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Comments on mummydawni`s Profile
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Comments 1-25 to mummydawni
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sparklyval - Monday, 17 November
Hi Dawn!
This message is very overdue! I am determined this week to try and catch up with everything that I have got behind on! I seem to have enough time to do all the main jobs that have to be done, but there are so many things I never seem to get around to!

How are things going with Jared? From your profile page it seems as though he has been gaining weight really well. I got Erin weighed last Thursday and she had only put on about 5ozs in just over a week. I was a bit concerned at the time, but I haven't been worrying about it - the health visitor seemed to think it was fine. Because I am breastfeeding, Erin probably won't gain weight as quickly as if she was having formula.

Does Jared still enjoy going in his rocking swing? I bought one second hand from a friend in the hope that it may provide Erin a bit of entertainment and help her to sleep during the day. She hasn't been greatly impressed by it, but it is a comfy place for her to sleep once she has gone to sleep! The swing itself doesn't seem to send her to sleep sadly! However, she is getting a lot better about being put down and not held all the time. During the day she quite likes to have a dummy and when she is tired that helps her to settle! At night she doesn't seem to need the dummy - she goes to sleep well by herself. I think she must feel secure as the moses basket is next to me.

Your story about your relatives visiting made me laugh! It sounds very familiar. Some people just seem to grab the baby without any thought for whether it is a good time to hold him/her. Babies thrive on all that attention, but once it has gone life can be a nightmare! During the last two weeks we have had surprisingly few visitors, although my mum is due to come and stay for a few days next week. I have actually enjoyed having plenty of time without the chaos of people calling. Things have certainly been calmer once we got the girls birthdays out of the way since the beginning of November.

Life seems to be pretty good now that Erin is a little bit older. The girls love her and always seem excited to see her when I collect them from school. Antony and I are adjusting to being parents for the third time around - and are just about keeping on top of all the things that have to be done. We have even bought some new wallpaper so that Antony can re-decorate the lounge. Now, if I could just get Erin to sleep a bit longer through the night.....

I hope you and Jared are well.
Love, Val xx

sparklyval - Friday, 31 October
Hello!

It was lovely to hear from you last weekend. I am sorry that it has taken such a long time to write back! I have barely had chance to get on to this site to read my messages! In fact yesterday was the first time I actually managed to write a message in over a week.

I am pleased to hear that you had such a good birthday...it sounds as though Neil is a star - making you a nice meal and spoiling you! It was interesting to read what you said about drinking alcohol for the first time since you have had Jared. I haven't tried any yet, but was thinking of having a glass of wine later....I will tell you how I get on in my next message (and also if there are any bad effects on Erin!).

You are not wrong about October being an expensive month with all 3 of the girls birthdays!! We had a great time at the 10 pin bowling centre - the party was good fun and it was nice to see all of the children enjoying themselves so much. We had 15 children at the party in total - the older ones helped the younger ones with the bowling, which was an unexpected surprise and made things much easier for me. I managed to get 15 minutes away from the action to feed Erin, so she was fairly happy and content most of the time also!

This week has been the school's autumn break and I have been struggling a little bit with all 3 girls at home! I just don't have enough pairs of hands!! Antony took a day's holiday from work today and took the two older girls to the cinema and then for lunch and to do some shopping leaving me with just baby Erin for a bit. Not that it helped with getting anything extra done - it just meant that the two older girls were not so bored stuck at home all day!

Things have been a bit up and down with Erin - on the whole she is fairly settled - we are no way near trying to fix upon any kind of routine, but at least she is feeding well and gaining weight (she put on about 9ozs in just over a week). However, Erin has been quite troubled with wind and she is very sickly. She spits up a lot of milk after each feed and for quite a while after. I don't remember my older two girls being so bad. As she is gaining weight well I am not overly concerned, it is just taking a bit of getting used to. I have to change her clothes frequently as she is sick on everything!

She is sleeping for a stretch of 3-4 hours at night which is lovely, although on the whole she only manages a couple of hours between feeds during the day. Interestingly she is not so sickly at night, so I suspect the cause of the problem may be that she has a tendency to over-feed slightly during the day, but there is no way you can ignore a baby that is screaming to be fed, so I am hoping that she will get better in time as her stomach gets bigger!!

Bethan and Kate have been wonderful with Erin. We have been very lucky that there doesn't appear to be any signs of jealousy, even from Kate, the youngest one. I was quite worried before Erin was born that she would feel a bit pushed out, but that doesn't seem to have happened. Both the girls like to help me where they can, although it is difficult for them to do much at the moment. I think that will change as Erin gets older and a bit more interactive. She cries such a lot at the moment that it can be a bit disconcerting (even for us adults). Sometimes Bethan and Kate just don't know what to make of it all!!

