I love my children dearly. I really do.
But what is there that compares with being voluntarily without them for a couple of days?
Yes, it's a bit of a worry: will they be happy? mentally or emotionally scarred? a pain in the backside for their doting grandparents? sick? spoiled rotten? But look at it this way: no arguments over dinner, or bed, or anything; no bath; no tears; dinner at a proper dinner time; lie-ins (we actually do OK for these anyway: thanks boys); reduced washing; no tidying. But we had to keep Lily-Beth. We get to lavish time on her and ourselves.
Those were the days: when having one baby was work. When having none at all was a holiday. Now one is a holiday. Actually two will be a holiday soon.
So what are we doing? Well, I walked home from the football today and stopped off at the pub. Sue slept uninterrupted all afternoon. Tomorrow out for parties and sleeping in. Not having to tidy up. That'll do.
Oh, and we'll spend Sunday praying that the boys don't cock it up, so that this arrangement can become a regular one.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Politics and the Name
Here it is:
Lily-Beth Mei-Lin JohnsWe did actually decide a while ago, but the effort of deciding took a lot out of me, and I didn't really publicise it.
Lily was Sue's and the boys' choice. Libby was mine. Elizabeth was always out of the question. Lily Beth felt nice. I think there will be a lot of Lilys around, but I don't think there'll be many Lily-Beths. Also I have been feeling a bit Country this autumn, and Lily-Beth could easily have been a Walton or an Ingles or a song.
Mei Lin means Beautiful Lotus. If our surname were Liszt we might have had to think differently, but I reckon we're OK.
The last two babies have been named by Sue, and Sammy was re-named by Sue. The name Tinsel was a spoiling manouevre aimed at giving her a name that I had chosen that would then have to be changed, and I might get a say in the change. Yes, it's complicated, but that's politics and strategy: complicated. Anyway, it was too complicated for me, and she ended up Lily. At least I got the Beth tagged on, so it worked really.
And I'm hoping to keep the hyphen. That will mean that all her teachers will call her Lily-Beth. (They always use the name from the register. It doesn't matter what the child is really called. It's in the Rules. Ask anyone.) So I'm playing the long game.
Well, I was until Sue reads this.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Gary Lineker
Not a euphemism. Not a dig at the jug-eared house-wives’ favourite.
What a thoroughly nice feller. He heard about Joe’s illness, and may even have read this blog. He’s been through it all himself, of course. There is an unfaitr rumour that he’s not computer savvy enough to write a comment (hear that, Mrs Adderson!). But no matter, out of the blue a couple of days ago a card and signed photo turned up from him!
What a thoroughly nice feller. Outstanding disciplinary record AND he sends cards to poorly kids that he hears about.
You see, Youth of Britain: that’s a role model. That’s how you get to present Match of the Day and take the mick out of Alan Hansen. Of course, if you can score a goal every other game no matter how big a club you play for, and get the Golden Boot in a World Cup, then you'll probably get there anyway. But I bet you can't be as nice a feller as Gary at the same time.
What a thoroughly nice feller. He heard about Joe’s illness, and may even have read this blog. He’s been through it all himself, of course. There is an unfaitr rumour that he’s not computer savvy enough to write a comment (hear that, Mrs Adderson!). But no matter, out of the blue a couple of days ago a card and signed photo turned up from him!
What a thoroughly nice feller. Outstanding disciplinary record AND he sends cards to poorly kids that he hears about.
You see, Youth of Britain: that’s a role model. That’s how you get to present Match of the Day and take the mick out of Alan Hansen. Of course, if you can score a goal every other game no matter how big a club you play for, and get the Golden Boot in a World Cup, then you'll probably get there anyway. But I bet you can't be as nice a feller as Gary at the same time.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Family upgrade succeeds
It really is a girl!
Born 11 minutes past 5, after full waters broken manually at 12 midday. Actual labour, from 3cm dilated, only 2 hours!
Baby Tinsel, perhaps Lillibeth or Lily-Beth or Lily or Libby or Elizabeth, weighed in at 7lb 5.4 oz (my guess was 7lb 6, and I’m claiming bragger’s rights).
Both mum and daughter are well, but kept in overnight because of long time between first waters and birth (2 days). No problems anticipated.
Ward is very strict about visitors so hang fire, but Sue should be home tomorrow night. Do visit from Friday onwards.
Our midwife was Fiona and she was the very epitome of professionalism in the caring professions. Well done NHS!
Born 11 minutes past 5, after full waters broken manually at 12 midday. Actual labour, from 3cm dilated, only 2 hours!
