Hello there!
Ages since I wrote now...thought I would write a little bit now (while Orla is asleep!) as I may not get to it otherwise!
Orla was 6 months old on the 7 December! Time flies! She was 68cm and weighed 7.785 grams or 17.2 "in English" on the 9th. She is doing well, eating 3 meals a day, various combinations that all end up orange or green! She likes her fruit as well. We have got a Tripp Trapp chair so she sits at the table and wears a bib and her new Hello Kitty apron as we seem to get food (and stains!) everywhere! Banana and carrot (anything orange!) is impossible to get off! She still sleeps well at night and pretty good during the day. We have been to our last swimming session (Sean got her surfing on a teddy float on the bubbly bit in the pool! Very cute!) and our last playgroup (with Pippa, Maisie, Karianne and Noah). We have been doing some xmas shopping and I finally did a million cards on Wednesday when our pics turned up...so cards will arrive but probably too late!
We had Sofia, Andreas, Amelie and Ragnar to visit us for "2 Advent". Very lovely! Managed some walking, eating, playing (incl the xbox...) and more. Unfortunately their trip home was ruined when some environmental activists parked themselves at Stanstead so they had to spend many many hours and lots of pounds to get home from Heathrow with Scandinavian. Typical!
Last weekend we saw Helen and Dan and on the Sunday Farmor, Orla and I went to the Christingle service at St John's church up the road. Fi and Archie came too. That was followed by scones and clotted cream at home.
Sean works his last day today in Worthing. I am off for a drink with my EBC IT lot tonight. Didn't make the BL drinks in London on Thursday. Am going up to talk work in January though...will see how that goes!
We are having an early xmas at the Gardiners on Sunday with David and Jo, Jill and Tim and Judi (I think!). That will be nice. Monday night we are seeing the Woolley family (Janet and Joe were hit by a car outside our house on Wednesday! They are fine, the car is not!). Then we fly to Stockholm on Tuesday evening with Lynn and Brian from LHR with SAS.
Xmas eve at Pernilla and Thomas' along with my parents and Pelle and family. On xmas day at 3pm we will have Orla's christening at Skogso chapel! Will be lovely! Orla fits in to Sean's christening dress - perfect! Lynn and Brian stay till Sunday am, we go back to Boras Monday the 29th by train. Then we are having an Orla tea with rellies and friends on the 30th. Celebrating new years with Sofia, Andreas, Elin, Christer, Anna mfl in Gothenburg and we fly back to EB on Friday the 2nd.
Have got a load of new cute pics of our little one that we'll try to load up before we go. She was dressed as a Lucia all day on the 13th, very sweet! Mum had made her a white dress that was perfect.
What else....painting work is still going on so the scaffolding is still up around the house. We have had some cold weather and some mild days as well.
Will stop now before I bore you too much! Will publish this post now...hope my English is making sense!
Take care, have a lovely xmas and a very happy new year!
Love & kram
Stina, Sean and Orla
Friday, 19 December 2008
Saturday, 8 November 2008
Orla 5 months old today!!!
Hi all!
Orla was 5 months old today the 7 November 2008!
Can't believe it....time does fly! She is fine, she was 7450 grams or 16,6 on Thursday so a nice little lump. More hair, the eyes are brown and she is very chatty and smiley!
Still sleeping through the night, have had a few early am's with winter time setting in....and just recently she's had a couple of late evening waking up sessions...hunger mainly we thinks!
She still enjoys her swimming, will be trying a couple of play groups where we can play, sing etc. Have been seeing our neighbours as well as "hospital" friends. Lunching with a few old friends from work in Eastbourne...Michele last week and Terry, Nicky and Hayley next week. Also going up to London on Tuesday to visit the new offices in London Bridge with Ruth and Millie. Will be interesting and good to see a few worker bees. Also having Nora for a visit to Eastbourne.
Xmas will be taking place in Stockholm with Pernilla and Thomas, all my lot, us and Lynn & Brian. We are going to have a mini christening on xmas day for our little one in the cute chapel on a peninsula right by the water. Going down to Boras for new year when we are also having a load of rellies and friends for "Orla afternoon tea". Back to the UK on the 2nd.
We have the Hagberg family to stay early December, will be lovely! And hoping to fit in a few other things. Not doing many xmas presseis, great idea! We only swap one each in my family and have decided to skip them altogether with the Gardiner clan. Will be doing cards though...I do like them! Sending and receiving. Better get my act together!
What else...our house is covered in scaffolding and our windows have been "burned" this week, to get all the old layers of paint off! Smelly but effective. The house should look fab when it's all done as it was in great need!
The weather has been cold, mild, wet, sunny, cloudy, grey and more. Managing to walk along the seafront in most conditions!
Right, better get back to our noisy little thing!
Take care and bye for now...and as always...pics are on their way...!
Love & kram from us
Orla was 5 months old today the 7 November 2008!
Can't believe it....time does fly! She is fine, she was 7450 grams or 16,6 on Thursday so a nice little lump. More hair, the eyes are brown and she is very chatty and smiley!
Still sleeping through the night, have had a few early am's with winter time setting in....and just recently she's had a couple of late evening waking up sessions...hunger mainly we thinks!
She still enjoys her swimming, will be trying a couple of play groups where we can play, sing etc. Have been seeing our neighbours as well as "hospital" friends. Lunching with a few old friends from work in Eastbourne...Michele last week and Terry, Nicky and Hayley next week. Also going up to London on Tuesday to visit the new offices in London Bridge with Ruth and Millie. Will be interesting and good to see a few worker bees. Also having Nora for a visit to Eastbourne.
Xmas will be taking place in Stockholm with Pernilla and Thomas, all my lot, us and Lynn & Brian. We are going to have a mini christening on xmas day for our little one in the cute chapel on a peninsula right by the water. Going down to Boras for new year when we are also having a load of rellies and friends for "Orla afternoon tea". Back to the UK on the 2nd.
We have the Hagberg family to stay early December, will be lovely! And hoping to fit in a few other things. Not doing many xmas presseis, great idea! We only swap one each in my family and have decided to skip them altogether with the Gardiner clan. Will be doing cards though...I do like them! Sending and receiving. Better get my act together!
What else...our house is covered in scaffolding and our windows have been "burned" this week, to get all the old layers of paint off! Smelly but effective. The house should look fab when it's all done as it was in great need!
The weather has been cold, mild, wet, sunny, cloudy, grey and more. Managing to walk along the seafront in most conditions!
Right, better get back to our noisy little thing!
Take care and bye for now...and as always...pics are on their way...!
Love & kram from us
Monday, 27 October 2008
Monday/Mandag
Hi there!
Just a quick note....Been back a week now after our 3 and a bit weeks in Sweden.
Last week was a busy one for the little one, first baby swim session on Monday - she loved it, last baby class on Tuesday - all about weaning and eating - yum!, saw Lindsay, Lucas, Jessica and Scarlett in East Dean on Wednesday - great to catch up, third lot of injections on Thursday - all went well and caught up with Fi and Archie for a walk along the seafront on Friday and more! On Saturday Sean was lifeguarding for a bit at St Bedes for the Beachy Head Marathon. Otherwise we have taken it very easy and not done anything very useful all weekend. The clocks changed over night so had an early'ish start winter time wise with Orla today.
Other big Orla news is that we had potatoe on Saturday night. She looked quite surprised but happy to taste and got it down! Had a bit more last night! Exciting stuff! She was close to 7kg's on Tuesday as well! Will see how much she is on her 5 month birthday which is coming up very soon! She has a bit more hair...and her eyes are looking rather brown!
Haven't made many plans for this week as yet...bit snuffly myself, gotta book flights to Sweden for xmas (going to Pernilla and Thomas' for xmas and we will have her christening on xmas day with the family followed by Orla tea/coffee on 30 December in Boras with the rest of the rellies and friends including all her Swedish god parents)! Going up to London on Friday to see Taz, Debs, Lynn and families, that will be lovely! Am sure we will do a few more things as well.
Painting is due to start on our big house very soon, that will be great! Have a bit more DIY to do indoors too...
Anyway, that's it for now! Gotta go chat to our little girl who is very noisy, at her gym right now!
Kram, love & miss you all!
Stina et al
Just a quick note....Been back a week now after our 3 and a bit weeks in Sweden.
Last week was a busy one for the little one, first baby swim session on Monday - she loved it, last baby class on Tuesday - all about weaning and eating - yum!, saw Lindsay, Lucas, Jessica and Scarlett in East Dean on Wednesday - great to catch up, third lot of injections on Thursday - all went well and caught up with Fi and Archie for a walk along the seafront on Friday and more! On Saturday Sean was lifeguarding for a bit at St Bedes for the Beachy Head Marathon. Otherwise we have taken it very easy and not done anything very useful all weekend. The clocks changed over night so had an early'ish start winter time wise with Orla today.
Other big Orla news is that we had potatoe on Saturday night. She looked quite surprised but happy to taste and got it down! Had a bit more last night! Exciting stuff! She was close to 7kg's on Tuesday as well! Will see how much she is on her 5 month birthday which is coming up very soon! She has a bit more hair...and her eyes are looking rather brown!
Haven't made many plans for this week as yet...bit snuffly myself, gotta book flights to Sweden for xmas (going to Pernilla and Thomas' for xmas and we will have her christening on xmas day with the family followed by Orla tea/coffee on 30 December in Boras with the rest of the rellies and friends including all her Swedish god parents)! Going up to London on Friday to see Taz, Debs, Lynn and families, that will be lovely! Am sure we will do a few more things as well.
Painting is due to start on our big house very soon, that will be great! Have a bit more DIY to do indoors too...
Anyway, that's it for now! Gotta go chat to our little girl who is very noisy, at her gym right now!
Kram, love & miss you all!
Stina et al
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
A grey Wednesday/En grå Onsdag in Borås!
Hej everyone!
First of all, I have taken the liberty to add a few of you to my "contact list"...I use these sometimes when I have written on our blogg or uploaded new pics. Hope you don't mind! If you do, let me know and I shall remove your email!!!
I have loads of new pics of Orla from our visit in Sweden, will upload a few very soon! Also have some lovely pics from our holiday to Wales and Devon to put up as well. Keep an eye out!
We went to Wales on September 10 for 10 days. Had a lovely stone cottage by the sea. The weather was sunny and rainy. We had a weekend of national surf lifesaving competitions GB style on a beautiful beach by St Davids, lovely walks and cute villages and lots of taking it easy. Orla was a star with everything from coming along in the car to sleeping on the floor in the B&B. Devon was sunny and warm, stayed in Croyde for 3 nights, went to Baggy Point, beaches, some shopping, lunch with Danny and Jen (not sure how to spell it!) and more.
On Friday September 26 (Verity's birthday - hope you had a good day!) we flew to Stockholm from Gatwick with Sterling, worked really well for us. Have since learned that they are cancelling their flights from LGW! Bad news! Anyway we arrived in time for Thomas' (Stina's brother in law) 40th birthday celebrations that lasted the whole weekend! Had lunch in Grunewalds House in Saltsjöbaden, it was fantastic! A tower with 2 rooms and a spiral staircase among many other things. Got a fab lunch too. In the evening Thomas got his surprise "man dinner" with 15 or so friends, he had no idea they would be there! We had also got him a kayak! Another surprise! All good. We then waved good bye to Sean who flew back on Sunday afternoon...to go back to work!
Orla and I have since spent some 2.5 weeks here in Sweden. Had a few days in Stockholm when we caught up with Karin and family, Frida and Malin with kids and Björn (have not see each other for some 100 years so that was lovely!) and Elin and family, they have just moved up to Stockholm from Borås, great to see Elvira and Oskar. We also had a grey day at Skansen with Pernilla and family. They are all well and the kids are a lot of fun. They enjoyed having the little one around as well. Since we got down to Borås we have met Orla's new cousin Julia (Pelle's youngest and born about 4 weeks ago), Sofia and Matt, Sofia and family, all the girls, Anna, Faster Birgit of course and more family as it was dad's birthday on the 10th when we had far too much food and cake again plus other lunches, dinners and countless "fika" sessions! Also had a lovely lunch at Ullabritt and Anders in Lerum on Sunday with all the cousins minus Ella and Nora. It was great to meet Theo for the first time and Ellie who is so grown up and has the cutest accent! Agnes was very cute and chatty as well.
