Tuesday 28 February 2012

A phone call .....

Well not the best of days really, had a phone call from Callum's paediatrician who had just received the same letter regarding Callum's hearing that we received yesterday. He said that looking at all of Callum's problems combined (his developmental delay, low muscle tone, poor eyesight and hearing it must all be linked together and must be caused by something. So he wants to do more tests; when Callum has his grommets in he wants more blood tests to be taken for the genetic specialist to do tests on and wants calling to have a muscle and skin biopsy. Callum is having his brainwave test on Friday at 2 now as well. Shocked and worried, just don't know what to think now. Got to keep going and keep positive x

Monday 27 February 2012

Back on the roller coaster

Had a lovely few days, Ronnie is continuing to sleep through the night and Callum is doing so well with his sitting. We keep thinking oh yes he can do this now he is sitting.
Have certainly experienced a lot of people staring and making comments since Callum has been wearing his different glasses I really wish people would keep their opinions to themselves.
We went to his group today and they were all pleased with him again, I was a bit worried as we checked to see if his feet had grown at weekend but they are still not on the scale yet, but they said he does not need shoes yet as he is not walking, so that made me feel better about it.
I do feel all jumbled up with it some times with appointments here there' and everywhere and then arranging and chasing up the follow up appointments it feels endless. Then you get letters about previous appointments which fill you with more worry, when things are on paper they do seem more real don't they? Perhaps in time I will become more used to this side of our life at the moment it still all feels very new. One thing is sorted another thing comes up, I am back on that roller coaster again I think x x

Friday 24 February 2012

A new door has opened

Callum sitting up is brilliant x i took the boys to park again this afternoon and ronnie rode his bike. Ronnie was going down the slide and I got Callum out and slid him down while holding him and he loved it, he sat at the end of the slide while ronnie came down, it was so funny! Then we moved onto the swings and I put Callum in on his own for the first time he could not believe it and was squealing with delight. I know this all sounds like basic stuff but I did not allow myself to think about Callum doing all these things invade his muscles did not get any stronger, but they have and look at him go!
Went to see consultant today and they have said only option left is partial hysterectomy so lots to think about but not worried about it at all, after all the fantastic things that have started happening with Callum nothing else can worry me now. Looking forward to a great weekend x x

Thursday 23 February 2012

Ronnie is growing up

Ronnie woke up at 1:30 this morning and I thought if I am back asleep by 4 I will be lucky, but he went straight back to sleep again on his own. I went back to bed and thought he will be up again soon but we all woke up in our own beds just before 6 this morning. Had a lovely day, I took the boys swimming with mum today and it was so nice, callum wore his glasses in the pool and this made a big difference to his reactions, he was so excited and did not stop splashing the water with his hands, Ronnie was laughing his head off. Ronnie had his ear plugs and head band on to stop water going in his ears but you still have to hold him up so he doesn't get covered in water which is quite difficult! Later on after Callum had had a big sleep we went for a walk to the park, Ronnie went on his bike and I pushed Callum in his push chair, this is the first time I have done this combination on my own so I was a bit unsure, but it went so well, Ronnie was really good and stopped whenever I asked him to and he rode his bike really carefully.When we got to the park he climbed up everything and asked me to help him on the firemans pole but we both realised at the same time that he didn't need my help any more, I obviously stood really close just in case but he jumped and twirled down the pole, it was at this point I realised that my little boy is growing up!I am going back to see the consultant tomorrow so will be interested to see what they have to say, not looking forward to it to be honest, wish me luck x x

Wednesday 22 February 2012

Brothers

A lovely start to the day Ronnie slept all night again, think we have cracked it! My parents came over this morning to see The boys and they saw Callum sitting properly for the first time. He sat and watched me and Ronnie do some puzzles, mum and dad were so pleased. I spent a lot of today sorting out all of Callum's next appointments, so feel a bit more sorted on that front now. Ronnie went off to Pre school happily today and is getting into the routine of it all now. He is making friends as well now and comes out with the funniest things. His behaviour since he has had his grommets back in and has been sleeping all night has been so much more manageable and he does seem a lot more settled. I am so looking forward to seeing Ronnie and Callum interacting together, there is so much to look forward to with them both, it's odd I have not really thought of them as brothers before, of course I know they are but yesterday after seeing them sat together for the first time, I could see how protective Ronnie will be of his brother, and what special times are ahead for them and us. I collected Callum's new glasses on Monday and they are so much better for him, whilst they don't look as nice as the other ones, they fit him so much better and are more suited to his needs, if he pulls them off they don't bend and are much better on when he is in his pushchair. I will get used to him in them, the most important thing is that he can see so much better now x x

