Feeling positive...

I really should be in bed, we have to be up at 5 tomorrow as Harper has her first appointment at Great Ormond Street, she will be having an ECHO and I'm assuming we will find out what operations she will need.

She's been doing so well that I'm feeling positive we will get some good news, although I don't want to get my hopes up too much. I've been speaking to another heart mum who's little girl is 6 and also has Left Atrial Isomerism. She hasn't needed any heart surgery as of yet so I've started to think that maybe Harper won't need hers at 3 months old as was planned during pregnancy.

The consultant she saw at my hospital for a routine check up also said he'd be very surprised if they operated that soon as she's coping very well, he thought all they'd do for now is something called a banding to slow down the flow of blood to the lungs.

I know Harper has to have open heart surgery at some point so I have to be prepared that it will still go ahead next month, in one way I suppose it's just best to get it over with..but I don't think I'm ready yet. 

XxX

Summer Holiday

Me & the babies spent last week at Joe's mums chalet in Leysdown-on-Sea Kent, it was lovely to get away for a while and enjoy the gorgeous weather. Most of Joe's family have chalets there so they all got to meet Harper for the first time. 

Teddy had such a good time as there are plenty of children for him to play with, he seems to have grown up a lot during the week and has even stopped having bottles completely and only has his dummy for naps. I've noticed how much he's talking now and has started to put 2 and 3 words together. 

We did end up at the local hospital though as Harper came out in a rash, at first we put it down to the heat but it ended up looking more like blisters so got it checked straight away. They have put it down to an allergy (I changed her formula to Aptamil the day before) and since changing back to Cow & Gate the rash has completely gone.

We also got to see Harpers first smiles, we were told that she would be behind development wise but here she is with her brother, smiling away at 5 weeks old :).

There was so much to do there that I didn't get much of a rest, but I'm glad as Teddy really enjoyed it. He got to play on the beach, enjoy his first 'mr whippy' ice cream, and soak the field with Nanny's hose. 

Harpers first trip to the beach

There's only a shower in the chalet so Ted had to have his baths in the sink, and Harper in a blow up bath - which is a lifesaver and only £5 from Mothercare! 

I'd really recommend Leysdown as a place to visit, the beach is lovely, there's plenty of amusements and cafés in the town and family clubs with childrens entertainment. I'm hoping that we can spend some more time down there towards the end of the summer.

My happy babies

XxX

Update - 1 Month old

I can't believe Harper is a month old already. It's going far too quickly. She has already outgrown 2 sizes in clothes, and due to the hot weather she's not even worn some of them! 

The health visitor comes home to weigh Harper once a week, as we are unsure whether her immune system works properly they felt it best if she was kept away from baby clinics. They are really pleased with how she's doing, she now weighs 7lb 13oz and has jumped up 2 centiles in height! No wonder her sleepsuits don't fit.

She's still feeding every 3 hours during the day but seems to be more settled and go longer between feeds during the night. We've noticed over the past couple of weeks that she's had episodes of crying in pain that can last ages, we think she may have silent reflux as Teddy suffered with it although Ted would refuse his bottles - Harper doesn't and is taking around 4 ounces per feed.

We have our first appointment through for GOSH - 13th August, I'm dreading it as the next date we will get from them will be for her heart surgery. Even though I've known for the last 6 months that she needs it done I still feel so unprepared, I think I'll be a wreck once that date comes through. 

I'm so grateful for how well she's doing though, sometimes I forget there's anything wrong with her as she seems no different to a heart healthy baby. 

We've planned to go away for a few weeks during the summer holidays, it will be Harpers first trip away :).

XxX