A very challenging night

The night did not start off too badly. They woke shortly after I got into bed but I managed to get Elbereth to settle in her basket and Malach settled next to me.

The next time they woke however they did not settle well and it took me a long time to get them settled off to sleep. During which I got annoyed at them and then annoyed at myself for getting annoyed with them.

When they next woke up it was the same as th3e last time. Wolfie got up during this time. I again got annoyed at them and then again annoyed with myself for get in annoyed with them.

I had a long lie in though to make up for is and I got up at 1pm.

They had a good feed and settled off nicely in the end so that I was able to get some things done.

I managed to get out with just the twins today but unfortunately I went out a little too late and the bank was closed by the time I had got there. Thankfully I managed to post a card off to my dad before the last post so I am hoping he will get that before he goes into hospital tomorrow. He has also now had some lovely messages from my friends on the Internet, which I will get my mum to print off to show him.

Wolfie has been good today and he seems to be getting over his liking of slapping. He had a few moments but he is generally getting better. He had a good dinner which meant that he settled off to sleep first time tonight. I have been getting worried about his diet recently. Ever since I got home from the hospital I have noticed that he is eating more and more sweet things so I am going to stop him from getting cakes and biscuits from tomorrow (on a daily basis that is) and make sure that he gets more fruit and vegetables)

I still have not managed to find my digital camera yet so I have to really make an effort to have a look for it tomorrow.

I have also started writing a story to send off to Take a break. I have decided to tell them about the twin’s funky birth story.

The twins have been good this evening and they have just woke up for a fed so I am hoping that if I do not leave going to bed till too late I will get a reasonable sleep before they wake up. Well that is the plan. I need a good lie down, as my back is really hurting at the moment.

The twins were weighed today

The night went well and while the twins woke a few time during the night they settled well. Devil boy managed to get a portable TV for me to take into the back bedroom with me so I had a Carry on film to fall asleep to.

When Elbereth woke in the morning she was happily lying on my lap when I decided that I would put her in her basket and see how well she would manage. She lay there happily enough and went to sleep when she was ready which meant that only Malach was next to me. Hopefully he will also settle in his basket tonight.

Y health visitor called around soon after I got up in the morning (LOL I was just getting out of bed when she cam around) she said that it is good that I am getting so much sleep though as that will be good for my milk production.

She was happy about how we are all getting on and how the twins are doing as well.

She weighed them and Malach has gone from 2.968Kg (5lb 16oz) to 3Kg (6lb 6ox) and Elbereth has gone from 2.54Kg (5lb 5oz) to 2.58 (5lb 6 1/2oz)

I am really happy how well they are doing. Elbereth has not put on much from her birth weight but she lost more weight to begin with so she has gained well as well with her weight as well. I am really glad that the breastfeeding is going so well. I could see that they were getting along funkily but it is reassuring to know that they are doing funkily as well. It has also reassured me that I am feeding them enough as well and that they are getting good feeds. The health visitor will be coming back in two weeks to check how well we are getting on.

After she went I got ready to go to one of the baby groups that I normally go to. Devil boy got Wolfie ready and I got the twins ready. Everything was going well until Elbereth decided that sh4e needed a feed just before I was about to put her in the pram. I managed to give here a quick feed and then get ready to go out.

It went well considering it was the first time out with the twins and Wolfie. I met a friend en route and she helped me along. The group went well and the woman who runs it was pleased to see me there. I think it is good for Wolfie to get back into his usual routine.

I went to visit Devil boys grandma on the way home.. His mum and dad are in the area until tomorrow. Tat went well and I really have the confidence breastfeeding, as I was happy to feed Malach and Elbereth in the same room as Devil boy’s dad and not be embarrassed. He did not seem bothered either LOL though I also noticed that he was careful where he looked. I can easily feed them one at a time though and not show anything though.

The evening went well but unfortunately Wolfie did not settle so well to sleep tonight. I am hoping that he will sleep well tonight. I think he just got overtired.

My best friend phoned as well tonight which was really nice. We had a really good chat but after she called I got in a really bad mood (I think to make up for the fact I was not in a bad mod this morning) I was mad that I made several mistakes, that the night had passed without me getting a bath and that the night had passed too quickly and that I had forgotten to bring the pram back inside.

Thankfully after running around like a loon for a bit I managed to change the twins (they were both unsettled) bring the pram in, rectify the mistake that I made, pass Malach to Devil boy so he could get winded and feed Elbereth. I managed to have a bath and when I got back through the twins were settled and I was feeling much better. I decided that I would order some DVDs that I have meaning to get for ages and then put way the credit card until we have paid off at least half of the once again huge bill.

Oh the monitors arrived today and they are wonderful but I am defiantly going to E-Mail Take a break tomorrow though to tell them the funky birth story for the twins as that will help towards the bill.

The twins are still settled so I am going to relax and have a drink before the night shift begins.

Getting in a bad mood in the mornings

I had a good night with the twins and while they woke several time during the night they settled well so we had a good sleep.

I even managed to get up earlier than recently which was good. I had intended to sort through the clothes that the twins have been given recently but I was not able to do that as they were a little unsettled this morning.

Also for some reason I was in a bad mood and snapping at Devil boy at any opportunity. I also snapped at Wolfie a few times as well. I apologised to both Wolfie and Devil boy though and thankfully by the afternoon I was feeling much better. For the last few mornings I have been in a bad mood in the morning, which has faded in the afternoon. Hopefully it is just a phase, as I do not like being in an irritable mood.

The day went well and I managed to get washing done and cleaned the kitchen, which made me feel much better. I hate it when the kitchen is dirty. I do not mind so much when the flat is cluttered (though it does drive me mad if I trip over too many things) but I really do not like it if the kitchen needs cleaning and is cluttered.

I am going to have to find somewhere else to put the twin’s pram as well as that is taking up too much room.

I will find somewhere for it to go tomorrow when I have got back from going to one of the groups that I go to. I am sure that Wolfie will be glad for getting back into his normal routine. The challenging one will be getting up for the groups that are in the morning but hopefully I will manage that on Wednesday.

Wolfie was not too bad in the afternoon and while he is still challenging he does seem to be getting better. He unfortunately did slap Devil boy a few times today which was not nice but I know he will pass through this phase.

Wolfie settled off to sleep after I read to him and hopefully he will sleep through the night. I also have to look for my digital camera, as I really must take some new photos of the twins while they are still small and I have to take lots of photos of them for dad.

I just have to clean the kitchen again and clear some things before I can crash and read the Star Wars book that I started this morning. I thought Mara Jade was a funky an interesting character even though I had not read much about her and the more I read about the more I realise that I was right and she is indeed a really funky character.

A good night for the twins but not good for Wolfie

Wolfie did not settle and ended up going through with Devil boy. The twins woke just after I went to bed as per usual but the settled quickly.

They woke a few times during the night but they settled quickly.

They woke again at around 8.30 and I was going to get up once they had settled but I was still feeling tired so I was hoping that an extra hour would make me feel less tired. I unfortunately slept until just before 12. I did not mean to sleep that long.

I managed to get a nappy wash in before Devil boys mum, dad, grandma and granddad came around in the afternoon. Devil boy’s grandma and granddad had not even seen Wolfie before today. They normally stay the other side of Scotland but I think they realised that we will not be able to go and visit them now that the twins have arrived.

The visit went really well and it was really funky. Wolfie was very quiet when they were over but he made up for it when they went by throwing a big tantrum.

He was a little mischievous before he went to bed. Hopefully he will sleep better tonight.

The twins have been really god during the day and then night, which has given me chance to start sorting through their clothes. I have emptied their clothes from the cot so I am going to try and get them to settle in that tonight.

They are a little unsettled as I type this so I am hoping that will mean that they will sleep well tonight. I have got bad heartburn tonight for some reason though which is making feeding them uncomfortable.

I think I will crash as soon as I have got them settled.

I need to get a routine sorted out now

I had a good night with them. I was about to go to bed when Elbereth woke but that worked out well as I just stayed by my computer until she was settled. Though it was 1.30 by the time I went to bed and they were a little unsettled for a while. I cannot keep putting them in bed with me though as it will work out worse in the long term.

I really need to clear the clothes out of their cot and start settling them in that together at night. I am hoping that their body warmth will keep them warm throughout the night. I had dumped all of the clothes that we have been given into their cot but I will have to sort them out now tomorrow.