Tuesday 21 February 2012

Magical Day

Well what a fantastic day I have had, today Callum sat up really well on his own for long, yes long periods at a time. I am so excited it is truly an amazing feeling, I have been texting my family photos and videos of him doing it all day, I have even contemplated putting it on YouTube, but settled for attaching a photo on my blog. The best part of today was when Ronnie came home from preschool and I sat Callum on the floor and said look Ronnie, look what Callum can do, and he said look mummy Callum is sitting up on his own!

Then for the first time they sat on the floor together and played with toys together. I have spent the day sitting Callum in different places, he was able to sit on Ronnies bed, he sat up in the bath properly, he sat up on my lap and had his milk before he went to bed and even sat up and had his hair dried! It has opened up a whole new world for him, his mummy and daddy,his brother and all his wonderful family and friends. What a magical day x x x

Monday 20 February 2012

Up and down

Another sleep filled night Ronnie did not wake till 6 again, we had a nice relaxing morning. Callum had a big sleep before his group this afternoon and Ronnie and me had some time together. Ronnie went to Pre school at 11:30 and then me and Callum went to his group. They were really pleased with his progress with his sitting and I told them all about his train ride yesterday which they thought was great. It was nice to see everyone again and Callum is getting to know everyone there now too. I am thrilled with Callum's sitting and we have to keep up the hard work it's an ongoing process. Callum's physiotherapist is going to refer him to have some shoes made for him as his feet have not grown much and we are unable to buy proper shoes for him as his feet are so small they can't be measured on the scale yet. In the next few months they want to start putting Callum in a stander to get him used to weight bearing on his legs, and in order to do this he has to wear shoes before he can start going in a stander frame. Feel a bit up and down with it all today, it's hard because I still don't feel I have quite got used to it all with Callum. I have not come to terms with the fact that each milestone for Callum is going to take a lot of additional input. It's hard because I keep getting glimmers of normality like with his sitting but I forgot that In order to get him to the next stage we have to start the whole process all over again. But like I keep saying, progress is progress. It's a tough situation like everything you will have good days and bad days x I have my scan tomorrow so am hoping all will go ok with that x x

Sunday 19 February 2012

Day Out

Had a great day, Ronnie slept till 5 so that is a whole week of uninterrupted sleep, so pleased I can't tell you what a relief it is to have sleep filled nights.
We took the boys out for the day to the Cotswold wildlife park it's our favourite place to take them. It's the first time we have been since Callum got his glasses, he really enjoyed it but I did find it difficult to look at things or get his attention to look at something. They have a lovely train that goes round the whole park, Ronnie and Callum sat in between me and Steve, it was so funny when we went through the tunnel it went all dark and when we came out the other end Callum's expression was hilarious, he had his mouth wide open as if to say what on earth was that all about mummy? He really couldn't believe his eyes.
All back to normal routines tomorrow, Ronnie back to preschool for afternoon session while I take Callum to his group, they will be pleased with him.

Here's looking to a good positive week x x x x

Saturday 18 February 2012

Progress

Ronnie broke his personal best last night and slept till 6 for the sixth night in a row. Everything is so much easier after a full nights sleep. Really hope that we have done it now with Ronnies sleeping, it's taken well over a year for us to get to this point. And long may it continue.
Callum has been doing really well with his sitting today and since wearing his glasses he has become a lot more alert and aware of his surroundings. He also recognises other members of our family now which is so nice for them and us. We sat Callum up on the floor with some cushions behind him and he likes to get two ring toys and knock them together, he laughs and waits for us to laugh as well.
It's odd because with Ronnie I received weekly emails detailing what he should be doing at this stage and what I should be doing to help him, but with Callum I find myself deleting them before reading them, as I see no benefit in doing so. I know that when Callum starts doing something for the first time he is doing it later than he should be, but it is still progress and to be able to use the word progress when I talk about Callum is fantastic, long may this continue too x x

Friday 17 February 2012

Keep Galloping

Ronnie slept till six again that's five nights in a row can't believe it that's the most he has done in a row. Will he beat his personal best tonight, not going to say fingers crossed as we know that doesn't seem to work for me!

