Health Visitor

As Rory is 2 weeks old the Health Visitor made a visit to our house to weigh him and see how we were doing.

Obviously with Rory being baby number seven I'm quite experienced when it comes to babies and I had no concerns about feeding or his well being. He's been weeing and pooping like a trooper and feeding a lot so I know he's ok.

She weighed him and he was 9lb 9oz. He's doing really well and obviously mummy milk is doing a brilliant job.

She is coming to our house in two weeks time.

Gwen's First Day at School

Gwen started school today. She's only doing half days until September 23rd.

We had no idea what this morning was going to bring. Would she be frightened, cry and not let us go, be excited, run in and not say bye?

Well the morning went well. We managed to get everyone ready which was fun it's not easy sorting out a newborn, a 4 year old who needs a little help getting ready and doing two girls hair because Daddy doesn't do girls hair.

We got to school on time and Gwen said bye to Harvey, Archie and Jorja as they entered the school via the juniors door. We then walked her in to the enclosed reception class area and I said bye and gave her a hug and wished her a fun morning. She then took Daddy's hand and he took her in to the classroom. I stayed outside with Kellan and Rory in their buggies.

I could see in through the windows and once her coat, pe kit bag and wellies had been put away Gwen was leading Darren around the classroom trying to decide what activity to do. She eventually sat at the drawing table and Darren then asked her if it was ok if he left her and that he'd be back after lunch to collect her to which she said yes. So Darren came out and we watched her as we walked out of the play ground and she didn't cry, didn't panic and just carried on drawing.

Gwen loved her first morning and can't wait to go back on Friday.

Gwen all ready for school

Archie's 9th Birthday

Today Archie turned 9, now that's gone by in the blink of an eye.

He didn't really know what he wanted for his birthday other than an xbox which we said was far too expensive. So we decided we'd get a PS2 and a few games for him which he loves.

I didn't have the chance to make him a birthday cake with Rory around so we bought a tray cake for him. We had a mini tea party for tea which included chocolate covered toffee popcorn, which is yummy, sausage rolls, cadbury mini rolls, sandwiches, fairy cakes and mini scotch eggs.

Our mini tea party

Blowing out his candles

Introducing Our New Family Member

Me the day after our due date

Our family has grown from 8 to 9. Our seventh child, our fourth son, was born on Sunday August 25th.

Rory Thomas Stygle was born at 4:52pm, 9 days overdue, weighing 8lb 14oz.

I had given up hope of going in to labour naturally and had induction booked at 12 days overdue. I started getting pains at 11:03am and very quickly labour was in full swing. Our home birth looked like it was going to happen.

I had found the best place for me was standing holding on to the side of the wardrobe in our bedroom. Sitting or laying down was unbearable during a contraction. We phoned for the midwives to come out at about 12:30pm and they took their time coming out. I think they thought I had a while to go yet.

They got here and let me labour a little while they took pulse readings and listened to baby to make sure we were ok. I was then checked which was not an easy thing for me. I was 9cms already after just 2 hrs of labour. Baby was still really high so they let me get back to my wardrobe and said they'd check me again in a little while.

I was getting a lot of pressure in my bottom which was making me want to push. After an hour I was checked again and sadly baby hadn't moved at all. The midwives didn't feel comfortable breaking my waters with baby being so high as the chance of cord prolapse was too high and so they suggested transferring to hospital where they could break my waters safely. I agreed as I was getting concerned baby was stuck and needed help.

We waited for what seemed like ages for the ambulance to arrive and then we had a 12 minute journey from hell. Every bump set a contraction off and I clung to the gas and air for dear life just to get me through.

On arrival I was wheeled to the delivery suite and examined. Baby was still high but I was 10cms. They called in a doctor to give his opinion on what to do next. Do they break my waters or let them go naturally. He examined me and decided I should give a big push, which I did, and covered him in waters which seemed to pop everywhere. I was then told I could push. The relief from hearing those words was wonderful and I cried with happiness. I had gotten it in to my head that baby was stuck and I'd need help with either forceps or ventouse to get him out and the thought scared me.

I pushed for dear life and my word he felt huge. I now know why he felt huge as he had his right hand up on his head which had obviously been slowing his progress down the birth canal.

Rory arrived very blue but quickly pinked up. We waited for the cord to stop pulsating and then I cut the cord and not long after naturally passed the placenta.

Everything was fine for the next 20-30 minutes. He had his first feed which took a little while to do as he was very fussy and wouldn't latch well.

Then I had awful after pains. I knew these pains weren't normal and then felt a gush down below. A midwife was called and she took one look, cleaned me up, gave me paracetamol and suggested the injection to help pass the placenta which may help slow the bleeding. The pains weren't getting any easier and I ended up with co-codamol to help ease them. The injection didn't seem to work too well and I was then given an injection in my arm to help stop the bleeding, sadly this didn't seem to help much either. At 6pm I was then hooked up to a drip for 5 hours and had a rather painful clean out by a doctor which I can only say was nearly as bad as labour pains. I had lost a total of 1,200mls of blood.

Rory in his first outfit and his first cloth nappy

I wasn't allowed home that night which I understood so Darren made his way home at around 8pm and I was transferred to the maternity ward at just gone 9pm. I didn't sleep at all that night the ward was too noisy, Rory wouldn't settle unless I held him and he was feeding a lot.

Rory with Daddy

We eventually made our way home the next day just after lunch time.

Rory all set to go home

Jorja's 7th Birthday

Today Jorja turned 7, she's grown up so fast.

Jorja wasn't sure of what she wanted for her birthday this year until the week before her birthday. This made it a little difficult to get the present on time and so she didn't have her gift on the day.

Jorja with her card and gift from her great grandparents

Jorja's birthday cake

Blowing out her candles

I made her birthday cake using a Betty Crocker Devils Food cake mix and Betty Crocker chocolate fudge icing. It was delicious although a bit sickly for some of us.

Edited to add;

Jorja's gift arrived the next day and she loves it

Jorja with her tablet which is full of girly games

Tots Bots Royal Flush

To celebrate the birth of Prince George Tots Bots made 300 nappies in Teenyfit, Easyfit aplix and Easyfit popper in a limited edition print. The print has elements of the Cambridge coat of arms along with storks carrying a royal baby.

The limited edition nappies were only available on selected websites who had a very limited supply. The nappies sold out in minutes and I was lucky enough and fast enough to buy an Easyfit aplix.

The nappy arrived today and I love it

Kellan wearing the Royal Flush Easyfit

Gwen's Trip To School

Gwen had two taster sessions in what will be her reception class come September in the last week.

Her first visit we ended up staying with her as she wasn't sure about it. Gwen didn't attend play school as potty training was a very slow process with her and we didn't want to push her and end up with more problems.

She loved playing with all the activities they had set out. She did a couple of paintings, played in the sand and water trays, looked around the bug area for plastic bugs with a magnifying glass, had fun in the wooden play house and played in the pretend shop.

She wasn't keen to join in with carpet time and decided to have a Daddy hug instead. Wwe had tears upon leaving and she couldn't wait to go back again.

Gwen's second visit they did things a little differently. Instead of us taking them in to the classroom the teachers came to the office area and collected all the children so us parents were able to go home or stay and have tea/coffee and cake in a classroom upstairs. I opted for the tea and cake.

Gwen went with the teachers and there were no tears and I was told she was fine the whole time and even quite chatty about things she was doing.

We're feeling very positive about her starting in September.