Phew....

I'm almost afraid to hope but the faces that greeted me last night at the hospital were very different to the ones we have seen all week.  M was up and dressed and had bathed and washed her hair earlier in the day.  She was sat on her bed grinning from ear to ear  :-)  Many many Dr's had paid her a visit during the day and each and every one was thrilled with her progress.  By this morning she will have been off the tablets to stop her fitting for 48 hours with no problems and they are hoping to let them all go home tomorrow [Saturday].  The B that had looked exhausted with all the stress and worry of it all was also looking a different man.  I am so very proud of him and how he has coped with it all.  He took control of the babies while M was so very poorly and is so hands on and confident.

M says she feels like royalty because she is having visits from every member of the team that has looked after her from the top Consultants and the Hospital Manager to the Junior doctors and the lovely cleaners and every Midwife, Neurologist, Registrar etc etc in between.  What a wonderful team they are up at Shrewsbury Hospital.  We owe them so much and can only sing their praises.  Because M is such a unique case she has now become the case study of several students so is pretty special to the Drs as well as us.  :-)

Please may this situation continue to improve from now on.  Thanks again to one and all for your wonderful support.  I feel so very blessed to have you all as friends.

Hugs,

Annie x

A message for you all.....

We visited M last night and I'm pleased to say she was looking much better.  She is able to get up and about now and do rather more normal things.  B is able to stay with her day and night to help with the babies and he is doing an amazing job.....he really is a natural and handles the tiny babes with such confidence.  M was a bit tearful but that is very normal as I'm sure most of you will remember [and normal is good  :-) ].  She sends her love to you all.  

I was sent this from a friend in an email and felt I should share it with all of you wonderful blogging friends out there that has carried us through such a difficult time.

Every single evening 
As I'm lying here in bed, 
This tiny little Prayer 
Keeps running through my head:


God  bless all my family 
Wherever they may be, 
Keep them warm 
And safe from harm 
For they're so close to me..


And  God, there is one more thing 
I wish that you could do; 
Hope you don't mind me asking, 
Please bless my computer too.


Now I know that it's unusual 
To Bless a motherboard, 
But listen just a second 
While I explain it to you, Lord.


You see, that little metal box 
Holds more than odds and ends; 
Inside those small compartments 
Rest so many of my friends.


I know so much about them 
By  the kindness that they give, 
And this little scrap of metal 
Takes me in to where they live.


By faith is how I know them 
Much the same as you. 
We share in what life brings us 
And from that our friendships grew..


Please take an extra minute 
From your duties up above, 
To bless those in my address book 
That's filled with so much love.


Wherever else this prayer may reach 
To each and every friend, 
Bless each e-mail inbox 
And each person who hits 'send'.


When you update your Heavenly list 
On your own Great CD-ROM, 
Bless everyone who says this prayer 
Sent up to GOD.Com
Amen

WOYWW....

I'm determined to keep life 'normal'....well as normal as it is ever here  :-)

Firstly a quick update for all my wonderful blogging friends that have kept me going through the worst week of my life....and yes Donna the rock does crumble at times but with all the wonderful support I have I know there will be better times ahead so we just have to 'do what needs doing at the time' and 'hang in there'.  

When we called to see M last night she was still on the labour ward where they could keep a close eye on her because she had become very light sensitive and had another headache but things seemed to be settling down again and they were planning to move her back out onto the main maternity ward later....I've not heard from them this morning as yet.  They have told her that there has not been another known case like hers in the whole of the country and the only written cases they can find are American so although I have always said she was one in a million it seems now the percentage is actually much higher!  :-)

We took a 'put you up' bed in with us last night so B could be a little more comfy as the one they gave him was awful and of course he needs his sleep too......If you haven't seen the pics then scroll down for your awwwww moment.

Now as to what is on my desk today.....

This is a play mat I am making for the new babes to use while they are here at Nanny's.  I've quilted it and added little ribbon loops to attach toys to....now all I need to do is add a few more toys  :-)

These are two wonderful kits to make a Noah's Ark and an ABC Play Bag that my very special friend Jo from Jozarty sent me to make for the twinnies.  They are going to be really colourful and so much fun to make but I need to feel a little more creative first.