We saw the paediatrician this morning with Ronnie and he said that his behaviour is fine and whilst challenging, is normal. I am so relieved because as his mum I thought it may be something I was doing. He has given us some good ideas to help manage his behaviour going forward. He also said that because Callum has additional needs and is not mobile yet it's hard for Ronnie to get involved, but we will get there and as they both getter a bit older these challenges will be replaced with different ones.

We also had a quick chat about Callum, we had asked him if their was a specialist that deals specifically with Callum's problems and he has suggested we see a genetic specialist who deals with low muscle tone. So that will be interesting to see his thoughts on Callum.

Then this afternoon was my second visit of the day to the hospital regarding the infection. I have to be seen by the consultant next week with my scan results (which is now on Tuesday) to discuss the plan. They said they might have to repeat the previous operation! Not even thinking about that prospect been prodded and poked way too much over the last few weeks, so I am putting my blinkers on and going to keep galloping and jumping those hurdles without crossing my fingers. X x

Thursday 16 February 2012

Enter your pin please!

Had another good start to the day Ronnie slept till just before 6 so that's 4 nights in a row, can't believe it!
Had a long appointment with the ironing board this morning which was lovely? Nice to be done now though and out of the way.
We went to the coffee shop in the village for lunch with my two sister in laws and their children, it was nice to get out and about and the food was yummy. We headed off to supermarket to get a few bits afterwards. Little bit on the hectic side, but when isn't shopping with two children? It was a bit like how many things can I do at once, picture the scene; at the check out R decides to take C's socks off and put them in his own mouth as I am trying to pack the shopping, give the lady my vouchers, remove socks from r's mouth before he chokes himself and then enter my pin please! Help me, could not get out of there fast enough. I always feel like I look like I am not in control of my children, but am sure all mothers and fathers can empathise with this and know that feeling.
My day would not be complete without a visit or phone call to the dr about my infection. Today I tried to sort out my scan, they can't get me in till tuesday so my doctor wants me to be seen by a specialist at hospital tomorrow afternoon. I really hope this appointment will resolve the infection once and for all!
Will be glad once we have been to see paediatrician with Ronnie in the morning too, I am sure all of his behaviour is normal will just be glad to get something else crossed off the ever growing list. Wish me luck x

Wednesday 15 February 2012

Special delivery

Today started well, Ronnie woke up at just gone six again so that's three full nights sleep in a row, feel so much better for having more sleep. Still struggling with my Infection had to ring doctor again who has doubled tablets and chasing up scan its quite draining now. Had my friend And her two children over for coffee, it was really nice as she is great with Ronnie too. Then had an exciting delivery, my iPhone! Been thinking about it for ages and am so pleased with it already. This afternoon I went back to the opticians to choose Callum's new glasses, the lady had sent off for quite a few different ones, they are all not as subtle as the ones he wears now but they fit really well and are soft and flexible so will be so much better for him. It's just a shame we didnt get them first time, but in a way i am glad we have got used to him wearing glasses first before we changed them to ones which are better suited to him. The health visitor came out for her fortnightly visit and we went through everything that has happened in the last 14 days, when you say it all out loud it sounds like your making it all up and I do find it hard not to get upset in front of everyone, I just have to keep going and I know that the next 14 days will be a lot better x

Tuesday 14 February 2012

Massive Slide Up

Have had a really nice day, started well Ronnie slept till just after six, he is doing well with staying dry seems to have two days on then two off. Went to cattle country today and the boys loved it, the last time we went was about six months ago and Ronnie has grown up so much since then. We went into one of the play barns and Ronnie wanted to go on the slide he went on last time, so I waited at the bottom for him and he did not appear and it suddenly dawned on me that he had skipped the smaller one to go down the massive slide instead...... he absolutely loved it and was so pleased with himself!
Callum went on a swing on our laps for the first time and kept laughing his head off. It was really nice to have a good day out.
Found loads of photos of when Callum was first born its so hard as it obviously reminds me of everything, like how he used to keep falling asleep whilst on his play gym, but at least now I know he gets tired and he goes up for a sleep. He gets so excited when I take him up for sleep, he spends so much time sleeping in his cot but i know he is comfy and it's what he needs at the moment.
Another busy day tomorrow x x

