Yes that's right January complete.
31 days and a lot has happened in that time. Today's picture is my mosaic of my 31 photos for January.
A great representation of what has happened I think. Nice little reminders and I'm delighted that I've completed the whole 31.
I'm really pleased with the quality of the photos too.
February from a photo point of view is going to be experimental I'm going to be using the lensbaby every day to take a photo in the hope I might get to grips with it!
Also February should see us hearing from the Yorkshire Cochlear Implant Centre.
I also am going to complete another full month. Blogging it helps it gives me the motivation to not have to explain the gaps.
Monday, 31 January 2011
January 2011 Finished
Thursday, 27 January 2011
27th January 2011 The reality of having a premature baby
It's times like this when the reality of having a prem baby really hits you. They're not just cute and small and put you through 5 months of hell when they first arrived. Their prematurity in some cases sticks with you for longer than that. It's the Bliss awareness week in February "cake a difference" so over the next few weeks I will be writing some things about the reality of a prem baby. Starting with this week.
Eleanor has been ill since the early hours of sunday morning. Turned out she'd caught a bug probably at nursery. We didn't know it was a bug until Sunday night when Lucy, her auntie and uncle, Mummy and finally daddy were all struck down with it too. Anyway Monday i took her to the GPs as I was concerned she couldn't keep water down and was asleep most of the day and night not her normal self. Way out of my Eleanor is poorly comfort zone as I'm used to dealing with lack of oxygen etc. Anyway GP said she'd be fine in 24 hours and not to worry about her and give her milk that'd settle her stomach. Anyway Milk had the opposite effect so bad that by tuesday lunchtime I was sufficiently worried to seek advice from the hospital. She was still being sick, still couldn't keep water down and had terrible dark circles under her eyes. The ward wanted to see her so despite feeling rough myself off we went with our over night bag and hoped we'd feel better within a few hours of arrival. A course of electrolates was prescribed we got as much into her as we could and we were sent home (phew!) with more to get down her over the next few days. The difference this simple little over the counter med made was incredible and she has finally today bounced back. I felt our GP could have helped us out better than they did. I phoned them on the tuesday before we trundled off to the hospital but they didn't really have any advice other than to take her to the hospital.
So a vomitting bug which for most kids would have them on the floor for 24 - 48 hours will have had eleanor off nursery for a week. She won't be going anywhere this weekend as she's still not on form and is very susceptible to other bugs and things. A shame as she has a birthday party to go to on Sunday at soft play but we know that she's too susceptible to go because of the bugs that will be there. Then there's the question of nursery should she go on monday or not? There will be bugs there too I know there will but I can't keep her off for another week can I? SHe'll never be there if this is what I have to do for a tummy bug.
I've been challenged by friends before because we tend not to do soft play or similar in the winter months. It's too risky for us Eleanor might catch something. She might get a chest infection. She might end up in hospital. We know she needs to get these bugs at some point but at the same time it's a pain in the butt when she's in hospital at the moment. It's a logistical nightmare. I can't just dump Lucy and become Eleanor's Mummy only. People don't think about how it works. It's torture 7 - 10 days of existing and not doing what you need to do.
Lucy however has shrugged this off and if she was aged 3 and at nursery she'd have been back today no question of it.
Eleanor also has had confirmation that ENT have been asked to refer her to the Yorkshire Cochlar Implant Service for assessment. She's officially in the category severe/ profound for her hearing loss and her hearing aid on the graph make very little difference. She certainly isn't accessing what she should be doing.
Tomorrow is a more positive day a new bed a new car but I'll tell you all about those tomorrow!
Eleanor has been ill since the early hours of sunday morning. Turned out she'd caught a bug probably at nursery. We didn't know it was a bug until Sunday night when Lucy, her auntie and uncle, Mummy and finally daddy were all struck down with it too. Anyway Monday i took her to the GPs as I was concerned she couldn't keep water down and was asleep most of the day and night not her normal self. Way out of my Eleanor is poorly comfort zone as I'm used to dealing with lack of oxygen etc. Anyway GP said she'd be fine in 24 hours and not to worry about her and give her milk that'd settle her stomach. Anyway Milk had the opposite effect so bad that by tuesday lunchtime I was sufficiently worried to seek advice from the hospital. She was still being sick, still couldn't keep water down and had terrible dark circles under her eyes. The ward wanted to see her so despite feeling rough myself off we went with our over night bag and hoped we'd feel better within a few hours of arrival. A course of electrolates was prescribed we got as much into her as we could and we were sent home (phew!) with more to get down her over the next few days. The difference this simple little over the counter med made was incredible and she has finally today bounced back. I felt our GP could have helped us out better than they did. I phoned them on the tuesday before we trundled off to the hospital but they didn't really have any advice other than to take her to the hospital.
