Wordless Wednesday

Pediatrician says what?

*If you don't want to read a rant then look away now as I am about to blow off some steam*

For those of you who have known Youngling and I in person or even having read this blog from the very beginning you will know how we have suffered for the past four years with very little to no sleep.

Youngling has had the most disordered sleep habits from the day he was born suffering from terrible Colic then cohabiting and then separation anxiety which has now come to light may all be down to his Dyspraxia (suspected Limb Dyspraxia but diagnosed Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia).

Now if I were a new mother just complaining about being tired and lethargic from lack of sleep then I could understand being dismissed in such a flippant manner by the health professionals. However I am not a new mother and as someone who has worked with children and young people for the past thirteen years I think I know when a child has disordered sleep which needs medical intervention.

I am so bloody knackered all of the time and that's ok I can cope with that however Youngling cannot cope with being so tired. His constant waking and, night terrors, difficulties getting off to sleep and then waking every hour is affecting his health. He too is exhausted and needs his rest. He often looks pale and drained and his temper flares up when he is feeling so low.

You can imagine my anger then when I receive a dismissive letter from a pediatrician having had our GP refer us to said professional to discuss/assess the situation further.

Apparently because our GP could 'see no signs of a neurological disorder' in Youngling (from our ten minute consultation). Now forgive my ignorance but isn't Dyspraxia a neurological condition?

As I mentioned in a previous post a specialist who assessed Younglings speech at school recently confirmed he has Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia and said that we do not need to apply for him to be statemented which was great news. He will continue with his Speech Therapy in September only it will take place during the school setting. It was interesting as she also suggested that he may need specialist equipment to help him in class such as a wobble seat to help his balance as she too noticed signs of Limb Dyspraxia. Again everything pointing to a Neurological Condition which could be affecting his sleep and ultimately his performance/behaviour.

I am waiting for a copy of the letter and will try to book another appointment to discuss this with another GP as I am so appalled that a diagnosis can be made without a formal assessment. You wouldn't have a doctor say 'I won't see this patient as you said they don't look like they have cancer'.

My appointment from my MRI scan and xrays is coming up too and I am now getting nervous about those results Fingers crossed I won't be dismissed as easily as Youngling has been.

Have you seen a pediatrician for sleep disorders?

Take care
Love

Makeshift Mummy
xx

And so it begins.

The countdown is well underway for me to complete the '30 things before 30' challenge I have set myself and so far so good. I have done two of the thirty and they have been rather liberating to say the least.

The first was to fly without an aeroplane which you can see/read all about it HERE.

The second thing, number 21 on the list in the sidebar, was to paint a picture. So I did. I sat down whilst babysitting and painted a picture I did this without any instruction or proper materials and this is what I came up with...

The second attempt I followed a watercolour 'how-to' book and learnt all about layering and tones etc. There is a wealth of information regarding watercolour painting which I had no idea about. I mean I knew it was a talent but I hadn't realised how many layers and different textures could be applied in order to reach the end result.

I haven't finished my second attempt but I thought I would show you the stages I have progressed to. Please bear in mind that my dad (a Graphic Designer) who is an amazing artist sadly skipped passing these artistic skills down to me (and I don't think they bypassed me in order to go to Youngling either - we are both more equipped with the physical arts for sure).

Since I have pretty much completed my task I can now enjoy painting and I have so many ideas of things I would like to paint. Don't get me wrong I know I am no Van Gough or Monet or anything but I can't help thinking how nice it would be to have my own original artwork hanging on the walls instead of a generic mass produced piece which can be bought everywhere. Obviously it will take more than two attempts before I get to hanging my own work but for now I can work on producing a small flower watercolor picture to go into a new frame - just because.

So that's two down 28 to go. There are still three spaces left for your suggestions of challenges/tasks so pop them in the comments below and the best three will be added to the list. I will mention you (if you so wish) in the posts I blog about the tasks. It would be great to do some together so get your thinking caps on.

When was the last time you just sat down and painted a picture?

Take care
Love

Makeshift Mummy
xx

Lets keep in touch

Don't panic I am not going anywhere. I just thought that since I can't always get online to blog and share the crazy happenings of a Makeshift Mummy, I would share some other places that we can keep in touch.

First things first. Did you know that there is a Makeshift Mummy Facebook page? It's easy to find: www.facebook.com/MakeshiftMummy Also you can pop over to the sidebar and LIKE it too which would be super nice of you ;-)

www.facebook.com/MakeshiftMummy

I am also on Twitter. My handle is @MakeshiftMummy I can be found there most days Tweeting about life in the Makeshift Mansion. So for more instant interactions greet me with a Tweet :-)

https://twitter.com/MakeshiftMummy

For a more professional insight into a Makeshift Mum then take a look at my LinkedIn profile.