Monday 13 February 2012

The straw that broke me

What a day, think the last 13 months has finally caught up with me. Don't think this infection has helped, back to drs today have to have scan now which should have been done whilst I was in hospital. Ronnies behaviour is quite challenging and as you will have seen from previous blogs, his sleeping is not the best. Our health visitor comes every fortnight to help with Callum and she has been really helpful with Ronnie as well. We are going to see a paediatrician with Ronnie on friday to discuss our concerns with his behaviour so have been writing down things so I don't forget anything when there. It's tough because whilst reading it back I feel so sad for him. Really worried about the outcome if I am honest. I dropped Ronnie off at his Pre school sports day this morning which he was really excited about and his friends were there so he was very happy. I came home to put Callum down for a sleep before I went to drs, pulled into my road and saw dustbin lorry, got out of car and went to bring bins in and a notice had been stuck on it, fair enough we had obviously put something in the wrong bin, then the bin man came and lectured me about it! I wanted to say after this week I am surprised the rubbish is not all over the front garden! And that was the straw that broke me today. But tomorrow is another day and I hope I feel less broken in the morning. I know I was in the wrong but today was not the best day for me to deal/cope with it, I feel I am at my limit.

Sunday 12 February 2012

Dizzy day

Had a good day, struggling with low blood pressure so been dizzy and felt really faint today. Ronnie slept well. He woke at 11:30 and I put him straight back to bed in his room and he went straight back off till 6:30 so that was another good nights sleep. Had a lovely lunch out and took the Boys to the park, Ronnie jumped in every puddle going! Callum loved it too it's good for him to be outside too, it's nice for Ronnie as I tell him Callum is watching him and he likes that and says when your big like me Callum, you can do this! It was nice having a quiet day altogether after this week, it's haf term next week so no groups for Callum and Ronnie has got an activity sports day at Pre school tomorrow which will be just what he needs. Here's hoping for a good week, I am going to spend it recharging and keeping positive, it's strange almost feels like its a new start after Callum's operation and the fact that it went so well, a massive weight off!

Saturday 11 February 2012

Calm days ahead

Callum's operation went really well and was only superficial so that was a great relief and we now feel like a weight has been lifted. We came home the same day and it was like he had not even had anything done.
Unfortunately I ended up in hospital on thursday night with another infection from an operation I had a few weeks ago, my lovely brother who lives round the corner took me in, through the snow and waited with me till I was admitted to a ward so kind of him. I felt so poorly but came home today so nice to be home! My whole family were great as they always are, helping and sending messages of support, we are so lucky. Ace to be home with my boys. What a week though, everything seems a lot easier now Callum's operation is over and back to normal so quickly. Going to enjoy some calm time while it lasts x x x

Wednesday 8 February 2012

How many hurdles

Ronnie woke up at 6:30 so that was a fantastic start to the day and very unexpected! Took the boys for a coffee before I took Ronnie to Pre school. I spent the afternoon sorting out everything for Callum's operation tomorrow, it's down in Bristol and we may have to stay in. I am dreading it, it's only a minor thing but am so worried about him having an anaesthetic, but he is in the right place. I took Callum to his hearing appointment this afternoon, we waited outside for a bit and I knew this was going to be an appointment with a good outcome. When we went in they had to repeat his hearing test, they play a sound whilst distracting him with a little toy. They played a sound, I was willing Callum to turn his head to the sound but he didn't, maybe the next sound he will turn his head, no this went on and on, sometimes he turned to the sound but other times he did not. The lady came back in and checked his ears, glue ear is still there so he has to have grommets now and whilst he is having them put in they will check his hearing again, if the grommets have not improved his hearing he will need hearing aids. That was not what I was expecting at all, I know having grommets is only a minor thing but when you add all these things up for Callum it's such a lot. I just wonder when all of these minor problems will stop coming, I have to keep positive it is just so hard and draining, I feel really upset about it all at the moment and I look at Callum and just hope hope hope that he will be ok one day. Next hurdle is tomorrow will feel better after that is done and then we can go to the next hurdle. Need to muster up something from somewhere to get me over the next few x x x x

Tuesday 7 February 2012

Tired Out

Had a bad night, Ronnie woke up at 1.30 and was awake for a good few hours so v tired again today. Ronnie went to Pre school this morning and I took Callum back to play group which he enjoyed, he was tired by 11 so took him home for a sleep. After I collected Ronnie we went into town to get all the bits I will need for After Callum's operation on Thursday. Got his glasses fixed again, they don't seem to last more than a day before they need repairing, hopefully the new ones will be much more flexible and more suitable for Callum. I met a lovely lady in town she had the same push chair as Callum's it was really nice to chat to another mum it felt like we had so much in common before we even began talking to each other. It was good to talk about things with someone who has similar experiences. Another appointment for Callum tomorrow about his hearing, fingers crossed for that, if I had a pound for every time I said that I would be a rich lady! Here's hoping we have a full night sleep tonight? ..... Not likely, more tomorrow x