The day has gone well and they have fed well and settled well. I woke up too ate though. I woke up at gone 12. I fee that I am wasting half of the day. I am going to try and get into bed a little earlier in the hope that I will wake earlier tomorrow. While it is good that I am getting such a good lie in I do not like getting up so late. I think I also need to take more iron as it feels a little ominous that I am feeling so tired as well.

Devil boy and I have treated ourselves to new monitors today. They were a good deal and they are really good monitors. We will be able to sell an old computer (with the monitor that I have now) to help towards the cost.

The twins have been really settled today and Wolfie has been good. Unfortunately sometimes he wants to be on my lap when I am trying to feed the twins and he does not understand that it is not possible. Bless him.

He did not settle too well tonight but it is good that once he has settled he sleeps well.

The twin’s feel like they have put on weight recently. I am hoping that they have done so as well. They look like they are getting on well and they are feeding well as well. I have a feeling that they are going to be unsettled tonight so I am going to take a Star Wars book to read tonight to help me through. I am really looking forward to read more about Mara Jade. She is such an interesting character but I have not read that much about her.

I think that Devil boy roaring down the speaker to his brother has woken one of the twins. Though it is good that it has happened now as they are due to have their nappies changed about now anyway. Unfortunately I have just found out that he has woken up Wolfie though which is not that good.

From bump to babies

While I was feeding the twins this morning I decided that I would put all of my bump pictures together in a bump to babies gallery. So here is a photographic journal of my pregnancy and the result at the end :D

Here is my bump at 14 weeks (when I only suspected that I might be pregnant lol)



















Here is my bump at 17 weeks:

















Here is my bump at 19 weeks:
















Here is my bump at 21 weeks:

















Here is my bump at 22 weeks:




















Here is my bump at 23 1/2 weeks:











Here is my bump at 25 weeks:




















Here is my bump at 26 weeks:
















Here is my bump at 28 weeks:














Here is my bump at 30 weeks:




















My bump at 32 weeks:



















My bump at 33 weeks:




















Here is my bump at 34 weeks:




















Here is my bump at 35 weeks:




















Here is my bump at 36 weeks:




















Here is my bump at 36 weeks (front view) :




















Here is my bump at 37 weeks (the day before I gave birth :




















Here is my bump at 37 weeks (front view) :




















And here are Malach Karl and Elbereth Jade:

Getting back to normal

Once again as soon as I got into bed last night the twins woke up needing to be fed, changed, winded etc. Thankfully though I managed to settle them better tonight than I did last night so I was able to get some sleep. I fed them as and when I needed and then I went back to sleep.

When I woke up I checked the time and I was shocked to see that is was 11.45. I was mortified as I was getting picked up at 12.30 to go to homestart. Devil boy told me that he had not been up for long. Unfortunately Wolfie had managed to get into the kitchen again and scatter food all about the place again.

Devil boy took care of getting Wolfie ready while I got the twins ready. I was ready in time for the minibus arriving. It was late this week so that gave me extra time to get ready.

Wolfie was really happy to be going back to the homestart. He really enjoys going there. He was upset at first but he loves going three now.

The twins were really content while I was there and I managed to get my competitions done while I was there. I am behind on my competitions so I am hoping to catch up this weekend. My friend also has lent me a Star wars book to read. It is set shortly after Luck and Mara Jade got married so that will be really interesting to read. I am going to take in some of my Star Wars books for her to read next week.

When I got home the twins got up and they were unsettled for a few hours before I managed to get them settled. I then spent some time with Wolfie. He sat happily on my lap while we watched the A-Team.

He settled off after being read to for the second time. I am sure that he is used to his new bed so hopefully he will sleep well again tonight. I am going to put a cushion under the sofa so that he cannot get into the kitchen again in the morning.

The twins were slightly unsettled again in the evening so I am hopeful that they will sleep well tonight.

Devil boy is plying Battlefield2 at the moment. I have to confess that I do not really like him playing the game as he gets wound up and shouts and gets too frustrated while playing it.

I am off now to clean the kitchen up and get a cup of tea before bed. Had not realised how late it was. I was hoping to reply to messages that my friends on the Internet had sent me but that will have to wait until tomorrow.

Another challenging night

I am sure that the twins have a sensor that lets them know that I have gone to bed. I took them through to the back room and got ready for bed. They seemed settled so I got into bed. I heard them stir strait away.

Within 10 minutes of me getting into bed Elbereth woke up. I got her up changed her fed and winded her. I tried to settle her back into her basket and Malach woke up. They both would not settle. I got frustrated with them as I would have preferred them to have been like this in the early evening when I could have dealt with it better.

I am not sure how long it took but I eventually managed to get them to settle and get some sleep. They slept quite well and if they woke they settled quickly. I got quite a good sleep in the end.

When I woke up I decided to check the time and I leapt out of bed when I realised that it was 10.30. The health visitor said she would call around at that time. I got up and dressed quickly.

Thankfully she arrived late, which gave me time to get breakfast. She came around with Elbereths red book and told me that she will bring Malachs book on another day as they had ran out of boy’s books. It went well and she told me that I was doing really well. She is calling around again next Monday and will bring the scales with her. Hopefully the twins will be getting along funkily. She also gave me a leaflet about settling babies. I am going to take it to bed with me tonight, as tonight will probably be another unsettled night.

The day sent well. The Tesco order arrived and I cleaned up a little. Devil boy’s daughter came around in the afternoon. She fussed over the babies which made Wolfie jealous and he in turn slapped her a few times.

Wolfie settled better tonight and I am hoping that he will sleep well again like he did last night.

I have just relaxed this evening and I am planning to go to bed earlier tonight in the hope that I can get a little rest before they become unsettled.

After a challenging night, thankfully today has been a good day.

The night shift started well. When I took them thorough to the back room they were settled.

However when I got to bed it was not long before they became unsettled and woke up. I was feeling a little drained but I managed to feed them and change them both and that is when the various rounds of trying to get them settled off again started.

It was several hours before I managed to get them settled off for a short while when they woke up again and thus started the second part of changing, winding, feeding and trying to get them to settle again.

I heard that Wolfie was awake and I saw that he had slept until 6am so I took him though to Devil boy so I was glad that at leas one of my children managed to get a good night’s sleep. I went back through to the twins and after about an hour I managed to get some sleep. I got up at nearly 11am but I still felt dazed and confused.

The morning went well and as Devil bo7uy was about to take Wolfie around to his grandma’s house I had a visit from my friend who came around with her daughter. We had a nice chat and she brought me some clothes that she had seen in Tesco. I am going to make her a collage when I can get the chance, as she has been really funky to me.

After she had gone I lay down for a while and rested for a short time before Devil boy came back. I really have to chance my sitting posture though while I breastfeed as my back is really beginning to ache now. I felt my back throbbing as I lay down.

The afternoon went well. I managed to get Wolfie to take a nap this afternoon. Hopefully he will start taking his daytime nap again from now on, as he is better for it. When he got up while he was still acting jealous he was a lot better than when he has not had a nap.

He did not settle off to sleep well though tonight. Recently he has not been settling well at night. Maybe it is because he is settling into his new bed so hopefully he will settle better when he is used to it. Hopefully he will sleep well tonight as well.

I managed to clean the kitchen tonight and I have cleaned the baby clothes out of the living room and into the back room. Te flat has been getting so cluttered that it is driving me mad. The kitchen looks a lot better and I have made good progress on the living room. I am hoping to work on the back room tomorrow.

The twins were unsettled tonight and have bed changed and fed well. They are settled now so I have my fingers crossed that they sleep well tonight.

Mum has gone back today

Wolfie woke several times through the night, as he was not used to his new bed. I tried to settle him off but I asked Devil boy to deal with him, as I needed to get some sleep ready for when the twins woke in the night.

They settled well in their baskets for a while. They both stirred at different times so I was able to feed them and put them back in their baskets. They again settled for a while before they both woke up and would not settle again so unfortunately it was another night alongside me.

They woke again through the night and needed a complete change, feed etc before they settled off again.

I heard Wolfie pottering about the flat and then I heard mum come in. I thought I would get an extra 5 minutes in bed but I ended up spending an extra hour in bed.

Mum stayed for a short while and got a photo took with the twins before going back to Derbyshire.