Managed to go to the movies last night with Anna, Patrik 1,5, it was funny! Tonight I am seeing the girls for an "Onsdags fika" and will bring Orla so she can meet them. Thursday I am seeing Sara and then Sofia followed by Pelle's on Friday, fika at Skabo on Saturday and fly home on Sunday afternoon to Sean/dad - something we are looking forward to very much!
Better go as someone is calling mummy, it sounds like mummy anyway!
Take care, sorry I've been so useless at writing lately and keep an eye out for pics that are coming soon!
Love & miss you,
Stina and Orla in Sweden with Sean in England
First of all, I have taken the liberty to add a few of you to my "contact list"...I use these sometimes when I have written on our blogg or uploaded new pics. Hope you don't mind! If you do, let me know and I shall remove your email!!!
I have loads of new pics of Orla from our visit in Sweden, will upload a few very soon! Also have some lovely pics from our holiday to Wales and Devon to put up as well. Keep an eye out!
We went to Wales on September 10 for 10 days. Had a lovely stone cottage by the sea. The weather was sunny and rainy. We had a weekend of national surf lifesaving competitions GB style on a beautiful beach by St Davids, lovely walks and cute villages and lots of taking it easy. Orla was a star with everything from coming along in the car to sleeping on the floor in the B&B. Devon was sunny and warm, stayed in Croyde for 3 nights, went to Baggy Point, beaches, some shopping, lunch with Danny and Jen (not sure how to spell it!) and more.
On Friday September 26 (Verity's birthday - hope you had a good day!) we flew to Stockholm from Gatwick with Sterling, worked really well for us. Have since learned that they are cancelling their flights from LGW! Bad news! Anyway we arrived in time for Thomas' (Stina's brother in law) 40th birthday celebrations that lasted the whole weekend! Had lunch in Grunewalds House in Saltsjöbaden, it was fantastic! A tower with 2 rooms and a spiral staircase among many other things. Got a fab lunch too. In the evening Thomas got his surprise "man dinner" with 15 or so friends, he had no idea they would be there! We had also got him a kayak! Another surprise! All good. We then waved good bye to Sean who flew back on Sunday afternoon...to go back to work!
Orla and I have since spent some 2.5 weeks here in Sweden. Had a few days in Stockholm when we caught up with Karin and family, Frida and Malin with kids and Björn (have not see each other for some 100 years so that was lovely!) and Elin and family, they have just moved up to Stockholm from Borås, great to see Elvira and Oskar. We also had a grey day at Skansen with Pernilla and family. They are all well and the kids are a lot of fun. They enjoyed having the little one around as well. Since we got down to Borås we have met Orla's new cousin Julia (Pelle's youngest and born about 4 weeks ago), Sofia and Matt, Sofia and family, all the girls, Anna, Faster Birgit of course and more family as it was dad's birthday on the 10th when we had far too much food and cake again plus other lunches, dinners and countless "fika" sessions! Also had a lovely lunch at Ullabritt and Anders in Lerum on Sunday with all the cousins minus Ella and Nora. It was great to meet Theo for the first time and Ellie who is so grown up and has the cutest accent! Agnes was very cute and chatty as well.
Managed to go to the movies last night with Anna, Patrik 1,5, it was funny! Tonight I am seeing the girls for an "Onsdags fika" and will bring Orla so she can meet them. Thursday I am seeing Sara and then Sofia followed by Pelle's on Friday, fika at Skabo on Saturday and fly home on Sunday afternoon to Sean/dad - something we are looking forward to very much!
Better go as someone is calling mummy, it sounds like mummy anyway!
Take care, sorry I've been so useless at writing lately and keep an eye out for pics that are coming soon!
Love & miss you,
Stina and Orla in Sweden with Sean in England
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
5.77 or 12.12
Hello!
We went to weigh Orla on Tuesday the 26th of August and she was 5.77kg's or 12.12 in the other language! She is doing really well! Yesterday (Saturday the 30th of August) she was 12 weeks old as well - can't believe it! She is very chatty, giggles a lot and has conversations with everyone from the kangaroo to Lala and Pippi apart from everyone she meets! She is in the next pram thingie now as well as she is just about too tall for the carry cot! She has been sleeping in her cot since her 8th week birthday and it's going well, still sleeping through so mum and dad are feeling quite "normal".
The only problem has been re-occuring thrush...Orla has been treated once in her mouth and mum has a cream...it got better, then it returned but not as badly so I've used the cream etc and then it returned again the other day with a very painful morning feed so this weekend there has been pumping going on etc to avoid more pain and to treat me so we can stop this thing...Fingers crossed we'll get there as we'd like to keep breast feeding for a while yet...! Have a read about this lovely stuff here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A810082
Today we are having a lazy morning at home...and Sean has gone out to lifeguard. There is meant to be a raft race around the Pier and the rowing club are running their regatta. The weather is a bit all over the place though so we shall see! Yesterday was lovely and warm so we went to the beach. Sean got in for a swim, Orla slept and I just enjoyed the sun!
We have managed to book a lovely cottage in Wales now, in Pembrokeshire about 1/2h away from Whitesands Beach where the Surf Lifesaving Nationals will be held. It is a converted cowshed! Have a look here: http://home.clara.net/trallwyn/converted_cowshed.html. We'll be able to enjoy lots of lovely places and beaches along with the surf comp.
Also looking at a lovely B&B in Croyde, Devon after our week in Wales, hopefully we can get that as well: http://www.baggys.co.uk/. Sean is taking the surf board and hopes to get some waves. I hope to walk, read, sleep and eat...Orla will tag along somehow!
Then we are off to Sweden on Friday the 26th of September for Thomas' 40th in Stockholm! Sean is coming for the weekend then Orla and I will stay on for 3 weeks to see everyone, will be lovely too!
Next week I'm seeing Lindsay and baby Luke, we were in the hospital together, visiting their new house and going for a walk if the weather permits. Also seeing Maja one day, having our hair cut Friday and hope to see Mog and Mark too. Went to see Mamma Mia with Fi last week, it was funny and Sean and I saw Hellboy 2 on Friday night when Lynn and Brian babysat Orla for the first time - and she was a star and slept through the whole thing! It was sort of for our 3rd 2nd wedding anniversary on the 27th of August. Time flies! We didn't stay at the Boat Shed at Birling Gap this year, we're off on holidays soon instead we decided.
Right will post this now as Orla is asleep!
Take care and talk soon!
Plenty of pics to be uploaded as usual...they are coming!
Love from us
We went to weigh Orla on Tuesday the 26th of August and she was 5.77kg's or 12.12 in the other language! She is doing really well! Yesterday (Saturday the 30th of August) she was 12 weeks old as well - can't believe it! She is very chatty, giggles a lot and has conversations with everyone from the kangaroo to Lala and Pippi apart from everyone she meets! She is in the next pram thingie now as well as she is just about too tall for the carry cot! She has been sleeping in her cot since her 8th week birthday and it's going well, still sleeping through so mum and dad are feeling quite "normal".
The only problem has been re-occuring thrush...Orla has been treated once in her mouth and mum has a cream...it got better, then it returned but not as badly so I've used the cream etc and then it returned again the other day with a very painful morning feed so this weekend there has been pumping going on etc to avoid more pain and to treat me so we can stop this thing...Fingers crossed we'll get there as we'd like to keep breast feeding for a while yet...! Have a read about this lovely stuff here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A810082
Today we are having a lazy morning at home...and Sean has gone out to lifeguard. There is meant to be a raft race around the Pier and the rowing club are running their regatta. The weather is a bit all over the place though so we shall see! Yesterday was lovely and warm so we went to the beach. Sean got in for a swim, Orla slept and I just enjoyed the sun!
We have managed to book a lovely cottage in Wales now, in Pembrokeshire about 1/2h away from Whitesands Beach where the Surf Lifesaving Nationals will be held. It is a converted cowshed! Have a look here: http://home.clara.net/trallwyn/converted_cowshed.html. We'll be able to enjoy lots of lovely places and beaches along with the surf comp.
Also looking at a lovely B&B in Croyde, Devon after our week in Wales, hopefully we can get that as well: http://www.baggys.co.uk/. Sean is taking the surf board and hopes to get some waves. I hope to walk, read, sleep and eat...Orla will tag along somehow!
Then we are off to Sweden on Friday the 26th of September for Thomas' 40th in Stockholm! Sean is coming for the weekend then Orla and I will stay on for 3 weeks to see everyone, will be lovely too!
Next week I'm seeing Lindsay and baby Luke, we were in the hospital together, visiting their new house and going for a walk if the weather permits. Also seeing Maja one day, having our hair cut Friday and hope to see Mog and Mark too. Went to see Mamma Mia with Fi last week, it was funny and Sean and I saw Hellboy 2 on Friday night when Lynn and Brian babysat Orla for the first time - and she was a star and slept through the whole thing! It was sort of for our 3rd 2nd wedding anniversary on the 27th of August. Time flies! We didn't stay at the Boat Shed at Birling Gap this year, we're off on holidays soon instead we decided.
Right will post this now as Orla is asleep!
Take care and talk soon!
Plenty of pics to be uploaded as usual...they are coming!
Love from us
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
Orla is 2 months and 5 days!!!
Well it has been a while...Sean pointed that out yesterday and I've been meaning to write for ages so here goes...!
A baby update to start with!
Orla and I went to get her weighed today and she was 5280 grams or 11.11! We didn't measure her length as there were about 25 babies, 25 mums, 2 dads and 25 prams at the open clinic which was all a bit much if you ask me and it was 100 degrees in there so we got the weighing done and went back out in the windy weather. She is still awake a lot during the day, she loves her baby gym (tusen tack Camilla!) and her mobile. She basically keeps an eye on everything and everyone! We are changing what she looks at to keep her interested, currently it is Pippi at the gym and a colourful kangaroo on the mobile. She has started being sick a bit over the last week or two, which means lots of washing of muslins and bodies and I do feel sorry for her but I don't think she minds. I am better from the lovely and very painful thrush...and we have finished treating Orla, not sure if she actually had it though. Better safe than sorry. We also had her 6 week check up when she was almost 7 weeks. All was well, heart, sight, hips etc. She giggled through the whole thing! My blood pressure was good as well, not back to normal but ok and my scar looked fine. Mum got to come too which she enjoyed, she likes to find out how it works over here compared to Sweden!
Orla was 2 months old on Thursday 7 August! Time is flying! She is well. She also had her first 2 injections that day, one in each lovely big thigh. She was asleep and only cried a little bit. We then went on a trip to Bateman's - Kipling's home - with Pernilla and Thomas who were visiting only to find that it is closed on Thursdays and Fridays! Thankfully the Star in Old Heathfield was not so we had a nice lunch despite the wasps. Orla did have a cry there and was a bit uncomfortable but soon fell asleep and settled. There was also a mystery dog!
So since my last post we have had mum and dad to stay, they also had a week at the farm up on Beachy Head. Then mum stayed on for another 2 weeks which was lovely. She was here for my bday bbq at the Woolley house too, got far too much food again and loads of people, I manage to do that every time! It was lovely and windy. Also had Camilla, Malin, Sara and Erika from Sweden over here. That was lovely too and we got some great pressies and they stayed in a very nice B&B just 2 streets away. Then Anna turned up for a few days before heading to London. Mum and Anna flew back together at the end of July. It was very nice to have mum (and everyone) as company and a helping hand I must say! And then we had Thomas and Pernilla last week for a few days, while mum and dad looked after Nora and Ella in Stockholm. It was great to see them and they enjoyed little Orla too, everyone has and she enjoys everyone too!