How have you been managing since Neil went back to work? Even 3rd time around I felt very apprehensive when Antony returned to work this week. It is a bit daunting being left on your own with a tiny baby! I am sure that you will have been coping fantastically.

I had better say goodbye for now as I can hear Erin crying(again! She certainly does that a lot!).

Val xx

PS - I noticed that you have added some new photographs on your page - you are much more organised than me! I love the one of you holding Jared next to your face, he looks so cute!

sparklyval - Friday, 24 October
Hi Dawn!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY for tomorrow!! How exciting that your birthday is so close to Jared's!! I have to admit I am feeling a little bit birthday'd out today!! After Erin was born on 11th Oct, then it was Kate's birthday on 14th Oct and today was Bethan's birthday. Tomorrow we have a joint bowling party for the two older girls! Sunday will have to be a rest day!! Have you got anything planned for your birthday?

I can't believe that your little man has already gained over 12ozs! That is amazing! He must be quite a guzzler! Erin seems to feed quite a lot, but she hasn't been weighed since Monday so I have no idea if she has put on any weight. She does look bigger so I am guessing she must have gained a little! She will be weighed on Tuesday next week.

It sounds as though things are going really well for both of you - I am SO pleased as it can be quite hard caring for a newborn, especially first time around. Has your husband had any time off work? Antony has had 2 weeks off but is due to return to work on Wednesday next week. It is half term for us next week so I am a bit daunted by the prospect of having all 3 girls to look after on my own!! I guess we will just muddle along as usual!!

Anyway, have a fantastic birthday...I hope you have a great day! Speak soon, Val x

dawn2820 - Thursday, 23 October
i have wrote a quick new blog if you want to read, thanks guys.

sparklyval - Monday, 20 October
Hi Dawn!
Thanks for your message. Jared sounds extremely chilled out - sleeping well and not getting stressed at all over the heel prick test - that is just great! I bet you are pleased to be getting a fair amount of sleep.

Erin didn't like the heel prick test at all and cried briefly with the needle. She had lost 4ozs at her 5 day weight check, but she was weighed again today and has regained the weight she lost, so is back up to her birth weight 8lbs 5ozs. I am really pleased about that - I will be able to relax a bit more now about how much she is feeding. Like Jared she is going for about 5 hours at night without a feed and I was worried that she wouldn't be getting what she needed. Seems not!

Somewhat surprisingly we seem to have got into a semi-routine. I feed her at about midnight and we go to bed. She then wakes up at about 5am and has a feed and then sleeps until about 9am when she wants her next feed. I am breastfeeding so it doesn't take long to feed her at night, which helps with maximising the amount of sleep I get!! I can't remember if you said if you were breast or bottle feeding? Whichever you are doing, it sounds as though Jared is getting on so well, which is fantastic for your first baby. I remember when I had Bethan I was all over the place for about the first two weeks!!

I completely understand how you must be feeling about your birth with Jared. I can't believe how similar the experience you have had to me when I had Bethan. She was 9lbs 3ozs at birth and I had an epidural and was in labour for what seemed like forever!! But, hey, look at me - it hasn't stopped me having another two babies since!! And, each time my babies have got smaller!! LOL! Kate was only 8lbs 14ozs and Erin the smallest at 8lbs 5ozs. It took me a while to heal physically and emotionally from Bethan's birth, but it does get easier with time. The main thing is not to put too much pressure on yourself to do anything - try not to overdo it and rest when you need to.

I am so happy that Jared is such a good baby for you. It makes everything SO worth it!
Take care, love Val xx

sparklyval - Sunday, 19 October
Hi Dawn!
It sounds as though things are going well. I hope that Jared has continued to be sleepy so that you can catch up a bit. I have read through your birth story - you certainly had a hard time bless you. I hope that you are coping OK following on from it. I think that the birth reflection meeting sound like a good idea. I wish I had been offered something like that after I had had Bethan. Looking back I think I suffered something like post-traumatic stress disorder after she was born. Initially I felt OK but then I found I was more troubled by memories of what had happened. You may find something like the birth reflection meeting helps.

We are all well. The girls are really taken with Erin - she seems to be fitting in to the family so well, although I think Antony is struggling a little bit to adjust to the major change to life! We have been very lucky though and she seems to go for about 4 hours at night between feeds - so I feed her at about midnight and then she sleeps until about 4-5am which is really good for only 1 week old!