Thank you sooooo much Jo. x

Well folks that all from me today.....bet a few of you are surprised I'm here at all  :-)  It will take a little more time yet til I feel 'normal' [as if I ever was!] but we will get there.  Huge hugs to all that have left me comments and for those that have been praying for us...it really is working so please keep up the good work.

Hugs,

Annie x

It's been so long since I was here....

Where do I start?

Firstly I must say a huge thank you to one and all and of course the biggest thanks must go to Jo for keeping you updated while I was on the biggest roller coaster of my life.  What a week it has been....everything from total euphoria to terror and fear and no knowing what would be round the next corner at any minute.  I still feel a little shaky so please forgive me if I keep this short.

I just wanted to share a few collages of pictures I have taken to allow M to be in touch with her babies while she recovered.  Last night as most of you will know M was transferred back to a special quiet room in the Maternity hospital.  They are still monitoring her blood pressure closely as she is still on many oral medications to maintain her condition but it means she can have her wonderful fiance and two very special little people in the room with her.  They have put a bed for B in M's room so he can stay day and night and help M feed and change the babies and finally become the family that should have been a week ago.

And finally these are the latest set.  The two on the left are of M being back on Maternity and being able to have special times with her two babies so are really special ones for me.  Yes she still looks poorly but believe me when I say she looks soooooooo much better than she did.

 

Latest update is.....M has just rang me to say they are stopping the drug that they gave her for the fits today and moving her to the GP unit end of Maternity [where pretty normal things go on  :-) ].  She is being given a large side room with a bathroom by the nurses station so the midwives can keep a close eye on her but life can start to get more normal for them.  She will probably be in another week for her body to recover but who cares....it's just so good that we can now all look forward with a little more confidence to hope for better things to come. 

Once again....thank you all for the love, prayers and positive vibes that have got us all through this really awful time.

Thanks to all...

Just a quick update.  M is now breathing on her own but will be on intensive care ward til they can stabilise her blood pressure properly.

I'm certain all your positive thought have helped a lot....they have def helped me...so thanks a million to you all.

The two little darlings are totally oblivious to it all and are feeding well and doing all they should....and of course getting lots and lots of love and attention from one and all.

Thanks again.

Hugs,

Annie x

Needing lots of positives and prayers please...

M's pre-eclampsia didn't settle down with the birth of her beautiful babies and she is now in ICU following a massive fit.  On my way back to the hospital now so please keep an eye on Jo's blog for news.  Please keep her in your thoughts.

Love and hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW...

It's Wednesday again and I know you would all like to know what's on my work desk....hehehe  as if?

Today I am not going to show you and I know I will be forgiven cos I have something this week that I know you will want to see much more.  Without saying more I am going to just leave you with a few pics.  They speak for themselves and if you want to know the details they are in the post below  :-)

Come everybody...say awwwwwwww  :-)

Thanks for calling by and all being so patient playing the waiting game with us.  Hugs to you all.

The news you've all been waiting for.....

Michelle and Brent would like me to let you all know that they are the very proud parents to two beautiful babies.  Lexi Sophia was born at 2.02 am weighing 4 lb and her much bigger brother Sam Jacob was born at 2 23am weighing 5lb 13oz.  They were delivered normally with just a little suction.  Mum and Dad are on cloud nine [and so are Nanny and Granddad].  Lexi is in an incubator but just to keep her warm and neither are needing oxygen so good news all round.

I will post photos as soon as I can  :-)

Another night in hospital....

M's feet have been swelling [one of the signs of pre-eclampsia] and last week during one of her many hospital visits they told her to carefully monitor any headaches so last night when she had the first signs of a migraine coming on she contacted the hospital.....again.  Bless her, I think she has now slept in most of their ward beds and has become a bit of a celebrity up there.  On admission her blood pressure was raised and she had +++ of protein in her wee again so they had to keep her in on bed rest.  I'm guessing they will make more decisions on the morning Dr's round but as she is 37 weeks tomorrow I'm really hoping they can start to make decisions on when these little darlings can come out to play.

