Saturday was the day! I know it probably sounds silly but for me it was a big thing. Other than Rich taking her away while we were in Peterborough but it didn't seem as big somehow... it didn't seem like the whole day or so far away...
Ok it was only a trip to London, I left at 8am after starting her breakfast an was back at 5.30, gave her her tea and put her to bed, then went out for a meal.
Rich had a lovely day with her, they went to Polsden Lacey and when I got back she was waiting at the station she didn't even seem to have missed me, no massive smile just an acceptance I
was back!
The evening didn't go so well, she was asleep when I left and then apparently woke up and cried until I got home at 10.30pm, I gave her feed and then she fell asleep all night... so maybe she did miss me... or was worried where her night feed might be coming from... I like to think the former!
I did miss her, it seemed very strange getting the train and bus without her... but it was also quite nice, a chance to listen to my music, not have to worry about getting a buggy around and also just to be independent, don't get me wrong, I thought about her and Rich all day but I also enjoyed the day and the meal in the evening.
It was a big step for me, in a way sad as she doesn't need me as much anymore, but in a way good as I am back to work soon and I don't want it to be a huge ordeal for her :)
I will talk about my day in a later post - was volunteering for epilepsy action at a conference on treatment options in difficult to control epilepsy... was very interesting :)
Monday, 11 February 2013
Wednesday, 6 February 2013
Activity of the Week ~ building blocks
Ok. So building blocks, you can get some from early learning or we picked up a huge bag from an NCT sale and some massive Lego Quattro blocks too. Just make sure the paint on them is child safe (they mainly end up in Riley's mouth)
So aside from them being stuffed into their mouth, there a re countless games to play:
Knocking down towers (building them is never as successful!)
Investigating different shapes
Colour choice
Banging them together
Passing them from one hand to the other or between you
Hiding them under things for baby to find
Using them with other toys to make up stories eg making a field for some farm animals...
Use your imagination, stick some happy music on and have fun :)
So aside from them being stuffed into their mouth, there a re countless games to play:
Knocking down towers (building them is never as successful!)
Investigating different shapes
Colour choice
Banging them together
Passing them from one hand to the other or between you
Hiding them under things for baby to find
Using them with other toys to make up stories eg making a field for some farm animals...
Use your imagination, stick some happy music on and have fun :)
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
BBC looking for a Mum-to-be with Epilepsy
The BBC are looking for a pregnant mum to be with epilepsy to share their story for a tv programme. If you're interested in helping give Julia a call on 02077651210 or e-mail her on julia.ross@bbc.co.uk
Breastfeeding ~ epilepsy shouldn't effect it
Just wanted to write a bit about Breastfeeding as don't think I really ever blogged much about it. I've read a few people's comments that health professionals told mum's after giving birth they couldn't due to the meds.
FACT: most mum's can breastfeed when taking epilepsy meds.
There are a couple of meds that are an exception, but always talk to your specialist or epilepsy nurse before the birth so you know the score and can stick to it whatever anyone else says. It's so unfair to be told you can't straight after the birth only to be told a few days later you can by which time it can be very hard or impossible to start.
If you think about it they've been taking a small dose throughout your pregnancy, the small amount in your milk is negligible when they are growing so fast.
Epilepsy Actions Info:
I knew I could so have solely breastfeed and I am still now, more because it's so easy. Was a bit worried about night feeds and seizures because I was tired so we always said if I'm too tired Rich would help at night either with expressed milk or formula.
Breastfeeding not for everyone, it can be hard. I found the first few months a challenge, not due to my epilepsy, just normal mum things, but after 3months it became easy. The main thing is you have the same choice as everyone else, having epilepsy doesn't change that. But never think just because you don't breastfeed you don't develop such a strong bond, people who say that are very unfair, it's not for everyone but don't let your epilepsy effect that decision.
Some info on breastfeeding from the nhs:
I have found breastfeeding overall a very positive experience, there is something amazing that for the first few months everything she does and all her growing is from what I'm eating! It's also so easy no sterilising bottles etc and it has built an emotional tie, starting to stop now as she eats more is quite hard, I have never been away from her for more than a few hours as she always needed me for milk.
Saturday will be my first full day away from her. Volunteering for an Epilepsy Action study day. But the fantastic thing is she gets a daddy daughter day :) when I'm back at work there will be a lot more of them so need to start letting go a bit more, just very strange leaving her behind!
FACT: most mum's can breastfeed when taking epilepsy meds.
There are a couple of meds that are an exception, but always talk to your specialist or epilepsy nurse before the birth so you know the score and can stick to it whatever anyone else says. It's so unfair to be told you can't straight after the birth only to be told a few days later you can by which time it can be very hard or impossible to start.
