GAA in the UK, a Surrogate Family and a Home Away from Home.

Warwickshire County Championship Winners 2018

Having never been involved with the GAA at home, my first experience with Ladies Gaelic Football was when I moved to the UK 6 years ago. I was enticed into joining the Roger Casements Ladies' squad soon after having Fionn, with the promise of drinking buddies and the reassurance that no one cared whether I was any good or not.

Fast forward 6 years, and I’m preparing for an All-Britain final, with a group of women who have shown me what strength, determination and integrity really mean.

Individuals bring an impressive tally of medals from home. Two All-Ireland winners, 6 Senior County Champions and countless Junior Championship medals from both disciplines; Football & Camogie. These are women who have represented Ireland at every level; in Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer, even Badminton.

And it’s not just the native players who bring a sporting prowess. With new English recruits, coming from soccer, hockey, rugby and judo backgrounds, the athleticism on the team is undeniable.

We have been led by a dynamic management duo, who have been relentless in their efforts to make us fitter, faster, stronger than any team in the country. HIIT sessions every week for months, sprint sessions, skills sessions, pushing us hard right up until last light, and then some.

All in the hope of winning the All-Britain title, which last year proved too elusive.

Off the pitch however, the differences of 20 counties are put aside and friendships have formed. 

It’s hard to explain to someone who has never experienced emigration first hand, but knowing you have a club family there, on whom you can call, makes living abroad all the easier. We have seen each other graduate Uni & take on PHDs, get married, buy homes here, become mothers. The heartbreak we feel when people move back home is immense. But with that come gaps left to be filled by new recruits: Maybe by a student who’s left home for the first time and is looking for a support network. A surrogate family. A team.

Maybe I was just lucky, and joined a good team and got my drinking buddies; but there is definitely something special about Roger Casements GAA Club Coventry.

As a team we would like to thank our sponsors; BCS Group, Kilkenny Construction Ltd. and our Charity Partners Anthony Nolan, saving the lives of people with blood cancer.

Roger Casements Ladies Football Team Coventry, are hoping to continue their 100% season and add to their County Championship Title with a win over Tír na nÓg of Yorkshire in the All-Britain Junior Championship Final in Manchester on Saturday 22nd September.

Come along for what’s bound to be an intense game of football, and a taste of what the GAA in the UK really means.

St. Brendan’s GAA

M33 6LR

Throw in 12.30pm

Breastfeeding; a more positive experience

I wanted to write something with a bit more of a positive twist on Breastfeeding.

All National Breastfeeding Weeks, all I saw online was articles and blogs about how hard it is, how negative peoples reaction is, how people didn't want to or couldn't, and their justification of that.
Let me start by saying there is no need to explain or justify why you didn't breastfeed. It's each mothers choice, and all each mother can do is her best for her baby.

This has been my 'norm' for the last 5 years
No matter where or when,
if the baby is hungry, boobs are out!

What really irks me though, is that bottle feeding is portrayed as the 'norm'. the majority of books, and TV, and cards, even baby clothes that reference feeding, show bottles. Which is fine, but it does get a bit annoying, when all you can find on mainstream sites on line is negativity surrounding breastfeeding.
Sure, there are a ton of support groups online, but they can get very intense, and sometimes quite judgey of mothers who don't conform to the strict Exclusively Breastfed, Baby Lead Weaning, No Sugar, Low Fat, Vegan Diet, rules that a lot of the families in these groups follow.
I'm in no way judging them, but I am saying there's a need for a middle ground.

I was lucky, all three of my boys took to feeding naturally, and I found it very easy. Something that actually made me feel like I was doing it wrong first time round, because I couldn't find a single piece online about it being easy. I can't be the only one.
I had a massive over supply, so I was able to donate my surplus Liquid Gold to the Human Milk bank on all three.


I fed Fionn until he was 1. I had hoped to go longer, but I needed to stop to start on Anti Depressants for PND. I probably should have taken them sooner, but I felt I needed to get to that year mark.

Daithí is still on the boob occasionally at 2 years 5 months. I thought he had weaned about half way into my 3rd pregnancy, but as soon as my milk came back in, he must have smelt it, because he was straight back on.

