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Brightness
It turns out that 'Lunar Dust', far from being a hint of lavender, is bright lilac. Carpet is dusky pink, whoops! I think that Hubby is going to be rather more shocked than surprised.
Tonight I am looking after the Grandchildren but Son has ridden to the rescue and is going to lend a hand. He's going to pick up a takeaway on his way over, and then play with Jack whilst I cope with the evening grouch-bag that is Amy. Rest of the day, Little Miss Smiles, sleeps through from 9pm until 8am, but is the biggest misery-guts from 5 until bedtime.
Sleepless night
Well, I'm still alive - just and more importantly the Grandchildren are both still alive. Their parents dropped them off yesterday evening with the advise that the taxi would be picking them up from the wedding reception at 1.45am, they should be back about 2.15am.
Son arrived with the takeaway and wondered why Mum was unable to sit and eat. It may have had something to do with a toddler and a baby demanding attention, but until I suggested to him that he might like to amuse one whilst I changed the others dirty nappy he seemed capable of ignoring them.
I had been anticipating this tandem babysit with apprehension. Silly really, I had three of my own and coped fined, I even seem to remember enjoying it, why be so tremulous about Jack and Amy? They are only babies. I know what it is, they are not mine. I may love them as much as my own, they might be really happy to be left with me, but there seems to be a much bigger responsibility when they have have not sprung from my loins.
My part of the night went fine. Jack went off to bed happily. Amy took her bottle (the trick is to give it to her whilst she is sitting in her vibrating, music playing, light-flashing chair), and then settled happily in her travel-cot. I had donated my bed to the greater good, Jack's Mummy and Daddy, and so I was sleeping on the settee. I was just dozing off when the gang returned home, all shushing loudly, and falling up the stairs. I waited, and then it came, Jack had woken up, screaming. I think the sight of a virtually comatose Mummy and a laughing Daddy scared the sox off him. Up I went, but after a few minutes he seemed to settle. Back to my sofa, only for the screaming to start again. In I went, gave him a drink and a cuddle and returned to my cushions. Three times I pelted up the stairs 'cos I was frightened he wake Amy. At 7am I was awakened by Jack screaming in a hurt way, I flew up the stairs, he had shut his fingers in the door, 'Hey Jack, breakfast?' Amazing, the noise ceased immediately, and that was it until 10am, Nanny, Jack and CBebbies.
In future I will not worry about the babies, I shall worry about their parents. Infact, in future I shall have a parent free zone.
PND???
Today Amy's Mummy is having a visit from her Health Visitor to assess if she has Postnatal Depression, she is terrified.
When babies are 2 weeks old, Health Visitors conduct a questioning session on the Mum's to try to highlight those at risk of developing this debillitating illness. In principle it's an excellent idea, but I have to worry that as an efficient screening tool it's about as effective as the antenatal double test. I have, out of interest, answered this list of questions, the last time being when my youngest was about 15 years old, and wonders, I had postnatal depression! Daughter is taking it very seriously though, I have tried to reassure her that they won't 'section' her or take Amy away, but I think she feels that her answers will somehow grade her as a Mum. I have to say that I don't think that she has PND but perhaps I'm too close to pick up on any signs. As Midwives we are given sessions on detecting depression and to my mind she doesn't exhibit any of the signs; not interested in going out, seeing friends, her appearance, her behaviour toward baby. We'll see.
Finally the kitchen is being painted, my house is starting to feel less alien, as a result my spirits are lifting and I can see an end to my exile. Nine weeks now since that ******* dishwasher threw my world into confusion. There have been huge positive outcomes, redecoration, new carpets, new kitchen but I would still love to be able to turn back the clock and still have my cats, plus all the 'junk' that I had collected over the years. Best not to look back, must look forward and appreciate the people and memories that I do have.