j3mVfX8LiXz6lp0shCcYauZzQyvnqAumYdZ-rqEsCOGwu5uUZCHqUnInzudKK7h91Q66WGDRMHWkQgshnCnDaYKZ2bjLO2OfBPbETfjoka0G5sXZYoYIxeI7mYLLgDD9_Vu1jyhuG8FiB0gASoeF0oFO/s4032/IMG_1351.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Eve Box Ideas 2023" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBLF_sG-DBHpHMICH-GIOqYd7fiFiZRoKWpK8j3mVfX8LiXz6lp0shCcYauZzQyvnqAumYdZ-rqEsCOGwu5uUZCHqUnInzudKK7h91Q66WGDRMHWkQgshnCnDaYKZ2bjLO2OfBPbETfjoka0G5sXZYoYIxeI7mYLLgDD9_Vu1jyhuG8FiB0gASoeF0oFO/w640-h480/IMG_1351.jpeg" title="Christmas Eve Box Ideas 2023" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">The idea of the boxes is to get the excitement buzzing ahead of Christmas Day, they will contain everything they need to get snuggled down and cosy ahead of the celebrations. After they appear magically under the Christmas Tree, the children will open them up and get into their matching PJ's while sipping hot chocolate from their new festive mugs.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">This year there will be an additional gift under the tree before Santa Clause flies through the night. Once the family are suited up in their matching Pyjamas (Parents included!) we will sit down and play the Christmas Express Board Game from Cheatwell Games.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkoHvmZJmJ8ioYWLJ0LedJTrrb0Mm96HdK5kZG_El5BiuwlpdrzS8xbrNUFg9okt6_U3j725tKzI2SW-jmE2zSjONZzHyliPBJeUWRLeHTrPpF8dtUrvjRw_zpBEK8iBcvdrDfxR3bgWbJPmklMasgGNEdz-cbZso-HXOfLsNuU2TFkYBA4LIeO_n9Nwdc/s4032/IMG_1270.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkoHvmZJmJ8ioYWLJ0LedJTrrb0Mm96HdK5kZG_El5BiuwlpdrzS8xbrNUFg9okt6_U3j725tKzI2SW-jmE2zSjONZzHyliPBJeUWRLeHTrPpF8dtUrvjRw_zpBEK8iBcvdrDfxR3bgWbJPmklMasgGNEdz-cbZso-HXOfLsNuU2TFkYBA4LIeO_n9Nwdc/w640-h480/IMG_1270.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">This is the most Christmassy game we own, it's a board game for children aged 6+ and the aim of the game is to be the first one to travel along the train track from the Home Station, all the way to the North Pole. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Of course it isn't as straight forward as just rolling the dice and moving forward the awarded number of steps. You have to avoid the Hustle Bustle, Reindeer Crossings, Snow Storms and the Naughty Elf along the way!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The game is easy to follow and learn making it a great family game addition that you will enjoy year in and out.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cheatwell-Games-Christmas-Express-Game/dp/B08WLXY22Z" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Christmas Express Board Game</a> retails at £22.99 - At the time of writing this it is £15.49 from Amazon.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Christmas Stocking Ideas for 2023</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zCEeLVNsV60usWdPj9g7jc68fLOjHdCoWGwq387p5mZg4HJJSbCm42f74WC9JxS0OlYH-BPMVxiNfelQMtJDDd9qiGHfRunKXjLU05Hqy5bGTnaaYKTyEPlazAkPy4uR9bivylitHHIOQtdsrmxi7OTJbL-p-yVId7rsSdHawpmXTf3JBnMMIFztwEdc/s4032/IMG_1383.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stocking Gift Ideas for Kids 2023" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zCEeLVNsV60usWdPj9g7jc68fLOjHdCoWGwq387p5mZg4HJJSbCm42f74WC9JxS0OlYH-BPMVxiNfelQMtJDDd9qiGHfRunKXjLU05Hqy5bGTnaaYKTyEPlazAkPy4uR9bivylitHHIOQtdsrmxi7OTJbL-p-yVId7rsSdHawpmXTf3JBnMMIFztwEdc/w640-h480/IMG_1383.jpeg" title="Stocking Gift Ideas for Kids 2023" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">I like to keep Christmas Stockings simple but fun, they have to include silly toys that will entertain the children until we head downstairs (and hopefully they will be firm favourites that they will enjoy throughout the rest of the festivities). </p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">This year I have got them both matching contents for their stockings regardless of age. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Each of them have:</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">- A light up YoYo - <i>£1 from Homebargains</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">- A Light up Nickelodeon Bouncy Ball - <i>£1 from Homebargains</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>- Gooey Alien Egg</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">- A un-official Tamagotchi - <i>£4 off eBay</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">- Chocolate Coins, Chocolate Santa </p><p style="text-align: center;">- Sweets</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Hot chocolate Disc</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Around the Christmas Tree Gift Ideas For Children</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5uBB49wPU673zY9OkAt42rRisCLwXedmIEZrpb0wpi3XARACtuZBPh-fRMWZUGUmAzfA7b2_7J3ZBwKMUhHZu6VasWqiNPfNld8lspO1qZITmORozxIvsXX-3z4umdAw-UDRidRWeH52A2iGpY1FF3eeTIZ1bm5xHhTU79LkH06g2_l0j78fph38uvoW/s4032/IMG_1297.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Main Christmas Present Ideas for Kids 2023" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5uBB49wPU673zY9OkAt42rRisCLwXedmIEZrpb0wpi3XARACtuZBPh-fRMWZUGUmAzfA7b2_7J3ZBwKMUhHZu6VasWqiNPfNld8lspO1qZITmORozxIvsXX-3z4umdAw-UDRidRWeH52A2iGpY1FF3eeTIZ1bm5xHhTU79LkH06g2_l0j78fph38uvoW/w640-h480/IMG_1297.jpeg" title="Main Christmas Present Ideas for Kids 2023" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>With Christmas Morning in full swing, the Santa gifts all huddled around the base of the tree awaiting excited children to arrive and tear the crisp wrapping paper away. The parent's will hurry to the kitchen to make a much needed coffee and get nestled on the sofa so that they don't miss a moment.<p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I always make lists of things for the children nice and early, my Amazon basket is usually brimming with gift ideas during the Summer months. Then I slowly start purchasing them over the following months so that when December arrives I am usually just finishing things off (and everything is bought and paid for ahead of time!). This has been the only way that I can do it this year, with the cost of living crisis in full swing and money just having stretch even further than ever before.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8b5fynI1JAjNkpnYc9GzE6nHNYil8tYD27y4TEmiRbAFYbNiwtQEMEl4Sc7jmFq7l56WA4rm1_CyDvwdT5_xl8bOpATHlvGh5XtWLcMRKmwEeitmPxE9lzoY29OOv98Ir-VFN0eU121KzdlKKGsStGYrWP1eRGkIMPx2LgedjjWLrkaD1MTkd87zm-ij/s4032/IMG_1260.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8b5fynI1JAjNkpnYc9GzE6nHNYil8tYD27y4TEmiRbAFYbNiwtQEMEl4Sc7jmFq7l56WA4rm1_CyDvwdT5_xl8bOpATHlvGh5XtWLcMRKmwEeitmPxE9lzoY29OOv98Ir-VFN0eU121KzdlKKGsStGYrWP1eRGkIMPx2LgedjjWLrkaD1MTkd87zm-ij/w640-h480/IMG_1260.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>Connetix</b> is an award winning STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and </span>Mathematics) Approved Magnetic toy. Connetix Magnetic Tiles actively supports learning in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Aside from being a great construction and problem solving toy, the children can enjoy playtime with the magnetic tiles without feeling like they are even learning. </p><p style="text-align: center;">We have been sent the 120 Piece Pastel Creative Pack, all the tile pieces are lovely pastel shades in varying different shapes and sizes that mean you can make some absolutely wonderful creations! For us this takes your traditional building blocks that I used to enjoy as a child, to an entirely new level. The kids can build car ramps, multi storey car parks or even dolls houses and castles!</p><p style="text-align: center;">The adults have equally enjoyed playing with this toy, along with both the big kid and the smaller kid! Thankfully they haven't minded sharing.</p><p style="text-align: center;">There are numerous different sets that you can purchase to expand your collection all appealing to different budgets. </p><p style="text-align: center;">- 100 Piece Creative Pack - £90 but currently on offer at £72</p><p style="text-align: center;">- 62 Piece Creative Pack - £65 but currently on offer at £52.14</p><p style="text-align: center;">- 24 Piece Creative Pack - £37.50</p><p style="text-align: center;">You can view the full range on their website.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I would highly recommend this set as a Christmas gift idea that is set to be one that gets some serious play value from the moment that is unwrapped. It would make a great shared Christmas gift if you are purchasing for 2 children.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://connetixtiles.com/product/120-piece-pastel-creative-pack-uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Connetix 120 Piece Pastel Creative Pack</a> retails at £115.00. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErzsrhtWbJ6d3qaSvq5lSoji41PeBrE55FwXT7305wKobQ8REJAh9WN1zULAunIGp_jSpohbTSRXHJOECs0qpCCXUUGwrwgCF8dliCtKTaOB35y7tY6gHZLT_Mhndejes5Hoc7LsoJmjohDnSAB6531ml6iOEUazxfnAPk3AswLVw-j0lk3HIzmnL5bjM/s2017/IMG_0001.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Twin Phantom 2 Player Badminton Racket Set from Badminton HQ" border="0" data-original-height="2017" data-original-width="1640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErzsrhtWbJ6d3qaSvq5lSoji41PeBrE55FwXT7305wKobQ8REJAh9WN1zULAunIGp_jSpohbTSRXHJOECs0qpCCXUUGwrwgCF8dliCtKTaOB35y7tY6gHZLT_Mhndejes5Hoc7LsoJmjohDnSAB6531ml6iOEUazxfnAPk3AswLVw-j0lk3HIzmnL5bjM/w520-h640/IMG_0001.jpeg" title="The Twin Phantom 2 Player Badminton Racket Set from Badminton HQ" width="520" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">I really like the idea of shared Christmas presents between the children, it gives them some common ground and something that they can do together. Another idea that we had for the kids this year was some Badminton Rackets for them to enjoy when the weather lets up and they can get back outside. Obviously come Christmas Day, I expect that they will be standing either side of the sofa and batting the shuttlecock back and forth to one another!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://badmintonhq.co.uk/products/uwin-phantom-2-player-badminton-racket-set" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Twin Phantom 2 Player Badminton Racket Set from Badminton HQ</a> retails at £12.95.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Our two have sadly grown out of some of the younger gift offerings, but I happen to have an almost 2 year old nephew who I like to enlist in helping with this category. My nephew Parker was sent the Tomy John Deere Kids Key 'n Go Johnny Tractor, which has gone down a real treat.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Parker is at the age where he is discovering keys and exploring his way in the world, so this rather substantial sized tractor has been something he has really enjoyed. It boats 15 interactive features with movement, lights and sound that encourage learning through play. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpa0hQVgJNM9NnxV-Myfzbss4OCEd4D6nY7vrW1D_ySCAlAHspj4IJJ4tg56xi0uEiQmPxbQAh3qSzgoiiBIzErYxwhoGrVIQ5GMj5yxj0X1Df0V335fmg1uWKUR_y4R6m3fGHThhepRXudmjWoNE9lLTaFcwn3bIG3eayqsfGyRa9akqmGJVOI1ke_U4M/s1666/e7757eb1-d0e5-452d-8ae7-1381f42d7290.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Tomy Jon Deere Kids Key 'n Go Johnny Tractor" border="0" data-original-height="1666" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpa0hQVgJNM9NnxV-Myfzbss4OCEd4D6nY7vrW1D_ySCAlAHspj4IJJ4tg56xi0uEiQmPxbQAh3qSzgoiiBIzErYxwhoGrVIQ5GMj5yxj0X1Df0V335fmg1uWKUR_y4R6m3fGHThhepRXudmjWoNE9lLTaFcwn3bIG3eayqsfGyRa9akqmGJVOI1ke_U4M/w590-h640/e7757eb1-d0e5-452d-8ae7-1381f42d7290.jpeg" title="The Tomy Jon Deere Kids Key 'n Go Johnny Tractor" width="590" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZOC0S7r-q3CwZn-ShGY3MWxH1AROEVGEYsFvzUlZBbAYDjye5XU9yNiq6PihwgoH1WOxLShhzoAO6hijYOkmGvhkTqjfA4AGsZhphMkkeoQKyghotmf3p3jMlsi7bp-cR32vmjjnex78q8AB_jFZT9IKLkqTKF8vpwZT8tuifMa9eFKEuO3b_AHyYigQ/s1843/c572778e-816e-4f95-abd5-575108cc3e74.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Tomy Jon Deere Kids Key 'n Go Johnny Tractor" border="0" data-original-height="1843" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZOC0S7r-q3CwZn-ShGY3MWxH1AROEVGEYsFvzUlZBbAYDjye5XU9yNiq6PihwgoH1WOxLShhzoAO6hijYOkmGvhkTqjfA4AGsZhphMkkeoQKyghotmf3p3jMlsi7bp-cR32vmjjnex78q8AB_jFZT9IKLkqTKF8vpwZT8tuifMa9eFKEuO3b_AHyYigQ/w534-h640/c572778e-816e-4f95-abd5-575108cc3e74.jpeg" title="The Tomy Jon Deere Kids Key 'n Go Johnny Tractor" width="534" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">There are 3 different key locations on the front, middle and back of the tractor and when the key is placed in any of those holes it prompts a different light/sound or for the tractor to move. It is a great toy to teach little children all about cause and effect (Which is something that Parker is all over right now, ask Granny about his colouring on the walls in crayon!)</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="Tomy Jon Deere Kids Key 'n Go Johnny Tractor" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The </a></span><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="Tomy John Deere Kids Key 'n Go Johnny Tractor" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tomy John Deere Kids Key 'n Go Johnny Tractor</a> retails at £32.99 but is currently on offer for £24.99 at the point of writing this guide. </span></p><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxUBSMG7Bmozr_yjxMchuRx1unRnJ59QpOW4yCVzRCMO7-spfa8RjZjfZtEJZfim5fRq5z59-jjFrzSogWj28FZ2xn14B8KyjJQB3N8flypTKFPLERJAMgkTKNNlQDqZb9FbeGLCGpqEBxpshUBJgJkbunREnYhVjb129zPT14dWPfY2qTlfB9Jal6kr0/s832/8acc0019-ab99-4e09-84e6-f90f0167ba43.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Tomy Jon Deere Kids Key 'n Go Johnny Tractor" border="0" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxUBSMG7Bmozr_yjxMchuRx1unRnJ59QpOW4yCVzRCMO7-spfa8RjZjfZtEJZfim5fRq5z59-jjFrzSogWj28FZ2xn14B8KyjJQB3N8flypTKFPLERJAMgkTKNNlQDqZb9FbeGLCGpqEBxpshUBJgJkbunREnYhVjb129zPT14dWPfY2qTlfB9Jal6kr0/w590-h640/8acc0019-ab99-4e09-84e6-f90f0167ba43.jpeg" title="The Tomy Jon Deere Kids Key 'n Go Johnny Tractor" width="590" /></a></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>The Christmas Tree Gift Ideas - SHOW STOPPER</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Now for the show stopper gift idea of this years gift series!</p><p style="text-align: center;">My step daughter has had a child's scooter with big chunky plastic wheels for many years now, she has looked at Leo's scooter and not understood why her's doesn't perform to the same standard his does. I knew that a wonderful gift idea for her would be her very own stunt scooter! </p><p style="text-align: center;">We have been sent the <a href="https://www.skates.co.uk/mgp-kick-extreme-v5-stnt-scooter-teal-pink.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Madd Gear MGP Kick Extreme V5 Scooter from Skates.co.uk</a> and it is exactly what we were after. We opted for the Teal/Pink colour way which is exactly what little miss would have chosen should she have been presented with the choice herself. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkkcLk_ag-_vzSyFAkMlokzyJ1fgSwo_LVT6NF8IP3jLxu9vQ4c02fOq2Y3IW9NGLRnlrF0Dm8zSgBxsFSDcqL0yQFCkkpRBkSunGKEduFyRcw-ZgOX9rA4Lz2oZxOaB92oGBdkf7HHlz3ELZFju7u19oZAVz5gBKVEBh4J-LwjTJ_xD0EgYbPxxLe8xk/s3033/IMG_1261.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Madd Gear MGP Kick Extreme V5 Stunt Scooter" border="0" data-original-height="3033" data-original-width="3022" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkkcLk_ag-_vzSyFAkMlokzyJ1fgSwo_LVT6NF8IP3jLxu9vQ4c02fOq2Y3IW9NGLRnlrF0Dm8zSgBxsFSDcqL0yQFCkkpRBkSunGKEduFyRcw-ZgOX9rA4Lz2oZxOaB92oGBdkf7HHlz3ELZFju7u19oZAVz5gBKVEBh4J-LwjTJ_xD0EgYbPxxLe8xk/w638-h640/IMG_1261.jpeg" title="Madd Gear MGP Kick Extreme V5 Stunt Scooter" width="638" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNuTuW_v0zmZF1AJ3j-DAOtqfjkArY2IIm-IqCAIlnhXB7_5TmE8kcAphw7OJzpX8ghySG6W9Va0B69yCe99rHc54dUM9a_07FMEeMsfXxyhuYDCOY3NkCLV2yMZuJsMDIgxFrj-zZ7OyBoSQLg_pyOb5_2IRfQ7peIB0qnR2Hy235r_YwOyYJ6aMaAV_/s4032/IMG_1263.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Madd Gear MGP Kick Extreme V5 Stunt Scooter" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNuTuW_v0zmZF1AJ3j-DAOtqfjkArY2IIm-IqCAIlnhXB7_5TmE8kcAphw7OJzpX8ghySG6W9Va0B69yCe99rHc54dUM9a_07FMEeMsfXxyhuYDCOY3NkCLV2yMZuJsMDIgxFrj-zZ7OyBoSQLg_pyOb5_2IRfQ7peIB0qnR2Hy235r_YwOyYJ6aMaAV_/w640-h480/IMG_1263.jpeg" title="Madd Gear MGP Kick Extreme V5 Stunt Scooter" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kzmabR3GStY94RmvaHTCyTXnryDRQZ21F4VHbP-YVE47wVz-8GLPY972RgoZLKsSD13X9Te5MyMJNVjYdcoW9HAnng8NVSWex21xjcIkitieq3ue_p_FWHE0qhz9NmCiRS-qydX9EVgCzW5I9cBSCx2IfMrrx5OfVza5m-l_ItRpsQMIfsSsKHdhtVL0/s4032/IMG_1264.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Madd Gear MGP Kick Extreme V5 Stunt Scooter" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kzmabR3GStY94RmvaHTCyTXnryDRQZ21F4VHbP-YVE47wVz-8GLPY972RgoZLKsSD13X9Te5MyMJNVjYdcoW9HAnng8NVSWex21xjcIkitieq3ue_p_FWHE0qhz9NmCiRS-qydX9EVgCzW5I9cBSCx2IfMrrx5OfVza5m-l_ItRpsQMIfsSsKHdhtVL0/w640-h480/IMG_1264.jpeg" title="Madd Gear MGP Kick Extreme V5 Stunt Scooter" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZ3-Ru_WpOMjucRx8C5KE9WFY3txmAPcBn_ymK_lwHZJ0qW7_cIMZDdHXMtHLBnmlRZgiJl7gRBZZcIcbyPacDgu3mcgUQ_M_ixbdw2iXR3i5Zyf_QhqxSshtRJtzr_LVfa46pG4lHpv1vjmP45GWiYgQvCOWu3JaBewv827T2xkJSvadcqtfyr4Tq4nL/s3823/IMG_1265.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Madd Gear MGP Kick Extreme V5 Stunt Scooter" border="0" data-original-height="3022" data-original-width="3823" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZ3-Ru_WpOMjucRx8C5KE9WFY3txmAPcBn_ymK_lwHZJ0qW7_cIMZDdHXMtHLBnmlRZgiJl7gRBZZcIcbyPacDgu3mcgUQ_M_ixbdw2iXR3i5Zyf_QhqxSshtRJtzr_LVfa46pG4lHpv1vjmP45GWiYgQvCOWu3JaBewv827T2xkJSvadcqtfyr4Tq4nL/w640-h506/IMG_1265.jpeg" title="Madd Gear MGP Kick Extreme V5 Stunt Scooter" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">This is her very first stunt scooter and it is designed for children 8 years and over. With this under the Christmas Tree this year, it means that we can take both of the sproglets to the skate park so they can both scoot around together while Leo demonstrates what to do.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The Madd Gear MGP is a fixed scooter that cannot be folded and arrives in the box 95% built! All we have had to do is pop the bars on, tighten the clamp and it was ready to be wrapped! It was really easy to put together and I even managed to do this myself! </p><p style="text-align: center;">This is a real piece of kit and in comparison to her old scooter, it is the bees knees. The hard plastic wheels that she has been used to that don't travel all that well over tarmac and the associated lumps and bumps are now a thing of the past. The 110mm 5 spoke Aluminium core wheels on the Kick Extreme are exactly what you would expect to find on a stunt scooter and means it just glides along beautifully. </p><p style="text-align: center;">We decided that this would be better built ahead of the big day as we have a funny suspicion that come 8am we may be down the street playing on scooters. </p><p style="text-align: center;">The Madd Gear MGP Kick Extreme V5 Scooter retails at £134.95 but is currently on offer at £119.95 at the time of writing this gift guide.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Disclaimer: </b><i>Some of the items in this gift series have been gifted in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions. If I have purchased something I have specified this next to the item. </i></p><p><br /></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07693927098032739132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978459861373615747.post-59764428436233431312023-11-29T19:36:00.000+00:002023-11-29T19:36:03.429+00:00Christmas Gift Ideas for Him 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGklxb-Ux0BmRZkJy5pfyJCU85ZHxZHLXrkcPtB3kNioicT56sklGpRZRJg3Zgxl0ml4qKBikOUFQOyZ00OvmRo5xUg6OVNQCfOKZmdztww6NX-ZcLLa6ED5MmX4iFVDi2nLQCq9nRjSETUvx-7482vx7iUYtnjLnCElCxOBSlhpPd-YV5RCYe59lv-YdR/s2048/IMG_1340.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGklxb-Ux0BmRZkJy5pfyJCU85ZHxZHLXrkcPtB3kNioicT56sklGpRZRJg3Zgxl0ml4qKBikOUFQOyZ00OvmRo5xUg6OVNQCfOKZmdztww6NX-ZcLLa6ED5MmX4iFVDi2nLQCq9nRjSETUvx-7482vx7iUYtnjLnCElCxOBSlhpPd-YV5RCYe59lv-YdR/w640-h640/IMG_1340.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">It's been a few years since Life Unexpected has compiled it's Christmas Gift series, but I am pleased to report that for Christmas 2023 we are BACK!</p><p style="text-align: center;">I am the first to admit that I find shopping for 'Him' one of the hardest things I do each year, and I usually have to act while we are out shopping together. I mean this in the sense that if he is eyeing something up but cannot commit to the purchase, I will usually sneak around when he is out of sight taking photos of the item in question, making notes on my phone and also taking down the sizing so I can either come back later or hop online in an attempt to beat the price!</p><p style="text-align: center;">This usually works pretty well, and as I start Christmas shopping in July usually (Yes really...) it means I have plenty of time for that particular item to dispel from his mind. The only potential problem is that he may decide to head back and actually buy that item for himself before Christmas which means I am walking on egg shells for months on end!</p><p style="text-align: center;">I usually like to put together an eclectic selection of gifts, this will usually boast a Christmas Stocking full of fun little treats that will be opened in bed before the day gives way to the children's demands of us heading downstairs. This is then followed by the tree gifts, I don't ever think of a number of gifts that this should involve, and it will of course change each year, but I do like to make sure I have snuck in as many of the items from those shopping exhibitions from earlier in the year as I can muster!</p><p style="text-align: center;">It really is just about finding that right inspiration to spoil the man in your life, so this year I am going to walk you through how we prepare for Christmas and hopefully share some inspiration if you are feeling a little... well... stuck!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Christmas Stocking Ideas for Him</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">For our very first Christmas together I purchased a Christmas stocking with his initial on it, all these years later this same stocking comes out each Christmas Eve full of the goodies I have lovingly chosen for him.</p><p style="text-align: center;">My other half is on a fitness mission right now, and he has been absolutely smashing it. For this reason I have opted for some healthier treats in his stocking this year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CLuHCRjX_agQdriMOiQfZmB_hkGjt_z3Ot4QhgDYJqwHPNA197kHrfn4KtMa-Dgij5TOzK4bevrxN5fdN1toEbwiTkpWsTIy2gLSK9x6GV_TLGepTuVfsaWMQfDDoklZjiiiv3AjBXGHjHNs9OjGZDgEA0kVLbacG7PtnCF5jXJd_TK5sxAkg-tMrr9l/s4032/IMG_1374.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pulsin Plant Based Treats - Christmas" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CLuHCRjX_agQdriMOiQfZmB_hkGjt_z3Ot4QhgDYJqwHPNA197kHrfn4KtMa-Dgij5TOzK4bevrxN5fdN1toEbwiTkpWsTIy2gLSK9x6GV_TLGepTuVfsaWMQfDDoklZjiiiv3AjBXGHjHNs9OjGZDgEA0kVLbacG7PtnCF5jXJd_TK5sxAkg-tMrr9l/w640-h480/IMG_1374.jpeg" title="Pulsin Plant Based Treats - Christmas" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Pulsin Plant Based Snacks and Treats are a great alternative to chocolates and sweets, they come in a wide range of different flavours:</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Peanut Choc</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Caramel and Peanut Choc</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Vanilla Choc and Almond</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Maple and Peanut</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Choc Fudge</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Cookie Dough</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eVNf4REdzVPqDLYl-DT3F3my_QNvncMCvJBZPsNUmbyBdPQc0rqCqcTCIuXRrJ1a-vWNgCUp8LS-6IFR5ze3fC7do1-yrJk1AmCfCJxyya4sBi3Nnh5Ck0XZw2RyA74spVRT0KuudiqwEPMOpbdC4vORMHwnu9fq7IheM-i1dd7MRYxm1DQXA9dscWl4/s4032/IMG_1377.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pulsin Plant Based Treats - Christmas" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eVNf4REdzVPqDLYl-DT3F3my_QNvncMCvJBZPsNUmbyBdPQc0rqCqcTCIuXRrJ1a-vWNgCUp8LS-6IFR5ze3fC7do1-yrJk1AmCfCJxyya4sBi3Nnh5Ck0XZw2RyA74spVRT0KuudiqwEPMOpbdC4vORMHwnu9fq7IheM-i1dd7MRYxm1DQXA9dscWl4/w640-h480/IMG_1377.jpeg" title="Pulsin Plant Based Treats - Christmas" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">I enjoy Pulsin in my everyday, my all time favourite being their Mint Chocolate and Peanut. They are the perfect size to wrap up as part of a festive treat.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Pulsin also do a complete Vegan Protein blend boasting 20g Protein per serving, which will make a great addition in readiness to hit January hard with the post Christmas diet!</p><p style="text-align: center;">You can view all of <a href="https://www.pulsin.co.uk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pulsen's Plant Based Treats here</a>.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Around the Christmas Tree Gift Ideas for Him</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">As we gather around the Christmas Tree this festive season, I am excited to see our whole little family of 4. Being a blended family, this will be the first Christmas that we have had BOTH children on Christmas Day! </p><p style="text-align: center;">It's set to be our best Christmas to date! </p><p style="text-align: center;">I am envisioning family games and lots of laughs, and this is why I am recommending Charades for the festivities. Under the tree this year will be the <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cheatwell-Games-01777-Family-Charades/dp/B014UJEF0M/ref=asc_df_B014UJEF0M/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310776459020&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14870392266742296439&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007154&hvtargid=pla-563187094971&psc=1&th=1&psc=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cheatwell Games Family Charades </a>for the other half to unwrap, and for us all to enjoy. We have some smaller theatricals in our family and I know that they will be more than up to the occasion acting out a selection of the 1000 mimes in a race across the board!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uolkC_oz4MXsSk12Bue0MfMRtOdsMGpIrJgZdgqmzCYmxJ0r9uEtoeidMaGW6bdukt698kcLqefX6PRSehhbXoVCwii7cnz1LqW0NFp6mPtgDV5OMfRwoDKdwPTR9uvYefR0FITbO8wAJ7fUUU4JoZWbBgPhq_id02lsHEM4lTtCjEYWiLrKRAmGivQ1/s4032/IMG_1274.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uolkC_oz4MXsSk12Bue0MfMRtOdsMGpIrJgZdgqmzCYmxJ0r9uEtoeidMaGW6bdukt698kcLqefX6PRSehhbXoVCwii7cnz1LqW0NFp6mPtgDV5OMfRwoDKdwPTR9uvYefR0FITbO8wAJ7fUUU4JoZWbBgPhq_id02lsHEM4lTtCjEYWiLrKRAmGivQ1/w640-h480/IMG_1274.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">The aim of the game is to move your playing counters across the board all while acting out and guessing each other's mimes from the six categories:</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Famous People</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Films</p><p style="text-align: center;">- TV Shows</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Popular Songs</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Books</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Pot Luck</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"><b>The box contains:</b> </span><span class="il" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">Charades, </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">Card Decks, Sand Timer, Counters, Playing Board, Rules. Age 12+.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;">It is going to prove to be a fun way to spend Christmas Day afternoon with a few glasses of bubbly, let's hope that this will aid the miming!</p><p style="text-align: center;">If there is one thing that I know my other half loves, it's cosying up on a Sunday when the cold is raging outside and battening down the hatches at home. As I type this that is exactly what is happening, it is a Sunday post full roast. The first frost has dusted and there is nowhere else I would rather be than cuddled up on the sofa as the festive candles burn.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkXhQNVyuZgmAtF7iGHkONdwgzlfGKO-gxBYC17pEWnFndFH9xlq4ZrlJ7QZghB30HoiZtYjyYnXbwYotiR6ouqkNGVaIkDKJzPsu021k9sJ-1umaKnw_gIRf0QKW1-yTh5ejru9H6Uj7IC_CEEcS0rVSTdn3WA_Sjn5Hi-YqfZeTGjMcJOlXsLx8IBwa/s4032/IMG_1313.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkXhQNVyuZgmAtF7iGHkONdwgzlfGKO-gxBYC17pEWnFndFH9xlq4ZrlJ7QZghB30HoiZtYjyYnXbwYotiR6ouqkNGVaIkDKJzPsu021k9sJ-1umaKnw_gIRf0QKW1-yTh5ejru9H6Uj7IC_CEEcS0rVSTdn3WA_Sjn5Hi-YqfZeTGjMcJOlXsLx8IBwa/w640-h480/IMG_1313.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">In this time all the candles will are lit and the wax melt is diffusing around the house, making it smell wonderful. I have noticed of late that a number of our favourite candles are burning low, and with this in mind I have made sure that there is a Large Scandi Christmas Candle from Copenhagen Candles waiting to be unwrapped. </p><p style="text-align: center;">The Copenhagen Company Magic and Cheer Candle smells just like Christmas in a jar, it is absolutely stunning. It has top notes of Orange, Mandarin, Lemon and Red Fruits, middle notes of Cinnamon and clove, base notes of Sandalwood, Patchouli, Vanilla and Cedar. </p><p style="text-align: center;">The large version of this candle is substantial and smells absolutely divine as it burns. It has a burn time of 60-65 hours and the fragrance fills the room as you would hope!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwc4x1RU9S65vnT6sjbNxswGvuE4k0wf4mzRysqRq1cpyWtS7chlmMu8ZrAmkYIeWpGiS84LckWwSRrvtwLPVHBXvGinCoQfZw-ekmoFdnVzleE5sf65FNp3x7HkXG-qzjVcerRil0C8VO3k5udDly05FnOY5b5tqh3GCTj1890ZRE-2nCuj8Q-UzqFF6/s1170/IMG_1381.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wahl Aqua Blade 10 in 1 Multi Groomer - Christmas for him ideas 2023" border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="1170" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwc4x1RU9S65vnT6sjbNxswGvuE4k0wf4mzRysqRq1cpyWtS7chlmMu8ZrAmkYIeWpGiS84LckWwSRrvtwLPVHBXvGinCoQfZw-ekmoFdnVzleE5sf65FNp3x7HkXG-qzjVcerRil0C8VO3k5udDly05FnOY5b5tqh3GCTj1890ZRE-2nCuj8Q-UzqFF6/w640-h620/IMG_1381.jpeg" title="Wahl Aqua Blade 10 in 1 Multi Groomer - Christmas for him ideas 2023" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Another observation I have had is that the other half’s beard trimmer has grown tiresome in recent months, not to mention that he has broken the plug and half of it has to reside permanently in the wall as it has split… Yes I do believe it is time for a replacement. Finding a trimmer for a male is something that I think we females really struggle with, how can we possibly know what is good and what isn't when we have absolutely no idea? </p><p style="text-align: center;">Recently we were stood looking at potential contenders and I left as baffled as before the introduction into male grooming commenced. What I did take away from this conversation was that the shorter the cutting length the better!</p><p style="text-align: center;">We have been sent the Wahl Aqua Blade 10 in 1 Multi Groomer, a cordless trimmer which has the potential to be the ultimate tool for trimming, shaving, edging, clip and detailing! Not to mention that it can cut as close to 0.2mm making the Wahl’s closest trimmer shave. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Wahl say that it cuts 60% closer than their standard trimmer blade.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDwM8vLUJ5IJJhLzxarsC_ES1NrWSgMKkxIJZofJhzxKLZVvWqH5q82T2zDA1pXPxdyilDpZAAA9RxapriRTeA75jdbqngQPuBjENr2ybGaKRvVmVcmx9mExuybyXhDFXbgzBMMuuNhbYYRGMoqKskQKk8di2_8vUvltsAcGbUgBYUQPcC36ezMwmSZE3/s2048/IMG_1382.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wahl Aqua Blade 10 in 1 Multi Groomer - Christmas for him ideas 2023" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDwM8vLUJ5IJJhLzxarsC_ES1NrWSgMKkxIJZofJhzxKLZVvWqH5q82T2zDA1pXPxdyilDpZAAA9RxapriRTeA75jdbqngQPuBjENr2ybGaKRvVmVcmx9mExuybyXhDFXbgzBMMuuNhbYYRGMoqKskQKk8di2_8vUvltsAcGbUgBYUQPcC36ezMwmSZE3/w640-h640/IMG_1382.jpeg" title="Wahl Aqua Blade 10 in 1 Multi Groomer - Christmas for him ideas 2023" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">It comes with 4 interchangeable heads which offer the capability of full haircut's at home, I don’t think he would ever allow me to trim his hair but it may help him save on the once a week haircut he MUST have each week.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>What is in the box?</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">- Cordless Trimmer</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Dual Foil Shaver Head</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Rotary Head</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Detail Head</p><p style="text-align: center;">- 16 Attachment Combs</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Soft Storage Poach</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Charger</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Beard Comb </p><p style="text-align: center;">- Blade Oil</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Cleaning Brush</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Instructions</p><p style="text-align: center;">The other heads offer precision beard trimming thanks to the ground T-blade, making this the perfect groomer to keep those lines nice and sharp. The Aqua Blade is fully washable so can be fully utilised for a wet shave as well as a dry shave, each providing ultra close shaving.</p><p style="text-align: center;">This model provides total body grooming and even the removal of beard and nose hair. </p><p style="text-align: center;">The battery life on the Multi Groomer is exceptional and will last up to 180 minutes from a full charge. (that’s approximately 3 months shaving from one 60 minute charge). If you forget to charge and are in a rush though, the 1 minute quick charge feature will give you 3 minutes run time for last minute touch ups.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The handy LED battery indicator will let you know if you are running out of juice though, so you don’t have to worry too much about that.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Wahl are so confident in their trimmer that they provide the Aqua Blade 10 with a lifetime blade warranty! </p><p style="text-align: center;">The trimmer comes with a handy travel case that means that you can take it anywhere, it’s a really lovely set that I am really excited about having under the tree this year. I think this will earn me super brownie points!</p><p style="text-align: center;">The <a href="https://www.wahl.co.uk/product/aqua-blade-10-in-1-multigroomer/?https://www.wahl.co.uk/product/cordless-detailer-li/&utm_term=&utm_campaign=DSA+Remarketing+%7C+JF&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=6170494225&hsa_cam=16771575538&hsa_grp=135730424392&hsa_ad=632186174781&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=dsa-43625322274&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA9ourBhAVEiwA3L5RFul9JAFGmnSGu9xwr_QwFR03C6aogqOrXEVy-_zWXePiSU2yMJpFvBoC07EQAvD_BwE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Aqua Blade 10 in 1 Multigroomer</a> retails at £104.99 but is currently on offer at £69.99 at the point of writing this guide.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjfIPtv-Y60asggtHlGbxNCO7QqBkm3VN-3FAH2fHNLIxbwohXHpAv2krroUqBBY6Ka3DKRGMWZREwWyUiRJn1S_aczhxYfXQSpNKDcfEaKYVTWRxSNertnqHUmvyqeb91m_zLwgfg1jbwdRoIzHIdOwd15-DK0glEvOccs3uUmoE5hFHjiX0eYPz35rE/s4032/IMG_1287.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ExpressVPN Aircove Router Black Friday" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjfIPtv-Y60asggtHlGbxNCO7QqBkm3VN-3FAH2fHNLIxbwohXHpAv2krroUqBBY6Ka3DKRGMWZREwWyUiRJn1S_aczhxYfXQSpNKDcfEaKYVTWRxSNertnqHUmvyqeb91m_zLwgfg1jbwdRoIzHIdOwd15-DK0glEvOccs3uUmoE5hFHjiX0eYPz35rE/w640-h480/IMG_1287.jpeg" title="ExpressVPN Aircove Router Black Friday" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I have been hearing so much of late about VPN’s (Virtual Private Network), mainly because Leo has been playing Pokémon Go and he was convinced that if we had a VPN then we could ping ourselves through different countries servers and somehow obtain their native Pokémon!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">It turns out that although this is possible with a VPN, it transpires that you also need a location spoofer in order to trick the Pokémon Go app into believing that you are indeed in another country. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">This being said, it turns out that VPNs have a whole range of capabilities, and it isn’t just about connecting your device through another countries servers. A VPN is the most effective way for people to protect their internet traffic and keep their identities private online.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">We have been sent the ExpressVPN Aircove Router - A WiFi 6 router (the industry’s first hardware product!) that comes with a built in VPN which you can use with a ExpressVPN account (this isn’t included with your Aircove purchase). </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I will be doing a full review on the Aircove in the coming weeks, but I felt this needed to be highlighted as a tech gift in this gift edition!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcOKHBre7LEzEytWEfll5MRK4K3InuyNf3iwyjl106vI3DisZEwumzAeq63NPBo-x4QAy7HPeqaEat7mitDG1u-UZMBDnWSEcthq7_dekNhlBWyCreRra0GBEFFaaSxI1WBfOA_oDRgjzlziXfl3kXH7tFmXTFyFf1UsKkTBi7nkVH2aci7-B0Mpb9I2B/s4032/IMG_1286.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ExpressVPN Aircove Router Black Friday" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcOKHBre7LEzEytWEfll5MRK4K3InuyNf3iwyjl106vI3DisZEwumzAeq63NPBo-x4QAy7HPeqaEat7mitDG1u-UZMBDnWSEcthq7_dekNhlBWyCreRra0GBEFFaaSxI1WBfOA_oDRgjzlziXfl3kXH7tFmXTFyFf1UsKkTBi7nkVH2aci7-B0Mpb9I2B/w640-h480/IMG_1286.jpeg" title="ExpressVPN Aircove Router Black Friday" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Benefits of using a VPN</b></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>Change your location</b> - using the ExpressVPN account you can change your location to different destinations around the world. The VPN alters your IP address which can make you appear somewhere different than where you are. Leo has been watching Netflix on his smart TV logged in from Australia! