Three weeks have rocketed past so quickly we have forgotten how to stop and take breath.
How can such a wonderfully responsive baby that does everything a baby should do have such a big cloud over him?
Today he is on 17ml milk by stomach tube and less than 1ml aspirate and they are talking about moving him to Worthing Hospital this weekend.
Cuddling him felt simply - normal - awake and interested in what was going on he was watching mums face and turning his head to look at me and big sis.
Big sis got home from school and we all raced over to see him. Emily had a long cuddle as he slept. We changed a wet nappy and broke for refreshment then returned for mum to have a cuddle and he was awake in anticipation. He stayed awake for the whole of mum's intimate and interesting interchange. Looking around, grabbing holding, sucking strongly on mums finger, crying, winding, raising one eyebrow (Dad's trick) and generally letting us know he had truly arrived to stay. Last and not least he did his third pooh of the day for mum to change and no golden ark.
Today we registered his birth this morning and contacted the support groups to start our education in his specialist care. Everyone was very supportive and we quickly got the feeling we are not alone professionally. The services and carers are there to help and are willing, responsive and capable. It felt very good to have started this ball rolling along and knowing those people have him registered. His care is on their list of things to do.
It is about time I mentioned the inner-circle of friends. Our close friends making regular contact and doing things without being asked. I have only cryed twice these past weeks - once when Charlie was rushed to hospital and I never thought I would see him alive again and secondly when I realised our inner circle of friends had mobilised to make our house clean and habitable before we got back the day he was born. They had cleared up the mess that is an unplanned home birth and organised everything so we did not have to worry. Since then we have been met with regular food parcels that just take the edge off getting home from hospital exhausted. We just have to heat and serve a meal when the last thing on our minds is feeding ourselves.
Thanks Guys - I hope I never have to do the same for you, but rest assured I (we) will be there if needed/appropriate.
The same goes for Cathy's mum - the first person to hear of the events that day when I sent up a distress flare knowing she was on standby to come and help. For the whole of the first week and beyond she kept us together and strong when our tendancy was to go to gloomy corners of imagination. On top that she organised Grandad with bribes of limitless whisky to completely decorate Charles bedroom for him. So that is ready too. Better still it is not flock wallpaper nor tones of red, orange and pink as was my fear.
I think Charles is himself the best thank you to all who have helped him get where he is and today he showed his appreciation as only babies can.
Thank you all.
P.S. I have to mention my builders. Brilliant it is to be going through all this stress and have your extension built quickly, professionally, quietly and considerately. One week on they are ready to tile the roof next week. Now that is what you need from a builder. (You can pay me later for the recommendation!) |