Orla is very chatty and smiley, she is awake a lot during the day and sleps well at night. She eats plenty too. I'm fine, have my flappy moments but feel fine and am enjoying our little one, Sean is too. He took Orla to farfar on Sunday for a visit while I cleaned the flat...I should have had a bath or something but somehow a bit of "homework" made me feel better! Sad but true! We have got her passport photo taken too, super cute and will put her first application in here in GB. Hope to do the Swedish one when I'm at home then we just need her aussie one! We have opened her trust fund and will open a bank account too then she is all set I guess!
Sean is off Thurs-Sun so we can all be together for a few days. We are off to Wales, Devon and Cornwall in September followed by Stockholm and Thomas' 40th at the end of September, then Orla and I will stay on for a bit to see everyone over there. Sofia and Amelie are due to visit us in December and we may go to Sweden for xmas and/or new year, that will depend on Sean's holidays and what the Gardiners are up to and if they fancy Sweden at all...thinking we may have Orla's christening with Thomas over there then and have another do in England afterwards. We shall see!
The BBC are showing Olympic swimming, badminton, canoe slalom and horse riding...Dad was watching football and boxing in Sweden and the aussies are probably showing hockey and swimming... It's funny how all these countries do the same thing and making it impossible to find out about any other countries than the one you are in!
Right, time for tea and a sleep I hope!
Talk and see you soon!
Take care and miss you all!
More pics to come as well...as always!
Love & kram
Stina, Sean and Orla
A baby update to start with!
Orla and I went to get her weighed today and she was 5280 grams or 11.11! We didn't measure her length as there were about 25 babies, 25 mums, 2 dads and 25 prams at the open clinic which was all a bit much if you ask me and it was 100 degrees in there so we got the weighing done and went back out in the windy weather. She is still awake a lot during the day, she loves her baby gym (tusen tack Camilla!) and her mobile. She basically keeps an eye on everything and everyone! We are changing what she looks at to keep her interested, currently it is Pippi at the gym and a colourful kangaroo on the mobile. She has started being sick a bit over the last week or two, which means lots of washing of muslins and bodies and I do feel sorry for her but I don't think she minds. I am better from the lovely and very painful thrush...and we have finished treating Orla, not sure if she actually had it though. Better safe than sorry. We also had her 6 week check up when she was almost 7 weeks. All was well, heart, sight, hips etc. She giggled through the whole thing! My blood pressure was good as well, not back to normal but ok and my scar looked fine. Mum got to come too which she enjoyed, she likes to find out how it works over here compared to Sweden!
Orla was 2 months old on Thursday 7 August! Time is flying! She is well. She also had her first 2 injections that day, one in each lovely big thigh. She was asleep and only cried a little bit. We then went on a trip to Bateman's - Kipling's home - with Pernilla and Thomas who were visiting only to find that it is closed on Thursdays and Fridays! Thankfully the Star in Old Heathfield was not so we had a nice lunch despite the wasps. Orla did have a cry there and was a bit uncomfortable but soon fell asleep and settled. There was also a mystery dog!
So since my last post we have had mum and dad to stay, they also had a week at the farm up on Beachy Head. Then mum stayed on for another 2 weeks which was lovely. She was here for my bday bbq at the Woolley house too, got far too much food again and loads of people, I manage to do that every time! It was lovely and windy. Also had Camilla, Malin, Sara and Erika from Sweden over here. That was lovely too and we got some great pressies and they stayed in a very nice B&B just 2 streets away. Then Anna turned up for a few days before heading to London. Mum and Anna flew back together at the end of July. It was very nice to have mum (and everyone) as company and a helping hand I must say! And then we had Thomas and Pernilla last week for a few days, while mum and dad looked after Nora and Ella in Stockholm. It was great to see them and they enjoyed little Orla too, everyone has and she enjoys everyone too!
Orla is very chatty and smiley, she is awake a lot during the day and sleps well at night. She eats plenty too. I'm fine, have my flappy moments but feel fine and am enjoying our little one, Sean is too. He took Orla to farfar on Sunday for a visit while I cleaned the flat...I should have had a bath or something but somehow a bit of "homework" made me feel better! Sad but true! We have got her passport photo taken too, super cute and will put her first application in here in GB. Hope to do the Swedish one when I'm at home then we just need her aussie one! We have opened her trust fund and will open a bank account too then she is all set I guess!
Sean is off Thurs-Sun so we can all be together for a few days. We are off to Wales, Devon and Cornwall in September followed by Stockholm and Thomas' 40th at the end of September, then Orla and I will stay on for a bit to see everyone over there. Sofia and Amelie are due to visit us in December and we may go to Sweden for xmas and/or new year, that will depend on Sean's holidays and what the Gardiners are up to and if they fancy Sweden at all...thinking we may have Orla's christening with Thomas over there then and have another do in England afterwards. We shall see!
The BBC are showing Olympic swimming, badminton, canoe slalom and horse riding...Dad was watching football and boxing in Sweden and the aussies are probably showing hockey and swimming... It's funny how all these countries do the same thing and making it impossible to find out about any other countries than the one you are in!
Right, time for tea and a sleep I hope!
Talk and see you soon!
Take care and miss you all!
More pics to come as well...as always!
Love & kram
Stina, Sean and Orla
Saturday, 12 July 2008
Friday night
Hej!
Thought I'd write a note...as it has been a while!
We are fine! Orla is 5 weeks old already tomorrow, time flies!
All is well, she was weighed today and she is almost 4 kg's (will have to get back to you on what that is in the "other langauage"!). She is about 2 cm longer and her head is bigger too, mum and I measured her the other day. She eats and sleeps well and she is covered in little spots, loosing her hair and has a new dry patch of skin on her head! She looks a little odd due to all of this but is still super gorgeous!
Mum and dad are here still. They have been staying at Black Robin Farm for a week, partly in the rain and storm and partly just in the wind with some sun! It's a 40 min walk from here to us. Hayley and Stu visited us today and Orla got a lovely blanket, with her name on it! They (Stu!) also got a chance to have a cuddle when mum and dad came back from their walk with Orla. They also bumped in to Mog, Mark, Honey and Rowan on the seafront which is nice as they hadn't seen them as yet. The week has been pretty quiet. I am a bit tired, I think Sean is too! Orla does sleep well including at night, still not getting the same amount as before...she is eating for England/Sweden etc as well is seems and the whole breast feeding thing has left me a bit sore...she is still getting some formula to top her up and it's all working as she is now bigger and heavier!
Sean and I popped out to Tracy and Alan's wedding on the 5th of July. It was weird to go out without Orla but great to have a few moments to ourselves and to catch up with friends at the wedding. On Sunday we had a bbq at the Gardiners, very nice food as always! On Wednesday night we managed to go out again, this time to the cinema, "Hancock", it was kind of funny and Will Smith is cute. Otherwise we spend a lot of our time eating, sleeping and I try to do stuff other than mum things. My parents have been a great help and company when Sean is working.
Thanks again for all the pressies and cards! Love the lot, thank you cards to come!
Right, time to sit down on the sofa and turn the telly on. No great plans for the weekend, sending parents to Brighton for the day and we'll think of something just the 3 of us.
Take care and talk soon!
Will try to upload some photos as well...
Love & kram
Stina, Sean and little Orla
Thought I'd write a note...as it has been a while!
We are fine! Orla is 5 weeks old already tomorrow, time flies!
All is well, she was weighed today and she is almost 4 kg's (will have to get back to you on what that is in the "other langauage"!). She is about 2 cm longer and her head is bigger too, mum and I measured her the other day. She eats and sleeps well and she is covered in little spots, loosing her hair and has a new dry patch of skin on her head! She looks a little odd due to all of this but is still super gorgeous!
Mum and dad are here still. They have been staying at Black Robin Farm for a week, partly in the rain and storm and partly just in the wind with some sun! It's a 40 min walk from here to us. Hayley and Stu visited us today and Orla got a lovely blanket, with her name on it! They (Stu!) also got a chance to have a cuddle when mum and dad came back from their walk with Orla. They also bumped in to Mog, Mark, Honey and Rowan on the seafront which is nice as they hadn't seen them as yet. The week has been pretty quiet. I am a bit tired, I think Sean is too! Orla does sleep well including at night, still not getting the same amount as before...she is eating for England/Sweden etc as well is seems and the whole breast feeding thing has left me a bit sore...she is still getting some formula to top her up and it's all working as she is now bigger and heavier!
Sean and I popped out to Tracy and Alan's wedding on the 5th of July. It was weird to go out without Orla but great to have a few moments to ourselves and to catch up with friends at the wedding. On Sunday we had a bbq at the Gardiners, very nice food as always! On Wednesday night we managed to go out again, this time to the cinema, "Hancock", it was kind of funny and Will Smith is cute. Otherwise we spend a lot of our time eating, sleeping and I try to do stuff other than mum things. My parents have been a great help and company when Sean is working.
Thanks again for all the pressies and cards! Love the lot, thank you cards to come!
Right, time to sit down on the sofa and turn the telly on. No great plans for the weekend, sending parents to Brighton for the day and we'll think of something just the 3 of us.
Take care and talk soon!
Will try to upload some photos as well...
Love & kram
Stina, Sean and little Orla
Monday, 30 June 2008
Monday in Eastbourne
Hej!
Hope you are well. We're fine!
Just found a link that describes pre-eclampsia including the why, when etc.
Have a look here: http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/23069028/
I had a look at how you spell it as I have written a little update for my work newsletter BLINK today, a Stina and Orla update from the seaside. Hope they'll enjoy reading about our fun and games!
The weather is lovely and the tennis is going on...and we are a day older and eating lots, sleeping plenty (mostly at night which is lovely, just means that I don't get much me time during the day some days!) Sean called to say that one of their clients gave him (Orla) a cute soft toy today, very sweet! We also got a parcel from Kate and Jonny in Australia with some great clothes, thanks guys!
We had a nice weekend with a visit from Ruth, Chris and Teri on Saturday. They brought lunch and we went for a walk along the seafront and they got to meet little Orla. Ruth is next up baby wise, very exciting! Sunday we had a quiet day, Sean got in the sea for a bit helping out on the surf course and we had dinner at the Woolleys before watching the football final.
Mormor and Morfar arrive on Wednesday am so we are looking forward to that, very exciting for them and Orla to meet for the first time!
Anyway, bye for now! Will load up some more pics soon as well...! Promise!
Take care,
Love Stina and Orla
Hope you are well. We're fine!
Just found a link that describes pre-eclampsia including the why, when etc.
Have a look here: http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/23069028/
I had a look at how you spell it as I have written a little update for my work newsletter BLINK today, a Stina and Orla update from the seaside. Hope they'll enjoy reading about our fun and games!
The weather is lovely and the tennis is going on...and we are a day older and eating lots, sleeping plenty (mostly at night which is lovely, just means that I don't get much me time during the day some days!) Sean called to say that one of their clients gave him (Orla) a cute soft toy today, very sweet! We also got a parcel from Kate and Jonny in Australia with some great clothes, thanks guys!
We had a nice weekend with a visit from Ruth, Chris and Teri on Saturday. They brought lunch and we went for a walk along the seafront and they got to meet little Orla. Ruth is next up baby wise, very exciting! Sunday we had a quiet day, Sean got in the sea for a bit helping out on the surf course and we had dinner at the Woolleys before watching the football final.
Mormor and Morfar arrive on Wednesday am so we are looking forward to that, very exciting for them and Orla to meet for the first time!
Anyway, bye for now! Will load up some more pics soon as well...! Promise!
Take care,
Love Stina and Orla
Thursday, 26 June 2008
Day 18
Hi there!
I've just finished the loooong blog about our time in and out of hospital....so now I can just write about how well our little one is doing, that the weather is nice, that we are nearly 3 weeks old already and that we're looking forward to seeing mormor and morfar next week!
To find out more about the name Orla, have a look here!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orla_(name)
http://www.babynamesofireland.com/pages/girl-names-n-z.html
http://www.orlakiely.com/uk/ - our favourite handbag Orla!
Love Stina
I've just finished the loooong blog about our time in and out of hospital....so now I can just write about how well our little one is doing, that the weather is nice, that we are nearly 3 weeks old already and that we're looking forward to seeing mormor and morfar next week!