Tadhg is 9 months this week. I tandem fed him and Daithí, while donating to the Milk Bank for the first 6 months. With Daithí only occasionally feeding, and Tadhg too old for me to donate, I'm starting to accept that this is the tail end of my breast feeding journey as I wrap up some 'lasts'. I'll continue to feed for as long as it's working for both of us.

In the 5 years that I've been breastfeeding, I've had nothing but positive reactions from people while out and about. Which got me thinking, it can't all be as negative as some of the stories on line might lead you to believe. I reached out to some friends to get their stores, and was pleasantly not surprised to hear that they shared very similar experiences. I know I wouldn't have been so nervous my first time feeding in public had I known people aren't always dicks.

I was in a Costa one day, feeding Daithí, drinking coffee and playing trains with Fionn, and a woman tapped me on the shoulder to say congratulations. She went on to explain she was a recently retired midwife, and loved nothing more than to see women just getting on with it and feeding their babies. I didn't really know what to say, but it made me feel a bit more confident in my parenting abilities.

One of the most received posts on IG
@ohboystory

Another time I was out in Nando's with the two kids. My friend had gone to the counter to order, and Fionn waited till I had Daithí latched on to spill his drink all over the table and chair. Quick as a flash, a man at the table beside me jumped to help. I pointed at a muslin square on top of my changing bag and he cleaned up the entire spill. As I was gushing a thank you, he said don't mention it, my wife fed both of our kids, I know how hard it is. Again, I felt a little more of a confidence boost.

Yet another positive experience that sticks out in my mind, is when I was in Thomas Land, Fionn & Daithí were off on a ride with Shane, and I was crouched on my hunkers, feeding Tadhg on my lap. A woman was taking shade from the sun beside me, and commented that I was doing a great job, that she was only ever able to feed sitting down propped up with a dozen pillows.

Shane calls it ninja-feeding. Walking and feeding, or feeding while doing something else. He always  gets excited and points it out to me when we spot someone ninja-feeding. He says he'd love to say well done, or something but it afraid people would think he's weird.

Don't get me wrong, I know those early days of learning to latch, and the cluster feeding, and grizzly babies and sleepless nights are hard.

But please, believe me, trust your body, it gets easier!!!

Tadhg's Birth Story

Canavan family of 5!

As I learned quite quickly after Fionn, most people don't want to hear a positive birth story. It's almost as if you're shamed for having an 'easy' time of it, and you're 'bragging' and giving people 'false hope'.

DaithÍ and I,
12 hours before Tadhg was born

As I learned after Daithí, most people love to hear the horror stories, everyone has an awful story to share, each one more traumatic than the last, as if it's a competition. Growing up in Ireland, with a maternity health care system like something from the dark ages, believe me, I've heard my share of horror stories.
It's not wonder women are terrified of giving birth.

So indulge me if you will, I want to share a story of how my perfect birth went. This is in no way to brag, or to shame, and it was definitely not without work. But a positive birth story has an importance that reaches further than the family involved. I know had I been able to find a positive story to read before my first, or if I had known of a friend or family member who shared a great story, I wouldn't have been so fearful and blinded by the misconceptions that birth is this awful ordeal, that we're constantly fed. (Think OBEM!)

At the start of the pregnancy I  made no secret of the fact I wasn't happy. I was suffering PND from Daithí, and was finding it hard to accept a unplanned pregnancy. I knew I had to do something seriously about my mental health. (Again another thing that isn't helped by the Irish attitude to shush up and hide MH issues)

I was referred to the gym and Slimming World by my health Visitor after Daithí, which really helped my overall mood, so decided to stick to this throughout the pregnancy.
I pushed my midwife to refer me to the perinatal team, and was assigned a councilor who worked wonders for me.
Shane and I also made the decision to take a Hypnobirthing course.
This three prong approach if you will; body, mind and relationship laid the foundations for everything I needed for a calm and relaxed birth.

On top of Mount Brandon,
14 weeks pregnant 

Physically, I was fitter and healthier through this pregnancy than I had the previous two. I was surfing at 10 weeks, did the Wolf Run at 12 weeks, and hiked 75km with dEBra at 14 weeks. I wasn't sick half as much, I didn't gain excess weight, and wasn't nearly as uncomfortable as I had been before.
But mentally there was still a lot going on. The biggie, being the house move, 8 weeks before due date.

The last week of pregnancy was busy to say the least. We're having building work done in the house, I was in a stand off with my moving company and Ikea waiting deliveries. And I was organising the end of year awards evening for my football club. My parents were over for the weekend to babysit so I could actually go to the event. Needless to say I was stressed.