Baby Tinsel, perhaps Lillibeth or Lily-Beth or Lily or Libby or Elizabeth, weighed in at 7lb 5.4 oz (my guess was 7lb 6, and I’m claiming bragger’s rights).
Both mum and daughter are well, but kept in overnight because of long time between first waters and birth (2 days). No problems anticipated.
Ward is very strict about visitors so hang fire, but Sue should be home tomorrow night. Do visit from Friday onwards.
Our midwife was Fiona and she was the very epitome of professionalism in the caring professions. Well done NHS!
Tinsel time
It's 6.30 in the morning and I am up and blogging. And I am in the UK. I tried to make a list of people less likely to be up before day-break and typing at a computer, and all I could come up with was Sue and Pete.
So what happened? Tinsel started shuffling around the night before last, and Sue had contractions, but relatively half-hearted ones. And then her waters broke. Of course, since she wasn't very convinced by the contractions she assumed she must have wet herself. This whole pregnancy and child-birth thing really isn't very lady-like is it? How did the only people who do it get to be called ladies, and be all delicate and proper?
The boys have been farmed out to school, child-minder, cousins, workhouse, orphanage. I went to work yesterday morning. Theresa taxied Sue and children around in the morning and I took over in the afternoon. Slept the clock round last night. Keeled over at 7.30. Can't get back to sleep now.
But still no Tinsel. We go into hospital at 10 this morning to get induced. Yes, Tinsel is still 2 weeks from due-date, but after waters have broken you're only allowed a day, in case of infection. I was looking forward to the inducement: a traditional thick Brown Envelope? Swiss bank account? Shares? Lucky dip? A sticker? Certificate? No. How about a squirt of cold jelly up your front bottom instead?
Joe has been full-on anaemic for a week now, but still full of energy. The hospital won't give him a transfusion unless he starts to really flag: fewer procedures, less risk. He cycled into town on Saturday, to see my school singing in the Mall. And back. And exacted payment in McDonalds and sweets for being good. He's just as chirpy and noisy as ever. And he's keeping pace with school now as well. His hair is growing back very slowly, and fluffily. The big boys at school, who have been grabbing his hat off and stroking his head (it's very tempting), have been told not to.
The polar bear is fully engaged, but Sammy has not felt any contractions yet. He is sure it will go to full term, and beyond. He says Christmas is when it's coming. In fact, Sue has found a cuddly polar bear toy, and it is going to arrive early like Tinsel. I think Sammy's labour may well be short and comfortable. Grandma and Grandad are here now, just back from India. They will be able to assist with the delivery.
See you on the other side of 3 children! Not long now
So what happened? Tinsel started shuffling around the night before last, and Sue had contractions, but relatively half-hearted ones. And then her waters broke. Of course, since she wasn't very convinced by the contractions she assumed she must have wet herself. This whole pregnancy and child-birth thing really isn't very lady-like is it? How did the only people who do it get to be called ladies, and be all delicate and proper?
The boys have been farmed out to school, child-minder, cousins, workhouse, orphanage. I went to work yesterday morning. Theresa taxied Sue and children around in the morning and I took over in the afternoon. Slept the clock round last night. Keeled over at 7.30. Can't get back to sleep now.
But still no Tinsel. We go into hospital at 10 this morning to get induced. Yes, Tinsel is still 2 weeks from due-date, but after waters have broken you're only allowed a day, in case of infection. I was looking forward to the inducement: a traditional thick Brown Envelope? Swiss bank account? Shares? Lucky dip? A sticker? Certificate? No. How about a squirt of cold jelly up your front bottom instead?
Joe has been full-on anaemic for a week now, but still full of energy. The hospital won't give him a transfusion unless he starts to really flag: fewer procedures, less risk. He cycled into town on Saturday, to see my school singing in the Mall. And back. And exacted payment in McDonalds and sweets for being good. He's just as chirpy and noisy as ever. And he's keeping pace with school now as well. His hair is growing back very slowly, and fluffily. The big boys at school, who have been grabbing his hat off and stroking his head (it's very tempting), have been told not to.
The polar bear is fully engaged, but Sammy has not felt any contractions yet. He is sure it will go to full term, and beyond. He says Christmas is when it's coming. In fact, Sue has found a cuddly polar bear toy, and it is going to arrive early like Tinsel. I think Sammy's labour may well be short and comfortable. Grandma and Grandad are here now, just back from India. They will be able to assist with the delivery.
See you on the other side of 3 children! Not long now
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