So a vomitting bug which for most kids would have them on the floor for 24 - 48 hours will have had eleanor off nursery for a week. She won't be going anywhere this weekend as she's still not on form and is very susceptible to other bugs and things. A shame as she has a birthday party to go to on Sunday at soft play but we know that she's too susceptible to go because of the bugs that will be there. Then there's the question of nursery should she go on monday or not? There will be bugs there too I know there will but I can't keep her off for another week can I? SHe'll never be there if this is what I have to do for a tummy bug.
I've been challenged by friends before because we tend not to do soft play or similar in the winter months. It's too risky for us Eleanor might catch something. She might get a chest infection. She might end up in hospital. We know she needs to get these bugs at some point but at the same time it's a pain in the butt when she's in hospital at the moment. It's a logistical nightmare. I can't just dump Lucy and become Eleanor's Mummy only. People don't think about how it works. It's torture 7 - 10 days of existing and not doing what you need to do.
Lucy however has shrugged this off and if she was aged 3 and at nursery she'd have been back today no question of it.
Eleanor also has had confirmation that ENT have been asked to refer her to the Yorkshire Cochlar Implant Service for assessment. She's officially in the category severe/ profound for her hearing loss and her hearing aid on the graph make very little difference. She certainly isn't accessing what she should be doing.
Tomorrow is a more positive day a new bed a new car but I'll tell you all about those tomorrow!
26th January 2011 Resolution 3 learn how to use the lensbaby
We've all been really poorly in the Sparkling household. We've had a D&V bug. Eleanor of course has been exceptionally poorly and ended with a brief assessment in hospital on tuesday afternoon as she was a bit dehydrated to say the least! Anyway from 4 down I think we're back to 4 back on track again now.
However I digress Resolution 3 is a photography one. I was bought a lensbaby (www.lensbaby.com) for my birthday last year and I'm still not at one with it. I'm trying to get into it as i've seen some fantastic results with them from others. I'll share some later.
Anyway I feel like I'm totally out of my depth with it. Manual mode is becoming more familiar but I'm not completely down with it yet.
So above is another feeble attempt can you tell it's been taken with a lensbaby? Does it have that tell tale plastic edge? have I got a good sweet spot and bent it appropriately? Do I need to go back to the drawing board?
My resolution for this year is to crack it and get a lensbaby photo into Flickr Explore. I have 11 months to complete this challenge!
There are many people on my Flickr group that are at one with their lensbaby and I particularly admire Spudballoo as she really has it gripped. there are some ace shots in her blog!
However I digress Resolution 3 is a photography one. I was bought a lensbaby (www.lensbaby.com) for my birthday last year and I'm still not at one with it. I'm trying to get into it as i've seen some fantastic results with them from others. I'll share some later.
Anyway I feel like I'm totally out of my depth with it. Manual mode is becoming more familiar but I'm not completely down with it yet.
So above is another feeble attempt can you tell it's been taken with a lensbaby? Does it have that tell tale plastic edge? have I got a good sweet spot and bent it appropriately? Do I need to go back to the drawing board?
My resolution for this year is to crack it and get a lensbaby photo into Flickr Explore. I have 11 months to complete this challenge!
There are many people on my Flickr group that are at one with their lensbaby and I particularly admire Spudballoo as she really has it gripped. there are some ace shots in her blog!
Saturday, 22 January 2011
22nd January 2011 Resolution 2 - to cook more
This year I'm going to cook more from scratch. Less chucking in a jar of sauce and more using proper ingredients. I ought to make sure I know what my kids are eating and keep the salt down.
However in with this I can safely say that I get to do more of my cooking passion. Baking cake.
The husband very kindly bought me the Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook for Christmas. Oh it's a good book you can taste the cake as you turn the pages. You're not sure where to start. I can confirm the vanilla cupcakes are divine, the red velveteens truly irresistable and the New York Cheesecake truly splendid.
