another little stay at hospital

Well I can't believe that my little fighter managed to get home after only 5 days in hospital.

Of course we are still on antibiotics and still doing chest physio, but we might consider nursery next week.

I'm hoping these little illnesses help to improve her immune system if nothing else.

2 halloween costumes

Well thank goodness that my Brother has kids, we had 2 costume opportunities for Ayla this Halloween. Thankfully my SIL brought a bag of old costumes for me to peruse.

We eventually settled on a spanish dancer costume for her nursery party and a ladybird outfit for the grand night itself!

I did decorate the house, but forgot to photograph it. Oh well, I'm sure I'll find some photos later that have bits of it on show.

Hope everyone has a good winter season

school uniform

It's an everyday occurrence for some, but it's something that we never thought we would see. So, I'd like to share: Ayla's first day in her school uniform. Ofcourse, after all the fun she's been having at nursery it will never be the same. But for that first day it was all spic and span!

wishing you a happy week whatever you are up to

She's 3

How did that happen? They told us 3 days, now we are 3 years.....

Well it's been a mix of trust in our child, bumbling blindly along and a healthy dose of prayers. That is what has got us to where we are now.

I'm not updating the blog as often as I would like. I was hoping for at least a monthly update, but you know how it goes with best laid plans and all....

July was a month of

• splashing in hot tubs
• my nephew trying to hypnotise Ayla into saying her first words LOL
• visiting friends and family
• lazing in paddling pools in the back garden

August was a month of

• rolling onto tummies
• brushing teeth (finally without gagging)
• visiting another family who are travelling this road with trisomy 18
• Garden parties with RNSO
• turning 3
• starting nursery

September so far: 

• school photo
• visit to the safari park
• baking cakes with classmates
• discovering the gigglebellies videos

quite frankly ayla is rocking being 3. She has developed a few new tricks, but more of that in another post. 

Less than a week

It's unheard of, but that is how long Little Miss A was in hospital. Monday to Friday. Of course, she is still very poorly with a bad virus and a chesty crackle and cough. At least we get to come home though.

It is always worrying when you are heading for admission. It's not so much going in, but where will she end up....that is my worry. This is the first time in over 2 years that we have not ended up in PICU.

As you can see, she is still on oxygen through the daytime, but at least she is a little brighter today. 

sending warm hugs to everyone xx

WOYWW 261

This is my workdesk before I spent a couple of hours this afternoon tidying it. It has evidence of a few kits that I am trying to prepare. The hope is that it will make scrapbooking faster. Well that is the theory...

We were up at Rachel House for my birthday. And one of my envelopes contained very lovely ATCs from Jo and Annie. Thank you ladies.

I hope everyone enjoys their crafty week. If you feel like joining in the fun pop over to Julia's

loving sunny May

we have been loving this weather, but sunglasses are a must. Next month we'll try the swimsuit and paddling pool :-)

Annie, this one is just for you. kisses from Ayla xx

May and spring has sprung at last

To celebrate the sunshine today, our little miss sunshine got to wear her first pair of kiddie sunglasses out and about. It took us so long to buy any because part of her condition means that her ears are lower set than most kids. I honestly didn't know if they would stay on her nose, or if she would keep them on her nose.

After the success of the first pair I thought we should get a couple of pairs...for the car, the handbag, the buggy. You know how it goes, just when you need a pair out and about you realise that they are propping up a sunhat on the kitchen windowsill.

We have spent a few days in the garden so far. Easter weekend was great. We are obviously hoping for more. Today was a bonus, until the rain started and spoiled our fun.

We have been spending one hour a week at nursery to transition in before the summer holidays. It has been very interesting for both Ayla and mum... I am so glad that Ayla is not shy with strangers, it makes for a much more relaxed nursery experience.

April Showers

We managed to get out a bit more in April. We got Ayla a cute little rain jacket with daisies on it and the cutest pair of sunglasses. Hello Kitty, shaped like daisies. Ayla thought she was the bees knees when we put them on her. I was surprised, I'd expected her to try to shake them off but instead we got the cutest little crinkly nosed smile. So like a normal toddler's reaction to getting to put on sunglasses, but somehow out of the ordinary for Ayla.

We got good news about her nursery placement for August. She will be going to a special needs school for nursery. I am thrilled. I can't wait to see her progress.

I'm getting a little bit more scrapbooking done just now during her naps. I'm trying to finish off all of my works-in-progress. I have many, so even getting some finished and into albums is a good feeling.

March Madness

Well, most of March was spent getting Ayla back on her feet after a prolonged stay in hospital. These are just some of the month's highlights.

• Her cousin Thomas' 3rd birthday
• Started sensory group on wednesday mornings, she loves it. Lots of songs, games and attention
• Both her seat and stander needed adjusting because it would seem that she has taken a growth spurt.
• We packed up all her 9-12mth clothes and started buying 18-24mth clothes.
• Postural supportive armchair ordered
• her minibutton came out, intact and inflated so a little trip to A&E was the order of the day.

I just can't believe that we are well into spring and I am only just catching up with myself in trying to document Ayla's progress. this is her with her tiny superhero cape because in my eyes she is a little superhero

February was RSV month

Shortly after the last post about Ayla turning 2yr 5mth we were admitted to Children's Ward. A week later we were transferred to PICU at Glasgow Yorkhill Children's Hospital.

I can tell you there were times when I thought she wouldn't see 2yr 6mth. 3 times to be precise! However, the little lady pulled out all the stops and she is fighting like a little trouper. Thank goodness she has my stubborn streak!

We are 2 days off being in hospital for a full calendar month, and I actually think we will be here for the whole of February, but you know what I don't mind as long as she is getting better.

Scrapbooking has taken a back seat, obviously. However, I am pleased to say that I did eventually get my 2012 Journal Your Christmas album finished. Once we get home again I'll upload some photos.

Sometimes I miss the distraction scrapbooking affords me. Sometimes I miss seeing the progress when i can look at older photos, but when i do get a chance to complete some layouts, scrapbooking helps me to look back at some of the more difficult times with Ayla and it helps me appreciate her journey in its entirety.

Can't wait to get my girl home and share some of our layouts with you all.

2 years 5 months

well, how time flies. My little girl is growing up and growing out of her new clothes already.

I found a couple of photos from 30 Dec 2012. This layout was for a challenge that our team on UKS is trying: every month we find a challenge site and hopefully take part.

This layout is for Sarah's Cards January Sketch Challenge

I enjoyed making it. Made a little dent in my new stash too: Studio Calico - Darling Dear; Crate Paper - Random; Amy Tangerine - Amy Tangerine

I've been working on my JYC (more of that to come) so not much other scrapping going on. Hopefully I will get back into the pile of photos that i have printed out. The only thing is I keep taking more :-)