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Each countries Netflix offerings are different, and Leo has been enjoying the new Mario movie which has not made it to UK Netflix just yet!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">With servers in 105 countries ExpressVPN helps you access your favourite services and apps.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">To control all of your device connections and change their locations, it is all done through a simple drag and drop system on your phone or computer. You can put the connected devices in groups and then set the location.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjog8dStLFVIeobIdz8KOXieCMM4Z3O3ttgRGTpkLNAe4YM36NTlpfN26lo28ru_J6lft1KGK_KXAKeME5Q5WX74BsMNT7IDqTIDhMf5aDxRB0w7EF7dNhEjy-lFEi1A3bJXWYuk1-O2Zr23b0npvccPvWc4o7GMiSpberTEZpRkPAYO3xT-24d0wxbYd0B/s3022/IMG_1405.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ExpressVPN Aircove Router Black Friday" border="0" data-original-height="3022" data-original-width="2603" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjog8dStLFVIeobIdz8KOXieCMM4Z3O3ttgRGTpkLNAe4YM36NTlpfN26lo28ru_J6lft1KGK_KXAKeME5Q5WX74BsMNT7IDqTIDhMf5aDxRB0w7EF7dNhEjy-lFEi1A3bJXWYuk1-O2Zr23b0npvccPvWc4o7GMiSpberTEZpRkPAYO3xT-24d0wxbYd0B/w552-h640/IMG_1405.jpeg" title="ExpressVPN Aircove Router Black Friday" width="552" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">Protect your privac</b><span style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">y </span><b style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">and security</b><span style="text-align: left;"><b> - </b>Changing your IP address helps to conceal your identity online, which stops the services across websites and apps being able to track you. This can go as far as stopping internet providers, mobile carriers and anyone else from seeing your online activity!</span></p></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>Combat throttling to boost internet speeds</b> - There are some internet service providers that intentionally slow down your internet speed when they are consuming bandwidth, just like when you use Netflix. By using a VPN you can stop this from happening and enjoy much faster speeds.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The other half was responsible for implementing the new router into the home, and he appeared to find the whole set up process pretty simple. Within about half an hour we were up and running. The beauty is that you can use 8 simultaneous connections with the router, even those that are not usually compatible with VPN software, just like smart tv’s and speakers.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The Aircove provides so many wonderful benefits for the entire household, it gives us the flexibility to enjoy tv content from other countries in a really easy manner, it is just a case of logging into the account and changing the connecting country you wish to appear from. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">This has been Leo’s favourite aspect of the VPN so far, and I know that he is already looking at location spoofers so he can try to utilise this through Pokémon Go!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">As I mentioned above, I will be doing a full review of the Aircove Express VPN in the coming weeks, but with Christmas coming up and Black Friday I wanted to share that <a href="https://www.expressvpn.com/aircove" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ExpressVPN are currently running 25% off Aircove</a> through until November 30th! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">That concludes this year’s Christmas gift ideas for him, I do hope that this aids some inspiration in your upcoming Christmas shopping. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">For me, I am now moving over to wrapping presents! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 13, 19); color: #000d13; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 16px;">Disclaimer: </b><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 13, 19); color: #000d13; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 16px;">The products listed in the above gift guide have been received in exchange for my honest views and opinions within this post. </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07693927098032739132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978459861373615747.post-33474479084918086322023-11-26T16:56:00.003+00:002023-12-18T21:26:13.748+00:00Christmas Gift Ideas for Her 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmONEMbodMJeqblfuPtrI4vUtE9r1zQMswILnBRFA6LGq8hFRZbK5b3FpD1zIRhJ3pEcPFnTCyiEatb_RcL_xk7L65yFCxrilH-XO1SiM5lSuu-Lx3jglc7d6QEbcQyjxiVgL4ZASo57eAhVONKPfyiHHCwphyphenhyphenoRxKky3tPkP3Cc7SkbolhHvf7H1G-JB-/s2048/IMG_1339.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Gift Ideas for Her 2023" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmONEMbodMJeqblfuPtrI4vUtE9r1zQMswILnBRFA6LGq8hFRZbK5b3FpD1zIRhJ3pEcPFnTCyiEatb_RcL_xk7L65yFCxrilH-XO1SiM5lSuu-Lx3jglc7d6QEbcQyjxiVgL4ZASo57eAhVONKPfyiHHCwphyphenhyphenoRxKky3tPkP3Cc7SkbolhHvf7H1G-JB-/w640-h640/IMG_1339.png" title="Christmas Gift Ideas for Her 2023" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Welcome to the Christmas Gift Ideas for Her 2023! </p><p style="text-align: center;">My other half has been asking me for weeks 'What would you like for Christmas?' and the desperation in his eyes tells me that he really would like my help in coming up with some ideas. The thing is, I don't ever really feel that burning want for something. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Over the last few years I have been so engaged in saving every penny that comes my way, I haven't really left much room to consider what I would like for myself outside the realms of practical everyday necessities. </p><p style="text-align: center;">If my other half is asking the question, then I can only imagine that there are other men out there on the run up to Christmas feeling just as puzzled by this assignment, and I am thinking that maybe I should pop some ideas out there? Things I would like and enjoy, that maybe you would too?</p><p style="text-align: center;"> I guess I should begin by painting a little picture of what I am like as a person, my like's and interests so you can see why I am recommending certain things?</p><p style="text-align: center;">At 34 years old I am ever the practical head, I can talk myself out of any purchase even if that burning want is there to make it. I absolutely adore walking and fitness, disappearing into the mountains and spending the day climbing peaks. I like sensible purchases and would be more inclined to treat myself to a new walking coat over going and having my hair done (even if I really needed it!), I am more likely to make and take my own coffee on my daily errands than call into a coffee shop, and you can almost guarantee that I will lose my car keys at least once a day...</p><p style="text-align: center;">Ultimately I like practical and thoughtful gifts, but my all time favourite extravagant present has to be my Apple Mac. This was a purchase that I managed to talk myself out of, but was over the moon and beyond surprised to receive as a birthday present a few years back and it has certainly made my blogging life a lot easier!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Stocking Ideas for Her 2023</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">As a couple we always enjoy picking out each other's stocking fillers, it's always nice to receive a little indulgence over the festive season. I am usually not one to eat chocolate all that often as I don't have a stop mechanism once I have started... But over the Christmas period I tend to look the other way and indulge!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZ_vqoJ1mRMPc8BlSQUHdZ1Zi3U9i9wJkv7qSy0b-9K-orhOlEzZBG9CMdHei_jIU8KWG-pn6hpMsLID4b_1rt5N_IsJePXg2Xh9-Kh5oAhNpw00JdR8s4yd9X6SX5RoQxmQuLSbkzTXj_6IS4_Waf2bBWn5dixyRy6-G5nMwijvTpJMv6dTgrgZq2okb/s3299/IMG_1271.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nomo Christmas Chocolate Range 2023" border="0" data-original-height="3299" data-original-width="3021" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZ_vqoJ1mRMPc8BlSQUHdZ1Zi3U9i9wJkv7qSy0b-9K-orhOlEzZBG9CMdHei_jIU8KWG-pn6hpMsLID4b_1rt5N_IsJePXg2Xh9-Kh5oAhNpw00JdR8s4yd9X6SX5RoQxmQuLSbkzTXj_6IS4_Waf2bBWn5dixyRy6-G5nMwijvTpJMv6dTgrgZq2okb/w586-h640/IMG_1271.jpeg" title="Nomo Christmas Chocolate Range 2023" width="586" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">NOMO is the UK's number 1 Vegan and Free From Chocolate. T<span style="font-family: inherit;">hey have announced their Christmas line w<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; text-align: left;">ith six new products and eight products in total!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #212121;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">The NOMO Chocolate </span></span><span style="color: #212121;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">Fudge Reindeer would be a great stocking filler </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">exclusive to Sainsbury’s. Filled with rich, decadent fudge, it makes a perfect treat or stocking stuffer for all chocolate lovers—kids and adults alike.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;">Both of these are priced at £0.90p.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHA_BU_XGdWTGGzV51ZJ8P_VUkCmthwM2TJfiNBql54t1XkX6oUQN0H0JrB4Y-aU04KxzQmVxYXHP1L9MWeBx6MVwP1Kv-QwxgfUUEyatjVDaoLTbowiRV5RHnOVZCKYzQBcaoJWZMByJPkCbH7Wg5WT8QXOK_2YTioE-ygfpLSHQXSGoV6pQuZyX18GrI/s4032/IMG_1273.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nomo Christmas Chocolate Range 2023" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHA_BU_XGdWTGGzV51ZJ8P_VUkCmthwM2TJfiNBql54t1XkX6oUQN0H0JrB4Y-aU04KxzQmVxYXHP1L9MWeBx6MVwP1Kv-QwxgfUUEyatjVDaoLTbowiRV5RHnOVZCKYzQBcaoJWZMByJPkCbH7Wg5WT8QXOK_2YTioE-ygfpLSHQXSGoV6pQuZyX18GrI/w640-h480/IMG_1273.jpeg" title="Nomo Christmas Chocolate Range 2023" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">They also have the Cookie Dough Chocolate R</span><span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">eindeer which </span><span style="text-align: left;">is filled with delicious cookie dough filling and coated in creamy plant-based chocolate. It was the top selling vegan and free from chocolate product in 2022!</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">Depending upon how big your stocking is... Some more great NOMO additions are their sharing boxes that come in a range of very delicious flavours:</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span><span>- </span></span><span>Caramel</span><span><span> Sharing Box</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Orange Sharing Box</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Mint Sharing Box</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span><span>The </span></span><span>sharing</span><span><span> boxes are priced at £5 a box.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">We have been sent a few samples to taste test, I handed a few chocolates to the other half while we were wrapping presents. He really enjoyed them and it wasn’t until after that I told him that they were vegan free from! He told me that he couldn’t tell and that they tasted really good! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can view the full <a href="https://nomochoc.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NOMO Christmas Chocolates here</a>.</span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdRJ7Ed40h3NjdERsyDsKMruS797T4rfZER5j4uj4aaLrhRoJqUhZnlEY3R-A0OnWsmDTpy1FROxVjRvXPY5TH0Tr74uat2APl4tN7WWill7nVc7s-eb7cdnOVjG_of-dOC2q2cCIwVpfb2QFTMb9EwZUDcWjtqahwAZuPWtcEX7zYXtL7VEYnG4Cc7yf/s4032/IMG_1333.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tile Mate Tracker - Christmas Stocking Ideas" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdRJ7Ed40h3NjdERsyDsKMruS797T4rfZER5j4uj4aaLrhRoJqUhZnlEY3R-A0OnWsmDTpy1FROxVjRvXPY5TH0Tr74uat2APl4tN7WWill7nVc7s-eb7cdnOVjG_of-dOC2q2cCIwVpfb2QFTMb9EwZUDcWjtqahwAZuPWtcEX7zYXtL7VEYnG4Cc7yf/w640-h480/IMG_1333.jpeg" title="Tile Mate Tracker - Christmas Stocking Ideas" width="640" /></a></span></span></div><p style="text-align: center;">Tile may be the perfect stocking filler idea for the lady (or man) who continuously loses their car keys. If you aren't familiar with the concept, Tile Mate is a small disc that you can attach to your keys, bags or anything you can think of that you would like to be able to find again.... After you have misplaced them!</p><p style="text-align: center;">I have been known to leave my keys in some weird and wonderful places that can make them rather tricky to re-locate. For this reason, I have had a <a href="https://uk.tile.com/en/product/686044/mate-1-pack" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tile Mate Tracker</a> on my keys since 2018. </p><p style="text-align: center;">In the years since I have had mine, they have changed the shape slightly and really streamlined it. I have just added a second to my Tile account which means not only can I keep a live location on my keys, but I can now ALWAYS find my handbag! </p><p style="text-align: center;">The Tile app allows you to see all of your Tiles on one screen, and from here you can click 'Find' and it will ping the Tile on the item you have misplaced. Pinging the Tile will make a noise that you can then follow to retrieve your missing item. </p><p style="text-align: center;">You can reverse this too, if you have the item but have put your phone down somewhere - You can press the Tile twice and it will call your phone! </p><p style="text-align: center;">The Tile Mate costs £19.99 and is a fabulous stocking idea.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNvMIjDGauvORc-6w0CY0mhSijwSGUYYiKHViwbPTGH_zt4q9K2cbG6XqtOAn8oPlPtvCt6IactH-OIeXW7QhRZGVE5IvKPfgrEoFoeytqHxvi_8nxwZ1RXELfSIaaIRr1Z2pjRPBOat7UxVkBctIJ2dTHa76Cmf8fLmgBXXzsJUNyHaziMic6wJ2Zmic/s4032/IMG_1408.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Miracle Shampoo and Conditioner Set for dry, damaged hair by Josh Wood Colour" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNvMIjDGauvORc-6w0CY0mhSijwSGUYYiKHViwbPTGH_zt4q9K2cbG6XqtOAn8oPlPtvCt6IactH-OIeXW7QhRZGVE5IvKPfgrEoFoeytqHxvi_8nxwZ1RXELfSIaaIRr1Z2pjRPBOat7UxVkBctIJ2dTHa76Cmf8fLmgBXXzsJUNyHaziMic6wJ2Zmic/w640-h480/IMG_1408.jpeg" title="The Miracle Shampoo and Conditioner Set for dry, damaged hair by Josh Wood Colour" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">In the years following my pregnancy with Louis, I have found that my hair is prone to breakage and hasn’t been in overly great condition. I am always open to trying new treatments on my hair in the hope that I may just stumble across the holy grail of hair care. </p><p style="text-align: center;">We have been sent the <a href="https://joshwoodcolour.com/products/miracle-shampoo-and-conditioner-for-dry-damaged-hair" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Miracle Shampoo and Conditioner Set for dry, damaged hair by Josh Wood Colour</a> and I have been so excited to give it a go. </p><p style="text-align: center;">It is a professionally formulated duo that contains sulphate free cleansing and conditioning care. It is packed with natural ingredients and the Josh Wood signature Colour Shine Complex of Quinoa Extract, Green Walnut and UV filters.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The shampoo and conditioner has a very subtle smell, it isn’t over powering at all. It’s a simple fragrance. Both of the products are in a pump bottle, I have been using a few pumps of product for hair washing and conditioning. </p><p style="text-align: center;">The shampoo doesn’t lather up like I am used to, but it covers my long hair nicely, as does the conditioner. I have been using the products for a few weeks now and it has left my hair beautifully soft, and it even has a shine! </p><p style="text-align: center;">The Miracle Shampoo and Conditioner retails at £30 but is currently on offer for £25 at the point of writing this guide.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWTWsbLjyXmprPOCJlKNjBJiXKBfCiO-dQBvZ3lNrDdaQLdDSg9C8KI-GNVMQnHNq3Q9tjSSEfZcan-DyPGFdYkwCNi305J-rzPtQqTtOESRmMldOxy0IbJjZnUFZX_gU3N9xMuXSVzy6GmQAz3hjCyPHrUBekNFxrG3RQU6CyjfCmqq4pdSofVzOXdfp/s4032/IMG_1410.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Josh Wood Miracle Mask" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWTWsbLjyXmprPOCJlKNjBJiXKBfCiO-dQBvZ3lNrDdaQLdDSg9C8KI-GNVMQnHNq3Q9tjSSEfZcan-DyPGFdYkwCNi305J-rzPtQqTtOESRmMldOxy0IbJjZnUFZX_gU3N9xMuXSVzy6GmQAz3hjCyPHrUBekNFxrG3RQU6CyjfCmqq4pdSofVzOXdfp/w640-h480/IMG_1410.jpeg" title="The Josh Wood Miracle Mask" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">In addition to the shampoo and conditioner, we have been sent the <a href="https://joshwoodcolour.com/products/miracle-mask" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Josh Wood Miracle Mask</a> which is a 5 minute treatment that protects your colour from fading and also promotes your healthiest hair with less breakage!</p><p style="text-align: center;">I really liked the thick creamy texture of the mask and how it left my hair. I find that my hair is very knotty ordinarily after washing it, but the mask left it really easy to brush.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I am keen to keep using this and seeing how it can improve my hair further. </p><p style="text-align: center;">The Miracle Mask retails at £19.00.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPx83XdyoYiRBBzcGifi2Q1y2WbB1ljUPi-f4d-JEO0_yKEdXp2wsDT1PcF2xaNplWq-22PB0qODjGZDUcVROkLadbVXtu8kUn4RxV1tgNqwXRyqbBl2t8xC5EZPzJItiSSQkOmSvPH2hBgR45qLGleSKSOurTvUiM0DPYwFm9p5ExGkoH1PfufV9Sg_fe/s4032/IMG_1248.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Serenata Flowers Christmas Range" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPx83XdyoYiRBBzcGifi2Q1y2WbB1ljUPi-f4d-JEO0_yKEdXp2wsDT1PcF2xaNplWq-22PB0qODjGZDUcVROkLadbVXtu8kUn4RxV1tgNqwXRyqbBl2t8xC5EZPzJItiSSQkOmSvPH2hBgR45qLGleSKSOurTvUiM0DPYwFm9p5ExGkoH1PfufV9Sg_fe/w640-h480/IMG_1248.jpeg" title="Serenata Flowers Christmas Range" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">If there is one way to show the woman in your life that you are thinking of her, you can never go wrong with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Serenata Flowers is an online florist that bring beautiful floral arrangements right to the front door of the person you want to treat. </p><p style="text-align: center;">We have been sent one of their beautiful bouquets from their Christmas flowers range. Now we have all the decorations up and are feeling super festive, they have added that finishing touch to the room on the dining table. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The bouquet is full of red roses, darker tones and festive greenery. A highlight for any festive space over the coming months.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi90XQOmr1jcdQLPkOjDQ2ZL6LGTDwr-q4wiVyvS_pRXxAY8FRAKjGJd2Q8NWRy2wT__z2bAwCamk42cB88ywb8fp1JVEJrwpJfgXry4WdjwrOKqRgnjkv3hH86eEbjD-dibrn15vWzsChIfephVRv7bEgVw4ZmFCxP2y0R_ogoqma5FW3dbdR-9X1LTwF/s4032/IMG_1252.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Flowers from Serenata Flowers" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi90XQOmr1jcdQLPkOjDQ2ZL6LGTDwr-q4wiVyvS_pRXxAY8FRAKjGJd2Q8NWRy2wT__z2bAwCamk42cB88ywb8fp1JVEJrwpJfgXry4WdjwrOKqRgnjkv3hH86eEbjD-dibrn15vWzsChIfephVRv7bEgVw4ZmFCxP2y0R_ogoqma5FW3dbdR-9X1LTwF/w640-h480/IMG_1252.jpeg" title="Christmas Flowers from Serenata" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">The <a href="https://www.serenataflowers.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Christmas Flowers from Serenata</a> are priced from £39.99.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Around the Christmas Tree Gift Ideas For Her</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">If there is one gift idea that I would recommend for the on the go coffee drinker, it is a cup that will firstly keep your coffee warm until a time you are ready to drink it, and secondly one that will not spill. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDK22bd8Do12EGMG1Km6QMnD7a7-yDlaeUmbnxc96ZTvdt-k0Qo2PJPVyfn3znPVO3SAK5441ek5Zr6yj3yKX86Uso20o0dKWV9o47xXfPuHe4IZkmhmRiaGmb2K-DYqffSU6KHKmUoMa4-XYB7b3gOAulFMvD2CpboWJpqgkRU1uGPNeOBzZto61-cG2i/s4032/IMG_0859.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Contigo Westloop AUTOSEAL Travel Mug" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDK22bd8Do12EGMG1Km6QMnD7a7-yDlaeUmbnxc96ZTvdt-k0Qo2PJPVyfn3znPVO3SAK5441ek5Zr6yj3yKX86Uso20o0dKWV9o47xXfPuHe4IZkmhmRiaGmb2K-DYqffSU6KHKmUoMa4-XYB7b3gOAulFMvD2CpboWJpqgkRU1uGPNeOBzZto61-cG2i/w640-h480/IMG_0859.jpeg" title="The Contigo Westloop AUTOSEAL Travel Mug" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Contigo-Thermobecher-Isolierbecher-auslaufsicherer-Easy-Clean-Deckel/dp/B07TRG2Y56/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?adgrpid=56034183831&hvadid=259075070141&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1007154&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=17400227621950847911&hvtargid=kwd-295916531449&hydadcr=28153_1821061&keywords=contigo%2Btravel%2Bmug&qid=1699392051&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Contigo Westloop AUTOSEAL Travel Mug</a> is 100% leak proof. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am pleased to report that I have tried and tested this and have had zero spills. I took this along with me on a recent visit to Drayton Manor Park, I made the coffee in the morning before we left the house and by the time I came to drink it at lunch time it was still piping hot!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilY0E8WINdCXqsWM5ZNeH7IDe8F500sySMiLSHs80bGwur7LZlO8ZBGS-DNUD8XZzm2LR9g0sF5SFxSnaseyEfhkVYKPGuvNzw3L8dftuF80DLrbIff1KJ2FgdPD15OTWoTyjR-w0qSzO5_nmC_XVCvVkti3D1Vjhz2nioxkvGk5Dfwr6XvZDAU7g1IFSh/s4032/IMG_0856.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Gift Ideas - The Contigo Westloop AUTOSEAL Travel Mug" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilY0E8WINdCXqsWM5ZNeH7IDe8F500sySMiLSHs80bGwur7LZlO8ZBGS-DNUD8XZzm2LR9g0sF5SFxSnaseyEfhkVYKPGuvNzw3L8dftuF80DLrbIff1KJ2FgdPD15OTWoTyjR-w0qSzO5_nmC_XVCvVkti3D1Vjhz2nioxkvGk5Dfwr6XvZDAU7g1IFSh/w640-h480/IMG_0856.jpeg" title="Christmas Gift Ideas - The Contigo Westloop AUTOSEAL Travel Mug" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNO_GVeCWPVF8iyqkKNUSqUNdJwx44vGnbEw88Ep2nm4b4KIRKxK71bbPyGOiNdtvaoRqtEDAZ5XfduLNhRhWCBXr02pqtIkNglzSji2GNMD17MMgzYGUzpDnkzwEJRgM94tuw2BoJ2GCvRS7vY5FlHNADdOvj9Cm8wsIjOt5hNdHXx1oH-FOlWycf1Xn2/s4032/IMG_0855.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Gift Ideas - The Contigo Westloop AUTOSEAL Travel Mug" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNO_GVeCWPVF8iyqkKNUSqUNdJwx44vGnbEw88Ep2nm4b4KIRKxK71bbPyGOiNdtvaoRqtEDAZ5XfduLNhRhWCBXr02pqtIkNglzSji2GNMD17MMgzYGUzpDnkzwEJRgM94tuw2BoJ2GCvRS7vY5FlHNADdOvj9Cm8wsIjOt5hNdHXx1oH-FOlWycf1Xn2/w640-h480/IMG_0855.jpeg" title="Christmas Gift Ideas - The Contigo Westloop AUTOSEAL Travel Mug" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">I had been carrying it around all day in my backpack with the picnic, and no leaks occurred in the bag despite me throwing it down on the side of each ride we hopped on. I even popped it upside down on the picnic bench just to see what would happen... Nothing happened. All the coffee was still safely stored inside!</p><p style="text-align: center;">The AUTOSEAL technology means that you have to press a button in order to drink from the cup, I found this very convenient. As soon as you remove your grip on the button, the cup seals back up and won't allow any leaks again, amazing if you were to accidentally knock it over or for it to jump out of the cup while you are driving. </p><p style="text-align: center;">You can purchase the <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Contigo-Autoseal-Stainless-Leakproof-Easy-Clean/dp/B005ZU8M4G/ref=pd_di_sccai_cn_sccl_4_1/260-6049135-9303610?pd_rd_w=2iO1b&content-id=amzn1.sym.6448d24d-f04d-4e11-90e5-10165d266aa2&pf_rd_p=6448d24d-f04d-4e11-90e5-10165d266aa2&pf_rd_r=9EKJM9NK4PE96PD8ZK2P&pd_rd_wg=PR9Ls&pd_rd_r=da3cbd8c-6036-4054-b757-79e56552d9f4&pd_rd_i=B005ZU8M4G&th=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Contigo Westloop AUTOSEAL Travel Mug</a> on Amazon.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2G09FjmT2S2ymfy_zeIOX_yu3KoS9z_0LaEqnuMCc-YYAunOXAzBPmmzdL73fshzlSSPJvJvnYtPWXM663RCat-E7H9NQ8MGAIqVXKwrUWYbM404vVIIXk61dAzpuqeTi5XavMdJnmrhZLySldy2nblNEcrOj4BXJUw9QGSlUjHiiSBYGvulZC3Cn7sP/s4032/IMG_1368.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Magical Bright Lights Signature Yankee Candle" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2G09FjmT2S2ymfy_zeIOX_yu3KoS9z_0LaEqnuMCc-YYAunOXAzBPmmzdL73fshzlSSPJvJvnYtPWXM663RCat-E7H9NQ8MGAIqVXKwrUWYbM404vVIIXk61dAzpuqeTi5XavMdJnmrhZLySldy2nblNEcrOj4BXJUw9QGSlUjHiiSBYGvulZC3Cn7sP/w640-h480/IMG_1368.jpeg" title="Magical Bright Lights Signature Yankee Candle" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We are big fans of scented candles in our house, and Yankee Candle are right up there as one of our favourites. Since the arrival of our Magical Bright Lights Signature Yankee Candle arrived, the other half has been asking me repeatedly 'When can we light it!?'. Sadly his enthusiasm fell on deaf ears as I told him we couldn't like it until I had photographed it for all of you!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This candle smells like CHRISTMAS in a jar, it actually reminds me of a scent from my childhood but I cannot put my finger on what that smell is! If you have this candle, does it trigger any of your childhood senses and if so... Any ideas what it smells like?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXaUPM-oj5ZXTl-AJkbD6udN3KPa6a_3G6PVaoyMlGkXDvi9NSzxxF6n7ulltnHN9TsQK2qujXNRX-yiqZWQXAPpc3VzqCeyac321ty_ywgxhAidAyRtcrDpTXjzAD49_TJcNAKMzkGC7AaNMzG8o9ngUnTNTjFR_V4DDOIUqR-8Hvr13IVppI2jZeQBoO/s4032/IMG_1370.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Magical Bright Lights Signature Yankee Candle" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXaUPM-oj5ZXTl-AJkbD6udN3KPa6a_3G6PVaoyMlGkXDvi9NSzxxF6n7ulltnHN9TsQK2qujXNRX-yiqZWQXAPpc3VzqCeyac321ty_ywgxhAidAyRtcrDpTXjzAD49_TJcNAKMzkGC7AaNMzG8o9ngUnTNTjFR_V4DDOIUqR-8Hvr13IVppI2jZeQBoO/w640-h480/IMG_1370.jpeg" title="Magical Bright Lights Signature Yankee Candle" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytxqdUPFSMl10PWfEykiYm2-HRkMd0zmaKYZKfVrB32AmhXo_tA0UhliOm5hasPULvs7zWBBSd_s8Ck9K0g29Z6B-2tbbhWP2fBGY-6PCfLkrQgoZOkVXI0feh4pSrlWr8sJwW4R-Np34w9CwSjwqeX2I5fabp5zD-79suh83TTRu3mBcWRVqwOCkk63x/s4032/IMG_1371.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Magical Bright Lights Signature Yankee Candle" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytxqdUPFSMl10PWfEykiYm2-HRkMd0zmaKYZKfVrB32AmhXo_tA0UhliOm5hasPULvs7zWBBSd_s8Ck9K0g29Z6B-2tbbhWP2fBGY-6PCfLkrQgoZOkVXI0feh4pSrlWr8sJwW4R-Np34w9CwSjwqeX2I5fabp5zD-79suh83TTRu3mBcWRVqwOCkk63x/w640-h480/IMG_1371.jpeg" title="Magical Bright Lights Signature Yankee Candle" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The listed aromas in this candle are frozen pear, mint leaf, jasmine and vanilla, and if you think it smells good before it is lit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wait until it fills your whole room.</div><p style="text-align: center;">I have deliberately waited to light this candle as I wanted to have all of the decorations around us, because this candle makes you want to snuggle down and enjoy the upcoming cosiness of the festive season. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Another great gift for her come Christmas Day!</p><p style="text-align: center;"> The <a href="https://www.yankeecandle.co.uk/yankee-candle/candles/shop-by-type/signature-large-jar-candles/magical-bright-lights/ORCL_1743383E.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Yankee Candle Magical Bright Lights</a> can be purchased here for £29.99.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ziGJNY6nqv7IW4msu6lo2PnhSaD7mW8wbC0nV4Y0u0hSps-lkrweyOCUnJ-sx_e3e_GV-HP9ZJOeOce23FRsHeIO5WD2KvTLLtUl1hNyjKs7PKSr0gcQtnkHlBgVispvYIn1sVmshx1C9GOhZREI_kXumyYq_zo91IkKwxrRH6fctb1ZigFx9vnLFXXX/s4032/IMG_1255.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hippy Dalmatian Flower Power Dog Art Ilk Prints" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ziGJNY6nqv7IW4msu6lo2PnhSaD7mW8wbC0nV4Y0u0hSps-lkrweyOCUnJ-sx_e3e_GV-HP9ZJOeOce23FRsHeIO5WD2KvTLLtUl1hNyjKs7PKSr0gcQtnkHlBgVispvYIn1sVmshx1C9GOhZREI_kXumyYq_zo91IkKwxrRH6fctb1ZigFx9vnLFXXX/w640-h480/IMG_1255.jpeg" title="Hippy Dalmatian Flower Power Dog Art Ilk Prints" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">I have been looking for MONTHS to find a piece of art to sit in a big blank space within my home. I knew it needed to be something vibrant and large enough to fill a large gap in my dining room. I considered a piece of bumble bee art, and I was convinced that this is what would go in that particular space. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Then I came across Art Ilk.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://artilk.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Art Ilk have an extensive collection of art prints</a> that draws inspiration from both classic and modern master pieces. Before I settled on the above print, I did search for bumble bees! Nothing jumped at me, and then I find the Dalmatian!</p><p style="text-align: center;">This particular print is called the Hippy Dalmatian Flower Power Dog, and regular readers of this blog will know that we have a Dalmatian of our own, Lux! This automatically screamed to me that this was the piece I needed in my dining room. Not to mention that it incorporated all of the colours that have been used in this room. </p><p style="text-align: center;">The flower jacket is an array of vibrant colours that have all been captured in the rug, and the teal around the dog's head is captured on our fireplace feature wall.</p><p style="text-align: center;">This size is the 60x90cm which comes in at a bargain £34.95. </p><p style="text-align: center;">You can opt for frames at additional cost, we decided to get a frame seperately, but I am completely in love with the finished piece!</p><p style="text-align: center;">I just need the other half to hang it now... </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLP5MPEZqIrdQYM7fPonFXnjtfGtHRuhyphenhyphenSmeqfz_ILR__rRct-gHTTO2qWj9Up47jwrrsxKXlELBPTd1CRNzRA6xvOFO5vx6LU5oC-kZxdg3XyMLZnIt5mUy-zmLYbQHVOPEFnId_CfdLjLKKJSW0GYU4rmMyp7Ge0t84v6CwBREgbX40g5gq7PjiAdER4/s4032/IMG_1328.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hippy Dalmatian Flower Power Dog Art Ilk Prints" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLP5MPEZqIrdQYM7fPonFXnjtfGtHRuhyphenhyphenSmeqfz_ILR__rRct-gHTTO2qWj9Up47jwrrsxKXlELBPTd1CRNzRA6xvOFO5vx6LU5oC-kZxdg3XyMLZnIt5mUy-zmLYbQHVOPEFnId_CfdLjLKKJSW0GYU4rmMyp7Ge0t84v6CwBREgbX40g5gq7PjiAdER4/w640-h480/IMG_1328.jpeg" title="Hippy Dalmatian Flower Power Dog Art Ilk Prints" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have been using the same yoga mat for my exercise since 2015. It is fair to say that over the years of jump squats and burpees that have been performed on it, that this yoga mat has served its time. You can even forgive it for the pieces of mat that appear to jump from it every time it is used these days, I have been thinking for a while now that it may be time to put it out of its misery and invest in a new mat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYqC2YPMlppdBRIyR4nzF1GZmOjmFS1-EC-_CVV_IE5g8u4Vc7Ap21aPmhKY-rGa5Wg3ZXk8bnZ8scau3707oRUnXBngpZzEbr4Vp04d09I_3Y4Sh2SX3qzVni9sMio7_5ICA4QLLajsXLC2mJeWf-wcHU-lFZ6PXMCgfdGA3sUaxTAL0vehAeRN7U5jP/s4030/IMG_1679.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Liforme Cosmic Moon Yoga Mat Dusk Blue" border="0" data-original-height="2525" data-original-width="4030" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYqC2YPMlppdBRIyR4nzF1GZmOjmFS1-EC-_CVV_IE5g8u4Vc7Ap21aPmhKY-rGa5Wg3ZXk8bnZ8scau3707oRUnXBngpZzEbr4Vp04d09I_3Y4Sh2SX3qzVni9sMio7_5ICA4QLLajsXLC2mJeWf-wcHU-lFZ6PXMCgfdGA3sUaxTAL0vehAeRN7U5jP/w640-h400/IMG_1679.jpeg" title="Liforme Cosmic Moon Yoga Mat Dusk Blue" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Recently we have been sent the <a href="https://liforme.com/products/liforme-cosmic-moon-yoga-mat-dusk-blue" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Liforme Cosmic Moon Yoga Mat in Dusk Blue</a>. From the unboxing through to use, it’s been a complete pleasure. The mat arrived boxed, upon opening the box you are presented with a compact bag that holds your new mat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The bag itself is one of the aspects I really like. It’s the perfect size and fit for the mat and can be stored away at home until you are ready to use it, and with its handy size it is easy to pop in the car if you are using it for your weekly yoga class.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QqG_aKKRwhdrTra2_NNKD0z3G1a3sykP8U8DlFSwULlGIlqXsgzCFlj0mfM-gXAT_Cffpeh7msjkZN4oFwFlJQGQ9iBLYH39VwtMnMdMXj_PnQ1zSv2UDkUSuSVDPCfb2jXJsD3iYRAtubxamabIWG4QawyNtnIW9Az0WfbEcefBxuOGsRVxveh8S4jR/s3801/IMG_1681.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Liforme Cosmic Moon Yoga Mat Dusk Blue" border="0" data-original-height="3022" data-original-width="3801" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QqG_aKKRwhdrTra2_NNKD0z3G1a3sykP8U8DlFSwULlGIlqXsgzCFlj0mfM-gXAT_Cffpeh7msjkZN4oFwFlJQGQ9iBLYH39VwtMnMdMXj_PnQ1zSv2UDkUSuSVDPCfb2jXJsD3iYRAtubxamabIWG4QawyNtnIW9Az0WfbEcefBxuOGsRVxveh8S4jR/w640-h508/IMG_1681.jpeg" title="Liforme Cosmic Moon Yoga Mat Dusk Blue" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEginXhRRC5nSEGdhCuk_MjQn6uDcgAWQjH_QLvse8EpPySoT1g3if_WMR8NkhIdpqD5Qrgdew42sX00r6AGKb7JgwIzqmDzXVvqmUSdlyKd862K4H5WJgAxroJd0cuOvzJOVORKKDbzFSGj0fQZCu0YiajZSRPqg5OLbR_5W8yrDIvpyVON9_kFaGr5-ALa/s3354/IMG_1682.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Liforme Cosmic Moon Yoga Mat Dusk Blue" border="0" data-original-height="3022" data-original-width="3354" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEginXhRRC5nSEGdhCuk_MjQn6uDcgAWQjH_QLvse8EpPySoT1g3if_WMR8NkhIdpqD5Qrgdew42sX00r6AGKb7JgwIzqmDzXVvqmUSdlyKd862K4H5WJgAxroJd0cuOvzJOVORKKDbzFSGj0fQZCu0YiajZSRPqg5OLbR_5W8yrDIvpyVON9_kFaGr5-ALa/w640-h576/IMG_1682.jpeg" title="Liforme Cosmic Moon Yoga Mat Dusk Blue" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This particular style comes in 3 different colours, Black, Blue and Dusk blue (as pictured above).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Liforme is a very different mat in comparison to my old one. It’s made from a natural rubber base and Liforme’s unique eco-polyurethane top as opposed to the old foam one that has recently been laid to rest. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This mat is perfectly designed so you can exercise bare foot, absolutely ideal for yoga practice. The mat is super grippy even after you have worked up a sweat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I use this for my home workouts when I am doing floor work and I much prefer to do this bare foot. I have found this incredibly useful for post work out stretches and love the imagery of the Moon System AllignForMe guide that is printed in 5 non-toxic, eco friendly ink colours.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The alignment system is unique to Liforme and works as a navigational tool for your yoga asana practice. The combination of intelligent markers gives you as much as much or as little guidance as you may need. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The benefits of this shine due to it helping your body feel steadier and more aligned.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The mat is constructed with a unique patented 3 layered design with quick drying CleanGrip Technology which stops the sweat making its way to the natural rubber base.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ultimately this is a very well thought out yoga mat. It has the perfect grip, cushioning and the alignment lines are fabulous, whether you are a beginner or well experienced Yogi.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Liforme Cosmic Moon Yoga Mat retails at £140.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>The Christmas Tree Gift Ideas - SHOW STOPPER</b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Outdoors is my favourite place to be, during the 2020 lockdowns I spent an incredible amount of time outside. This love for the outdoors has grown in recent years and in 2021 I completed the UK's 3 highest peaks and I began to invest in some essential outdoor equipment. </p><p style="text-align: center;">One thing I found myself without, even all these years later was an intermediate coat, one that I could wear under my bigger waterproof coat, or even just under a waterproof shell. A coat that I could add and remove layers to as needed depending upon the adventure and the weather at hand.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUAy8PG-mjzYEHgS4t2V1wnxEnD5qPnDSaT4IgF-s8J16sj59tyNNcu2a-meumEQ8yBtTaxdLI2Yo21A_Sy_LoxkV6tz-y3wpKKpGsrHhzUSJWxplGPMA2MOoDp282Hjqu_w2XAlyiXnCVgv2dpTItUlrkpGco-Lgjms9B8sOM22g4eMs4PeAIMxgWwVO/s2048/04436bed-b66d-40a3-8e0c-96f6e467ec3e.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Helly Hansen's Verglas Down Insulator Jacket" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUAy8PG-mjzYEHgS4t2V1wnxEnD5qPnDSaT4IgF-s8J16sj59tyNNcu2a-meumEQ8yBtTaxdLI2Yo21A_Sy_LoxkV6tz-y3wpKKpGsrHhzUSJWxplGPMA2MOoDp282Hjqu_w2XAlyiXnCVgv2dpTItUlrkpGco-Lgjms9B8sOM22g4eMs4PeAIMxgWwVO/w640-h480/04436bed-b66d-40a3-8e0c-96f6e467ec3e.jpeg" title="Helly Hansen's Verglas Down Insulator Jacket" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Helly Hansen's Verglas Down Insulator Jacket is an essential item in the bag on my next adventure, a lightweight down insulator layer that you can pair with additional layers to get the absolute best out of the jacket whatever the season.</p><p style="text-align: center;">In this mild Autumn weather we have been enjoying up until recent weeks, I have been using the coat with just a jumper underneath. I have loved this jacket on my evening walks paired with my gym leggings, it's a nice layer to keep the wind off you while you are warming up but also not too thick to discourage your workout efforts. