All ready to go home....

For those that missed my post of last night.  Here is little Steve all ready to go home from hospital today.....he looks like he has been here before doesn't he?   It sounds like Amy has had a really good first night with him and our latest addition to the family is feeding and doing all he should.....I changed his big sister's first dirty nappies when they were born and Amy asked if I would like to pop in to change Steve's  :-)  When I declined she asked me if I would like a photo?  :-)....you will be pleased to hear I declined that too hehehe

Yahoo more great news to share...

Amy and Dave would like me to share with you all their great news. Stephen David was born at 4.52 this afternoon weighing in at 8lb 10oz.  Amy text me at 3.50 to say she was on her way to hospital having contractions every 3 mins.  Next text said....'My waters have just gone in the car and we are still 10 mins from the hospital!'.  Thankfully she managed to safely reach the hospital but was only on the ward 22mins before our gorgeous little grandson arrived!  Both are doing really well [and doesn't she look amazing?].....he looks enormous up against his little twinnie cousins  :-)

WOYWW.....

I'm a bit late today but I have a really good excuse.  I normally type up my Wednesday post on Tuesday night and put it to launch automatically so I can start my day's sewing first thing on a Wednesday morning but last night I had some rather special visitors that filled my house with love.  The two new additions to our family came to visit with their mummy and daddy and so did their big cousins with their mummy [still playing the waiting game for number 3 to arrive...it won't be long now] and to join in the fun their Uncle M and Auntie G came too.  The first fun gathering of the clan with all our children and grandchildren and very probably the only one while we only have 4 grandchildren cos little Steve will be coming out to play very soon.  :-)

How much love can you fit on one settee? It's only a 3 seater but I can count 8 on there if I can count the one tucked up inside his mummy  :-)

Big cousins enjoying a cuddle with their baby cousins.  :-)

Here is one very organised new daddy showing us how to transport twins.  :-)

The health visitor is really pleased with the twinnies cos little Lexi has gone from 4lb to 5 lb and her big brother Sam has gone from 5lb 13oz to 6lb 8oz.  What a great job M and B are doing.  

 On my desk today you can see the two boxes full of little African dresses all cut out ready to make....and this is just some of them cos Twiglet has lots more cut out and ready up at her house......looks like I have a bit of catching up to do with my dress making doesn't it?

Sitting watching me is the last Mr Tumble doll that I was asked to make.  Yes he is still here....because the lady that ordered him just never emailed me back! Why would anyone order something and then just disappear?

So if you know any little person who would like to own a Mr Tumble dolly then please email me for details....he will have red buttons when finished but these will be made of felt if the child it is wanted for is under 3 years old for safety reasons.

Well folks thats all from me for today....I have sewing waiting for me and the postman should bring me more gorgeous wool today to knit some chunky cardies with so I had better get moving  :-)  Thanks for dropping in.  Hope you all have a great week.

Hugs,

Annie x

Another 64 reached Louise and what Nannies do...

Louise is the lady who is our UK organiser for the dress a girl around the world appeal and she has just posted our last parcel of little dresses on her blog.  Please pop over to check them out if you are one of the very kind people who donated fabric to us to make the dresses with.  You will see that we have put it to good use  :-) Louise has also given me the heads up with my little bears.  She very kindly bought 7 of them for her family after seeing my bags full on my last post.

I would also like to show you what to do if one of your new grandchildren arrived rather smaller than expected.  Little Lexi was supposed to be over 5lb on the scan her mummy had 2 weeks before she was born but surprised us all by being only 4lb and nearly 2lb smaller than her big brother.  M has struggled in finding clothes to fit her so Nanny Annie has been knitting.

This is the first that you saw in the making on Wednesday's blog. These little cardies only take a couple of days to make and make lovely little body warmers.

And these are two more I've made since.  What makes them even more special is yesterday I popped into Tesco's [one of the very few places you can buy tiny baby clothes] and managed to grab some real bargains.  They had a rail full of half price baby clothes and I managed to get 3 tiny little outfits that will not only fit her but match the little knitties to perfection  :-)  Of course I couldn't miss out little Sam and just had to treat him too.  :-) .....isn't that what being a Grandma is all about?  :-)  

Of course we then just had to call in to see them on our way past and give them a cuddle too.  You will all be really thrilled to hear M is now looking and feeling much better and those gorgeous twinnies are just adorable.

Also don't forget that baby number 3 for my youngest daughter A is due this week too so more excitement is yet to come  :-)

She's home....

Just a quick update for those that have been, like me, waiting for this moment.  M was given the all clear and was allowed home with the twinnies on Saturday.  It's just so lovely to see the little family learning to get into their routine.  It's been a really eventful couple of weeks but it was all worth it for this moment.

I just want to wish them so many special happy family times together.

Twiglet will be down later and we may even be tempted to try for a 'Funday Monday'  :-)  ....that is when she has helped me make a huge canopy to cover a barn roof!!!!  I do get all sorts of jobs to tackle.  :-)  Oh, and I've also got a sewing job from a lady who lives in Scotland....postal service too now.  :-)

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.

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.

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.

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? 

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. :-) :-) :-)

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