Wednesday, 18 March 2009
BOY! Was that a surprise!
Clayton Ezra Spain came to join our family on Tuesday 17 March 2009 at 6:26 PM, he was delivered at Royal Cornwall Hospital Treliske. He's a big boy and weighed in at 8 pounds 4 ounces. We're home and recovering and hoping to get more sleep than we did last night. I'll update more when I have more energy.
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
I got it all done!
I did finish my to do list yesterday and feel quite proud of myself too. It seems that my plan is working, however much more slowly than I'd like...
I started having contractions last night just after I brought the kids home from school and they started out to be about 20 minutes apart. I managed to get some sleep for about 3 hours and the contractions woke me up at about midnight. They increased to about 12 minutes and I called the midwife that told me I needed to wait until they were more frequent so I am continuing to wait. They are getting more painful but haven't gotten "regular" in frequency so we are just waiting. I've not gotten much sleep because as I would start to fall back asleep, another one would start. It's been about 14 hours now and I can definitely tell things are happening.
I'll wait for the kids to wake up and call the midwife again and let her know the contractions haven't stopped and they are getting more painful, but not more frequent. Shawn seems to think he should go to work and leave me to get the kids to school and all this on my own.
I started having contractions last night just after I brought the kids home from school and they started out to be about 20 minutes apart. I managed to get some sleep for about 3 hours and the contractions woke me up at about midnight. They increased to about 12 minutes and I called the midwife that told me I needed to wait until they were more frequent so I am continuing to wait. They are getting more painful but haven't gotten "regular" in frequency so we are just waiting. I've not gotten much sleep because as I would start to fall back asleep, another one would start. It's been about 14 hours now and I can definitely tell things are happening.
I'll wait for the kids to wake up and call the midwife again and let her know the contractions haven't stopped and they are getting more painful, but not more frequent. Shawn seems to think he should go to work and leave me to get the kids to school and all this on my own.
Monday, 16 March 2009
Still no baby!!!
Well, my due date (13 March) has come and gone and little Penelope is being stubborn. However, with what we've had going through our house over the past few weeks, maybe she is being wise. Natalie had complained of a tummy ache, then Robbie had a tummy bug, Natalie had strep throat and I had a tummy bug over the weekend. I guess I can take another day or two to get things reorganized and disinfected again.
Believe it or not, I am actually caught up on laundry. I think I may even get away with only doing one load today. The kitchen and dining room are spotless as I cleaned those pretty well after dinner last night. I didn't have much choice as Shawn made tacos and Robbie with shredded cheese leaves quite the mess that I didn't want to leave until today. I just need to do a quick tidy up of the other rooms, sweep and vacuum. I would like to tackle my craft room, I admit that I've been closing the door and pretending it doesn't exist and there are a few clutter hot spots that could use some attention that if I don't attack before baby day will likely never get done.
So, instead of laying around all day feeling sorry for myself, here is what I plan to accomplish today. (I'll come back throughout the day and check things off, stuff that's done is Green)
Believe it or not, I am actually caught up on laundry. I think I may even get away with only doing one load today. The kitchen and dining room are spotless as I cleaned those pretty well after dinner last night. I didn't have much choice as Shawn made tacos and Robbie with shredded cheese leaves quite the mess that I didn't want to leave until today. I just need to do a quick tidy up of the other rooms, sweep and vacuum. I would like to tackle my craft room, I admit that I've been closing the door and pretending it doesn't exist and there are a few clutter hot spots that could use some attention that if I don't attack before baby day will likely never get done.
So, instead of laying around all day feeling sorry for myself, here is what I plan to accomplish today. (I'll come back throughout the day and check things off, stuff that's done is Green)
- Make beds & get everyone dressed
- Get breakfast ready for the kids and clean up after
- My 1 load of laundry put in the washer
- Walk Natalie to school (1/2 mile each way)
- Take a little rest
- Play with Robbie
- Tidy up and vacuum of living room
- De-clutter bench in entry way and sweep
- Move laundry to dryer and fold what's in dryer & put away
- Robbie's lunch and clean up after
- Walk Robbie to school (1/2 mile each way)
- Take a little rest
- Vacuum bedrooms and playroom
- Clean toilets and sinks
- Fold laundry and put away
- Start to organize craft room
- Take a little rest
- Pick kids up from school (1/2 mile each way)
- Start dinner (beef stew)
- Natalie's homework
- Play with kids
- Dinner and clean up after
- Family Home Evening
- Bedtime routines
- Crash
Maybe keeping busy will help little Miss Penelope come a little quicker!