In the pink...

I've had a day of finishing off clearing my 'to do' rail full of sewing and then I moved on to making a few more little dresses.  As you can see I've been in the pink all day.

These are numbers 77 and 78 and were both made with pretty pink pillow cases one of my customers gave me. I have prettied them up with trimmings off other fabric and ribbons.

Numbers 79 and 80 were made with yet more of that gorgeous pink sheeting Di sent us.  I really love this material and can just imagine little African girls loving it too.

My latest knittie and a night out...

Just a quick post today to show you my latest knittie......it's what you do while you are playing the waiting game  :-)  It is knitted in Merry Go Round by Stylecraft and you know how fussy I am.....I had to undo half a ball of wool to match the pattern on both sleeves  :-)  It was well worth the effort though cos the stripe was of varying widths and the sleeves just wouldn't have looked right different.  I've now started my next little knittie for a baby girl in Crofter baby Fair Isle effect wool and am really loving the fun way the pattern emerges....you will see that another day.  I seem to be knitting every time M tells me she has started contractions and I've never seen my needles go so fast.  :-)

Last night Twiglet came with my darling hubby and I to the Theatre Severn  in Shrewsbury to see The Bohemians and The ACM Gospel Choir from the Last Choir Standing in Queen Rocks Gospel.
It was a really fun night with great music and by the end everyone was up on their feet waving their hands and singing very loudly [well, nearly everyone....I think some had gone thinking it was just a gospel choir evening].  We all love our live entertainment and try to go the the theatre as often as we can ....we have another treat there in just two weeks  :-)

Just a quick snap to show you all that she is still going strong.  36 1/2 weeks now so M has done a brilliant job of growing the twinnies.  She is still getting strong contractions every day/night and the little girl's head is engaged now so she really shouldn't be long .....well, we all hope she isn't for her sake.  When you're not much more than 5 foot tall you don't have much room for two 6lb plus babies!

Getting steamy and sewing while I wait...

I know lots of you like to see the posh frocks I have here and yesterday I had to steam a really pretty Wedding dress so thought I'd sneak you a pic.  What a lot of material to steam....things certainly got pretty warm in here but isn't it stunning?

Here is the latest couple of dresses I've made this morning.  Numbers 75 and 76 for me.  They are made with more of the gorgeous sweet pea quilt cover one of my customers gave me.  You will have prob seen more little dresses made out of this over on Twiglet's blog....we share everything.  :-)  These are so pretty.

The Nanny waiting game is still ongoing.  M was contracting again last night and got them down to every 4 minutes and lasting 80 secs but yet again they fizzled out and she managed to go back to sleep.  One day???  She is on her way out here as I type to have lunch with us ....I am really loving our special times together while we wait.

WOYWW...

Phew. Another week has passed and it's been so hectic here.  Poor M has been in and out of hospital more times than we can remember....each time her contractions have been a little stronger and more regular but they still manage to ease off and she ends up being allowed home with her ever growing baby bump.  One day she just might come out with two little babies  :-)

Last night we had our other daughter A here with her two little treasures and her ever growing baby bump.  Bless her she is almost as big as her sister now and is only carrying one baby! [and you know me, I just had to snap a quick pic] I have a feeling he will be an 8lb plus little boy  :-) ...she has just 4 weeks left now.

Here is a quick snap of A's two little treasures.  They are such gorgeous girls and are both real little entertainers.  We had a very special evening.

So?  I hear you ask.  What is on my work desk today?

More b****** curtains.  I have to cut off the 3" tape off the top and replace it so it's pretty straight forward.....just a lot of material to handle so not one of my fav jobs.  I've had a pretty busy week with my sewing business and juggling being an expectant Nanny and the disturbed nights that goes with it so have made very few little African dresses.  Twiglet is making enough for both of us at the mo though as you will have seen over on her blog.  

This is one little dress that I have managed to make though.  It's made with some of the fabric given to me by one of my customers and I've added some machine embroidery and a little bow to the pocket.  Cute eh?