Today I branched out this is a Black Bottomed cake. It's a dark chocolate muffin mix interlaced with a chocolate chip cheesecake mix topped with cream cheese frosting and a dusting of cocoa.
I swear I spent just as much time photographing this cake as I did making it in the first place. Anyway more about photography another day and you'll understand why I took so many photos of it to get the perfect one.
Looking forwards to tucking in tomorrow for lunch.
Yum
Thursday, 20 January 2011
20th January 2011 - 7 things you don't know about me
Inspired by Booby and the beads.
Here are my 7 things you didn't know about me.
1) I am a Viola Player. I have my grade 8 ABRSM examination. I used to play in the Northamptonshire County Youth Orchestra but decided there wasn't a career in music and they were too poncy about it at University so I haven't really played much in the past decade. Shame really it's a lovely instrument.
2) In 2004 I got an award for being the youngest Chartered Civil Engineer in Yorkshire. I got a lovely outing to MAGNA in Rotherham for a presentation as part of the president of the ICE's annual address that year. Colin was the youngest ever ICE president so was seeking out the youngest corporate members in each region. I was the lucky one. I got a book, a certificate and to do a load of hand shaking and smiling.
3) I am a fussy eater. Yes I am. I have food issues I can't eat cream as in single, double, ice, extra thick, jersey which is a real pain. Therefore I'm obsessed with reading food labels. I have to be really careful. Eating cream in soup really makes me quite sick. I can't drink full fat milk as it has the same effect. Having a desert out and about is usually impossible and I don't like fruit salad as it usually has pineapple in it and many many years of being offered this make me just feel queasy at the thought of it. Whilst we're on the subject of food I don't like chicken. I don't know why I'm working on that one as I feed the girls it, Mr S eats it whilst we're out as I never cook it for grown ups. I need to get over that one but I just don't like it it makes me gag when I try and eat it.
4) I passed my driving test first time. The problem was it took 5 goes to get to the test centre as it kept getting cancelled on me.
5) Despite being an engineer I knit a lot and sew a lot too. I made all but 2 of the sets of curtains in our house. As for knitting you probably knew that there's photos of my knitting everywhere.
6) i am scared of flying. I might have been to Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Australia etc but the thought of getting on a plane scares me and as for take off I'm really not good at that. Landing is a relief. How I'm going to take 2 little people on a plane with me in the future I don't know. I hope Mr S can handle 2 on take off and landing.
7) I've registered as a Maths Tutor. I need to do something being a SAHM all the time is driving me a bit potty. I mean quite a lot potty. Eleanor's appointment schedule is a nightmare and Lucy is a very clingy baby I need to do something on my own for me sometimes this is something i hope will fit that category. I am waiting for the phone to ring though... I hope that works out otherwise I will be classifying January 2011 as an enterprising fail.
Monday, 17 January 2011
and another post for the 17th January 2011
I came joint 3rd with 2 of my photos in the HPAD 2010 awards this is one of the.
Apparently it's a really good photo. I took some persuading but there's something allegedly really cool about the reflections, the rule of 3rds and the atmosphere. It made Flickr's explore front page.
I'm really pleased with it and I just need to decide how big to print it to stick it on my wall somewhere in my home.
The other photo was this one. Taken on the Beach in St Andrews in September a few days before the one above
so I'm pleased they made the cut and may be I should be less paranoid about the photos I take and realise that if i do apply myself I can take a decent photo. Speaking of which I need to take one for today whilst the small folk sleep!
Apparently it's a really good photo. I took some persuading but there's something allegedly really cool about the reflections, the rule of 3rds and the atmosphere. It made Flickr's explore front page.
I'm really pleased with it and I just need to decide how big to print it to stick it on my wall somewhere in my home.
The other photo was this one. Taken on the Beach in St Andrews in September a few days before the one above
so I'm pleased they made the cut and may be I should be less paranoid about the photos I take and realise that if i do apply myself I can take a decent photo. Speaking of which I need to take one for today whilst the small folk sleep!
