Dundrum on Ice 2012

Yesterday I took Dylan ice skating with his friend, the mums decided to sit this one out! But that's ok because it gave me a great chance to snap Dylan skating! We went to the same place we went skating last year , that time poor Dylan spent about 70% of the time on the ice flat on his back, the other 30% he spent grabbing onto his little penguin that is supposed to keep you up!

This year he went straight out on the ice and fell over, so I encouraged him to use the little penguin, well after about 10-15 minutes with it, he was able to stay upright on the ice and ACTUALLY SKATE!! Now it wasn't the most elegant skating I've ever seen but it was skating nonetheless! His little pal that we went with has been skating a few more times than Dylan, and he skated the whole time, he didn't fall once!

I would say if Dylan went a few more times he'd spend a little less time flat on his face! He's so funny and he really enjoyed it! He always sees the funny side to falling over... which is nice!

After our skating we took them to Macdonalds for lunch, and he really enjoyed his quality time with mum! That afternoon he had a party to go to, his social life is more active than mine!!

Lauren spent the morning with daddy, shopping and watching cartoons. In the afternoon we went and got a lot of the decorations for Lauren's party! We had a nice day, today we are going to relax and I'm going to go get a dress for a party we're going to at the weekend, Nanna and Grandad are coming to mind Lauren and Dylan overnight, we've booked the hotel! We're really looking forward to our night out!

Here's my favourite little guy having fun ice skating...

A special Daddy

Well this is all about Daddy today, when I was going through the old photos on our laptop I came across two pictures, one of Derek with Dylan and one with Derek and Lauren together, both pictures are the same pose! How cute is this? A daddy with his two babies, his two most favourite little people in the world. These photos are really special to me, they are two of my most treasured memories...

This photo makes me think of this....

and we are lucky enough to have one special Daddy!

Lauren's birth story

When I found out I was pregnant with Lauren, I instantly tried to attend my old consultant, but he wasn't available. I looked into going to two other consultants locally but they were all booked out. I  went to meet one other consultant, and Derek and I were absolutely disgusted with him. He refused to acknowledge the fact that I'd had previous surgery prior to my delivery with Dylan and he wouldn't even consider doing a Cesarean section, a fact which we had extensively discussed with our last consultant.  We left and Derek let the consultant know by letter how disgusted we were with his care and that his services would not be required!

So I was very cheeky, my previous consultant was actually a neighbour of my parents and I absolutely LOVED! and he recommended a consultant to us, the only down side was this consultant was about a forty five minute drive away. We didn't care, we drove to meet with him and we instantly clicked ! He examined me, and we discussed my previous delivery and he was absolutely in agreement with my last consultant and thought a Cesarean was completely necessary. In fact he highly and strongly recommended it. So it was decided, I would stay with this consultant and he would deliver our baby by C-section a week before my due date! which was estimated as the 3/03/09.

After my appointment I felt so much better. So we were all booked for our section! My pregnancy with Lauren wasn't as easy as with Dylan. I was really exhausted, and I was working full time and I had a four year old to look after, and when I was 20 weeks I had some spotting in work. I went straight to my OB and they admitted me to the hospital where they monitored me and the baby overnight. When they were happy they sent me home and wouldn't allow me to work. I had to rest a lot and I wasn't allowed to do too much. With a four year old at home so this wasn't so easy!!

Part One- Going into Labour

On Valentines day 2009, I remember I started getting very strong Braxton Hicks and they started to get steadily stronger, and I started getting uncomfortable. I went to bed for a while and they continued, so when I got up I called the midwife to ask about them. She said if they go away when I get up and walk around, then they aren't doing anything. So I got up and took a shower and walked around.... and sure enough.... they subsided. They came and went on and off over the next few days, but they seemed like contractions that weren't really doing anything.

My section was scheduled for the 24/02/09 and I was all set for it. I knew exactly what to expect and I was completely prepared for the surgery and the recovery. In the early hours of Sunday 22/02/09 I woke with some cramping pains. I thought I might need to go to the bathroom, and I got up and when I went back to bed they seemed to subside again and I thought it was like before, so I thought no more about it. Until it happened three times over the next two hours. Eventually they started to feel worse, I got up and I was needing to breath through the 'cramps' and I was leaning against the banister in the hall. It was at this point that Derek said to me that he really thought I might be in labour. I remember saying ' Derek I can't be in labour, I'm having a c- section on Tuesday!!! It sounds so crazy now, but it just did not enter my mind that I would go into labour naturally! Then I realised when the pain would go away and then come back again ten minutes later, that yes I probably was in labour!! We didn't get a last bump picture with Lauren as it was the middle of the night!