Monday 6 February 2012

Rollercoaster

Better start today, Ronnie woke up just after 5 today, he has recovered very well from having his grommets in and says he can hear things better, he also often now says that things are too loud for him, it must be an odd feeling. He went back to Pre school today has not been for a while so was a bit worried he would be upset when I left him but he was fine going in. He goes from 11:30 to 3:30 on Monday's which fits in with Callum's group at the Special Needs Nursery. Callum is doing well with things and as I said he waved on Saturday which was amazing, I keep asking him to wave and he claps his hands but like they said at the group he is following an instruction. We went through A development review today for Callum and I was asked what our next aim would be for Callum, I said I would like him to sit up on his own. They have said that that is a realistic expectaton but he is quite a way off that yet so we need to break it down into small bits, so to start off with he has to sit propped on a special lap table to get him used to propping himself when he loses balance. We tried it and it's so hard because he doesn't like doing it, he gets really upset and I just want to pick him up but I have to see past that. Eventually they want to see him doing it for a minute but he will obviously start of doing it for a few seconds. This really is hard, it's such a long process for A milestone that I just took for granted he would meet at the normal age, Callum is now 13 months. He gets so tired after trying to sit up he was trying to go to sleep on me, it makes it harder as you only have a few chances throughout the day to stimulate him and do his exercises before he gets to tired. This did leave me feeling flat and not in a very good mood, it makes all the other things I have to do for the rest of the day more difficult and I really did feel like bursting into tears and shouting why has this happened to Callum? But you can't do that you have to get on with it and carry on with being a good mummy to both Callum and Ronnie.What I have realised about Callum and his progress is that it is a roller coaster of emotions, Saturday I felt great today I do not feel great. The other thing I thought was how lucky Callum is and me to have the Special Needs nursery looking after Callum and working out step by step how to get him to sit up on his own, they are fantastic people and so clever, yes it may take time but I really think he will do it, fingers crossed.

Sunday 5 February 2012

04:30am start

Well we are used to waking up early as Ronnie does not sleep very well, so we have all been awake from 04:30 this morning so v tired! He goes off to sleep ok it's just when he wakes up he can't go back to sleep, I put him back to bed and he gets up again straight away so by half five we said it was morning any way so he came in our bed. It's really difficult as I have said before we have got a clock which shows when it's time to get up, this is set to show 6:00 as time to get up so I thought for the sake of half an hour is it worth it? It is so important to get some sleep after all. We get a lot of help from Callum's health visitor who comes to see us every fortnight and she also helps us with Ronnies behavior and sleeping so it's good to have her on board. It's hard not knowing what is causing his sleeping problems and it's hard being so tired all the time as well. We just have to keep going and know its not going to go on forever.....? Had a lovely afternoon, lunch at a garden centre and looked round afterwards, then we called in to see my parents on the way back, we hoped that Callum would show them his waving but he was really tired so maybe next time. Just a short one tonight, fingers crossed for better night tonight, until tomorrow x x x

Saturday 4 February 2012

Waving Today

A good night sleep made a whole lot of difference, I won't deny I felt exhausted and drained last night but today I feel a whole lot better! Ronnie slept till just after five and was dry again so that's three nights out of five so that is going really well. Ronnie has made a really good recovery from yesterday so we all had a nice morning out and about, first stop was to get a sledge for all the snow we are going to have (I hope) and then we stopped off at Toys R Us to get Ronnie a little treat for being so brave yesterday. It was lovely to come home and put the fire on and just relax altogether. After a nice lunch, we went round to Steves mum and dads, had a lovely time and Ronnie played outside in the snow, he has been a real handful today, but as soon as he is outside he is fine he just loves charging about. Callum has been ok today been sleeping a lot again, he gets really tired so had a cuddle with him for a bit and then he perked up a bit again. When we left we waved goodbye to everyone and Callum started waving back, we couldn't believe it, it was amazing really out of the blue, it feels so nice to know that he is picking things up and he is taking everything in. When we got home we kept saying wave at mummy and daddy and he did! I feel like waking him up now and getting him to wave at me. When something like this happens with Callum it's so exciting and reassuring, as he has development delay and low muscle tone he is not really able to sit up on his own yet so I keep suddenly panicking thinking he is 13 months he can't do this he should be doing that etc, but now he can wave yes CAN I don't get to say or think that about Callum very much but from today He CAN wave. It's been a really positive day because of this, Steve and I spend so long talking and worrying about Callum's problems and tonight we have been able to talk about how great it is that he is now waving. It was so nice that Steves mum saw him doing it for the first time, I have videoed him doing it and emailed it to my parents and put it on Facebook because I want to share this happy moment with everyone close to us. We get so much amazing help and support from everyone close to us And it is so special for them too when we have moments like this with Callum. What a fantastic day, really happy, I wonder what tomorrow will bring?

