Productive activity - check! And they were so yummy and easy to make - recipe here. 

Something for myself - I painted my toenails. Glam or what.

Something to make someone smile - Played Big Bang Theory Monopoly with El Husbandio, and he won. Twice. I didn't do it on purpose but he loves to win!!

Lou x

Accidental spill of my Diet Coke on the highchair tray turned into a fun wet play exploration activity... Video here >> https://youtu.be/EaY-874UO-8 For some silly reason I can't paste the video here. Restrictions of blogging via smartphone!

Cookie Dough Sensory - uncooked cookie dough is awesome, tasty and fun to play with. Video here >> https://youtu.be/VBadvJpy1VE

You may be tempted to visit beauty spots or family/friends, but don't. Stay safe, keep your family safe. Protect the NHS and save lives. 

There's much to be enjoyed at home and in this good weather, so make the most of it! 

We're planning a BBQ for the three of us, a replanting of seeds since the slugs got our veg, bread baking, and setting up the static exercise bike. If it's super nice, the paddling pool might even make an appearance!

Stay safe,

Lou x

Following my appendicitis, my family and I are isolating to shield me for two weeks, so lockdown just got riiiiipe! Our dog has been packed off on holidays round the corner as we three are confined to the house and garden. It's been six days and it has been ok so far, to be honest. But then one often doesn't feel like doing much when feeling rough. This coming week will be more of a test, I think.

Today, to make someone smile: I made yoghurt cranberry muffins for my husband's breakfast tomorrow. 

Today, for me: I did my first exercise since my hospitalization, and felt great for it, energised.

Today, to be productive, I cleared out my recipe books and put together two charity bags of clothes for when lockdown ends. 

Stay well,

Lou x

Tuesday night, after dinner, I had such stomach ache, felt sick and had a real domed gut. I felt pregnant again and 3-4 months gone within half an hour! I went to bed early thinking I'd just eaten too much bread (!!), only to throw up three times overnight. I awoke with localised pain where it had shrunk down to a smaller than first sized area near my right hip and I called the Dr. After a video chat, she shared my concerns: This could be appendicitis. 

Fabulous. I was terrified - hospitals, as we know, have been a real hub for covid-19 and I imagined a disaster zone, even in wards out of ICU. 

I didn't have to worry. The hospital was like a ghost town, no visitors being allowed and many people choosing to avoid hospital if they were feeling ill. The staff had put in lots of protective measures too, of course, like having just one person operating the touch screen self-checkin machines. 

An hour or two after speaking to my GP I was bent over double walking into the hospital, wincing in pain and feeling very sick, donning a mask I'd been given kindly by a ****beautiful loser stalker of a friend nearby****, I was tested (bloods and obs) and CT and Ultrasound scanned in Southmead Hospital, feeling weirdly not hungry for hours. The fever symptoms associated with appendicitis also meant I was put in my own room as a precaution during this time. 

Mild appendicitis was diagnosed and I stayed overnight with IV antibiotics. That did the trick. I'd identified my problem and caught it early, thank goodness. I even had a covid-19 test (not pleasant, I warn you now!) as is the hospital's current policy for overnight patients. 

Honestly, the pain wasn't ever too bad. Undoubtedly it gets worse with a burst appendix, but the worst bit was leaving behind my baby. Time for dad to step up and put her to bed haha! He did amazingly though, both seeming happy enough on video chat. 

I cannot fault the nursing staff. They were reassuring, professional, calm, friendly, washing their hands every time I looked at them, it seemed. We were laughing behind our masks quite a lot, and it made me feel a little sad to not see the faces of these angels in scrubs. 

As I walked out of the ward, exhausted but happy and upright once again, I told the staff on the reception desk I'd be clapping extra hard that night for the NHS Clap. 

Thank you (again) Southmead. You may have saved my life. 

Lou x

P.S. My family and I are now isolating to shield me as I recover from infection. I am so grateful we are together, and I am slowly getting back to normal.