I remember being really calm and organised. I calmly got dressed and got my packed hospital bag. I put a few bits in another bag and kept breathing through my contractions. Derek called my Mum to come and take care of Dylan, she lived nearby at the time and she was there in minutes. Dylan hadn't even woken up. It was 4am at this stage and my contractions were coming every twenty minutes regularly. We headed off after some kisses for Dylan. Derek called the hospital to tell them I was coming in and to go ahead and call the on call OB (I was gutted as my consultant was away for the weekend, but I tried not to dwell on it)

I was so excited, I couldn't believe that in a few hours we would meet our baby. The contractions started to get worse in the car, but they still seemed to stay at every 15-20  minutes, until about the last 10 or so minutes of the journey when they started coming every ten minutes. I got to the hospital and the midwife got me settled in and hooked up to a monitor. They wanted to see if I actually was in labour and how far along I was, therefore they would be able to give the theatre staff a time for the surgery. She came and read the monitor, I could see the monitor spiking up really high and Lauren's heartbeat would go up. She  acknowledged that I was definitely in labour and from looking at my contractions on paper she definitely wanted to go ahead and examine me. She was saying that I probably had a long ways to go yet it might be a while before they called the OB. Then she examined me and said 'ok we should really call the Doctor now,'

They called the doctor that had been in my practice, so I was really relieved when I saw him. He was a very nice older man, and I was happy that he would be the one to deliver our little baby. 

So it all kicked off very quickly from here, once they realised that I was in active labour and progressing very quickly, they wanted to get me to the theatre so that I didn't do any damage with labour due to my previous surgery.

Part two- my Cesarean section

 So the midwife came and gave me some a gown and some elasticated compression tights.She gave Derek some scrubs. Then she prepped me for the surgery, and gave me some antacids for my stomach, then the anaesthesiologist came and spoke with me and I signed a consent form. Then before I knew it I was being taken to the operating room. The contractions were getting stronger at this point and I was glad I was getting my spinal block soon.

They wheeled me into the theatre and the anaesthesiologist had me sit up to administer the block, it started working so quickly. My toes and legs felt really warm and then I couldn't feel anything from my chest down. The theatre staff started coming in and getting ready. There seemed to be so many people there for my section and it was a little scary to be honest. Then they put up the curtain and started an iv and asked me if I could feel anything on my tummy,and I couldn't so they started. It seems to be so fast, they tell you that  you feel lots of tugging and pulling which is uncomfortable but I was ok. Before I knew it they were telling me, the baby is almost here, I heard the doctor say the cord was around her neck and I remember thinking, thank the lord I didn't continue labour on my own, I was so scared to think what might have happened with the cord around her neck.
Then they called out those words, "It's a girl,"

Then I saw my first glimpse of her, they whisked her to the other side of the room. I stretched my neck to see her, and then I heard it. The most glorious and shrill cries, and she starting waving her arms and crying. It was 7:59 am on Sunday the 22/02/09, nine days early, and my daughter was here weighing 7lbs 2 oz. I just cried as soon as I looked over at her. I remember I said 'oh Derek she has red hair too like Dylan!' but she didn't it just looked red from the delivery.

They said to Derek that her lips were a bit blue so they had a tiny little hose and they were blowing air on her face and lips. Then they put a nappy on her and wrapped her and put her hat on her and brought her to me. The first thing I noticed were her big lips, she had Angelina lips! She was stunning, she was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, and utterly perfect in every way. She had dark wispy hair, she started to open her big eyes. It was amazing. Then the nurse put her in her cot, and took her to the nursery with Derek, while they finished my surgery. It felt like forever, I was missing out on the cuddles!