Friday 3 February 2012

Brave Little Ronnie

Well today went well, Ronnie was so brave he had his grommets in but did not need to have his adenoids out so we were home by 2 O'clock which was so much better than I expected. He was really good whilst we were waiting to go down for the op and he had some nice little presents to keep him occupied. He went of to sleep really well, I bought a book a couple of weeks before we went in about going into hospital and it explained about having the gas to make you go to sleep, this really helped and he wasn't frightened and just led there and drifted off. I got a quick latte and then waited for the nurse to come and get me, it didn't take long before she came back and took me down to recovery. He was really groggy when he woke up but settled after some stronger pain killers. When we got back to the ward he was fairly unsettled, I cuddled him until he went back to sleep and when he woke up Daddy had just arrived so it was perfect timing. I knew he was alright when he started asking for food - sausage, chips, quavers ribena. Then he got dressed and we were able to take him home. Callum was fine when we got back and had a lovely time with mum, it's funny the first thing Ronnie said when he woke up was "I want Callum". Looking forward to relaxing and recharging the batteries this weekend ready for Callum's operation next Thursday. Fingers crossed that Ronnie is over the worst now, Until tomorrow xx

Thursday 2 February 2012

A sneaky plan

Bit tired today, the Rocket woke at 4.30 had to change him and he did not really want to go back off, tried putting him back till 5.30 but realised he was not going to fall back to sleep, so I came up with a sneaky plan; we bought one of those clocks that shows a rabbit awake in the sun when it's time to get out of bed and a rabbit in bed and a moon when it's time to stay in bed, I sneaked into his room while he was talking to daddy and switched it from night to day, Ronnie then said "the rabbit is awake though mummy can I come into your bed now"? so we went and had a look and yes the rabbit was indeed awake! It normally switches to time to get up setting at 6am so I thought half an hour will make all difference to us all, and indeed it did. A naughty little trick, one which I will not use often but sometimes when you are so very tired it is an essential one to have up the pyjama sleeve! Callum slept all night as usual and lays in his cot gurgling in the morning until I go and see him, it's such a lovely sound to wake up to. We have a video monitor and I could literally watch him for hours awake or asleep. It so nice and reassuring being able to see him while he is asleep. Have Been preparing for Ronnie's ear operation which was set for 12:30 tomorrow, the children's ward rang me at 3:45 this afternoon to ask us to come in at 07:30 instead. I don't mind what time we go in but it now means that Steve won't be able to come with us as he had arranged to have the afternoon of and had rearranged everything for the morning. Still just glad it's not been cancelled and he will be with us from 12.30. Fingers crossed that all goes to plan in the morning, I will be eating my breakfast out of sight tomorrow and have packed all sorts of nice bits to keep him amused whilst we are there. If his adenoids are removed he will have to stay in overnight so either steve or I will stay with him. So until tomorrow or Saturday I bid you goodnight .....

Wednesday 1 February 2012

Caramel waffles

Day started well, Ronnie slept all night till 6 and was dry again so really pleased. Everything is so much easier after a good nights sleep. We went shopping today, boys were really good, had a nice coffee with them so that made a nice change, Ronnie is definately a fan of caramel waffles. Went to Opticians to get Callum's glasses fixed again, it's not easy keeping a pair of glasses on him, but this optician has come up with a good plan, they said they make moulded glasses for younger children which also have adjustable arms and they come with a strap already fitted at the back to keep them on, so hopefully they should stay on a lot better. Cooked a lovely steak for us all tonight as we have got a busy few days coming up, Ronnie going in to have little ear operation on Friday and Callum is going to have an operation next Thursday down in Bristol, so making the most of normality while it lasts. Have felt positive about Callum today, do find it annoying when people stare at him though, have noticed people look at him more now that he wears his glasses. I am sure peoples hearts are in the right place. Onwards and upwards for another nice day tomorrow.