At the Dinner Dance
36 Hours before Tadhg was born

I knew from my hypnobirthing, that I had too much adrenaline in my system to go into labour before the awards evening, and was joking all week that as soon as the night was over, and I allowed myself to relax, baby would arrive. I wasn't wrong.

I made it to the  event, I even managed to find a dress that fit me. Sure enough, the next day I started to feel things getting going. I actually said to my Dad before dropping him to the airport, that it was going to be today. At about 9pm I started getting a little excited. I wasn't 100% sure, but knew I needed to make sure there was someone in the house with the kids, should I need to be transfered to hospital. so I rang my cousin to come and stay. Niall and Sarah arrived at 10.45, already in PJs, ready for bed. They were happy to just go to bed with an alarm set for work. We even joked as I made them tea, how chilled out I was.

Shane did a guided meditation with me at 11pm and I went to sleep. At 3.30am I woke up unable to sleep through the contractions. I timed them in bed for half an hour, they were 3 minutes apart, and lasting a minute each. Knowing from Fionn and Daithí that my labours are quick, I thought it best to ring the hospital.
I rang the hospital at 4.10am, and they said they'd send the midwife straight out.
So I instructed Shane to clean up the last of Fionn's train tracks and move the car off the drive so the midwife had somewhere to park. (There was a skip there from the extension, so not much room!!)

I took this picture 8 hours before Tadhg was born!
I knew he was on his way, and this would be the last ever pregnant picture I took.

I then pottered around setting up the living room, covering the sofa (that has finally arrived from Ikea 3 days previous) and floor with shower curtains and towels, lighting candles and getting an area in the dining room ready for the midwives. We had set up the TV to play the HB tracks, and these played in the background for the whole thing.

Alex arrived at 4.45am, she did my obs and everything was good. I was 5cm dilated with budging membranes, and she was happy to let me and Shane get on with it. At this stage I was leaning on a high book case and rocking back and forth, with Shane holding my back and counting my breathing though each contraction.

I moved then to a kneeling position resting on the sofa, where Shane did another guided meditation with me. He's convinced I fell asleep during each contraction, I don't quite remember it like that, but I was definitely in a deep state of relaxation.
The urge to push came after about 30mins of this, but because of the cold I had been fighting for the last 8 weeks had my nose so blocked, I knew I had to blow it so I could breath properly. Alex handed me a tissue and as soon as I blew my nose that was it!
Membranes bulged out like a water balloon, I had a very uncomfortable feeling in my back that wasn't passing with the contractions, so I moved into a more upright position, kneeling on the sofa, leaning over the arm. On the next contraction I pushed and my waters went and with them came the head. On the next contraction and a gentle push Tadhg was born at 5.40am. I felt an incredibly empowering calm come over me. I paused to gather myself before Alex passed him through my legs and I scooped him up to me.

Tadhg Canavan, born 06/11/17, 5.40am 7lbs 15oz

I moved back onto the floor to deliver the placenta, which was quick, easy and painless. The NHS now practice optimal cord clamping, as standard, so I knew I didn't need to ask. Once the cord had stopped pulsating, Alex clamped it, and Shane cut it. I had Tadhg on my chest for the whole thing, and he fed straight away.



Everything was so calm and relaxed when the second midwife arrived. She even commented on how well I looked (I still had my hair up and tan on from the dinner dance). At this stage we realised everyone upstairs had slept through everything. Shane text Niall to tell him Tadhg had been born, to save him the shock walking into the living room full of midwifes and a baby!

I could hear the kids starting to stir at about 7am, so I left Shane to dress Tadhg and I went to get them. As soon as Fionn saw me, he put his hands on my stomach and said 'Your belly is so small Mammy'. My heart melted when I saw his little face light up as I told him his baby brother was downstairs.

My 3 Boys
2 Hours after giving birth

Shane & Tadhg

Tadhg & I

The rest of the day was spent feeding, dozing on the sofa, and calling family in Ireland. It was so perfectly calm and relaxed. 7 weeks out, I don't feel like I've come down from that high. The whole experience had left me feeling so strong and in awe of what I'm capable of. Shane was the most amazing support, and I feel we're in a better place than we've ever been together. Fionn and Daithí love their baby brother, and I really feel like our family is now complete.