To find out more about the name Orla, have a look here!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orla_(name)
http://www.babynamesofireland.com/pages/girl-names-n-z.html
http://www.orlakiely.com/uk/ - our favourite handbag Orla!
Love Stina
Monday, 23 June 2008
Finally our first Orla entry!!!
Hello there!
Sorry it has taken ages to get blogging again...I have a spare moment as Orla is asleep right now so I thought I'd put something up on our blog! We are fine, day 16 today and our little Beanie girl is doing great! I am also on the mend it seems as I saw my GP Dr Thomas this morning at 8.40am (managed to shower and get us both ready and walked over to College Rd in time!) and when he checked my BP it was 106/72 - so just about back to normal! I am going to reduce my lovely Labetalol to one a day now and check it again on Friday am with my dr. We also get to see Sandy our midwife on Wednesday here at home and our new health visitor Helaine on Friday here at home.
So to summarise our fun and games...
Tuesday 3 June 2008
on Tuesday the 3 June we had an appointment with Sandy at the surgery which was also our due date. My BP was high again (just as it was the first time on 26 May at my 39 week check up) and there were traces of protein in my urine so as I managed "2 out of 3" we were sent to the hospital for blood tests. So we packed the car up with our hospital bag etc, thought we might as well and off we went around 5pm. I felt fine by the way! It's the "lower" part of my pressure that has been high, my record is 110 I think, it was over 100 for a lot of my hospital stay, then got down to the 90's where it stayed for a long time. I was put on a monitor so we could see/hear Beanie's heart beat and any possible contractions of mine...although there were rather absent! Anyway, after a check up by the midwives a doctor turned up to say that he wanted to admit us there and then and that they wanted to induce me, as my BP etc were not what they should be. There was also a bed free that day but there wouldn't be tomorrow?!! Either way after some tea and toast we decided to stay. So we moved from the labour ward over to the Litlington ward. It was now quite late. Another monitor, more BP, urine and blood tests, turns out my trace of protein went up to "++" something as well and I got my first dose of Prostine at 11pm - a lovely hormone pill thing that they use to try and start labour. Managed to sleep I think.
Wednesday 4 June 2008
Day 2...Not much happened over night. Woke up at 4.30am to a very bright and sunny am. Had some tiny little contractions from about 6am. Put back on a monitor. Had a hospital toast for breakfast. Chatted to Lyndsay my neighbour. Sean came back. I got my second Prostine at 11am, after a bit of a wait (have found out that you do a lot of waiting in hospitals!) and then we went for a walk and sandwiches outside, to avoid hospital lunch and to hopefully get things going. Slept for an hour. Monitored again. Had different (not neccessarily stronger) contractions in the afternoon. Soup and sandwiches and Sean went home about 7.30pm, partly to reply to all the emails and texts about whether we'd had our baby yet! Had a bath and didn't feel much in the way of contractions at all...more checks...sat on yoga ball and sent texts...went to bed at 11pm and slept like a log (ie no contractions...)...
Thursday 5 June 2008
Woke up at 7am. More monitoring and checks. Met Dr Ali for the first time, very nice man. Another check and my 3rd round of Prostine took place that am. Off for a walk to Hampden Park, tea and toastie. Sat by the pond in the sun, walked back and had lunch at the Rodmill with Lynn. Back at the ward at 2pm. Slept for 1h. Felt some contractions! Went out again and sat in the sun and walked around a bit. Got ice cream and topped up our stash of nibbles. Got back about 6pm to the midwives looking for us! Dr Ali had decided that he wanted to check my progress and try to break my waters! Good news after all this waiting. So we went back over to the delivery suite and I was monitored again. Baby's heart beat kept going over the limit set on the machine so they re-set it and Sean was allowed to turn it off! Anyway, with some gas and air - what a weird thing that is - a not very nice instrument (I couldn't see it!) was used to try and reach my cervix (which was hiding behind my ear I think!) to break my waters. First attempt didn't work. I felt it but no pain, strange. Second attempt I didn't get a change to inhale the gas for long enough so felt a bit more and didn't take deep enough breaths. It was over in not time though and I was ok. Dr Ali's verdict was that things did not look promising and the c-section word was uttered for the first time since we arrived. Then we were told to pop over to the pub for a drink and some air before putting me back on the monitor again, so we went to the Rodmill again and had a drink in the middle of the quizz night! Back again, monitored again and finally got to bed/home around midnight. We had basically made the decision to have a c-section by now so Dr Ali suggessted that I eat some breakfast at 6am to enable a section to take place on the Friday.
Friday 6 June 2008 - Sweden's National Day!
So it was Friday. Was woken up at 6am to have my toast! I had slept well. Chatted to my other neighbour Jessica. We heard that Lyndsay had her baby boy at 2am! Great news! Had a shower. Sean came in again. Hand over and new lot of midwives and doctors. A new registrar turned up around 9.30am with the news that we were going to start another round of Prostine...That was the opposite to what we had talked about the night before so I was rather speachless and Sean questioned why this decision had been made. I'm still not sure but a midwife's assistant had taken my BP and it was almost normal, this am, so that may have been a reason. Or they always start another round of 3 Prostine's over 3 days if the first round doesn't work. Nobody had told us about that though. Anyway, we said that we were not sure about this and that we would like to think about it. Then Sean spoke to the midwife and told her that we had spoken to the staff and doctor the night before about a c-section so that this was news to us. Some 3hrs later the registrar came back to say that he had spoken to the consultant and that our decision to have a c-section was fine! Shame it took a few hours and quite a few tears of mine before we got to hear that! Then we still were not sure if they could fit us in that day as they were really busy...had a sleep, went for a walk and at 4pm we got the "no" so a sandwich and a yogurt were found for me as I was starving by now! Got the hospital soup and sandwich too and some more of our nibbles. Had my last bath with big bump which was very nice and Sean popped home again for some sleep. Around 11pm the prepping for the c-section started. I was weighed...for the first time in my pregnancy and it looks like I had around 20kg's extra on me! Wow! Also had blood and urine tests again. Got the glamourous knee high socks, a really wonderful shave...etc. And toast as I was to be nil by mouth - again! I was also monitored again. Beanie was busy, no contractions for me...
Saturday 8 June 2008
Woke up at 6.30am. Another lovely day outside! Was put on a drip at 11am. We had been told that they would try to fit us in during the morning...as it was the weekend the normal operating theatres are used rather than the dedicated c-section one, so we had to wait for all other types of surgery it seemed, before it would be our turn. The next time we were told it would happen was 4pm. And as I was attached to a drip and in my gown we couldn't go very far so it was a loooong day of waiting. In the end we started to think that it wouldn't happen today...but then the anesthetist came and did his talk, a very nice guy, and at 9m we were taken over to the delivery suite yet again. Waited in a room and suddenly one of the nurses from surgery came in to say that they were waiting for us and we for them so we were whisked in asap. Sean was all in blue by now with a "dad" sticker on him, I was still in my lovely gown and socks. I got a local in my spine followed by a spinal and it didn't hurt one bit. I also got a catheter and I had a BP arm band thing on all the way through, this hurt the most! They checked whether I could feel anything with a cold spray and in no time I was numb from my chest downwards. We had a different guy doing the drugs, also very nice and the nurses, surgeons and co were all lovley! We also had Lisa the midwife with us. It all happened very quickly, I felt them clean my tummy and the next thing we knew there was a very loud cry! Sean got to have a look and established that we had had a little girlat 10.14pm! She was then detached from me and given a rub down and quick check over by the midwife. Then she came to us! She laid on my chest and was very cute and unreal! Sean then held her as she felt a bit heavy on me for the remainder of my surgery. This took about 1/2h I think but only felt like minutes. Then we were whisked out and in to a recovery room where I could feel my feet and legs very quickly, amazing stuff! Orla laid on my chest, sucked her thumb, had a go at feeding and Sean got to do her first nappie and got her dressed after her check ups. We all felt very tired, relived and happy by now. We stayed in recory until about 3am when we were wheeled back to Litlington. Sean headed home, he was very tired, but made it ok. Myself and Orla had some sort of sleep til about 5am I think, when the room was rather bright and we had one other mum and baby in there so they took turns to cry...!
Sunday 8 June 2008
This morning is a bit of a blur. I felt such relief that Orla had finally arrived and at the same time I felt a bit like I had been hit by a bus. The drip and catheter came out, had a wash and I think I had some breakfast?! I got on my feet at some point but can't remember when...was definitely wobbly...Sean popped down to the beach quickly to see Toby and co do the beach test, which went well, he then got back just as the visitors started to arrive. I had a small panic trying to find something to wear, lost a bra to a bin thanks to one of the midwives, it was later recovered, made it to my seat and felt almost human when Janet and Verity arrived around 1.30pm. Orla was a very good girl for everyone, I guess she was as tired as me! Next up after the Woolleys who got a lovley little teddy for us, it was farmor and farfar Gardiner. Very happy to see their new grand daughter and we did the hold the baby photos etc. Orla also got to have a bath and get a wash followed by a feed. Then Fi popped in quickly while Sean entertained Archie in the hallway as he was not allowed in, got some lovely drinks and nibbles plus pressies and then Mog came as well, with more nibbles! Just as she was leaving I felt a very strange pain in my shoulder...which got worse and worse...in the end I was in tears and could not work out why or how I got this pain. The midwives got some serious painkillers sorted and they found me a bed in an empty room as I felt the need to have my own space (and the neighbouring mum had 25 visitors and they were all very loud which didn't help...). This was perfect. I felt really bad though and sat up in bed as lying down hurt more! Sean was a great help and kept an eye on Orla. The pain was an air bubble, I do remember hearing that one can get "wind" after surgery...well I did and it was awful! It hangs around for 24-48 hours too! So spent the night sitting up! The midwives took care of Orla for about 3 hrs, then she came to me and we somehow fed/slept through til the morning.
Monday 9 June 2008
Had a shower today! Felt 100 times better after that. Sean came in after a sleep in. Auntie Judi came by to say hello. Had another round of bad shoulder pain so got more painkillers...Lynn also came in for a cuddle, with Orla! Managed to lie down in bed finally which was a relief so could have a rest. Orla slept on and off all day, but not during the night! So I had the pleasure of getting up and back in to bed with my stiches and all during the night, which was fun, managed ok somehow.
Tuesday 10 June 2008
Woke up at 7am. Packed bags. Breakkie. Talked to mum and dad. Sean came. Orla slept some more...we eventually had a check up each to be able to be signed out, which we really wanted to be! Got the all clear. Unfortunately had to wait until 4pm to get my round of blood pressure tablets, pain killers and iron. Were almost on our way when they magically turned up! So we made it home in time for Sweden v Greece that evening! And we won! Our trip home went well. Sean strapped Orla in and drove us home in one piece. Settled in. Orla fed well. Had cheese on toast. Spoke to a few people on the phone. Orla was a bit unsettled in the evening but we finally all went to sleep and slept like logs til the morning!
Wednesday 11 June 2008
Woke Orla up in the end as she was sleeping away...fed her. Checked emails. fed. Sean and Orla had a snooze. Spoke to Ruth. Jane and Kylie came around noon for our midwife visit. They both took my blood pressure and it was high, again, the lower number was 110...so they said the I had to be re-admitted for monitoring...! So dissappointing! So we packed our bags again and went back to Litlington Ward. Got our own room at least as they don't mix returning mum's with new mum's! Had a great breast feeding/pumping session with Jo the midwife as my boobs were the size of melons and felt like coconuts by now...! And Orla fed beautifully! She always did, she just didn't feed for very long/often in day early on. Ordered pizza and had a reasonable evening considering we were back in hospital. My BP was checked every four hours at this time and I was taking my BP tablets (Labetalol) all along, went up to double doses too from memory.