After my surgery they took me to recovery, where they kept me for such a long time, they told me to rest and that they would let me go back to my room when I had some sensation back. They told me to keep pressing the button on my arm for the morphine so it would kick in when the anaesthetic wore off. Then they took me back into the room.  Where Daddy and Lauren were getting to know each other.

My mom was on her way with my Dad and Dylan and at this stage the anaesthetic was wearing off and of course the first place it seemed to wear off was my abdomen. I was using the morphine pump and was coping well with the pain, what I found most annoying was the way I had to stay laying down flat for the day. I actually can't remember why, I think it was to do with the epidural! I was so out of it that day!

When my parents got there I was so excited for Dylan to meet Lauren. I still remember his little face lighting up when he saw her. It was as if he couldn't believe she was here! My mom was emotional too!

 Derek's parents arrived shortly after with gifts! And I opened all the gifts and had a full conversation about them, and when we got home I opened the bag and asked Derek where they came from! I guess morphine will do that to ya! I never got any other pictures on the first day, my poor Dad and Derek's parents never got a picture with my newborn Lauren, but I have loads with them now so it's ok!

When everyone left we took some pictures of Dylan and Lauren together. To see Dylan holding her melted my heart.

 I was feeling very weak and tired so I didn't have any pictures taken which I'm disappointed in now! The first night in the hospital was very uncomfortable, and I was still waiting on my private room which the nurses kept telling me would be ready soon. The lovely nurse took Lauren that night as I just wouldn't have been able to care for her, I mean I could barely move. I remember it would take ages to turn over and it was pretty awful that first night. The next morning they had my room ready and they moved me into it. It was a gorgeous big room it was like a hotel! I took a shower slowly (with help) and tried to keep moving and keep active. I rested a lot too though and just enjoyed my baby. I was so in control this time around I had my little routine going, feeding and changing and getting her on a schedule! I hadn't the foggiest notion with Dylan! But we did ok, but I knew what I wanted to do differently this time round.

My Mom visited quite a lot with Dylan which really helped. I was very emotional after the section and quite uncomfortable but mostly I was happy. I was overwhelmed and happy to have a baby daughter.

 I spent four nights in the hospital and on the 27/02/09 we took our new baby home, then at 2:09pm my parents dropped Dylan home and we became a family of four. Those first few days at home were so magical and Derek was amazing. He took amazing care of me and of our children too.

I looked at our children and realised that I was so lucky. I am so grateful to have two beautiful children and I am so happy I wrote their birth stories. It helped me realise all the things that I'd forgotten.

Lauren will be three soon and I can't quite believe it. She is still our little baby. Dylan is seven, where does the time go! They grow so fast you can't quite believe it, the only thing that grows faster than them is the overwhelming love I have for them, and I know that is the one thing in my life that will never change.

Click here for Dylan's birth story

National museum- Archaeology

Yesterday we visited the National Museum of Ireland - archaeology now this is amazing to see the things that have survived for thousands of years. The kids really enjoyed it. There was all of ancient Ireland on display and there was the ancient Egypt displays. The strangest display was the 'bog people' people who were buried in the bogs and are amazingly preserved after thousands of years (wasn't going to allow Dylan to see this as it was a little macabre)

We met my friend for coffee and cakes after, and then we headed home for dinner. It was a lovely relaxing day! Although we had spent the entire morning scrubbing the house. That is the drawback of being out working all week, the house was literally falling apart around me.

I really enjoyed spending time with the kids and with Derek. Today I am lazing around the house and Dylan is having a play date.... I love weekends!

So here are the guys today at the museum having a great time.

Family update 20/01/12

So Dylan's update is pretty good at the moment! I spoke with his teacher and he was having some problems with his reading, but with some help, hard work and determination he has skipped two grades in his reading assessment. I am so proud of him, he has done so much work. He also got a gold star last week for his handwriting, which he has also been working really hard at. I'm so proud of him!  He is reading like a trooper at the moment. He has just finished the 'Horrid Henry' range, and he's currently readying "The Call of the Wild," by John London which is childrens literature, so I'm happy that he is really enjoying it.

After much debate Dylan has finally settled on his after school activities. He does speech and drama on Tuesdays, he does choir on Thursdays and on Sunday mornings he has rugby. He is really enjoying all of them, but he hasn't been back to rugby since he broke his arm. He is due to go back to training in the next week or two, I just really didn't want to risk anything happening to his arm again. I don't even want to remember how horrible that whole experience was and I wasn't letting him go back too soon and end up with the bone broken again.