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Once you have warmed up and wish to case off the jacket, it is so light that you can just drape it over your arm or wrap it around your waist for the rest of the walk.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4JUKN1OI5zaIeVzpOyVZioNU-i_pCXu12K4iOfWGS1HT2IE08ULtm6kx1jYCU1EcG5i5-aHeAsSqOv5R4GZBEv8BK8VJRht2RnR0aEDAiFHKKLHNX_hNTPC5mn_9sATktDdpjorZcwbsfnTpNLqcexqqjfI5DOZ4glozPZ2fFB0cKvCLWe_Lg-1SE8za/s4030/IMG_1363.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Helly Hansen's Verglas Down Insulator Jacket" border="0" data-original-height="2663" data-original-width="4030" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4JUKN1OI5zaIeVzpOyVZioNU-i_pCXu12K4iOfWGS1HT2IE08ULtm6kx1jYCU1EcG5i5-aHeAsSqOv5R4GZBEv8BK8VJRht2RnR0aEDAiFHKKLHNX_hNTPC5mn_9sATktDdpjorZcwbsfnTpNLqcexqqjfI5DOZ4glozPZ2fFB0cKvCLWe_Lg-1SE8za/w640-h422/IMG_1363.jpeg" title="Helly Hansen's Verglas Down Insulator Jacket" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Yy84uDFoRtV6WzDtjHLf4hD7gnJedle5Eu_lvbk2VyXKx_xUAhzwgILmLOvCRv4uDe2DO_bEzlF2zUHwpSEBvf3XQpSu4iCL0xirdZ26yAwT-7PEw9j81qUMuDemRWJHwGor_1Fm2x1cQ7eT7rGqGAIh4K4aE2C1KZ-5iowk-g7GGwqyPhebHq4i9OW8/s4032/IMG_1366.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Helly Hansen's Verglas Down Insulator Jacket" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Yy84uDFoRtV6WzDtjHLf4hD7gnJedle5Eu_lvbk2VyXKx_xUAhzwgILmLOvCRv4uDe2DO_bEzlF2zUHwpSEBvf3XQpSu4iCL0xirdZ26yAwT-7PEw9j81qUMuDemRWJHwGor_1Fm2x1cQ7eT7rGqGAIh4K4aE2C1KZ-5iowk-g7GGwqyPhebHq4i9OW8/w640-h480/IMG_1366.jpeg" title="Helly Hansen's Verglas Down Insulator Jacket" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">The Verglas is a wonderfully light coat that packs down for transportation, ideal if you are planning any walks or hikes and want to go prepared. I will be adding this into my kit bag moving forward for all of my future mountaineering adventures.</p><p style="text-align: center;">With Winter upon us I will be using this as an extra layer under my bigger Goose Down coat to provide an extra layer underneath. I have always found that the bigger coat (not Helly Hansen) has needed a coat like my Verglas as an additional under layer. It certainly makes all the difference when you are out in the elements for the day, and pairing it up like this means I then have the waterproof shell of my other coat.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The insulation is made up of 85% Goose Down and 15% Goose Feather. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmynS0OgGfwj7HVo94NNdArmtH3RQtFumtd8c0hKRYI3T5qVCzMOLrH033TONjUBNKmhp5YmpWpRtoFITcenrpfTYI7hOI5qY6B-hr0Txuv0GHjopnhdP2Hx6ZTLR-J-MSMZhqbImzM5Q5Dezm8qkNyh_lge8nCpshOpWxUychE1xRB_MpdFxrRrlHCop/s4032/IMG_1364.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Helly Hansen's Verglas Down Insulator Jacket" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmynS0OgGfwj7HVo94NNdArmtH3RQtFumtd8c0hKRYI3T5qVCzMOLrH033TONjUBNKmhp5YmpWpRtoFITcenrpfTYI7hOI5qY6B-hr0Txuv0GHjopnhdP2Hx6ZTLR-J-MSMZhqbImzM5Q5Dezm8qkNyh_lge8nCpshOpWxUychE1xRB_MpdFxrRrlHCop/w640-h480/IMG_1364.jpeg" title="Helly Hansen's Verglas Down Insulator Jacket" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjwAvUDVSX54Mp6vbN4_DITqLc85T2jaC-xc0ySWhHT7R4bAGm4lbP55S_kNhb7fyv80BTmbwqXCnGVD3DchiOGhcJ0P0y2-DbvrDo-MBgLqsdUMmo5AtysIxVJ0rnzVAN8oVPHMRczC9SsHbj1UUDWiLP-nLZGFCc8fPpAFeNCZVv9lOcgNH-Q92qI6p/s4032/IMG_1365.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Helly Hansen's Verglas Down Insulator Jacket" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjwAvUDVSX54Mp6vbN4_DITqLc85T2jaC-xc0ySWhHT7R4bAGm4lbP55S_kNhb7fyv80BTmbwqXCnGVD3DchiOGhcJ0P0y2-DbvrDo-MBgLqsdUMmo5AtysIxVJ0rnzVAN8oVPHMRczC9SsHbj1UUDWiLP-nLZGFCc8fPpAFeNCZVv9lOcgNH-Q92qI6p/w640-h480/IMG_1365.jpeg" title="Helly Hansen's Verglas Down Insulator Jacket" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.hellyhansen.com/en_gb/w-verglas-down-insulator-jacke-63028?color=290002" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Helly Hansen Verglas Down Insulator Jacket</a> retails at £210.00.</p><p style="text-align: center;">This is the show stopper for my Christmas Gift Ideas for Her this year.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> I do hope that my personal perspective on the gifts that I would enjoy seeing under the Christmas tree may help you in your mission to find the perfect gifts for the women in your lives (I know that buying for us is no easy feat!)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Disclaimer: </b><i>The products listed in the above gift guide have been received in exchange for my honest views and opinions within this post. </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07693927098032739132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978459861373615747.post-24055037785634508362023-10-30T20:20:00.001+00:002023-10-30T20:20:04.984+00:00The Haunted Manor at Drayton Manor 2023 Review<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjOxnPQiJh5GspBwvCa1fwLBD9xFS-9Qmr0eMKaVLrSnsJPw3ai_viF7NOG8OX9LAVFjlxajCSDNf8fv3YKcEb_wCgEX52b3DTVVWmhOltqbqTVaXtIoUsGwKRL0V2dklAJPiTOfYkPqXVhYMOpeeaAQP_-ZrIZ4FfxUpbwVxUvRuguyXWWfM-XLkFLGM/s4032/IMG_0849.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Drayton Manor Haunt Manor Halloween 2023" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjOxnPQiJh5GspBwvCa1fwLBD9xFS-9Qmr0eMKaVLrSnsJPw3ai_viF7NOG8OX9LAVFjlxajCSDNf8fv3YKcEb_wCgEX52b3DTVVWmhOltqbqTVaXtIoUsGwKRL0V2dklAJPiTOfYkPqXVhYMOpeeaAQP_-ZrIZ4FfxUpbwVxUvRuguyXWWfM-XLkFLGM/w480-h640/IMG_0849.jpeg" title="Drayton Manor Haunt Manor Halloween 2023" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Drayton Manor is about an hour away from us by car in Evesham, and over the years has been one of Leo's and my own favourite days out. We hadn't been of late, I believe the last time was a few years ago when we went along with my friend and her son and Leo was just a little shy of being tall enough to ride Shockwave.</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">We had thought at the bottom of the ride that we were smack on the line, but when we approached the top we were sad to learn that he was just a smidgen too small.</p><p style="text-align: center;">We decided to change that this month, we were confidently over the 1.4m in height and knew that this would be the first occasion that we could go and do absolutely everything! My not so little boy had officially outgrown Thomas Land and was ready to set his sights to the wider park.... and the bigger rollercoasters!</p><p style="text-align: center;">Drayton Manor were in full preparation for their upcoming Haunted Manor Event running from Saturday 28th October through until Tuesday 31st October. Pumpkins were dotted all around and the sunny Autumn chill proved to be a great day to visit.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zoDccA3kS-9_oRPGWAvqAI_Y8Z7UO4ryrSvsDlgLlOI163QL3TDLSzEnh05U46oZVmwodshG0fE5RsTz-OM7AEAR4Z7aT6UmD3t_Wa8Ju4cONqX-n6lJzatrzXPwsiDmFphbXEk0CNT2QnIbCG-zje7o4DPwW9y6EK_2oYAdNuEn7mUH11qpXoxwFrLQ/s4032/IMG_0850.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Drayton Manor Haunt Manor Halloween 2023" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zoDccA3kS-9_oRPGWAvqAI_Y8Z7UO4ryrSvsDlgLlOI163QL3TDLSzEnh05U46oZVmwodshG0fE5RsTz-OM7AEAR4Z7aT6UmD3t_Wa8Ju4cONqX-n6lJzatrzXPwsiDmFphbXEk0CNT2QnIbCG-zje7o4DPwW9y6EK_2oYAdNuEn7mUH11qpXoxwFrLQ/w480-h640/IMG_0850.jpeg" title="Drayton Manor Haunt Manor Halloween 2023" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Leo enjoyed Shockwave for the first time and followed it up with subsequent visits, but his absolute favourite ride of the day had to be the Maelstrom. I think he must have enjoyed this 5 times consecutively!</p><p style="text-align: center;">Following our latest successful visit, the other half and I were excited to be invited along to The Haunted Manor! This was a first for us as a couple, we hadn't had a theme park date and of all the weekends to be invited along it found us with NO children! This is pretty unheard of but we decided that it was an event that couldn't be missed. </p><p style="text-align: center;">The park opened at 10:30am and for this event they are open until 7pm, which means you get to enjoy the rides after dark!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOidcsQ8I2AZ2aG1qh8gI8Ls8hfo42cYtmXSOsCjtff85XoWkmqVXJLgDx-9cq97ycVhwSVvoJwopcb2KehrUDQhtX4eBRw6VyfZmXeJ8Yo-OkI5Top3jWTiG1tRgwSXDz2yi5Mm8l4W2niIwJ5XYjx5UpQXtI7HrANv2TiYkVSXcT1joi-gwyZFrfaX8/s2048/1bd27e72-6679-440a-8801-bfc63cd48a26.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Drayton Manor Haunt Manor Halloween 2023" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOidcsQ8I2AZ2aG1qh8gI8Ls8hfo42cYtmXSOsCjtff85XoWkmqVXJLgDx-9cq97ycVhwSVvoJwopcb2KehrUDQhtX4eBRw6VyfZmXeJ8Yo-OkI5Top3jWTiG1tRgwSXDz2yi5Mm8l4W2niIwJ5XYjx5UpQXtI7HrANv2TiYkVSXcT1joi-gwyZFrfaX8/w640-h480/1bd27e72-6679-440a-8801-bfc63cd48a26.jpeg" title="Drayton Manor Haunt Manor Halloween 2023" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">We decided to start our day a little later and arrived at the park for 1pm. The sun shone and we thoroughly enjoyed hopping on The BountyPirate Ship for our first thrill of the day. In my older age it has definetly become apparent that my sea legs are not as strong as they once were. It takes me a lot longer to adjust to the swings and sways! </p><p style="text-align: center;">We made our way around the park and loved the new addition of Thor which opened back in 2022. We hopped on Accelerator and tried to contain our squeals as we were catapulted around the track before setting our sights on Shockwave. Sadly this had suffered a system error and was out of use for a good few hours during our visit.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyjLu7V1qkCdfMi39c4RWSwEwGuZZXuadTfto7lISc2i2QBINN_zOM7_aRDhRvla581D-idObbBY_H5UgqCbwcT1jVhudmCghHMQIGT5iDNpNg00dDjUZz6sMt3XIyrLaJxyHlNfKVPH44LBWDw94oejPa7BaaV0OPEqIGQ_MsY5cl7DcIwIBeylkXzZa/s2048/b614a5b6-1c25-4f55-8b39-4e633b63c4c6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Drayton Manor Haunt Manor Halloween 2023" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyjLu7V1qkCdfMi39c4RWSwEwGuZZXuadTfto7lISc2i2QBINN_zOM7_aRDhRvla581D-idObbBY_H5UgqCbwcT1jVhudmCghHMQIGT5iDNpNg00dDjUZz6sMt3XIyrLaJxyHlNfKVPH44LBWDw94oejPa7BaaV0OPEqIGQ_MsY5cl7DcIwIBeylkXzZa/w640-h480/b614a5b6-1c25-4f55-8b39-4e633b63c4c6.jpeg" title="Drayton Manor Haunt Manor Halloween 2023" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Timings of Events</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">For the younger children you can catch the Thomas Land Spooky Show at 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Or you can even pop along to see Sir Topham Hatt and enjoy a spot of Trick or Treat.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Rory's Boo Bash at Dayton Theatre is at 1pm and 3pm.</p><p style="text-align: center;">There were scare zones operating in Chaos Cove and Vikings: Ragnarok between 4:15pm - 7:15pm. They were welcomed by the guests who much enjoyed taking photos with them!</p><p style="text-align: center;">The Frightful Fireworks Finale is at 8pm.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Castle of Shadows Scare Experience</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">This is a 15 minute experience for the older kids - recommended for kids aged 10 Plus. A brand new scare experience set in Grimoire academy where you will find yourself inducted as a new pupil of the school, did someone say something about a coven and an ancient demon?</p><p style="text-align: center;">£3 per person additional cost.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>The Haunted Express Scare Experience</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">The train that tours around the park has taken a dark twist for Halloween, you can now take a frightful trip around an eerie Adventure Cove where you will come across live actors and some spooky surprises! Recommended for kids aged 10+.</p><p style="text-align: center;">£3 per personal additional cost.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>The Haunting Reclaimed Scare Experience </b></p><p style="text-align: center;">For the braver families within the Haunting ride where the story from '96' continues...</p><p style="text-align: center;">Scares here start from 5pm.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Frightful Fireworks Finale</b> - Finish the day with a 7 minute long fireworks show at the Haunted Manor before you bundle back into the car and make your way home.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The Haunted Manor at Drayton Manor is a fantastic family day out, and as always when we visit there are many laughs and memories made.</p><p style="text-align: center;">We missed the kids on this last trip, but I am so glad that I managed to take Leo to experience the park at this next level just a few short weeks ago!</p><p style="text-align: center;">It got me thinking about our previous visits, and my now pre teen is a far cry from the small toddler boy who used to ride around the Thomas Land Troublesome Trucks all day long.</p><p style="text-align: center;">You can check out our previous visits below.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylifeunexpected.co.uk/2013/10/drayton-manor-with-2-year-old.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;">Drayton Manor with a 2 Year Old</span></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylifeunexpected.co.uk/2014/09/thomas-friends-tale-of-brave.html" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><u>Thomas & Friends - Tale of the Brave</u></span></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylifeunexpected.co.uk/2015/04/the-thomas-land-expansion-is-officially.html" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><u>The Thomas Land Expansion is officially OPEN!</u></span></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylifeunexpected.co.uk/2015/10/war-of-worlds-firework-spectacular-at.html" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><u>War of the Worlds Firework Spectacular at Drayton Manor Theme Park</u></span></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><u><a href="http://www.mylifeunexpected.co.uk/2015/12/draytons-magical-christmas-review.html" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Drayton's Magical Christmas Review</a></u></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Disclaimer:</b> <i>We were invited along to the Haunted Manor event at Drayton Manor and provided with complimentary tickets to enter. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest and my own.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07693927098032739132noreply@blogger.com0Drayton Manor Dr, Fazeley, Mile Oak, Tamworth B78 3TW, UK52.6122148 -1.713772324.301980963821151 -36.8700223 80.922448636178842 33.4424777tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978459861373615747.post-13427341776008656512023-08-10T17:57:00.003+01:002023-08-10T17:57:55.350+01:00Burford House AirBnb (On the Outskirts of the Cotswolds!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFP9fDU5aUgvy5gV5URddZApWFEhnrODTafsD5Mw47K-um6i-DcMI3Cegnhm9qf8Hl_7C5FDPdRDq1sshiTTxD9VWAJpiOhCk1CurfALfiXpirYtny0_QSt9LEdpjYsYQ2i_g4kO-77MN1PKau-uzZ-UOhsRjXevajWenY1lKyuvGVQxUGSbBV6NlXRxxB/s4032/IMG_9513.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cotswold AirBnb" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFP9fDU5aUgvy5gV5URddZApWFEhnrODTafsD5Mw47K-um6i-DcMI3Cegnhm9qf8Hl_7C5FDPdRDq1sshiTTxD9VWAJpiOhCk1CurfALfiXpirYtny0_QSt9LEdpjYsYQ2i_g4kO-77MN1PKau-uzZ-UOhsRjXevajWenY1lKyuvGVQxUGSbBV6NlXRxxB/w640-h480/IMG_9513.jpeg" title="Cotswold AirBnb" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">2020 was a busy year for my then family of 2, even though the whole world came to a complete stand still. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Covid, Lockdown, a relationship breakdown, the brief hello and inevitable goodbye to little Louis, the purchase of my very own home, and later a new relationship. Some incredibly heartbreaking moments and also some poignant highs all rolled into one rollercoaster of a year.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With the help of my family, ultimately my Father. I purchased my very own forever home. A safety blanket that wrapped Leo and I up after a very turbulent time, a place that would always be ours regardless of the twists and turns that life may welcome.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I remember walking out of the flat door with Leo one Summer's day, as covid raged and lockdown loomed. We walked around the houses in the streets away from the flat, Leo Pokemon hunted and I pondered whether the house we would buy was in this area...Were we walking near it? Passed it?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The house we actually went on to purchase was one that we did walk past on that summer's day stroll. It was a serendipity find that actually came about very early in lockdown while I was still pregnant with Louis. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvC08HwzrBEImxxNAmEeNLngFCFyi0BdMqRauKZcJ0kujvf6aVFnSoVnt9sWnvlIDEFEHMADE-0bu9q5z3ctx1-Wzyq8Z_JcKSSsHAplRUSQCPG9eoiscq-_bUL4uPzPxI0I_srGUSXLjer2h1M-ew6Lg8Uq-YTStjZ85gefgdGBaRCphL8L5nWxn9t8u/s4032/IMG_9492.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cotswold AirBnb" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvC08HwzrBEImxxNAmEeNLngFCFyi0BdMqRauKZcJ0kujvf6aVFnSoVnt9sWnvlIDEFEHMADE-0bu9q5z3ctx1-Wzyq8Z_JcKSSsHAplRUSQCPG9eoiscq-_bUL4uPzPxI0I_srGUSXLjer2h1M-ew6Lg8Uq-YTStjZ85gefgdGBaRCphL8L5nWxn9t8u/w640-h480/IMG_9492.jpeg" title="Cotswold AirBnb" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZu7O7K_VM8a2GzqAvGGL4MKYRbuayWaN_iyv-Z4PnIv2fOUU0TV-J0k_b4NotnEUJZ-GLD1OgAmTgKHjW_RTAD5nIXsKNPWvMwajMMq-eIDhFSvq9riJ8UmBzcjX1aGl1rP2MEtWmUwcLPg6zB-ncg7XuQsR8GN5EQp2rna-fBm2TzP5iySPQZ1U_fQW/s4032/IMG_9522.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cotswold AirBnb" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZu7O7K_VM8a2GzqAvGGL4MKYRbuayWaN_iyv-Z4PnIv2fOUU0TV-J0k_b4NotnEUJZ-GLD1OgAmTgKHjW_RTAD5nIXsKNPWvMwajMMq-eIDhFSvq9riJ8UmBzcjX1aGl1rP2MEtWmUwcLPg6zB-ncg7XuQsR8GN5EQp2rna-fBm2TzP5iySPQZ1U_fQW/w480-h640/IMG_9522.jpeg" title="Cotswold AirBnb" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Scouring RightMove in those early days were one of the things that kept me going. Planning our future and finding a property that spoke to my heart was at the very forefront of it all. I knew that the original dream of a home with a drive and big garden was going to have to be compromised on, now there weren't Two people buying their family forever home together... It was just me on my part time income.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I had to re-adjust and let go, when I did this I found the ideal home just a street away from the flat. I remember it becoming the bench mark in my house search. Sadly it was removed from RightMove before I even had chance to request a viewing. The weeks rolled on but nothing else spoke to me the way that the first house had done. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Summer gave away to Autumn and by October I was back living in my parent's home with a goal of saving all I could muster and continuing my house search. Then... Sernedipity played its hand and the very house that had been removed from RightMove came back!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I recall sitting down with my Dad in early December and telling him that the house had returned to market, and with his approval, we booked a viewing. Armed with my Dad and my new partner... We viewed my benchmark house.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I knew from the moment I walked through the door, maybe even before... That if I was ever going to buy a house, this was the house. After that viewing, we put in an offer against 2 other interested parties. It was a pretty nerve wracking process and my heart stayed firmly in my mouth for the entire time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A day later, my offer was accepted and the wheels were put in motion for the purchase. It was the most incredible feeling!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The completion date took some time, but by May 2021 I had the keys to my very first home in my hand. I decorated every room myself and between my family and I we lovingly restored the Victorian Terrace back to life. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Lg9Rqm8A9GlMFkbStkKaoiZ0fafBIwyOSHN4c6NEo1PlNx2lJ7sLkBQ-rChLp55UgYEbkiKtwHjyjpjX_lfYbuxWRGgAoySmIsmv_YpBGESs1cwcREGCm5_172kK2H-jdWfAMLD-luSDdwF9EzC1g5xNY0fZohsTKCvx6AApNzOQq1BkqIvNc3JhFYne/s4032/IMG_9495.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cotswold AirBnb" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Lg9Rqm8A9GlMFkbStkKaoiZ0fafBIwyOSHN4c6NEo1PlNx2lJ7sLkBQ-rChLp55UgYEbkiKtwHjyjpjX_lfYbuxWRGgAoySmIsmv_YpBGESs1cwcREGCm5_172kK2H-jdWfAMLD-luSDdwF9EzC1g5xNY0fZohsTKCvx6AApNzOQq1BkqIvNc3JhFYne/w480-h640/IMG_9495.jpeg" title="Cotswold AirBnb" width="480" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now here we are in 2023, my relationship has gone from strength to strength which has put me in unchartered territory. We both own our own homes, and there is not a fibre of my being that could ever consider selling mine. Which has meant that between us we are running two properties (hello cost of living crisis!).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This has meant I have had some tricky decisions to make, and for me private renting my home was completely out of the question... Then AirBnb entered my mind, an idea that meant that I could keep my home, I could keep the furniture I had lovingly chosen for it in situe, and I could welcome guests into my MY home.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This idea still worried me to the very core, but one afternoon I sat down and uploaded my property on to the AirBnb system not really expecting to get a bite. There was still a lot to be done before my home was even ready to lay out the welcome mat and invite in the first guests.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A few days later, the first booking request rolled in. Someone actually wanted to come and stay at my family home in Evesham! This push was all that was needed for me to throw caution to the wind and turn the house around over one weekend in time for a Monday arrival. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My forever <a href="https://airbnb.com/h/burfordhouse" target="_blank">home had become an AirBnB</a> over night.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicX5--rt93WhnNUrbqxZHEmDk8FOVhle-eHsFSvoq24JhKIoRiI-kwnpsO2PjSz5_u2m_sWzLFwNYHftPAMtZwoIGmNerPbElnRRhd92NHf8e__5wF14Gv_NbpQVnfZGwP3wQPv2mk1EJE5fEdaUxgbMY5iOHgKk_cdm_rf3Jo0DJMB8RQOOvjobBvQjxG/s4032/IMG_9521.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cotswold AirBnb" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicX5--rt93WhnNUrbqxZHEmDk8FOVhle-eHsFSvoq24JhKIoRiI-kwnpsO2PjSz5_u2m_sWzLFwNYHftPAMtZwoIGmNerPbElnRRhd92NHf8e__5wF14Gv_NbpQVnfZGwP3wQPv2mk1EJE5fEdaUxgbMY5iOHgKk_cdm_rf3Jo0DJMB8RQOOvjobBvQjxG/w480-h640/IMG_9521.jpeg" title="Cotswold AirBnb" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>By some grace of God, and lots and lots of help from the other half and of course my hero Dad... We were ready.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am pleased to report that are have now hosted some wonderful guests who have really respected and loved my home. In return we have had some fabulous reviews on the AirBnb platform, and we are always looking at ways in which we can better ourselves for future guests. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is such an exciting prospect for us (I won't lie I am still terrified of sharing my home!), it means in the time that I am away I can offer the full house out for AirBnb rental, and welcome people to our Riverside town of Evesham to enjoy the local area. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My 3 bedroomed house can comfortably sleep 5 people, it's walking distance into town where we have a great array of restaurant's on offer and some beautiful walks that can be picked up within Abbey Park by the River Avon. The Regal cinema is at the very end of our road, meaning you can pop out to enjoy a film and a cheeky beverage or two without needing access to the car.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-_z5FlCecBVGWbFu40RnSeKWBWJvoVlkiN5jsGnzp27mZWaibWeyf4QoRHXZ-FxpMaqQ2K7Tf2WsNZIEIRaWYoviNhHrUHbgpa8ME5P3PTFah6ZPqMRabGnTaod6_BMKOfVtkecREjbb8V9OZj-lhSQbbV4FO2qTfWWg_nCRRi63ofptBCh8f5LcUrdI/s4032/IMG_9480.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cotswold AirBnb" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-_z5FlCecBVGWbFu40RnSeKWBWJvoVlkiN5jsGnzp27mZWaibWeyf4QoRHXZ-FxpMaqQ2K7Tf2WsNZIEIRaWYoviNhHrUHbgpa8ME5P3PTFah6ZPqMRabGnTaod6_BMKOfVtkecREjbb8V9OZj-lhSQbbV4FO2qTfWWg_nCRRi63ofptBCh8f5LcUrdI/w640-h480/IMG_9480.jpeg" title="Cotswold AirBnb" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFzCsMpEHiD6Y-pMhlXQKQm4015XI7CPAW2IIQCV_EHfS--VxqxvWWk50PfuHwL3KUr_vqfqOzseMaAWhxONBdIs9F-rdDHZFrzp-AF7MRjWKcN0qpjQwvCCTcuxEMcBJN8cfbCFgkygQr0wM6v8CUaUbZeNU2cItM0E_4gzLx5pQPnKGllARc7IEeDgE/s4032/IMG_9503.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cotswold AirBnb" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFzCsMpEHiD6Y-pMhlXQKQm4015XI7CPAW2IIQCV_EHfS--VxqxvWWk50PfuHwL3KUr_vqfqOzseMaAWhxONBdIs9F-rdDHZFrzp-AF7MRjWKcN0qpjQwvCCTcuxEMcBJN8cfbCFgkygQr0wM6v8CUaUbZeNU2cItM0E_4gzLx5pQPnKGllARc7IEeDgE/w480-h640/IMG_9503.jpeg" title="Cotswold AirBnb" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpF27hHfSmu4dxijK3WRs6z0Fo0a-3ah4-YfsPFfrjaiqopRMkABoTzPIwUsk_BsbcjUKwQkS1cYt9bLHtuYRYB9BKbvwjbcgWgbUOuDTEjuOPlNs0lXqICqH2IXauCAJQNtZjRrfQ8A9oX9k0Hp-PGy5wehJ9VwPcQ0t8fQgxRuLNYNjGVXUW2nqgg6Q/s4032/IMG_9509.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cotswold AirBnb" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpF27hHfSmu4dxijK3WRs6z0Fo0a-3ah4-YfsPFfrjaiqopRMkABoTzPIwUsk_BsbcjUKwQkS1cYt9bLHtuYRYB9BKbvwjbcgWgbUOuDTEjuOPlNs0lXqICqH2IXauCAJQNtZjRrfQ8A9oX9k0Hp-PGy5wehJ9VwPcQ0t8fQgxRuLNYNjGVXUW2nqgg6Q/w640-h480/IMG_9509.jpeg" title="Cotswold AirBnb" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>We are a stone's throw from the Cotswolds, Broadway and Chipping Campden just to name a few! These coveted destinations are about a 10 to 15 minute drive from the house. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We are 25-30 minutes away from Worcester and Cheltenham (we are a great base for the Cheltenham Racecourse and the Race Week that comes around in March!).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Stratford Upon Avon is also about a 25 minute drive, meaning you can enjoy a day out in Shakespeare's birth place during your stay with us.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7ih0oixIPlX8LdtRz2dubkH863uJpUqxJ0IrbLuvKZnZaWM39tasxuHMahEvafTQClYHqFDL4hGmpSBNGH_HlCGbg8M4ZNqnIjwMcd5jwinpLrVuK5IQYe9b195sLrBvTQA8I4z83hoxQ3yh69n3SdlvHIFRnZYprtGvKKO2GwmFRrRPd-NTOEfZa7kx/s4032/IMG_9520.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cotswold AirBnb" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7ih0oixIPlX8LdtRz2dubkH863uJpUqxJ0IrbLuvKZnZaWM39tasxuHMahEvafTQClYHqFDL4hGmpSBNGH_HlCGbg8M4ZNqnIjwMcd5jwinpLrVuK5IQYe9b195sLrBvTQA8I4z83hoxQ3yh69n3SdlvHIFRnZYprtGvKKO2GwmFRrRPd-NTOEfZa7kx/w640-h480/IMG_9520.jpeg" title="Cotswold AirBnb" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>We have installed a key box to enable remote check in at the property, this means that all of our guests can check in without the need of us being there. We send all guests a message with the key code on the morning of their arrival so that they can arrive at their leisure after checkin (14:00pm) and also check out on the day of their departure (10:00am).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This new venture is something we are very excited about, we hope that we can continue to offer my home out to families and guests while perfecting our hospitality.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you come across this post and wish to stay in the area, definitely drop us a message on AirBnB and we will do our upmost to provide availability for you!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can <a href="https://airbnb.com/h/burfordhouse" target="_blank">check us out on AirBnB here</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can <a href="https://www.instagram.com/burfordhouseairbnb/" target="_blank">follow us on Instagram here</a>!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07693927098032739132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978459861373615747.post-59022404916317054472023-04-12T19:40:00.003+01:002023-04-12T19:43:15.835+01:00The Days After Louis<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHwZtwLMuNC3DPqMeNdHBWFJQ2i_7Cb4X5qKkfdJlgC2gy8iKFAnEhtTfDvPI_CIG5C4jERZlL49kGCOFVzX-xYg6V210cSYWmEtIjEEjlVSZ9dwGT0OG3Ykh-Lnl7HJ_ottBRZIYT7ywfnwfEZ0pPg-6Dd_jvS6CvX5E4qpdrGxZ8p81v7Uf3aIOvw/s1688/IMG_1333.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Baby Loss Oligiohydramnios" border="0" data-original-height="1688" data-original-width="1125" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHwZtwLMuNC3DPqMeNdHBWFJQ2i_7Cb4X5qKkfdJlgC2gy8iKFAnEhtTfDvPI_CIG5C4jERZlL49kGCOFVzX-xYg6V210cSYWmEtIjEEjlVSZ9dwGT0OG3Ykh-Lnl7HJ_ottBRZIYT7ywfnwfEZ0pPg-6Dd_jvS6CvX5E4qpdrGxZ8p81v7Uf3aIOvw/w426-h640/IMG_1333.jpeg" title="Baby Loss Oligiohydramnios" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;">We left the hospital on the 22nd July 2020 without baby Louis. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Leaving him there in the hospital was perhaps the hardest part of all of this. I had just delivered my baby and now I was leaving with empty arms. Heading home to an empty flat for a full nights sleep that I desperately needed, but also a sleep that should have been disturbed with newborn baby cries and feeds into the twilight hours. </p><p style="text-align: center;">We had spent the entire day drinking Louis in and memorising the curves of his face. Now it was the evening and it was time to leave him. My Mum drove me home, the feeling of guilt growing with every step I took away from the cold cot, away from the bereavement room, away from the hospital.</p><p style="text-align: center;">As I got into the car and we put miles between Louis and the hospital, I really believed that would be the last time I ever saw him...</p><p style="text-align: center;">The evening was spent eating pizza with Leo at my parents house, and thinking of words to write a Facebook post to announce the arrival and departure of my Louis Christopher to my immediate world. The tears fell silently down my cheeks with each sentence I composed, and they fell even harder when the comments from friends and family started pouring in after learning that despite all the fighting of the last 8 and a bit months, there wasn't to be a happy ending.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Eventually Leo and I returned home to the flat, the flat that never felt like home. I don't recall arriving back or even putting the key in the door. I don't remember getting into bed, I don't remember sleep coming and I don't remember waking up the following morning. </p><p style="text-align: center;">All I do know is that the next morning, I knew I needed to be back at the hospital. I needed to see Louis again. I couldn't stop thinking about him being all alone in the hospital morgue. My Mum and sister came with me, and we spent a second afternoon in the bereavement room at Worcester Hospital. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I had brought along a swaddle blanket that I had bought for Louis. It was what he was supposed to spend his first nights fast asleep and dreaming in…I spent time wrapping him up and making him cosy. I found it ironic that I was putting all of these warm aids on him, when ultimately the biggest concern was making sure he was cool enough through this heatwave. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I asked the midwife for some baby wipes, Louis was still as he had been born. I hadn't thought about cleaning him the previous day, while he was alive I didn't dare move, and once he was gone cleaning him didn't even cross my mind.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4J7ha2x7yh3c2HsOHt_Gqw6yj8ZHNMxbFVb7p2D_UPdZSGK5BjONH0Uxh6Xfd-fDGfw1cuIhg6CKJC0dUue3sMQjw_U9SClKHUrq_gke_5LMFGKQu4iNl3zKtbNCmpl9oE2HTcmnHkIiyQCuj0WmwbmywkNg7w0n392ckA01oGeDhkdtvoRKgVej5zw/s4032/IMG_1315.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Baby Loss Oligiohydramnios" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4J7ha2x7yh3c2HsOHt_Gqw6yj8ZHNMxbFVb7p2D_UPdZSGK5BjONH0Uxh6Xfd-fDGfw1cuIhg6CKJC0dUue3sMQjw_U9SClKHUrq_gke_5LMFGKQu4iNl3zKtbNCmpl9oE2HTcmnHkIiyQCuj0WmwbmywkNg7w0n392ckA01oGeDhkdtvoRKgVej5zw/w480-h640/IMG_1315.jpeg" title="Baby Loss Oligiohydramnios" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Now my natural instinct was to clean him up. I wanted to see who the baby boy was under the dried blood, I very gently wiped him all over, his face and his hair, revealing his beautiful face as it was meant to be appreciated. Watching his real features appear as the dirt lifted away made me feel like I was finally getting to be a Mum to him, even if it was just for a short time.<p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Simply cleaning Louis up changed his whole face, it revealed his blonde locks and from certain angles you could almost convince yourself that he was just sleeping. </p><p style="text-align: center;">By 16:30 we had spent another summer's afternoon within the confined walls of the hospital, stealing every moment that we could. I already knew that I would be back again the following day (July 23rd 2020).</p><p style="text-align: center;">I tucked Louis back up into his blanket and back into his cold cot, and I knew that this wouldn't be his resting place for the night. After I left he would be moved back to the morgue where he would be entirely on his own again. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Leaving that afternoon was just as hard as it was that first day, and I spent that night going back and forth over bringing him back home with us... </p><p style="text-align: center;">Suddenly I knew I had to bring Louis home. I needed my baby home for however long I could.</p><p style="text-align: center;">It was a strange realisation, I had gone over and over this while I was pregnant and for a long time I always was going to bring him home. Somewhere along the way, that plan changed. I think out of concern for Leo and how it may effect him. I had a chat with Leo and asked what he thought about bringing Louis home, he jumped at the opportunity. Leo had taken everything the last few days had presented in his stride, and now he just wanted to bring his baby brother home. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXP_yv0oL_-EGzoXnrCu2KDY7F2W6SDTvjKeueOSdnDqhERN5rlAiJutgwGAVWTjLhtM4HIQ8Ie_sfnQaMGmTOTueXqMQCuXQzOsACCEKB7uJY1oCAgAt6qnimqMNOmiVAwJ4CUARpzjt0mKr_qtfQf6KtgU-yTjsLqwe2OD2VeORFv6IXG-KRMfb8gw/s4032/IMG_1403.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Baby Loss Oligiohydramnios" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXP_yv0oL_-EGzoXnrCu2KDY7F2W6SDTvjKeueOSdnDqhERN5rlAiJutgwGAVWTjLhtM4HIQ8Ie_sfnQaMGmTOTueXqMQCuXQzOsACCEKB7uJY1oCAgAt6qnimqMNOmiVAwJ4CUARpzjt0mKr_qtfQf6KtgU-yTjsLqwe2OD2VeORFv6IXG-KRMfb8gw/w480-h640/IMG_1403.jpeg" title="Baby Loss Oligiohydramnios" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">The 23rd July dawned, and I knew that today I was heading back to the hospital to discuss bringing Louis out of the hospital and back with us to the flat. My bereavement midwife was amazing, as she had been ever since I met her on the run up to my delivery. Straight away she started making all of the arrangements for us to take Louis out of the hospital and transport him in our car back to our modest 4 walls.</p><p style="text-align: center;">We were provided with a cold cot and a police reference number just in case we were pulled over on our journey, and had to explain why we had a deceased baby in our company. Something that I really hadn't considered in all of the thoughts I had had over getting Louis from the hospital back to our home. </p><p style="text-align: center;">We loaded the cold cot into the car and then we brought Louis out, it all felt very cloak and dagger. It didn't feel like we should be seen, we didn't want to upset anyone else. Louis was placed in the cold cot on the back seat with me, he didn't need a car seat, he didn't even need restraining with a seat belt.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I remember that my Mum was driving, and I remember leaving the hospital for the last time, but I don't remember arriving back at the flat or how we transported Louis from the car and into the flat. From that day, Louis was with us.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Leo had been staying in my room since his dad left at 28 weeks pregnant, my little comfort blanket. This meant that we could set Louis up in Leo's room with his cold cot. We could take Louis out of the cold cot as often as we liked and there was something extremely comforting about having him there with us. </p><p style="text-align: center;">We were in the midst of a heat wave so I was very worried about how this may affect him, the cot had come with a set of instructions of what we could expect, but we were also advised that we may have to take ice packs from the freezer and put them around him to ensure that he was kept cool enough.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Leo and I would stay up watching television and bring Louis for cuddles on the sofa. It felt completely normal and Leo adored this time with his brother. He got the snuggles and I got the snaps I had always dreamed of having, of my two beautiful boys together. </p><p style="text-align: center;">A good friend of mine very kindly offered to take some photos of Louis for us, I jumped at the chance. We had some shots taken by a charity when we were in hospital, but I wanted something that I could have my own personal spin on now I had cleaned him up and we were home. We had these new photos taken and I am so pleased that we did. They highlight a time of immense sadness, but also a moment in time that was fleeting and would soon only be in our memories.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-FOSKL4jZ_US8NZu-NRlJQ5B9tP-cc9z8UQ4LmmxvKePhyOPE4bF0aFUgK-p-xz-psmQgPHGzUxEY8oOsgDlFojk09oVe0leP4JJ61Y4WP0_rxDwsMcNibp_zGRPdRLWnY5VGWLOPAFgEzuuypciYlkZRf41ZfIuO9qHsUDLOsmCsTkEU85QxGzXQA/s1688/IMG_1343.