Monday 17th January 2011 - A new activity
Still imensly frustrated after the sign language at Selby debacle. I really don't think they totally understand how much of a pain in the arse them cancelling that course is to me. I guess it's the last time I try and do something on my doorstep and support my local college. What I really don't understand is why Selby college are cancelling courses when everywhere else is full and has a waiting list! Actually I do understand because of how they've treated me. Really if you're not going to run a course don't leave it until people turn up to get in touch. Tell me so I have time to find somewhere else to do it. I'm trying to write a complaint to the college without turning into a ranting loon but it's not easy believe me.
So as it was Week 2 of nursery for Eleanor I thought it was about time I did something with Lucy on her own. Lucy and I trundled off to do under 5s swimming at the Abbey Leisure Centre in Selby. It was great and free courtesy of the childrens centres. Lucy naturally loved it so I'll certainly be doing it again with her next week and for several more weeks.
I guess it's now back to trying to find a sign language course whilst the little ones sleep oh and finding an electrician. Why ohy why do they just not phone back? I have quite a bit of work for one but I've left messages for 3 now and none of them have called back.
My to do list continues to get longer so I'd better get back on it.
So as it was Week 2 of nursery for Eleanor I thought it was about time I did something with Lucy on her own. Lucy and I trundled off to do under 5s swimming at the Abbey Leisure Centre in Selby. It was great and free courtesy of the childrens centres. Lucy naturally loved it so I'll certainly be doing it again with her next week and for several more weeks.
I guess it's now back to trying to find a sign language course whilst the little ones sleep oh and finding an electrician. Why ohy why do they just not phone back? I have quite a bit of work for one but I've left messages for 3 now and none of them have called back.
My to do list continues to get longer so I'd better get back on it.
Saturday, 15 January 2011
15th January 2011 - I am absolutely certain you do it like this Mummy
15th January 2011 - I am absolutely certain you do it like this Mummy, originally uploaded by sparklingbizzy.
which nicely brings me to today.
Here also is Lucy. 8 and a half months old and considering being on the move. I'm not sure I'm ready for that but hey nevermind. She's not actually moved yet but she's definitely got the idea and it won't be long before I have 2 to chase.
I've also been shopping this morning and finally bought myself some new tops. Much needed and I can finally throw out some of the more suspect and child ruined elements of my wardrobe.
Eleanor is still well despite having had a week at nursery. No bugs caught yet but there is still time! She's also absolutely shattered and pretending not to sleep on the sofa as I write.
14th January 2011 I need a BSL course and fast.
and then it was the 14th. The text with the photo says it all but aaaarrrrgggghhhhhhh
my college course has been cancelled to do sign language.
I'm gutted no scrub that really quite upset. I didn't find out until I got to college last night and was informed on arrival. Mr S duly arrived home on time ready to deal with bath time only for me to arrive back 20 minutes after I'd gone to say it's been cancelled.
The worst bit is having been back to college they made the decision to cancel it before christmas. just didn't tell anyone until they turned up. If i had known before christmas I could have got on another course somewhere else.
I've spent my day with a cup of tea and a bar of chocolate for comfort phoning round all the local colleges looking for an alternative. I thank the people that have given me suggestions but I have tried everywhere and everywhere is full or started in September.
I have to say college administrators don't help. I'm not disorganised I've been let down badly. I'm desperately trying to make alternative arrangements not easy part way through a year I know. Also if you don't phone and ask you won't get anywhere. I apologise for wasting your time but you've really not helped the situation.
13th January 2011 - Colour and Order Tribute to Evelina
Then came the 13th and for my photo group with my internet wierdie friends I did this lovely tribute to Evelina. Someone I've known a long time and amazingly it made explore.
A really simple idea and a much needed boost to my photography to start the year.
lets get up to speed 1st to 12th January 2011
so it was a quiet first week then on the 10th January Eleanor started nursery complete with statement and 100% one to one support. I was told uniform wasn't compulsary but as every other kid in the class was wearing it I got her a sweatshirt the smallest one they did which was age 3 to 4 years. It was a bit big to say the least. here she is modelling it!
Then on the 11th we had a hearing test and here's what I wrote on Flickr that day to go with the photo
"A big day out. Some of you know I had a bit of what could be described as a "pushy parent" moment before Christmas over Eleanor's lack of language, speech, listening and someone listened! Today we went to audiology for more rigorous testing and result her hearing isn't as good as we thought it was. Sounds like bad news far from it. Eleanor is being recommended for assessment at the cochlear implant centre to see if she's suitable for bi lateral implants. Much relief all round that she performed well and I hope that the referer to the CI centre doens't hang around and gets on it. I have momemtum lets keep it going....