Lauren has an awful cough and heavy cold and has been quite miserable this week. If she doesn't seem any better I'm going to take her to see the doctor on Monday. In potty training- she  is completely trained during the day, and wears a pull up at night. She still has accidents now and then but it's down to sheer laziness. She could be in the middle of her favourite programme and doesn't even notice that she's gone! But otherwise she is doing really well using the 'big girl toilet'

She has started to come in to our bed by herself in the middle of the night now and again, something that she NEVER did before! I've taught her to stay in her own bed all night, and the last two nights she's gone back to her old habit of sleeping all night again.

Lauren is due to start Montessori school in September, so we want her to get used to socialising with other kids before she goes. I also am eager to get her involved in activities like Dylan is. I have contacted a few dance teachers, and I'm waiting to hear back. I would like to start her in a dance class soon. I think it would really benefit her. Dylan is doing so much and I would Lauren to have a few structured things to do too.

Recently they have both been playing together so nicely. They will sit and play together now, something which they would never do before. Dylan is so protective of his baby sister and Lauren still adores her big brother.

Life is good these days and I'm really looking forward to this weekend. We are going to continue on our tour of the museums! Tomorrow is the Archaeology museum, another of the National Museum of Ireland. We can't wait!

Happy Friday!!

National Museum - Decorative Arts

On Sunday went to the national museum of Ireland- decorative arts  they thoroughly enjoyed it! Dylan really loved it, it was also good to do something educational with them for a few hours. I love how Dylan was so eager to learn about the exhibits, and he seemed to get a lot out of our visit.

Here he is looking all serious!

I love how this photo shows the courtyard where the defence forces of our country have marched for hundreds of years, and I love how our flag is flying in the foreground of the photo, it's quite poignant.

I also love how the courtyard is in the background of this picture of the kids

The kids in front of "Collin's Barracks,' ( I forgot my camera, so had to make do with my phone!) so it's a bit blurry...

They had an education room there, and Lauren and Dylan loved drawing about what they saw at the museum

The courtyard from the gallery

Look how cute this is! He did this the whole way round, they are the most adorable little pair! They have been getting on so much better over the past week, they've been playing together all weekend. It is such a joy not to have to referee fights constantly... makes for a very happy mommy!

It was the barracks and therefore full of army exhibits that the boys loved, but I have to say it was Mommy who loved the accessory displays..... especially these two displays with the stunning gowns...

Just before we left in our new knitwear that Nanna sent us!

we had a really great weekend, I loved spending some time with the kiddies that was fun and educational, Derek enjoyed it too!

Finally just a little picture of the little naughty kitty...

How cute...

Do you think she's comfy?

We are planning on visiting a few of the museums in Dublin over the next couple of weeks...

I can't wait!

Dylan's birth story

I often wonder where I would start if I were to write my birth stories, somehow I always think it's a profoundly private thing. It's not just my story, but Derek, Dylan and Lauren's too. The story of their grand entrances!

In saying that, I feel I have some ownership over the stories since it happened to my body, so ultimately its up to me to share it. Maybe the kids might like to read it some day, god knows I always ask my own mum about when I was born. So it's my story to tell and so I've decided to tell it.

Of course not everybody has the same experience and I wasn't lucky with my birth experience with Dylan. I had complications, but I'm not saying my experience is what happens for everyone it's just the way things went for me.

Part One - Labour & Delivery

Dylan arrived ten days late in 2004 , I had a scan on the Friday before Dylan was born, my obstetrician said my amniotic fluid levels were good, and they said if I didn't go into labour over the weekend then they would induce labour on Tuesday the 30th. Boy was he spot on, because Tuesday morning at 7:00am my labour started! I was due to be in hospital at 8:00 am! I was probably in the early stages of labour all night. I had a light breakfast and we headed to the labour ward, which was only five minutes down the road. So we took the last belly shot!

I checked in and they hooked me up to a foetal monitor and we listened to the baby's heartbeat for about half an hour. I remember I was starting to get cramping and tightening at this stage, and what felt like light contractions every few minutes. At this stage I signed my consent for the epidural, I remember when I read the fine print it advised how 10% of people who have an epidural it doesn't work for. I remember thinking to myself I'm going to be that 10%- more on this later.