I could not have done it without the amazing support of my WiseHippo Hypno-birthing Instructor Bernie. She came to the house for classes, and worked around timings with the kids. She even picked up on how much anguish I was holding onto after Daithí's birth.We worked through everything, and I feel completely alleviated of all the guilt, shame and trauma I had been carrying around the last 2 years. Here's her Website.

Hospital Bag Number 3

Even though I'm planing a home birth this time round, it is still advisable to have a 'hospital' bag packed.
One, on the off chance you actually have to go into the hospital.
And Two, so that everything you need is easily accessible and you're not having to direct your midwife/ partner/ friend to the second drawer on the left to find the baby a vest or you a pair of pants.

Two is especially important for me, as my husband can't seem to find anything, even when it's directly in-front of him.
I'll give you a laugh for an example; last night while I was doing bed time, Daithí escaped and walked into Shane in our bed room calling 'Dad, Dad, Dad'. I called in, 'Shane, can you grab Daithí there please', his response 'yeah, where is he?', (?!$%^*) Seriously? He's at the foot of the bed you're currently sitting on!

Anyway, you'd image packing my 3rd hospital bag, I'd be a dab hand, but I'm still learning.
This is what I've included this time.

Baby's Bag
I used my Yummy Mummy Changing Bag

15 newborn nappies (Aldi Mamia)
Cotton Pads (in a lunch box, ready for water to be added) I't's advised not to use anything other than cotton wool and water on a baby for the first 6 months of their lives, as their skin is too delicate and sensitive. Even products that say 'from birth' contain chemicals that are just not necessary, and can cause nappy rash. It's also cheaper!!)
1 Towel
1 Blanket
5 Burp Cloths (I found these in Dunnes on Daithí, I don't know what they're technically called, but I love them! Perfect for covering the top of your boob while feeding for a little bit of modesty, super soft for wiping milk off babies face, and just the right size to put on your shoulder while burping)
5 Small Muslin Squares
1 Large Muslin Square
3 outfits (vest, baby-grow, cardigan) wrapped in individual sandwich bags. This is something I read recently, and went to repack my bag to do. It keeps the vest, baby grow, cardigan and hat all together, so that whoever is with you, can take a bag, and everything is in it ready to go.
Especially important for us, see point two above.
A little side note about scratch mittens, I wouldn't bother. Most, if not all first size baby grows have built in scratch mittens that fold down over the hands, so no faffing about trying to keep them on.
Also remember, babies are NOT meant to wear puffy jackets/ snow suits in the car. Even if you're having your baby in the middle of winter, layers of clothes and blankets are better than big jump suit. Yes they look adorable, but they're not safe for the car.

My Bag
I used a small, carry-on size suitcase

1 Water Bottle (one with a sports cap, this was my only form of pain relief on Fionn, as the Gas&Air made me feel sick, the cold water was amazing!)
1 Bath Towel (Dark Brown)
1 Hand Towel (Dark Brown)
4 Face Clothes (two different colours, for your face, and for your foof!)
Flip-Flops
1 Pack of Big Pants (I just bought cheap ones that can be thrown out rather than the awful disposable ones)
Sanitary Pads (Always NightTime are the best I've found)
Breast Pads (Even if you're not planning on feeding, you'll need some for when your milk comes in)
2 String Tops (I wear a H&M Nursing Top, day and night, they offer a little support without a bra, so welcome when your milk comes in and you feel like a block of cheese!)
1 Night Dress
1 Wrap Around Cardigan (rather than a bulky dressing gown, maternity hospitals are HOTT)
1 Pair of comfy Pjs (Pennys/Primark, Navy and Disposable)
1 Pair Maternity Jeans, 1 Feeding Bra, 1 Nursing/Maternity Top, 1 Hoodie (You may not even want to get dressed going home, but don't for a second think you'll fit back into anything pre-pregnancy, I was horrified to learn you leave the hospital just as swollen and bloated as you went in! So pack a going home outfit for comfort)

A Wash Bag Containing
Cotton Pads, Cleanser, Eye Cream, Moisturizer, Cotton Buds
Tooth-brush & Toothpaste
Dry Shampoo, Hair Brush, Bobbins, Clips, Hair-Band
Deodorant