The morning went well and the twins settled off nicely. The midwives made their final visit this morning. I will now need to see the health visitor if I have any more queries. The midwives were happy with us and while Malach’s eye is still sticky it is not too bad. I have made sure that I have washed it lots today.

I managed to get the nappies washed but I have not managed to get a lot else done today. I meant to get lots of cleaning done but I am afraid I could not be bothered to. I will work on getting it dome tomorrow.

I managed to get Wolfie to take a nap this afternoon but unfortunately I burn4ed the soup that I was making for him.

Mum phoned me to let me know that she had got back to Derbyshire safely. She was telling me that she was telling dad about the twins and dad said that he hoped that he would get the chance to see the twins. It is understandable that he is getting very worried about the operation now as it is getting very close. Thankfully though they are really good with heart surgery now but it is still a major operation. I am also worried for him.

Wolfie was really cranky when he got up and I snapped at him as the night wore on. I felt really bad for snapping at him though. He really has changed a lot since the twins have got home but it is understandable and I know that it is a phase. He has his wonderful moments as well so I am hoping that his aggressive side passes. I also have to calm down him as well as I do not want him to pick up on that.

He did not settle well tonight but eventually he went off to sleep so we are hoping that he will sleep better tonight.

Though after I saw some sad news tonight I made sure that I gave Wolfie a extra long cuddle before I left him to settle for the last time. I am also going to make sure that I cuddle the twins as well.

I just relaxed in the evening and had a soak in the bath and ate lots of fruit. I have eaten too much junk over the last few days and I am worried that I will be pilling on the weight as well as not feeling good for eating so much chocolate.

I am going to start a healthy eating diet which will also mean I will hopefully lose the pregnancy weight as well as being able to provide enough for the twins.

Challenging night but a funky day

The night shift did not start well after we spent most of the night trying to settle them.

They did settle off for a bit which gave me chance to tidy up a little and get a free moment to browse and red the story that I have been reading.

I took them through after I started to feel really tired and I got ready for bed. I had not been in bed long before they both woke up and they just would not settle no matter what I did. I was shattered and I did raise my voice at them at one point.

Thankfully I managed to get them settled and I was able to get a reasonable sleep (they woke up once during the night)

We got up at nearly 10 am (I think they settled off at round 4 in the morning) and even though I did not have the best night’s rest I felt all right. I spent the few hours before mum came over cleaning up and putting a wash load in.

Mum had been shopping and got us some food. She got us some funky meals for dinner and fruit and vegetables for other times (she also got some meat for Devil boy)

While mum was around I had a visit from one of the girls from the groups that I go to. She came around with her two sons and bought a present around for us, which was really nice of her. I was not expecting anything. It was chaotic though for a while and Elbereth was screaming for food but I did not feel comfortable feeding so I was glad when I got the opportunity to feed her.

Though within the hour I had another visitor. It was another friend from the groups that I go to. She had left her daughters with her mum so we were able to sit and chat with out chaos. She helped wind Malach while I worked on settling Elbereth. They told me a while ago that she would have a cot bed that I could have. I thought that it would be good for Wolfie to have this, as he will be getting ready for a bed soon. I thought that was really funky of them to pass that on to us. My friend’s husband made up the cot so I will put Wolfie in it tonight.

Thankfully I felt much more comfortable feeding the twins this time so I was able to feed them both while changing, winding etc.

Thankfully we managed to get them settled at around 6pm and they are still asleep now (Malach is stirring a little while I type this) Mum went back to stay at my brothers golf coaches flat and she will be back around in the morning before she goes back down south. It is a shame that she cannot stay much longer but she does not want to leave dad on his own for too long this close to his operation.

I am hoping tonight that if they sleep well they will have a good night (also that if they do wake in the night that they will settle quickly)

Caught up with the journal and mum is up in the area for a couple of days

The night shift went really well last night. I tried settling them in the cot but while they settled for a while they were disturbed after a while. I ended up with them in bed with me as I was feeling really tired at this point. I think what I will do when I try this gain is that I will try moving them into the cot earlier in the night so that I have the energy to settle them again when they get disturbed.

They only woke up once during the night though and we all managed to get a really good night’s sleep thankfully.

The morning went well. Devil boy’s brother was supposed to come around in the morning to take the rest of the wallpaper off but because he went out last night he was not in a state to get to our house this morning. I also managed to get up to date with typing out entries in this journal, which was really funky.

The twins slept well this morning, which meant that I was able to get lots done ready for mum arriving this afternoon. Devil boy cleaned the kitchen in the morning..

I was going to take Wolfie out for a walk with the twins but Devil boy said he would take Wolfie out for a walk later so I just took the twins out.

The new funky pram unfortuantely6 is just a little too wide to get out of the back door. I will have to work to see if we can jiggle it out somehow. The pram though is brilliant to handle once we were out and even though it is really wide it is easy to manoeuvre. I went to the shops and everyone made a fuss over the twins.

When I got back I relaxed for a bit before needing to feed Elbereth. While I was feeding her I thought I heard a knock at the door. I then saw mum at the window. She cam in and got presents for both the twins, Wolfie and for me as well. She got clothes, blankets and towels for the twins. A toy and clothes for Wolfie and crème bath and make up for me. She bought up a present from my brother and from Rachel as well. It is so funky how much stuff that we are getting. Mum got some funky outfits for the twins.

It is really funky to see her. It is a shame that she can only stay until Monday morning but it is good that she could make it up at all. She was telling me that when the heart specialist last saw dad they were told how ill dad really is. He told them that if he does not have the operation he has a 50/50 that he would live for more than two years. Another part of his heart is not working well either which means that his heart is not pumping the blood around as well as it should be. Mum said that he was worried about getting the operation done but he now knows that it has to be done.

Mum was telling me that dad had got really tired recently from just fitting a door handle on the back door. I know that he is really worried at the moment. I spoke to him on the phone and he sounded really worried even though he did not say. I think though he is just looking forward to feeling better again. I am looking forward to seeing him again as that will mean that he is well enough to travel.

After um had gone we had dinner and I fed the twins while Devil boy got Wolfie ready for bed. I am not sure why but Wolfie is not settling off to sleep strait away. He will cry and then he will settle once you have read to him again. We tried to settle him without reading for the second time but I ended up reading to him. I only needed to read a page to him though and he settled off funkily.

I am on the next task of trying to settle the twins off to sleep. They are just not settling and as quick as I have settled one off to sleep the other will wake. I really wanted to clean up all of the things that I have been given tonight as the living room is once again cluttered. I do not know why they are not settling but I really hope they settle soon as I am starting to feel very tired.

We have decided a name for Bambino MKK tonight though. I suggested a name to Devil boy when I was recovering from giving birth but he was not sure. He told mum the name and because she reacted positively it cleared the doubt that he had about the name so he was happy with it. We have decided to name Bambino MKII Malach Karl. The second name is name, which is now being passed down the generations of his family. His grandfather and dad are named that and his brother has that as his second name. Devil boy asked if it was all right if we included the name in his name. I was going to look for a name from one of the Star Wars books but I am happy for the name to be passed on.

Elbereth has settled on my lap and hopefully she will remain so and Malach seems to be a little restless at the moment.

I am hoping though that if they are this unsettled now they will sleep well tonight. I have my fingers crossed.

Friday 20th January 2006 – Managing a jealous toddler

The night shift went better than I expected. Though I have to admit that I cheated again and put them alongside me. They of course settled really well and woke once during the night for a feed and to be changed. They settled back funkily though and we all managed to get a good night’s sleep and we felt much better for it.

Wolfie was good in the morning and that went well with the twins as well. They settled well and they fed well.

Wolfie started to get cranky though in the late morning and started throwing his toys out of the box (one only just missing Bambino MKII) we decided to try and get him to take his daytime nap.

The midwife came during the time when we were trying to get him to take a nap so Devil boy went through to read to him while we were checked over.

The midwife said that the twins were a little cool but apart from that they were funky. She said that when it is cooler we could put cardigans, booties and mittens on them to keep them warm. She also said that I needed to make sure that their eyes were washed regularly as they were a little bit sticky. She told me that I was getting on funkly as well after she checked my belly. She said that she would call around tomorrow and then let me have Sunday off.

After the midwife had gone I tried to get Wolfie to take a nap but it did not work. He seemed fine for a while after and we got some lunch, which he ate well. As the afternoon progresses though both he and the twins also were not settling well.

