Born at 27 weeks

When I grow up Mummy what will I be?
My beautiful daughter asks of me
At just turned two
She has no clue
Of the extent of possibility

When I grow up Mummy what will I be?
My cheeky son requests to see
At just turned two
He has no clue
Of how wide and wonderful our world can be

And so how do I, their Mummy, reply
To keep their dreams and aspirations high
I tell my two, both under three
They can be whatever they want to be
And that will be fine with Daddy and me
We’re already as proud as proud can be
With every single day of their life that goes by

You see, Born too soon and born too small
It is a miracle my two are here at all
But here they are and here to stay
We make the most of everyday
And we talk together, we hope, we dream
Of what when they grow up they’ll be

For grow up they will
The future looks bright
Because at the start
Their care was right
The doctors, the nurses, the reams of research
That made sure despite a premature birth
Esther and William, and now Matilda makes three
Can ask, what will I be when I’m grown Mummy?

Then There Were Three

I have written this post, this poem as part of Tommy’s #whenigrowup social media campaign. Without the work of this charity my beautiful twins may not be here today. Born at just 27 weeks they were in NICU for 59 days. They received fabulous medical care that gave them the chance to grow into the wonderful children that they are today.

Now I am asking you to help raise £100,000 for Tommy’s this summer by shopping in Asda during their Baby & Toddler event this summer (27th August – 16th September). Mums and dads can help support baby charity Tommy’s – and therefore other mums and dads across the UK to have a healthy baby – by stocking up on their baby essentials during their local Asda Baby & Toddler event.

During the event leading brands – such as Huggies, Pampers and Cow & Gate – are giving a donation to Tommy’s on selected products, to help Asda raise £100,000 for us, and to help fund our vital work to give every baby the best start in life. www.tommys.org/asdababy

Why support this event?
• Tommy’s funds vital medical research into stillbirth, premature birth and miscarriage, and supports hundreds of families across the UK when they have to suffer the trauma of a pregnancy loss or complication.
• Problems in pregnancy traditionally receive very little funding for research in the UK, which is why Tommy’s work is so vital. In turn, none of Tommy’s work would be possible without the support of the public, and partners like Asda. So far Asda’s contribution to Tommy’s has enabled:
 Funding of Tommy’s PregnancyLine – a freephone phone line, staffed by midwives, which anyone can ring for support or advice following a pregnancy complication or loss. The line is open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm – our midwives can be called on: 0800 0147 800.
 The charity’s new ‘Having a Premature Baby’ guide – an essential book for anyone who has had, or is at risk of, having a premature baby.

By supporting the Asda Baby & Toddler event this September, the public can help Tommy’s continue their vital research to ensure that more babies are born healthy, and offer the continued support that families so desperately need after the loss of a baby. With 1 in 4 women losing a baby at pregnancy or birth in the UK, the issues Tommy’s deal with affect a huge number of families each year, yet there are still many unanswered questions as to why complications in pregnancy happen – Tommy’s exists to change this.

As part of your weekly shop you can help parents throughout the UK realise their dreams and those of their growing children.

Thank you x

Only now that I am a mummy of three in a family of five do I understand wholly why my mother started packing for holidays weeks in advance.

Why certain items of clothing would disappear from my drawers and why I would be banned from one random room in the house.

Packing for a week away with a young family is an absolute mission. It takes thought, planning, organisation and child free time. Time you have to snatch when you can in very short interludes, hence the need for secret packing in advance!

So we are off on our holidays and it would seem we are taking almost our entire house with us and even still I am dreading the things I might and probably will forget.

The comforter, the teddy, the Calpol!!!!

Here is my list of holiday essentials for our little family of five as much a check list for me as interest for you.

Have I missed anything?

Sleep
Pyjamas for each child for each night
Sleeping Bag for each baby
Teddy / comforter for each baby
Bedding for cots and crib
A baby monitor for the twins and one for baby
Laptop for bedtime TV
Laptop charger
Bedtime reading for all
Blackout blind or bin bags to black out windows!
Tape

Clothes
One outfit for each day for each of us
One spare outfit for each baby
Waterproof coat each
Puddlesuits for Esther and William
Wellies for all
Shoes for all
Socks for all
Fleece each
Dribble bibs for baby

Eating
Highchairs
Bibs for Esther and William
Plate, bowl, snack bowl, cutlery for Esther and William
Drinking cups for Esther and William
Antibacterial wipes
Hand and face wipes
Toddler snacks
Food for toddler teas

Indoor Play
Box of toys
Basket of books to include In The Night Garden and Mr Tumble Magazines as full of stickers and activities
Box of art stuff to include crayons, sketch pads, stickers and sticker books
Baby Gym and playmat
Tummy with Mummy Seat with Tiny Love Travel Arch
Bumbo???
Basket of toys for Matilda mostly Lamaze toys and some black and white cuddlies
Cars and car mat

Going Out
Double Buggy
Carry Cot
Baby Bjorn Miracle
Raincover
Snoozeshade Twin
Snoozeshade Original
Bundlebeans x 3
Picnic Blanket

Just In Case
Calpol
Nurofen
First aid kit
Plasters

Beach, Water and Outdoor Play
Swimsuits for all
Sunsuits for all babies (we can hope!)
Swim nappies
Sunhats for all
Towels for all
Wet shoes
2 x sand trucks
Play tunnel
Flexibath
Munchkin inflatable duck
Paddling pool
Buckets, sand moulds and watering cans
Squirty crab and turtle
Footballs
Forks, spades and rakes
Buggies and Babies!!
Suntan lotion

The Car
CDs for the car
Snacks for the car
Drinks for the car
Change Bag – fully packed
Spare clothes bag – fully stocked
Baby Bjorn Miracle

Additional For Me
Mascara
Shower Gel
Face Wash
Shampoo and Conditioner
Laptop
Charger
Pens
Notebook
Wallet
Keys

So that is the list complete.

My house looks like a bomb site.

We must be ready for the holiday to begin!