If you think about it they've been taking a small dose throughout your pregnancy, the small amount in your milk is negligible when they are growing so fast.
Epilepsy Actions Info:
I knew I could so have solely breastfeed and I am still now, more because it's so easy. Was a bit worried about night feeds and seizures because I was tired so we always said if I'm too tired Rich would help at night either with expressed milk or formula.
Breastfeeding not for everyone, it can be hard. I found the first few months a challenge, not due to my epilepsy, just normal mum things, but after 3months it became easy. The main thing is you have the same choice as everyone else, having epilepsy doesn't change that. But never think just because you don't breastfeed you don't develop such a strong bond, people who say that are very unfair, it's not for everyone but don't let your epilepsy effect that decision.
Some info on breastfeeding from the nhs:
I have found breastfeeding overall a very positive experience, there is something amazing that for the first few months everything she does and all her growing is from what I'm eating! It's also so easy no sterilising bottles etc and it has built an emotional tie, starting to stop now as she eats more is quite hard, I have never been away from her for more than a few hours as she always needed me for milk.
Saturday will be my first full day away from her. Volunteering for an Epilepsy Action study day. But the fantastic thing is she gets a daddy daughter day :) when I'm back at work there will be a lot more of them so need to start letting go a bit more, just very strange leaving her behind!
Monday, 4 February 2013
Yummy Baby Recipes
Thought another thing I'd do is publish a baby recipe that Riley's liked each week. Figure it will be an insentive to keep trying new recipes... putting in a page to keep a record of them all.
This week is one I made up myself... first did it with the left overs of the turkey but now I do it with chicken instead... (amounts are pretty much as you thinks best, bit of trial and error)
Cook chicken in a pan with some chopped onion or leek until cooked through. Then add cream and some chicken stock (home made or baby stock) and bring to boil.
Meanwhile cook some broccoli and cauliflower in a pan until soft and cook some pasta. Combine all ingredients and put in a oven proof dish. Sprinkle cheese on top and put in oven (at about 180) until it browns on top.
This week is one I made up myself... first did it with the left overs of the turkey but now I do it with chicken instead... (amounts are pretty much as you thinks best, bit of trial and error)
Cook chicken in a pan with some chopped onion or leek until cooked through. Then add cream and some chicken stock (home made or baby stock) and bring to boil.
Meanwhile cook some broccoli and cauliflower in a pan until soft and cook some pasta. Combine all ingredients and put in a oven proof dish. Sprinkle cheese on top and put in oven (at about 180) until it browns on top.
Baby Proofing the House
Our house is almost sorted for if Riley starts crawling (having done so she probably won't crawl for ages but none the less it is done). From an epilepsy point of view we have as far as possible tried to think about what she could do if I were unconscious after a seizure, however there is only so much we can do. The main part of the plan is to mainly keep her in the lounge, we're getting a stair gate and have a play pen we can put across to keep her out of the kitchen. It has an added bonus that our stair case has gaps between the stairs so is impossible to just block the stairs so keeping her out of the hall entirely is a plus. We just need to put up the upstairs stair gate and put on some cupboard locks and we are done.
I think my job also makes me quite paranoid about what could happen to a child. Working on a brain injury rehab unit you see lots of accidents, most are so unlikely to happen most people wouldn't think of it. But having seen the outcomes I do worry... there are a few things I have done based on accidents... got rid of blinds, always strapped her into her buggy (from day one) and she is not eating grapes til she's 18... The biggest thing we have done is got rid of the glass doors, they're not safety glass and I'm paranoid about her going through it so I am very happy (plus they were aweful to clean).
So now she just needs to start crawling... at the moment I'm not sure it's going to happen anytime soon. She seems quite happy just to sit and have things brought to her!
I think my job also makes me quite paranoid about what could happen to a child. Working on a brain injury rehab unit you see lots of accidents, most are so unlikely to happen most people wouldn't think of it. But having seen the outcomes I do worry... there are a few things I have done based on accidents... got rid of blinds, always strapped her into her buggy (from day one) and she is not eating grapes til she's 18... The biggest thing we have done is got rid of the glass doors, they're not safety glass and I'm paranoid about her going through it so I am very happy (plus they were aweful to clean).
So now she just needs to start crawling... at the moment I'm not sure it's going to happen anytime soon. She seems quite happy just to sit and have things brought to her!
Friday, 1 February 2013
Welcome to Anyone from the Epilepsy Action Page
I was amazed at just how many people posted about the diaries, I have been writing this blog as I felt so alone going through this, but reading all your comments made me realise I am not alone.
Feel free to comment and I'm going to set up a page for everyone to add comments to chat and share there experiences and any concerns both of epilepsy and just being a mum :) or mum to be, or just thinking about being a mum.
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