Thursday 12 June 2008
Well we were ready to go home...again! Was monitored in the am and had my BP checked again and again. Orla was being a star. Had our 5 day check up in hospital rather than at home so Orla was weighed and had blood taken from her foot for 5 tests and she had another 2 tests (from her hand) as the doctor wanted this done. She had lost a little bit of weight and she was slightly yellow but all in all she was great and she didn't mind the needles at all! So we packed our bags again and at about 5pm 2 doctors appeared, the peadiatrician and another doctor we had not met before. We were told that the blood test had come back showing a sodium level that was too high so they wanted to put Orla on a drip to get fluid in to her to reduce the sodium level, over 48 hours as this had to be done very slowly. There was also talk of nil by mouth while this took place. Well we couldn't believe it and it would mean more time in hospital!!! We were taken to the Special baby care unit where the junior doctor seemed far too keen to stick the drip in Orla's arm...and the 2 doctors and unit nurse had what we would describe as an argument in front of us as it was not clear to all of them what they were doing! So felt even worse and was already in tears...We asked the specialist to explain to us again what they were going to do and whether it was really neccessary to put Orla through this. After that we felt that we understood better and they went ahead and put the drip in. Little Orla was a star as they tried it on one arm and failed...and then got it done ok on the other arm. Her arm was sort of strapped in so that she couldn't bend it or touch it. She only cried a little bit when the big needle went in. Then she got her own little room where her fishbowl bed was put. We still felt that no food was impossible and so did the nurses. Once Orla had settled and got to sleep we went home and re-packed our bags, again! I had a shower and Lynn made us sandwiches. We had received loads of cards and presents in the post already. This felt a bit odd but was lovely and made us feel better. Went back in and sat with Orla until Sean went home and I went to bed. I was on pumping duty as we thought we might be able to give Orla my milk by bottle. And at 2am I was woken up to come and actually feed her. The night nurse made the decision as she had been upset and hungry. I did the same again at 7.30am in the morning. Can't say that I slept very well.
Friday 13 June 2008
Orla's came off the drip in the morning. Apparently her levels had gone down even as they put the drip in...no comment! So that was a relief. We were still on limited/measured food intake. New staff and they were really lovely, especially Judi and Pippa from Oz. We continued to breast feed and pump, tried weighing her before and after a feed, tried a cup and a syringe to feed etc. In the end Judi said that we may have to consider using a bottle, which we said was fine. She took to this fine. While this was going on we had different doctors say different things so we went from no food to some food to more food to food on demand! Confusing or what! At least Orla was a good sport all the way through! One more night of pumping and feeding and we had been told that we could go home on the Saturday if all was well...so fingers crossed! We also headed out for a couple breaths of fresh air today and got a moses basket from Fi's and a cuppa tea and we got some tiny baby grows from Lynn and Brian's. Ordered another pizza for tea before Sean headed home to sleep and Orla and I had another night of feeding/sleeping/pb checks etc.
Saturday 14 June 2008
Well the doctor had said that we could go home today if all was well. As I came in to the unit they were handing over to the day staff and I heard the word Sunday mentioned (and the night nurse said see you tonight..).I didn't want to spend another night so felt a bit deflated...Anyway, I fed or did I pump and then I went back and phoned Sean to say that I wasn't sure they'd let us out today after all! When he came in he went up and spoke to them and said that we want to go home today. He ended up being given the third degree about bottle feeding and formula and did we have the stuff at home etc...I must mention that we ended up with a less cheerful lot of staff today as well. So Sean went off to Sainsburys to invest in the bottle feeding gear while I stayed with Orla. The doctors for the day had turned up and were doing rounds so we got a couple of things checked before one of them had to rush off, it was finished later when I had been told by the nurse to go and eat lunch! We were going to be let out if Orla had put on weight (rather than the fact that the sodium had gone down..!) and thankfully she had, a whole 165 grams so the doctor of the day said that we could go but to top her up with formula if needed which was fine by us. There was still paperwork to do and in the end they did Orla's hearing test as well, which was all fine. I also "attended" a "make up formula in bottles" demonstration and Sean was checked on his feeding skills. We basically did everything the nurses asked us to do that day to make sure they'd let us out! Including eating the hospital lunch...Once she was all ours again we just had to get my bp checked one last time and my lower number was thankfully under 100, otherwise they may have tried to keep me again. I would have refused I think. So loaded up the car with the bags, baby and us and went home for a second time. What a relief. Parked ourselves in the sofa, turned the TV on for the football (SWE v Spain) and just relaxed. Lynn and Brian and Janet and Verity came by to say hi as well and Janet had made us tea so we didn't have to cook which was great! Orla slept like a log through the whole noisy visit, I guess she was quite tired, just like us. We all got a good chunk of sleep that night as well as we were all tired and happy to be home sleeping in our own beds.
Sunday 15 June 2008
Got to know Orla more today and had a quiet am. Went for a walk to the beach in the afternoon, was great to get some fresh air! Saw 2 weekend midwives and my bp was ok, not great but not bad so no more hospital trips. Orla was doing fine as well.
And since then we've seen our midwife Sandy again and my bp has slowly gone down and is now almost back to normal. Stiches look fine and most of my bump has dissappeared! Orla is doing well, she had put on weight on the Tuesday and the Friday so that's great. We also went and registered her birth on Tuesday 17 June at the Town Hall. Also showed her off to all my EBC friends and auntie Jill at the same time. Walked through town back and got a couple of things from Steamer Trading, including an Alessi night light! So Orla is now officially Orla Birgit Frantzich Gardiner! Sean went back to work on the Wednesday so we continued on our own and spend our time eating and sleeping, watching tennis, walking, having friends for tea etc. Now that I've finally finished the hospital story I can start writing "nice" updates about how she is changing, how clever she is etc which will be much nicer reading. We will upload more pics as well as she looks quite different now! She'll be 3 weeks old this Saturday already and on Wednesday next week she'll meet her mormor and morfar for the first time!
Until next time, thanks for waiting for my blogging to get going again and talk soon!
Love Stina, Sean and Orla
Sorry it has taken ages to get blogging again...I have a spare moment as Orla is asleep right now so I thought I'd put something up on our blog! We are fine, day 16 today and our little Beanie girl is doing great! I am also on the mend it seems as I saw my GP Dr Thomas this morning at 8.40am (managed to shower and get us both ready and walked over to College Rd in time!) and when he checked my BP it was 106/72 - so just about back to normal! I am going to reduce my lovely Labetalol to one a day now and check it again on Friday am with my dr. We also get to see Sandy our midwife on Wednesday here at home and our new health visitor Helaine on Friday here at home.
So to summarise our fun and games...
Tuesday 3 June 2008
on Tuesday the 3 June we had an appointment with Sandy at the surgery which was also our due date. My BP was high again (just as it was the first time on 26 May at my 39 week check up) and there were traces of protein in my urine so as I managed "2 out of 3" we were sent to the hospital for blood tests. So we packed the car up with our hospital bag etc, thought we might as well and off we went around 5pm. I felt fine by the way! It's the "lower" part of my pressure that has been high, my record is 110 I think, it was over 100 for a lot of my hospital stay, then got down to the 90's where it stayed for a long time. I was put on a monitor so we could see/hear Beanie's heart beat and any possible contractions of mine...although there were rather absent! Anyway, after a check up by the midwives a doctor turned up to say that he wanted to admit us there and then and that they wanted to induce me, as my BP etc were not what they should be. There was also a bed free that day but there wouldn't be tomorrow?!! Either way after some tea and toast we decided to stay. So we moved from the labour ward over to the Litlington ward. It was now quite late. Another monitor, more BP, urine and blood tests, turns out my trace of protein went up to "++" something as well and I got my first dose of Prostine at 11pm - a lovely hormone pill thing that they use to try and start labour. Managed to sleep I think.
Wednesday 4 June 2008
Day 2...Not much happened over night. Woke up at 4.30am to a very bright and sunny am. Had some tiny little contractions from about 6am. Put back on a monitor. Had a hospital toast for breakfast. Chatted to Lyndsay my neighbour. Sean came back. I got my second Prostine at 11am, after a bit of a wait (have found out that you do a lot of waiting in hospitals!) and then we went for a walk and sandwiches outside, to avoid hospital lunch and to hopefully get things going. Slept for an hour. Monitored again. Had different (not neccessarily stronger) contractions in the afternoon. Soup and sandwiches and Sean went home about 7.30pm, partly to reply to all the emails and texts about whether we'd had our baby yet! Had a bath and didn't feel much in the way of contractions at all...more checks...sat on yoga ball and sent texts...went to bed at 11pm and slept like a log (ie no contractions...)...
Thursday 5 June 2008
Woke up at 7am. More monitoring and checks. Met Dr Ali for the first time, very nice man. Another check and my 3rd round of Prostine took place that am. Off for a walk to Hampden Park, tea and toastie. Sat by the pond in the sun, walked back and had lunch at the Rodmill with Lynn. Back at the ward at 2pm. Slept for 1h. Felt some contractions! Went out again and sat in the sun and walked around a bit. Got ice cream and topped up our stash of nibbles. Got back about 6pm to the midwives looking for us! Dr Ali had decided that he wanted to check my progress and try to break my waters! Good news after all this waiting. So we went back over to the delivery suite and I was monitored again. Baby's heart beat kept going over the limit set on the machine so they re-set it and Sean was allowed to turn it off! Anyway, with some gas and air - what a weird thing that is - a not very nice instrument (I couldn't see it!) was used to try and reach my cervix (which was hiding behind my ear I think!) to break my waters. First attempt didn't work. I felt it but no pain, strange. Second attempt I didn't get a change to inhale the gas for long enough so felt a bit more and didn't take deep enough breaths. It was over in not time though and I was ok. Dr Ali's verdict was that things did not look promising and the c-section word was uttered for the first time since we arrived. Then we were told to pop over to the pub for a drink and some air before putting me back on the monitor again, so we went to the Rodmill again and had a drink in the middle of the quizz night! Back again, monitored again and finally got to bed/home around midnight. We had basically made the decision to have a c-section by now so Dr Ali suggessted that I eat some breakfast at 6am to enable a section to take place on the Friday.
Friday 6 June 2008 - Sweden's National Day!
So it was Friday. Was woken up at 6am to have my toast! I had slept well. Chatted to my other neighbour Jessica. We heard that Lyndsay had her baby boy at 2am! Great news! Had a shower. Sean came in again. Hand over and new lot of midwives and doctors. A new registrar turned up around 9.30am with the news that we were going to start another round of Prostine...That was the opposite to what we had talked about the night before so I was rather speachless and Sean questioned why this decision had been made. I'm still not sure but a midwife's assistant had taken my BP and it was almost normal, this am, so that may have been a reason. Or they always start another round of 3 Prostine's over 3 days if the first round doesn't work. Nobody had told us about that though. Anyway, we said that we were not sure about this and that we would like to think about it. Then Sean spoke to the midwife and told her that we had spoken to the staff and doctor the night before about a c-section so that this was news to us. Some 3hrs later the registrar came back to say that he had spoken to the consultant and that our decision to have a c-section was fine! Shame it took a few hours and quite a few tears of mine before we got to hear that! Then we still were not sure if they could fit us in that day as they were really busy...had a sleep, went for a walk and at 4pm we got the "no" so a sandwich and a yogurt were found for me as I was starving by now! Got the hospital soup and sandwich too and some more of our nibbles. Had my last bath with big bump which was very nice and Sean popped home again for some sleep. Around 11pm the prepping for the c-section started. I was weighed...for the first time in my pregnancy and it looks like I had around 20kg's extra on me! Wow! Also had blood and urine tests again. Got the glamourous knee high socks, a really wonderful shave...etc. And toast as I was to be nil by mouth - again! I was also monitored again. Beanie was busy, no contractions for me...