This put both Devil boy and I on edge. I was easily upset as well as incredibly short tempered. I shouted at Wofie a few times, upset him and then I felt so guilty about it that I gave him lots of cuddles and told him that I was sorry.

Devil boy was really annoyed at Wolfe because he scratched his eye. We are now getting tired of Wolfie just coming up to us and slapping us. I know why he is doing this but I am not too sure how we can stop him. I really do not want to smack him, as that is not the answer. I am sure that we will find a way though.

On the good side of Wolfie though he is trying to help out n his own way. When I am winding the twins he tries to wind them as well. He also tries to pick one of the babies up when he sees us do it and he holds their hands when I feed them. He watches while I change their nappies and wipes the changing mat clean with a wipe. I am really glad that he has these moments as ell as that gives me hope that he will pass through the slapping phase without too much trouble. This has been a huge change for him so there is a lot f adjusting for him to do.

I have noticed that he is more eager to spend time with Devil boy but that will also change no doubt when I get the chance of spending more time with him as well.

Wolfie settled off to sleep after both Devil boy and I had read to him and thankfully the twins had also settled off at this point so we had a good night in the end. We just used the time to wound down and recover from our fraught day.

Mum phoned in the evening and told us that she would be arriving at some point tomorrow for a few days. Dad is unfortunately not well enough to travel up for such a short time so I need to make sure that I find out my digital camera and take as many photographs as possible for him. I will make up WebPages for the twins as well so he can see photos there.

Devil boy played battlefield 2 and I read a storey that I got from the Internet.

I also managed to clean up a little and ort out the twins room ready for the night shift. I am going to try and settle them in the cot tonight.

Thursday 19th January 2006 – I think we are getting there slowly

The night shift went pretty much the same as lat night with Devil boy staying up to let me get sleep while he looked after the twins. He told me when I was going through to the back room that he is all right for not getting much sleep and that he will be able to catch up at some point. I think he is feeling a little bad that he can not help with feeding them o is helping in anyway that he can.

I have decided that I will not let him do this again tonight, as I would like for him to get a good nights sleep. He is a great help by keeping Wolfie entertained while I feed the twins and he will not be able to do that so well if he is shattered as well.

I phoned up homestart to let them know that the twins have been born but also to say that I will miss this week but will be returning next week. They will be putting car seats in for next week for the twins. I think it will be nice for Wolfie to get back into his routine as soon as possible. I think the homestart group is really good for him to go to. It will also mean that Devil boy will also get some free time.

The midwife came around in the morning. She had someone else with here who I assume was a trainee midwife. She also brought a big bag of sleep suit for the twins with a load of nappies. I cannot believe how lovely people have been since having the twins. They have been so willing to help out which is lovely. The midwife told me that if I need anything else that I should just let her know.

The twins are funky today and he noted that they aren’t looking so jaundiced so I am hoping that they are not only putting on a little weight but also recovering from their jaundice. She checked me and told me that I was getting on nicely as well. She said that I was eating well but that I need to drink much more fluid. She said that could be why I am also constipated at the moment.

I made sure that I drank lots of juice and herbal tea for the rest of the day.

I also managed to get a lot done around the living room. I managed to sort through some of the clothes and go through some of the many bags that are at the back of the sofa.

I also managed to get some rest before I took the twins through to the back room ready for the night shift. Devil boy also managed to get chance to play battlefield 2 for a bit tonight as well. He told me that I was to go through as soon as I needed help.

Wednesday 18th January 2006 – Getting settled and back into a routine

The night shift went quite well. Devil boy brought the mattress through to the living room and let me get a nap. He woke me up when a baby needed feeding and in-between he kept them entertained and settled them until nearly 4 in the morning.

I would not have let him stay up that late though had I known but bless him he let me sleep through. I took the twins through to the back room and fed them, changed and winded them and then I ended up having to put them alongside me. I think they were not settling because of the temperature difference. I will have a think about how I can solve that little challenge, as I do not want them to get used to sleeping alongside me.

The morning went well and I managed to get Wolfies nappies washed and I placed a Tesco order while the twins napped. I have managed to get a slot for the food to be delivered tonight. It was strange really as the available slots for tomorrow cost 1£ more than tonight’s slot.

The midwife called around today to check both the twins and I. She also did the heel prick so that they could be tested for various things (Opps I have forgotten what for though LOL) She told me that the twins were a little cool and that when the flat is not that warm to put a cardigan on. She said that apart from that they are getting on well. They are still slightly jaundiced but looked all right. She also examined me and said that I was getting on funkily. The stitches were healing well and my uterus was contracting nicely. Thankfully the cramps that I was getting in the hospital have now faded. I am happy about that, as they were really uncomfortable (especially when feeding)

I spent the rest of the day in a round of feeding. Changing, winding, settling, running about the flat trying to get organised and settled back in and when I had a spare moment going on the Internet to post my birth story. I actually had a little time to browse the Internet but still not enough time to check my E-Mails.

Devil boys brother came up in the evening and started to take off the wallpaper in the twins room. He also has some special wallpaper that he can put up that will be good for the damp that is in there. Thankfully since taking off the original wallpaper it odes not seem to be too much of a problem. I am not sure what is causing the damp but it seems to be an ongoing problems.

I managed to get some rest in the evening and as the night wore on the twins started getting more and more challenging to settle in preparation for the night shift.

Tuesday 17th January 2006 – Coming back home

The night shift went well after I decided to cheat tonight and I put them on the bed next to me. We all slept really well and I felt much better for it in the morning. The twins had a good feed in the morning and I was hoping that Elbereth would be well enough to go home.

The midwife came around and checked the twins. She told me that while Elbereth was still slightly jaundiced her weight was good again. She was not back to her birth weight yet but she was within the 10% weight loss that they would like to see. This would mean that we could go home. I was not only really happy that she was not getting along funkily but also that we could go home. I was really ready to go home as I was missing Wolfie and I am looking forward to getting the twins into a routine.

I phoned Devil boy and asked him to arrange the transport for getting home. I was then able to rest for a bit, eat lunch and wait for Devil boy’s cousin to collect us.

She arrived later with her mum to take us back home. It was lovely being back home and while Wolfie is not the biggest for his age he seemed so big and so heavy not that I have got used to handling little newborns. He was lovely with the twin’s when I went into the house. He went over to the car seats and babbled lots to them. He got rather excitable though and got a little hyperactive.

I am sure that Wolfie will get jealous of the twins but we will deal with that hopefully as and when it happens. I am happy that he gave them such a nice greeting and we will see what happen over the next few weeks.

It felt rather strange to be back home and so much felt like it had changed. Devil boy had made a wonderful job of cleaning the kitchen but the sock and laundry baskets were in a bit of a state and the twin’s room was looking rather chaotic as well. I think it will take a while before I feel like there is order again in our household.

The twins have been reall7y good today though. They have slept well and they have settled well after being fed, changed, winded etc. I wish it was like that at night when they do not settle well at all.

I decided to rest as much as possible in the night ready for the night shift.

Monday 16th January 2006 – An extra night in the hospital

The night started off the same as the night before with the usual round of feeding, winding, changing, walking up and down the corridor with them in the hops of settling them off to sleep. Tonight however I was feeling in better shape as I had managed to get a good few naps during the day.

On of the other babies in the room was just as unsettled as the twins so at first I was not feeling to bad about them being a little unsettled. I managed to get the twins settled off at around 2am so I was planning on getting a nap. Unfortunately though the other baby was still unsettled and managed to wake both of the twins which I was not too happy about as I was trying to get a nap myself when they woke up.

After another few hours of feeding, winding etc I managed to get them to settled at around 5am. By then I was feeling really tired so I was looking forward to getting a good sleep. Unfortunately the unsettled baby decided to wake again and yet again wake the twins. I was really not impressed at this point as I was feeling exhausted. In the end I put the twins on the bed alongside me and I managed to get the to settle at around 6am. I managed to get a sleep until 10am.

They cam around to check the twins ready for me to leave and while Bambino MKII was funky Elbereth was not as good. She had lost over 10 % of her birth weight (around 12%) and she was slightly jaundiced. They said that she would still be god to go home so I made arrangements to get a lift home.

Later on when I asked about when it would be good to go home however they told me that it might not be good for us to go home after all.

