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My Best Christmas Present Ever
by CrazyEgg Baby CrazyEgg has been fed by nasogastric tube her entire life, 18 months thereabouts. She was very premature, and had mixed success with drinking from bottles. (And no success with drinking from the breast I might add, but I had been using a breast pump for about five months by that point, and Baby CrazyEgg's technique was just not the ... same as the Medela Symphony, with its adjustable speeds and strengths of 'suck'.). When she had a bit of a choking episode there were fears that she might aspirate, or inhale the milk, which would be very dangerous. So we moved to tube feeds only, and we learned how to insert a nasogastric tube, test its position and deliver a feed through bolus set and later with a pump. When we were competent, and oxygen installed at home because she still needed this too, we all went home. We had fantastic support feeding wise, from a dietician and a speech therapist. We have also been lucky to live in an area where all the equipment for tube feeds can be delivered to our home on a monthly basis. So each month we get a delivery of 140 500ml bottles; 140 feeding kits that attach the bottles to the pump; syringes (lots);nasogastric tubes (they last seven days in theory, but Baby CrazyEgg can make short work of them); pH testing strips, for checking that the end of the tube is in the stomach; duoderm and tegaderm, the sticky tapes that keep the tube attached to Baby's cheek, and of course the formula, tins and tins of it. Storage has been an issue. So has recyling. We had to request a larger bin from the council, and recycle cans and glass separately to ensure there is space for the rest of the stuff. The bottles are single use only you see. The last delivery came when we were back in hospital and our neighbours took the whole lot in for us: so kind. Anyway, we have practiced this eating and drinking business all year. At first we had to dip our fingers in milk and let Baby CrazyEgg taste it before and during the feed so that she made a connection between a nice taste in her mouth and a full tum. Then to purée off a finger, and then a spoon. Weeks later, liquid from a cup. Then a weaning product was ordered, a high calorie powder to mix in her food and boost her intake. The 3am feed was dropped and later the 11 pm feed, and as Baby began to eat a little her formula was reduced to encourage hunger. The hunger encouraged eating and she began to be eating half jars of purée. Then she was ill and everything went backwards, with her being fed solely by tube again, and needing to put on weight as a priority. But now she is better, and her eating as good as it has ever been. On Monday after discussion with the dietician, we had a plan to take out the tube later this week and see whether this would give Baby CrazyEgg the push she needs to eat and drink more. (She has now convinced everyone that she is safe in her eating and drinking). But at 5am yesterday there was a small squeak and a cough that I heard over the monitor that told me the tube was out. I went in to Baby CrazyEgg's room and with a huge gummy-and-slightly-toothy grin she handed me one nasogastric tube and a piece of mangled, chewed tegaderm. (Never did find the duoderm- yikes!). I took them off her in a bleary-eyed haze, and she did the double leg thrust of triumph. The no-tube experiment started early. Day one was ok. She clearly had a lower intake than normal, but this was to be expected. Today she has done well, but her sleeping and eating patterns are all over the place as her body adjusts to this new regime. We are going to try a third day and reassess based on all the relevant factors: plenty of wet nappies? Poo? Baby's colour ok? Anything weird happening? And of course, is she actually eating and drinking? Tube feeds for us take about an hour to an hour and a half. We have had so much time these past couple of days to do other things. It has been great. It is a weirdly joyous happening, but I find I am now very anxious that she is eating and drinking enough. We know that weight is usually lost during the tube to no tube transition and that is hard. It's really not easy. But we are so lucky to have got to this stage, when many others never do. We might have to have several trials like this if Baby CrazyEgg does not click that she has to get all her calories and nutrients herself. But if and when she manages it, it will be the best Christmas present ever. If you can, please send some positive vibes Baby CrazyEgg's way. x Read the complete review |
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Christmas Gift Giving
by rolandrat Well I suppose this needed to be sorted in some fastion. ===PRESENTS I BUY=== These days with the boys gown I do not have a huge pile of toys as in year's past. Now they mainly want cash for their cars and computers but I always try and give them some gifts wrapped up - Christmas morning would not be the same ... without some fun items to open. This year I have a DVD and computer game for them, plus money boxes in the shape of a computer key, plus lots of Lynx items (to save them buying their own) and chocolate biscuits, Maltesers and Pringles. I also have the Racing Grannies for one son as a fun item, plus a robit constuction kit. Eldest son was never so much into fun Christmas novelties as his younger brother. I do have one DVD set for hubby but basically we do not buy for each other - I won't get anything but if I see something on offer I will buy it for him - one reason is finances but he does not believe in the gift process much anyway. I buy gifts for mother-in-law but none of the rest of hubby's family as he never bothered and never wanted me to either - so I don't! Mum-in-law is quite difficult to buy for so she will often have a jogsaw and some novelties of some sort or an ornament. My mum is now passed on so my main relatives are my sister, her two daughters and their partners and their three children. I enjoy buying for them but being on a strict budget try and get bargains through the year - but they all have a gift of some sort -and my sister will have a bag of little items and books. I also have about six girlfriends that I buy little gifts for - just token items really - but its nice to have something to open on Christmas morning. Also now I give to both sons' girlfriends - plus in one case to her parents and sisters too - but only