Saturday 8 June 2008
Woke up at 6.30am. Another lovely day outside! Was put on a drip at 11am. We had been told that they would try to fit us in during the morning...as it was the weekend the normal operating theatres are used rather than the dedicated c-section one, so we had to wait for all other types of surgery it seemed, before it would be our turn. The next time we were told it would happen was 4pm. And as I was attached to a drip and in my gown we couldn't go very far so it was a loooong day of waiting. In the end we started to think that it wouldn't happen today...but then the anesthetist came and did his talk, a very nice guy, and at 9m we were taken over to the delivery suite yet again. Waited in a room and suddenly one of the nurses from surgery came in to say that they were waiting for us and we for them so we were whisked in asap. Sean was all in blue by now with a "dad" sticker on him, I was still in my lovely gown and socks. I got a local in my spine followed by a spinal and it didn't hurt one bit. I also got a catheter and I had a BP arm band thing on all the way through, this hurt the most! They checked whether I could feel anything with a cold spray and in no time I was numb from my chest downwards. We had a different guy doing the drugs, also very nice and the nurses, surgeons and co were all lovley! We also had Lisa the midwife with us. It all happened very quickly, I felt them clean my tummy and the next thing we knew there was a very loud cry! Sean got to have a look and established that we had had a little girlat 10.14pm! She was then detached from me and given a rub down and quick check over by the midwife. Then she came to us! She laid on my chest and was very cute and unreal! Sean then held her as she felt a bit heavy on me for the remainder of my surgery. This took about 1/2h I think but only felt like minutes. Then we were whisked out and in to a recovery room where I could feel my feet and legs very quickly, amazing stuff! Orla laid on my chest, sucked her thumb, had a go at feeding and Sean got to do her first nappie and got her dressed after her check ups. We all felt very tired, relived and happy by now. We stayed in recory until about 3am when we were wheeled back to Litlington. Sean headed home, he was very tired, but made it ok. Myself and Orla had some sort of sleep til about 5am I think, when the room was rather bright and we had one other mum and baby in there so they took turns to cry...!
Sunday 8 June 2008
This morning is a bit of a blur. I felt such relief that Orla had finally arrived and at the same time I felt a bit like I had been hit by a bus. The drip and catheter came out, had a wash and I think I had some breakfast?! I got on my feet at some point but can't remember when...was definitely wobbly...Sean popped down to the beach quickly to see Toby and co do the beach test, which went well, he then got back just as the visitors started to arrive. I had a small panic trying to find something to wear, lost a bra to a bin thanks to one of the midwives, it was later recovered, made it to my seat and felt almost human when Janet and Verity arrived around 1.30pm. Orla was a very good girl for everyone, I guess she was as tired as me! Next up after the Woolleys who got a lovley little teddy for us, it was farmor and farfar Gardiner. Very happy to see their new grand daughter and we did the hold the baby photos etc. Orla also got to have a bath and get a wash followed by a feed. Then Fi popped in quickly while Sean entertained Archie in the hallway as he was not allowed in, got some lovely drinks and nibbles plus pressies and then Mog came as well, with more nibbles! Just as she was leaving I felt a very strange pain in my shoulder...which got worse and worse...in the end I was in tears and could not work out why or how I got this pain. The midwives got some serious painkillers sorted and they found me a bed in an empty room as I felt the need to have my own space (and the neighbouring mum had 25 visitors and they were all very loud which didn't help...). This was perfect. I felt really bad though and sat up in bed as lying down hurt more! Sean was a great help and kept an eye on Orla. The pain was an air bubble, I do remember hearing that one can get "wind" after surgery...well I did and it was awful! It hangs around for 24-48 hours too! So spent the night sitting up! The midwives took care of Orla for about 3 hrs, then she came to me and we somehow fed/slept through til the morning.
Monday 9 June 2008
Had a shower today! Felt 100 times better after that. Sean came in after a sleep in. Auntie Judi came by to say hello. Had another round of bad shoulder pain so got more painkillers...Lynn also came in for a cuddle, with Orla! Managed to lie down in bed finally which was a relief so could have a rest. Orla slept on and off all day, but not during the night! So I had the pleasure of getting up and back in to bed with my stiches and all during the night, which was fun, managed ok somehow.
Tuesday 10 June 2008
Woke up at 7am. Packed bags. Breakkie. Talked to mum and dad. Sean came. Orla slept some more...we eventually had a check up each to be able to be signed out, which we really wanted to be! Got the all clear. Unfortunately had to wait until 4pm to get my round of blood pressure tablets, pain killers and iron. Were almost on our way when they magically turned up! So we made it home in time for Sweden v Greece that evening! And we won! Our trip home went well. Sean strapped Orla in and drove us home in one piece. Settled in. Orla fed well. Had cheese on toast. Spoke to a few people on the phone. Orla was a bit unsettled in the evening but we finally all went to sleep and slept like logs til the morning!
Wednesday 11 June 2008
Woke Orla up in the end as she was sleeping away...fed her. Checked emails. fed. Sean and Orla had a snooze. Spoke to Ruth. Jane and Kylie came around noon for our midwife visit. They both took my blood pressure and it was high, again, the lower number was 110...so they said the I had to be re-admitted for monitoring...! So dissappointing! So we packed our bags again and went back to Litlington Ward. Got our own room at least as they don't mix returning mum's with new mum's! Had a great breast feeding/pumping session with Jo the midwife as my boobs were the size of melons and felt like coconuts by now...! And Orla fed beautifully! She always did, she just didn't feed for very long/often in day early on. Ordered pizza and had a reasonable evening considering we were back in hospital. My BP was checked every four hours at this time and I was taking my BP tablets (Labetalol) all along, went up to double doses too from memory.
Thursday 12 June 2008
Well we were ready to go home...again! Was monitored in the am and had my BP checked again and again. Orla was being a star. Had our 5 day check up in hospital rather than at home so Orla was weighed and had blood taken from her foot for 5 tests and she had another 2 tests (from her hand) as the doctor wanted this done. She had lost a little bit of weight and she was slightly yellow but all in all she was great and she didn't mind the needles at all! So we packed our bags again and at about 5pm 2 doctors appeared, the peadiatrician and another doctor we had not met before. We were told that the blood test had come back showing a sodium level that was too high so they wanted to put Orla on a drip to get fluid in to her to reduce the sodium level, over 48 hours as this had to be done very slowly. There was also talk of nil by mouth while this took place. Well we couldn't believe it and it would mean more time in hospital!!! We were taken to the Special baby care unit where the junior doctor seemed far too keen to stick the drip in Orla's arm...and the 2 doctors and unit nurse had what we would describe as an argument in front of us as it was not clear to all of them what they were doing! So felt even worse and was already in tears...We asked the specialist to explain to us again what they were going to do and whether it was really neccessary to put Orla through this. After that we felt that we understood better and they went ahead and put the drip in. Little Orla was a star as they tried it on one arm and failed...and then got it done ok on the other arm. Her arm was sort of strapped in so that she couldn't bend it or touch it. She only cried a little bit when the big needle went in. Then she got her own little room where her fishbowl bed was put. We still felt that no food was impossible and so did the nurses. Once Orla had settled and got to sleep we went home and re-packed our bags, again! I had a shower and Lynn made us sandwiches. We had received loads of cards and presents in the post already. This felt a bit odd but was lovely and made us feel better. Went back in and sat with Orla until Sean went home and I went to bed. I was on pumping duty as we thought we might be able to give Orla my milk by bottle. And at 2am I was woken up to come and actually feed her. The night nurse made the decision as she had been upset and hungry. I did the same again at 7.30am in the morning. Can't say that I slept very well.
Friday 13 June 2008
Orla's came off the drip in the morning. Apparently her levels had gone down even as they put the drip in...no comment! So that was a relief. We were still on limited/measured food intake. New staff and they were really lovely, especially Judi and Pippa from Oz. We continued to breast feed and pump, tried weighing her before and after a feed, tried a cup and a syringe to feed etc. In the end Judi said that we may have to consider using a bottle, which we said was fine. She took to this fine. While this was going on we had different doctors say different things so we went from no food to some food to more food to food on demand! Confusing or what! At least Orla was a good sport all the way through! One more night of pumping and feeding and we had been told that we could go home on the Saturday if all was well...so fingers crossed! We also headed out for a couple breaths of fresh air today and got a moses basket from Fi's and a cuppa tea and we got some tiny baby grows from Lynn and Brian's. Ordered another pizza for tea before Sean headed home to sleep and Orla and I had another night of feeding/sleeping/pb checks etc.
Saturday 14 June 2008
Well the doctor had said that we could go home today if all was well. As I came in to the unit they were handing over to the day staff and I heard the word Sunday mentioned (and the night nurse said see you tonight..).I didn't want to spend another night so felt a bit deflated...Anyway, I fed or did I pump and then I went back and phoned Sean to say that I wasn't sure they'd let us out today after all! When he came in he went up and spoke to them and said that we want to go home today. He ended up being given the third degree about bottle feeding and formula and did we have the stuff at home etc...I must mention that we ended up with a less cheerful lot of staff today as well. So Sean went off to Sainsburys to invest in the bottle feeding gear while I stayed with Orla. The doctors for the day had turned up and were doing rounds so we got a couple of things checked before one of them had to rush off, it was finished later when I had been told by the nurse to go and eat lunch! We were going to be let out if Orla had put on weight (rather than the fact that the sodium had gone down..!) and thankfully she had, a whole 165 grams so the doctor of the day said that we could go but to top her up with formula if needed which was fine by us. There was still paperwork to do and in the end they did Orla's hearing test as well, which was all fine. I also "attended" a "make up formula in bottles" demonstration and Sean was checked on his feeding skills. We basically did everything the nurses asked us to do that day to make sure they'd let us out! Including eating the hospital lunch...Once she was all ours again we just had to get my bp checked one last time and my lower number was thankfully under 100, otherwise they may have tried to keep me again. I would have refused I think. So loaded up the car with the bags, baby and us and went home for a second time. What a relief. Parked ourselves in the sofa, turned the TV on for the football (SWE v Spain) and just relaxed. Lynn and Brian and Janet and Verity came by to say hi as well and Janet had made us tea so we didn't have to cook which was great! Orla slept like a log through the whole noisy visit, I guess she was quite tired, just like us. We all got a good chunk of sleep that night as well as we were all tired and happy to be home sleeping in our own beds.
Sunday 15 June 2008
Got to know Orla more today and had a quiet am. Went for a walk to the beach in the afternoon, was great to get some fresh air! Saw 2 weekend midwives and my bp was ok, not great but not bad so no more hospital trips. Orla was doing fine as well.
And since then we've seen our midwife Sandy again and my bp has slowly gone down and is now almost back to normal. Stiches look fine and most of my bump has dissappeared! Orla is doing well, she had put on weight on the Tuesday and the Friday so that's great. We also went and registered her birth on Tuesday 17 June at the Town Hall. Also showed her off to all my EBC friends and auntie Jill at the same time. Walked through town back and got a couple of things from Steamer Trading, including an Alessi night light! So Orla is now officially Orla Birgit Frantzich Gardiner! Sean went back to work on the Wednesday so we continued on our own and spend our time eating and sleeping, watching tennis, walking, having friends for tea etc. Now that I've finally finished the hospital story I can start writing "nice" updates about how she is changing, how clever she is etc which will be much nicer reading. We will upload more pics as well as she looks quite different now! She'll be 3 weeks old this Saturday already and on Wednesday next week she'll meet her mormor and morfar for the first time!
Until next time, thanks for waiting for my blogging to get going again and talk soon!
Love Stina, Sean and Orla
Monday, 2 June 2008
40 weeks/our due date on 3 June - tomorrow!
Hi there!
Thought I'd write a note today...as our due date is tomorrow, 3 June 2008!
No Beanie arrival as yet...We guess that he/she is still happy, warm and cosy on the inside...although it must be a bit cramped by now!
Feel fine...no major signs of things starting...just now anyway...so we will keep you all posted!
Had a nice weekend, went down the beach Sat and Sun, Sean's done a few swims this week in his new summer suit as well, bbq at the club yesterday and we popped by Matt & Tash to drop of a belated pressie for their twins Charlie and Ethan. Very cute little babies and doing well!
Sean is working in Worthing today, he's got tomorrow working at home, then we shall see...tricky to schedule work stuff when we don't know when Beanie will join us!
Well, maybe our next note will be all about the new baby...or it will be a "waiting update"...we shall see!
Until then, take care!
Love from us
Thought I'd write a note today...as our due date is tomorrow, 3 June 2008!
No Beanie arrival as yet...We guess that he/she is still happy, warm and cosy on the inside...although it must be a bit cramped by now!