Pictured are a new pair of hearing aids. She lost one so we had an odd pair and they didn't have any giraffes so this time we have zebra print. They should be easier to spot when they fall out."
Then on the 11th we had a hearing test and here's what I wrote on Flickr that day to go with the photo
"A big day out. Some of you know I had a bit of what could be described as a "pushy parent" moment before Christmas over Eleanor's lack of language, speech, listening and someone listened! Today we went to audiology for more rigorous testing and result her hearing isn't as good as we thought it was. Sounds like bad news far from it. Eleanor is being recommended for assessment at the cochlear implant centre to see if she's suitable for bi lateral implants. Much relief all round that she performed well and I hope that the referer to the CI centre doens't hang around and gets on it. I have momemtum lets keep it going....
Pictured are a new pair of hearing aids. She lost one so we had an odd pair and they didn't have any giraffes so this time we have zebra print. They should be easier to spot when they fall out."
January 2011 - Somewhere to let it all out and welcome
I've contemplated a blog many many times. A few of my internet wierdie friends have persuaded me that may be I should have a blog to just let it out. Apparently it can be quite therapeutic and cathartic so here I'm giving it a go.
May be I should have started on the 1st January as it's been a busy old month already. The truth is I should have started a blog on the 14th November 2007 when my world was turned upside down by the premature arrival of my eldest daughter. Eleanor.
She will be a big feature here so lets start with a bit of background...
Eleanor was born at 28 weeks gestation by c - section as we were both quite poorly. Eleanor was very small and fighting to survive inutero it was time to deliver. She was a teeeny weeny 580g at birth that's 1lb4oz and on the limits of survival.
She was admitted immediately to the Neonatal Intensive Care unit and from there 5 months and 3 hospitals later with several touch and go bumpy moments she eventually came home on Oxygen. Eleanor came off the oxygen at the end of December 2009.
She has what would have been deemed in the olden days as a "weak chest" and bilaterally severe/ profoundly deaf as a result of her early arrival. My blog starts really as we embark on a new and exciting chapter of the route to cochlear implant assessment.
Fast forward to now she's a lively 3 year old who certainly puts us through our paces. Apart from the fact she doesn't speak you wouldn't know she was deaf. You wouldn't guess she's 3 either as she's still tiny.
Last year I went through the trauma of being pregnant again. I call it a trauma as I don't do pregnant very well at all! Lucy was born weighing 6lb 5oz at 39 weeks gestation and is the big little sister round here. She'll crop up too I'm sure.
Last year also saw me become a full time Mummy as I was made redundant from the world of Civil Engineering in the summer.
So this is us. Welcome along. It's going to be a bumpy ride hang on!
May be I should have started on the 1st January as it's been a busy old month already. The truth is I should have started a blog on the 14th November 2007 when my world was turned upside down by the premature arrival of my eldest daughter. Eleanor.
She will be a big feature here so lets start with a bit of background...
Eleanor was born at 28 weeks gestation by c - section as we were both quite poorly. Eleanor was very small and fighting to survive inutero it was time to deliver. She was a teeeny weeny 580g at birth that's 1lb4oz and on the limits of survival.
She was admitted immediately to the Neonatal Intensive Care unit and from there 5 months and 3 hospitals later with several touch and go bumpy moments she eventually came home on Oxygen. Eleanor came off the oxygen at the end of December 2009.
She has what would have been deemed in the olden days as a "weak chest" and bilaterally severe/ profoundly deaf as a result of her early arrival. My blog starts really as we embark on a new and exciting chapter of the route to cochlear implant assessment.
Fast forward to now she's a lively 3 year old who certainly puts us through our paces. Apart from the fact she doesn't speak you wouldn't know she was deaf. You wouldn't guess she's 3 either as she's still tiny.
Last year I went through the trauma of being pregnant again. I call it a trauma as I don't do pregnant very well at all! Lucy was born weighing 6lb 5oz at 39 weeks gestation and is the big little sister round here. She'll crop up too I'm sure.
Last year also saw me become a full time Mummy as I was made redundant from the world of Civil Engineering in the summer.
So this is us. Welcome along. It's going to be a bumpy ride hang on!
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