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Baby Loss Oligiohydramnios" border="0" data-original-height="1688" data-original-width="1125" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-FOSKL4jZ_US8NZu-NRlJQ5B9tP-cc9z8UQ4LmmxvKePhyOPE4bF0aFUgK-p-xz-psmQgPHGzUxEY8oOsgDlFojk09oVe0leP4JJ61Y4WP0_rxDwsMcNibp_zGRPdRLWnY5VGWLOPAFgEzuuypciYlkZRf41ZfIuO9qHsUDLOsmCsTkEU85QxGzXQA/w426-h640/IMG_1343.jpeg" title="Baby Loss Oligiohydramnios" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Having this time at home allowed family members and friends to come and meet Louis who wouldn't have ever had the chance to meet him otherwise. Some kept coming back to see us, no one seemed to be worried about meeting him. The most un-natural thing had happened in losing Louis, but having him close to us in the days after his passing and the run up to the funeral was the most natural thing in the world.<p></p><p style="text-align: center;">On July 24th Taylor Swift released her surprise album, Folklore. This became the soundtrack to Louis being at home. To this day when I hear it playing it takes me right back to being in that flat with Louis and Leo. After everything 2020 had thrown at us, I felt like this album was written for me.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I kept busy in those days, covid and lockdown were still raging on outside the confines of the flat but I had reached a point where covid was the last thing in the world I was worried about. The hospital had very kindly taken casts of Louis's feet with a set I had purchased, and I couldn't wait to get them painted up and framed. When I wasn't painting I was writing bits for the funeral and making plans for our final goodbye all while Folklore played continuously in the background.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I began walking again and exercising a few days post birth, I knew I had to get those endorphins flowing for my own sanity. Walking and Folklore became my therapy as I walked and took in the words, as I began to process all that had come to pass.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Being left how I was left is something I still struggle with. A lockdown, a pregnancy, a baby with a prognosis not compatible with life, another woman, an affair, the lies, the hurt, the mourning of my family, the mourning of Louis. All the milestones that ultimately made me face the rest of my pregnancy alone, the birth without the one person who should have fought fiercely to be by my side. Instead after Louis arrival and departure, I was in the bereavement room all alone. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWywdCeV30WiwWF3HxIUyiZQRpMac_0n7dZ1U-7ycnbb4PSCJXqAjuOFasJbDE6rWT_LgyV6yfoIfBmww1XHoUt51vP201WOQ3DXMZ-OST1IqrekGZl_rMgba7mPcezX4x7xcCsbaGL_OME_8Hme6GVNb57JUp0JaXYgQPDrxhlmQP_jJUZLLTTtDhA/s4032/IMG_1283.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Baby Loss Oligiohydramnios" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWywdCeV30WiwWF3HxIUyiZQRpMac_0n7dZ1U-7ycnbb4PSCJXqAjuOFasJbDE6rWT_LgyV6yfoIfBmww1XHoUt51vP201WOQ3DXMZ-OST1IqrekGZl_rMgba7mPcezX4x7xcCsbaGL_OME_8Hme6GVNb57JUp0JaXYgQPDrxhlmQP_jJUZLLTTtDhA/w480-h640/IMG_1283.jpeg" title="Baby Loss Oligiohydramnios" width="480" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">When I wasn't walking I was organising, I had a wonderful funeral director who was already an acquaintance of mine through work, and I knew that as soon as we got on the phone together we were going to get along just perfectly. We discussed the dates that were available for Louis's funeral and how I wanted it to look. I always thought I would opt for a burial, but actually when the time came I chose cremation. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I didn't want Louis to be anywhere I wasn't, I knew that I could keep his ashes with me for the rest of time, and perhaps at some point place him in a ring. This was something I was looking at while I was still pregnant, I think I always knew what was going to come to pass despite the blind hope burning.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Louis was due on my birthday, August 8th, and as we were now well on our way into August we decided to have Louis's funeral on August 7th 2020. The day before my birthday. We kept Louis at home with us until July 28th after having him home for 6 days.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I made the decision to take him to the funeral directors when the heat wave persisted and I was just incredibly worried about how this would affect Louis body. Just before 5pm I wrapped Louis up for one final time, I stood and took a photo in front of the mirror just to remember how he looked in my arms and then we got in the car to drove him the short distance to the funeral directors.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hTcL3tTV6iAFcAVvzK-cHy4GwECzOCVve9LA3ChCMgVorXvJPkdB1-qyKc5Z6cLskisd-Tf8xsek-Ivgc6OVagARBumkmzZK4uMp1fgaX_rQWP-q6NCligGL0eB-qKHsrpc1FK9VkGaJ8B1D4sOO0DtJc223Ugry_8bfMMC_dvWIr1VoF6KYZ-im0g/s4032/IMG_1405.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Baby Loss Oligiohydramnios" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hTcL3tTV6iAFcAVvzK-cHy4GwECzOCVve9LA3ChCMgVorXvJPkdB1-qyKc5Z6cLskisd-Tf8xsek-Ivgc6OVagARBumkmzZK4uMp1fgaX_rQWP-q6NCligGL0eB-qKHsrpc1FK9VkGaJ8B1D4sOO0DtJc223Ugry_8bfMMC_dvWIr1VoF6KYZ-im0g/w480-h640/IMG_1405.jpeg" title="Baby Loss Oligiohydramnios" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I knew I was leaving my baby boy in safe hands at the funeral directors, and I was invited to pop in to see Louis whenever I wanted to. I did do that a few times over the days that followed. We chose Lous's casket, a beautiful wooden coffin, the smallest I have ever seen. The next time I saw Louis he was placed carefully inside.</p><p style="text-align: center;">With Louis safe from the heat at the funeral directors, it was back home to the confines of the flat to continue planning his final goodbye.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07693927098032739132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978459861373615747.post-35979070649550664202023-04-10T12:09:00.025+01:002023-04-11T18:00:56.851+01:00The PAJ Power Finder 4G GPS Review <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRuK4-Q5br3tMcSr9Fd8agQbBDKDcTKyrYoMSe6l3b8leNPl5YaSzrdMr-LeCcSf5rI0x1WlZZb1B7pvNBEkn_-UZRtHjjbeW4xn7l79gJierYWZIijMkf54pUNt27VP40-993J_MEQ8sTw-oSxrRwNaKF-0uCtPPHkqbqJLw3VR8b3u6CCza9AJfgQ/s1600/eb18a546-106a-49ae-b6ee-29fb2a918c5b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Glyders Snowdonia" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRuK4-Q5br3tMcSr9Fd8agQbBDKDcTKyrYoMSe6l3b8leNPl5YaSzrdMr-LeCcSf5rI0x1WlZZb1B7pvNBEkn_-UZRtHjjbeW4xn7l79gJierYWZIijMkf54pUNt27VP40-993J_MEQ8sTw-oSxrRwNaKF-0uCtPPHkqbqJLw3VR8b3u6CCza9AJfgQ/w640-h480/eb18a546-106a-49ae-b6ee-29fb2a918c5b.jpeg" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" title="Glyders Snowdonia" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">During the lockdown of 2020 as Covid raged without prejudice, I found a comfort in walking. I began walking locally at first but I was covering some serious miles each and everyday and very soon needing a new challenge to push me further.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">When the lockdown eased and we could travel again, I progressed onto walking our local countryside, Bredon Hill and then the Malvern’s. Eventually covering the Malvern Hills from end to end and realising a desire to give some mountain peaks a go! </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">By the end of 2021 the other half and I had completed the 3 peaks, Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis. Each were incredible for different reasons, some more challenging because of weather conditions but each a huge achievement in their own right.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We always travelled using our car, and we found that often we were having to leave the car quite remotely and then of course we were covering some large distances. It always worried me that we wouldn’t be able to find the car again, parking up on a quiet Mountain view road and then walking away into the unknown. I often thought it would be a great idea to have some kind of device that would help us find the car again at the end of our adventures….</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">When you think of a car tracker, you ordinarily consider the anti theft properties or even retrieval of your vehicle post theft, but when I was asked to review the <a href="https://www.paj-gps.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PAJ Power Finder 4G GPS Tracker</a> I knew that there was a real value and sense of calming in always knowing where your car is in relation to yourself (and you can actually see this on the app! You can use your phone to ping your location and exactly where your car is!)</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Over the past month we have been putting the tracker through it's paces. Our model arrived ready to go after a short charge, ordinarily you have to follow the short instruction manual that is included within the box.</span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-align: center;"><img alt="PAJ Power Finder 4G GPS Tracker" height="480" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1HK0CEFg43U6CUKWKtw950sAyr37ZnG_9" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" title="PAJ Power Finder 4G GPS Tracker" width="640" /><br /></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><b><u>What's in the box?</u></b></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">- PAJ GPS Power Finder 4G</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">- Charger and cable <i>(please note that the charger is a 2 pin plug, so if you are in the UK you will need to use the USB charger with a compatible plug)</i></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><i>- </i>Power Finder Quickstart Guide</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">- Power Finder 4G Instruction Manual </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><b><u>Setting up the PAJ GPS Tracker</u></b></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWQveuqAddU479bldBOSBwrKv7fT1v2m3LlaEt0xMCewpQkvrAmqJ3bkgH0zkmg7SFquqORnMTH3RfqNTGEysI1SKVjIF63LIk21RzYtLn26nit9R-S1LNsFJLvZPZEfWvSqkwqfr5XuogZCZs4WqxoTNFVffq_p8Jy-ufLw3uImlwdbN5a_3QrDgHQ/s4032/IMG_8240.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="PAJ Power Finder Set Up" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWQveuqAddU479bldBOSBwrKv7fT1v2m3LlaEt0xMCewpQkvrAmqJ3bkgH0zkmg7SFquqORnMTH3RfqNTGEysI1SKVjIF63LIk21RzYtLn26nit9R-S1LNsFJLvZPZEfWvSqkwqfr5XuogZCZs4WqxoTNFVffq_p8Jy-ufLw3uImlwdbN5a_3QrDgHQ/w640-h480/IMG_8240.jpeg" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" title="PAJ Power Finder Set Up" width="640" /></a></div><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;">The tracker comes with absolutely everything you need to get started. Simply scan the QR code on the the quick start guide and it will walk you through the steps on your phone. Here you can purchase your subscription to the PAJ GPS Portal <i>(5.99 a month, £54.99 a year)</i> and get the app downloaded so that you can begin to keep an eye on your vehicle.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">Before you use the tracker for the first time though it is recommended that you fully charge it for 8 hours. The battery terminal can be found underneath the plastic cover, as mentioned above if you are in the UK you will need to use a USB plug with the included USB charger as the included plug is 2 pin.</p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">You will know when the tracker is fully charged as all the bars on the battery indicator will be lit and none will be flashing. </p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">The SIM card is already installed in your tracker and you do not need to take it out or do anything with this. </p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">Once charged it is time to turn on your tracker for the very first time. Admitedly when I first attempted this I had neglected to read all of the instructions and the other half had to step in and save the day! It's pretty simple though, it's just a case of opening the housing cover, removing the rubber cover and sliding the slider to 'on' and then closing it all back up again.</p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">That's the PAJ GPS Tracker charged and ready to go!</p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="PAJ Power Finder 4G GPS Tracker" height="480" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1REHUqLzRKO0giCIclybsIAkBz5GaftF2" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" title="PAJ Power Finder 4G GPS Tracker" width="640" /><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><u>Using the PAJ Finder</u></b></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">We have been using the tracker in the other half's BMW, I don't really think my 2010 Skoda is at much risk of being taken... and the reality is we go pretty much everywhere in his car. We have popped the tracker inside the glove compartment where it gets a lovely strong signal, you know if you have a good signal because the Red LED will flash quickly. If it flashes slowly then there is either no signal or it is looking for one.</p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0h5wN_ac0KnbmEG3AGQkRu14zsxgeuvDRU8hGgY0P-z6DqhDYVIPTvCcmVWqgwTw13JXmTem8kQYNxTsCm-H5NBSw8oNpfOavU3n9FN9FdoHVLdb-oCYbibnvVjJtjKxsIAR6GE8RcmxvSxhTHhygWwWB6lJuUsAYrJunoPspMQXdWATGW-kXgLMtg/s2046/IMG_8248.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="PAJ Power Finder 4G GPS Tracker" border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2046" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0h5wN_ac0KnbmEG3AGQkRu14zsxgeuvDRU8hGgY0P-z6DqhDYVIPTvCcmVWqgwTw13JXmTem8kQYNxTsCm-H5NBSw8oNpfOavU3n9FN9FdoHVLdb-oCYbibnvVjJtjKxsIAR6GE8RcmxvSxhTHhygWwWB6lJuUsAYrJunoPspMQXdWATGW-kXgLMtg/w640-h628/IMG_8248.jpeg" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" title="PAJ Power Finder 4G GPS Tracker" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"> When you have a good signal your car shows up on the Online Finder App, this is where you can watch your vehicle on the app, it refreshes every 30 seconds, so you can always see where your car is but it does jump when it refreshes if you are following live. </p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">The app is nice and simple to use and offers a range of features, you can tailor alerts for:</p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">- Vibration - If the tracker gets dropped or lifted</p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">- Low battery</p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">-Speed limit - You can set the speed limit here too.</p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><br /><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGFQYhYhNU1PTx6jsy8zQXzkIe7M3ghLsKtTDpT3jzWvIJUCvARMxuY3VPZpJ4LR4p9paVj59rihDF17cQ_K-50VN39OA4F55WUXOIniFLAB_uPtlJOxroSuIbJW8_k4ZofITVgpSh5VGbs_RWJjLK2PIbgl4HLuSD6hQnE9-mOtOBzeL3GL4ZDceuw/s2048/IMG_8245.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="PAJ Power Finder 4G GPS Tracker" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGFQYhYhNU1PTx6jsy8zQXzkIe7M3ghLsKtTDpT3jzWvIJUCvARMxuY3VPZpJ4LR4p9paVj59rihDF17cQ_K-50VN39OA4F55WUXOIniFLAB_uPtlJOxroSuIbJW8_k4ZofITVgpSh5VGbs_RWJjLK2PIbgl4HLuSD6hQnE9-mOtOBzeL3GL4ZDceuw/w640-h640/IMG_8245.jpeg" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" title="PAJ Power Finder 4G GPS Tracker" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">The app provides you with precise, worldwide location data and what I really love is that you can click on your vehicle, and then then open directions to it in Google Maps! This is an absolute god send for us when we head off on our adventures, as we now know that we can always return to the car at the end of play.</p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">I have even used the tracker to pick Leo up from rugby training, the other half took him and I couldn’t recall exactly where it was! Thankfully I could view the car on the app and then export the directions to Google Maps! I was there on time to pick him and bring him back home. </p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">The battery lasts around 40 days and up to 90 days in stand by mode, as of this review we have not yet had to charge the tracker, but we have set up the low power notifications in the app. When the time comes we will be ready!</p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">We are really pleased with the PAJ Power Finder and it is reassuring to know that we can check in on the car whenever we feel the need. For us it offers a level of security in the event that the car ever would be stolen, but it also has a very practical use for our day to day running. </p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Another feature that we have really liked is the speed limit notification. If this has been purchased for a new driver, the wary parent can keep a watchful eye on the fledgling child as they take to the roads but also know if they have been giving care due and attention on the roads.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">It's incredibly versatile and easy to use and the other half has already laid claim on the tracker long term. He runs a British Super Bike Race time (BSB) and he is excited to use it in the lorry that carries the race bikes all over the UK. Most importantly he wants it for the security as often the lorry is left fully loaded and if it was stolen, at least we would have a better idea on how to potentially retrieve the contents!</p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">The <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/PAJ-GPS-POWER-Finder-4G-Version/dp/B087CWWQP1/ref=sr_1_7?m=A1ZXXU9594PFZS&qid=1681232080&s=merchant-items&sr=1-7" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PAJ Power Finder is available from Amazon</a> for £149.99.</p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b>Disclaimer: </b><i>We were sent the PAJ Power Finder in exchange for this review. All views and opinions are completely honest and my own.</i></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"> <br /><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07693927098032739132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978459861373615747.post-27607856056865144122023-04-05T16:38:00.001+01:002023-04-17T09:46:14.496+01:00Dive the Mary Rose 4D at Portsmouth Historic Dock Yard<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpKmy0bXYqpKHz8HRWHRxtwxXjEl4DvWKOTEVCopOgcEpeQmqq48hSIJtwK2twXUrMWzuCjSJYvhRKmPmCOKJbV3gMjTuZvS3ypATvX3uyG77P7FJzSg42w8TP3od1ErT01wTiqHtbylB-M6oO88KQNxmpSd1Ec6Pykm13OXcTVH9rCahOX1UnaM7Rw/s4032/IMG_2855.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dive the Mary Rose 4D at Portsmouth Historic Dock Yard" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpKmy0bXYqpKHz8HRWHRxtwxXjEl4DvWKOTEVCopOgcEpeQmqq48hSIJtwK2twXUrMWzuCjSJYvhRKmPmCOKJbV3gMjTuZvS3ypATvX3uyG77P7FJzSg42w8TP3od1ErT01wTiqHtbylB-M6oO88KQNxmpSd1Ec6Pykm13OXcTVH9rCahOX1UnaM7Rw/w640-h480/IMG_2855.jpeg" title="Dive the Mary Rose 4D at Portsmouth Historic Dock Yard" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Until May of last year, I had never been to Portsmouth or the docks myself, but the other half had actually visited as a child when the Mary Rose was being housed under a tent after it's recovery (we are talking back in the 90's) and was still drying out. </p><p style="text-align: center;">We decided to take the children to Portsmouth Historic Docks for the day to see what it was all about, and it turned out to be a really wonderful day. Leo had a great time running all around the HMS Warrior and learning all about its history and talking about all of the ghosts that may be skulking around.</p><p style="text-align: center;">We were there on the Ultimate Explorer ticket, but seemingly ran out of time to see everything as there is so much to take in. Add into the mix children who would rather you didn't actually stop to read anything and you have a recipe for not getting everything done in one day... </p><p style="text-align: center;">Over the course of the day we walked around the HMS Victory and finished at the Mary Rose. The other half was rather amazed to see just how far the preservation of the ship has come in all those years since his first visit. There is now an entire building dedicated to the Tudor ship and a museum full of the artefacts and history they found on the ship. </p><p style="text-align: center;">They have recovered bodies from the fateful day the ship sunk a couple of miles off the shore of Portsmouth, the crew who were thwarted by the netting that was in place to keep boarders from entering the ship... But ultimately stopped them being able to get out as the ship sank.</p><p style="text-align: center;">500 people died on that day in 1545 as the Tudor ship bowed down to the bottom of the ocean, and did not see daylight again until it broke the surface during its recovery in 1982.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The ship lay undiscovered for hundreds of years , entombed within the sea bed, the wreck was finally located by divers in 1971. It then took over 10 years of excavation, over 500 divers and 28 thousand dives before the remains of the hull could be raised.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I was really excited to receive an invitation to the opening of the docks new immersive experience recently.... Dive the Mary Rose 4D, and on Thursday 30th March, the other half and I went CHILD FREE back to the docks and got our Mary Rose experience!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ojsEzeNqO00PgdCCnhUrno02C0nVQQNNwU2JLZOKywNM1zzoVSGOfYBS43qVsUNyngFhTnzM69qNJLOC1pt4rGhbWI3QpDJTM5uHErHyb8W-oRDPtwcYi0xzKy-RpX-0WvF7pXWoOPCWvqTyIioBOGMhAkTq6B7F5_meZIgjQngSs4Te2pyx0-nJeg/s4032/IMG_2859.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dive the Mary Rose 4D at Portsmouth Historic Dock Yard" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ojsEzeNqO00PgdCCnhUrno02C0nVQQNNwU2JLZOKywNM1zzoVSGOfYBS43qVsUNyngFhTnzM69qNJLOC1pt4rGhbWI3QpDJTM5uHErHyb8W-oRDPtwcYi0xzKy-RpX-0WvF7pXWoOPCWvqTyIioBOGMhAkTq6B7F5_meZIgjQngSs4Te2pyx0-nJeg/w640-h480/IMG_2859.jpeg" title="Dive the Mary Rose 4D at Portsmouth Historic Dock Yard" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br />The event was held the day prior to it opening to the public (Friday 31st March 2023) just in time for the Easter holidays where families could visit and make the most of their time off together. </p><p style="text-align: center;">We arrived and head straight to the Mary Rose, we made our way inside and got to have a thorough look around the museum without the protests of 'I'm hungry' 'I want to sit down' and 'I'm tired' from 2 well walked children. This time we leisurely walked through the museum, re-discovering what had captured our interest and finding out so much more about it. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Cannons baring the Tudor rose and even the skeleton of the ships dog are all on display in the museum. Then there is the Mary Rose herself. She is kept in a temperature controlled room in the centre and you can view her from many different views thanks to the well designed walk ways on multiple levels. It is a fascinating sight and it really gets you thinking about how they raised the ship and preserved it the way that they have. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XvmJjenLuFTn2t3SFGjmI8ux99lf75gsQdzLvHyQLJxEVFjBvr8EB1ibCzsapLPcuSy6G9CvMqe4EZfElsa4Vkl542gBsSRZL6gNZevd31qQoIIdUNrHU6ANcPlLAJabymJpZu7l8ja4p65UN_POxyV3bbsNJbxru1tA5837_-qX-S2C4Tayog7-cg/s4032/IMG_8208.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dive the Mary Rose 4D at Portsmouth Historic Dock Yard" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XvmJjenLuFTn2t3SFGjmI8ux99lf75gsQdzLvHyQLJxEVFjBvr8EB1ibCzsapLPcuSy6G9CvMqe4EZfElsa4Vkl542gBsSRZL6gNZevd31qQoIIdUNrHU6ANcPlLAJabymJpZu7l8ja4p65UN_POxyV3bbsNJbxru1tA5837_-qX-S2C4Tayog7-cg/w640-h480/IMG_8208.jpeg" title="Dive the Mary Rose 4D at Portsmouth Historic Dock Yard" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">The new <a href="https://maryrose.org/dive-4D/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dive the Mary Rose 4D experience</a> is a great way to gain a real appreciation to just how much work, time, money and effort went in to even just finding where the Mary Rose sank, not to mention how one would then bring the Mary Rose back to the surface.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The 4D experience it's self is pretty special, as the film plays you are fed smells, sounds and newly created footage to simulate the diving experience during the biggest ever Maritime excavation and raising narrated by the one and only Ross Kemp.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The cinema set up is very impressive and boasts a curved screen, you are provided 3D glasses as you enter your screening. I especially liked how they added actual bubbles to the ones popping out of the screen. I was pleasantly surprised when I realised I could actually pop them!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOkmQXpUpLBMpev-lkf0qcUDXIWCnd-7fZ9mrfzo5ao7MODYvCAMnTiazhlYYDWW224rdInqwOZIrrTPOZ29UQrVruC9Ok_QZJ3OogLBaiT_lAgomK4Mp5N90AYSEmhKJC2_OX0g-3ogOzEo4CDiXMKb8QMXyZGJtPzjq7_qsub04jopG_XjQGdsLyQ/s4256/051_mary%20rose%20museum_4d%20theatre_28012023_dsc_3425_%C2%A9%20harvey%20mills%202023.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dive the Mary Rose 4D at Portsmouth Historic Dock Yard" border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOkmQXpUpLBMpev-lkf0qcUDXIWCnd-7fZ9mrfzo5ao7MODYvCAMnTiazhlYYDWW224rdInqwOZIrrTPOZ29UQrVruC9Ok_QZJ3OogLBaiT_lAgomK4Mp5N90AYSEmhKJC2_OX0g-3ogOzEo4CDiXMKb8QMXyZGJtPzjq7_qsub04jopG_XjQGdsLyQ/w640-h426/051_mary%20rose%20museum_4d%20theatre_28012023_dsc_3425_%C2%A9%20harvey%20mills%202023.jpeg" title="Dive the Mary Rose 4D at Portsmouth Historic Dock Yard" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWjY5P9hWtc9x968GERvE4eAZUmZEjxZ7DXEsIGSoeF2u5MEAsPEC_ZuAO2xILEGNcU_1-YvBKdaoOwccDUd-NEaEbC0R6hSTcIoSG27htH167FsNGt44T_5_QJDwfJs8RyzTMqnRXIewysN5tjZRNASGYCZtHFXwEfcA9LV90p49Q6Kscti8LiGm-g/s4928/048_mary%20rose%20museum_4d%20theatre_28012023_dsc_9495_%C2%A9%20harvey%20mills%202023.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dive the Mary Rose 4D at Portsmouth Historic Dock Yard" border="0" data-original-height="3280" data-original-width="4928" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWjY5P9hWtc9x968GERvE4eAZUmZEjxZ7DXEsIGSoeF2u5MEAsPEC_ZuAO2xILEGNcU_1-YvBKdaoOwccDUd-NEaEbC0R6hSTcIoSG27htH167FsNGt44T_5_QJDwfJs8RyzTMqnRXIewysN5tjZRNASGYCZtHFXwEfcA9LV90p49Q6Kscti8LiGm-g/w640-h426/048_mary%20rose%20museum_4d%20theatre_28012023_dsc_9495_%C2%A9%20harvey%20mills%202023.jpeg" title="Dive the Mary Rose 4D at Portsmouth Historic Dock Yard" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">The film demonstrates how much work actually went into bringing the Mary Rose back to the surface, once they had found the ship they had to remove all of the sand and shells that had deposited upon it and protected it from the elements. To raise the ship from the depths of the ocean they had to place it on a platform and slowly bring it back up to the surface.</p><p style="text-align: center;">It was fascinating to see just how much work went into bringing the Mary Rose back so that future generations can see her for themselves.</p><p style="text-align: center;">All of the narrators involved in the film, including Ross Kemp have dived on the wreck site. Many of them helped them recover 19,000 unique Tudor artefacts to add to the already impressive collection already housed inside the Mary Rose Museum!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3Gv7vj1F5wmHebbACnni9BXhCp6-0A6HMKpzekVB2c412gHYXCszBiij6E97s8Aw3JUxsBtaZGIuNE03jXmvfg1CfHtoQWZB-qaMcDunsl2bMkd-VhAIY_jgdH21dQRP1X2rNrKzsDh-DZ1TRKZpI-CGJWfZdgnNqPXWSE6WDST8oWh41BErXdCO9Q/s4256/052_mary%20rose%20museum_4d%20theatre_28012023_dsc_3439_%C2%A9%20harvey%20mills%202023.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dive the Mary Rose 4D at Portsmouth Historic Dock Yard" border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3Gv7vj1F5wmHebbACnni9BXhCp6-0A6HMKpzekVB2c412gHYXCszBiij6E97s8Aw3JUxsBtaZGIuNE03jXmvfg1CfHtoQWZB-qaMcDunsl2bMkd-VhAIY_jgdH21dQRP1X2rNrKzsDh-DZ1TRKZpI-CGJWfZdgnNqPXWSE6WDST8oWh41BErXdCO9Q/w640-h426/052_mary%20rose%20museum_4d%20theatre_28012023_dsc_3439_%C2%A9%20harvey%20mills%202023.jpeg" title="Dive the Mary Rose 4D at Portsmouth Historic Dock Yard" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">The new Dive the Mary Rose 4D experience is a great reason to visit the docks, or return like we did. </p><p style="text-align: center;">We still intend on going back and fitting in the other attractions that we haven't had chance to see yet.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Disclaimer:</b> <i>We were invited along to the Mary Rose Musuem and screening event. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest and my own. </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07693927098032739132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978459861373615747.post-52354296962668992452020-08-28T16:17:00.000+01:002020-08-28T16:17:56.822+01:00Still a Big Brother<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-a19f69e8-7fff-d80e-ab7c-00b397c277d3" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> When I told you the news of who was coming and what was about to happen</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You were so happy, so ready and so full of passion</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I couldn’t have asked for a better big brother</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the run up to the time that we would welcome another</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You asked lots of questions and our excitement grew </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Soon came the news that made our hopes and happiness fade blue</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We talked about the future and what may come to pass</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next few months we lived like Mummy was made out of glass</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You were understanding, caring and acted beyond your years</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I held you so tightly and we wiped away each other’s crocodile tears</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We lived in hope and willed Louis to defy all the odds</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At each appointment he surpassed expectation and accepted the pokes and prods</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1FnMjSwG_00/Xz5yB3ji4-I/AAAAAAAAXFM/4zFnyTI1XYQW4__qwIbY6sVOFkg7DqOwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/42-Laura-Asbury-Louis-Asbury.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Still a big brother" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1FnMjSwG_00/Xz5yB3ji4-I/AAAAAAAAXFM/4zFnyTI1XYQW4__qwIbY6sVOFkg7DqOwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/42-Laura-Asbury-Louis-Asbury.jpg" title="Still a big brother" width="426" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> As a Mother and Son we both grew strong</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Together we walked the yellow brick road, although at times it was long</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was honest and together we ploughed forward</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Even during the times I was out of my depth and life was disordered</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2020 has been a year of hard lessons</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Each one showcasing unexpected blessings</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Never lose hope or extinguish the smallest ember</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the end of all of this you must always remember... </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You’re still a big brother even though Louis couldn’t stay</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You’re still a big brother and he will be in our thoughts everyday</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You’re still a big brother even though he was called to live on the moon</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You're still a big brother even though he was taken away too soon.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You’re the big brother that went above and beyond</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You’re the big brother who formed the most unbreakable bond</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You’re a big brother to our baby in the sky</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You’re still a big brother even though we had to say goodbye</span></span></span></div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07693927098032739132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978459861373615747.post-35767846035383318392020-08-28T16:10:00.001+01:002020-08-28T16:10:50.469+01:00Things I have Learned Being a Pet Owner For 4 Years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hro_deInEgA/X0kctSoZoQI/AAAAAAAAXFs/O2vhtZC5nn0vMec-xnyQl1SVYTp3DTX-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/59267289_10157221136425750_7846918735989309440_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dalmatian" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hro_deInEgA/X0kctSoZoQI/AAAAAAAAXFs/O2vhtZC5nn0vMec-xnyQl1SVYTp3DTX-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/59267289_10157221136425750_7846918735989309440_n.jpg" title="Dalmatian" width="480" /></a></div>
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It’s been 4 years since we brought our mischievous puppy home, and haven’t those years been full of fun and mischief. </div>
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Lux, our now 4 and a bit year old Dalmatian is always keeping us on our toes.<br />
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Thankfully his destructive days have fallen into the past tense, but his running away days will happen as soon as he is provided with an opportunity.</div>
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It was just the other month that I mistakenly left the gate open and unleashed Lux on the general public, I was in the middle of a field half an hour into a 12k stroll when I got the call to say ‘your dog has escaped’.</div>
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Thankfully he was commandeered by the post man who was then spotted by my Dad, and he was safely returned home. I was very thankful that he didn’t get hit by a car, but I knew that one way or another he would cost me at the vets as a result... After a week of Lux throwing up I took him to the vets for a once over. £65 later and he seemed to be on the mend again.</div>
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I guess you could say, that you really do know you have our big bundle of puppy, and that statement can equally be applied to the garden...</div>
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Dalmatian’s as a breed have a gene mutation that means that causes high levels of Uric Acid, this can cause the breed to form crystals and/or bladder stones... but it also means that these beautiful dogs can really kill a lawn with their urine!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e91VWVKQXn0/X0kc00aP23I/AAAAAAAAXFw/0DW6QETtXwMl8g0lSeS6MxJpXYXS1JKIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/59395123_10157221958910750_4321105560725356544_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dalmatian" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e91VWVKQXn0/X0kc00aP23I/AAAAAAAAXFw/0DW6QETtXwMl8g0lSeS6MxJpXYXS1JKIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/59395123_10157221958910750_4321105560725356544_n.jpg" title="Dalmatian" width="480" /></a></div>
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There have been many times that I have considered ripping up the lawn and laying some <a href="https://www.grass-direct.co.uk/artificial-grass" target="_blank">Cheap Artificial Grass instead</a>. I always notice that the lawn does back quicker over the winter months and leaves nothing but mud in its wake, of course when spring rolls around I can be found hastily throwing grass seed down in the hopes of rejuvenating some life into the turf before summer rolls around.</div>
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I was fully aware of the gene mutation in the breed before we committed to a Dalmatian, this has meant that I can work with Lux and make sure that we keep him healthy by feeding a low purine diet. </div>
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Purines are found in many different types of food, but there are certain food groups that boast higher levels. It is due to this that we have primarily fed Lux a raw diet that consists of chicken thighs, eggs, meaty bones and vegetables. These are all foods that keep his purine levels low, and ultimately help us to keep him stone free!</div>
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We float his meals with water so that we can keep flushing him through (I know... the poor lawn!), but it also means we need to avoid the food groups with higher purine levels, which unfortunately for Lux means absolutely no offal! </div>
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It is also due to this that we decided against using kibble dog food, opting to construct his diet ourselves. </div>
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You could say the last 4 years have been a learning curve, and you wouldn’t be mistaken! I have learned that it's not just the parts of having a dog you know will cost you money... You also have to budget for the things that will unexpectedly come your way.<br />
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For me this has come in the form of having to upgrade my hoover to something that can handle the amounts of dog hair that drop out of Lux on a daily basis (365 days a year!), and in those puppy days... Replacing the kitchen floor and patching up the wall he decided to eat!<br />