Feel fine...no major signs of things starting...just now anyway...so we will keep you all posted!
Had a nice weekend, went down the beach Sat and Sun, Sean's done a few swims this week in his new summer suit as well, bbq at the club yesterday and we popped by Matt & Tash to drop of a belated pressie for their twins Charlie and Ethan. Very cute little babies and doing well!
Sean is working in Worthing today, he's got tomorrow working at home, then we shall see...tricky to schedule work stuff when we don't know when Beanie will join us!
Well, maybe our next note will be all about the new baby...or it will be a "waiting update"...we shall see!
Until then, take care!
Love from us
Sunday, 25 May 2008
38+5 and Mother's Day in Sweden
Hello and Happy Mother's Day mum! I guess I almost qualify!
We're fine! No sign of Beanie yet...! We were invited to a wedding yesterday in Newcastle and we really wanted to go...but decided against it in the end in case Beanie decided to arrive while we were driving along a motorway somwhere! Very sorry not to be there and hope it all went well!
We had my mum staying with us from Sunday to Friday which was lovely! We had lots of time to talk, paint, walk, eat and more! It's not every day I get to have mum to myself so it was a special time! Also saw the Gardiners, Mog and kids and we had a good fish and chips dinner on Thursday night too!
Sean has a few days off now including our bank holiday on Monday. We had a quiet Friday after dropping mum off at Gatwick. Had our hair cut and made it out to watch the new Indiana Jones movie at the Curzon. It was just like all the others...lots of spiderwebs, baddies and chases!
Yesterday was a nice day, we drove over to Seaford so Sean could drop off certificates from the course he ran. We had yummy sandwiches on the beach and it was lovely and warm! We then continuted on to Rottingdean where Sean invested in a summer wetsuit and I got a summer top! Ice cream on the beach before heading back. Last night was of course Eurovision Song Contest time...the UK are not very happy today as they came last again even though they had a good song! Russia won and some very strange songs got loads of points. Sweden didn't do well either...and Terry Wogan is saying he might not do it again!
This morning Sean has gone down to the club to start another beach lifeguard course. He is stepping in as it was going to be cancelled but now they have handful of people after all. He's got his mobile on in case I need to call him!!! I am due to go to Fi & Gus for Archie's first birthday party at midday so will see if I can find a lift to get me there this am. Tomorrow we have an appointment with a midwife at the hospital as both Sandy and Jane are on holidays next week, it's school holidays for a week here then. I have my next appointment on Tuesday 3 June with Sandy - which is our due date! If I don't turn up they'll assume that Beanie has arrived! Also hope to get a few more things done at home...as you do pre-birth I hear! We picked up the pram too on Friday, the wheel and seat stuff so now we have a whole load of baby stuff lined up!
It is meant to be wet and thunder storms today...no sign of it yet! I've had such luck with the weather as it was super lovely from the day I left work for 2 weeks! Then we had a bit of cloud and muggy stuff, ok again and it's meant to be wet again now...we shall see!
Anyway...thought I'd write again today as I am not sure how many more entries we'll manage before the arrival! I will write afterwards as well, it just might not happen straight away!
Take care and talk soon!
Miss you all!
Love Stina, Sean and Beanie
We're fine! No sign of Beanie yet...! We were invited to a wedding yesterday in Newcastle and we really wanted to go...but decided against it in the end in case Beanie decided to arrive while we were driving along a motorway somwhere! Very sorry not to be there and hope it all went well!
We had my mum staying with us from Sunday to Friday which was lovely! We had lots of time to talk, paint, walk, eat and more! It's not every day I get to have mum to myself so it was a special time! Also saw the Gardiners, Mog and kids and we had a good fish and chips dinner on Thursday night too!
Sean has a few days off now including our bank holiday on Monday. We had a quiet Friday after dropping mum off at Gatwick. Had our hair cut and made it out to watch the new Indiana Jones movie at the Curzon. It was just like all the others...lots of spiderwebs, baddies and chases!
Yesterday was a nice day, we drove over to Seaford so Sean could drop off certificates from the course he ran. We had yummy sandwiches on the beach and it was lovely and warm! We then continuted on to Rottingdean where Sean invested in a summer wetsuit and I got a summer top! Ice cream on the beach before heading back. Last night was of course Eurovision Song Contest time...the UK are not very happy today as they came last again even though they had a good song! Russia won and some very strange songs got loads of points. Sweden didn't do well either...and Terry Wogan is saying he might not do it again!
This morning Sean has gone down to the club to start another beach lifeguard course. He is stepping in as it was going to be cancelled but now they have handful of people after all. He's got his mobile on in case I need to call him!!! I am due to go to Fi & Gus for Archie's first birthday party at midday so will see if I can find a lift to get me there this am. Tomorrow we have an appointment with a midwife at the hospital as both Sandy and Jane are on holidays next week, it's school holidays for a week here then. I have my next appointment on Tuesday 3 June with Sandy - which is our due date! If I don't turn up they'll assume that Beanie has arrived! Also hope to get a few more things done at home...as you do pre-birth I hear! We picked up the pram too on Friday, the wheel and seat stuff so now we have a whole load of baby stuff lined up!
It is meant to be wet and thunder storms today...no sign of it yet! I've had such luck with the weather as it was super lovely from the day I left work for 2 weeks! Then we had a bit of cloud and muggy stuff, ok again and it's meant to be wet again now...we shall see!
Anyway...thought I'd write again today as I am not sure how many more entries we'll manage before the arrival! I will write afterwards as well, it just might not happen straight away!
Take care and talk soon!
Miss you all!
Love Stina, Sean and Beanie
Friday, 9 May 2008
36+3 and mum's birthday today!
Hello! Just a note, on mum's birthday, happy birthday mum!
I saw Jane the midwife yesterday. Bump measured 35cm so it has not kept up with the number of weeks gone by! The head is pointing and parked downwards, all the way down the pelvis (?!) so Beanie should not be able to flip around now...! Still manages to poke about in there! Heart beat was good, so was my BP (120/80) etc. As all is fine I have my next appointment on the 20th of May when we hit 38 weeks!!! Mum will be here then too, she comes over on the 18th for the week, will be lovely!
The weather has been so nice, went to the beach again yesterday. This morning has started off cloudy, might rain, but it's still 21 degrees! Sean is in the capital again, meetings etc going on.
That's all for now!
Kram Stina et al
I saw Jane the midwife yesterday. Bump measured 35cm so it has not kept up with the number of weeks gone by! The head is pointing and parked downwards, all the way down the pelvis (?!) so Beanie should not be able to flip around now...! Still manages to poke about in there! Heart beat was good, so was my BP (120/80) etc. As all is fine I have my next appointment on the 20th of May when we hit 38 weeks!!! Mum will be here then too, she comes over on the 18th for the week, will be lovely!
The weather has been so nice, went to the beach again yesterday. This morning has started off cloudy, might rain, but it's still 21 degrees! Sean is in the capital again, meetings etc going on.
That's all for now!
Kram Stina et al
Tuesday, 6 May 2008
36 weeks!
Only 4 weeks left now...in theory! All is well. I finished work on Wednesday last week. Am slowly winding down and making a few plans for this "time out" ahead of Beanie's arrival! Seeing Sandy on Thursday this week so can't give a midwife update today.
We've had a lovely long weekend and the weather is beautiful! Sunny and blue skies and around 20 today I think. On Saturday we went to Haywards Heath for Sean's cousin Chris and Jessica's wedding. Saw the Gardiner clan again and sat outside for a lot of it as was a lovely day. On Sunday Sean and Toby got the paddle boards out from the club and went all the way down to the Wish Tower. I walked along the seafront instead! Said hi to Garry and co and had a cup of tea while S & T helped out on the course they were running for a bit. Walked/paddled back again so got quite a bit of exercise! We then went to Fi's in the afternoon. Gus was away so we saw Fi, Archie and Sarah and Mog, Honey and Rowan came as well. Sat in their lovely garden and had yummy cake and tea. Must come with Fi (and Nicky!) for the next boot sale as there are many baby bargains to be found I hear. Monday was a bank holiday here so Sean had the day off. Did some cleaning and working in the morning, then John, Marie and Daniel turned up, from Perth, as they are staying with family in Hastings. Haven't seen them for a year and a half so it was great to catch up. Went up to Beachy Head, had ice cream, watched kites and paragliders and made a stop at Birling Gap where the boys saw crabs and a star fish! Had a quiet night and watched "Babel" - a rather sad movie.
Sean's in London today. I have a few things to get on with and would like to get outside. We may have a lap top delivery so need to be in for a bit...if it works out! Last Saturday we had a little tour of the mini maternity unit here in Eastbourne followed by a big shop at the baby shop in Old Town. Got a car seat and a pram that also comes with a seat thingie. Got a mattress as well as our online ordered IKEA cot didn't come with one. So have the essentials...
Have also seen Michele for lunch which was lovely, Corinne came by and I said lots of good bye's at work last week. They gave me/us some lovely pressies including a facial and pedicure, baby play mat and a baby grow, chocolate, body butters etc. Basically had pub Friday, lunch Monday, afternoon tea Tuesday and a mad day Wednesday trying to finish stuff off and doing the "Beanie baby sweep" where we got lots of girl and boy guesses, late and large babies! Raising some money for the lifeguards in the process. It feels strange not to work and I do miss everyone a lot already! Also got a lovely blanket and 3 little cardis/jumpers from John Pitman and family, made by his wife Linda and mother in law Rene. Very kind and we love them! Have also managed to catch up with a few of you over the phone and said hello at Lindfield school on Friday too.
This week I have a couple of lunch dates, visit to the midwife, stuff to do at home, Silverdale house meeting and a trip to IKEA on the weekend to get bits for the bathroom and some other "essentials" like foodie things, candles etc. There is also birthday galore including Anton turning 7 and mum's birthday on Friday. Hoping mum will come over for a few days as well this month so we can have some mum time together before the big event.
Ok, I'll stop now as this has turned in to an essay!
Will load some more pics soon for the album...at http://picasaweb.google.com/moosecat
Take care, miss you all and talk soon!
Love & kram
Stina, Sean and Beanie
We've had a lovely long weekend and the weather is beautiful! Sunny and blue skies and around 20 today I think. On Saturday we went to Haywards Heath for Sean's cousin Chris and Jessica's wedding. Saw the Gardiner clan again and sat outside for a lot of it as was a lovely day. On Sunday Sean and Toby got the paddle boards out from the club and went all the way down to the Wish Tower. I walked along the seafront instead! Said hi to Garry and co and had a cup of tea while S & T helped out on the course they were running for a bit. Walked/paddled back again so got quite a bit of exercise! We then went to Fi's in the afternoon. Gus was away so we saw Fi, Archie and Sarah and Mog, Honey and Rowan came as well. Sat in their lovely garden and had yummy cake and tea. Must come with Fi (and Nicky!) for the next boot sale as there are many baby bargains to be found I hear. Monday was a bank holiday here so Sean had the day off. Did some cleaning and working in the morning, then John, Marie and Daniel turned up, from Perth, as they are staying with family in Hastings. Haven't seen them for a year and a half so it was great to catch up. Went up to Beachy Head, had ice cream, watched kites and paragliders and made a stop at Birling Gap where the boys saw crabs and a star fish! Had a quiet night and watched "Babel" - a rather sad movie.
Sean's in London today. I have a few things to get on with and would like to get outside. We may have a lap top delivery so need to be in for a bit...if it works out! Last Saturday we had a little tour of the mini maternity unit here in Eastbourne followed by a big shop at the baby shop in Old Town. Got a car seat and a pram that also comes with a seat thingie. Got a mattress as well as our online ordered IKEA cot didn't come with one. So have the essentials...