I hope that you are all getting on well. Big hugs to you and little Jared - he is adorable!
Val x

valena - Friday, 17 October
 I love how newborns hold their arms out when they sleep and when they suck in their lower lip! He is so cute!

sparklyval - Friday, 17 October
 Wow! He is just gorgeous - and what lovely dark hair. He is adorable and you must be over the moon. Well done and big congratulations! Val xx

sarahlouise87 - Friday, 17 October
 he is absoluty lovely well done :o)

sarahlouise87 - Friday, 17 October
 awwwww gorgeous

valena - Thursday, 16 October
wow, he was a big boy! Congratulations, and I agree with sparklyval...the name is great, very distinguished. Hope you're both doing well! :)

sparklyval - Wednesday, 15 October
Hi Dawni, thank you so much for writing so quickly after having Jared. I just love his name - it sounds so distinguished. I see from your notes that you had an assisted delivery. I hope that you are not feeling too sore afterwards. I had a ventouse delivery with Bethan and was pretty uncomfortable for a few days after. It does get better though!! WELL DONE you!! I bet you are thrilled. I can't wait to see his picture.
We are all getting on well here. A bit tired of course, but doing OK!
Will write again soon. Love Val xx

dawn2820 - Tuesday, 14 October
congratulations on the birth of jared hope all went well 4 you cant wait 2c the pic's x x x

dawn2820 - Tuesday, 14 October
Yes chick i gathered lol, so are you being induced tomorrow, you seem to be well overdue. Hope your BP isnt too much of a concern chick.

o it could be about to happen for you, i hope your as excited as me for you lmao.

My princess has a cold she really snuffly, i have booked her a wacky warehouse party as when i worked out the costs for a house party along with the mess it would bring decided against it lol.

let me know when your little man is here xxx

sparklyval - Sunday, 12 October
Hiya! Just read your blog entry - it is just too bad that they keep messing you around. I felt sure that they would have induced you this weekend with you having had high blood pressure. I am not convinced that the sweeps that they do actually get things going unless you are ready, so I don't know why they keep making you have them. Breaking your waters would be a more sure way of getting you started, although it doesn't always bring on contractions.

I know it isn't what you want to hear, but if you can avoid being induced it might make things much better for you. I was induced when I had Bethan and ended up with an epidural and a ventouse assisted delivery. The recovery from it wasn't fantastic and the whole labour was very long.

I am totally with you on how you must be feeling. The last part of pregnancy is SO tough. I wish I could do something to help - I am thinking of you!! I am SURE that you won't have to wait much longer now. All the best, love Val x

sparklyval - Friday, 10 October
Hi Dawni!
Thanks very much for your messages. It sounds as though you will be getting to meet your baby very soon and more than likely before your parents have to return home, which is fantastic! I will be thinking of you and hope that everything goes well over the weekend. I can't wait to hear the news. Let me know how you get on, all the best Val xx

dawn2820 - Friday, 10 October
i bet you are huni i think i would be literally pulling my hair out, i bet your excited tho that it could be any time now!

sparklyval - Thursday, 9 October
Hello again! Just a quick update - I saw my midwife earlier today and she offered me a sweep, which I decided to decline. I am on the mend from this cold, but not really feeling back to normal and as my due date was only yesterday I don't feel there is any great rush to get things going. I am hoping that if the baby can stay put for a few more days I will be a lot better when she is born! She has booked me in for one week's time to have a sweep if nothing has happened before.

Everything was very good though - my blood pressure is nice and low, nothing unusual with my sample and the baby is still in a good position (spine to my left). She said she could only really feel the back of her neck - and said that the baby is now 4/5 engaged, which is a good starting point for labour. However, I am now measuring 43cms which isn't quite as good as it means I am on track for another big baby. The midwife was fairly confident that it would be around 9lbs or so! Just hoping not too much bigger - EEK!

Sorry to hear that you are still struggling with mastitis - that is just too bad! I really hope that it clears up before your baby comes. The mats are a good idea. I put one on the bed a couple of weeks ago just in case. Last time I was pregnant my waters broke at 4am in bed. It wasn't really a big gush, more a small amount of liquid, but it helped to have a mat on the bed. If you lose all of the water it can amount to quite a bit so you are very wise!!

I am actually feeling so much more chilled out about things since seeing the midwife. It is reassuring to have been checked and to know that all seems OK. I just know that the baby will come when she is ready. At the very worst I have to wait until about 18th October to be induced, which is hardly any time in the grand scheme of things!!

