On the 13th of January 2012, it was decided that Caitlyn Anabelle had to come out with an emergency C-Section. She was then 34W gestation and we had been in the hospital for 12 days. The whole pregnancy with Caitiebelle was really hard. I was quite ill with a condition called ‘Hyperemesis Gravidarum’ (HG) which is a condition at the extreme end of the pregnancy sickness spectrum. It affects only 1% of women with pregnancy sickness and is extremely unpleasant. I was unable to keep food and drink down and was hospitalised on several occasions. In the hospital I was given a drip with fluids to help my dehydrated body cope, I also got some medicine through the drip to help nausea and vitamins.
It’s a really hard sickness to have – but usually, it’s not dangerous for you or the baby, but it’s important to seek medical help.
I also suffered from very low blood pressure which means that you get dizzy quite quick and I was not able to function very well. Just a trip in the car – trying to get out of the car or move around could make me pass out. Going shopping was another issue and I spent a lot of time sitting down because I having dizzy spells and passing out. Really not something I wish on my worst enemy it was really hard those months…
I also had a severe case of pelvic pains and was very immobile because of the pain. The condition is called SPD (Symphysis pubis dysfunction). It’s extremely painful…
At 20 Weeks I started having contractions and that was the first time I was in the hospital. This came and went and I spent the rest of the pregnancy with a lot of hospital visits and stays to keep baby inside for as long as possible, because at 26 W gestation I again had contractions and was leaking amniotic fluid, luckily this was managed and they were able to top it, but I spent the rest of the pregnancy having contractions on and off that luckily didn’t end with any baby – but was still very painful as you can imagine. At 33W my water broke and I was hospitalised and on antibiotics until I gave birth. At 34W Caitiebelle’s heart beat suddenly took a turn for the worst and she was very stressed and unhappy.
Caitlyn Anabelle
4lbs 12oz
As you can see she was quite tiny! hehe
But time flies and now she’s SIX years old…oh my goodness.
“Glass ceilings can’t stop me. Glass slippers don’t interest me. Glass mirrors don’t define me. I decide who I will or I will not be. And I choose to be unbreakable, untakeable, unshakeable me.” – L.R.Knost
Sadly on her actual birthday, she was ill with a stomach bug – so we celebrated it on the 14th by having cake and going to the Cinema to see the new Disney film ‘Moana’. Which I really recommend! It was a lovely film! I love how it didn’t have a love story – just a brave girl trying to save her island.
It was the first time ever that Henry and Caitlyn went to the cinema. Caitlyn clearly was old enough – she absolutely loved the experience – but Henry being only 4,5 I feel he was still just a little bit too young. Nearing the end of the movie he did start to get a bit wormy but all in all, it was a wonderful experience for them and they still talk about it a lot, so I’m really glad we went!
Here are her two favourite songs from the film!
Because Caitiebelle was ill we didn’t have a birthday party. We are thinking of having one for her later on though – we just need to find a date in the near future where the local birthday party holders have space.
If you – like us, are having plans for a birthday party that involves the whole class, I thought it would be a great idea to give you a heads up on some games that are very easy for children with a disability to also be a part of. Caitiebelle, as far as I know, does not have a child in her class or in her school who is deaf – but none the less I found this graphic really helpful and it’s given me some great ideas on games to try to involve the kids in at her party.
Deaf-friendly games for a children’s party by Wooden Toy Shop
Caitiebelle does have a friend though who is almost blind – so I wanted to share with you this infographic which I found very helpful. I hope that other parents or carers will find it just as helpful and give you some ideas to work out from in regards to children who are blind or visually impaired.
Playtime with Blind and visually impaired children by Wooden Toy Shop
Happy Birthday, Caitlyn Anabelle – we love you more than all the stars in the night sky…
Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you. You may give them your love but not your thoughts. For they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday. You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth. The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far. Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness; For even as he loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable. Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself. Love possesses not nor would it be possessed, for love is sufficient unto love.
-Khalil Gibran (1883 – 1931), from The Prophet
Have you ever taken your kids to the cinema? Did they like it?
Therese has completed the ‘Advanced Child Car Seat Training Course’ at TRL (Transport Research Lab) and is a CPD accredited car seat expert. She blogs about in-car safety, car seats, tips, reviews, giveaways and advice. She’s a mum on a mission to change the law and raise awareness. She is also a breastfeeding advocate and gentle parenting promoter who loves cloth nappies, baby-wearing, BLW and co-sleeping/bed-sharing.