Well folks that's about all from me today.  I need to get my head down and get my sewing done before I'm called upon for Nanny duties again.  Please keep your fingers crossed for M that her twinnies arrive soon and I promise you will will post pics as soon as they come out to play.  Thanks to you all for your lovely comments.

It's exhausting being an expectant Nanny...

M had to go back to hospital tea time yesterday with yet more really strong and very painful contractions.  Midwife assessed her and said she felt we would have 2 new family members within a day or two.  Bless her she has contracted all night but they are now less regular again and she only managed to nap a little in between.  I am really hoping that the Dr will assess her this morning and maybe give her a little help to establish her labour.  I don't know about her but I'm exhausted....anyone got a couple of match sticks they can loan me to prop my eyes open so I can see to sew today?

  Do you think if we all concentrated really hard that we could wish these babies out for her? 

A message from my Lady in waiting....

Hello! Thanks mum for that awful photo of me! Yessssssssssss I have been let out...........for now anyway! Latest update: Doctor now concerned about pre-eclampsia as I have protein in wee and my blood pressure is rising slightly. Got to keep a close eye on things and get straight back into hospital if anymore symptoms show up. One day I might just leave the ward with twins in tow....................one day! hehe! Thanks for all your lovely comments and well wishes. I'm sure mum will keep updating you and putting photos of me in the SAME outfit!!! I do wash it I promise but refuse to buy anymore expensive maternity clothes as I hope to shrink back down to a size 10!  hahahahahahaha I can hope!!! xxxx

Last bit of summer and another night in hospital...

I wanted to capture the last bit of summer so here is a quick collage of the last bits of colour around our garden that I snapped yesterday.  The hollyhocks have been really beautiful this year and the little bees were still enjoying the last few summer blooms.

For those awaiting updates on M....she was admitted to hospital again last night in a lot of pain but was found to still be only 1cm dilated so they put her to sleep again with pethidine.  They have found lots of protein in her wee now and have done blood tests for pre-eclampsia....we should know more later.  Oh to be a mum eh?  Such an anxious time and more so cos I know too much, being a midwife.  Let's hope those little twinnies decide to come out to play very soon.

Latest news...

M has just text me to say the Dr has done his round and he is not concerned about the protein in her wee cos the blood results have come back clear.  That's brilliant news but bless her yet again they are sending her home once the pethidine has worn off.  Have a feeling she is getting a little fed up of having all the pain and getting nowhere fast.

A change of mind....
Oh no she isn't!! It's now 7 o'clock and they have decided to keep her in over night again to monitor her contractions!! she is totally fed up and bored.  Keep everything crossed girls please.

The latest update.....

I know M has so many expectant 'aunties' out there watching and waiting for developments.  She reads my blog and would like to say a huge thank you to all for your lovely comments of care and concern.

Yesterday morning she had an appointment with her consultant.  Having had one with her midwife the day before that left her disappointed she was hoping for better attention. [she had told her midwife how uncomfortable she was and how she was unable to eat or sleep etc and her midwife had written in her notes...Looks well, feels fine!!].  Her consultant was a different matter all together and after her appointment she rang me and sounded a totally different girl.

She was scanned and the babies now weigh 5lb and 5lb 8oz.  The little girl's head is now well engaged and the little boy's head is also very low down [I think he is trying to overtake his sister :-) ].  The consultant has booked her in for her delivery at 8.30 on 27th September and said he wouldn't need to see her in clinic next week but that he felt he would be seeing her in in labour before her induction date!!!   He also said that they would very probably now not need neonatal beds when delivered.  She was of course very excited and much more able to cope with all the discomfort.

Here she is in the afternoon with my son's girlfriend G playing with designs for her wedding stationery for next year.  She can just about get close enough to the table to craft. :-) :-)  Blue is the colour.  She likes the vellum affect if only we can get it to stick without seeing the glue through it [thanks Di for all your help and advise...and for the chat on the phone  :-) :-) :-) ].

Here are some of the designs they came up with.  Not sure what she will decide on but I will say it was wonderful distraction therapy and it was so lovely to watch the two of them chatting and giggling and getting excited at all their future events.