So, how are things with you? Are you holding out OK? It is a shame we don't live a bit nearer as we could meet up and pass some time together! The days can seem quite long sometimes. I hope you are not finding it too hard going.

Speak to you soon, love Val x

dawn2820 - Thursday, 9 October
ur still waiting omg hun hope its soon. Are you ok?

sparklyval - Wednesday, 8 October
Hello! I take it you managed to get around Babies R Us without your waters breaking!!?

Well, today is my due date and there is no sign of the baby coming at all. Strangely I feel much more OK about it now that I have reached my due date than I did before...I seemed to have been counting down the days before today, and now it just seems a bit irrelevant. The baby will come when she is ready (the weekend would be nice though LOL!!)

I am feeling a bit better - the cold symptoms are not as bad as they were and I managed to sleep better last night. However, I am not sure that I have the physical strength for labour at the moment, so perhaps a few more days would be better for me anyway!

My baby is still very active even now - I thought they were supposed to run out of space, but apparently not in this case. Last night she was wriggling about like mad. Perhaps she is confused about how to get out! LOL!! I am trying not to wish the time away too much as this is the last time I will be pregnant and I just know that as soon as the baby is here I will miss having her inside of me!! It is a bitter sweet irony!

I have got an appt with the midwife tomorrow so it will be interesting to see what she says. My baby is so low down now she is almost around my knees!!

Take care Val x

sparklyval - Monday, 6 October
Hiya! Thanks for your message.

I am pleased to hear that you managed to get out as planned on Sunday. Sorry that it hasn't put you into labour, but at least it sounds as though you enjoyed yourself?!

I have decided to put labour to the back of my mind and have concentrated instead on keeping busy. I have had two really busy days and the time does seem to have passed much more quickly as a result. I gave birth to my youngest daughter a day before her due date which would be the equivalent of having this baby tomorrow. Instead of a baby I seem to be getting a cold....its my own fault....that will teach me for doing too much over the last two days!! LOL!

I will keep you updated if there are any developments! I hope that the search and rescue does the trick today for you?!!
I think I may be scheduled for one of those on Thursday - I have never had one before, are they horrible?

Best wishes, Val

sparklyval - Monday, 6 October
Hi! I was just wondering if you had managed to get out today as you planned!? Or, maybe today you will have had your baby and the waiting will be over!? I have got quite a lot planned for tomorrow - knowing the way things go, I bet the baby will decide that tomorrow is the day she wants to appear!
We have had a nice weekend. I have been keeping deliberately busy so that it distracts me from thinking about time passing! I have a feeling I will be saying the same a week from now!
I hope you are well and if your baby hasn't arrived yet good luck when you see your doctor tomorrow.
Speak to you soon, Val x

dawn2820 - Sunday, 5 October
ooooooooo i thought that was it as well, your due date fast approaching, how u feeling now? my baby is one in 20 days!
xxx

dawn2820 - Saturday, 4 October
10 hours since you have been on - could you be in labour? i hope so please let me know everything went ok, cant wait to see the pics xx GOOD LUCK xx

sparklyval - Friday, 3 October
Hi Dawni!!

I take it that the sweep hasn't set you off into labour then? I can understand the impatience to meet your little bundle....I hope that it won't be too many more days for you.

Up until today I had been wishing that I would go into labour sooner rather than later. However, my mother-in-law isn't very well and she was supposed to be looking after the girls when I go in to hospital. We haven't yet got a contingency plan for what to do with the children, so I am hoping that the baby will now hang on for a bit longer until we can either make some other plans or my MIL gets better. Also, my husband has an important meeting at work tomorrow afternoon and again on Tuesday morning.... well, if only we could book a delivery date with the baby - wouldn't that make things easier!!!!

Things will be a little bit easier for us from next Monday as my youngest daughter will be at school full time. This means that both the girls will be out between 9am-3.30pm. At least if my MIL is still poorly we won't have to make too many daytime arrangements. I am going to try to speak to a couple of friends tomorrow to see how they are fixed over the weekend (just in case!)

The evening at the cinema was really good - very relaxing! I am sure it won't be too long before you can manage a trip to the cinema too! I picked up a leaflet at the cinema (Odeon) about something called 'newbies' - they do special film screenings once a week for mothers and babies! The idea is that you can take your baby to the cinema and watch a film. They have the sound a little quieter and the lights a bit lower, and nobody complains if the baby makes a noise!! It sounds like a great idea to me, so I may have to try it out at some point!

Anyway, keep me posted on any developments. I hope labour arrives soon for you (but not too soon for me - LOL!!)
Val

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