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Every so often Lx likes to do something that we aren't expecting, you know... Just to remind us that he still can be destructive if he so chooses to be... I learned a long time ago to never leave ANYTHING on the kitchen worktops when we go out without him... <br />
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As mischievous as Lux is, he is equally as loving, and although life would be a lot quieter if we hadn’t brought him home, our lives and hearts certainly wouldn’t be as full. <br />
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<b>Disclaimer: </b><i>This is a featured post </i></div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07693927098032739132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978459861373615747.post-21455323264339441172020-08-05T08:34:00.000+01:002020-08-05T08:40:30.815+01:00Louis - For My Little Warrior<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GEsCJkGltzs/XypdAzQnReI/AAAAAAAAXDM/TKsLhkRD8BAnoo8KpUs0Xn-CXzqDVUpQACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/109761354_626758931553798_1239210823565618063_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Louis Christopher" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GEsCJkGltzs/XypdAzQnReI/AAAAAAAAXDM/TKsLhkRD8BAnoo8KpUs0Xn-CXzqDVUpQACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/109761354_626758931553798_1239210823565618063_n.jpg" title="Louis Christopher" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Two faint pink lines announced your existence</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Over the next 8 months you fought with persistence</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Each week dealt a new blow</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But despite it all, you continued to grow</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I held you so tightly and gave you every chance</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From deep inside, I felt you start to dance</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the day that they told me your heart was broken</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You willed me on when no words needed to be spoken</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You broke all the rules and I lived in hope</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Even when they said your lungs wouldn’t be able to cope</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I wished for a miracle and that you would keep on going</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You defied expectations even when your growth was slowing</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At 37 weeks you decided it was your time</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arriving bottom first, I willed you to be fine</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You never let out a cry or opened your eyes</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You had fought so hard and I didn’t want any goodbyes</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It should have been warm cosy cuddles </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And milk drunk snuggles</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But in the end you left as quickly as you came </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And life will never ever be the same </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Little Louis the miracle was your courageous fight </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was meeting you in the thick of night</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The miracle was spending 2 sweet hours breathing you in</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The miracle was that little dimple on your chin</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The miracle was the journey we went on together </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was all the storms that we managed to weather</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The miracle was getting to tell you your name</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was that little lock of blonde hair that I have been able to frame</span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The miracle was every single heartbeat</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My little army guy never admitted defeat </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m so sorry that my body pieced you together in a way, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that made it impossible for you to stay.</span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Louis you taught me so much in such a short time</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You taught me to stand still and appreciate the moment</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You taught me to have hope in the darkest of days</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You taught me to keep fighting no matter the prognosis </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You taught me things I couldn’t put into words if I tried</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Louis, I will carry your fight, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will carry your lessons and I will carry you for the rest of my life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sleep tight baby boy, until we meet again</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YyVmGH1UqHU/XypffhW84II/AAAAAAAAXDY/T1SxZx8nAIwc_4Mv0D0HV5ffJeQxM1WsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/116266120_288181079151502_1701417571368840073_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1125" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YyVmGH1UqHU/XypffhW84II/AAAAAAAAXDY/T1SxZx8nAIwc_4Mv0D0HV5ffJeQxM1WsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/116266120_288181079151502_1701417571368840073_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-9b032f84-7fff-8c7e-471c-6bdee7bb57cc" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I currently have a</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/donate/349881762848470/?fundraiser_source=external_url" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Facebook Fundraiser</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> running in honour of little Louis </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-9b032f84-7fff-8c7e-471c-6bdee7bb57cc" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">for a charity called Aching Arms.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-9b032f84-7fff-8c7e-471c-6bdee7bb57cc" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://achingarms.co.uk/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Aching Arms</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> is a charity who support parent's like myself, </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-9b032f84-7fff-8c7e-471c-6bdee7bb57cc" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">who don't get to bring their baby home with them.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">They offer support to bereaved parents through the means </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">of talking to a trained befriender, and they also provide </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Aching Arms Bear's to bereaved families. </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">While I was in hospital I was gifted my own Aching Arms Bear </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">in the name of a baby boy called Freddie. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I knew as soon as I received my bear that I </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">wanted to raise some funds in Louis's name, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">and donate bear's to families who walked </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">in my heartbreaking footsteps in the future...</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I started the fundraiser with the aim of raising £150.00 to donate, </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">at the time of writing this we are sitting at £161.00! </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Any donations will be going directly to Aching Arms </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">and will go towards Aching Arm's Bear's in Louis's name <3</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/donate/349881762848470/?fundraiser_source=external_url" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Donation Page</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i> </i></span></span></div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07693927098032739132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978459861373615747.post-4880862672948937532020-07-23T13:34:00.000+01:002020-08-20T13:36:17.312+01:00The Hours After Louis <div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVkcvIoEyfs/Xz5YCSpoWGI/AAAAAAAAXEA/JkkLY5FAkxEdOn_6HDawl_Gk5HrRsq-KgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/19-Laura-Asbury-Louis-Asbury.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Oligohydramnios Tetralogy of Fallot" border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVkcvIoEyfs/Xz5YCSpoWGI/AAAAAAAAXEA/JkkLY5FAkxEdOn_6HDawl_Gk5HrRsq-KgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/19-Laura-Asbury-Louis-Asbury.jpg" title="Oligohydramnios Tetralogy of Fallot" width="640" /></a></div>
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On the 22nd July 2020 little Louis tiptoed into the world, and 2 hours later he tiptoed back out of it again. </div>
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I held him within me for almost 9 months, I grew him against all the odds. </div>
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I cradled him for the 2 hours that he spent here in this world, and I smile knowing that I was all he knew for his whole life. </div>
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I was his person, I was his Mumma.</div>
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I am his Mumma.</div>
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I carried Louis for his entire life. </div>
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In the hours after Louis was born, I just stared at him. I found that I was scared, not scared of him, but I worried he was in pain, and I was scared that the way I held him, moved him or loved him could cause him pain.</div>
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In the wake of Leo, my brother and Carla leaving I told my midwife that I was pretty certain Louis was now gone. He was cool to the touch, the warm glow of life had gone away and I could see his veins starting to pool with blood that was begining to sit under his skin.</div>
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It was only then that Louis was taken from me, I hadn't moved in the time since I had been made comfortable in bed, cradling my newborn boy. I hadn't moved in 2 whole hours, my arms had been in the same position, with Louis snuggled tightly in my left arm. </div>
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2 whole hours in the same position because I didn't want to move, I didn't want to disturb Louis or risk potentially hurting him. </div>
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So we just sat still and together until he decided it was time for him to leave this world.</div>
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For a small baby his weight was certainly felt when they picked him up to take him and check for a pulse. While Louis was having this done I started to move, my upper body was in bits, it felt like I had just completed a exhilerating upper body work out, and my lower body too for that matter.</div>
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I couldn't wrap my head around how weak my legs now felt, and just how holding Louis in one position for so long had affected my left arm. I had been bursting for a wee for atleast the last hour, but I didn't want to move, I didn't want to miss anything. </div>
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I didn't want Louis to close his eyes forever anywhere but in my arms. </div>
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I can't remember if I went to the toilet while they were checking Louis's pulse, or after it was confirmed he had passed away. I have a feeling that I was still lay in bed for the initial check, weirdly though I can't remember exactly what was said when I was told he was gone... I can recall my midwife and the pediatrician being stood around the unit that would have been used to stabalise Louis if he had been born with a chance.</div>
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Only after this did I go to the toilet and feel ready to have a bath. </div>
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Louis and I were then moved into the bereavement suite. Louis was set up in the cold cot so that I could spend that time with him, and it was at this point that I was left alone to catch some sleep and spend time with Louis.</div>
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Of course sleep didn't come, I believe the reality of what had actually happened was setting in. </div>
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Suddenly the tears started to fall. Tears for the loss of Louis, tears for the last 8 months of fighting, tears for everything that we would never ever hear or see him do. </div>
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Tears for a lost life. </div>
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I would never hear what his cry sounded like, he never even tasted milk or had a feed. I would never see his beautiful face light up with a single gummy smile. I would never hear that adorable hearty tummy giggle. He would never crawl, take those first steps or start school. </div>
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I cried for a whole life that we would never see grow up. </div>
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A much wanted life that lit up the darkness like a candle in the night. A candle that was blown out prematurely leaving behind it emptyness and broken dreams.</div>
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I sat in bed with Louis beside me in the cuddle cot, and the next few hours passed in a blur. I didn't get him out to cuddle right away, I lay there wondering if I should... Then I knew that if I didn't cuddle him now, I was going to run out of time to hug him and hold him close.</div>
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I had an opportunity to memorise every little inch of him in the here and now, but this was time that would expire taking with it my little Louis forever.</div>
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I picked Louis up and just drank him in, I stroked his head, I spoke to him, but most of all I just held him close. </div>
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Sleep didn't come at all that night, and when the sun rose on July 22nd... Louis's official birthday he had already been gone longer than he had lived. Louis arrived at 1:30am, in the night of the 21st but the early hours of the 22nd... He arrived somewhere in between 2 days...But was already gone by the time the sun rose.</div>
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My lovely midwife came in before she clocked out for the day, and I had another little cry. In fact there were lots of tears to be shed on this day with visits from all the amazing people who had cared for Louis and I.</div>
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I was a real mess when my consultant came to see me, but equally we laughed at how successful that stretch and sweep really was. </div>
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I lost count of how many times I had to apply my make up that day, everytime I applied mascarra it would stream down my face through relentless tears that were induced by everyone's kindness and care for myself and Louis. </div>
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A short time later Kevin from <a href="https://remembermybaby.org.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Remember My Baby</a> arrived, a wonderful charity made up of professional photographers who come to the hospital and take photographs for you. Photographs that provide memories and capture a moment in time that although it shouldn't be... is fleeting and soon will be out of reach.</div>
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I can't put into words how thankful I am to Kevin and Remember My Baby for coming out to me and taking these photographs. With Covid 19 running 2020, I didn't know if this would even be possible. As it happened I was the first person since the pandemic that actually was able to benefit from the amazing opportunity that the charity offers. </div>
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Kevin took detailed and beautiful snaps for me to treasure and remember my beautiful boy. Some of these photographs I have shared today, other's are being kept back for myself. </div>
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David the Chaplain was kind enough to come and see Louis and I, and perform a blessing for my little fighter. By this time my parents had arrived with Leo, I was so glad to see my biggest boy, and I was blown away by just how amazing he was with everything that was happening around him.</div>
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In a strange way something that was so out of the norm, was normal. It was the most surreal day, it was beyond emotional, it was all so raw, but even with that complete vulnerability completely exposed, I was content just being near Louis and Leo. </div>
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Although tears were never far away, it wasn't all sadness and falling apart. Sometimes there were big smiles, sometimes there were even full on giggles. There was no way to predict what you would feel next, because there is no right or wrong way to deal with your emotions when the worst does happen. </div>
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The blessing was beautiful and I had another cry throughout the words that David bestowed on my Louis. We had a naming ceremony and it was all so lovely, all so heartbreaking. </div>
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We were already well into the afternoon and I knew that I was going to have to invite Louis's Dad to meet him. Given everything that has happened on that front, this was always going to be a difficult situation. </div>
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The original plan was that the midwife in charge of my care for the day was going to take Louis into the second bereavement room, so that I could stay seperate to the meeting. In a twist of events that didn't happen, and I think in the grand scheme of things that this was fate stepping in. </div>
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It was horrible watching my ex fiance fall apart over our baby boy, and in another twist to the story, somehow I found myself feeling compassion for him, even pangs of guilt that he had missed Louis's arrival into the world, the only hours that he lived and of course the days events that had all proceeded without him.</div>
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I had to keep reminding myself that this was all because of his own personal choices, there had been no compassion or even remorse for me when he left me at 28 weeks pregnant.When he left me to face all of this on my own, and navigate each and every feeling I felt when he turned his back. </div>
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There was not even a glance over his shoulder as he rode off into the sunset for his new life.</div>
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Suddenly it was all as real for him as it had been for me throughout the entire pregnancy. Suddenly he had an idea of how I had felt for the last 8 and a bit months. </div>
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Suddenly he was catapaulted into reality, my reality. </div>
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I offered to take photographs for him, but he didn't want them. In the end we left and gave him time with Louis on his own. </div>
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The reality was that neither of us should have felt alone at any point in this, I should have had his full support and he should have been by my side for the labour and the birth. He should have been there to drive me to the hospital, hold me tight and tell me it was all going to be ok. He should have had the opportunity to meet Louis alive.</div>
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Sadly I was alone, sadly he stopped being the person I go to for help. Sadly he made a hard sitution even harder by leaving me for somebody else in the midst of an already heartbreaking time. </div>
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I had one final snuggle with Louis, I kissed him on the forehead and then I left the room to go home. </div>
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Leaving that room on July 22nd is perhaps the hardest thing I have ever done. Harder than being pregnant with Louis and pondering the eventual ending to the story, harder than the labour and birth, harder than Louis taking his last breaths.</div>
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Leaving your baby when you should be bringing him home to start his life is not a normal thing to do. </div>
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It goes against every instinct in your body. </div>
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Leaving my ex fiance and Louis together as I walked out of that hospital room completely broke my heart. I was so angry and sad that he made any of this a possibility, he should have stood by me, supported me and loved me. He made it so I had to do this alone, when neither of us should have had to do this alone.</div>
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I do have to ponder the question of whether it was harder than being left all on my own at 28 weeks pregnant, scared, without fight and at that point with lost hope... I think the answer to that is that they were pretty much on par with each other. </div>
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Two impossible moments in time.</div>
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I really did believe that when I left the bereavement room that day, that would be it. I thought I had said my final goodbye to Louis... But as soon as I walked out of the door, I knew I would be back the next morning. </div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07693927098032739132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978459861373615747.post-57990695889115761552020-07-22T20:51:00.000+01:002020-08-01T23:05:06.419+01:00Louis Christopher - A Birth Story<div style="text-align: center;">
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Back in November when I first saw the faintest of second lines on a pregnancy test, I had no idea what the coming months were going to throw at me. As I lay in bed the other night I almost managed to convince myself that 2020 had just been one big bad dream, that Covid 19 had never really taken place (because let's face it... It does seem so very far fetched!), and that my pregnancy progressed without a single hitch...</div>
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There have been times during this pregnancy that it felt like the world stopped, just so my life could fall apart.</div>
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I have come a long way in 10 weeks, my mindet has become clearer and I managed to make peace with what may come to pass.</div>
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On Tuesday July 21st 2020, I went along to what I half expected to be my last scan and consultation appointment. I had woke to find that I had a bleed during the night, so I was glad to be heading off to have a check up.</div>
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As always the scan didn't really tell us much due to the low/no fluid, but as I had now reached 37 weeks pregnant. I was considered at term, a point in my pregnancy that no one ever really expected us to get too... I had been pushing for a potential induction from 37 weeks, but due to the bleed and how far gone I was, my consultant decided to examine me and see if she could perform a stretch and sweep.</div>
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I was told that I was already 1cm dilated and was so favourable that she had been able to touch Nugget's bottom! Nugget was of course still breech, but as far as breech birth's go, he was the good kind of breech. This meant that his bottom was firmly engaged and ready to go, just like the head would be in a normal delivery.</div>
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I wasn't overly surprised that I was already starting to dilate in one respect, I had wondered if the bleeding was a show, and it was pretty much confirmed during this appointment (Although later on I disovered that Nugget's placenta could have been starting to come away!)</div>
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After the scan I met up with my bereavement midwife Trudy. Trudy has been absolutely wonderful and given what may happen after Nugget arrives, Trudy offered to show me around the bereavement suite in case the worst does come about...</div>
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The bereavement suite was like a hotel room, it had a fridge stocked with sandwiches, cheese and biscuits and there was even ice cream in the freezer. It had doors that opened up to an outdoor garden space, and a private bathroom. </div>
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We then walked through some double doors and into a delivery room. It was decided that I would labour and deliver in an actual delivery room as opposed to the bereavement suite, and then depending on what happened... Potentially move to the bereavement room after the birth.</div>
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It was nice to see where we would be and have a plan of action. </div>
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I had the stretch and sweep around 11:30am and then I made my way to pick Leo up. We went and met Leo's Aunt and Uncle at a local farm shop for brunch, and I told them that I thought I may be in early labour.</div>
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We decided that after a bite to eat we would head out on a nice long walk to try and get things moving along, I was hoping to be able to have a spontenous labour... If I didn't have Nugget by Friday, my midwife was coming out to perform another stretch and sweep, if that didn't work I was due to be induced on Monday 27th July 2020 (A whole month after Leo's birthday!).</div>
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I was pretty certain that I was starting to have niggles, and following the stretch and sweep I was losing more of the plug... I didn't want to jinx it but I had a feeling that I was going into spontenous labour!</div>
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At just before 16:00 on Tuesday 21st, I headed out on a 11k walk to hopefully really escalate things.<br />
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By the time I arrived at my parents house for dinner just after 18:00, I was confident that the contractions were most certainly happening. </div>
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I am really lucky with how I feel contractions, they aren't painful. They are just not comfortable, my body seems to respond well to pregnancy, labour and delivery (just ashame that poor Nugget has had such a devastating prognosis). </div>
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I did have to chuckle when my Mum told me what I was feeling was Braxton Hicks, I knew they weren't as I have never felt Braxton Hicks, it was then that I decided to download a contraction timer and start tracking how long the contractions were coming and how long they were lasting. </div>
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Leo and I decided that we were going to have a movie evening, so I decided to pop to the shop and stock up on some snacks. I had a feeling I probably wouldn't be going to bed if things were going to go the way they went with Leo...</div>
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I strolled around Lidl with my contractions and wondered what might happen if I suddenly went into full blown labour. I had a chuckle when the friendly shop assistant realised I was actually in labour and out picking up snacks.</div>
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Leo and I came home and popped a film on, I hopped onto my birthing ball so I could bounce up and down and hopefully encourage Nugget along. My snack of choice was eating ice lollies like they were going out of fashion. Leo was wonderful and completely understood what was going on, and what may be about to happen.</div>
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I was quite happy bouncing on my ball through each of the contractions, I was timing them as I went and everytime I got up for another ice lolly, Leo would cheekily steal the ball to have a go himself. I text my sister in law a screenshot of the contractions, they were happening on average every 3 minutes and lasting for 30 seconds. </div>
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I didn't think this fell into the criteria of 'GET TO HOSPITAL ASAP' but my sister in law thought that I should call and let them know, as she thought Nugget might have plans to hit the eject button... So given the nature of our pretty unique situation, I did ring up the triage number on my notes. </div>
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I spoke to a midwife just after 23:00 and explained how I was definetly having regular contractions, and I knew things were definetly progressing (despite how I was talking and holding myself), and that I thought I probably should come in to be seen due to the underlying issues...Especially since when I got in with Leo I was already 9 and a half cm (They told me not to come in as I was talking through the contractions!)</div>
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I had planned on driving myself but my second brother's girlfriend Carla had very kindly offered to take me over to Worcester hospital, my brother was coming to sit with Leo and the dog. After I had taken the dog out for a pee, showered and double checked my hospital bag (which I had finally packed and managed to keep the snack stash topped up on!), we made our way over to the hospital.</div>
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I joked that at least my water's wouldn't be going in Carla's car, and kept timing my contractions on the car ride over. We arrived at the hospital just after midnight, Carla asked me what I wanted her to do, did I want her to come with me and stay while I laboured, or did I want her to go home? </div>
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I had said all along over the last 10 weeks that when the time came for Nugget to make his appearance, I would do it on my own. As Carla had very kindly brought me over, I thought it would be nice for her to stay, but I did warn her that this wasn't going to be your typical labour and delivery... And as she is yet to have a baby, it would probably be best not to base any future pregnancy's on what she may see...</div>
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Due to Covid I first had to be confirmed to be in established labour, and then it would be cleared for Carla to come in. I plodded over to the triage and ran into the midwife that I had spoken to on the phone, they decided that it would be best for me to be checked out on the labour and delivery ward.<br />
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I was handed over to Kate who was going to be my midwife that night. I found I was in the same delivery suite that I had been shown earlier that morning. I hadn't anticipated being back quite so quickly!<br />
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Kate was lovely and I soon had a cup of tea in my hand. Everything was set up and then it was decided that we should see how I was dilating. I had guessed that I was probably about 4cm by this point, and Kate soon confirmed this! </div>
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It was discovered that Nugget had a tiny pocket of fluid around him, I asked if it was enough to make any difference to his lungs... But sadly I was told that it wasn't. </div>
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We had already discussed my birthing plan and what that meant. I had opted for an un-monitored birth as I didn't want to be told during the actual labour if Nugget hadn't made it, I wanted to get the hard part over and done with and then have chance to hold my baby. </div>
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I could feel that the contractions were getting stronger, but I could still maintain a conversation. Kate said that she had been surprised anything was actually happening due to how I was holding a conversation and not screaming the place down. </div>
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I remember asking 'How long do you think it will take to be fully dilated' and Kate responding, 'maybe a few hours?' So I paced around, sat on the loo and paced some more. The contractions were certainly progressing but I had given up timing them by this point.</div>
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Kate said that she was going to give me some time with Carla, the one instruction that I was given was 'give me some time to get back in if you think something is happening'. Which of course I dutifully promised to do. </div>
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I was getting so warm, I asked Carla to whack the air conditioning all the way down. She looked like she was freezing, but I felt like I was on fire. I was missing the birthing pool and just how easy that made everything with Leo, but I knew that it sadly was not an option with little Nugget.</div>
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I spent most of my time just sat on the loo, and then suddenly I felt like I probably shouldn't sit there anymore... I plodded out of the toilet and told Carla to press the buzzer because the baby was coming and I didn't have any control...</div>
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I had been instructed that when the time came, the best position for me to be in for a breech birth, would be on my back. I knew I was going to struggle with being on my back, because although the contractions are ok when I am standing (or sat on the loo), I really struggle with sitting and laying down...I think this is because of the pressure.</div>
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So as I reached the bed, I threw myself onto all fours and knew that I had now lost any and all control. Thankfully Kate made it back into the room and just managed to get her gloves on as Nugget bombed into the world bum first. </div>
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I can quite honestly say that I didn't push, he just arrived. And he arrived fast, around 45 minutes after I asked how long the actual labour may potentially take...</div>
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In the end I had only a few puffs on the gas and air, before I decided that I didn't like it and ended up just forgoing pain relief.</div>
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Louis Christopher was born at 1:30am exactly weighing a tiny 3lbs 5oz.</div>
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Louis was born alive and in his membranes, despite the worry being that he wouldn't survive a natural birth. </div>
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Louis was born quietly and never let out a cry.<br />
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I remember asking 'Is he alive? Did he make it?' I was told that he was alive but his heart rate was slow.<br />
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There was a little worry that I may be losing a little more blood than they would have liked, but it was later said to me that the placenta might have been starting to abrupt. This could have lead to a very different type of labour and delivery. It is possible that given a few more days.... Weeks... That the placanta could have abrupted and Louis's life support be turned off while he was still in utero. </div>
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The moment Louis arrived, the contractions stopped and I was suddenly freezing. </div>
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I knew that if Louis was handed straight to me that medical intervention wasn't going to be pursued, and once the pediatrician entered the room (part of the reason I was supposed to give them as much time as possible, was so that the pediatrician could be outside and ready to come in! But Louis had other plans!) it was quickly decided that little Louis was too poorly and I was told that he was going to be handed straight to me.<br />
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I knew exactly what this meant. </div>
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I was still on all fours at this point, so Louis was passed back up through my legs. I just kept telling him how sorry I was, over and over again. He looked just like Leo, he had a beautiful little face and little button nose, he was gorgeous.</div>
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I suddenly noticed that his leg seemed to be in a funny position, I asked if that was because of the low fluid, and it was explained to me that it was a common injury from a breech birth. Louis had disclocated his hip and his leg was actually up over his broken heart. </div>
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Both of Louis's feet had been affected by the low fluid, and he had what they call Club Foot or Bilateral Talipes. </div>
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I stayed in the position I had given birth in snuggling my little fighter and drinking him in, unsure just how much time I would get with him. I was asked if I would like to be the one to cut the cord, but I think I was in shock at just how fast things had escalated. So I watched as Louis life support for the last 8 and a bit months was cut away. </div>
