DPP Day Twenty Three ~ Thirteen Today

 Yesterday was a really challenging day and Pip was anxious that some of the birthday plans would have to change but that was not the case!  A real answer to prayer ❤️.  She had a short period in the afternoon when she was struggling to remain upright but that was just at the end of The Harry Potter Escape Room Game and then it was time to watch the film, "A Boy Called Christmas". Would definitely recommend watching it if you get the chance 😊

We also had some other rather unusual answers to prayer.  Our GP follow up this morning highlighted some abnormal blood test results which necessitate a referral to a paediatric endocrinologist.  We seem to be collecting consultants and assorted conditions at the moment and as much as I would rather this wasn't the case, it does at least explain why other certain health issues have been happening.  In addition Pip's cardiologist rang to enquire how things were progressing with the drug change and I was able to explain that things have not been great at all.  As a result we agreed to trial one dose of the ivabradine first thing followed by propanalol for the remainder of the day.  He is also going to speak to her paediatrician and request IV Saline once a week as this makes a significant difference to many PoTs patients.  With all of these medical issues I really felt as if God was saying, 'I've got your back, I know it's hard but things will come good.'

Here are the photos from today:

Super happy to be thirteen ❤️

Not quite x marks the spot as Pip was born in the dining room in the old house!  However we were in the dining room and next to the table where she was born 😊. Normally we try to have a photo at her time of birth 8:39am but we are all exhausted so the photos was taken an hour late.

Pip love, loves football and her favourite team is Liverpool.  She was made up with scarf that we had bought her and her play therapist/counsellor gifted her a Liverpool shirt which she is going to frame and put on her bedroom wall.

As usual Pip's best friend Beth came to spend the day with us and both girls had a really lovely time:

Enjoying a lunch of sausage baps and vegetable sticks.

Working through the clues.

Me helping out as by this time Pip was definitely feeling off.

A rather unwell Pip glad to be sitting down with her legs elevated.  The girls are holding their prize, another dog themed Christmas decoration - although Beth has told me that she keep hers up all through the year ❤️

Making origami stars.

As per tradition they both get to blow out the candles ❤️

Low carb chocolate, caramel brownie birthday cake.  It's the first time I've made it and it was a real hit.

 A final end of day treat hanging out with her school friend Anna from InterHigh.  They are both Minecraft gaming fans and Anna had designed a birthday world for Pip complete with balloons, games, food and a spa!  They video/audio chat on discord as their virtual characters work on building a project.

I'm so glad that we got to make some special memories today it has really warmed my heart and I now feel that I can breathe easy for the time being.

DPP Day Five ~ A Birthday

 On this second Sunday of Advent we also celebrated Mum H birthday.  A lovely roast dinner for tea and a birthday ring of candles to provide some birthday cheer:

St Nicholas ready in waiting for tomorrow ☺️

We attended evening mass which starts at six so by the time we arrived home it was after half past seven, we were definitely ready for our meal by then!

The sun beginning to set earlier in the day, taken from the upstairs bathroom window.

A Big Ol' Catch Up

 Lakeside Motor Museum

Our first car was an MG Midget but not this version!

A Rehab Birthday and Dragon Bread

'Drat, Drat, Double Drat ... sorry we cannot be with you on your birthday love Ben and Pip.'  Dave and I were big whacky races fans in our youth and since growing a beard, I've nicknamed Dave 'Mutley' after the famous dog!  Pip very obligingly put her artist skills to use in making the card and ornament.

One of the Sue Ryder staff bought this icon for Dave and the kitchen staff cooked a special birthday lunch complete with gluten free cake.

Pip also had fun making and decorating our yeast free dragon bread.

Levens Hall and Gardens

We met with Mum H just over a week ago at this place which is a halfway point between both houses.  It was lovely to be out in the fresh air and admire the gardens.  We had a lovely picnic lunch followed by a coffee and hot chocolate treat in the cafe.

Beacon Fell Adventures

Two weeks ago we attended our first Beacon Fell Homeschool group since the lockdown in March.  Pip has really missed her regular activities and it was so lovely for her to spend time with Phoebe, since Arts Award is still not running.

A Solo Anniversary

We celebrated our 32nd Wedding Anniversary last Sunday, it's the first time we have ever been parted on this day.  It made me think of those who have lost loved ones or those serving in the forces and are away from their families.  We did get to have our usual WhatsApp catch up in the evening and that was lovely.

Breaking News ...

... Dave walked with a frame last week, the first time since July!  On Monday he walked 2x3m, on Wednesday 2x4m and on Friday 2x5m, so with a bit of luck he could be home on the 19th November as planned :-)

A Seventeenth Birthday Bubble

Where has the time gone?  Ben turned seventeen on Thursday and I have to say his was the best lock down birthday to date :-)

The day started well for me and I was very productive first thing cleaning the kitchen, sorting the laundry, unloading the food delivery and decorating the birthday cake.  It's amazing what you can achieve when you are not continually interrupted by kids! 

Prior to the latest Covid-19 rules we had already decided to visit Mum H in Cumbria and to have a picnic in her yarden whilst she would sit in the kitchen.  On Wednesday night the PM announced the new plan that two households could get together provided one of them was either a person living on their own or a single parent family.  The new household would then be called a 'family bubble.'  This ruling comes into effect today so we jumped the gun by 48 hours but using common sense figured that was OK since both families have been totally out of circulation for the past twelve weeks.  It was so lovely to spend the day with mum and give her a big hug!  Ben, Pip and I also popped to see my family but we stayed well away from them, we stood on the door step and they sat on their stairs, still it was good to see them in person as opposed to through a screen.

Although Ben enjoyed his day, it has hit him hard that this college year will be finishing next week and a lot of his friends will not be returning in September.  In addition the tutor that has been a constant for him these past three years will also not be teaching him.  As a result anxiety levels are running pretty high and that is before you factor in the unpredictability surrounding Covid-19.  However he does have a meeting with his long standing friend Lewis planned for Sunday; they will go for a socially distanced walk followed by a LAN computer party, whereby they will sit at either end of the big table in the garden and play Minecraft and eat snacks, just like the good old days!  I will also get to sit in the garden and drink tea and knit with my lovely friend Debs :-)

Here are some pictures from the day:

 Opening presents, Bahco Laplander tree saw from Uncle Andrew and Aunty Catherine.

 A Star Wars Mandalorian hoodie from Pip.

 Reading WhatsApp birthday messages.

 Cards on the mantelpiece.

 As requested a birthday breakfast lunch.

 Blowing out the candles at Nanna's house.

We forgot the tripod so a silly try and get everyone in the shot selfie using the flip screen on my camera!