It’s been one of those weeks of feeling a little bit tired, a little bit sluggish and a little bit slow. After last week’s focus on decluttering, I have lost momentum slightly and struggled to regain focus. Hopefully I’ll feel a bit more energised next week, although there have been benefits to having a slow week too. I’ve enjoyed those slow moments of stopping to look at a pretty sunrise, cuddling up on the sofa with the girls and reading stories and having time to relax.
Jessica has seemed a little slower lately too. Since being back at preschool, she is more tired in the afternoons. I have started putting the second seat for our buggy in the car again, having not used it for ages as she has started to ask me if she can go in the buggy when out and about. She was in the buggy when we were out shopping last week and someone asked me how old she was. When I told them she was four, they raised their eyebrows and said “Oh!” in a very disapproving voice. We were in a lift at the time and as the lift doors had opened for our floor at this point, I just walked away. I could have explained that she has a heart condition, but quite frankly, I don’t see why I should have to justify my parenting choices to a complete stranger and as you can imagine, I was fuming about it!
Preschool have also noticed that she is a little less active – they restricted her outdoor time on Wednesday as she just wanted to sit and watch the other children and they were worried that she was getting cold. I think it is time to swap her autumn coat for her winter one so she can still enjoy being outside, even if she doesn’t want to be too active.
It is always a concern when Jessica seems more tired than usual as it could be an indication that her heart is not working as well as it was. Thankfully we had the community nurse visit yesterday and Jessica’s oxygen saturations are still around 80 which is normal for her, and very reassuring for me.
Things I have loved this week:
- Hubby coming back home and the joy on Jessica’s face when he woke her up to give her her night-time meds after arriving home – she opened her eyes sleepily and then suddenly woke up with a huge smile when she realise it was Daddy! Sophie, on the other hand, just said “hello, Daddy” when she woke up in the morning just as if Daddy had never been away!
- A morning catching up with a friend over coffee at the garden centre and taking the girls to see the fish.
- Watching Sophie having fun splashing in puddles.
- Getting the garden cleared out a little more – so good to see all four corners of the fence and to clear the ground around the roses. Still a lot left to do but it’s getting there slowly.
- Sophie watching Strictly intently and trying to mimic some of the dance moves. She particularly enjoyed Peter Andre’s quickstep and tried to copy Katie Dereham’s tango face which was hilarious.
- Visiting the local infant school which Jessica will hopefully be going to in September and seeing how much Jessica enjoyed her visit there. The headteacher seemed really nice and although we only talked briefly about Jessica’s heart, I felt reassured that the school will make sure they are well informed about her needs.
It is good to slow down sometimes, recharge ourselves. I hope Jessica is ok and regaining some energy soon. Splashing in puddles is always fun. x
Thanks Karen – she’s still been tired this week but has been a bit under the weather which hasn’t helped x
Ahhh they are too cute!! Glad to hear that her sat levels were ok, must be reassuring to know she is being looked after! Enjoy Strictly this week hehe 🙂 Popping over from #WotW
Thanks Helen – always reassuring to get good sats, especially with her being a little more tired at the moment 🙂
Sometimes things being slow can be a blessing in disguise as it allows us to recharge our batteries. Oh gosh it is disgusting how judgemental we can all be at time. I too am quite guilty of this, we never really stop to consider there actually might be a proper reason for things. Even if there isn’t we should be so quick to judge as we all have different ways of parenting and there is no right or wrong way really, as every situation is different. Oh bless the part about daddy waking Jessica up to give her her meds was such an *Awww moment*. #sosweet xx
I think most of us can be judgmental at times when out and about – I know I can be guilty of it too but thinking something and commenting are two different things. I think too I would have been more judgmental as a parent had Jessica not really opened my eyes to the fact that some disabilities are invisible and that often you don’t know the story behind things.
Sometimes slow is good….
Glad to hear Jessica is OK….This time of year and all over the winter is always tough on heart kids 🙁
Lovely photos! Have a great weekend x
Thanks Kim – it is a tough time of year, fingers crossed she perks up soon.
I agree, sometimes slow is good. I think this is around the time tiredness hits us all after the summer and knowing the clocks will be changing soon. Lovely pictures of happy smiley faces x
Thanks Iona – I think you’re right that this time of year and the changing seasons can bring tiredness – thankfully I’ve had a little more energy this week! 🙂
Aw bless must be a little worrying when she feels tired so good to know all is ok with her sats… well done for not fweling you have to justify yourself to the stranger it really is absolutely none of her business why jessica was in the pushchair! Hope you get your energy back soon, must be lovel6 having hubby home again!! Xx
Thanks Caroline – I’ve had a little more energy this week which has been good! 🙂
Sounds like a slow week was needed all round, and they can be just what you need sometimes. A relief that the nurse was visiting and all is well with Jessica and great to have her school all sorted, too x Thanks for sharing with #WotW
The slow week was definitely a good thing – it’s probably helped me to have a little more energy this week! 🙂
Slow can be very good for us. I’m happy to hear that the community nurse put you at ease over your daughter’s heart. #wordoftheweek
Thanks Helena – always good to have a reassuring visit with the nurse 🙂
Oh bless youi, some people just don’t know when to keep their oppinions to themselves do they? I’m sorry you felt criticised over your parenting choices… please don’t give that person another thought!! I had no idea that your gorgeous little girl’s sats were usually that low! She does a pretty amazing job of living life to the full especially if she is running at that level all the time!! If it’s any comfort, we have slowed a bit over the last couple of weeks, it just felt like that is what we all needed! #happydays xx
Thanks Claire – she really does very well considering how low her normal sats level is. I often forget that how much lower than “normal” it is, especially on the few occasions we’ve needed medical attention from healthcare professionals who are less familiar with her history and it’s only when I see them start looking a bit panicked at her sats that I suddenly remember!