Have also seen Michele for lunch which was lovely, Corinne came by and I said lots of good bye's at work last week. They gave me/us some lovely pressies including a facial and pedicure, baby play mat and a baby grow, chocolate, body butters etc. Basically had pub Friday, lunch Monday, afternoon tea Tuesday and a mad day Wednesday trying to finish stuff off and doing the "Beanie baby sweep" where we got lots of girl and boy guesses, late and large babies! Raising some money for the lifeguards in the process. It feels strange not to work and I do miss everyone a lot already! Also got a lovely blanket and 3 little cardis/jumpers from John Pitman and family, made by his wife Linda and mother in law Rene. Very kind and we love them! Have also managed to catch up with a few of you over the phone and said hello at Lindfield school on Friday too.
This week I have a couple of lunch dates, visit to the midwife, stuff to do at home, Silverdale house meeting and a trip to IKEA on the weekend to get bits for the bathroom and some other "essentials" like foodie things, candles etc. There is also birthday galore including Anton turning 7 and mum's birthday on Friday. Hoping mum will come over for a few days as well this month so we can have some mum time together before the big event.
Ok, I'll stop now as this has turned in to an essay!
Will load some more pics soon for the album...at http://picasaweb.google.com/moosecat
Take care, miss you all and talk soon!
Love & kram
Stina, Sean and Beanie
Saturday, 12 April 2008
32 weeks and 4 days
Hello again!
Hope you are well. It's been about 3 weeks since our last blog note...We are all doing fine! Sean has been to Seaford today for a Beach Lifeguard exam and I've spent the afternoon at The Plough in Litlington, enjoying food, friends (Henry, Jane, Anna, Charlie, Terry, Wayne and Jessica) and apple juice in the sunshine! Got to meet Charlie Branson who is already 6 weeks old! Very cute! Can't believe it's almost our turn...!
Anyway, saw Sandy our midwife (and her student midwife) on Tuesday at 32 weeks. All is fine, bump measured 32 cm, heartbeat was good and so was my blood pressure (125/75) etc. I have only made it to one "parenting class", Sean's not made it to any...was on a bit of a guilt trip about this but Sandy said not to worry! Have got a load of books, friends and family who can fill in if we have any questions...and I guess we'll just have to figure it out one way or another!
The cot arrived yesterday so we have our first piece of baby "equipment"! Also got a wardrobe, little cupboard thing and a belated shoe rack (for our wardrobes) from IKEA. The bathroom is all done, the shower and bath are great, the sink is lovely too. Need to clean up the tiles and paint the walls and ceiling white plus get a few bits in there, then it will be perfect! Other than that we're clearing out the office/guest room as it will be Beanie's room as well.
We had a load of snow arrive last Sunday, it was mad! Looked lovely, thankfully I was at home, Sean made it back from Seaford just in time around 2pm, as it got worse! Beautiful though, have a few pics to load up including some bump pics...as they have been requested! I keep wearing trackie bottoms and tshirts at home so not very glamourous...!
Nearly finished at work...last day is 30 April! Have got a last trip to Coventry, 2 away days with the office and my last volunteer day next Friday so that week will fly by. Then we are spending the weekend in Woking with Kath, Janet's mum, which will be nice! We have Jessica and Chris' wedding on 3 May too. So will be busy!
Hope the nice weather will stay as I have time off in May before the arrival and it would be nice to spend some of it outside!
Anyway, will stop now! Take care, miss you all and talk soon!
Love Stina, Sean and Beanie
Hope you are well. It's been about 3 weeks since our last blog note...We are all doing fine! Sean has been to Seaford today for a Beach Lifeguard exam and I've spent the afternoon at The Plough in Litlington, enjoying food, friends (Henry, Jane, Anna, Charlie, Terry, Wayne and Jessica) and apple juice in the sunshine! Got to meet Charlie Branson who is already 6 weeks old! Very cute! Can't believe it's almost our turn...!
Anyway, saw Sandy our midwife (and her student midwife) on Tuesday at 32 weeks. All is fine, bump measured 32 cm, heartbeat was good and so was my blood pressure (125/75) etc. I have only made it to one "parenting class", Sean's not made it to any...was on a bit of a guilt trip about this but Sandy said not to worry! Have got a load of books, friends and family who can fill in if we have any questions...and I guess we'll just have to figure it out one way or another!
The cot arrived yesterday so we have our first piece of baby "equipment"! Also got a wardrobe, little cupboard thing and a belated shoe rack (for our wardrobes) from IKEA. The bathroom is all done, the shower and bath are great, the sink is lovely too. Need to clean up the tiles and paint the walls and ceiling white plus get a few bits in there, then it will be perfect! Other than that we're clearing out the office/guest room as it will be Beanie's room as well.
We had a load of snow arrive last Sunday, it was mad! Looked lovely, thankfully I was at home, Sean made it back from Seaford just in time around 2pm, as it got worse! Beautiful though, have a few pics to load up including some bump pics...as they have been requested! I keep wearing trackie bottoms and tshirts at home so not very glamourous...!
Nearly finished at work...last day is 30 April! Have got a last trip to Coventry, 2 away days with the office and my last volunteer day next Friday so that week will fly by. Then we are spending the weekend in Woking with Kath, Janet's mum, which will be nice! We have Jessica and Chris' wedding on 3 May too. So will be busy!
Hope the nice weather will stay as I have time off in May before the arrival and it would be nice to spend some of it outside!
Anyway, will stop now! Take care, miss you all and talk soon!
Love Stina, Sean and Beanie
Thursday, 20 March 2008
29 weeks plus 1 day
Hello again!
Saw our midwife Sandy yesterday at 29 weeks. Bump measured 29 cm, heartbeat was good, so was my blood pressure etc. Didn't manage to get any blood out of me so have another appointment for that in about 2 weeks time. Have our next check up at 32 weeks. Have also got some "parenting classes" that we can go to, hope to make a couple of them in early April.
I have been suffering all week with a nasty cold...Sean had it last week...so we've been better! Am slowly getting there though and have been able to do some work from home. Looking forward to a restful Easter. Seeing another play by Nicky's theatre group tomorrow night, dinner at the Woolleys with Kath on Friday, hoping to visit a national trust garden on Saturday with Lynn and Brian - think we may have to wait and check the weather first as they are talking about frost etc...and Sunday we are seeing friends at a pub for lunch, will be lovely as we haven't seen each other for ages. No plans for Monday - will do as little as possible I hope.
Sergi our plumber has started tiling our bathroom! It will look very nice! We have got a big, fancy bath and a nice old fashion looking shower and taps to go with it, as well as a new sink to go in there. We've ordered our missing wardrobe frame, shoe rack thing, a cot (!) and a cupboard thing from IKEA online as well to avoid having to go there...will still make a visit though for "little" things as we are getting our office/guest bedroom ready to also become Beanie's room (basically means clearing junk out to make room for a cot). Sean has said he'll come to IKEA Croydon once more! I miss Perth where IKEA is 5 mins away and now I hear there is a new, bigger store too! Can't wait!
Weather has been a bit all over the place...colder this weekend. My parents woke up to snow this week in Boras! Summer time is coming up as well...Daffodils everywhere and lighter evenings, we are going the right way! Wednesday next week we are off to the Arsenal stadium to see Sweden v Brazil! A friendly game, it's 50 years since they played each other in the world cup final apparently! About 25 people from work are going, Sean is coming too, will be fun, I hope! A first for quite a few people as well! Go Sweden!
That's all for now! Take care and love for now,
Stina, Sean and Beanie
Saw our midwife Sandy yesterday at 29 weeks. Bump measured 29 cm, heartbeat was good, so was my blood pressure etc. Didn't manage to get any blood out of me so have another appointment for that in about 2 weeks time. Have our next check up at 32 weeks. Have also got some "parenting classes" that we can go to, hope to make a couple of them in early April.
I have been suffering all week with a nasty cold...Sean had it last week...so we've been better! Am slowly getting there though and have been able to do some work from home. Looking forward to a restful Easter. Seeing another play by Nicky's theatre group tomorrow night, dinner at the Woolleys with Kath on Friday, hoping to visit a national trust garden on Saturday with Lynn and Brian - think we may have to wait and check the weather first as they are talking about frost etc...and Sunday we are seeing friends at a pub for lunch, will be lovely as we haven't seen each other for ages. No plans for Monday - will do as little as possible I hope.
Sergi our plumber has started tiling our bathroom! It will look very nice! We have got a big, fancy bath and a nice old fashion looking shower and taps to go with it, as well as a new sink to go in there. We've ordered our missing wardrobe frame, shoe rack thing, a cot (!) and a cupboard thing from IKEA online as well to avoid having to go there...will still make a visit though for "little" things as we are getting our office/guest bedroom ready to also become Beanie's room (basically means clearing junk out to make room for a cot). Sean has said he'll come to IKEA Croydon once more! I miss Perth where IKEA is 5 mins away and now I hear there is a new, bigger store too! Can't wait!
Weather has been a bit all over the place...colder this weekend. My parents woke up to snow this week in Boras! Summer time is coming up as well...Daffodils everywhere and lighter evenings, we are going the right way! Wednesday next week we are off to the Arsenal stadium to see Sweden v Brazil! A friendly game, it's 50 years since they played each other in the world cup final apparently! About 25 people from work are going, Sean is coming too, will be fun, I hope! A first for quite a few people as well! Go Sweden!
That's all for now! Take care and love for now,
Stina, Sean and Beanie
Friday, 29 February 2008
Beanie update at 26 weeks and 2 days!
Hello again!
Slowly making a go of this blogg thing...
We have seen our midwife Sandy today at the surgery. 26 weeks and 2 days today. All is well with mum and Beanie. Blood pressure (108/70) and blood sugar/glucose (?) were both fine. Bump measured 26 cm and I got to feel what we think was baby's bottom! Heartbeat sounded great again, like a galopp'ing horse!
We did have an appointment on Tuesday but the surgery had failed to let us know that Sandy was not available...they only figured that out after we had waited for 15 mins! How hard can it be one wonders...! Never mind, it's a 10 min walk from here so not the end of the world. Had Sean with me though so will have to bring him along another time.
Other than that old Sean has been feeling a bit under the weather this week so we've both been in bed around 8.30pm! He is on the mend though and working from home which is good. Our Megan has been in for a service and its first ever MOT...lots of pounds, new tyres etc later it passed and is all good to go again, now we just need to clean it....!!!
No great plans for the weekend...Sean might swim in a competition at the Brighton uni pool, depending on how he feels, hope to get some things done at home and it's mother's day in the UK so we'll have to deliver chocolates to Lynn at some point. Do I qualify I wonder?!!
Anyway, take care and talk soon!
Love Stina, Sean and Beanie
Slowly making a go of this blogg thing...
We have seen our midwife Sandy today at the surgery. 26 weeks and 2 days today. All is well with mum and Beanie. Blood pressure (108/70) and blood sugar/glucose (?) were both fine. Bump measured 26 cm and I got to feel what we think was baby's bottom! Heartbeat sounded great again, like a galopp'ing horse!
We did have an appointment on Tuesday but the surgery had failed to let us know that Sandy was not available...they only figured that out after we had waited for 15 mins! How hard can it be one wonders...! Never mind, it's a 10 min walk from here so not the end of the world. Had Sean with me though so will have to bring him along another time.
Other than that old Sean has been feeling a bit under the weather this week so we've both been in bed around 8.30pm! He is on the mend though and working from home which is good. Our Megan has been in for a service and its first ever MOT...lots of pounds, new tyres etc later it passed and is all good to go again, now we just need to clean it....!!!
No great plans for the weekend...Sean might swim in a competition at the Brighton uni pool, depending on how he feels, hope to get some things done at home and it's mother's day in the UK so we'll have to deliver chocolates to Lynn at some point. Do I qualify I wonder?!!
Anyway, take care and talk soon!
Love Stina, Sean and Beanie
Sunday, 17 February 2008
Stina's very first blog posting!
Hi there!
Have been thinking about setting up a blog for the Frantzich Gardiner "family" to go with our photo albums etc and to keep you up to date with what we are up to!
Not sure who will read this but hope you'll enjoy!
Over and out,
Stina
Have been thinking about setting up a blog for the Frantzich Gardiner "family" to go with our photo albums etc and to keep you up to date with what we are up to!
Not sure who will read this but hope you'll enjoy!
Over and out,
Stina
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