As you may have gathered from my lack of writing the new chapter is pretty hectic! As we knew it would be but finding a quiet, not exhausted moment just hasn't really happened, when it does it is nice to just enjoy it quietly because as a rule it won't last long!
We are all starting the New Year well and with Ithan settling nicely into a more manageable routine we are beginning to have some evenings again which is wonderful. Rosa continues to be on amazing form. We all suffered horribly the multitude of bugs that seemed to floor everyone before Christmas but we seem to have finally shaken the snot and tummy aches off to emerge ready to face 2011 and all the challenges and joy its bound to have in store for us.
The Autumn was quite hard as we had lots of work, the weather was often bitter and Rosa was poorly on occasion to a frightening degree, although it was only a really nasty cold it really knocked her for six and she was so distant, pale and would take no food or drink. There were a few days when we could hardly tell she was concious and she lost too much weight. We reminded ourselves repeatedly that this is how she deals with bugs but it still brought plenty of fears to the surface. As soon as she was back on her nosh G initiated the clotted cream regime, plenty of that at every opportunity including on her porridge and I think she has a bit in reserve again now. Gareth's birthday celebrations were lovely, we had a great bunch of friends around for a party and bonfire in the garden. Rosa spent the whole day in her wheelchair, socialising! It was a really special day and we all felt very happy.
Rosa, Ithan and I had two stays in the hospice while G went off to Oxford and Farnham Ceramic shows. It was difficult as Rosa was poorly but I would rather have been there than at home on my own with them. The staff there are amazing and once again we were all cared for with sensitivity and generosity. Once Rosa finally shook the bug off she seemed to really fly again, she has been very happy and contented ever since she recovered and generally up for most things. We had a really nice visit to Gareth's brother and girlfriend in London at the beginning of November, Aidan and Bianca are great hosts and it was fab for them to have a proper bit of time to get to know the kids a bit more. Coffee-ed up Aidan became Uncy Manic, don't think he'll ever live that one down...So much so that he broke his car keys throwing them around for Rosa's entertainment! We all had a lovely Christmas, down in Cornwall with the grandparents for a couple of days, they were delighted and so were the kids! Plenty of Uncles and Aunties around too and Rosa and Ithan's beautiful little cousin Zennor. It was really special to see the kids together, it certainly revitalised Christmas for us this year.
In the world of Rosa there are going to be some big changes this year. After her third birthday she should be able to start at Pathfields the local special school, we are currently starting the long process called statementing which involves an assessment of Rosa's needs, both educational and otherwise. We hope by starting it now it should be completed by May in time for her to start to get a taste of school before the Summer holidays. It is actually pre-school, more like a nursery and wonderful Helen works there so we are hoping that she will settle in well and quickly feel at home. It will be very much toes in the water at first to see how we all feel but we are excited for her and for us too. It is now time to post this and head to bed....I will really try to be back soon!