At last a card, and more.

Hi Friends

I hope you are all keeping well. My little Phoenix has caught his 1st cold, and he's now teething which doesn't help, it's so sad to see him struggle but he is coping incredibly well bless him. Along with all his other baby noises he has now learnt to growl and along with his cold makes a really lovely noise which has me in stitches, long may it continue., not the cold I meant the growling.

Bank holiday Monday we went over to Claire's for a Bar-B-Q, wow what a hot day that was. Food was great the wine was flowing and we all had a lovely day. Then Claire said "MUM" we want to get Phoenix christened soon and we would love to do it in our little village church where they had their Blessing and they would like to have the party at our home. I was so flattered and it made me incredibly happy and such a privilege to do this for my little man . I don't know the date yet and how many people will be invited, by the sounds of things it's quite a few. I have ordered a new chest freezer which is being delivered on Monday. I ordered 300ft of bunting to zig zag up the driveway, they have arrived already so have so have the paper lanterns with lights. I spent all last weekend cutting letters x12 to Spell Phoenix Evan Ward to make bunting for the hall, and because we call Phoenix our little fox I cut out 24 little fox faces to go either end of his named buntings. Claire, Toby and Phoenix are going away on holiday soon so I thought I would get a head start on the proceedings. I'm just praying for good weather as Craig and I went out last week and bought some new garden games. I am in my element, it reminds me of my catering days and how much I miss my little business. It was very hard work. I worked on my own and catered for 5 schools and 3 shops daily. The shopping was most days and prep was 7 days a week while still taking and, picking up Claire & Craig from college before they could drive.

Last weekend was busy too. We had another Aching Arms charity Tea Party to raise more money for the Teddy Bears for bereaved mum's, dad's and siblings to leave hospital so that they don't leave  empty handed like Claire & Toby did. Our family & friends have donated many bears to different hospitals and now  A H Rogers the undertakers that looked after our little Evelyn until her goodnight service. The mum's & dad's that have been to this undertakers and have seen the teddy's in the room that Claire decorated,  always ask about them. If they didn't know about the charity they are asked if they would like a teddy for themselves or for their siblings to cuddle. They can take the bear home with them there & then or they can be left with their babies and then take them home after the goodnight service, or the teddy can stay with their babies.

As yet the final figure is not known as donations are still coming in, and yet again Myself & Paul got the privilege of the kitchen duties for the teas & coffees. Sadly there were a lot more mummy's that came in carrying their babies in Teddies like Evie Bear. It's so sad to see, and to wonder why our country has the worse figures for sleeping babies. We need more scans in the last 2 wks before the delivery, and also a simple test for Strep B that can lead on to sepsis a week before delivery, sadly you have to pay for this test. Again this should be an automatic test during pregnancy. If the mum's results show as positive, while delivering they are just given a strong antibiotic drip and the baby is protected. How simple is this. Many babies die on or after delivery because of sepsis. Why is this not common knowledge in this day & age. Claire only found out about this test 2 months before Phoenix was born by another new baby loss mum to sepsis. anyone can carry this Strep B virus but are not aware of it.
 

Here are couple of pictures Paul took before the event started and before all the cakes were put out, the table was so full of cakes. Everyone had worked so hard baking. It was amazing.

Here Goes!!

Not a very focused pictures taken by Paul, I think he had his eye on a cake or two on the other table.  Evie Bear is wearing the coloured dress with matching yellow headband. She had many photos taken with new baby loss mum's and their very special bears, Really very moving.



I eventually found some time to make a card. I used one of the foamiran roses I made on the last blog. I hope my friend doesn't come in for a look as it's a card for her for the 23rd of May. Close your eyes at this point Annie.

I hope you like it!!


I know I'm bias, but I had to show you this picture of my lovely son. He sent me this photo a couple of days ago. He was riding his bike along the prom on the beach in Bournemouth to get some exercise. He stopped for a short break when a man came up to him and asked if could he possibly take a photo of him with his low rider bike. The man explained that he had suffered a breakdown and is using photography to help with his recovery. He said he was on a program and has been asked to try and introduce himself to at least one new person a day to gain his confidence back. Craig checked everything was above board and agreed to let him take a photo of him and the bike and an artistic one of Craig with the beach and the photographer reflected in the lens of Craig's glasses. Well this was the outcome. I think it's an amazing photo of my boy!!

If you look in Craig, proud of you Son-shine!!😎💛

 

Sorry this blog this time reads like War & Peace, but such a lot has been going on since my last blog.


Well that's all folks!.  Did I hear a thank goodness for that?

Thank you all for looking in again, I really do look forward to seeing you all here. Hope you enjoyed what you saw.

I will be spending tomorrow in front of the TV watching Harry & Megan's wedding. Wishing them both a beautiful day full of wonderful memories.

Love & Hugs to you all

Tina XX