Ah I think u you need a rest after all the work last week! I’d have been fuming with the buggy comment too. People haven’t got a clue have they? Hopefully Jessica will just need to buy more time to get used to school. The pic of Sophie outside is a real cute one. Have a fab weekend ‘xx #wotw #happydays
Thanks Sarah – I love that photo of Sophie too, she had so much fun splashing in the puddles 🙂
Its good to step back and recharge sometimes, glad Jessica is ok though. sounds like a fab little pre-school. x
Thanks Caroline, it is a lovely preschool and have always felt very reassured by how proactive they have been where Jessica is concerned.
We’re all feeling similar here too, it must be the change in weather and light. We are all much more tired and have all felt run down, sometimes it’s great to just slow down a bit and enjoy the simple things. Sarah #HappyDaysLinky
I think you’re right – this time of year does tend to bring tiredness with it, doesn’t it? The dark mornings definitely make it harder to get out of bed!
Oh that man in the lift made me so mad. Why are some people so judgmental? I hate that, we get it often (autism is invisible) I am with you though. I don’t feel the need to justify my or my child’s behavior to anyone! So mean.
I’m glad the rest of your week was better. Splashing in puddles is a great cure for the grumps!
#happydays
Thanks Catie – I think people often don’t think that there could be perfectly valid reasons for certain parenting choices. Sorry that you have been on the receiving end of these kind of comments too.
It must be quite scary noticing a change in Jessica which could be due to her heart. Pleased to hear everything is ok in that area. Maybe its just the adjustment period.
I totally agree you don’t have to justify your choices to strangers but I don’t think I could resist putting them in their places and making them feel a bit guilty 🙂 #HappyDays
Debbie
Thanks Debbie – I think if the lift hadn’t opened at that point, I would have been tempted to do just that but sometimes it’s easier just to walk away.
It’s so important to have these slow weeks isn’t it. Both for us and the babies. I am glad to hear that the checks were all good for Jessica.
Looks like you have had a fun week even if it’s been a slow one. I love that photo of Sophie in the puddles. It’s Boo’s fave thing to do at the minute.
You did the right think to just walk away. We shouldn’t have to justify our parenting to people, and the type of people to judge like that are not likely to listen anyway. Big hugs
Jumping in puddles is so much fun. Glad Boo is enjoying doing that too! Thank you for the hugs – always appreciated! 🙂
It’s definitely a tiring time of year for all children, and I can totally understand why you’d be worried about Jessica. Glad to hear all is well! x #WotW
Thanks Lizzie – it was certainly reassuring to have that check 🙂
This change of colder weather seems to be making quite a few people slow down. But maybe it’s a good thing you’ve slowed down a bit this week as Hubby came home?!
Glad to hear Jessica is OK, but I think this term is starting to creep up on the little ones. It’s been a long term so far and with still three weeks to go until half term, I know mine are starting to flag.
Yup, time to get the winter coats out – I think the weather’s on the turn! Keep warm all of you
#WoTW
xx
Thanks Tracey – not long to go now until half-term though! The weather has definitely changed this week – we’ve got winter coats, hats and gloves out now! x
Hi Louise, it makes my blood boil when people pass judgement when they don’t know the whole story. I remember reading an article about a Mum who carried cards (to raise awareness) around and gave them out when anyone questioned why her daughter was still in a buggy, I can’t remember the problem her daughter had, but like yours she got tired easily and sometimes needed to sit.
It must be such a worry having a child with a heart problem and it sounds as if you cope admirably. I hope, when the time comes, that the new school listens, learns and educates the other children that not everyone is the same, but that makes them no different (in some ways).
Hope this week is better for you.
xx
Thanks Debbie – those cards sound like a good idea! Much easier sometimes than having to keep verbally explaining!
ugh I can totally imagine how cross you must have been inside – what gives people the right to think they can pass judgment?! I’m glad to hear Jessica is ok though X #HappyDays
Thank you – it did make me cross, thankfully I’ve not had a repeat this week in spite of Jessica being in the buggy several times when out and about.
This is just the loveliest post! I know exactly that sleepy to realisation wake up – ive seen G do it before when Mr F has been away. Lovely to see the love isn’t it?
Thanks for sharing in #HappyDaysLinky xx
Thanks Katy – how lovely that G does the same, it is such a beautiful moment to watch, isn’t it? 🙂