Day 12 in the house of girls. Parkes' mobility is really good now but she still has some way to go before she is fully functional. Emily is up once in the night for a feed then goes back to sleep - what a result!

Beth getting reacquainted with baby toys.

Today is Emily's due date. She and her mother are making good progress. We are getting sleep (at the moment!), Parkes is slowly getting the hang of the feeding, and is beginning to become more mobile. Emily is doing what she does best: feeding and sleeping. Beth is back at school and I am off work and able to help with the school-run.

Casualty.

Last pic of Parkes before baby came. Nice big bump but small baby.

Emily Grace Stringer

Our little girl has found her first day in the big, wide world far too tiring.

Beth and her sister!

Dr Stringer will see you now.

Birth News

Parkes took a call from QEQM hospital today and was told that the baby will be delivered, by c-section, on 15th February. Assuming that nature doesn't give baby a nudge before that date, it will mean that all of the Stringer grandchildren will have been born on parents birthdays. Beth was born on Parkes', Nat born on Rosie's and new baby born on mine!! I was feeling a little left out until now!

Branchial Cyst

We visited Lewisham Hospital today, with the hope that Beth's branchial cyst would be removed from her neck and that she could move on. However, after a ultrasound scan, the surgeon said he couldn't find the cyst and, on that basis, he couldn't operate. When the cyst reappears, we have to go back to the surgeon for scans and, if necessary, surgery.

We are a little gutted by it all, as Beth may have to go through more pain and discomfort. But we also don't want her to go under the surgeon's knife unless it is completely clear what needs to be done.

On Sunday, Parkes has her week 38 scan and a consultation the following day. We have been told that the baby will be delivered on the 6th or soon after. Scaaaaaaaary.

Parkes starts week 36 tomorrow. We think the baby has turned and may have this confirmed tomorrow, as we have a scan at QEQM.

Broadstairs: Spent a brill evening, with these fab cats, in the pubs of Broadstairs. It was great to catch up with them. Need to do it a little more often, although could do without the hangover.

Broadstairs: Tongues

Week 34

Corr, doesn't time fly!?! Week 34 it is and Parkes has been furiously nesting. We have a scan at the start of week 36 to see if the baby still lies breach. If so, it will be delivered by c-section. If not, a vaginal birth will be possible. Parkes and I will be going to a vaginal birth workshop at QEQM hospital on Friday night. Not sure whether to eat beforehand.

New Year

Happy New Year to one and all. We had a very quiet one. Parkes has just started week 33 of her pregnancy and very soon the Blog will be flooded with new baby pictures (hopefully). Will it be a boy? Will it be a girl? Who knows?!? As long as it's healthy we don't really care. The nursery is being readied and slowly, but surely, we are getting things together. We are so much more relaxed about this baby and if we haven't got things by the time the baby is born, we'll buy them when we need them.

In the meantime, we'll be getting as much sleep as possible!

Testing

Beth kindly tested the new pram to see if it was comfortable.

The only way is.....

Herne Bay

Fruit with genitals.

Ramsgate: Beth was a fabulous shepherd in the school Christmas play, and the whole cast sang their hearts out.