Day 5

Forgot to mention that on Wednesday Rachel decided she needed the potty from upstairs bringing downstairs and when fetching it decided to throw herself down the stairs. We were sitting in the lounge, I was just feeding jack when we heard the terrifying bump bump bump bump as she fell all the way down. It is the first time she has done this, normally she is so careful, so it totally freaked us out. James leapt up and went out to scoop her up. She cried a bit but as it happens was less upset about it than she gets about the tiniest little cuts that are barely visible to the human eye. She had a shower with me not long after the aforementioned incident and I noticed she had a big red mark on her back.I put a bit of arnica cream on it and luckily as she can't see it she seems to be fairly unaware of it's existence!we were just relieved that she got away pretty much unhurt.

So, after another all right but not wonderful night we all had to get up on Thursday morning to get Rachel ready for Mandy's. I sent Rachel to get her clothes ready whilst I made her breakfast and was delighted when she managed to get together a whole outfit, minus socks, all by herself. We got everyone breakfasted and then James took Rachel round to mandy's house. As usual when he drops her off she had to be reminded to say goodbye to him, whereas with me I can sometimes not even make it out of the door without her starting to "cry for mummy cos I miss you"!!!
We then buzzed around tidying and doing washing so that the house would only be in some kind of semi-chaos as both grandma and my parents were coming over to see us.
Grandma arrived mid morning and despite announcing that she could only stay for 5 minutes ended up having to be practically forced out of the front door a good half hour or so later having told Jack about 10 times that she had to go now cos she needed to go to Solihull!!!
Around lunchtime mum and dad arrived and after some cuddles mum already started wanting to do stuff. I really appreciate any help but sometimes I just wish mum could just sit down and chill for a bit. I don't think I will ever understand her constant desire to be doing something!!!!

James put together a small buffet style lunch - quiche , pate baked Camembert, French bread etc etc etc.yum yum - it was lush and I squeezed in seconds but then couldn't manage cake-dammit!
In the afternoon, I went up for my daily nap which is great, but I don't want to get too used to it because from the end of next week I will not necessarily have the chance to do this.sob sob sob...
All too soon it was 4pm and time to get Rachel to shatter the peace and quiet we had enjoyed all day!!! She has generally been amazingly good but boy is it restful when she's out!
Mum and dad left to check in to their hotel after they had seen Rachel and after we finally got her to not be rude and to say thank you for the presents they had brought for her.then becci popped her head in for cup and cuddles while I gave Rachel her dinner. Grandma had brought over some meals for us so rach had a pretty good plate of chicken casserole which James and I finished later on. For once she ate quite well and was very sweet with Becci giving her loads of cuddles and some for the baby in bec becs tummy too. She also took a great photo of bec becs tummy!

Jack decided he wanted some milk when it was Rachel's bedtime so she had to give in and let daddy take her up to bed but she settled down quickly and we got the evening to ourselves.
As the last couple of nights had been a hard slog for daddy we decided we should move Jack upstairs with us at bedtime and after an 11pm feed we attempted to settle down for some sleep. Not too much success unfortunately as Rachel appeared and had to be taken back today and Jack still didn't want to settle in his basket. After getting Rachel back to bed and with Jack snuggled up to me we dozed off and managed a couple of hours before Jack woke up for another feed and Rachel reappeared for the 2nd time. After a small tantrum Rachel went back to bed and daddy went with her. He came back to get a blanket a little while later as he was freezing in her room and she wouldn't settle on her own. Jack and I once again dozed off until at around 5am everyone was once again awake, Rachel trying to sneak past daddy to get in with mummy, Jack wanting feeding and Ben pacing around. Eventually everyone settled down again and we managed to get some more sleep before getting up at just before 8. All in all Jack and I probably managed the most rest but still can't get him to settle in his basket. Am hoping that eventually we will get past this phase, I just find it interesting, that on the first night in the hospital he was perfectly happy in the plastic box - similar to a large gastronorm container - but he won't give in to sleep in his comfy bed at home....