Devil boys mum and dad arrived to pick us up and the paediatrician arrived to see Elbereth. She advised that we stay in an extra night so that they could keep a look on how she gets on. She said that while we could go home she would have to take some blood from Elbereth and check it before she is allowed home. I decided that it would be better to stay in an extra night and see what happens in the morning. Devil boys mum said that she would be able to get someone else to pick us up.

I was told to make sure that I fed Elbereth at least every 3 hours and if she did not manage to get a good feed I would have to express off some milk for her to drink. She was also felling asleep at the boob a lot so I had to strip her so that she was a little uncomfortable so that she would get a good feed.

I spent the rest of the day worrying about her and whether she was getting good feeds when she fed. She seemed to be doing alright though and I decided to put her on my faster flowing right boob and Bambino MKII on the slower flowing left boob as he has more energy to work for a feed. I think that once she is funky again I am going to alternate the feeds so that they both get chance to feed off the faster flowing right boob.

Devil boy managed to get his brother to look after Wolfie so that he could come and visit me.

I spent the rest of the night feeding them as much as possible (and actually writing it in my notes as well) and resting as much as possible in preparation for the night shift.

Sunday 15th January 2006 – Welcome to the twisted world of newborns

Well after being settled all through the day both Bambino MKII and Elbyreth decided that they would not settle almost as son as it stuck 12. I was shattered after not getting much sleep, I had only managed to get around 5 hours sleep since the night before and I was really feeling shattered.

I fed, winded them, changed etc but as soon as I managed to get one settled the other would wake up. Thankfully though one of the midwives offered to help settle them at 1 so I was able to get some sleep.

They brought them through a few hours later so I could feed them but I was feeling so much better for getting a few hours sleep.

It is so sweet looking at them as it brought so many memories back from when Wolfie was a newborn. I had forgotten how that when newborns start crying their whole head turns bright red instantly as well as the cute way their bottom lip and tongue quivers when they cry. It is also really amusing that when they cry they sound like they are saying laa laa laa.

Today has gone really well and I decided that I should be prepared for the nighttime shift and I have taken lots of naps as soon as I had the opportunity. They settle so well during the day it is wonderful. I just wish they could settle so ell at night. The midwife told me that because the milk production is better at night that is why they are awake more at night at this stage. I also think that they settle better with daytime noises but it is like the silence of night is strange to them as I am sure that I read that it is noisy in the uterus.

I decided that I would stay an extra night in the hospital. I was worried that I was so tired I was not too good with the night shift so I would not only see how I manage tonight but if I am too tired I can always ask for help from the midwives. Hopefully it will go well though.

Devil boy came to visit me in the afternoon and by the time that he arrived all of the others that were in my room had gone so we actually got some privacy. His brother was looking after Wolfie so he could relax during the visit instead of running around after Wolfie.

About half an hour after I was told that I was to be moved into a different room. I was hoping that it would be a single room but unfortunately it was another shared room. They told me that they needed to clean the room so that was why I was moved. I did not get a window bed in the new room so I was a little miffed.

Devil boys mum, grandma and aunt visited that night and took a few photos. His mum and dad will be picking us up from the hospital. The hospital has lent me a couple of car seats to take the twins home in. I was going to take them home on the train but both my mum and dad and Devil boy’s relatives were not too happy about that as they said that I could not do that. This made me smile as I thought I wonder what they did before cars though.

I managed to get a few more naps after Devil boy’s relatives left in preparation for the night shift.

Saturday 14th January 2006 – Bambino MKII and Bambina’s Birthday

It started off when Wolfie woke up at 3 am. I was too tired to do anything about him so I brought him through and I was trying to get back to sleep when I felt my waters broke. They did not break with Wolfie but I knew that’s what it was.

I posted on the Internet to tell my online friends what had happened and then started to get the bags together while thinking about what to do about Wolfie. I erm had forgotten to get contact details for the friend who said she was going to look after him so while Devil boy was trying to wake up I was trying to explain where she lived so we could just take Wolfie around.

I phoned up the hospital and asked if Wofie could go in as we were struggling to get someone to look after him. I was told that he could come in but Devil boy would have to stay out in the corridor with him.

My contractions started coming on thick and fast at this point and were really painful so in the end I decided that we would have to take Wolfie in and we phoned for an ambulance.

Shortly before the ambulance arrived the contractions were really painful and there was not rest in between so I knew that it was getting close. Devil boy phoned and I decided to check and I could feel Bambino MKII's head getting ready to move down.

Thankfully the ambulance arrived a few seconds later and after the contraction had passed they helped me out to the ambulance. Unfortunately I knew that I could not go any further and all I could mange was out of the house and around the corner before I had to push. Two pushes later and his head was out and another push he was thankfully caught by both me and my skirt before he hit the garden path. (LOL I said I wanted a home birth)

I was taken into the ambulance where the contractions started shortly after and off we went to the hospital. By the time we got to the hospital they were thick and fast again and I was whisked into the labour unit to get scanned.

This is when they found that Elbereth had spun and was now going to be a breech delivery. They started buzzing around and then her heartbeat dropped and stayed at 70.

I was getting lots of questions fired at me in the event of a caesarean section and I was rushed to theatre.

When I was in there it all went a bit crazy. My legs were put in syrups and the contractions were really painful. I was asked if I wanted gas and air but I thought that as I had got this far there was little point.

The doctor broke my waters and next second she came flying out in one go. It took us all by surprise and even Elbereth as she was purple to begin with. LOL I tell you what though they were all buzzing about her making sure that she was alright but thinking back I have never had that many people between my legs at once, LOL)

I really was not expecting the labour to be that quick though. LOL from the start Waters broke at 3.45, Bambino MKII was born at 5.20 weighing 5lb 15oz and Elbereth was born at 5.57am weighing 5lb 5oz.

It was such a positive experience though and I am so happy that it went so well. I had to be stitched but there was not way I was having that done without anaesthetic though.

Bambino MKII had to spend some time on the special care ward as he was a little bit cold from being born outside.

LOL every time I think about how they were born it makes me smile. The paramedics told the midwives that it made their night as well as it was a lot better than dealing with drunks. All of the midwives thought it was really funky as well how Bambino MKII made his debut.

While I was recovering in the labour suite Devil Boy decided to take Wolfie home as he was getting really cranky from being over tired. He was also shattered, as he had only managed to get about an hours sleep when my waters broke.

I went up to the special care unit at around 10.30 to see Bambino MKII on my way to the ward where I would be staying. He looked really content and after a while I was able to hold him. He was in an incubator to raise his temperature. He was in the room that was the room for babies that are just about good enough to leave so I was glad that he was funky apart from being cold.

I was able to hold him for a bit and when he was checked I was told that he was good enough for me to take out with me. I was so happy about that as I was not looking forward to being separated from him for a long time.

I got onto the ward in time for lunch and I spent most of the day getting used to being a mother of three as well as being the mother of twins and a toddler.

The twins slept most of the day and I rested in-between visits. Devil boys mum and dad managed to get over and they came to visit in the evening along with Devil boy’s grandma and Devil boy’s daughter. Wolfie was running around the ward like loon as he was hyperactive and overtired. He was good still but he was mostly interested in running around and saying hello to all of the people on the ward.

The end of the day was good and the twins were nice and settled ready for the night shift to begin.

Here is a picture of Bambino MKII and Elbereth:

Getting monitored and feeling overwhelmed

Wolfie slept until 6 am this morning. I brought him through with us and he then slept until about 7.30. I was then planning on getting up at 8. The next time I looked at the clock it was 8.45 however and Wolfie was sound asleep next to me.

I decided that I would just concentrate on getting ready for the appointment in the afternoon and ask Devil boy to try and get him off for a nap.

The morning went well and Devil boy took Wolfie over to his grandma’s house at 11.30 to give me some free time. I had a soak in the bath and went out for the train. The train would get me in too early for the appointment. This though meant that at least I would not need to rush from the train station. The train after the one I took would have been too late.

I got to the hospital and I sat down and read a magazine while I waited. The midwives arrived and told me that they could attach me up to the monitors early instead.

They strapped a monitor at the top of my bump to detect and possible contractions and then two more straps were fitted around my bump with sensors to pick up each heartbeat. They found Bambinos MKII’s heartbeat easily. It was more challenging finding Bambina’s heartbeat as she still has more freedom of movement.

I had to press a button when I detected any movement. The wriggled, moved and kicked lots during the trace scan but they were able to get the reading that they needed after being attached to the monitor for about half an hour. The only down side is that I now realise how restricted I am going to be during labour as they will want to monitor me lots. I think I will ask them to only monitor me when they have to, as I would prefer a labour that is as active as possible.