They established I was in labour at this stage so they had me change and settle into my room. The contractions started getting a bit stronger at this stage. I was getting more anxious and I sat on a birthing ball to get things moving along. Then my midwife had me started on an iv with my induction meds. I hated them they made the contractions stronger and closer together. I remember thinking that my body could do this on its own and I didn't need it artificially, so I asked them to stop the iv. The doctor then decided to break my waters at 12pm, this was such an odd sensation and quite uncomfortable, then you can feel a gush of water. Then the fun started! The contractions got more intense and more painful, I started to get overwhelmed and I felt like I needed the epidural.

It was at this stage that I met my midwife Molly, she was amazing I really couldn't have done it without her! (sorry Derek) so the doctor said that the anaesthesiologist was on call and I'd have to wait half an hour or I could have a different anaesthesiologist. Now I don't know if the epidural just didn't work for me or else the anaesthesiologist didn't carry out the procedure correctly, but it didn't take effect.

He had me bend forward with a pillow on my lap, Molly held my hands and then it was done, my left side went numb for about half an hour but I still felt all the pain it didn't work at all, now unless it helped and labour is way more painful than what I went through!

I was in agony at this stage and very upset because the epidural hadn't worked. I remember saying to Molly "I can't do this" she took my hands looked me in the eyes and says "yes you can" I laboured for another while. I remember looking over and seeing Derek getting very upset, and I asked him to go get my mum for a while, so he went and got her and I sent him off so he could get his head together,it was clear from my mum's face that I was having a very difficult labour. I experimented with different positions for my labour, and the nurse put ice on my back but eventually the doctor tried to call the anaesthesiologist again.

About an hour later the anaesthesiologist who was supposed to come to me originally arrived, and my doctor told her that I would need a spinal block as I was experiencing a lot of swelling and tearing, but when they examined me they saw that I was ready to start pushing. So no spinal block!! they went through the pushing technique with me, this was when I feel I lost focus. I was so exhausted from the pain and really fatigued. I panicked and i don't feel i pushed correctly or effectively. I went on pushing for another two hours, and my doctor decided it was time for an episiotomy and they would try forceps, so he injected some local anaesthetic and gave me the episiotomy which i didn't feel, I was already in so much pain. At this point Molly was finished her shift and she asked me would she stay, but I told her to go she must have been exhausted, and so another midwife came. Her name was Olive, when my mother met her she remembered her as the midwife that helped deliver my younger brother. It was amazing to have had her there and to have had the support of the nurse who brought my brother into the world, and was now going to help deliver my son. It felt quite poignant really and it meant a lot to me.

Then my doctor went ahead and tried to use the forceps to deliver my baby, they didn't work so the doctor tried the vacuum, and so after 10 hours of active labour with one final push, I delivered my son into the world. It was 5:00 pm on Tuesday the 30th of November 2004. He weighed 8lbs 2oz, he had soft downy hair with big chubby cheeks, with his little face all scrunched up.

They put him straight on my chest and I gathered him to me. I was so relieved he was here and he was utterly perfect. I looked at Derek who was overcome with emotion. He kissed me and then Dylan, they took him and cleaned him up and brought him to me so I could feed him.

All this time they are still working on me and prepping me for my repair surgery. At this point I didn't care I was just so happy my baby was here and he was ok. I would have gone through it all again. I never felt such relief than when I pushed him out. The emotions are euphoric. To see the child you've carried, to see their face, their fingers there toes. He looked familiar to me the moment he was born. I already felt I knew him forever. I knew his face by heart minutes after he was born, I would have known his smell. He was the most beautiful little baby I'd ever seen ( even though he was red and squished! and ok he looked like a red beetroot, but to me he was gorgeous)

We waited while my OB went to get ready for my surgery, they let my mum come back in then to see Dylan while we waited. She was thrilled and so relieved he was here and I was ok.

