The past few weeks have been so bad, back on the 16th July our lovely cat Berry didn't return home, by the weekend we were worried and by the following Monday I was out putting up missing posters for her.  Some neighbours who have 3 of their own cats helped us look that evening and have been since, although Sarah had to go in to have their baby last week.  I called the police after a week of her not being seen, we thought she may have been stolen, although until I said that the police weren't interested.  I gave them all the details and finished the call, within 5 mins they called to say that an officer had reported a silver tabby in collision with a car on the main road just the other side of the cemetery from us, that was all they could say.  So, given that info, we searched the area but no sign of her (we don't know for sure) So I'm so upset, spent 2 weeks crying on and off, so wish she would come back or for at least for us to know where she is.

I then get the news that friend in hospital had baby but baby turned blue, she'd pooed the waters, emergency c section and now in SCBU miles from home as immediate area is full, she's stable and I hope I hear she's home soon.

The third and hopefully final bit of bad news, best friends mum had a bad fit and lost her memory, luckily it will return but it may take a while.

Well, last week was the time for me to decide whether or not to return to work at the end of next month.  After looking into nursery prices and childminders I decided not to return and wait until they are both at school before going back hopefully to same job but with slightly different hours.  Last Wednesday I went over to give them the news and they were so good as expected, spent a bit of time there as the boys were at Mum and Dads.  I will miss the job and the company there but can go in anytime.

Yesterday I took Daniel for his first swimming session with Aqua Tots! He was asleep when I got there so wasn't too impressed when I took him out of the buggy to get him ready, but as soon as I picked him up he quietened down and was so good in the pool. We had lots of fun, starting with just bouncing them up and down, then resting them on our hands holding their arms and pulling them round in a circle and all the time Dan just looked at me and made a few smiles. We gave them a ride on our front while swimming on our backs, they were safe as they had a float around them and their mummy, Daniel splashed me all the time saying ba, ba, ba! We finished off with chasing a ball around which Dan liked, I let him get it in the end. Both of us enjoyed it and we're looking forward to next week.

Tired today, and the boys are so having a nice relaxing day at home.

On Friday night I put the boys to bed as usual at 7.30, then went out to do a little shopping and then picking up chips on the way home.  We had the food and I was planning on having a shower when Ham called me having gone into Daniel who was crying.  Ham had found a spot on him and said to do the glass test.  I grabbed him and went to the kitchen, to my relief it faded but he was still a bit warm and not his happy self.  I called NHS Direct once Ham had come down from upstairs and while talking on the phone saw more spots come before our eyes, I came off the phone and within a few minutes decided not to wait for the return call but to go straight to A and E, the nearest being 20 mins away.  I thought I'd give our local hospital a try but had no luck, the casualty dept is no longer open at night.  On arrival at Cheltenham General we were seen almost straight away, little Daniel was put on a bed and the nurses checked him over, eventually calling special care for a doctor to come down, he came almost immediately and took blood from Dan, most came back ok within the hour but the meningitis one would need a few days.  So, to be on the safe side they decided to treat as worst case scenario and Daniel was put on a drip of antibiotics, the first over an hour.  He was also to be admitted, but to the Childrens Centre at Gloucester Royal, not to the Battledown Ward upstairs (no admissions at night) so a little later an ambulance was called.

I was so worried about him I just watched him constantly, even when the man in the bed in the same room (with the curtain pulled across) had a fit I stayed, although I could quite easily have ran out with the panic just listening to it.

As the medication for Daniel came to an end, I moved the car into the car park and put a note on it, and the nurse called for an ambulance who were there in 2 mins, they were sat outside having just rushed someone in.

We had a nice little room in Gloucester, meals were given for me as I was breastfeeding and by the Sunday Dan seemed a lot better.  It was put down to a virus but with the temp he had plus the rash it was enough to send us running for help, so glad I did and even happier he is ok.

How is everyone today?  OK I hope!  Well, Wednesdays I take the two boys to our local chapel for a playgroup, this morning although we were up early but James was on a go slow so it was 10am before I got out to the car.  As I was putting the boys in I looked at next door...curtains still drawn....something doesn't feel right.  I went to the neighbour on the other side of her house, she came round with me, we knocked on doors and the window we could reach,   By now we were getting worried, the postman had returned as he'd noticed too and he asked should he call the police.  Carol who was with said she may have got a taxi to town, she'd not gone on her bike as it was in the back garden so I went to phone the taxi service to see if they'd been.  Perfect timing - one of the taxis pulled into our road so I went to have a word, only to be called back, she had just opened the curtains.  So relieved!!!!!  I was thanked by postie and Carol, things could not have ended as well as it did.  I went on my way to take the boys even though there wasn't much time left for the group to run.

I haven't blogged for a while as been busy, but I felt I needed to say something.  I am keeping an eye on our news and hoping that the death toll stops now and the fires do very soon.   I turned on BBC News to see people very sad, in tears over the loss of loved ones and also the huge devastation caused by the fires.  To those of you in Australia I really do hope you stay safe and that your families do too.  And I think I speak for all those in the UK and the rest of the world.

My son James is 3 today!