Shortly after I got home I saw a woman on our street who has twin boy’s. She gave me a big bag of clothes for the twins. I was really happy as not only was it really funky for her to pass on the stuff (some of the stuff was brand new) but also because I needed boys outfits as I did not have as many of them than girls outfits. A while ago I threw out a few of Wolfies old clothes and gave some of them away. Bambino MKII now thankfully has enough to wear. (I need to find a snowsuit that Wolfie had though tomorrow and wash it)

As it neared Wolfies bedtime though I became down. For about an hour I was on edge and the amount of work that I need to get done overwhelmed me for a while. Wolfie has been a little strange with his settling off. For the last two nights I have read to him cuddled him and then tucked him in. Normally I just leave him to fall asleep but last night and tonight I have had to give him and extra cuddle after tucking him in and then tuck him in again. It must be just a phase.

My friend called up though and after a good chat I felt a lot better. I am rally looking forward to her coming up to visit. I am also really looking forward to getting a car at some point in the future so I can visit her more often.

I have decided though that for tonight now that I have managed to sort out the clothes that I have been given and I will have a quick clean up before I go to bed. The rest can wait until tomorrow. As much as I would love to rush around like a madwoman I do not have the energy to do so and I do not want to cause damage by trying as well. I will just have to be efficient tomorrow.

I took some new pictures of my bump this morning.

Here is my dressed bump at 37 weeks:




















Here is my bump at 37 weeks:




















Here is the front view of my bump at 37 weeks:

I got a good night’s rest

Wolfie slept until 6.30 this morning which meant that I was able to ge a good night’s rest. I feel so much better for it.

Unfortunately when I went into the fridge sat one point I discovered that Devil boy had not closed the freezer compartment properly and this meant that a lot of the things in the fridge were now beginning to freeze. The bananas are ruined along with the mushrooms and possibly the carrots as well. I will see what happens to the rest.

I got a parcel through the post this morning. It was a lot of clothes for Bambina. They were from a friend that I met through a discussion group on the Internet. It was really funky of her to send me the clothes. There are a lot of them that Bambino MKII can wear as well though.

The morning went well. I took Wolfie out for a walk and I managed to get him to take a nap before I took him out to the home start group that I go to on Thursdays. That went really well and it is good for Wolfie to have some time away from me. He does not get the opportunity to not be with me so it is good that he can get used to it as it will help him when he goes to school.

When I got back I ordered memory for my digital camera so I can take lots of pictures for dad. I have also ordered a proper toy box for the living room and the one that I made is not good enough as Wolfie is climbing all over it and it is falling apart.

I managed to order baking tins as well. The only things I need is a mixing bowl and I can start to make lots of really interesting food. I am going to make pizza, cream cakes, vegan chocolate, bread etc. I am looking forward to starting cooking again. I have been wanting to make sure that we get a good healthy diet since I started weaning Wolfie as I started looking at the ingredients and I have decided that it would be better to have home cooked food.

Wolfie went to bed funkily and I have spent the night relaxing and doing a spot of tidying up. My brother phoned at one point. It was really nice to talk to him and his girlfriend.

I am hopeful that Wolfie will sleep well through the night again so I can get another good rest. I need it as I m feeling sick at the moment. I am not sure if is from anything that I have eaten today (that is one of my paranoia’s)

Change to mum and dad’s plans and beginning to ache

I had a bad night with Wolfie last night. He woke up at 3 and I tried to get him to settle but unfortunately the wind kept disturbing him so at 5 I had to admit defeat and bring him through.

I woke up at 8.30 and I then woke Wolfie up because I needed to get him ready for the baby group in the morning. I managed to get up at 8.45 and get ready to go out. I was late leaving the house; everything seemed to conspire against getting out of the house quickly.

I really struggled on the walk to the group. I am now aching a lot and when I got there I found out that the group had been cancelled due to there not being heating in the building. I was really annoyed that I have not been asked for contact details for events like this. I am nearly 37 weeks pregnant and they know I have a long walk to get to the group. I only go there because it is good for Wolfie to get out and meet other children and play with new toys but while I never felt like I felt a part of the group I feel even less so now. Thankfully my friend also tried to come along to the group and she said that she would check in on a friend so that her husband could give me a lift home.

I took Wolfie out for a walk before trying to get him to nap. It was not the most pleasant walk though as it was still windy and now raining. We had a quick walk though and when I got back I rested for a bit before I tried to get Woflie off for his nap. I managed to get him to nap today and I also managed to get a quick five-minute shuteye before he got up again.

I got a phone call from dad in the afternoon telling me that there has been another twist in their visiting arrangements. Dad has been ill for a while with heart problems (damage caused from having rheumatic fever as a child) he has been taking water tables but has been on the waiting list for a heart valve operation. He has been told today that he has got an appointment to see a specialist and that he might have a date for an operation. He will possibly have his operation on the 1st Feb, which will mean that he will not be able to come up when the twins have been born. They have cancelled the cottage. Dad is really upset that he will not see the twins as newborns but I am going to make sure that I take as many photographs as possible and he said that he would come up as soon as he is able to. Mum has said she will try and come up earlier but I told her ton concentrate on looking after dad, as I am worried about him having such a serious operation.

I have not done a lot tonight as I am aching a lot tonight and I am not getting about very well. I was going to once again start work on the collag3e and look through some toys that one of Devil boy’s relatives gave us today but I have not had the energy to do so.

I thin today it is a case of praise be to the powers of Word for correcting this document and as soon as I have finished I am crashing as I am shattered and aching.

Wolfie hit another baby and daily phone calls

Wolfie woke up in the night at 2.30 and I was so tired that I decided that I would bring him through with us. He seemed really upset when I went through to him and his cheeks were red so maybe he was woken up with teething pain. If the same happens tonight I will not bring him through, as I do not want him to get into the habit of it.

The day went well. Wolfie did not unfortunately nap today. I tried and after I read to him for a while he was still awake I decided that it would not work today.

In the afternoon the friend who is looking after Wolfie when I am in labour came around to visit with her daughter. I was planning to visit her today. It went well but unfortunately at one point when her daughter was sting on one of Wolfies buggy’s Wolfie hit Daisy with one of his toys, as he also wanted to sit on the buggy.

I was so embarrassed and daisy was hurt (she had a spot of blood on her lip) thankfully she was all right and recovered quickly. I apologised lots and told Wolfie off. He has never done anything like that before. I think he did it because he was getting over tired and is not used to other babies coming around and playing with his toys (Daisy is like that when we go and visit them and will often take toys off Wolfie) I told him off though and told him that what he did was not very nice at all and showed him how he had hurt daisy. I did not allow him to sit on the buggy after he had done that.

He had a paddy for a short while and then when to play with his Lego. He was thankfully all right after that and passed Daisy her juice cup to have a drink. My friend could also see that he was tired and thankfully she understood and was not angry with him or me about what had happened.

Wolfie was shattered and he settled off to sleep nicely. Hopefully he will sleep well tonight.

Mum called me up for her now daily progress report. Mum told me that she was going to start ringing me everyday to see how I am and if I have gone into labour yet (even though I told her I would call as soon as something happened) and even though we are only into day three of her ringing every day it is driving me up the wall. I wish she would not call so often. I am feeling fine and even if I was not I do not feel like telling her now as she is calling so often. I do not want to say anything as she will get upset but I am not looking forward to the next fortnight of daily phone calls. I do not remember he being like this with Wolfie and he was her first grandchild. She is not really asking how I am though she is just asking in with a different wording if I have gone into labour yet. I am not even full term yet and while I know that twin pregnancies do not usually make term (I no doubt will be induced early) I am not likely to go any minute now (even though I have got bits of clear show)

I am off to bed to hopefully start work on the collage. The night has flown by unfortunately and I am getting tired.

And the lights went out…..

Wolfie woke up at 5 this morning but while it is early it is not so bad as he at least sleeps with us for longer. The only thing that concerns me is that if the twins are like this as well we could end up with three children in bed with us in the morning (and fighting for space ;) )

The morning went well and when Devil boy took his daughter home I took Wolfie out for a walk.