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It was decided that due to a fibroid in my uterus that it would be best for me to have the injection in my leg to bring the placenta on, as this carried less risk. In my hyped up state, I was certain the placenta looked just like a steak!</div>
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Louis was put into the outfit I had brought in for him to wear, It was a preemie outfit with little blue teddy bears on it. It was made to fit baby's who weighed between 1.5lbs and 3.5lbs. </div>
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I wrapped him up in Leo's favourite blanket and just held him. I was so scared to move, so scared to hurt him, so scared he may be in pain from his hip and leg. </div>
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Louis never ever cried, and he never ever opened up his eyes.</div>
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He had fought all these months, and he had fought all the way to be in my arms. </div>
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I just stared at him, and wished I could make him better. </div>
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Carla had been amazing, she had rubbed my back and been there for the whole labour and very quick birth of Louis. Then she rang my brother and decided to go and pick Leo up in the deep thick of night so that he could hopefully meet his baby brother in time...</div>
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I was given some time on my own with Louis, I said so much to him, but I don't really recall what I said, I whispered to him and the labour play list rumbled away in the background. I wanted to take so many videos of him, so many photos, but I was so scared to move. </div>
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I don't remember what I said to him, I know I told him I loved him over and over. I stroked his face and felt his warmth... It was like time had stood still, but it was actually running away.</div>
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Leo arrived and met Louis, and somewhere in that meeting, I touched Louis's little cheek and realised that he had started to go cool...</div>
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I knew that my little fighter baby had gone to sleep forever, and he wasn't going to wake back up again. </div>
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Weirdly I didn't cry, the adrenaline was still buzzing round my body. I held Louis until Carla, Chris and Leo left and then Kate took Louis over to the table for the pediatrician to check his heart rate. I already knew he was gone, but Louis's little broken heart was confirmed to have stopped at around 3am.</div>
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Louis lived for 2 whole hours, we both fought so hard to meet each other. </div>
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It wasn't the ending that I wanted of course, but it was an ending that I had been mentally prepared for. An ending that I think on a subconcious level I knew was going to come to pass.</div>
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I had some full on deja vu moments in the hours and days since Louis threw himself into the world. One of these instances was when I was sat in the bath in the delivery suite, not long after little Louis had left, it was a feeling of complete familiarity that washed over me and consumed me. Something that I felt I had dreamed at some point, or perhaps even lived. </div>
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It was just like some prophecy was coming true, that perhaps I always knew I was going to get to meet Louis, but sadly keeping him was not on the cards.</div>
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I wished so hard for Louis to keep breaking the rules and for a miracle to keep him safe and here with me...</div>
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It turns out that a miracle did happen, and that miracle was his couragous fight and surpassing all the milestones that I was told he would not. The miracle was him making each and every appointment, the miracle was us having a sponteneous labour and Louis actually surviving the birth. </div>
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If this was the way it had to be, then I am so glad that things worked out the way that they did. Louis made it all the way to his Mumma's waiting arms, and he spent 2 hours wrapped up in love and warmth, before his closed eyes remained closed and my beautiful fighter went off to sleep.</div>
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I am so proud of my little warrior baby. </div>
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I will love him forever and I will carry each and every lesson he taught me for the rest of my life.</div>
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It has been a busy week in the time since Louis left and I am currently in the process of planning his funeral which takes place on Friday 7th August - 2 days before his due date, and a day before my birthday.</div>
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I have an acceptance of what happened because the whole pregnancy shaped me for what was going to happen, but my heart is truly broken and part of me has died with him. </div>
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Keeping busy is my only way forward right now, I will update on the rest of last week and this coming week in a seperate post, but I just wanted to let everyone who has willed him on, prayed for him and lived this with me, know that he made it all the way into my arms <3</div>
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07693927098032739132noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978459861373615747.post-66230332436958579962020-06-29T13:20:00.000+01:002020-06-30T10:56:43.049+01:0032 - 34 Weeks Pregnant - IUGR and Anhydramnios<div style="text-align: center;">
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It's been a few weeks since I sat down to write a Nugget update, and it has certainly been a busy few weeks to say the least. </div>
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Following on from my last post, I am pleased to say that a new normality is forming (even amongst furloughed life and Covid 19). Leo and I are making plans for the future and despite having some storms to weather over the coming weeks and months, we are so excited to start house hunting and moving on with the next chapter of our lives.</div>
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I am very lucky to have an incredibly supportive family, and if it wasn't for them I would probably still be sat curled up in a ball on the floor and rocking relentlessly backwards and forwards. A big drive for me has been getting moving, putting on my headphones and going out on some rather epic walks just to clear the fog that descends in my mind. </div>
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Endorphins really are the best anti-depressent ever!</div>
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Nugget has been breaking more rules over the last few weeks, at 32 weeks I had to take a trip to hospital due to a bleed. It was at this point I realised how under prepared I was, I didn't even have the basics for a hospital bag, and despite making a list weeks ago... I didn't have a clue what I needed.</div>
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I called up the triage and overloaded them with information about baby and myself, they told me I needed to come in and get checked over. They told me to bring my hospital bag in case they needed to keep me in, or in case baby was going to make an appearance. </div>
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They asked me who was bringing me in, and I explained that I would be driving myself. The guy seemed shocked and advised me to get dropped off, but I explained that it was fine and this was how I wanted to do it. </div>
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I started to throw things into a bag and explaining to Leo that he was going to have to stay with Grandma and Grandad while I went over to Worcester to get checked. I explained that I didn't know what was going to happen or what time I would be back, and thankfully he was absolutely fine about it all. </div>
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Leo actually said the most lovely thing to me this week, and anyone who has followed this blog for a time will know that he has always had a favourite blanket. It's something I have always found very endearing about him, over the years I have managed to get my hands on about 5 of these blankets (actually a cot duvet that was part of a cot set from Toys R Us!) on Ebay! </div>
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Leo wants his baby brother to have one of these blankets, he wants me to take one with me to hospital when he is born especially for him. </div>
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This beautiful gesture on Leo's part equally melted and broke my heart all at the same time! </div>
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I have found being honest about everything with Leo as it happens the best way to keep him happy with what is happening/going to happen. I threw what I thought I may need into a bag and off we went.</div>
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When I arrived at hospital triage was full, so I was taken down to the delivery ward and set up in a room for them to do all their checks on baby.<br />
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Everyone was so lovely, I had to explain how complicated the situation was to quite a few different people, and as baby was looking so good on the trace machine, for the first time in my entire pregnancy I was told not to give up hope.</div>
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This both floored and confused me further... </div>
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Nugget looked nice and strong on the trace machine which was nice to see, but I always find this difficult as I know that the scans paint a very different picture. We were left on there for quite a while which was fine with me. I had been handed a little clicker that I had to press everytime I felt him move. </div>
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Of course Nugget decided to stay very still, but that wasn't out of the ordinary for him, he has never moved like I remember Leo moving, as he has got bigger the movements have changed. Instead of being a foot or hand to the stomach, it's more of an overall movement. Almost like a swipe as his entire body slowly moves to where he wants to go.</div>
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I have always put this down to the low/no fluid, he's essentially vaccum packed and doesn't have the opportunity to kick or hit out. So Nugget's movements are not so pronounced, which of course is normal for him and what I am used to. </div>
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It is always quite tricky to explain though... </div>
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Eventually the on duty consultant came to see me, they checked to see if they could see why or where the bleed had originated (they used a torch and I couldn't help but chuckle!), but it wasn't obvious and as it had been old blood they weren't overly concerned. </div>
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It was with the consultant that I discussed my birth plan and what I wanted to happen, up until this point they were talking about keeping me in overnight for monitoring. When they heard that I was having an un-monitored birth they decided it was ok to send me home again.</div>
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Over the next few days I had some on/off bleeding and what I think was a 'show', just before I was off on a 10k walk, as you can see.... I still went!</div>
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I had my next official consultant and scan appointment on the 23rd June where I would be 33 weeks and 2 days pregnant. I could feel Nugget moving around in his fashion so I decided to wait until then to discuss all of this.</div>
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The consultant in charge of my case is amazing, I have so much respect for her and all she has done for Nugget and I. The first thing she asked me was 'Are you still feeling him move?' to which I informed her that he was still here and fighting!</div>
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Everytime I tell her that he is still with us she looks shocked, he keeps defying all the odds placed on him and breaking all the rules. We discussed my trip to hospital the week prior, how I was with everything else that had been going on behind the scenes (which thankfully was all incredibly positive!) and the scan commenced! </div>
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As always a thorough check of Nugget was carried out, and as always you don't see a lot on the scans due to there being no fluid, but I instantly saw the beating of his little broken heart. It's been months since I saw anything that actually resembled a baby on the screen, but I know he is in there.</div>
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As the scan continued I saw her hovering over what I thought could potentially look like a stomach, but as Nugget's stomach had never been seen on a scan in the past...I thought that I was just jumping the gun and that this wouldn't be the case. </div>
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As it happens... My consultant started talking about how she could see what appeared to be fluid in baby boy's stomach!</div>
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I asked how this could be? </div>
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Where had the fluid come from? </div>
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The consultant looked just as baffled as myself, and she told me that 'he really was a little enigma'. </div>
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That much is certainly true!</div>
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Nugget is weighing in at an estimated 2lbs 1oz (absolutely tiny for his gestation), but he has grown. I was then told that it was positive that he was growing, and if it was just the heart condition and Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) then there could be some hope, but obviously we have the Anhydramnios and small lungs at play in our scenario too... Along with potentially things we don't even know about yet.</div>
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There is still zero fluid around baby (Anhydramnios) and he is still breech. My consultant thinks that even though he continues to grow and stay put for now, ultimately when we get to delivering him, this is potentially where we could lose him. </div>
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This prompted a number of questions on my part, as I was so confused on what I needed to include in my hospital bag. </div>
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Packing a hospital bag that didn't really include anything for baby was so foreign to me and I was certain that I was missing essential items..</div>
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Did I need to include nappies? Baby grows? </div>
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Anything for baby at all?</div>
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It was decided that I should maybe purchase some premature baby clothes, but I got the impression that was more for me than it was for the baby. I figure he will only need clothes that early on if he loses his fight, as if he was in NICU then he wouldn't really require clothes...</div>
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As for nappies, it was explained that I wouldn't be able to purchase them small enough for my little fighter.</div>
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It looks as though I will still have the Pediatrician at the birth, and ultimately if he is born alive, his fate lies in his hands. He will make the overall decision on whether to intervene or to let nature take it's course...</div>
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I have to admit that I have been doubting my decision over whether or not I want steriods for baby before he arrives. It really is a difficult decision and I think that is the one thing that I will keep going over and over in my mind, as I said last time I have decided against having them, but what if this is the wrong decision?</div>
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Maybe I will get more clarity from future scans, maybe things could look more positive? Maybe the decision will be taken completely out of my hands and be irrelevant anyway... It really is just a case of waiting and seeing what happens next. </div>
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I am hoping that I will be induced should I reach 36/37 weeks, I feel this will allow more control over when and how baby arrives into the world, and I feel the need to control any aspect of what can actually be controlled in a very out of my control situation. </div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07693927098032739132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978459861373615747.post-83808970761724032992020-06-28T10:50:00.000+01:002020-06-30T10:50:54.058+01:00Leo Turns NINE<div style="text-align: center;">
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The year of 2020 meant that Leo was turning 9 years old, and right in the midst of a rather crazy time with Covid 19 thrown into the scenario. </div>
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It's been a busy old year already, one that has been testing for both Leo and myself. </div>
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From March onwards Leo and I were both at home conforming with lockdown and self isolation, and when we next poked our heads outside, Winter had given way to Spring. </div>
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I really cannot begin to sum up that boy of mine, Leo has acted beyond his years on many occasions this year and has had to contend with more than I can ever imagine. Yet he has done so with a huge strength, courage and his Mumma's positivity.</div>
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If there is one trait of mine that I hope I can instill in Leo, it's that. </div>
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To always stay positive, keep moving forward and if you do get knocked down, to pick yourself back up again and just keep pushing on. </div>
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I really do feel that 2020 has been a glowing example of this, and no matter the knocks that we have faced as a team, he knows that I am still fiercly championing him on. </div>
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The feeling of pride I feel when I look at the boy I have watched grow up from a tiny newborn baby, into the grown up little man he is today is immense. I am so proud of this little human that I have had a hand in shaping, his compassion and empathy have brought light to days I have felt dark. </div>
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His kindness and love have made me smile when I didn't feel like smiling. </div>
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His charm and witt have had me crying with laughter, and together we have become strong.</div>
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With everything that has gone on in the pregnancy and the worries about his baby brother, Leo has been the wind in my sails. He has told me that everything will be ok, and been the strength I needed to get up and keep going. </div>
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Leo's 9th Birthday was one I wanted to really pull out all of the stops for, with everything that has been relentlessly weathering around us, I wanted to present Leo with the ultimate gift. Something I knew that would make him beam from the inside out...</div>
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A gift fitting for the incredible boy that I get to call mine.</div>
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The preperations and research started weeks ago, Leo's downtime like many children his age involves a Nintento Switch and a very popular game that I don't understand.... Fortnite. For a long time Leo has wished for his very own game chair, but I have always said that until we purchased our home that we wouldn't be able to make room for one right now...</div>
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I decided that if I moved his room around, then I may actually be able to make a decent amount of space that would potentially be ideal for a gaming chair. Of course in typical Laura style, I found the chair that fit the requirements and ordered it long before I actually came to sort Leo's bedroom out!</div>
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My brilliant Dad and I built the chair and hid it away in their house until the big day, and then on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year... I began to sort Leo's bedroom out. I moved the bed and re-arranged his bedside tables, and my efforts were rewarded when a very obvious space for a gaming chair appeared. </div>
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I am big on Birthday's, especially Birthday's for little man. I filled his room with the helium balloons that I had chosen for him and spaced them all around his game chair. It was all worth it for his absolutely golden reaction. </div>
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I have been thanked on countless occassions since he recieved it (as have his Grandma and Grandad who very kindly put Leo's birthday money towards it!). </div>
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Seeing that look of pure joy on his face was exactly what I had hoped to achieve, and if there was one boy deserving of such a grand gift, it is my Leo.</div>
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Leo's birthday fell on a Saturday, just as the nice weather ended. Weirdly just like the weather on the day he was born back in 2011. We had a relatively quiet day hiding from the rain, we popped out in the morning to pick up his Birthday cake that I had ordered from a local cake maker (Of course it had to be Chocolate for my Chocolate cake fiend of a child!) and then we came back and made bacon sandwiches!</div>
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The rest of the day was spent at Leo's grandparents, my Mum cooked up a big homemade chinese dinner (Leo's favourite!) and then finished up with cake and a brazier fire in the garden.</div>
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Leo had the best day and was spoiled rotten from start to finish, just as I had wanted and just as I had planned.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6quzva-zQ38/XvsKlOBMfTI/AAAAAAAAXAc/oS6W7OiEFBkUOp10NckbBdXup7iRpgaRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/79252949_10158485840140750_4039207654553959272_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="9th Birthday" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6quzva-zQ38/XvsKlOBMfTI/AAAAAAAAXAc/oS6W7OiEFBkUOp10NckbBdXup7iRpgaRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/79252949_10158485840140750_4039207654553959272_o.jpg" title="9th Birthday" width="480" /></a></div>
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Day's later Leo is still saying 'Thank You' for his gaming chair and the appreciation is very clear. </div>
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My baby boy is now 9 years old, and we have quite the year ahead.</div>
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One that will see us welcoming a baby boy and working through the aftermath as a team, finding and buying our family home, MOVING AGAIN, decorating and getting Leo's bedroom set up exactly the way he wants it and finding our places in the world.</div>
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I am so lucky to have this boy by my side and I can't wait for this next chapter with him.</div>
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Happy Birthday baby boy!</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07693927098032739132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978459861373615747.post-12182899596411356522020-06-10T10:58:00.001+01:002020-07-28T16:09:44.819+01:0031 Weeks Pregnant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been quiet around here, and with good reason. </div>
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Baby boy is still here with us, fighting on as he always has. </div>
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I have had to take some time out, some time to try and rebuild the foundations that have been rocked to their very core. </div>
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My full attention should be focused on Nugget and his impending arrival, but instead I am pondering my future with Leo and the pup. Instead of packing a hospital bag, I have been sitting mortgage appointments and refreshing RightMove hoping that my dream buy (within my new budget may pop up).</div>
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At 28 weeks pregnant my fiance left. </div>
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The reasons as to why he left are pretty laughable (and excuses at their finest especially given that I am preganant with our sick baby) but right now all that's important is he walked out on me when I needed him the most.</div>
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I will never forgive him for that. </div>
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The days and weeks that followed did so in a blur of tears and confusion. I felt resent that my hope for the baby had been diminished and I felt like I was in limbo. </div>
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The feeling of no longer wanting to be pregnant set in, the reality of Nugget surviving as a single parent scared me more than I could have imagined. What if he did indeed continue to defy all the odd's and expectations that had been placed upon him?</div>
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What if he needed permenant care that would stop me from working? </div>
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I cast my mind back to the 20 week fetal medicine appointment, would I have made a very different choice had I known all of the facts about the life that I thought was so stable and secure? Sadly I believe that yes, yes I would have. </div>
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I made my decision to carry on with the pregnancy because I was in a commited and stable relationship. Suddenly I was pregnant with a sick baby and on my own. </div>
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Here I was at 28 weeks pregnant all alone, when all I really needed was to be pulled close and told that everything was going to be ok. Of course the one person who could have provided that safety blanket, and should have wrapped it around me without hesitation had left me carrying our baby and already started his new life.</div>
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At 28 weeks pregnant my friend <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pieter.uys.photography/" target="_blank">Pieter.uys.photography</a> reached out and asked if I would like some bump photos taken. It had been something I was considering as I didn't know how long I would be pregnant for, and given the prognosis, any memories I could make of this time would be greatly appreciated. </div>
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I made a concious decision on that day, there was a choice between a White and a Black dress. I decided ahead of time that the Black dress was very fitting for this particular shoot. The Black dress represented the expected outcome of my pregnancy and also the outcome of my failed relationship. </div>
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Had the situation been different the White dress would have been the obvious choice, but right now this Black dress represents a lot of what is and has been going on in my life. </div>
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So I shook off the hurt and glammed myself up for a bump shoot, and I have to say that I am so glad that I did. I will treasure these photos forever, and will most certainly be having some prints framed for our new home!</div>
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On the 2nd June I was back at Worcester Hospital for a follow up scan, Nugget had reached yet another milestone that some had believed was out of reach. </div>
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I thought by this point I would be able to stay composed enough to explain that Luke wouldn't be at this appointment or any subsequent ones. As soon as I was asked if he was joining us, the tears fell uncontrollably. By this point I wasn't sure why I was crying, was it sadness? Anger? Frustration? A combination of every emotion I had been feeling? </div>
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As always my consultant went above and beyond, I could tell she wanted to wrap me up into the world's biggest hug, but Covid 19 and all of her PPE wear prevented more than her holding my hand and gently rubbing it.</div>
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I lay down on the same bed I had all of those times before, only this time I didn't have any expectations, I had already been pondering what I wanted to do, and all that was left was for me to tell my consultant. </div>
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I recognised bits of baby popping into view, but as always it was clear as soon as the doppler hit my belly that baby boy still had no amniotic fluid. By this point it was classed as complete Anhydramnios.</div>
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Nugget's heart was inspected again, it was noted that it looked to be larger in his chest cavity than it should be, and this was likely down to his lungs being so small that they hadn't developed. </div>
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Eventually Nugget was measured, which is always difficult when there is no fluid, and it was estimated that he was around 1.5lbs. This means that he had only put on around <a href="http://www.mylifeunexpected.co.uk/2020/05/26-weeks-pregnant-yet-another-scan.html" target="_blank">4oz since my last scan at 26 weeks</a>.</div>
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In typical Nugget style, he had now turned breech again! At my last scan he was head down and essentially ready for birth... But even without fluid little Nugget liked to keep me on my toes. </div>
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Baby boy is so very small for his gestation, the prognosis is that he may pass away before my next scan in a couple of weeks, during delivery or shortly after birth (the same as always).</div>
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I explained to my consultant that given my new circumstances, I no longer wanted to pursue steroids or medical intervention. I asked if there was a way I could be induced now... It was explained that the only way to get baby out at this stage would be via a c-section. She believed that if a c-section was performed he would be born alive and I may get some time with him...</div>
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I want to have Nugget naturally, whether that means being induced over the next couple of months... or if he decides to come on his own. All I want to do is meet him, hold him and let him know how much I love him.</div>
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This was all discussed with my consultant, I told her I felt like the fight had been knocked out of me, that I hated feeling like I had given up on my baby. It was at this point that she took my hand again and told me that all she had ever seen me do, was fight for my baby boy. </div>
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This made me cry all over again.</div>
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So it was decided, they will scan me again in a few weeks. I don't know whether this will prompt them to bring baby on or if they will just let me keep going. I have been warned that the likelyhood of a still birth is high.</div>
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When the time comes the birth won't be monitored, baby boy's heartbeat won't be checked. What will be will be. </div>
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I have been advised to write a birth plan so that I don't have to answer lot's of questions while I labour. Sitting down and writing a birth plan for a baby who is not expected to survive is so foreign. </div>
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Do you pack nappies? Babygrows? </div>
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Putting pen to paper and saying that you want your baby to be born and handed straight to you knowing what that will mean, not asking the medical professionals to help or intervene...</div>
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After the scan I had my bloods checked again as I had missed my 28 week midwife appointment with all of the madness going on. Usually this would be the end of my hospital jaunt, but this time I was ushered into another room to speak with their crisis team.</div>
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My consultant had asked them to have a chat with me and support me if needed. The midwife walked into the room and asked how I was. I told her I was fine, but as soon as she said 'That's not what i've been told...' the whole sorry tale started spilling out of my mouth for the second time that day.</div>
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The poor midwife looked like she was about to cry with me. We talked through all of the options I wanted for the birth and she agreed that it was important for me to do what was best for me, not to worry about other people. </div>
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I have decided that I will labour and birth alone, this now has to be a private time for me to meet that beautiful boy of mine as it really does feel that this entire pregnancy has been something I have fought alone. </div>
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I want to take all my photos, record footage of him and take casts of his hands and feet.</div>
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I need to be selfish. </div>
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I want to tell Nugget that I am sorry for losing my fight, that I am sorry for not being a better Mummy, that I am sorry his Daddy didn't have any fight for any of us at all. </div>
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When I first saw those two faint blue lines on that pregnancy test back in November, I was so full of excitement. I imagined this little baby being welcomed into our secure family fold. I imagined Leo meeting his baby brother for the first time, getting all teary as he snuggled him in close for a big brother hug and snapping that tender moment that would sit proudly on display. </div>
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I still have the dream that Leo will get to hold his baby brother. I still want that for him, and that photograph will be one that we treasure forever.</div>
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It's been 3 weeks since I took this journey on solo. </div>
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I have come a long way in that short space of time. I have started getting all of my ducks in a row, I can sleep at night again, the tummy knots have gone away revealing a nice calm feeling that I didn't think would ever return.</div>
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Somewhere in those 3 weeks I realised that Leo and I deserved so much more than what we have been given. The lies and deciet, the abdonment, the continued lies. </div>
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We have a difficult few months to weather, but I am a firm believer that you have to travel difficult roads to get to beautiful destinations. I am lucky to have a great support network of family and friends, people who check in everyday to make sure that we are ok.</div>
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Once the next few months have passed and I have met that beautiful baby boy of mine, the only way forward will be onwards and upwards. I will turn this situation around, make the most of the time we get with Nugget and then do everything within my power to provide the very best life for Leo. </div>
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We will weather this storm and then we will pick ourselves up and live our lives. </div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07693927098032739132noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978459861373615747.post-6472172971093631452020-05-15T11:00:00.000+01:002020-05-19T11:01:44.083+01:0027 Weeks Pregnant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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These last weeks have passed in a blur, the lack of sleep and tummy knots of hurt and confusion have only added to the overwhelming feeling of not knowing what to do or how to move forward. </div>
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I have had to silence all the noise and try to carve a path forward, take a new direction that I didn't want to take and try to re-write what my future is going to look like. </div>
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Of course I am 27 weeks pregnant now, and I am kicking myself. If I had known what I know now at my <a href="http://www.mylifeunexpected.co.uk/2020/03/20-weeks-pregnant-final-fetal-medicine.html" target="_blank">20 week fetal medicine appointment</a> I can't honestly say I wouldn't have accepted the offer of a termination. I feel so guilty saying that, incredibly so. </div>