Other things I plan on bringing, but wont be packed, as I'm using them daily are;
Pregnancy Notes & 'Plan B' - My not a birth plan one sheet, outlining a few things I'd like to keep inmind.
Birth Ball (Most hospitals have their own, but I'm an abnormally tall person, so need my giant one)
Pregnancy Pillow (Hopefully I wont be in for long enough to need it to get comfortable, but decent pillows are a rare commodity on a labour/ post labour ward)
Hypno-birth music


Shane's Bag
(Is yet to be packed, although I've left instructions, so will probably be an Asda carrier bag, if it gets packed at all)
1 T-shirt
1 Boxers & Socks
Toothbrush & Deodorant
Phone Charger
Pj Bottoms (Our hospital has just introduced a Mum+1 policy, meaning Dads can stay over, so something more comfortable than his usual Jeans may be necessary)
Hypno-birth scripts & Music
Water and Snacks (Shane left while I was in labour on Daithí to get a pizza, that was when things started going wrong, bleeding, low blood pressure, etc. I lost control of my head. He's been warned he's not leaving me by myself this time)


Obviously, everyone will have their own priorities when it comes to what they want/ need to bring. This is just what I know I'll need from experience.

*

Hyperemesis and Me

This is the full piece I wrote for HerFamily.ie

They didn't edit much to be fair, but I think this sounds a bit more true to my voice. 

1. Tell me about your experience with HG

It was awful. I knew I was pregnant before even having to do a test, because the vomiting started. I thought I had a bug at first, but after 2 weeks of getting sick every day I knew I was pregnant. I had my booking in appointment with my midwife at 8 weeks. I fainted while having my bloods taken and was transferred to A&E by ambulance. After a course of IV fluids I was discharged home to rest. I was dehydrated and exhausted. This continued the whole way through the pregnancy. I was sick morning, noon and night. I would wake up getting sick. It got to the point that I was afraid to eat anything, or I'd eat things that I knew were easier to get back up. Because everything came back up. I tried to get on with it. I went about my day as best I could when I had the energy, you do what you have to do when your a Mam but it definitly took it's toll. 

2. Although it's different for everyone, can you describe what it was like to go through for you personally?

Physically it was draining. I had an energetic toddler, who didn't stop. There were days I physically didn't have the energy to stand up, let alone carry him down stairs, so I'd hear him calling from hisbed in the morning, and I'd crawl to his room and lay on his floor with him playing around me till my husband came home from work. 

I lost 11KG from my 8 week booking in appointment to my 6 week post partum check up. I was having scans every 3 weeks to make sure Daithí was ok. At one stage, I had lost 1KG between scans, but he had gained 1.5KG, so I was in negative weight. 

Emotioally it was even more challanging. 

There were people (and I'm talking family as well as strangers) who would scold me for feeling down and constantly remind me that I was lucky to be pregnant and that women would kill to be in my shoes. 

What ever about how physically draining it was, it was the emotional stress that I found worse Somethimes you just need to be acknowledged that things aren't going according to plan, and youre aloud struggle with that.I stopped talking about how I felt, and would play down my symptoms, because it was easier than having to listen to everyone. 

3. Did it continue for your entire pregnancy?

Yes, from day one, untill after Daithí was born. I had a cup of tea and some toast about an hour after he was born, and within minutes had puked it back up. I didn't eat then until the next morning, and was fine!!

The muscle damage from the constant retching and vomiting is still evident, and took a few months for the pain to die down.  

4. Were you hospitalised and if so, for how long?

Yes, in total I spent 6 weeks in hospital. I was taken by ambulance twice. I fully fainted 3 times, and had countless spells of such low blood pressure that I almost passed out. Daithí's heartrate would drop, every time my blood pressure did, and I rushed to labour ward twice fearing an early delivery would be necessary. A midwife explained, that there was nothing in my system to keep me going, so my body went into survival mode. Pulling resourses from the extremities and just focusing on the vitals. It was like turing a computer off and on again. I'd get blurred vision, get dizzy and have to sit down. Then when my body realised I was ok, I would slowly be able to start doing things again. 

5. What treatment were you given/offered? (Medical and natural)

I was given every pill under the sun, but I'd puke them up as soon as I swallowed them. It was only when I was in hospital, and was given anti-sickness medicated Cyclizine through an IV that it made any difference. I would still retch, but I was able to keep small amounts of food down. 