Part two - my surgery

At about 7:00 pm they brought me to theatre for my repair operation, my OB was preparing for the surgery while they administered a spinal block which took effect pretty fast, then they got me all set up and my OB came in and stitched me. I was stitched for over an hour and a half and then they took me to recovery. When I was in recovery I got to speak with my doctor, and I asked him how many stitches I had, and he looked at me and said ' more than 1 but less than 100' that's all he would say. I had suffered a third degree tear. I was one of the unlucky few. Then when the doctor was happy I was recovering well he let them take me back to my room. I was so happy to just be with Derek and Dylan and really enjoy being our new little family. I was happier than I had ever been.

Unfortunately when I woke during the night, I was in such awful pain that they had to call the on call doctor to give me some extra pain meds.They helped a bit and I got some sleep, the next morning I was very weak so they went ahead and did some blood tests, and since I had lost so much blood they gave me two units of blood. I recovered slowly, but all the while I was happy to have my baby here, and it was so wonderful getting to know him. We were our own little family now, and it was amazing!

Dylan was also lucky enough to meet a very special person who is no longer with us, my Grandmother. She was so overwhelmed to meet her first great Grandson, and this picture is priceless to me. I am so grateful that she got to meet Dylan, as this is something that Lauren never got to do. She adored Dylan, he was a blessing to her. Dylan was very close to her too.

Some of what followed was intensely private, but I'm happy to share this much. I suffered with post natal depression, but knowing that you can go down and then bring yourself back up and fight for your happiness again, well it makes me proud of myself because I came through it. That still was the happiest time for me, even when I was emotional and tearful I still enjoyed every moment with my new baby.

I don't know why my labour was more difficult than other people, and i dint know why I got post natal depression, and at first I was a little upset that I had had such a bad experience at times, but I had Dylan and if that is what I had to go through to bring my beautiful, amazing, wonderful boy into this world. I would do it all again tomorrow, because sometimes the brightest day comes after the darkest night, and Dylan had certainly brightened up my world. I am grateful we have a son and I'm grateful that son is Dylan. I am thankful that I am lucky enough to be his mommy.

ps: Lauren's birth story will follow soon, it took me a long time to compose Dylan's so I'm hoping to have Lauren's ready in time to share on her third birthday.

Our night out & a visit to the park

This weekend was quiet and relaxing, Derek and I went out for dinner while his parents watched the kids for us. We had a really really nice meal, and having time to ourselves was so nice! The restaurant was really good, the food was amazing and of course the company wasn't too bad!

We went to Buenos Aires grill in the city, and I'd definitely recommend it. It's well worth a visit, I'd go back with friends for a night out.

The kids had a lovely time with their Grandparents and I am so grateful to Nanna and Grandad for giving us a night out!

The kids are having great fun playing with the new addition to the family...

Look at these sleepy bed heads!

Playing with our Kitty in full fairy costume... we wouldn't have it any other way in our house!



The kitten is as naughty as the kiddies here (only joking)... Amber seems to think the basket is her new home... little rascal!

On Sunday we took out our Flickrs for a ride.. Dylan has been on his flickr on a daily basis, but as you can see below Lauren still isn't so sure!

Of course there were some very 'nice' hills in the park, which of course Dad had to have a go help Dylan!

I don't think he liked it at all!! Then we went in to have a play in the park, it was quite cold so we didn't stay too long, we didn't bring our gloves, which Dylan didn't mind... Lauren on the other hand wasn't too impressed, so we found a pair of gloves belonging to me in the car, and she was wearing them with style!

The kids were a joy this weekend, they behaved really well together. Lauren has been particularly adorable recently. She just randomly puts her hands on your face and plants a big kiss on your cheek, she says ' I just love you so much Mommy,' when she was going to bed last night she said to me' I'm your princess Mommy,' oh my heart just melts.

Dylan is and always has been my cutie, he still loves to snuggle up and watch a movie on the couch with me! But I'm not allowed to give him any kisses at the school gate anymore, now that he's a big boy!

In other news we've started coming up with ideas for Lauren's birthday party, the theme that we are loving so far is the princess theme. So I'm going to go with that oh so original theme! and get thinking of something really special for her third birthday. While I'm trying to convince myself that she isn't really going to be three. I can't believe how fast the time has gone. how is my baby three already?!

I guess I'd better enjoy these next few weeks of having a two year old... because the next time I blink she'll have grown some more.