What a wonderful day it has been.  Slept in until 7.50am when James woke, I'd been up around 4 to feed Daniel, he's got a cold at the moment, bless him.  James came into our room and didn't give up talking to me until I got out of bed and dressed.  Ham woke around 8 and we all had breakfast while Daniel was still asleep.  Before Ham went to work we watched James open his presents and while I had a cup of tea Ham and James had a bit of Daddy and son time and did 4 jigsaws together, so nice to see that.

At around 10am after getting Daniel up and dressed, we set off for our local chapel, they hold a playgroup there for anyone, regardless of whether you are religious or not, and it is a really nice friendly atmosphere.  I took along a little chocolate for all the kids there and ginger cake for the adults, which wasn't finished so I left it for them to use at the coffee mornings they hold each week.

12 noon unitl 2pm was James party, 12 little ones, one play zone and food and drink, it was perfect.  They all played well and a few ate well too, but most just wanted to play on the climbing frames, tunnels and slides.  James loved it, food that he liked and the friends he will go to school with plus a few friends outside of playgroup and a place that he knows well.  There was a slight problem with the service, they forgot the ice cream, and the cake, and the party bags so we had to chase them up.  A misunderstanding over the cake, member of staff bought it to us and after James blew candles out asked if I wanted it cut up, I asked to take it home and he went to get the box.  He returned, no box, and told us the cake was only the bits in the bag.  It said on the info I had we get a cake, so in the end after explaining it we were given a free cake, think they should make it clear in future!

We came home tired and James opened the presents which were lovely, played and just enjoyed himself until he came to me for a cuddle, my cue to put him to bed.

James woke at 7.15 this morning so I sleepily went in to see him, put the programme Milkshake on for him and returned to bed to grab another 15 minutes before getting up to get ready.  15 minutes turned into almost 45 minutes, oops!  Quickly got myself washed and dressed then James, Daniel was just waking so we both went in to sort him out.  By 8.30 we were downstairs having breakfast and by 9 just going out to the car, getting to Mum and Dads to drop Daniel off about 2 minutes later.  So, a bit late but I wasn't worrying just yet, we set off to Charlton Kings, had a quick look at the map and found it was not far from where friends used to live.  Arrived with 10 minutes to spare, walked in and there was already a class in action so James watched while I had a chat with Lisa who runs the club, she did say he might not join in just watch for this one!

Finally James group went in and we were introduced to 2 staff members, both called Amy.  We all sat in a circle while they took a register, then did some marching on the spot, clapping hands, crouching and jumping up.  James joined in with some of it and smiled all the time!  The little ones were then given quoits and told to put them on their heads and walk around, then stop and tip head forward, so tipping it off the head onto the floor, James found this hilarious!  Eventually they got to go on the apparatus around the room, he loved this and found one he could do over and over again, to the point of a little bit of crying when called back to a circle for a song with actions then a little bit of chocolate to end the session.  Then it was back to the car and back to Daniel, and we stayed for dinner at Mum and Dads before going home.

Ju x

Have enjoyed this week!  James didn't have playgroup Monday or Tuesday afternoons as a pipe had burst due to the cold weather so he went to my parents instead giving me a bit of time with just Daniel and a chance to get lots of things done.  Tuesday morning I met with friends at our nearest pub that had a play area inside and had a good chat while the little ones climbed on the frames, slid down the slides and crawled though the tunnel and over the rope bridge.  It was good to catch up and find everyone had a good Christmas and new year!  They all left about 1pm and Mum came to pick James up, I stayed for a meal, booked James's birthday party and then headed to the car to go to Morrisons, trying not to slip on the ice as I walked to the car park.

I can't remember much about Wednesday, can't have done much, think it was spent tidying up and visiting parents for the 3rd time this week.  Yesterday was spent at home in the morning playing with James's train set between the feeds for Daniel and then cleaning all the downstairs floors.  In the afternoon we were back at Mum and Dads so James could use the trampoline giving Daniel a chance to sleep and me to do the invitations for James birthday in 2 weeks time.

Today so far has been spent playing with trains, helicopters and cars.  About to go out to Gloucester to see friends then back to parents for a meal for all of us this evening.

Tomorrow James has his first session at Gym Club, should be good for him and be interesting for me to see if I can get there on time, 9.40am in Charlton Kings, about a 35 min drive away as traffic isn't great getting there!  Just hope the boys don't sleep late like today!

Ju xx

I have done very little today.  Was up and dressed and giving James breakfast and Daniel a feed at our normal time before hubby went to work but after he went I sat down and just watched James play for most of the morning.  I think I only got up to get drinks, snacks and to answer the phone!  About 3 ish I did think about going to the shops but it was about the same time that James climbed onto the sofa and fell asleep,closely followed by Daniel who was once again having a feed. 

I thought I'd use this time while they were both asleep wisely and made dinner and put it on to cook, beef casserole, yum!  Let it cook for 3 hours, the meat was lovely by that time.  As I finished preparing food I heard Daniel start crying, he has been so clingy today and James so lively.

By the time hubby got home I was trying not to fall asleep on the sofa. Made coffee and tea, then sat down again! lol   Eventually got round to doing some potatoes for mash and had a lovely meal and saved some for tomorrow.

Apart from putting the boys to bed the only other thing I've done is go out to put petrol in the car as off to Oxford tomorrow to meet bro for lunch, he's coming up from London so we meet almost halfway.  Off to bed now as hubby already there and I'm really tired today!   Don't know why!

Ju xx