I was given IV fluids daily while in hospital, and every week or two throughout the pregnancy. 

Everyone who heard I was sick thought their home remedies would be the answer; ginger buscuits, crackers, flat 7up. When in reality I couldn't even hold down my own saliva!! If one more person suggested a dry cream cracker, and I'd have had the strength I'd have killed them. 

One of the more bizarre suggestions, was to crawl around the house like a cat, as mimicing what a pregnant cat does, should stop me getting sick. 

In my desperation I tried it. 

It did not work.

6. How many children do you have? Did it happen through all of your pregnancies?

This was my second pregnancy. I had a mild version of Hypermesis from 20-42 weeks on my first pregnancy, but on my second it started from day one. I am now 32 weeks into my third, and I haven't been sick. It's bizarre how different every pregnancy can me. This pregnancy was a bit of a surprise, I definitly never would have intentioally tried to get pregnant so soon, after how aawful the last one was. 

7. Did you have to take time off work? If so, how much did it interfere with your job?

Yes, I had to come out of work, I was signed off with long term sickness, and depression. This meant I had to start my maternity leave early. I ended up being made redundant the week Daithí was born. It was very sly on the part of my employer, but I didn't have the mental or emotional capacity at the time to fight it. My husband also had to come out of work for a month to mind Fionn while I was in hospital. 

8. What advice would you offer other women with HG?

Push for a diagnosis. Doctors, especially male are too quick to dismiss us, so you sometimes need to shout to have your voice heard. Report everything. Keep a sickness diary if you must, and show it to every health care professional you see. 

Also, seek out support. Prefrably from people who have experienced it. It is very hard for people to understand, unless they've lived it. From my experience, although often said with the best of intentions, some peoples 'support' and 'advice' can make you feel worse. 

9. Do you think there is enough support available in Ireland for women with HG? How do you think this can be improved even further? 

I am in the UK, but I know from FB support groups, there is no where near enough support for women in either country. I think awarness among health care professionals as well as the general public is the best way forward. HG is not just morning sickness. It's not just an inconvenienct part of pregnancy. It's debilitating and potentially dangerous. In extreem cases it can cause iriversable dammage, and needs to be taken seriously. Women's health, especially maternal health in Ireland is treated apawlingly, and I think that is the root of the issue.  

10. Had you heard about it before you experienced it personally

Only that Kate Middelton had it on Prince George a few months before I got pregnant on Fionn, I had never heard of it before. I don't think a lot of people had. I'm glad she's being open about it, and not pretending everything it ok. I don't know if it's the case of another taboo subject relating to pregnancy, like miscarriage or fertility issues, or depression, that we're not supposed to talk about. but the more people who do, the easier it will be for those coming after them. 

It's been the Longest Week, and it's Only Wednesday

So I might have been a little too hard on myself this week, and beat myself up a bit for not being more organised with the kids going back to nursery, but after a very positive appointment with my mental health team ('finally', I hear some cry!) I'm going to focus on what I have achieved this week.

Monday I got Fionn, Daithí and I home safe, by myself on the boat.
It was a 8.45am sailing, so I packed the car up the night before, topped up the Oil, Diesel and checked the pressure in the tires, ready to hit the road at 6am to make sure I was there good and early enough to get a decent spot.

Typically it was the one morning both kids were still snoring, and I had to lift them straight into the car.
We had a nice breakfast in the terminal, and managed to get a table on the boat. Luckily beside a family with two kids the same age as mine, on their way to Thomas Land.

Much like blokes can instantly bond over a pint and a football match in the pub, 3.5year old boys will instantly bond over juice and Thomas the Tank Engine. Fionn shared all this trains, and told them everything about his favorite place in the world. I was so proud of his communication and sharing.

The drive from Holyhead home was actually grand, and I made good time. I was quite proud of myself, not something I frequently admit to.

Tuesday I chased the bank, solicitors and estate agents, and finally got an exchange on the house, movers booked and paid for, and kids nursery sorted for the year. I had to laugh when my cousin commented that after weeks of delays, I was back in the country a day and everything got sorted.
I should have come back sooner!!

I also managed more packing and sorting in the 48 back in England than Shane has in the 6 weeks I was away, so I'm marking that up to a win for me. I've been shit at talking to friends, but I have spoken to every single one of our service providers and sorted out the change of address with practically everyone. All that's left are the people who refuse to talk to me because accounts are in Shane's name, but I've written him a list. I do love a good list!!