very small token items. ===PRESENTS I GET=== Well I have gone through years when I have received nothing from my immediate family which was a bit upsetting but now my sons are grown they get me nice items - though I always tell them to spend their money on themselves - I have had a massage cushion, books, lava lamp, computer speakers, musical box etc - in fact whatever they give me I will love - regardless of what it is - as its the thoguht that counts. This year one son has already given me a lovely musical Christmas scene to have out on display. From my sister and nieces I get a variety of gifts - always some books, chocolates, wine, jewellery, scarves etc - and last year my ister got me a double layer quilt to keep warm - which was thoughtful. From friends it will mainly be little bits and pieces - candles, jewelery, chocolates etc. Mother-in-law always gives me money and gives us a large hamper of food between the family - though as we often get this on Christmas Eve hubby will have made me buy lots of items anyway. ===FATHER CHRISTMAS=== I could not write about presents without mentioning Father Christmas - who was the most important part of Christmas present giving. As a child I always wrote to Santa - and would ask for such items as a horse or a grand paino - neither of which I ever got! (These letters were 'magically' returned to my parents and I still have my little scribbled letters which I found amoung their effects). With my sons we would always post the letters in the living room grate - for Santa to magically take overnight. On Christmas Eve we would put out the first slice of the Christmas cake, some orange juice and carrots for the reindeer - plus we would always give Santa a gift as well - often socks or gloves. Sons used to love Father Christmas and their would shout thank-you up the chimney after getting their gifts - so sweet. Santa always gave them a lot of presents and we also gave some from us as well - of course Santa always had very different wrapping paper to what the family used. Santa even left a present every year for youngest son's Roland Rat cuddly toy - sugar mice or a squeaky rat. As eldest was 6 years older than his brother to continue with Father Christmas I said that he would only get an extra gift from Santa if he continued to believe - so that is how we worked it. These days there is so much on the interenet - how you can get video's from Santa and track his progress through the hours of Christmas Eve - but we were happy with out simple pleasures. One thing I would have liked to have done but did not stumble upon until the boys were too old was Christmas Elves - little toys who magically move around the house and do things overnight - such a sweet thing to do. ======ITS THE THOUGTH THAT COUNTS=== Personally I do not mind getting a gift that I do not like. The main thing is that it shows someone thought of me - which is the most important thing. As we get older I think we come to appreciate the time we spend with people much more than the things they buy us - so this Christmas give some of your time and attention to someone - it will mean much more than a hastily bought gift. Read the complete review |
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Christmas Shopping Experiences
by rolandrat It has taken me many years to get this down to a find art and for a long time I would be doing shopping when the shops were crowded and not having any sort of plan of action. However not being able to get out much to shop, not having much money to spend, and having limited energy has forced me to trim down my Christmas gift ... giving and shopping to a fine art. ===GET ORGANISED EARLY=== I find the best time to start organising is from just after Christmas. I know this sounds crazy but you are then in the 'Christmas' frame of mind so it is easy to make a list of who you will need to get gifts for for the following year. Armed with this knowledge I keep an eye out for online sales at the end of December and in January - this has enabled me to be giving super 'Landsend' scarves to many people this year that I was able to get for around £2 each instead of £30! I also keep an eye out for bagains being posted on the Martin's Money website as you can pick up some greatly reduced items being talked about if you are quick. I have two present drawers in the bedroom plus empty covered boxes on top of the wardrobes so it is easy to hide things away out of sight. Just remember to keep a list so you know what you have already bought. ===STOCK UP ON CARDS AND WRAPPING=== As with presents, check after Christmas to see how much you have left for the following year and buy in January - most shops and online sites sell off their stocks in the sales and I have had some super items at rock bottom prices. If you do go to the stores in town this is the time to buy half price 'named' cards as well such as 'son' husband' etc. ===KEEP STOCKING UP=== Throughout the year if any items are on sale for a bargain price then I get them - this can often happen with Amazon when stuff can be on sale for a ridilculously low price but you have to grab it quick before the price shoots up again. ===WRAP AND WRITE EARLY=== I always aim to have all the wrapping and card writing done befor December 1st. The cards are usualy done first and then I do my wrapping in batches so it does not get too much of a burden. ===BUYING FOR SONS=== They get larger gifts but these days mostly have money - but any gifts they do want such as computer games or clothing can be bought online anyway and usually I am just sent an email with a link in so I just order the item - as easy as can be. ===CHRISTMAS IN THE SHOPS=== I usually have one trip to a large supermarket to just have a look around at their Christmas items - but now find I prefer to search and brouse online. ===CHISTMAS LAST MINUTE SHOP=== I always try and have a grocery order delivered very close to Christmas so then I can buy any extra small items if I have fogotten anyone - so its easy to get some biscuits, chocolates or wine. through I usually always have something that can be a last minute gift. ===HAVE A HASSLE FREE TIME=== So there you have it - all shopping is done with no stress at all - you can monitor how much you spend and actually enjoy the whole experience of wrapping and writing cards without it all becoming a huge stressful chore. Read the complete review |
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