Friday, 13 March 2009
Thursday, 12 March 2009
Saturday, 7 March 2009
Meet our house guest...
***Update*** The links now work!
It's not often that we get visitors from the United States here in England. Actually, during the 7 years we've lived in Europe, we've only had my Mom, sister Janie and cousin Melanie come to visit us, so to our surprise, on the 6th of March 2009, we had a guest come nearly 4500 miles across the Atlantic Ocean and all the way from St. Clairsville Ohio. His name is Flat Stanley and he was encouraged to visit us from my little cousin Ben. Ben is in Mrs. Wallace's 2nd grade class at St. Clairsville Elementary School and he wanted Flat Stanley to come and visit us in St. Columb Major, Cornwall, England so he could learn all about where we live. Flat Stanley chose to visit us at the perfect time of year too!
See, we live in Cornwall which is the county which is in the most South West part of England. On 5 March 2009, we celebrated St. Piran's Day. St. Piran is the Parton Saint of Cornwall and according to legend, he was a Celtic monk who sailed from Ireland on a millstone in the 7th century. The town we live in is St. Columb Major and our town is famous for Hurling. Hurling takes place twice a year, first on Shrove Tuesday and then again on the Saturday the following week (10 days later). It is between the Town People and the Country People, where the teams try to keep or take possession of a small silver ball and it is really exciting to watch. Our house is in the perfect place to watch as we live in the town center and we can watch all the action from our upstairs windows. It can also be dangerous and all the homes and businesses in town protect their windows to prevent the silver ball or team members from being thrown into and breaking them. Today 7 March 2009 is the Saturday match for Hurling and were were very excited that Flat Stanley came to visit us for this event.
Here are some pictures of some of the things we've done with Flat Stanley while he was here visiting.
That long trip made Flat Stanley hungry so we went and had a Cornish Pasty for lunch. A pasty is a pastry filled with beef, potato, onion and swede. It was so yummy.
Now that we had our yummy lunch, we have the energy to visit around the town. Here we are in front of the bell tower at the parish church. This church has been here since the 15th century and the bell tower is 80 feet high.
If you look closely, you can see Flat Stanley at the war memorial. This is a Celtic cross to honor the memories of those that gave their lives in various wars. Every year in November we place Poppy Wreaths in front of the memorial. The church is in the background.
Flat wanted to make a phone call, so we took him to the phone box.
You can't come and visit England without having a traditional take away dinner of Fish N Chips!
He can hardly wait to take a bite!
Here we are getting ready to watch the hurling.
Isn't it exciting!?
Now it's time for Flat Stanley to return back to St. Clairsville and back to Ben so he can finish his school project. It's a good thing he's flat or he might not fit in the post box. Oh, did we mention that we live IN the Post Office? The house is made of 2 foot thick stone and has been here for 200 years and during WWII it was the telephone exchange. It is listed on the historical registry. Oh, and Ben, the next time Flat Stanley comes to visit us in England, please make sure you pack his wooley jumper (sweater) and a rain jacket as it can be quite chilly and rainy here.
It's not often that we get visitors from the United States here in England. Actually, during the 7 years we've lived in Europe, we've only had my Mom, sister Janie and cousin Melanie come to visit us, so to our surprise, on the 6th of March 2009, we had a guest come nearly 4500 miles across the Atlantic Ocean and all the way from St. Clairsville Ohio. His name is Flat Stanley and he was encouraged to visit us from my little cousin Ben. Ben is in Mrs. Wallace's 2nd grade class at St. Clairsville Elementary School and he wanted Flat Stanley to come and visit us in St. Columb Major, Cornwall, England so he could learn all about where we live. Flat Stanley chose to visit us at the perfect time of year too!
See, we live in Cornwall which is the county which is in the most South West part of England. On 5 March 2009, we celebrated St. Piran's Day. St. Piran is the Parton Saint of Cornwall and according to legend, he was a Celtic monk who sailed from Ireland on a millstone in the 7th century. The town we live in is St. Columb Major and our town is famous for Hurling. Hurling takes place twice a year, first on Shrove Tuesday and then again on the Saturday the following week (10 days later). It is between the Town People and the Country People, where the teams try to keep or take possession of a small silver ball and it is really exciting to watch. Our house is in the perfect place to watch as we live in the town center and we can watch all the action from our upstairs windows. It can also be dangerous and all the homes and businesses in town protect their windows to prevent the silver ball or team members from being thrown into and breaking them. Today 7 March 2009 is the Saturday match for Hurling and were were very excited that Flat Stanley came to visit us for this event.
