Cathy is doing all the care for Charles since this morning and he has no tubes attached to his body.

For the first time he is just a baby being cared for by his Mum to see how they get on in the supported environment of the Hospital.  Emily and I are looking after ourselves for a few days and going in to support Mum when we can.

I took my sister and her husband in to see them this afternoon. The emotional subtleties of changes in seeing him free of tubes and differences since I last went in on Friday brought a new sense of him as my son to my heart. I stood holding him close and warm and he held my clothes in a white-knuckle grip.  Gently patting his back his hiccups subsided and he settled into my arms.  Eyes gently scanning the colours of the ward he appeared to be taking it all in then he held his gaze on mine and stopped; a lovely few moments.

Then the nurse returned to enforce law and order telling me to "sit in a chair with him"...  She reminded me of a character in Ello Ello or was it Allo Allo, can't think which character (Flick or something)?  I havn't been that scared since my mum found my crusts hidden under the tea table...  No wonder Charles is making such rapid progress.

Emily then fed him by bottle to top him up and he took 20mls in a very short time and looked decidedly sleepy. 
Well done Emily!!!

Cathy did a very professional poohy nappy change for me to observe and learn (Don't tell her I know how to do it will you!!!)

I forgot the camera, but let your imaginations fill in the gaps.

Cathy just called to say goodnight to Emily and let us know she is ok - Charles is a little restless, but this is his first night of enforced 'brat-camp' style routine enforcement.  We will see how they have fared in the morning...