Just so you don't think I was just sat idly watching here is the little dress I made while my girls were here.  This is number 73 and is made with some more of the lovely fabric Sue sent us.  Thanks Sue.

And here is the latest little waistcoat I've knitted for A's little boy.  Cute or what?  It's to fit a newborn and I can just imagine him in a little shirt and his jeans with his waiscoat on...We all have so much here to look forward to. :-) :-) :-)

69, 70, 71 and 72

Just in case you think I have been slacking lately I thought I'd best show you the latest 4 little dresses I've made for the little African girls.  I've been pretty manic with my sewing business lately and spare time has been minimal but I like to run up a little dress in what ever free time I've got.....think I'm using them as distraction therapy while we play the waiting game with these babies.

Number 69 was made with a pillow case Suz gave me and I've added some of the lovely ribbon that Adrian from Cari Crafts sent us.

Number 70 was made with some of the pretty material Julie sent us.  I've trimmed it up with a pretty pink pocket with an appliqued flower on the front to match.

Numbers 71 and 72 were made with pillow cases one of my customers gave me.  Aren't they a lovely sunny yellow on this dull damp day?....just what we all need.







Our last parcel of 49 dresses has now arrived with Louise in Bristol and she has blogged them for us.  If you would like to check them out then please pop over to Louise and leave her a comment.

WOYWW...

It's been a week of restless nights and lots of work for me.  My 'to do' rail is still full and as yet I've only managed one little African girl's dress this week.  Most night's M starts contracting after tea and has got them down to every 3 minutes before yet again they ease off and she manages a restless night's sleep.  This means the rest of us as you can imagine are waiting for a phone call 24/7.  These little twinnies really are playing games with us all aren't they?

So? What is on my desk today?

My 'to do' rail has....

• 5 dresses, all needing altering
• 1 pair jeans needing shortening
• a really nice pair white trousers that need shortening [or was it the owner of the trousers that was really nice?  :-) ]
• a top that needs repairs

Looks like another busy day for me doesn't it?

My box that I keep the cut out little dresses is now full to overflowing.  Twiglet and I keep cutting out dresses from all the lovely material we've got to play with and bagging them up into dress packs.....then she has taken lots of them home with her cos just lately she has been the only one with any spare time to make them.  I am desperate to delve into my box full to run a few up but something always seems to get in the way.  No rush....they will get made and little African girls will always need dresses wont they?

This is the only little dress I've managed to make this week.  It's number 68 for me and I've made it with a lovely yellow pillow case Elizabeth send me.  I've prettied it up with some of the lovely material Sarah bought for us from Holland.  I'm sure this will make one very lucky little girl smile.

I snapped this pic on Saturday and thought you'd like to see that even Boots is setting up their offers just for us....buy 2 packs of nappies get 1 free......just perfect for Grandparents expecting 3 new grandchildren within the next 5 weeks eh?

M will defiantly be having the twinnies within the next 3 weeks cos they are inducing her at 38 weeks and A should have her little boy in about 5 weeks.....ooer it makes me all excited just thinking about it  :-)  I can't wait.

My last pic is one of our yummy fresh tomatoes just picked....red ones, green ones and orange ones....all warm and sweet and tasting like nothing you buy in the shops......Please help yourself and enjoy one with your lunch today.

Thanks for dropping in.  Please leave me a message before you pop over to visit Julia and all the other WOYWWers.  Have a great week.

Tilly Tea Dance...

Today my post is to let you all know about my really talented niece M [note this is not my very pregnant daughter M....same initial different name  :-) ].  She opened up an Etsy shop a little while ago and is slowly filling it with really amazing creations.  Some of you will have seen it over on Twiglet's blog but for those that as yet haven't checked it out it is well worth a visit.  Here are a few of the wonderful things you will find over there so please pop over to check out the rest.....such lovely items that will make really special gifts, that is if you can manage to part with them.  :-)

This is M's latest little pic which she has finished and framed, ready for her Etsy shop.  She used some vintage linen as a background and collaged little snippets of fabric, free machined in place, to embellish these little Baboushkas.  I think the pale ash coloured frame sets it of nicely and wouldn't it look good on a nursery wall??