• • http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/kate-ladd/71/125/453/

Hopefully you all like Makeshift Mummy and would like to let me know by giving me some Kred:

http://www.kred.com/#search/MakeshiftMummy

If you ever want to have a chuckle then you can always view my videos on YouTube. I am thinking of creating my own little show ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/user/MakeshiftMummy

So please pop along and say hi in one way shape or form and feel free to leave your links below and I will swing by and say hi too, I may even wave ;-)

Until then, take care.

Love

Makeshift Mummy

xx

Do you always know what to say?

I am currently blogging from the comfort of my sofa typing one handed as I am cuddling a very tired Youngling with the other. I wouldn't normally work while he's awake or unoccupied without friends but today seems different.

We don't have that much to say to each other.

He is slumped up next to me, his head is heavy, his breathing slow. He is trying to keep his eyes open and as we sit together watching the colours on the TV blur together neither one of us makes much of an effort for conversation.

I don't know what to say to him. Sometimes, usually when I'm driving, I am lost for words - an occurrence that doesn't happen often as well you know. I don't want to make idle chit-chat with him that bears no meaning or resonance I don't want our conversations to go down the toilet - although they mainly consist of toilet talk, poo being the current favourite.

Picture sourced from Google Images

More often than not it will be trying to get conversation from Youngling, especially when he's overtired. More often than not I am received with a grunt or a groan because Youngling doesn't like questions as it can sometimes feel too much like Speech Therapy. Sometimes that's just what he wants our conversations to be, like Speech Therapy, a series of phonics and cued articulation.

Parenting although being the best feeling ever can sometimes feel like you are a broken record, always saying the same things over and over and over and over..... It can be exhausting and it can become so monotonous that you begin to detest the sound of your own voice. Especially when you are talking for more hours of the day than not with a child who has never slept properly since the day he was born.

Youngling and I sometimes have the best conversations when he is half asleep and half awake about dinosaurs that eat cheese like Ollie (note I do not feed out puppy cheese). There has been many a conversation about Patch the Pyjama monkey (Which is now copyright into a story lol).

Do you always know what to say? Is it just me who is struck dumb and wordless with their own child?  

Take care
Love

Makeshift Mummy
xx

For one night I got to be a princess...

...and get all dressed up for the Hen of the year.

I admit I have become a bit of a an old shrew lately condemning anything with those four letters L.O.V.E but I haven't completely given up on romance just yet. I can say with my hand on my heart how happy and proud I am of my oldest school friend who will be getting married in a few weeks time.

At the weekend I helped her celebrate her upcoming nuptials to her childhood sweetheart. Myself and thirteen of her friends dressed up in Disney characters and assembled at her beautiful cottage house where we received some fabulous personalised goody bags with Champagne, novelty straws, game cards, novelty chocolates (by novelty I of course mean in the shape of willy's).

Gift bag a pleanty

We soon boarded a swish disco hummer limo and headed off for the last supper as a single girl and then partying the night away with VIP treatment at a bar and nightclub.

After stuffing our faces at the meal and posing for some random photographs with tourists we headed to our first bar where we enjoyed some cocktails, mocktails and we even had a magician treat us to a few tricks.

Kurtis was very entertaining and wowed us all with his tricks. Mrs. Hen got to keep one of the cards which had three names magically written on the back when they had originally been written on separate cards! Wow. Although I was a little bit cautious of his rubber bands - they're dangerous things don't you know - Kurtis managed to put Cinderellas phone inside a balloon which was already blown up. Amazing!

Kurtis Whitehead Magic Like No Other

Despite a few annoyances, mainly drunken 'boys' trying to jump in on ALL of our photos, everyone had a fabulous evening. The drinks were cheap and cheerful and there were even some Lady Gaga styled women on stilts entertaining the crowds. I wasn't completely sure of the stilted lady's outfits which consisted of a leotard with one breast cut out revealing a janet jackson style tape covered nipple. Well if you've got it flaunt it I say. It reminded me of some 'In Yer Face Theatre' I saw during my university years. Oh the memories...

Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and made the most of being all dressed up in what some might say a risque outfit but hey I am not getting any younger ;-) So I too will make the most of it while I can ;-) Let's face it you all see more of me when I'm at the beach...