When I got back I decided to try and get him to take a nap. When I was reading to him I noticed that the light was dimming and then getting brighter. I thought at first that the bulb was going to die so I checked and thankfully Wolfie was asleep which meant that I could leave the room before the bulb went.

I also checked the electric meter ad there was enough in there so I sat down with the plan of browsing the Internet for five minutes before cleaning up a little. It was then that the electric went off. I thought that it was actually a good thing that the electricity went off, as it managed to motivate me to start the cleaning earlier than I would have managed. I managed to sort out my bag where I store my shopping bags and clear some of the clutter. I also managed to get some material for the collage that I have been meaning to start for the last two days. I was going to start it tonight but I am ready for bed now unfortunately.

When Wolfie woke up I spent some time with him before the power came back on after being off for about 2 ½ hours. I switched the lights on but it was still not right. The lights were not as bright as they usually are and for the next hour the power flicked off and on and when it was on the lights dimmed and brightened with the power surges. Wolfie was getting upset as the phone was making beeping noises and I think he found the power surges disturbing.

The power eventually died again but fortunately we have a gas cooker so I was able to get dinner for Wolfie and I. The power came back on thankfully at 6.15. This meant that I was able to give Wolfie his usual bath at 7. While our heating is gas it will not work without the electricity on.

Hw settled off nicely and I had a lovely soak in the bath.

Devil boy has been out most of the day fixing his brother computer. He has had a lot of problems with the computer so it has taken a lot longer than he hoped. I have spent the night mostly relaxing, browsing the Internet and getting something to eat (I cleaned the kitchen while I prepared the food)

I am going to crash now and look for any back up names for the Bambino’s.

Busy out and about and cleaning

Wolfie woke up at just before 6 am thins morning and when I brought him through he slept until 8.45. I got up at 9.15.

I did appreciate the lie in but I am a little worried how difficult I am finding getting up in the morning. I think I need to get more iron into my system.

I took Wolfie over to Devil boys grandmas house as his mum and dad are in the area until tomorrow. I thought that if I cannot make it tomorrow then it would be good to see them today. I had a really nice time over there and I stayed for a few hours. Devil boy’s aunt was there as well.

When I got back I rested for a short while before I put the nappies on the radiator and cleaned up around the house. I lead such a rock n roll lifestyle.

Wolfie did not get a nap during the day and towards the end he was getting very cranky. He was getting especially annoyed by Devil boys daughter but he was happy once in the bath and he settled off to sleep nicely.

I went to the shop only to find that it was closed. I had forgotten it was a Sunday due to Devil boy’s daughter stopping the night (she normally stops on a Saturday) so I had to walk further to the shop that is open later. I am glad that I had to go further as I picked up some bargains that I would not have got from the other shop. I was walking up the hill (well struggling) when my next-door neighbour saw me when she drove past and gave me a lift home. That was really nice of her to do that.

I spoke to mum and dad on the phone and I told them the date that I would like for them to arrive on (the 30th) I explained that while I will no doubt be induced on the 23rd (if I have not gone into labour before then) but that does not mean they will arrive on that day. I also might need a caesarean section, which will mean that I would need to stay in hospital longer. I told her that I would like a day or two to settle back at home and she then decided that she would not book anything and wait for more news.

I think mum had got the idea that I was going to have the twins on the 23rd but it does not work like that and babies do not work to schedule. I did think that I wished that they had not bothered pressuring me for a date yesterday, as it would have saved me a lot of worry and fretting.

I am just going to relax for the rest of the night and fill out the competitions in the magazines that I buy (Chat and Take a break)

Pressure to provide dates for mum and dad to visit

Wolfie slept until 6.45 and we got up at around 8. I decided to have a lazy day today.

I got a phone call from mum in the morning and she passed me onto dad who then started asking me about when they could come up. It was less than 24 hours since a date for possible induction was pencilled in. I felt really pressurised into making a decision there and then. I told dad that I would let him know tomorrow what dates would be good for them but he was a little huffy that I would not tell him strait away. I had to tell him that as I was getting used to it myself and that I would get back to him soon he was not really happy but accepted it. I was not going to be pressurised to make a decision on the spot.

I was hoping to use the time between finding out yesterday and (if I had not had the twins by then) the induction to get used to the idea. It is almost like I have to produce a baby to a schedule and it does not work like that. I really wish that Devil boy had not told them about me getting an induction date.

I spent the rest of the morning not only fretting about that but also browsing the Internet and defragging my computer. At around 12 I tried to get Wolfie to get a nap.

Wolfie managed to get a nap but he did not nap for that long. I think he napped for about half and hour at the most. I am glad that he did nap though at least.

The rest of the day went well. I was supposed to go over and visit Devil boys mum and dad while they are in the area but I really did not have the energy to do so. They are going back tomorrow so I will visit them in the morning.

I have registered with a discussion board for multiple pregnancies so I am hoping to find some good tips on looking after twins as well as getting them into a routine.

My night was uneventful but I have decided that I am going to tell dad that it would be good for them to book the cottage form the 30th January. This will mean that if I am to be induced I will have lots of time to have a worry free labour and time in the hospital and a few days at home to bond with the twins as well as give Wolfie chance to get used to the twins being there.

Even thought he night has been uneventful it has gone far too quickly as I feel guilty because I have not only not got a lot done but I also have not had the energy to run about after Wolfie either.

I am hoping that a combination of having this restful day and having a good night’s sleep will mean that I will feel better tomorrow.

36 Week scan

Wolfie woke unfortunately at 4.30 and I decided to bring him through with us.

I got up at 7.45 to get ready to go out. I prepared both of our breakfasts and at 8.50 I set off for the train.

The scan went really well and it was lovely seeing the twins again and knowing that they are both getting along really well. Three has been no changes to them as well so there still is a boy and a girl. Bambino MKII is still head down while Bambina has moved again. She is now almost head down with her body twisted about a bit. No doubt that will change before I am due to give birth though. I saw her at one point practising to breath, which was wonderful to see.

I went for the follow up appointment. My usual doctor was not well so a different doctor saw me today. We chatted about how I was getting on and about an induction date. Twin pregnancies are usually induced, as there is a greater risk of placental failure.

I now need to go back to the hospital next Friday to monitor how the babies are getting on; this will be mainly to trace their heartbeats. The following Friday I will need to go in again and see my doctor again to confirm that I will be going for an induction or if I would like for nature to take is course. If I am going for an induction then he will check me to see if I have softened up and if I have then I will just go in on the Monday morning for the induction. If I have not softened up on the Friday then I will need to go in on the 22nd to get softened up. Either way it looks like that if nothing has happened by the 23rd it will be all systems go. It is strange setting a induction date though. It still does not seem that real that in a very short time I will be meeting my twins.

I am still worried that they will be all right but I think that is normal. It is really reassuring that their development is going to target and that they look good. I am worried that they will a low birth weight but hopefully they will both be at least over 5lbs each.

When I got home Devil boy told me that he had not been able to get Wolfie off for a nap so I tried for a bit before I realised that he was not going to take a nap. I got him up and Devil boy made him some lunch.

I went up shopping in the afternoon and took Wolfie with me. I was able to get a few things but by the time I got back home I was absolutely shattered.

Wolfie was starting to get over tired and hyperactive as a result. He bit my bump and my shoulder. I managed to settle him down a little and we made sure that we were prompt with getting his bath ready. Thankfully the bath calmed him down totally ready for bed and I accidentally read to him until he was asleep. I picked him up and settled him properly in his bed so that he knew that I had left the room. We will see what happens during the night.

I have been busy tonight burning photographs and other things onto cds so that if my computer crashes then my stuff is safe if I ever have to format my hard drive. I have also been able to delete my photos form my digital camera so I can now take a few pictures while I am in hospital.

I spoke to my mum on the phone tonight while I mended one of Wolfies makeshift toy boxes. I told mum about the twins being a boy and a girl and she was really pleased and it sounds like she is looking forward to coming up and helping out. She says that they will stay a fortnight. It will be lovely having them up for that long.

I will get ready for bed soon. I will relax and look through some books for any possible names for Bambino MKII (I am happy with the names that I have chosen for Bambina)

Here is the scan picture of Bambino MKII (it is not really clear but he is facing towards us) :

















Here is the picture of Bambina (she too is facing towards us but if you move back it is clearer that Bambino MKII’s) :

















Here is what they look on the outside:




















This is the bump from the front:

After being so busy yesterday a day of rest

Wolfie slept through the night until 6 am and then he slept until about 8.15 this morning when we were woken up by a knock at the door.

