Mike & Liz In Andalucia

Hi, thankyou to everyone for all the presents and cards for Tomas. We have been really blessed with everyones generosity and I apologise for not sending out individual thankyou cards but we really appreciate them all.

Mike wanted me to share something of Tomas’s birth as it was such an emotional occasion. I’ll outline it and not go into too much detail!!!

Not to put people off but it’s best not to know of the pain involved! Once the epidural took effect it was wonderful (hence the hello mag) but after that was limited it became a background/not very much, relief. Tomas’s head had become stuck 3cm away from outside life so they resorted back to the old fashioned way of pushing on my stomach (3 times)!! Apparently illegal in the UK. Finally the 3rd time after about 2 hours of pushing and with the use of the ventouse we had a baby boy.

However it may sound strange after reading the above but the two male midwives we had were fantastic in that we had a good rapport with them and they tried to help me have as natural birth as any.

Afterwards Tomas was placed straight on my tummy and then given to Mike for the next two and a half hours while I was being stitched (:( ). Once back on the ward the food came and as Mike lifted the bed head up for me I passed out. Unfortunately I had lost alot of blood and needed a transfusion, which I had the following day. I gave birth on the sunday and we were released on the tuesday afternoon. So that’s the bare bones of it. Least to say we were very glad to get home!

The following saturday my family came so we were all together to celebrate christmas albeit as tired but very proud parents : )

Well it’s offical, the baby is late!

As many of you know my due date was last thursday so there we were all ready but… nothing. And still…nothing. I am feeling a little bigger and conscious that the bigger I get, the harder things could be – but lets not dwell for too long on that!!

Tomorrow I have a date at the healthcentre for a checkup and another scan so hopefully I should have some idea of what the plan will be. I think it will probably be for another checkup and then they’ll decide, if still nothing had happened, on booking me in to hospital. But I could be wrong.

Meanwhile the baby seems perfectly content. It’s moving around still and seems to be very comfortable thankyou.

We recently had the company of Andy and Cheryl for about a week. They left last thursday. It was a very relaxed and enjoyable time. We didn’t do much but it’s worth mentionning all of our skills at playing 4 person Halo have dramatically improved!

The only day trip we went out for was to Casares where it promptly rained all day but the tapas was good…. Otherwise we continued with what we usually did, go to church, do abit of shopping and had a few meals out too, including a surprise Brasilian meal out organised by some friends from church.

So continue to watch this space and I should have some more news for you after tomorrow!

Well this is me plus 12kgs! It can’t be possible to stretch out any more!! So now you can see what I look like mum… at least I can sit on mike and have some weight power.

So, I had another visit at the health centre last Monday. Unfortunately they couldn’t tell me where they thought the head was. It’s as if any question outside of what they need to know is unanswerable. But hey, as long as the heartbeat is good I’m not moaning.

I have found myself getting the nesting urge recently, so much so I made the canopy for the cot. However if I’d known it was going to take so long….. put it this way I no longer have the urge to make things : )

Meanwhile I have been continuing my spanish lessons although I only went once this week but they’re a nice change. Otherwise I’m wondering what else needs to be done and I’m also starting to think a little more about Christmas but admittedly it’s not at the forefront of my mind!

Is this big enough?! 

Hi. It’s been a couple of weeks at least since we had visitors. After David and Sally we had the pleasure of my brother visiting for a well deserved break. Unfortunately it co-insided with me having to work full-time so it only left the evenings to catch up. But he seemed to enjoy the chance to rest and have the challenge of travelling on buses..

Meanwhile I’m back to part-time hours and appreciating them alot more! I was due to finish at the end of this week and start maternity leave but my replacement nurse dropped out at the last minute due to some paperwork difficulties. So I’ve agreed to work to the end of October at the latest unless someone turns up before then (please turn up!!!!).

We would put some more photos online but sadly our camera has broken. It was at the stage where if you whacked it, it would work but now it’s gone passed that so we’re looking around for a new one so at least we’ll have something for when the baby comes!!! Cause that would be a mighty shame otherwise!!!

Meanwhile, thinking of you all and thanks Chris & Anna for the lovely photo.

So here we are, myself, Dave and Sarah on the verge of entering the pretty village of Casares. 

After a fun packed week we are returning to our usual routine. As some of you know we have been enjoying the company of Dave and Sarah. They took up the challenge of visiting us and am pleased to say they’ve survived.

After leaving England at “stupid o’clock” (as Dave would say) they arrived around 11 am last wednesday. After a little rest we took them to band practice for a couple of hours! So that was their induction over with…

Thursday was calmer for them, both myself and Mike were out of the flat but we all regrouped for the evening to play a new game – The Settlers of Catan, something that was to be THE memory of our time together. For those of you who don’t know it, it a mix between monopoly and risk and we’ll probably be bringing it over in the summer, so prepare!!

Friday we visited Casares, one of the typical white villages and ate some rustic tapas and after we returned home to play the catan game.

Saturday we went to Ronda and had excellent tapas, the favourite being aubergine deep fried with honey,mmmm, and then returned home to play “catan”

Sunday was church, lunch out and then – you guessed it – catan playing. And monday was their day of departure. So if you’re reading this Dave & Sarah – thanks for the game!

Wow I do apologize, I didn’t realise it had been so long since one of us last posted anything! It seems a bit strange to talk about Christmas now because it was so long ago. Least to say we had a great time being back in the UK.
Meanwhile I have been back to the UK for a weekend in January because sadly my much loved grandma had a stroke and she is still in hospital. Things have been pretty tough for my mum but we pray for comfort and for the peace of God in this situation.
However we do have some good news! For those of you who have been bored to tears..I mean aware of our property situation, we exchanged on my flat last wednesday. It has been such an uphill struggle which I could explain in further detail but I am sensing the yawning from here! But we are due to complete a week today (3rd March). If you do think of us just please pray for a smooth completion as we all know what happened last time!
As I am updating this Mike has rung to say he is going to be late home because he is “building something”. This sounds a little onimous but a couple of weeks ago he did move into his new office so I’m guessing it’s flat- pack furniture….. I was even involved with carrying a few boxes for the big move and got to see the new surroundings. The office is quite impressive but what is better is now I can use the car because he can walk to work : )