A Long List and A Big Bump

I genuinely feel like the entire burden of the move, and pregnancy and everything that goes with it has been weighing on my shoulders but I could feel it physically lighten once I got confirmation of exchange. Now there'e the actual move to contend with. I'll be here by myself, so I can coordinate everything, so I'm hoping it goes much smoother than the last 6 months of hic-ups.

Maybe the 2 coffees yesterday were deserved

Our Month in Ireland

As my month in Ireland is coming to an end, it's struck me how completely different a trip I actually had compared to what was planned.

30 Weeks

27 Weeks

The bump has appeared for sure! But we've been up to a lot more. 

We were supposed to be moving house back in July, so I planned to take the kids to Ireland for a few weeks, and let Shane deal with the move, get the building work done, and have the house pretty much ready for me and the kids to come back to. If the last move is anything to go by, I'm a terrible pregnant person who doesn't know how to not lift boxes/ carry things/ etc.

Of course, that's not how things have panned out. We're still waiting on a confirmed move date, we're hoping it will be early September, but with how completely rubbish our solicitors and estate agents have been, I'm not holding my breath.
I need to take the kids back next week so Fionn can start pre-school with all his friends. He's also been invited to his first birthday party from nursery. I really don't want him to miss that transition, especially with all the changes he has; new baby and new house, coming in quick succession. If I can make the nursery to pre-school transition, as easy as possible, I think it will do him good.

I really thought I'd get the chance to write more while I was here, I had been planning everything out in my head, but although I've had loads of people to lend a hand with the kids, not having them in nursery, or in child proof houses has meant it's a bit more full on with them. I've had the odd hour here or there, but the two of them together is a hand full, and a lot to ask of someone to mind. I've been prioritising baby sitting hours with sleeping, and chasing up solicitors/ estate agents/ etc. for the move.

We've made some great memories though! We've had the chance to go to family events we would have otherwise missed, and because we've been here for so long, we've had time to go actually go to new places, and spend quality time with friends without being rushed.

We've made friends with dogs and ducks (as well as some new human ones!), we've been to possibly every playground in Dublin. As well as every shopping center. We've been to funfairs and museums, and spent hours playing in the garden.

The kids absolutely love playing with my sisters and their partners, and my parents get so much joy from spending time with them.

I'm fairly sure my Da takes the kids for a walk in the hope he'll bump into someone he knows so he can show them off.

Daithí has come on so much in the last few weeks, I can hardly believe it.
His speech has definitely developed an Irish accent, and his interaction with other people, family, strangers (and dogs) alike is adorable. He says 'hello' to everyone we share a lift with, and tries to hug every dog he passes. I've managed to steer him away from all but one strange dog, who he managed to get both arms around in a full bear hug, while the little mite was being carried like a rag doll by his 7 year old owner.

While looking through pictures with him today, I asked Fionn today what his favorite part of the whole holiday was, he said 'Playing with trains'. Now there's a surprise!!

I'm still feeling so massively overwhelmed by the fact I am due in 10 weeks (so any time in the next 7-12 weeks), and we still don't have a move date. I'm taking the kids back to a house that has essentially been dismantled in preparation for a move. And the likelihood is I'll be doing the trip by myself.
Furniture, including sofas, that we weren't planning on taking with us to the new house has been dumped. Shelves have been taken down, wardrobes unscrewed from the wall, and the attic emptied. I'm anxious there will be a delay on the day, and we'll be left stranded.
I'm OK with making the journey back by myself with the two kids. I'm surprisingly OK with it. Other people seem to be freaking out at the prospect. It's funny, I feel like I can do anything by myself with the kids, because it's what I do every day, and I have some level of control over it. It's everything else outside of me and the kids that I panic and stress about.

Everything is still so up in the air, I feel like I've reached the stage where I can't adult anymore, so I just have to say 'fuck it'.
I'm meeting a good friend for dinner tomorrow, another on Saturday and I'm going to my first All Ireland final on Sunday, so in the absence of a rake of pints, I'll be having copious amounts of food and pretending everything is fine!

For now, I'll leave you with a selfie from 5.45am this morning.
I'd been up with Daithí since 4am. He saw me check my phone, pointed at it and said 'Cheese'.