Devil boy’s daughter came around for the morning while her mum was at work.

The morning went well if rather chaotically. I managed to sort through some of the clutter that we have in Wolfies room and when Devil boys daughter had gone back home I tried to get Woflie to nap.

After a while I managed to get him to nap. He napped for over an hour, which really pleased me as it is the second day in a row that he has napped so I am hoping that he is getting back into his old routine. When he woke up he ate some soup and the most of a pear.

The afternoon went really well. I have had a relaxing afternoon and not really done a lot.

Wolfie ate a good dinner tonight. He did not settle well tonight though. He woke a couple of times but he has settled now thankfully. Hopefully he will sleep well again tonight.

I have had a lovely soak in the bath tonight and I have just relaxed and browsed the Internet.

I am going to make sure that I have an early night as I am already feeling tired and I have an early start in the morning as I have my 36-week scan and follow up appointment afterwards. I will be going on my own again and Devil boy will be looking after Wolfie. It worked well last time. I am really looking forward to seeing the twins again. I will also mention at the follow up appointment about seeing bits of show and see what they say about it.

Show time is now getting closer but the nursery is now ready for the twins to move into it

Show time is now getting closer but the nursery is now ready for the twins to move into it

Wolfie woke up at nearly 6 this morning and I brought him through with us. He slept until 8.30 and I got up at 9.30 to make his breakfast.

I took him out to the shop and I decided to try him for a nap as he was actually showing signs of tiredness. I managed to get him off to sleep today. It would have probably been a longer nap as well if it had not have been for some people racing about on the lay park on mini motorbikes. I am thinking about complaining about them, as it is a play park and not a race circuit. It really makes me mad when I see people in the park on their quads etc.

I was going to call up the antenatal unit at the maternity centre where I am booked to have the twins as since last night I have been getting bits of a clear show. I know that this time the show does not mean that I will go into labour any moment now but it does mean that something will happen in the next few weeks.

I chickened out of phoning them, as it did not seem worth bothering them with. I will see what happens in the next 24 hours and as I am going in for my 36 week scan this Friday with an follow up midwife appointment I will mention it then.

Devil boy has been brilliant with Woilfie today. He has spent lots of time with him, which has given me the opportunity to get some things organised. I was able to put away all of Bambinas clothes and sort through the toys as well as moving toys that are Wolfies into his room. E does not usually spend much time there so I am trying to encourage him to use it more often. Thankfully so far toady he has been spending time in there and I am going to move more things in and put up his growth chart. I do not want to ban him form the twins room but I would like him to realise that the twin’s room is no longer his playroom but his playroom has now been moved to be in his bedroom as well.

Seeing the clear show has made me determined to get the nursery sorted though. I have worked really hard on the back room (well like a mad woman or a woman possessed) I have cleared out all of the things that should not be there so that if I do happen to go into labour tin the next few days they have somewhere to sleep. I will leave the wallpaper until a time when I can get it done. I think the most important thing was to get the most important part of it ready (I will take photos of the nursery after I have posted this and then edit them in) I have some hovering to do but that can wait until tomorrow, as I do not want to disturb Wolfie.

I then cleared the hall of the things that I moved out of the nursery and then I cleaned the kitchen a little and cleaned and hovered the living room.

All I have to do now is take photos of the nursery, get the bed ready and crash as I am really getting shattered now.

Edited to add: Here are the pictures of the nursery:

The cot Before:
















After:















The bed area before:




















After:















The wardrobe before:




















After:

Wolfie is still not managing to take a daytime nap

Wolfie woke up at around 11.30 last night and it was obvious that he has now got the same cold that I have. When I went though to him he was still lying on his front and he was trying to get to sleep but he was not able to settle off to sleep.

I tried several times and even though I changed the sheet it did not really help. I gave him some calpol and read to him for a bit, which helped him settle and he slept until nearly 6 am.

We all woke up at 8.30 and I got up and made his breakfast shortly after this. The morning went well and Devil boy’s daughter was running about like a loon after Wolfie.

I tried to get Wolfie to take his daytime nap but no matter what I tried it did not work and after two and a half hours trying to get him to nap I gave up.

Thankfully even though he had not had a nap he was happy for the rest of the day. He managed to eat some of the lentil soup I made for him and he ate well for his dinner (vegetables, part of my pie and two Kiwi fruit)

I have not really done that much today though. I have browsed the Internet, cleared Wolfies toys up when he was napping and when he went to bed and washed the nappies. I have unfortunately not managed to get anything done with the twin’s room today. I will have to see what I can manage to get done tomorrow.

I was also intending to start two collages tonight but I have not managed to get them done. I am going to plan on getting an early night and send off some competitions as well as fill out the competitions that I am getting behind on.

I am hoping that Wolfie will be able to sleep well tonight even though he now has the cold that I have. I am hoping that if he can get a good night’s sleep he might nap during the day tomorrow. If he does not get a good sleep then we shall just proceeded with plan k tomorrow.

Decluttering, cleaning and presents

I had an early night but it was quite restless. I woke several times during the night. Wolfie woke up at 5.30 and I brought him through with us. We woke up at 8.30 and I got him up at 9. Devil boy got up at 9.30 and I got up at 9.45. Even though I had been in bed for a long time it took me a long time to really wake up. I think it was either because I got a broken night’s sleep or I really needed a long sleep.

I spent the morning browsing the Internet and cleaning up here and there. I made some good progress with the twin’s room and I cleared some things form the kitchen. I did not bother trying to put Wolfie for a nap as he was later getting up and I intended to try later.

In the afternoon a friend came around and dropped off some of her daughters old toys and clothes that they no longer use. There is a huge amount of toys and clothes. Some of the toys were good enough for Wolfie to use so I will be able to put them into his room. It was really lovely of her to do this. It has helped so much that she has passed on these things. She is also going to give me a cot bed, which I will make into a bed for Wolfie.

I am not sure why but he does not spend much time in his room during the day. He just goes into the twin’s room and the living room mainly. I am going to start getting him to go into his room more during the day from tomorrow as once the twins are born he will not be able to go in there so often.

Devil boy’s daughter is here today and she is stopping the night. She ran about like a loon after Wolfie, which kept him entertained. She also loves playing the Simpson’s computer game on the pc. I did not bother even trying to get Wolfie for a nap in the end, as he never seemed ready for a nap.

My plans for the evening are just to find room for Bambina’s new clothes (while sorting through the one that I would like to keep) and cleaning up a little in the kitchen and if I get time browsing the internet before getting another early night. I will relax at first and send off competitions and fill out the currents competitions.

Welcome to 2006

Happy New Year :D

Devil boy got home in time to see in the New Year with me. I treated myself to one drink (my first since October) There were lots of fireworks but I managed to speak to my mum and Devil boys relatives before Wolfie was woken by the fireworks. I wish they would not set off fireworks though as it is not fair on babies and children trying to sleep as well as animals. Thankfully he settled off quickly.

Devil boy went back to his brother’s house at about 12.30 and I went to bed with a hot water bottle.

Wolfie woke at about 5.15, which was shortly after Devil boy got in when I decided that I would bring him through. He settled off nicely and he got up at 8 followed by me at 8.30.

Thankfully I am feeling so much better today after how rotten I felt last night. I felt really sick as it got nearer to 12 o’clock. I really thought I was going to be sick at one point. Thankfully I was not though.

I did get a surprise when from around 10 in the morning till 3.30 in the afternoon I got strong braxton hicks. I did for a while think that labour might have started but when they started to fade I realised that my body is just preparing myself for the main event. I am hoping that they decided to stay inside for some extra cooking time. The more cooking time will mean they should be hopefully better prepared for the outside world.

I have pottered about the house today picking up bits of clutter here and there but I have mainly had a relaxing day and now I have just had a large meal to eat I am tempted to go to bed now. I have suddenly come over really tired and I just feel like lying in bed and trying to get a really good night’s sleep to get over this cold. I did not really get the best nights sleep last night and while I have felt good throughout the day it is beginning to catch up on me.

Unfortunately someone outside has decided that they are going to set off a lot of fireworks so I think I will wait until they have finished in case I have to go through to Wolfie. I must be boring but I really do not understand the fascination with fireworks.

I am just hoping that not only the twins stay where they are but Wolfie sleeps well so I can get a good nights rest.