The limo was a bit bumpy on the way home ;-)

Good luck and congratulations to a beautiful bride to be.

Can't wait to be there with you and your friends and family to help you celebrate the purest love of all, Yours.

Love and best wishes
Belle

(aka Makeshift Mummy)
xx

Adult Sunday's

On Sunday I went to the Crick boat show with Mum, Dad, Youngling and the dog. We met up with my Aunts and Uncles, two who actually live in a canal boat. Despite all the threat from our weather folks there wasn't a drop of rain and fortunately for us it was a beautifully glorious day.

Now I know nothing of boats and canals etc.but I've always enjoyed going to the Inland Waterways Association festivals and it's nice to pass on this tradition to Youngling. Youngling was very excited to go on the boats and showed no fear when leaping from the banks.

He loves waving at the boats chugging past my Aunts boat and doesn't seem at all phased by the difference in layout and size of their home.

He enjoyed looking at the young explorers fact tent and seeing all the tadpoles and water life. I think his favourite part was the punch and judy show and all the free fairground rides. I have to admit I enjoyed that also. Though I wasn't too enamoured of the helter skelter.

Younglings favourite character - Scooby Doo

"Spin me faster Mummy"

Enjoyed a relaxing swing.

"I'm king of the world"

Even I got to go on the Carousel (my old time favorite film by the way). It was a bit fast but love the feeling of the wind in my hair....

Me on the Carousel.

Always been close to the animals ;-)

Nanna Barbar didn't think much of the Carousel however....

Nanna holding on for dear life ;-)

Youngling loved it though.

I enjoyed a lovely lunch of Paella and a cold pint of cider whilst listening to some awesome reggae bands. You cannot beat a sunny day, cider and great live music ;-)

Enjoying a spot of lunch and Youngling had the BIGGEST burger ever lol.

Always happy to support the RLNII.

It was so hot I kept Youngling covered up until it cooled down a bit and he chose a fun recycled sun hat to wear...

"Look Mummy a 'pider"

"I just getting leaves to feed my 'pider"

Bampa bought Youngling a little wobbly spider in a box which he treasured close by him all day.

So after a lot of walking and playing we had a buffet style dinner on the boat 'Serena' before a sleepy drive home.

Youngling you have something on your cheek son.

"don't look at me mummy"

"Here I am Mummy"

All in all a fantastic day to top off a brilliant long weekend. Though I do think the boat show should change the labelling on their wrist bands - could be a bit miss leading ;-) 

'Adult Sundays' - ooh er missus ;-)

What did you do this weekend?

Take care
Love

Makeshift Mummy
xx

Birthdays and bouncy castles

Well I am officially in the last year of my twenties eek. On thursday 23rd May 2013 I turned 29 years young ;-) 

My birthday was a quiet day filled with school runs, studying, Speech Therapy meetings, an interview for a cleaning company then more school runs. Mum and Dad treated Youngling and I to a lovely pub dinner and after I went to a PCC meeting at Church where I became Vice President of the Mission/Worship and Evangelism committee as well as being the head of Childrens worship/groups. It really made my birthday to be honest and made me feel all grown up and responsible  Now I just can't wait to get into teaching.

I cannot help but feel that as I get older birthdays are becoming less important. It really is just another day. I suppose now all our focus is on making birthdays the best memories for our children. I have spent more time in the past four years planning and preparing bouncy castles, balloons and fancy dress costumes than I have on doing anything for my own birthdays. I wonder if anyone would turn up if I planned my own kids parties with an adult twist you know vodka jellies but keeping the magician and bouncy castle ;-)

I think we should try to bring back the fun element to birthdays and celebrate our mothers too.I think we should think less of what to give/receive and enjoy making a memory like we do with our children.

Here a few pictures of 29th birthday...

Dressed for the day.

Youngling wanting me to open my cards and his present.

Youngling helping me open my present.

My beautifully handmade picture from my boy.

Beautiful gift from a beautiful friend.

My flowers, wine, cards, pressies and
home made chocolate brownie I made into a sandwich with butter icing ;-)

Flowers from my boy.

New satchel from ma & pa.

Me before the meal.

My boy and I in the car on the way for our meal.

Youngling navigating our to the pub restaurant.

The best gift of all - Youngling.

I didn't get a flight ticket to go back and bust some moves in the indoor skydiving centre but I will definitely be saving up for that little treat.

So now there is only 361 days until the big three zero so let the countdown of my thithy things begin. I still need three challenges from readers so please leave your comments below or email me with your tasks ;-)

Until next time, take care

Love

Makeshift Mummy

xx