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I hate that this thought has even crossed my mind, I hate that I have been made to feel that way subconciously. This week I have felt terrified at either prospect of having a baby, terrified he may pass away, and equally terrified that he will survive and his quality of life will be severely impacted. </div>
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I took all scenarios into consideration when I made that decision several weeks ago, but when your life changes over night, you do have to wonder how you got to where you now are. Of course I would never change my decision now, I am invested and will see this through no matter what happens. I need to summon strength from within myself that I don't even know exists, but it really is the only way.</div>
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I'm busy working on drowning out the noise, trying to focus on my next steps and what that involves. </div>
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I am almost in my 3rd trimester with so much un-certainty hanging in the air, a time I should have all my eggs in one basket and know that I am supported and loved. </div>
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Baby boy has been wiggling and I am pretty certain he has gone from head down to breech again at points during this week, and now judging by his movements it would seem he has reverted back to his head down. </div>
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For someone with no fluid he sure has a way of getting around. </div>
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You can feel him grinding and bumping around in there, it's such a weird feeling when you can feel his body rising up and down. I don't re-call this feeling with Leo at all, granted it was 9 years ago now. </div>
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I have accepted that due to the low fluid and having a small baby, I probably won't ever have what I would call a 'real' pregnancy bump. Just another aspect of a normal pregnancy that I have been robbed of. My tummy is only hard where baby is, when he moves from the space he has occupied my tummy goes soft again.</div>
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I get jealous when I look to other pregnant ladies and see their blossiming bumps, bumps that signal healthy babies growing within, but at the same time I know I have to keep going and that my journey is unique.</div>
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There are no appointments this week, I won't see my consultant again until 30 weeks now. I do have to book my 28 week midwife appointment though and I know I am going to have to come clean with how I am feeling, because I am so worried about my mental health right now, although I do feel like I am starting to accept this new direction.</div>
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By filtering out people's actions and not filling my head with black clouds, I am focusing on myself, baby and Leo. I am focusing on keeping a clear head so that I can shut my eyes and sleep at night, and although those tummy knots keep rearing their ugly head deep down within me, for the most part I can silence them. </div>
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It's like everybody says, it's all about the baby steps. The getting up, the showing up, the amazing family and friends helping set your compass so that you get where you need to go. I keep repeating 'This too shall pass' and 'Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations' to myself, a little mantra of hope that hopefully puts me onto the path that I am supposed to be on.</div>
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It's been a crap week, I am not going to lie. I am not going to pretend that everything is ok when it is so far from ok. I have faith that one way or another a new normal will come out of all of this, that I will find my way out of this maze and be happy again. One day.</div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07693927098032739132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978459861373615747.post-25760175552962852052020-05-05T12:19:00.000+01:002020-07-28T16:04:10.983+01:0026 Weeks Pregnant - Yet Another Scan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JYYX3XtEkg/XsEbHLyvLTI/AAAAAAAAW9A/Bb0uFZwoCrA0JhZ4wHMJLBsxI4qkU5VvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/95881981_10158314187655750_4075477798406324224_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="26 Weeks Pregnant - Anhydramnios" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="736" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JYYX3XtEkg/XsEbHLyvLTI/AAAAAAAAW9A/Bb0uFZwoCrA0JhZ4wHMJLBsxI4qkU5VvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/95881981_10158314187655750_4075477798406324224_o.jpg" title="26 Weeks Pregnant - Anhydramnios" width="490" /></a></div>
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As 26 weeks pregnant rolled around I had so many other things on my mind. Things that I shouldn't have even had to consider or comprehend, and the one person that should have been my biggest supporter throughout all of this could not have been further away.</div>
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This however is a story for another day, a story I am not quite ready to tell at this moment in time.</div>
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It is for these reaosns that I have not sat down at the computer and written up my 26 week post.</div>
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As I cast my mind back to the week I hit the 26 week milestone, I was worried because I had somehow lost my pregnancy notes (this all ties up with the above), I contacted my midwife who reassured me that it would all be ok, she could re-print most of the scan notes and rebuild my notes for me. </div>
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I was so thankful to her, I cried down the phone and she told me to book an appointment for 28 weeks, come to see them at the surgery and just do all of the normal pregnancy milestones. She praised me for my decisions, but at that moment in time I wasn't sure anything I had done or was doing was the right way forward.</div>
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It was now Monday 4th May, my midwife called me first thing in the morning and we re-filled all of my notes as mine had still not materialised. She told me to pop by the surgery an hour later and she would bring the new notes out to me. True to her word, she delivered my new notes to me and wished me all the best for the scan.</div>
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It was time to head off to my scan, I was worried that I hadn't felt baby move quite so much and before I set off to the hospital I lay on the bed just jiggling my tummy to see if Nugget would respond with a kick or movement. </div>
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Of course he did, but it wasn't as strong as it usually was and was up higher than usual. Happy that he had given me a little reassuring movement I got in my car and made my way back over to Worcester hospital. </div>
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The date and time for my scan had been written in my lost notes, thankfully I had taken a picture of it so I had it to hand. I realised that it said Tuesday 4th May 2020 at 2pm, when the 4th was actually a Monday... I very almost called up to clarify the day, but naively assumed that the date would be correct and they had just put the wrong day...</div>
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It turns out I was a day early for my ultrasound, so I had to head home and go back again the following day. </div>
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Eventually I was lay back on the bed in the consultants office, she asked me how I had been and I told her that everything was fine, but the reality was my world was being pulled out from beneath me.</div>
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The ultrasound commenced and she confirmed once again that there was no fluid, that there was a high chance I could lose my baby in between appointments and that she believes although the Amniocentisis came back clear, that there was a high chance of some kind of syndrome running alongside the heart condition and lack of fluid. </div>
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As always Nugget's bladder was empty and there was nothig in his stomach. </div>
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Baby was still measuring 3 weeks behind and the growth line is starting to plataue, however he had now reached the estimated fetal weight of 1lb 10z (He was <a href="http://www.mylifeunexpected.co.uk/2020/04/23-weeks-pregnant.html" target="_blank">12oz at the previous scan at 23 weeks</a>), which meant he had put on 5oz in that time frame - He should have been more along the lines of 1.68lbs... But despite slow growth and having Intrauterine Growth Restriction slapped into my notes, he had grown and reached another mini milestone in my eyes, the 1lb mark!</div>
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Another little surprise was that despite having no measurable fluid, baby boy had rotated into the head down position where as at the previous scan he had been breech. This was a milestone that I hadn't even considered a possibility. </div>
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The different kind of movements suddenly made sense, it was because he had changed his position!</div>
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I wasn't offered a termination at this appointment after making my position on this very clear. I pushed for steriods and she told me that if I made it to 30 weeks when my next consultant appointmnet was to happen, then we could most certainly discuss the possibility of steriods for Nugget's lungs.</div>
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This gave me some hope, it meant that there was a chance.</div>
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I had my blood pressure and urine checked at this appointment, both of which were absolutely fine. </div>
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Another appointment under the belt, with an update on baby boy and then a wide abyss of time between appointmnets. </div>
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I feel awful right now that I should be focusing all my attention on baby boy, but my mind is all over the place and being pulled in so many different directions. I don't feel strong, I don't know what to do or how to make myself feel better and I don't know which outcome would favour my position best right now. </div>
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As always I will paint a smile on my face and keep putting one foot in front of the other.</div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07693927098032739132noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978459861373615747.post-27892921481772235842020-05-01T12:44:00.000+01:002020-05-06T14:19:59.826+01:0025 weeks pregnant <div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Psbz4KgJ0Ds/XrKev8RtXtI/AAAAAAAAW8c/ILfYxyAuMlQBH5bvUKDcoa3KLCDtvsyhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/94873604_10158284588170750_5595350124688572416_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="25 weeks pregnant - Anhydramnios Oligohydramnios" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="690" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Psbz4KgJ0Ds/XrKev8RtXtI/AAAAAAAAW8c/ILfYxyAuMlQBH5bvUKDcoa3KLCDtvsyhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/94873604_10158284588170750_5595350124688572416_o.jpg" title="25 weeks pregnant - Anhydramnios Oligohydramnios" width="460" /></a></div>
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25 weeks was a milestone week for Nugget's movements, just like they were with Leo. Up until this week I had to be lay down in order to feel him moving around. I found that at 25+3 I could feel him moving when I was sitting up, and a a day or so later even when I was standing!</div>
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There was one moment where baby boy kicked so hard into my belly button that I actually jumped, and I have even felt movemnts as high up as my belly button. This is the highest movement I have experienced so far.</div>
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When I woke up one morning this week I became aware that I could feel Nugget all down my right hand side, almost like he had turned and was now lenthways down my side opposed to laying across my lower tummy beneath my belly button.</div>
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It's been so nice having so much movement from him, reassuring me that he is doing ok in there despite everything that is going on. </div>
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This week there were again no appointmnets, we have our next scan next week to see how baby boy is getting on. I have accepted that the fluid around him probably wont magically materialise, and I have accepted that these appointments will never be filled with the words that mean a miracle has happened. </div>
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These appointments are always going to be about preparing me for the worst case scenario, they are always going to be about preparing me for the death of my unborn baby. I have made the decision that I will set mini goals for these appointmnets and if he reaches those markers I will be happy. </div>
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All I really want is for him to keep on growing, putting on size and surviving. For this next scan I would love for him to hit the 1lb mark, and just know that his heart continues to beat strongly. I know that the fluid is gone for a reason... what that reason is no body can tell me, but it is gone. </div>
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Keeping the hope alive has become so important to me, I don't think I could keep going if I was certain he woulnd't make it at the end. I have read so many stories where the outcome looked so bleak, but the babies pulled through in the end. </div>
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I know that whatever happens my little guy is going to have to keep fighting even after the pregnancy, we know he has the heart condition Tetralogy of Fallot, but there could be other factors we need to consider should he defy all the odds and make it into this world. </div>
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<i>One thing that I have been unsually happy about is this, regardless of what happens now. No matter what happens. My baby boy get's a birth certificate, he's a real little person and whether or not I get to bring him home or not... He existed, he has a name and he matters. </i></div>
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My bump is looking rounder this week, more like a baby bump and less like chub. I would love for my tummy to fully pop and to actually look pregnant like I did with Leo. Due to the low fluid and growing a small baby, I am not suffering with back ache or having trouble getting to sleep each night. </div>
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In a weird way it is another aspect of being pregnant that I have been robbed of.</div>
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I have found speaking out about what is going on in my pregancy refreshing. Back in February we announced that we were expecting, and instead of having to have individual conversations with people about the turn the pregnancy was actually taking, I decided to be quite vocal in what was happening. </div>
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I have done this on my blog and on my personal social media, it has meant that I can update everyone in one go. I don't need to have one to one chat's with everyone I know and get emotional, I can think about what I want to say and how I want to say it before I put it out there.</div>
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People have been incredibly supportive, some have even gone as far as saying how brave it is. I don't consider it brave, if anything it's a way of addressing everyone in one go to spare myself. At the same time though I have been able to reach ladies who are going through a similar journey, and we have been able to guide each other on this journey into the unknown. </div>
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I have been caught off guard a few times where people have congratulated
me, and I have looked blankly at them wondering what the kind regards
are for... then I realise they are congratulating my pregnancy. I should just say thank you, but I can't help but look at them with confused eyes.</div>
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It's another week under the belt, another day closer to the 26 week scan that I was told we may not make... But I have high hopes that we will! </div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07693927098032739132noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978459861373615747.post-17278912670786913292020-04-22T13:30:00.000+01:002020-04-29T13:31:39.486+01:0024 Weeks Pregnant - We Made it to Viability!<div style="text-align: center;">
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This is a milestone week for Nugget and I, a week that I wasn’t sure that we would ever get to. After being told over and over again that my baby may face his demise in what should be the safest place for him, there was always a question mark over whether we would indeed reach viability.</div>
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But here we are, 24 weeks pregnant. </div>
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Somehow and some way we made it!<br />
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It's a somewhat bittersweet milestone, because I have been told that it probably doesn't really matter how far I get in this pregnancy, that the outcome will most likely see me leaving the hospital with empy arms and a broken heart.<br />
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I choose to look toward the path of hope though, I of course listen to everything the doctors and specialists tell me.. But equeally I don't think anyone really thought we would make it as far as we have, and we here we are! </div>
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I feel Nugget moving daily now, usually only when I am lay down, that is when his movements are at their strongest. It’s crazy that I have been feeling him move for a whole month now.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylifeunexpected.co.uk/2020/04/23-weeks-pregnant.html" target="_blank">Since last weeks scan</a> and more doom and gloom news, I have picked myself up off the sofa where I have pretty much spent the last month drinking water and hoping that the rest may do some good... and decided to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather with Leo through the means of daily exercise.<br />
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We have been walking the dog, merely walking ourselves and even bike riding.</div>
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My mum told me to ‘be careful’ and I couldn’t help but ask her ‘why?’ - When you have been told that there is no hope, careful doesn’t really enter the equation. Of course I had full intention of being careful, but you can’t help but ponder the thought as to why. </div>
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It’s been a quiet week, and to be honest it’s these kind of weeks that you can almost lull yourself into a false sense of security and pretend that everything is ok. I have found myself doing it after each and every appointmnet, it's a cycle.<br />
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I get delivered the bad news, I come home and mourn a baby who is still very much alive. I feel sorry for myself. I take to Google looking for stories of hope, and then I find a way to build myself back up again, clinging to the smallest chance of hope.</div>
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When you have been given bad news and have no appointments on the calander, you have no one telling you that your baby is going to die. You can feel him moving and kicking away inside, you can even see your stomach rise and fall as he does so. You can almost make yourself believe that you WILL be bringing your baby home and that everything is and will be ok. </div>
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I’m almost certain baby boy had hiccups this week, I can’t be certain.... and how can a baby with no fluid actually have hiccups? </div>
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I have to admit that apart from the movements, it’s pretty hard to believe that I am actually pregnant and growing a baby. I think when you are dealt bad news, part of you switches off to protect you, an almost armour shoots up and around you to help you distance yourself from the potential of a broken heart.</div>
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I lie there in the evenings (he’s most active around midnight) and I just feel him bop away, both my hand's draped over my growing tummy. I refuse sleep while he is wiggling and jiggling around, it almost feels a crime to miss those little moments when you are never sure how long you will be able to enjoy them for.</div>
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I lie there in the morning and refuse to get out of bed until I have felt those familiar movements I have grown so fond of. Once I know he is ok I can start my day with Leo.</div>
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I’m in good spirits, I still have hope. My tummy is growing (all be it smaller than the average pregant ladies tummy) so I know baby boy has to be growing too. I know that at the next scan he is still going to be smaller, but he isn’t the first baby in history to experience inuterine growth restriction and he won’t be the last. </div>
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While his heart is beating I refuse to give up hope, I have to keep that hope burning otherwise I am just going to lose my mind. </div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07693927098032739132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978459861373615747.post-71814212101502874362020-04-14T18:43:00.000+01:002020-04-27T18:44:04.050+01:0023 Weeks Pregnant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We’re now 1 week away from viability at 23 weeks pregnant. In 7 days at 24 weeks, if this baby boy made an appearance, the medical world could intervene and try to save him. </div>
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Thankfully I can’t see him arriving in the next week or so, even if the dream I had on Saturday night told me otherwise... I seem to be dreaming about my baby boy so much recently, and they are always my favourite dreams. </div>
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The kind of dream that I never want to wake up from, on this occasion baby boy arrived in the world early again. As he has done in pretty much every dream I’ve ever had about him. This time I was lay in bed, I was holding my belly like I always do when I’m in bed, as this is when I feel his movement the most. Nugget pushed his little face firmly up against my belly and you could see the details of his nose and where his eyes would be. </div>
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Then he pulled his body away and suddenly I knew he was on his way. In the dream this prompted 2 strong contractions, and then Nugget was in my arms. For a premature baby he was so strong, he was breathing on his own and it became apparent that his lungs were better than anyone could have anticipated (no pulmonary hypoplasia in sight).</div>
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As the dream developed... it became evident that Nugget wasn’t your average baby. Within a few hours he was walking, and then running... he was more like a toddler now than your typical newborn premature baby. </div>
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Then I woke up... </div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">On Tuesday 14th April I made my way back over to Worcester Royal hospital, I had been feeling so elated since my consultant appointment. They were letting me fight for my baby boy, a section had been discussed and even steroids for Nugget’s lungs. </span><br />
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I was now 23 weeks and 2 days pregnant, I didn’t think that we would be delivered anymore bad news, but by this point I should expect it I guess.</div>
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I sat and waited for my name to be called, the hospital was really quiet due to the Covid 19 lockdown and only the patients being allowed to attend appointments. Once again I was on my own, Luke has stayed at home with Leo, and I went to see baby boy.</div>
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I was soon called into the room, the very same room I had been told that <a href="http://www.mylifeunexpected.co.uk/2020/03/a-second-opinion-chromosomal-disorder.html" target="_blank">Nugget was pretty certain to have Trisomy 18 - Edwards syndrome</a>. </div>
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The scan started right away, the familiar silence ensued as my consultant concentrated and tried to veranda her way around the low fluid. Every so often she would relay the measurements she had taken to the supporting midwife. </div>
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I learned that baby had put on 4oz since my last scan, which although still had baby measuring around 3 weeks behind, he was growing! </div>
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After the scan concluded they delivered more bad news. Baby now had no measurable pocket of fluid, the Oligiohydramnios (low amniotic fluid) was now being referred to Anhydramnios (low to no amniotic fluid).</div>
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This was just the starting point for the bad news. I was now advised against a section, against fetal monitoring and it was once again confirmed that my baby was not going to make it in this world.</div>
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I was offered another termination.</div>
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I said no I would not end my baby’s life. </div>
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I felt pretty defeated in all honesty, blow after blow I have been dealt in this pregnancy. Each time I am thrown down I do dust myself off and rise again. </div>
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I’m not sure if it’s defiance, gut instinct or if I just need to keep holding on to that glimmer of hope, just hoping that Nugget can and will defy the odds and get to come and meet us. </div>
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When the termination was offered the tears fell, I could see the pitty in the consultants eyes, a lady I really to appreciate and admire. She didn’t like telling me these things anymore than I liked hearing them. </div>
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It was decided that I would labour naturally and forgo the section, we will intermittently check Nugget’s heart rate but regardless of any fetal distress, we won’t be going for an emergency section.</div>
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I feel confident that I can labour, but I am aware that Nugget May continue to be breech and I have no idea of when or how I will go into labour.</div>
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The consultant told me that Nugget could pass away between appointments, my next one being just under 3 weeks away on May 4th. I got the impression that she would be really surprised if Nugget made it that far...</div>
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She told me that he could pass away during the birth or immediately after, that his lungs just cannot develop with no fluid. </div>
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I had a chat with the peadatrician who is at the births of babies who need specialist help. He concurred with what my consultant had just told me, but I asked him to be present at the birth anyway. He told me that he would, but the decision on how to proceed would be determined once he was here. </div>
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If there was no hope I was told they would pass me my baby boy so I could share whatever time we had together, and if there is by some chance a miracle, they would intervene.</div>
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I left feeling like I had been hit by a truck, but inside I could feel my defiant flame burning still. Inside I knew my baby had a heartbeat, and I knew that I was going to keep marching forward regardless of the odds that I would lose him.</div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07693927098032739132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978459861373615747.post-53346023749635145982020-04-09T20:10:00.001+01:002020-04-09T20:10:23.805+01:0022 weeks pregnant - Fighting for life<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iSr4YkexI3o/Xo81HK6ZW_I/AAAAAAAAW7I/rxNf7LN2PM8pSbjyZA5UWPrtWnok4IRfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/92352281_241289283685212_8680112348117073920_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="22 weeks pregnant - Oligohydramnios" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="821" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iSr4YkexI3o/Xo81HK6ZW_I/AAAAAAAAW7I/rxNf7LN2PM8pSbjyZA5UWPrtWnok4IRfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/92352281_241289283685212_8680112348117073920_n.jpg" title="22 weeks pregnant - Oligohydramnios" width="546" /></a></div>
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The weeks are ticking by, I can't decide if they feel like they are going quite quickly, or if they are dragging due to how slow life has become with Covid-19 and the lockdown that has been imposed on Britain.</div>
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I have now been self isolating for 3 weeks, and I am now 22 weeks pregnant. </div>
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I am 2 weeks from viability. </div>
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There are 14 days between being able to fight for life and just having to let him go.<br />
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I have accepted that I am on a different path in this pregnancy, there is un-certainty but for me, only one clear way forward, and that is to carry on.<br />
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I am not buying things for my baby, in many respects I am just hoping to wake up each morning and still feel his movements, to still hear his heart booming over the doppler. There will be no new baby clothes, no next to me crib and no coming home outfit.<br />
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At least..... Not any time soon.</div>
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When I woke up on Sunday morning I could feel Nugget popping his little limbs up, hard enough for me to feel the effort with my hand. I immedietly called Leo into my room. He has been waiting weeks to feel his baby brother kicking for himself.</div>
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Leo gently placed his hand on my tummy and within a few seconds, he had a few bops to the hand from his baby brother. </div>
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The first contact between two siblings. </div>
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Leo thought it was amazing, and I was so happy to know that he got that experience. There was a time that I didn't think any of us would get to feel his movements, that the straight jacket he was contained within would prevent any movements what so ever, but little Nugget had other ideas and is letting us all know that he is getting stronger.</div>
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I've had some dreams during this week, the first one ended not long before I called Leo in to feel his baby brother wiggling around. I was at my parents, and Nugget had decided to come early. I was holding him in my arms and he was just like your typical new born. I recall changing his nappy and getting him dressed, we hadn't made it to the hospital, but he seemed to be doing amazingly...</div>
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The second dream was a few days later, I found myself back at Birmingham Women's Hospital, only this time I seemed to be having an appointment in the basement where the higher tech sonogrophy machines were apparently based... I was in a long line of pregnant women who were all waiting to see their little one's. </div>
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Eventually it was my turn, and I was told that my fluid levels were now absolutely fine and that baby could most certainly have a chance at life now. </div>
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Then I woke up....</div>
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I've worked out that my levels must have been lower since around 18 weeks, it was classed at the lower end of normal during the <a href="http://www.mylifeunexpected.co.uk/2020/03/a-second-opinion-chromosomal-disorder.html" target="_blank">scan I had at Worcester</a>, but then classed as below normal at the <a href="http://www.mylifeunexpected.co.uk/2020/03/the-18-week-amniocentisis.html" target="_blank">18 week Amniocentisis</a>.</div>
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Today I had my first consultant appointment, this was luckily with the lovely consultant I had met at my last Worcester scan. It was at the local hospital in my town which was ideal, especially since this was the first time I had taken myself out anywhere in over 3 weeks. I was surprised to see how busy the nearby streets were, but the hospital itself was eeirly quiet.<br />
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I had given this appointment so much thought, I had wondered how it would go, whether my requests for what happened for the remainder of my pregnancy would have them class me as barking mad and unreasonable. I already knew how I wanted to proceed and I was anxious that once my notes hit the table, I would be faced with the doom and gloom once again, instead of clutching to that small glimmer of hope.<br />
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I walked into the hospital, the reception desk was closed with no one manning it. I had no idea where I needed to go.<br />
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I wandered up and down the corridor and saw a group of ladies at one end, I asked if they had any idea where I needed to go, and then I recognised one of the faces. Nicky!<br />
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My midwife with Leo in my first pregnancy, the lady who saw me through my <a href="http://www.mylifeunexpected.co.uk/2019/07/miscarriage-i-am-1-in-4.html" target="_blank">miscarriage in July</a>, and the same lady who has been my absolute saviour in this pregnancy. I swore I wouldn't cry at this appointment, but as soon as I saw Nicky I felt insanely emotional.<br />
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This golden women got me into <a href="http://www.mylifeunexpected.co.uk/2020/01/the-11-week-fetal-medicine-unit.html" target="_blank">fetal medicine</a> so quickly, she's provided <a href="http://www.mylifeunexpected.co.uk/2020/01/12-weeks-pregnant-high-nt-measurement.html" target="_blank">additional scans</a>, valuable advice at the end of the phone, and even <a href="http://www.mylifeunexpected.co.uk/2020/03/a-second-opinion-chromosomal-disorder.html" target="_blank">got me appointments</a> when I have had more worrying feedback from scans, to try and find some clarity in this emotional rollercoaster of a pregnancy.<br />
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I owe a lot to this lady, and considering that she is not my assigned midwife in this pregnancy, and actually in a completely different role... I have had more contact and help from this one lady than I have either of my actual midwives. <br />
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For the first time since my booking in appointmnet I had my urine tested for water infections and what not, my blood pressure taken and I heard Nugget's heartbeart for the first time other than on an ultrasound (and on my home doppler of course).<br />
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I had to chuckle when they exclaimed how clear my pee sample was, I guess from all this water I have been drinking for Nugget I am now super hydrated! Thankfully the sample was clear of any nasties that might put more of a concern over my pregnancy and baby boy.<br />
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I filled Nicky in on the <a href="http://www.mylifeunexpected.co.uk/2020/03/the-20-week-scan-full-amniocentisis.html" target="_blank">Amniocentisis results</a>, and then I was called into my appointmnet with the consultant. Nicky had already told her that I was concerned that my choices might be deemed on the crazy side, but both of these wonderful ladies were completely reassuring.<br />
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Not once throughout either of these meetings did anyone speak of termination or ending the pregnancy, and for this I was so grateful. <br />
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It wasn't a very long appointment as I am actually due to go back to Worcester Hospital and the Fetal Medicine team (with this very consultant) on Tuesday 14th April. I chimed in that I already knew pretty much the direction I wanted this to go in. I put forward my wish for medical intervention, for a c-section and steriods for Nugget's lungs before birth.<br />
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I laid bare my understanding, and let her know that despite all of this I want to give my baby boy a chance at life.<br />
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It wasn't the fight of a conversation I had built myself up for. It was a simple discussion, one that reassured me that I could decide how we play this out. It didn't have to just be a care package, it didn't have to be a natural birth that distressed Nugget.<br />