 

 

 One of M's mounted and framed lighthouse collages.  It's a sweet little picture worked on a piece of vintage cloth using tiny snippets of fabric and lace all free machined in place to add detail.  It is mounted on blue linen and then set in an ivory mount within a satin silver-look 8" frame.

 

Original free machine embroidered textile collage depicting Cottage Doorway scene.  Created using a mixture of repurposed fabrics.  Beautifully mounted ready to frame.  Would be a perfect home accessory or special gift.  She is really happy to recreate a favourite doorway so don't be afraid to ask.

This is one of her gorgeous handcrafted buttoned heart cushions.  Perfect as a wedding gift or as a finishing touch for your home to enhance any piece of furniture.  Created in grey/silver chenille fabric with a heart motif containing a feast of vintage and recycled buttons in mother of pearl, glass and other materials.

Please click on the link on the right to pop over to her shop and make sure you save it in your favourites so you can check it out if you need that unique gift for a very special friend.

Another restless night.......

ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz  Yes that's me.  Another restless night waiting for a phone call.  M was contracting every 4 min last night and when she rang the hospital the midwife told her to go to bed at home and to ring again if she couldn't sleep!

She was still having contractions every 4 min til about 2.30 but then turned over and went to sleep.....think she is hoping to sleep through her labour and is doing it in installments.  :-)  [can't say I blame her].  So no babies as yet.

Watch this space as they say. x

Tumbling while we wait...

As some of you will know from time to time I get orders for a look-a-like Mr Tumble rag doll and all day today I have been head down making this latest one. [in between pacing the floor and taking phone calls  :-) ]

I like to pop them on my blog so the buyer can approve him before paying so thought you'd all like to have a peep too.  It's been wonderful distraction therapy for an anxious expectant Nanny  :-)  The only thing he needs now is red buttons on his top but I am waiting to know the age of the child he is for because if they are under 3years I usually make them out of felt rather than putting proper buttons on for safety.

For those following twinnie progress....M has been allowed home because the contractions have eased now but with strict instructions to go straight back if any further developments later...they only live very close to the hospital so I'm sure she will rest best at home while they wait  :-)

The latest delivery....and it's not babies.....yet

I know, I know we all want news of the safe delivery of these twinnies but as yet it's still a waiting game.  M is still niggling in early labour but there is no further news for me to share yet.  There are still no neonatal beds available in Shrewsbury for the babies so there is no rush.  I will let you know when there is more news

My delivery that I wanted to share with you is one that Suz from Suz Place blog has just brought to my door.....6 more pillowcases to make little dresses out of.  She dropped them off on her way for a few days away.  It was really lovely to see her even if it was only a quickie and I really hope they both have a well earned few days break after all they have been going through with the flood damage in their house lately.  Thanks a lot Suz.

Another donation and the latest pic...

Yesterday afternoon I was given another 3 pillowcases by one of my customers to make 3 more little dresses with.  My customer was apologetic that she couldn't find more but as I said to her that will be three more little girls with smiles on their faces and every one is greatly appreciated.  I really love the one with sunflowers on too.

Also I'm sharing the pic I took of M while she was here for lunch yesterday.....every picture tells a story as they say  :-)  She is pleased to have reached 1st September cos the twins will now be counted in the next school year....can you tell she is a teacher?  :-)

Surely she can't go much longer?

 We had a house full of love here last night.  We had all our family here together probably for the last time before the twins arrive so of course Mum just had to insist that we had a bookend pic for one last time.  It amazed everyone that A can still suck her tummy in and her bump almost dissapears....not so with M.

For those watching developments....M went straight to the hospital from here last night.  I could tell she was pretty uncomfortable so I insisted....thankfully.  She was found to be 1cm dilated but still only 34 1/2 weeks so they gave her some pethadine and hoped things would settle down....and so do I cos when they got to the hospital they told them that if she went on to deliver they would have to transfer them to another hospital because they didn't have neonatal beds available for the babies!  She has just text to say things settled down a little through the night but she is still getting contactions this morning so I guess we will know more when the Drs do their rounds.  Keep everything crossed girls. x