Here are some pictures of some of the things we've done with Flat Stanley while he was here visiting.
Just arriving to our home.
That long trip made Flat Stanley hungry so we went and had a Cornish Pasty for lunch. A pasty is a pastry filled with beef, potato, onion and swede. It was so yummy.
Now that we had our yummy lunch, we have the energy to visit around the town. Here we are in front of the bell tower at the parish church. This church has been here since the 15th century and the bell tower is 80 feet high.
If you look closely, you can see Flat Stanley at the war memorial. This is a Celtic cross to honor the memories of those that gave their lives in various wars. Every year in November we place Poppy Wreaths in front of the memorial. The church is in the background.
Flat wanted to make a phone call, so we took him to the phone box.
You can't come and visit England without having a traditional take away dinner of Fish N Chips!
He can hardly wait to take a bite!
Here we are getting ready to watch the hurling.
Isn't it exciting!?
Now it's time for Flat Stanley to return back to St. Clairsville and back to Ben so he can finish his school project. It's a good thing he's flat or he might not fit in the post box. Oh, did we mention that we live IN the Post Office? The house is made of 2 foot thick stone and has been here for 200 years and during WWII it was the telephone exchange. It is listed on the historical registry. Oh, and Ben, the next time Flat Stanley comes to visit us in England, please make sure you pack his wooley jumper (sweater) and a rain jacket as it can be quite chilly and rainy here.Here is a video of the hurling so you can see for yourself.
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
No baby yet
Still no baby and not really feeling anything worth writing about. But this may be a blessing in disguise.
Robbie has been home from school with a tummy bug. Today he's feeling MUCH better but school requires 48 hour sick free before they can return so we are having a "stay home and play day".
Natalie had complained of a tummy ache the weekend before last and went 2 days without eating, but nothing really came of it. Today she said her tummy hurt again, but then I gave her toast for breakfast and she inhaled it and asked for more so she went to school. I figure if she really is sick, the school will call and let me know.
I had a midwife appointment yesterday and it looks like I may have a UTI, yuck! I've been feeling weird for a couple of days but just thought it was stress from a sick kid (those who know me well, know that I don't do well with anything to do with vomit!), being 38+ weeks pregnant, and just plain old tiredness.
So I guess I'm glad that we can get all these sicky bugs out of the house before we bring a new baby home.
Oh, and because I am way too organized, I will probably go overdue. The hospital bags are in the car along with the baby seat and the kid's bag and sleeping bags are packed and ready to go, so of course all the early preparation will be in vain and I will either go overdue, or will likely be home while Shawn is at work with the car and will have to get to the hospital some other way and won't have my stuff anyway.
I've been through this twice before and this time is weirdly surreal to me for some reason. I have everything ready but it still hasn't really hit me that in just a short time, we will be bringing a new and tiny newborn home to join our family.
Robbie has been home from school with a tummy bug. Today he's feeling MUCH better but school requires 48 hour sick free before they can return so we are having a "stay home and play day".
Natalie had complained of a tummy ache the weekend before last and went 2 days without eating, but nothing really came of it. Today she said her tummy hurt again, but then I gave her toast for breakfast and she inhaled it and asked for more so she went to school. I figure if she really is sick, the school will call and let me know.
I had a midwife appointment yesterday and it looks like I may have a UTI, yuck! I've been feeling weird for a couple of days but just thought it was stress from a sick kid (those who know me well, know that I don't do well with anything to do with vomit!), being 38+ weeks pregnant, and just plain old tiredness.
So I guess I'm glad that we can get all these sicky bugs out of the house before we bring a new baby home.
Oh, and because I am way too organized, I will probably go overdue. The hospital bags are in the car along with the baby seat and the kid's bag and sleeping bags are packed and ready to go, so of course all the early preparation will be in vain and I will either go overdue, or will likely be home while Shawn is at work with the car and will have to get to the hospital some other way and won't have my stuff anyway.
I've been through this twice before and this time is weirdly surreal to me for some reason. I have everything ready but it still hasn't really hit me that in just a short time, we will be bringing a new and tiny newborn home to join our family.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)