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It could be as much or as little medical intervention as I decided.<br />
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I was advised that I would be scanned and baby re-evaluated the following week, following this appointment we could make a plan. I guess I need to think about the gestation of baby when he makes his arrival, and what intervention I would want and when.<br />
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Would I want a c-section at 24 weeks? When it's put like that, when he is literally right on th cusp of viability when completly healthy babies have the biggest of fights before them.... Would I really want to put my baby boy through that?<br />
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No one knows how far I will go in this pregnany, I think it is pretty safe to say that I won't go full term and I have accepted along the way that the best case scenario for my little man is to be born prematurely.<br />
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Ideally I want him to get to 30 weeks, and potentially a minimum of 26 weeks.<br />
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30 weeks would take us to next month on May 31st. It is so strange to think that he could make his appearance in the world that soon.<br />
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Today's appointment was more positive than I could have invisioned. I feel like I am in really good hands, and I am re-assured that it won't just be me fighting for his life. I will have a team of people who are also fighting for him and listening to my wishes, all the while with them considering my personal needs and health.<br />
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It is nice to feel that we have a direction again, the last few weeks since the final fetal medicine appointmnet and Tetralogy of Fallot diagnosis, I have felt like we had just been written off, brushed under the carpet. In the notes the consultant made today, she said 'Mum keen to give baby a chance, but also realises that this is gestation dependant'.<br />
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That is more positive than the outright fetal demise I was pretty much promised at my last appointmnent. It's not clairty, but it's a chance. <br />
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I just need to hope that he is gaining weight and growing, all be it if he is smaller than your average baby. He just needs to be getting bigger and following his own little growth plan.<br />
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That wraps my 22 week update, I would say it has been another good week.<br />
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For me everyday that his heartbeats means we have conquered another day. <br />
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07693927098032739132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978459861373615747.post-91937351428232866492020-04-01T09:48:00.000+01:002020-04-03T17:59:28.856+01:0021 weeks pregnant - Oligohydramnios & Tetralogy of Fallot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I’ve made it to 21 weeks pregnant, and this week has been a much quieter week than the last one. There have been no hospital appointments, no scans and no bad news. </div>
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You could say I’ve been able to lull myself into a false sense of security. My bump has popped more, and I’m feeling baby boy more frequently, and boy is that the best feeling ever. </div>
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I’ve found that Nugget is moving around quite a bit, some days he’s really low down, like right back down in my pubic bone, and then when I lay down (usually at night) I will start to feel him bobbing around. When I wake up in the morning he has been by my belly button, and I feel him wiggling and turning around. </div>
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There have been a few days early this week where I didn’t feel him for a few days, I could still find his heartbeat on the Doppler, but I didn’t feel him. Fast forward to Tuesday night, I lay down in bed and after a little while I could feel him working his way up my tummy until all of his body was by my belly button.</div>
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The way he positioned himself made my tummy hard to the touch, and you could feel the bulk of a little baby beneath my skin. </div>
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It was the strangest, most incredible feeling. The baby boy who at one time not so many weeks ago, I thought I would never feel move from within me. Yet after the <a href="http://www.mylifeunexpected.co.uk/2020/03/20-weeks-pregnant-final-fetal-medicine.html" target="_blank">news last week</a> that he probably won’t make it... I began to feel those very first movements!<br />
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Luke has even felt him kicking away now during one of Nugget’s midnight shape throwing! </div>
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I was around 25 weeks with Leo when I first felt him move, so despite Nugget having Oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid), a poorly heart and potential bilateral talipes (club foot) I can already feel him, and I know he’s telling me to keep on fighting for him and not to give up. </div>
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I feel defiant and hopeful at 21 weeks pregnant, I know what the experts have told me. I know that they know what they are talking about, but at the same time there is something within me that tells me that this could all turn out ok. </div>
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Blind hope into the unknown.</div>
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This morning when I woke up my tummy stayed harder, baby boy had been wiggling around before I got up, and while he moves I place both hands on my tummy and stay put until the movement stops.<br />
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Last night I lay there for about an hour just holding my tummy as I felt him letting me know that he was there, that he was ok. When he moves it makes me want to stay awake and just have those moments with him, because the uncertainty and prognosis paints a bleak picture that means these sorts of moments need to be seized with both hands.<br />
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It's still too early for what it deemed regular movements from my little 21 weeker, but I still worry when I don't feel him move. I wonder if the fluid has reduced more so that he can't move now, that maybe it all got too much and he had to forefit his fight.<br />
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I am certain this baby boy of mine is a fighter, he has been fighting his entire short life. He's survived the increased risk of miscarriage due to the high fluid measurement on his neck. He's survived the Amniocentisis, he's survived his poorly heart and potentially his poorly kidneys. He's surviving everyday in low amniotic fluid and as far as im concenerned he's fighting every day for his life.</div>
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This week it has been a quiet week at home with Leo, we have been doing our school work from 9am through to 1pm, and then he gets the afternoon to do what he wants. I use this time to lay around and rest in the hope that this combined with lot's of fluids will help me build or maintain the amniotic fluid that we have.<br />
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We’ve been busy with his spellings and working on the scrapbook I bought him not long after we got back from New York. </div>
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Next week I have my consultant appointment on the 9th April. I know that this is most likely going to bring more grave news, but I feel ready to face it now. I’ll be sticking to my guns and telling her that I will be continuing my pregnancy.<br />
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I will use this time to enquire about the steroids that they can give to babies to strengthen their lungs, and if we make it to 24 weeks, this is exactly what I want for Nugget. </div>
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We are just under 3 weeks off viability right now, and I know I can’t look into the future and see how this ends, but I can’t see him coming any time soon.</div>
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I have 2 goals right now. My first is to reach 24 weeks, and then following that 30 weeks. I know they said it doesn’t matter how far I get, the outlook is bleak, but I’ve read some miracle stories of babies born after Oligohydramnios, and despite spending time in Special care, they weathered the challenges and surpassed all expectations placed on them.</div>
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It can happen.</div>
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Yes we have the added issue of Nugget’s heart diagnosis of Tetralogy of Fallot, but the first issue we have to face will be to see how his lungs really are. </div>
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Right now I’m just trying to enjoy being pregnant, to feel his movements, to feel him physically getting stronger. This means he’s growing, this means he’s trying to get to meet us. </div>
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I’m still drinking as much water as possible, adding in orange juice and coconut water for a good mix. I’m eating poached eggs daily in the hope the extra protein will help him get big and strong!</div>
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Right now I’m doing all I can, I don’t know if it will work, but it’s nice to think that all of this may not be in vein. </div>
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It’s nice to think that despite how horrendous this pregnancy has been in certain respects, there may just be a silver lining. </div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07693927098032739132noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978459861373615747.post-62280506108247991462020-03-24T17:27:00.000+00:002020-03-25T17:34:59.090+00:0020 Weeks Pregnant - The Final Fetal Medicine Appointment <div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZODe_JMgxs/XnuTNlvChCI/AAAAAAAAW6k/TmiIhr1oUBQoIOHYwhIl9OdkMjQrkQDDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/90915290_904320250007280_5600903989848702976_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="20 weeks pregnant - Tetrology of Fallot" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="719" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZODe_JMgxs/XnuTNlvChCI/AAAAAAAAW6k/TmiIhr1oUBQoIOHYwhIl9OdkMjQrkQDDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/90915290_904320250007280_5600903989848702976_n.jpg" title="20 weeks pregnant - Tetrology of Fallot" width="478" /></a></div>
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On Sunday I reached 20 weeks pregnant, this was my ultimate milestone after the <a href="http://www.mylifeunexpected.co.uk/2020/01/10-weeks-pregnant.html" target="_blank">high Nuchal Translucancy test</a> 10 whole weeks ago. A period of time I didn’t know if I would ever make after being told I was at higher risk of miscarriage following the high Nuchal fold. </div>
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The time has passed so very slowly, it feels like a lifetime ago since we first received the news that there may be something wrong with our baby. It has been a weight around my neck that has only grown tighter with the passage of time. </div>
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Somehow we have weathered each and every appointment, each one bringing a fresh blow to the heart. </div>
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Today with the world in a Covid 19 lockdown, we made our way back to Birmingham Women’s Hospital to see the team at fetal medicine. </div>
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Today we were having a detailed echocardiogram to look at baby boys heart. Weirdly since I found out about the low amniotic fluid (Oligohydromnios), I’ve put the heart to the bottom of my list of worries.</div>
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Today it felt different to all of those other visits, it felt like today we might actually have some light shone on what was going on within my tiny little baby. </div>
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Leo and I were dropped outside the front of the hospital as I was bursting for a pee (and had been since 5 minutes into the journey for that matter). I stood with Leo in the midst of a ghost town of the former busy hospital I had known before all of this. </div>
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People walked around in masks, the cafe was open but baracaded off to only let 2 people in at a time so that they could practice safe social distancing. It was like being stood in the middle of a sci-fi movie. </div>
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We made our way straight to Fetal Medicine so we didn’t have to hang around anywhere else too long, we were about 40 minutes early and we walked in to an almost empty waiting area with no receptionist to speak to.</div>
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We sat there for 5 minutes before the reception lady appeared, as soon as she saw Leo she started asking whether we had ‘received the message about children’, I think my blank expression answered that one, of course I hadn’t because nothing had been sent to me. It transpired that children were currently not allowed anywhere in the hospital. </div>
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This meant that Leo had to leave the hospital, which left me alone to face the music, the two people I had come with had to leave, so I had to go into the unknown alone. I prayed the receptionist didn’t talk to me again as I sat there, I was angry and anxious and knew that I would just cry agitated tears at her.</div>
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My name was called and I was lead to the same room that my previous echocardiogram scan had been conducted in. The consultant asked if I had anyone with me... I had done, but now no I did not. </div>
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The scan was carried out in silence, I think this may have been the longest ultrasound I have ever been in. The entire time he was looking at baby boy’s heart, I could see the red and blue flowing around, the oxygenated blood and the oxygen poor blood. To me it looked fine, it looked like it was flowing. I glanced at the man scanning me, but he gave nothing away.</div>
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When he did direct away from the heart, I saw baby boy and the small amount of amniotic fluid that was still left. He asked me whether I had lost any fluid, to which I honestly answered no. </div>
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He pushed so hard with the Doppler, I had been having shooty pains low down on my left side on and off all day, and when he pushed down as firmly as he did, my tummy felt crampy. Eventually he said that to save tormenting me he would sit me in the adjacent room, I assumed this was when he would draw up my notes and then come back in to talk to me about what he had seen....</div>
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I sat there for over 20 minutes, people were walking past but no one materialised for me. Eventually a new face poked around the door, she told me that I was having another scan. I lay back down on the table and she began to do her own investigation. </div>
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This second face was actually the fetal cardiologist consultant, she knew her stuff. This scan didn’t last as long as the inital one, the original consultant had re-entered the room now and they were passing comments back and forth, although it might as well have been in a foreign language. </div>
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Finally Dr Johnston came into the room, I saw her at what I believe was my second fetal medicine appointment. Now they had finished looking at the heart, they needed to look baby over head to toe in order to give me a diagnosis and potential prognosis.</div>
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I had been in the hospital well over an hour now, well aware that it must have been so tedious for my boys waiting for me to finish. </div>
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The final scan concluded and I was shown back to the room I had been occupying. I was told that they were going to draw the report up now and then they would come and discuss everything with me.</div>
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Eventually Dr Johnston, the cardiologist and another face entered the room. The third person had materialised when they had shouted ‘were ready for you now’, I wasn’t sure what her role in all this would be right away, but it soon became transparent.</div>
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What they were about to tell me, they had been worrying about telling me, mainly because I was alone. This third face was here to be my shoulder to cry on should I need it.</div>
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Dr Johnston started by asking me what I understood so far. ‘I’m aware that there were a number of structural differences found in the baby, including the heart and low amniotic fluid. I am not expecting you to have good news for me’.</div>
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I think this cast some relief over them, judging by their sorrowful looks. I wasn’t sure who to look at, so I just tried to focus on whoever was speaking.</div>
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Dr Johnston continued ‘the baby is significantly smaller than he should be at this stage and there is very little fluid around the baby. Starting from the top, babies head is long and narrow which is nothing to worry about, it’s just a symptom of their being less fluid. The brain itself looks ok, I know there were concerns about the cerebellum but that actually looks alright. It’s small in keeping with the rest of the baby’.</div>
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I can’t see the face clearly, I can see there’s Two eyes, I can see there’s a nose. I can’t see the lip as clearly as I would like to so I can’t really comment on that. The spine looks ok, the arms have the right number of bones and that’s important because there are other syndromes that can be associated with one of the bones missing in the forearm. All the long bones are present.</div>
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I can see fingers, I can’t see feet clearly, but that’s not that they aren’t there, it’s just due to the lack of fluid. I can see the belly button and there are 2 vessels in the cord instead of 3, on its own that doesn’t really mean anything but can go with kidney problems.</div>
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Putting everything together the main thing that I am worried about here is that when there is no fluid around the baby at this stage, the lungs don’t develop. I think the risk of what we call lethal pulmonary (lungs) hypoplasia (small) where the lungs have grown too small, or the lungs aren’t big enough, the baby can’t get the oxygen out of the air that he breathes, there are no ventilators or drugs that will change that. If the lungs are really small then we call that lethal because they just don’t survive after birth.... and I think your baby falls in that category.</div>
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I’m very worried that it doesn’t matter what we do or how far you get in the pregnancy, that after birth the baby isn’t going to survive because of the chest. I think that is a real concern.</div>
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Now...we are seeing differences in the heart as well’ </div>
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This is where the cardiologist starts talking to me.</div>
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‘I have labelled the heart as something called Tetrology of Fallot which is when there is a hole in the heart’ </div>
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I asked for confirmation that there was a hole and she said ‘yes there is a big hole’. ‘The blood vessels are shifted over so they come more from the right side of the heart. Usually you have Two blood vessels come off, the body blood vessel and one that goes to our lungs. The one that goes to the lungs in narrow, it’s not completely closed but it’s really narrowed and the lung arteries are really small, it’s what we call congenital heart disease. </div>
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If it was that on its own, there are things that we can do. It involves heart surgery but when it’s everything else as well, the problem is babies need really, really good lungs for their heart surgery to go really well. When you add in lungs that are not good, a heart that’s not good and then problems with kidneys as well... it doesn’t go very well. </div>
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I was taking the news very well until they asked me if I had thought about what I wanted to do, it’s all I have really been thinking about. How do you decide to terminate a baby that you whole heartedly want to bring into the world? A baby that was supposed to be your rainbow baby?A baby that was supposed to make Leo a big brother? A baby that you want to bring home and show the big wide world to?</div>
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I declined a termination, I said no to stopping my baby boys heartbeat without so much of a second thought. </div>
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I was told a termination at this stage most probably won’t change the outlook for our little man, that he may continue to survive inside because my body is doing all of the work for him, even with the low amniotic fluid. </div>
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The conversation quickly progressed from hearts, kidneys and no baby to bring home, to how I wanted to proceed with labour and birth. I’ve said all along that whatever happens I want to labour. This is the very least I can do for my baby, and whenever this happens, I will rise to the occasion and do what needs to be done. </div>
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I was told to decline fetal monitoring as it is more than likely that the baby is going to get distressed, as the cord will get squashed due to the lack of fluid which could then lead to an emergency c-section. A C section would be a big surgery to go through and would impact any future pregnancies... and on top of recovering from surgery to then not bring my baby boy home.</div>
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Then it progressed onto ‘after the baby is born’ this is where I was told to only consider a care package, and this is where I have to disagree. </div>
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If I can get my baby to a viable gestation, no one can really say how his lungs are going to be, or how he really will be over all. </div>
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Scans are wonderful things that allow an insight into a baby’s growth and development while in utero.... but they can get things wrong, they don’t always pick everything up (especially with low fluid). I had been told by more than one consultant in this pregnancy that babies cerebellum was abnormal, and now it’s not. Now I’m told that it’s normal. </div>
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I was told that my baby most likely had Edwards Syndrome, that he had scoliosis of the lower spine, and then he passed the Amniocentisis and his spine looks fine. </div>
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This is exactly why I’ve made my decision. </div>
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I cannot and will not end my babies life. </div>
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I will take each day as it comes, I have to choose between Two horrendous choices. I can choose to end my babies life now, or I can carry on and birth him, and lose him anyway.</div>
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Either way I have to labour. </div>
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Or.. I can carry on letting nature decide. I can ask for intervention if we get to a viable stage. I can ask for steroids for the babies lungs, I can ask for saline solution during labour to help stop baby becoming distressed, and I can opt for intervention after he is born. </div>
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I haven’t grown him for 20 weeks to give up on him now. He hasn’t overcome the Amniocentisis and having low amniotic fluid for me to give up on him now.</div>
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So out of my Two horrible decisions, I choose to carry on. I choose blind faith, I choose life. I choose to let him fight and have a chance, because a chance instead of certain demise is what will get me through this.</div>
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Either way I have to labour, either way I will meet this little man, but one means I will meet him after his eyes have closed forever, after I have stopped his heart from beating and one means that I might get some time with him, no matter how small that time may be. </div>
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Tonight as I lay in bed, I felt baby boy move for the first time. I didn’t think that moment would ever come in this pregnancy, but he wiggled hard enough for me to not only feel him within, but to feel him with my hand on my stomach. </div>
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I like to believe that this is his way of telling me to keep going, out of all the days I could have felt the little push of his movements, he chose today (20+2 weeks). Today he was strong enough for me to feel him him, the same day I was offered a termination to end his life. </div>
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Only time will tell how this story plays out, and only entering the world will give us a real look at my little heart warrior. </div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07693927098032739132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978459861373615747.post-14002625027861052482020-03-19T15:20:00.000+00:002020-03-22T15:21:53.316+00:00The 20 Week Scan & FULL Amniocentisis Results<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LItgB2-n27s/Xnd8XD9jfiI/AAAAAAAAW6Y/44HeRI24aX8yr8s7XvCVmlCx_5fpTxFiACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/90678025_558325924784232_342869803335155712_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Oligohydramnios - Low Amniotic Fluid" border="0" data-original-height="1217" data-original-width="1600" height="486" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LItgB2-n27s/Xnd8XD9jfiI/AAAAAAAAW6Y/44HeRI24aX8yr8s7XvCVmlCx_5fpTxFiACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/90678025_558325924784232_342869803335155712_n.jpg" title="Oligohydramnios - Low Amniotic Fluid" width="640" /></a></div>
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The 20 week scan is usually something you cannot wait to experience. To see how much your baby has grown in the weeks following the dating scan, but as mine rolled around I was anything but excited. </div>
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I was actually really anxious, and with good reason.</div>
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Those that have been following my pregnancy will know that it’s all been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. A high <a href="http://www.mylifeunexpected.co.uk/2020/01/10-weeks-pregnant.html" target="_blank">Nuchal translucency test revealed 4.7mm of fluid</a> on the back of our babies neck at 10 weeks, we then <a href="http://www.mylifeunexpected.co.uk/2020/02/13-weeks-pregnant-harmony-test-results.html" target="_blank">had a low risk NIPT (Harmony Test)</a> for the three trisomies and began to try and relax and enjoy the pregnancy. Then at a <a href="http://www.mylifeunexpected.co.uk/2020/02/the-166-gender-scan-that-ended-in-tears.html" target="_blank">private gender scan</a> the rug was pulled from beneath our feet and we landed flat on our backs, when the sonogropher found a number of ‘differences’ in our baby. </div>
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That threw us back into the waiting arms of fetal medicine, and we discovered that on top of the structural concerns for our little baby, we also had the worry of Oligohydramnios... Also known as low amniotic fluid. </div>
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The 20 week Scan day arrived and was set Thursday 19th March.<br />
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Today. </div>
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I sat in the local hospital waiting area with Luke and Leo, wondering if they would both be allowed in... Leo was off school as we have been self isolating due to the latest government advice surrounding <a href="http://www.mylifeunexpected.co.uk/2020/03/19-weeks-pregnant-low-amniotic-fluid.html" target="_blank">Covid 19 and pregnant ladies</a>, and lets face it... I don't need anything else to go wrong at this stage.</div>
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When my name was called, they advised that Luke would have to stay outside with Leo, so I went in alone. Luke hasn’t seen baby since the last time he was able to take me to Birmingham Women’s hospital weeks and weeks ago, which thinking back was the <a href="http://www.mylifeunexpected.co.uk/2020/01/the-12-week-fetal-medicine-appointment.html" target="_blank">12 week Fetal Medicine Appointment</a>.</div>
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I couldn’t get my head around how Leo was allowed in to the fetal medicine appointment and even witness the <a href="http://www.mylifeunexpected.co.uk/2020/03/the-18-week-amniocentisis.html" target="_blank">Amniocentisis</a>... but not here. </div>
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I had spent the <a href="http://www.mylifeunexpected.co.uk/2020/03/18-weeks-pregnant-echocardiogram-first.html" target="_blank">week from my echo scan</a> to my 20 week scan guzzling water and peeing like a race horse. I hoped and had everything crossed that when the Doppler hit my stomach at my 20 week scan, we would see the baby more clearly because the fluid was returning. </div>
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Of course, that was not the case.</div>
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The fluid was now very low, so low that the sonogropher couldn’t measure the deepest pool because there wasn’t one. I believe that there is still some fluid around baby, but the sac is almost comparable to a straight jacket. Baby boy cannot really move and that would explain why I have not felt him, and at this stage I have resigned myself to the fact that I probably will never feel him wiggle from within me. </div>
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I had explained to the lady scanning me how this was so far from your average pregnancy, and she confirmed that she had already read my notes and didn’t know how much help she would be to me. I was already aware that this would be the case, so it wasn’t a shock.</div>
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All I really wanted and needed from this appointment was confirmation on the amniotic fluid. This lady did her darnedest though, she tried to look at baby in as much detail as she possibly could, and it’s always interesting to hear how people describe the anomalies that they are seeing.</div>
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When she looked in baby boy's head she said that the cerebellum ‘looked small but normal’ - I had been told in previous appointments that it was ‘abnormal and small’ but not that it was abnormal just due to its size. This confirmed that it was the right shape, but small.... but considering baby is well below the plotted expectancy for 19+5 isn’t that to be half expected in some way, shape or form?<br />
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At just under 20 weeks my little baby boy is measuring around 17 weeks, around 2 weeks below where he should be. Low amniotic fluid does restrict growth, so I would guess that is also to be expected. </div>
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Baby boy’s hands were up by his face, it was almost a comfort to know that he could soothe himself with his little hands. This was the first scan since 14 weeks that I had seen the baby’s profile and at least he seems to have resigned from his breech position. To obtain the image you can see at the top of this post the sonogropher had to bring the doppler all the way over to the left side of my stomach, as simple being above baby didn't generate much that looked like a baby at all. </div>
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The sonogropher printed me some scans and told me that she couldn’t get a frontal view of baby’s face to look and see if the baby was effected by cleft palete, but in the next breath said ‘but given everything else would it be the end of the world if the baby was born with cleft palete?’</div>
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Of course the answer to this was no, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. What I wouldn’t do to bring this little man into the world and give him a fighting chance. </div>
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This pretty much concluded the scan, I was shown back to the waiting area while the report was drawn up. When she brought it out a few moments later she wished me luck, but I could see the sorrowful look in her eyes, she didn’t think that this baby would make it even if she didn't say it.</div>
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I have to admit that seeing that low level of fluid had me on the same page. How could a baby grow and develop with such a little amount of fluid? Especially during this crucial time of the lungs developing. </div>
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I explained everything to Luke, and Leo for that matter. We have been very open and honest about all that is going on as ultimately Leo needs to be as prepared as possible for what and most likely will happen. </div>
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We arrived home and I resumed my fetal position on the couch with a large glass of water. I flicked through Netflix undecided on what to watch, then my phone rang. No Caller ID could only be the Women’s Hospital, and this could mean the full array results from my Amniocentisis were back from the lab. </div>
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The Fetal Medicine Midwife Sarah confirmed that she did have my results. I was told that they were ALL CLEAR, there were no chromosome abnormalities with our baby boy. Atleast not anything that they test for.</div>
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This should have made me happy, put a big smile on my face and given me hope in my heart, but seeing my little baby on today’s scan with no where to move or turn... there was still a problem. A problem that meant I probably won’t get my baby boy at the end of this long, long road.<br />
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A problem that we didn't even see coming, despite all of the other mountains we have had to climb. After passing each test that has come our way, baby boy is still having to climb mountains, but those mountains require him to be in his safe bubble of amniotic fluid, fluid that keeps decreasing, and stealing hope. </div>
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I filled Sarah in on the latest scan, I asked if my baby would be in any pain. I was told that he wouldn’t be and that we would go through ‘all the options’ on Tuesday at my next echocardiogram with the consultants. </div>
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I think I can hazard a guess at what the next options may present to me. I’ve been thinking about it all long and hard, and I am just waiting for them to tell me or at least present the option of termination.<br />
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I don’t have it in me to end my baby boys life. </div>
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I’ve already decided that I will stay pregnant as long as I can, I will say no to any offer of termination, I will let my body decide what happens, and I will keep fighting for that little heartbeat even though everything seems so bleak.<br />
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I am 20 weeks on Sunday - Mother’s Day, it’s just to cruel to let us get half way through this pregnancy after everything that we have been through and done for us to just exhaust all options now. </div>
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I remember writing in a previous post that my biggest milestone was to get to 20 weeks, I’m almost there. Baby boy still has a strong heartbeat and I know that we’re still 4 whole weeks off being ‘viable’ and I most likely won’t get that far... but I have to try. I have to try knowing that even if we did get to 24 weeks that he could be born and we would most likely lose him anyway, but I have to try.<br />
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I can't be the one resposible for stopping his little heart beating. I can't be the one to ultimately decide to end his life, and I wont. </div>
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I’m weirdly ok about it all, I am prepared for the worst. It won't be some big shock if anything does happen.</div>
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I’ve somehow accepted this, but I can’t give up and I won’t give up. </div>
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Luke has said that he will support whatever decision I have made, and it might sound crazy but I’ve already made my mind up. </div>
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One way or another I’m seeing this through for my baby boy. </div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07693927098032739132noreply@blogger.com3